Guests: Donna Cavallaro, Agot Deng, Justin Yee plus Rob's assistants Eukumbeth and Joanne
Attendance: 23 members 6 guests and 3 anklebiters
Welcome
President Rhonda opened the meeting and welcomed our guests
Athok Deng - Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN)
Stephen Baker provided a potted history of RYPEN which was first introduced in Canberra in 1980 to give 14-17 yo teenagers skills in teamwork, communication and leadership. He welcomed RYPEN attendee Athok Deng who was chauffered to the meeting by her sister Agot. Their family came from South Sudan, they live at Munno Para and she attends St Columba's College.
Athok explained that she enjoys debating, acting and volunteering, and was drawn to RYPEN when advertised at her school. The experience was great, beginning with a warm welcome. There was an emphasis on teamwork, resilience and leadership. Most enjoyable were the team challenges which were fun and engaging, thereby building friendships by helping each other. Structured workshops also worked a treat. Friendships were made and will continue.
Two areas which could further lift this enjoyable experience would be enabling more small group discussions, and fun activities at the beginning to break the ice.
Athok was thanked and presented with her RYPEN certificate by Marie.
Dr Rosanne Freak - Loneliness and epidemiology
Kate Porter introduced Rosanne who is Rob's daughter, lives and works in Melbourne, and had her 3 well-behaved children in tow. Rosanne is dedicated to providing insights into, and solutions for, the impact of social isolation and loneliness on health. She is highly regarded across Australia for her work. Social justice demands action be taken.
The theme of the address was that when people become unconnected their health can decline dramatically. [Loneliness can have a debilitating effect across all ages, and within the work force is calculated to cost $1.7b a year in absenteeism and productivity loss]
A study has been conducted in the US and Australia over the last 15 years which tracks the physical health, mental health and general well being of 70 year olds who have reached that age in good health, and how they fare thereon. For those who reach 70 in good nick, the onset of loneliness and social isolation can be a big contibutor to cardio failure....eg social isolation - 66% more deadly and loneliness 255%. It leads to cognitive decline and acceleration of dementia. On a positive note it has been found that if men have mates or relatives to talk to, and women have close friends with whom they can chat, they have a stronger chance of living longer......and even better with plenty of outside activities.
Action needs to be taken on socialisation similar to that which is being undertaken in the UK where non clinical workers run 12 week programs to assist in the reconnnection of the socially isolated though working sessions, introduction to new groups and pursuits like cooking classes. The Royal College of GPs and Aspire support such intitiative for Australia.
Rosanne was applauded for her address.
SPOTS
John Kikkert confirmed that the Peace Pole ceremony at Urrbrae High is to take place on November 11.....but still awaiting the details.
President Rhonda advised that:
All the money and raffle tickets for the Lift the Lid raffle need to be with Christina no later than this Friday. If not tonight, please get them to the Thrift Shop by then. Next Sunday (9th), the 5km walk starts from the corner of South and East Tce at 7.45am. Help is needed to erect our marquee by 7am and we need 2 more marshalls. Donna is doing the 5k but it is uncertain who else has been inspired.
The Impressa get together will be this Friday at 10.30am.
She attended the Afghan Film Festival last Friday night and is hoping our club will be able to help women in rural Afghanistan form an e-Rotary club.
The club AGM will be held on 2 December....please get your nominations in....there are potential noms for Treasurer and President.....fingers crossed. The meeting will include Club Assembly and the bagging of lollies for the Christmas at the Rotunda event on Saturday 6 December
There will be a stall at the Fullarton markets on 22 November....help is needed to have the marquee up at 7am
Patsy Beckett reported that another good Mitre10 BBQ on Saturday had netted over $500. She also waxed lyrical about the gourmet delight of the TAFE dinner on Friday 21 November in lieu of our normal meeting on 18 November.
President Rhonda thanked Patsy and Graham and Valerie and Graham with gifts for their outstanding efforts with the car trial over the last 10 years.
Finale
Garry won the filthy lucre and Judy the chokkies .
President Rhonda closed the meeting at 7.58pm.......and mentioned that the musical garden is GETTING CLOSER.
Rogues Gallery
Hear Ye! This is now the official clobber for helpers at our Thrift Shop. Sofia did us proud for Halloweeen.
Rotary International News
Rotary projects around the globe - November 2025
By Brad Webber
United States
A talent showcase held by the Rotary Club of Carpinteria in California has raised more than $325,000 since 2009. The club has used the funds for service projects, including purchasing about 300 musical instruments for children and awarding around 100 college scholarships. A sellout for the 16th straight year, April’s showcase presented a range of entertainers, including dancers, musicians, storytellers, comedians, and jugglers. “All of our members play a role in one way or another” in organizing the show, says Club President David Powdrell. “‘Find what brings you joy and get involved’ is our motto.” Several participants over the years have gone on to become professional entertainers, including Will Breman, who found success on the television series The Voice, and magician Mark Collier.
