Welcome
President John welcomed Jo, Carol and Sonja of Lions Heart and opened the meeeting.....early. He thanked Paul, Brendan and John Kikkert for their corporate BBQing effort last Friday and estimated that Bunnings proift yesterday was about $600.
Guest Speaker: Jo Phillips - Lions Heart learning
Paul Duke introduced Jo who founded Lions Heart Learning and Jo, in turn, introduced deputy Sonja (who helped with the presentation) and Treasurer Carol. Lions Heart Learning concentrates on helping children in the 0-5 age bracket experiencing cancer and their families.
Jo's daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2017 and experienced a very difficult time with operations and treatment. Jo became absorbed in helping her daughter, who 'had the heart of a lion', to the detriment of those around her. Isolation because of infection vulnerability (low Immune system) was important. There was no early childhood education. Christine Moutos an associate professor in Childhood Education at Flinders Uni stressed the need to fill this gap and to involve other family members who were also likely being disadvantaged. As well as filling the professional education gap, there was a need to provide families with fun outlets - attendance at the likes of The Wiggles and Disney on Ice were organised. Attention is also being paid to building independence in affected children to ease the burden on parents. In addition, Lions Heart helps families with young children where a parent has cancer.
Covid was a challenge but they managed with on-line sessions. Butterfly House at Victor Harbor, was bought for family respite. LHL is entirely self funded with finance raised through events like bike and ski marathons. Jo's house is the organisational hub. There are currently 15 youngsters getting face-to-face assistance and another 200 connected.
The aim now is to set up a central learning venue, extend operating hours, provide more respite, and triple the impact. Jo reflected that when her daughter was very sick, her son did not get the attention he deserved, just like so many other families.
Jo and Sonja were thanked by acclamation.
Spots
President John announced that nominations are being sought for the position of District Governor 2027/28 (may have very little to do if current reorganisation succeeds). RC St Peters will have a membership drive stall at the annual St Peters fair on 15 March and we have been invited to participate should we so wish.
Rhonda Hoare placed pamphlets on each table about her proposal for our club to champion a Musical and Sensory Garden in Adelaide with our Community Group of 13 clubs.....as discussed last week.
Stephen Baker mentioned that more gaps had to be filled during the week at the Thrift Shop and urged members to find the time to help. He also reminded Saturday shift workers about the need to vacuum the shop, clean the toilets (David M has offered free tuition) and unlock the back gate on arrival. Ensure everything is turned off and locked on departure.
Paul Duke thanked Rhonda for allowing him to utilise her recycling bin after a heavy night of karaoke at his joint on the weekend......we are not sure whether it was the machine or the pizza boxes that were deposited.
Finale
Ken won the cash and Brendan the chockies
And the meeting closed.....wow.....7.46pm
A free event with the outstanding Gemma Sisia
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Jason Booth with his intrepid Flinders team and other volunteers are in Nepal for the annual eye examinations and provision of glasses. The map below provides an insight as to the locales, often in remote areas, visited by these teams.
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 7 March 2025
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 4 March 2025 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina
Guest Speaker: Joint meeting with RC Prospect - Information sharing
Welcoming team: Virginia Cossid & Chris Davis
Tuesday 11 March 2025 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina
Guest Speaker: Mark McGill Variety Club
Welcoming team: Virginia Cossid & Chris Davis
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: 1 March 2025
Early: John Peacham (Haydn Baillie) & Wendy Andrews (Jerry Casburn) | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
Week 2: 8 March 2025
Early: Greg Mcleod & Wendy Andrews | Late: Virginia Cossid & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 3: 15 March 2025
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 22 March 2025
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5: 29 March 2025
Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews | 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 Saturday 1 March 2025
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, the next being Monday 31 March 2025
The Tale End.....
Tis a long time since we enjoyed Irish humour
Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place.
Looking up to heaven he said, 'Lord take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!'
Miraculously, a parking place appeared.
Paddy looked up again and said, 'Never mind, I found one.'
Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and asks the first man he meets, 'Do you want to go to heaven?
The man said, 'I do, Father.'
The priest said, 'Then stand over there against the wall.'
Then the priest asked the second man, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'
'Certainly, Father,' the man replied. 'Then stand over there against the wall,' said the priest.
Then Father Murphy walked up to O'Toole and asked, 'Do you want to go to heaven?'
O'Toole said, 'No, I don't Father.'
The priest said, 'I don't believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don't want to go to heaven?'
O'Toole said, 'Oh, when I die , yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now.'
