Opening

President Rhonda (in a phantom opening) got off to a quick fire start at 6.08pm setting the scene for committee deliberations. She was into multi-tasking.....wanting us to have a good look at ourselves (all looking particularly good), review where we have been going and where we should be headed in the future. Plus come up with sponsors for the club/projects.  Plus fill gaps which had recently opened.  Simon Beckett has a new job which will take him far and wide across Australia. His roles included the Chair of Vocational Services Committee (with key programs including POOTY and Teacher of the Year), organisation of meeting advices, and liaison with the restaurant. John Peacham needs a team to manage the Bunnings and other special BBQs as he will be travelling soon. There is also the need for an extra towbar to help Paul. Kate Porter would like someone to head the Membership Committee. And Patty needs help with Public Image. Good news - Jerry Casburn has put a program committee together for 2026/27.

Rhonda promised that the doors would be locked until all the above matters had been satisfactorily sorted..........................................................should have brought pyjamas.

To get the ball rolling and ease the burden placed upon us to perform, the Prez called on spots.

Spots 

Greg Abel, who has taken over the role as Treasurer, announced that he had finally managed to access the Treasurer emails.....and the box was chockers. If anyone/committee has not had a bill paid, please send another advice/invoice. The MYOB accounting system is proving difficult for tracing expenditures.

Virgina Cossid emphasised the need for more volunteers at the Thrift Shop. There are plenty of clothes that need to be washed and ironed/steamed, and gaps at the counter. David Pisoni who looks after the rosters is finding it increasingly difficult to fill vacancies. We need a volunteer for the morning of Wednesday 27 May and need 2 volunteers for the morning of Saturday 30 May.

Paul Duke reported that the Rotary event at Old Tailem Town last Sunday in aid of drought stricken farmers provided for an amazing experience. It should be a major tourism drawcard, as we step back in time. Our willing team despatched plenty of clothing and goodies from the Thrift Shop, with the leftovers donated to Vinnies at Tailem Bend. 

President Rhonda:

• had received a request from the Salvos for shopping centre help with the Red Shield Appeal. 
• informed that mental health first aid workshops will be conducted on 4 & 11 June should we wish to sponsor participants
• announced that Phase 1 of the Afghan Women's Project was now underway. The initial grant of A$5000 had been spent on essentials including laptops, solar panels, furniture. Special attention is initially being paid to security/safety, computer literacy and english language skills. The participants are mutually supportive. Our club raised $4800 towards the initial grant and will be using proceeds from the Afghan Film Festival on June 9 for Phase 2. We need at least 200 attendees to cover costs.

Committee Reports

• informed that about $9000 of the $14,000 budget had been spent
• the next visit to Nepal by the Jason Booth eye team (which will include Brendan, Bronwyn, Janet and Briony) is scheduled for 28 August to 13 September. Brendan will again look after monies for worthwhile allied projects there.
• the committee is enthusiastic about the continuation of the above program, ROMAC, RAMS (Rotarians Against Malaria), End Polio Now and WASH (in conjunction with Unley Primary School).
• progress has been noted with the Afghan Women's Project but there remains an underlying concern about safety of the participants
• the Cambodian dental care for prisoners project will be reviewed

Vivienne Wood reported that her committee had spent time looking at how our club could become more 'hands on'. It is planned to deliver "Angel for a Day' at the Hutt St Centre, involving a grant of $400 and Rotarians serving meals. Vivienne and Virginia will be presenting shelterbags to Hutt Street 1.30pm tomorrow. Research is being undertaken on how best to support mental health initiatives. and they would like to liaise with the Youth Committee re children's health. Two projects intended to be 'whole of club' are Share the Dignity (assisting those affected by domestic violence) and Bags for Blokes (assisting homeless men). Rhonda has been contacted by a prison psychiatrist re help for prisoners with mental health issues. 

Vocational Service

David Middleton confirmed that SA Police Officer of the Year (POOTY) and Teacher of the Year were standard bearer projects of the club. No-one has nominated for the chair position but Judy Barton has volunteered to look after POOTY and the dynamic trio of Kate, Eva and Rhonda will look after Teacher of the Year. In the absence of sponsorship how about a car boot sale?

Youth

Greg Abel reported that the committee wishes to build on the Peace Poles project by perhaps organising student awards for peace initiatives. Projects worthy of continuing support include the Rotary Youth Sailing Challenge, Quiz, National Youth Science Forum, Health of the River, Fish Tank and Youth Orchestra. There is a Science and Engineering Challenge in June. 

Deborah Forbes has agreed to take on the role of meeting organisation and restaurant liaison with help from John Peacham and Stephen.

Current Program Team - Patsy Beckett was pleased to see the new blood on the program committee and Valerie Bonython would like to see more training in management and leadership for our newer members. Jerry undertook to do so.

While no-one put up their hand up to take over the management of Bunnings and special BBQs, Virginia will help with BBQ purchases in partnership with Paul and Stephen in John's absence. Graham Ey can do afternoon pick-ups of our trailers. As well as managing Mitre 10 BBQs, Patsy will continue to wash aprons and collect money

Graham Beckett reported on our club's successful involvement in the upgrading of an operating theatre in Tonga.....we put  $5000 towards the cost of $200,000.

John Peacham emphasised the importance of committees working within the club's strategic plan. President Rhonda surmised that the committees could sort this out before the next meeting, presumably referring to the next round of club consultations.

Robert Freak is having a big shindig to celebrate his 80th birthday at the Unley Town Hall at 6pm on 8 August to which we are all invited (loud applause).....he craves a Cloud Plant as a present.....

Finale

Judy Barton won the filthy lucre and GREG MCLEOD again nabbed the chocolates. There has been considerable discussion about creating new revenue sources for the club....maybe we let Greg loose on X-Lotto!!!! 