Canada
When leaders at the Rotary Club of St. Thomas in Ontario noticed a lack of engagement, the club adapted by adjusting its schedule to allow more time for service. The result has been astonishing, with an energized mission and growing interest by prospective members, says Barbara Warnock, immediate past president of the club. “Meeting every week was a deterrent to new members, and we felt that we needed to have more active participation in local projects,” says Warnock. The club now meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, with the other Wednesdays designated for volunteering at two local organizations: Grace Café, a street mission and soup kitchen, and Harvest Hands, which collects and distributes edible foodstuffs that would ordinarily have been discarded. “Our Rotarians have embraced this work to contribute to feeding those in need,” Warnock says.
Scotland
The Rotary Club of Elgin supports numerous initiatives for youth, including a Rotaract club, an Interact club, and several RotaKids clubs, which are a program of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland to build citizenship and leadership skills in children under 12. At the Greenwards school, RotaKids clubs are a go-to activity, reports teacher Kirstin Mustard, one of four club leaders. In February, the RotaKids held a rummage sale, collecting about $100 for The Rotary Foundation. In June, they sponsored a walk that raised about $3,200 for Harry’s Hat, a charity for the condition hydrocephalus, a buildup of water in the brain. That organization assisted the family of one of the youths. Stephanie Urchick, 2024-25 RI president, visited that month and was treated to a performance based on a history project. “It was truly inspiring to see the passion, creativity, and compassion shown by the pupils,” she says. “Their community spirit shines through.”
India
The Rotary Club of Coimbatore Cotton City designed a project to raise awareness about the illicit practice of caging and trading wild parakeets. Volunteers meticulously placed nearly a ton of millet grains in a 1,200-square-foot artwork depicting the clipping of a parakeet’s wings. “Each grain represents hope,” says Niketu Shah, a club leader who directed the project, part of a larger effort by an animal rescue organization and supported by the state forest department. The artwork was completed in May at a shopping center. Last year, the club helped provide the forest department with an X-ray machine for birds. In captivity, many birds suffer from disease and stress that reduces their lifespan.
Philippines
Many people in the Philippines lack access to affordable dental care. To address the problem, members of the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central launched Project Smile, which provides dental care to teachers at public schools. Rotarians screen recipients and schedule extractions, fillings, and fittings. The club pays the costs not covered through the volunteer care of the Negros Occidental chapter of the Philippine Dental Association and supplemental funding from the local congressional office. Thus far, the project has delivered 55 dental makeovers. “These dedicated heroes often choose to spend their own money to supplement their teaching needs rather than on their personal health and well-being,” says club member Maria “Toks” Lopez.
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 November 2025
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 11 November 2025 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice
Guest Speaker: Sunny Singh Cancer in India plus Linda Kanbergs Health of the River
Welcoming team: David Middleton and Bob Mills
Friday 21 November 6pm TAFE SA dinner at 137 Days Rd, Regency Park in lieu of meeeting on Tuesday 18 November.
Tuesday 25 November 2025 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice
Guest Speaker: Interplast
Welcoming team: David Middleton and Bob Mills
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
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 22 November 2025
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5: 29 November 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 15 November 2025
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
The theme of the address was that when people become unconnected their health can decline dramatically. [Loneliness can have a debilitating effect across all ages, and within the work force is calculated to cost $1.7b a year in absenteeism and productivity loss]
A talent showcase held by the Rotary Club of Carpinteria in California has raised more than $325,000 since 2009. The club has used the funds for service projects, including purchasing about 300 musical instruments for children and awarding around 100 college scholarships. A sellout for the 16th straight year, April’s showcase presented a range of entertainers, including dancers, musicians, storytellers, comedians, and jugglers. “All of our members play a role in one way or another” in organizing the show, says Club President David Powdrell. “‘Find what brings you joy and get involved’ is our motto.” Several participants over the years have gone on to become professional entertainers, including Will Breman, who found success on the television series The Voice, and magician Mark Collier.
The Rotary Club of Elgin supports numerous initiatives for youth, including a 
Many people in the Philippines lack access to affordable dental care. To address the problem, members of the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central launched Project Smile, which provides dental care to teachers at public schools. Rotarians screen recipients and schedule extractions, fillings, and fittings. The club pays the costs not covered through the volunteer care of the Negros Occidental chapter of the Philippine Dental Association and supplemental funding from the local congressional office. Thus far, the project has delivered 55 dental makeovers. “These dedicated heroes often choose to spend their own money to supplement their teaching needs rather than on their personal health and well-being,” says club member Maria “Toks” Lopez.
