President Trevor's Announcements......making up for last week

• There was a significant list of those being welcomed back into the club after a period of AWOL namely Jason and Brendon after scaling the mountains of Nepal, Virginia after calming unrest in the Philippines, Heather after quelling the Tasmanian bushfires and Patsy and Graham after dieting on the QE2
• Thanks to Brendan, Chad and Stephen for helping with the property clean up to help Kathy Darling-Brooks
• We won the bowls......Bob Mullins to attend to the engraving
• Next week the GSE team will be arriving from Kansas and is being billeted by club members. They will be treated to a tour of Adelaide Oval.....important that registrations for that event be finalised soon. There is parking available under the stadium. Tour departs from main southern entrance at 6pm sharp.
• Bargain basement priced drinks still available from Jamboree...soon to be given away
• Please book for the Group 6 dinner with the Kansas GSE team on 2 April at Marche Club

Guest Speaker : Rod Hook - Transforming our State

Chairman Bob Mills introduced Rod to the meeting. Rod was CEO of the Planning, Transport and Infrastructure Department and Commissioner for Highways under the former State Government. He managed a staff of 3000 and was instrumental in the successful completion of a number of major infrastructure projects.

Rod remarked that he was born in Qld but on coming to SA attended Westbourne Park Primary School and Unley High School, as did his wife, as did his children, and now his grandchildren are following the same path. He is a proud engineer.

During the period 2001 - 2014 when he served as CEO, the State Government's infrastructure spend rose from $800m per year to almost $4b.  He chose 5 projects to highlight what a can do attitude can achieve.

Adelaide Oval Having AFL football return to the city was a major election issue in 2010. The upgrade of the Adelaide Oval which ensued was a complex task which had to be achieved on time, on budget and against fierce opposition from those who believed that a key part of Adelaide's heritage would be destroyed. Negotiations with all interest groups were full-on, the building work was complicated by an inability to use the oval for cranes and other equipment. There was ground breaking design for the roof which had to be tested in situ. Builders Baulderstone/Lend lease performed magnificently.                  The Ashes test was scheduled for December 2013 and football for March 2014....and they made it.   Accolades flowed at home and abroad for this unique development.

The Oval Footbridge Like the oval project this was also controversial and involved debate with those stringently opposed plus those with differing views on width and style. It succeeded with a capacity to move 17,000 quickly from the oval.....and the peak reached 30,000.

Tramline extension down King William Street and North Terrace Again there was controversy about the disruption to traffic when the tram was extended down King William Street, and further doubters with the proposal to turn the line into North Terrace. Rod employed a team to keep the affected businesses informed of progress and to develop ways to minimise adverse impact. Some who doubted the wisdom of the project were later heard to complain about the trams being too full.

Electrification of the Seaford line was completed in 2014. But delays in completing the Gawler line electrification have increased costs by $200m.

Britannia Roundabout...… a simple (double roundabout) low cost solution designed by his staff to a problem which had vexed transport planners and the motoring public. There has never been a fatality but plenty of dings, with a few still happening. It still takes some getting used to! 

Rod's formula to make SA proud again:

• Keep our lights on and power prices down
• Take the national lead in defence, cyber security and aerospace
• Provide more effective infrastructure.....our rural roads are a disgrace and we do not feature at all in the Federal Government's priority list
• Embrace innovation
• Be a leader in integrity and ethics.

David Middleton gave a stirring vote of thanks.

Rod was thanked by acclamation.

Spots

Brendan Kenny spent 2 weeks with Jason Booth and his eye care team in the hills of Nepal [at the same altitude as the Mt Kosiuszko peak]. 2700 people had their eyes examined, glasses were provided to those in need and 80 cataract operations referred to Rotary clubs for follow up surgery which is now being done.  He presented a collection of Nepalese plaques of appreciation and Rotary banners to the President.

The Finale

Upcoming Events

Rotary News

How to prepare to be a Rotary Peace Fellow

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Rotary International

 

By Bonnie Emerson, Rotary Peace Fellow at Chulalongkorn University

Orientation for Rotary Peace Fellows at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.

As an Indigenous (Metis) Canadian woman from Winnipeg Manitoba, I was surprised and very honoured when I was encouraged to apply for the Rotary International Peace Fellowship Program. I wasn’t too optimistic, though. How could a police officer from a mid-sized Canadian city be selected when applicants come from all over the world?

Still, I decided to give it my best shot and organized my information (applications, essays, approvals, and interview preparations). When I received notification that I had been accepted, my heart stopped. I was dumbfounded and thrilled. I was being given an opportunity to sit in a class with global experts in peace work and to learn and share our work with each other. What an unbelievably rare and potentially transformational opportunity.

Applying for the fellowship, and then actually making preparations to attend if accepted, can be daunting. So I thought I would share some advice I learned for anyone considering applying. And I highly recommend that you do.

First, before you apply, connect with past Rotary Peace Fellows. Rotary was so supportive, connecting me with individuals who have participated in the program in the past who continually encouraged me along the way.

Second, when you apply, write down clearly what you do, and what you have done. Do not be shy about including any volunteer work, the projects and the experiences. They are all important (lived experience especially). As a police officer, I oversee our Community Support Division which includes officers working in the areas of crime prevention, youth, Cadets, school officers, victim services, diversity, and Indigenous partnerships. However, my connection to and work with community boards and NGO’s were as valuable.

Third, be optimist, and plan ahead for what you will do if accepted. Seven weeks is a mad rush to: attend the travel clinic for shots; select a conflict project that you are currently involved in and will work on throughout the course; make arrangements to leave, find coverage at work and on any volunteer boards you serve; apply for and receive a required Education Visa; research Thailand’s customs and cultures (please spend some time on this it will make your transition here much smoother); and book your flights.

I have been in Thailand for two weeks now as a member of Class 26 which includes 22 Peace Fellows from 14 countries. My classmate’s work and background are diverse and absolutely fascinating. There are already different opinions, understanding, and perspectives. We have engaged each other inside and outside of class about our work and our knowledge. The absolute best part is that we do not all agree. But we listen and we learn and our own understanding and perspectives may have shifted as a result. Almost each person in class has stated their desire to learn from and with each other.

I have renewed optimism that with open minds and hearts we can contribute to small and large differences in this world of ours towards positive peace. I am looking forward to the coming weeks and almost as much returning home to share this experience and help support changes in my community. Thank you Rotary for making this possible!

Saturday Thrift Shop Roster

Bunnings Mile End Barbeque

The next Mitre 10 BBQ (now first Saturday of each month) will be on 6 April

The Tale End.……

Nothing but the truth

 Robot for sale.

Your education continues