The fullsome meeting closed 2 hours after it started and the Prez nailed a number of her priorities.

Rogues Gallery

 

          

Rotary International News 

Rotary projects around the globe - May 2026

By Brad Webber

 

United States

The deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century killed more than 100 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses on the Hawaiian island of Maui in August 2023. Searching for healing and reflection, the community group Aloha Amplified organized a twilight walk and ceremony this past September, supported by District 5000’s fire relief fund and the three Rotary clubs in Lahaina. Hundreds of people carried lanterns along a milelong route, joining together at the end in the revered song “Hawai‘i Aloha.” The event featured cultural entertainment and booths staffed by local groups, including Rotary clubs. Rotarians, many of whom lost their own homes and businesses, also volunteered at the event. “People know Rotary in Lahaina,” says Joanne Laird, of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset.

Costa Rica

Lush rainforests and world-renowned birding help draw hundreds of thousands of travellers to Costa Rica every year. That backdrop belies many needs, including for children in the country. Stéphane Dähler, a Swiss expatriate who works in the tourism industry, reports his Rotary Club of Belén, northwest of the capital of San José, is committed to improving education and health outcomes. In February, members worked at the Español School to assemble, sand, and paint 112 desks funded by the club, District 4240 in Costa Rica, and Rotarians from District 5280 in California. The following month, Belén Rotarians visited the Santiago Alpízar School to drop off books. To help fill gaps in health care, the club held a medical camp in rural Puriscal in December to offer blood screenings and a toy distribution. The club “has become a bridge that unites Costa Rican industry with the common good, showing that the private sector and volunteers can generate a positive and sustainable effect,” Dähler says.

Italy

The Rotary Club of Monfalcone-Grado revels in the history and charm of its northern Italian region, located northeast of Venice near the Slovenian border. A recent project helped ensure that information is accessible to everyone, including people with visual impairments. In December, members unveiled a multisensory panel explaining the story of the Church of San Proto in San Canzian d’Isonzo, just west of their community. The 15th century chapel sits atop foundations dating to the fourth century. The panel combines educational content with tactile elements and Braille notations, with a placement designed for easy access by wheelchair users. “The church is located along an ancient Roman road and represents an important example of what we often call ‘minor heritage,’ meaning small sites with great historical and cultural value that deserve to be known and protected,” says club member Paolo Messana. Rotary members participated in every phase of the project, says Messana, “from concept and design to approvals and installation.”

Tunisia

When Yassine Harzallah was alerted to overcrowding in a primary school, he paid a visit and witnessed children studying on the floor and in corridors, with their notebooks on their knees. He snapped a photo, and “that image alone was enough to convince every member of our club that we had a responsibility to act,” says Harzallah, president of the Rotary Club of Ruspina Monastir. In December, the entire contingent visited the school, an hour drive from the club’s base in Monastir city. Members brought supplies, including hygiene products, cleaning items, a printer, a wheelbarrow, shovels, and hoes. A member architect drafted blueprints and watched over a local contractor who assembled a modular room off-site at a reduced cost. In January the structure, a new reading room, was delivered.

Australia

Family violence is a major health and social issue in Australia, according to the national Institute of Health and Welfare. Rotary Safe Families focuses on reducing the stigma around recognizing the problem. This year the project, which was founded in 2018 and has a presence in 48 countries, is preparing to enlist Rotary clubs to sponsor a local school through a program called Towards Respectful Relationships. It fosters “safe spaces for kids to talk about family violence and respect,” says program founder Dorothy Gilmour, a member of the Rotary Club of Hawthorn. “It has been a long, bumpy road to get Australians to discuss the taboo topic of family violence.” More recently, though, “I have noticed that family violence is becoming less taboo.”

 

Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre

10.30 am on the first Friday of the month is good for a chat with Rotary friends and a caffeine fix - Next one is Friday 3 June 2026

Upcoming Meetings

Tuesday 19 May 2026 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice Nature's Providore

Guest Speaker: Bob Koster Tour Down Under

Welcoming team: Stephen Baker & Judy Barton

 

Tuesday 2 June 2026 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice Nature's Providore

Event: Visit by District Governor Rajeev Kamenini

Welcoming team: Greg Abel & Sarah Sullivan

Apologies and Meeting Enquiries to: Secretary Greg McLeod on 0417 811 838 or email to secretary@unleyrotary.org.au

Venue Set-up Enquiries to: Bulletin Editor Stephen Baker on 0403 687 015

Saturday Thrift Shop Roster 

Early Shift: 10.00am to 1.00pm    Late Shift: 1.00pm to 4.00pm 

 

Week 1: 2 May 2026

Early:Haydn & Sue Baillie |  Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen

 

Week 2:  9 May 2026

Early: Greg Mcleod & Wendy Andrews |  Late: Vera-Ann Stacy & Reno Elms

 

Week 3: 16 May 2026

Early: David Middleton & Nathan White  |  Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare

 

Week 4: 23 May 2026  

Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran |  Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy

 

Week 5: 30 May 2026

Early: (XXXXXXXX) |  Late: Virginia Cossid & Paul Duke

 

Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: Vivienne Wood 0408 819 630; e-mail: vwood@ozemail.com.au

Mitre 10 and Bunnings Barbeques 

The Mitre 10 BBQs are the first and third Saturdays of each month. Morning shift 8.30am - 12 noon; afternoon shift 12.00 - 3.30pm, then clean-up.....next scheduled is 16 May 2026

 

ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm

Morning shift: 8.00am – 12.30pm | Afternoon shift: 12.30 – 5pm

We have been allocated the last Monday of each month. Our next one will be 25 May 2026

 

The Tale End.....   

Random contributions (eclectic)

           

 

 

                    

 

 

Rotary           Club of Unley