10.30am next Tuesday 6 September at Unley Primary School there will be the Peace Pole ceremony at Unley Primary School - morning tea to follow. 9 members intend to go.
Geoff Hill edged out Greg Mc Leod for the filthy lucre AND the chocolates........nice effort!
Calperum needs you
Rotary International News
Leading Alumni Global Service Award winner teaches ethics to young minds
By Gaetano Scamarcio, 1994-95 Ambassadorial Scholar sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bari, Italy, and District 2120
About 30 years ago, I discovered Rotary’s programs for aiding young people in achieving their dreams, which struck me profoundly. At the time, I aspired to access the world-renowned Bell Laboratories of AT&T in Murray Hill, New Jersey – a hub of groundbreaking research where numerous Nobel laureates had left their mark. My mentor at Bell Labs suggested applying for a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, and to my amazement, I was successful.
The working atmosphere at Bell Labs was fantastic, but also highly competitive. There was a lot of willingness among colleagues and superiors to engage in constructive discussions. Yet, the end of my internship was inexorably approaching, and I needed a winning idea to stand out. One evening, while I was alone in the lab, after many repeated attempts, I saw the signal from the measurement instruments skyrocket off the scale. Initially, due to fatigue, I thought it was another interference. But then I realized that (BINGO!) my superlattice quantum cascade microlaser, which I had designed and longed for many times, was finally working! It was an indescribable joy and a milestone in my professional career.
Receiving a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship was akin to a soccer player being called up to the national team, opening a world of possibilities for me and my family. Upon returning to Italy, my academic journey soared, and I delved deeply into research and work. Ten years later, I was invited to join the Rotary Club of Bari (District 2120) in Puglia and Basilicata – the same club and district that sponsored my fellowship. The warm reception from fellow Rotarians and swift integration into the club’s initiatives affirmed my decision to become involved.
Serving as club president in 2013-14 was a unique experience that allowed me to harness all my energies and collaborate with fellow members and friends to initiate impactful service and friendship projects. Throughout this journey, I connected with several exceptional individuals within Rotary and other volunteer associations, public institutions, and independent initiatives. In these collaborative efforts inspired by Rotary, there was always a palpable sense of unity and shared purpose.
One of our significant initiatives was “Rotary Meets the Road,” aiming to reduce food waste and help hundreds of homeless people in the metropolitan area of Bari. The inception of this project required extensive deliberations and consultations and involved multiple stakeholders. Initially conceived as an equipped container, the project evolved. We ended up donating a fully equipped camper to the volunteers of local associations. This mobile unit ensured that services could be offered more efficiently and hygienically including the daily distribution of food, essential medical services, and legal advice.
A notable aspect of this endeavor was the collaborative effort involving all five Rotary clubs in the Bari area, District 2120, the Municipality of Bari, and the local public transportation company. The success of this service underscores the power of synergy and collective action in addressing pressing social issues and making a meaningful difference in the community. Engagement with Rotary fosters positive transformations not only for our neighbors, but also for ourselves.
The five core values of Rotary – integrity, diversity, friendship, service, and leadership – form an interconnected framework. Within the context of Rotary, the call for collaboration is inherently tied to setting a personal example. If I were to pinpoint what resonates most deeply with me, it would undoubtedly be the pursuit of leadership. Leadership positions entail guiding individuals with qualities equal to or surpassing our own. Here, leadership isn’t about issuing orders but about rallying collaboration to achieve common goals, particularly those geared toward philanthropic service. Cultivating leadership qualities through unwavering commitment to Rotary presents an ongoing challenge, yet the dividends extend across all aspects of our personal and professional lives. Throughout this journey, leading by personal example emerges as the most potent catalyst for inspiring others and advancing the collective welfare.
Over three decades, I’ve devoted myself wholeheartedly to the rewarding profession of research and university-level physics instruction. Along this journey, I’ve been privileged to guide and inspire over a thousand young individuals in their educational pursuits. Through this remarkable experience, I’ve noticed a profound hunger for ethics among young people – a desire for professional and ethical role models who can ignite their talents and guide them toward self-fulfillment.
Despite uncertainties about the future, I’ve observed a significant interest among young people in ethical issues, such as community development and environmental sustainability amid technological advancements. This highlights their inclination towards values and objectives encompassing a broader and more conscientious vision of their societal and environmental roles. Sharing and teaching these ethical perspectives to young minds has been an immensely gratifying aspect of my career. I aspire to continue this endeavor, leveraging the platform of Rotary to enrich and empower future generations.
To them, I say, “Go, discover what Rotary can give you, and let yourself be inspired.” And when the spark ignites, they will discover that what they can do together with other Rotarians is irresistible.
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 2 August 2024
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 6 August 2024: Hiroshima Day - Peace Pole ceremony at Unley Primary School at 10.30am
Tuesday 6 August 2024 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina
Guest Speaker: Heidi Unferdorben The Rotary Peace Pole and John Kikkert reflecting on Hiroshima
Welcoming team: Paul Duke and Ken Haines
Tuesday 13 August 2024 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina
Event. The debate of the year "Women are stronger and more capable than men"
Welcoming team: Geoff Hill and Rhonda Hoare
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: 3 August 2024
Early: Jerry Casburn & Haydn Baillie | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
Week 2: 10 August 2024
Early: Greg Mcleod & Wendy Andrews | Late: Virginia Cossid & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 3: 17 August 2024
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 23 August 2024
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5: 30 August 2024
Early: Greg McLeod (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 due Saturday 17 August [this Saturday cancelled, awaiting the new BBQ]
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 26 August but there is also an extra day coming up.
The Tale End.....
Time for some American humor
Approaching a woman in a New York singles bar, he said, "Hi chick, what about a date?".
"Forget it," she said, "I never gp out with perfect strangers."
"We'e both in luck," he said, "I'm far from perfect."
The manager was amazed at the new clerk's skill with figures. "Where did you do your training?"
"Yale," said the teller.
"And how long have you been with us?
"Yust since Yanuary"
Because the Viking voyage to America took so long Leif Ericson on his return found that his name had been crossed off the list of village inhabitants. When he complained, the village chief admiitted he had made a mistake: "I must have taken Leif off my census."
Common mistakes to be avoided