Opening
Meeting Chair Vivienne Wood launched proceedings and President David welcomed our guests and formerly opened the meeting. Great to have Chris Davis and Janet Singh with us.
His announcements included:
- Happy 80th birthday Paul Duke.....the singing left a lot to be desired!
- The Nepal eye team including Jason, Brendan and Jan are delivering in Nepal
- Congratulations to Quiz master Garry, Marie and the team for an excellent Quiz on 22 August
- His granddaughter ran with 30,000 other participants in the 30th Sydney marathon and acquitted herself well
- From the Board meeting last week: 1. A review of the club's constitution and bylaws is underway 2. In 2025/26 the Thrift Shop made a small profit of only $13,000. Next year's rent will be $5000 higher. Sarah and her team need every assistance to turn this around as quickly as possible - please be fully supportive!
Guest Speaker: Professor Michael Steer - Algal Bloom
Vivienne introduced Professor Mike Steer, Executive Director of SARDI,,,,the research and scientific arm of the SA Department of Primary Industries. He has had a 20 year career in scientific research and management, was educated at James Cook university and gained a PhD at the University of Tasmania.
The algal bloom hit like a sledgehammer. Surfers on the State's south coast reported eye irritations on 17 March 2025. Water samples were sent to Sydney for analysis. These samples showed diminished water quality but this was insufficient to isolate the cause. There are thousands of microscopic organisms but very few are harmful.The bloom rapidly spread around St Vincent Gulf (including metro beaches) to Spencer Gulf and beyond, resulting in a massive fish toll. It ranks in the top 5 of noxious algal blooms across the globe. Resulting biotoxins suck oxygen from the water; identification of brevetoxin led to the closure of many oyster beds.
One well documented harmful organism was Karenia mikimotoi which had caused toxic blooms in Japan but in our case it took months of intensive research to isolate the SA problem as Karenia cristata. This beast gains energy from the sun and absorbing other micro organisms...it was having a picnic in conducive conditions. It has always existed and will continue to exist, but was never previously identified as a serious problem.
Under the direction of a Cabinet sub-committee a range of detection mechanisms were initiated, including satellite technology, drones, chlorophyll, regular and strategic water sampling, buoys, oceanography, and new reporting mechanisms.
The bottom line is no-one is any the wiser as to the cause of the karenia phenomena. It is believed that the prevailing conditions - massive nutrient injection from the 2023 floods, heat wave conditions, upwelling and lack of strong tidal movement in 2024 were all contributors....but who knows? In small contained areas aeration and modified clay can knock it over. Effort is now concentrated on development of an early warning system.
Effective communication with the public is a key objective.
Editors note - The sobering note is that to get a handle on what actually caused the ignition of karenia would need collection of data on nasty algal events over the long term to feed into Ai. Not worth thinking about!
Mike Steer was applauded for his address
Di Duke produced a great cake for Paul's birthday
Spots
Vivienne Wood announced that serving the Salvos evening meal last Friday was hard work but rewarding. Stephen and Valerie volunteered to assist Donna's team on October 18.
Judy Barton informed that 18 members would be attending the SA Police Officer of the Year 2026 (POOTY) ceremony in the Goyder Pavillion at 3.30pm next Monday followed by afternoon tea.
Patsy Beckett heralded the arrival of the new Unley Rotary cotton t-shirts - samples available tonight.
Marie Rothe thanked everyone who helped with and attended our successful quiz night on September 22
John Peacham has been discussing the organisation of the Variety Club BBQ event at the Zoo with RC Campbelltown on September 15 and will need plenty of volunteers....which he will get.
Jerry Casburn ascertained that all members attending the vocational night at Alwyndor in October will be happy with a choice of 3 meal options cooked by the staff at a cost of $15......no need to invest in eye fillet steak.
Rob Freak reported on his visit to the RC Burnside meeting at the Kentish Hotel last week. It is good that we have our own space.
Stephen Baker advised of a positive meeting that he and Garry had had yesterday about the Christmas Carols with the Unley Mayor, staff, Cr Steve Finos, and chair of the Unley Road Precinct (URP). Plans are afoot to attract a crowd of over 1000 to a joint event.with URP and with a much larger budget.
Paul Duke was seeking ideas on how to attract a District Grant with its $1 for $1 subsidy for an international project - Jerry has already donated $2000 - Nepal appears to be a likely contender.
Rhonda Hoare thanked Di Duke for the delicious cake......maybe have it at each meeting?
Chris Davis enjoyed our meeting and congratulated Judy for her POOTY organisation.
Finale
Stephen deservedly won the raffle and Eucabeth deservedly scored the chockies.
The Prez closed the meeting at 7.50pm
Rogues Gallery
The fabulous quiz-masters and their victims
The cordon bleu chefs cooking up a storm at the Salvos monthly dinner
Rotary International News
Responding to earthquakes in Venezuela
By Miguel R. Dos Santos, Rotaract Club of Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
The two earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June changed the life of the entire nation, especially those living in the central region. From the very first hours after the disaster, I witnessed the structural damage in the capital and throughout La Guaira, transforming what was once a vibrant tourist destination into an area devastated by the catastrophe.
In the city of Caracas, the damage my fellow Rotary members and I have witnessed produces a dissonant impact for those of us who have resided in the area since an early age — developing a contrast between the city built by our parents and grandparents and the ruins that remain to this day in some of the affected areas.
In the state of La Guaira, the hardest-hit region, there has been a tragic loss of life, while countless families hold onto hope in the search for their missing loved ones. That hope endures in our society and is sustained by the immediate, constant, and tireless efforts of the rescue teams remaining on the ground, as well as by civil society organizations —including our Rotary and Rotaract clubs — that continue to provide aid, assistance, and support programs to those affected.
In both cities, there is a sharp and rapid increase in priorities requiring immediate attention, some stemming from the double earthquake and others due to the precariousness of vulnerable sectors within the affected population. Medical care, psychosocial support, and nutritional assistance have emerged as fundamental priorities.
Short- and medium-term efforts are being developed to relocate affected families, establish communities in usable areas lacking urban development, and create provisional and/or temporary camps to provide the daily living needs of those affected by the earthquakes.
It’s essential to point out that all these relief efforts are being carried out by organized civil society, maintaining a joint effort with international support that is allowing the most affected people to regain control over their own lives. It is also necessary to highlight that the captivating place held in our memories is a utopian space currently battered.
However, as a result of the tireless work of its residents, the solidarity that characterizes Venezuelans, and the international support delivered to our communities, a glimpse of hope emerges as a guiding light in every conversation, breaking through language barriers and raising a smile on the faces of those facing this catastrophe on the front lines.
The situation on the ground reveals a reality for which none of us could have been completely prepared. However, it is a reality that demands all of us to act with solidarity and provide meaningful support to the thousands of people whose lives have been devastated by this disaster.
Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre
10.30 am on the second Friday of the month is good for a chat with Rotary friends and a caffeine fix - Next one is Friday 11 September 2026
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 15 September 2026 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice Nature's Providore
Guest Speaker: Andrew DeGaris Polio Plus
Welcoming Team: Ross Burton & Robyn Carnachan
Tuesday 29 September 2026 6 for 6.30pm
Guest Speaker: Professor Ian Plimmer The Environment
Welcoming Team: Jerry Casburn and Donna Cavallaro
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: 5 September 2026
Early: Haydn & Sue Baillie | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
Week 2: 12 September 2026
Early: Greg McLeod & Robyn| Late: Reno Elms & (Vera-Ann)?
Week 3: 19 September 2026
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Deborah Forbes & xxxxx
Week 4: 26 September 2026
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & (Vera-Ann)?
Week 5:
Early: Haydn & Sue Baillie | Late: Virginia Cossid & Paul Duke
Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: David Pisoni 0412 844 384; e-mail: hon.david.pisoni@gmail.com
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 5 September 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 28 September 2026
The Tale End.....
Potpourri of fun
