Castello's Cucina, 123 Fisher Street, Fullarton SA
President Ken Haines
Next Week: David Jarman - North Terrace, What You May Not Know
Last Meeting
Venue: Castello's Cucina, Living Choice
Event: The Rawcs Ukraine Project
Guests: None, other than the guest speaker
Attendance: 28members
Opening
The meeting opened on time and President Ken advised that Graham Beckett has arrived back in Adelaide after his accident in Sydney that caused significant damage. He's had titanium pins in three ribs and his collapsed lung has been reflated. Recovery is likely to be long and we may not see him for some time.
Ken and Ross Burton attended the Fish Tank presentation. The City of Unley developed Fish Tank for young people aged 12 to 25 who live, work, study or play in the City of Unley and who see themselves as future entrepreneurs.
The special additional sausage cremation at Bunnings on Mother's Day was successful, raising around $1,400. (Jerry had previously advised me that it was a good opportunity to clear some existing stock).
The Rawcs Ukraine Project - Tim Mee
Tim Mee, the current secretary of the Morialta Club, was introduced. He is also the current international chair for the district and the leader of the RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) Ukraine project. The project was instigated after significant demand from several clubs within the district to do something to relieve the human suffering in the war torn country.
The project was registered with RAWCS so that donations would be tax deductible and to utilise the organisation's capacity to complete international transactions.
The normal process is to work with Rotary Clubs on the spot but the country is in disarray. Nevertheless, contact has been made with Rotary District 2232 in the Ukraine. Through this contact and also with the help of an Australian Maurice O'Connell who has been working on relief efforts in the country they have partnered with NEW DAWN in Odessa. Ukraine's history of political corruption was also a concern, but the direct relationships adequately handle this issue.
Julia Progrebnaya runs NEW DAWN that operates in the southern part of the country along the coast of the Black Sea, predominately delivering food relief with funds from a German charity. Through this contact other supplies have been made available for distribution.
There is a special need for medical facilities, and the project has now delivered a small transportable medical unit that's fitted out with the necessary equipment. These can be produced in the country at the amazingly low price of around $22,000. The RAWKS project aims to deliver many more.
So far the project has raise $41,000 and they are looking for other clubs to get involved with this effort. It's anticipated that the project will continue for several years after the war ends to assist with the reconstruction.
1. Thanks to all who delivered promotional material for the Pride of Workmanship Awards.
2. We have had 32 nominations so far foreshadowing a successful event
3. The presentation will be July 25th at Jack's (formerly Barzaar).
4. Police Officer of the Year (POOTY) award will 8th September at the Show.
5. Promotional material to encourage nominations is being prepared now.
6. Unley Council has expressed interest in the Teacher of the Year (TOOTY) concept.
Vivienne Wood had only two spots (try harder next time Vivienne):
1. Congratulations to Geoff Hill on turning 80.
2, Replacement needed for Hayden Baillie on 1st Saturday of the month. Chris said he'd do 3/6
John Peacham next year's President, who could by right have as many spots as he likes, had only one. He will be sending us all an email asking which Committee we would like to be on next year.
Christine Way thanked members for sending her postage stamps and asked for more. They all have a price and she gets good money by selling them. The proceeds go to those suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Judy Barton reported on a memorable and pleasant experience during her recent trip to Germany where she was able to locate the grave of her Uncle who died in Germany during the war. She reported the grave had been well looked after.
Finale
Brenton Judge, Wendy Andrews and Robyn Carnachan won the raffle prizes in that order.
President Ken closed the meeting 10 minutes early and his thought for the week could roughly be paraphrased as "we're all special and should make the most of what little time we have left."
Rotary International News
Rotarians in India, Pakistan promote peace at sacred site
By Amrit Pal Singh, District 3080 assistant governor and past president of the Rotary Club of Chandigarh, India
I was thrilled recently to help coordinate a remarkable meeting between Rotary members in India and Pakistan that promoted peace and understanding between our two countries. On 4 March, more than 100 Rotary members, friends, and family from India and another 100-plus from Pakistan met together at a sacred site in Pakistan. The goodwill meeting sought to break down some of the historic barriers of animosity between our countries and unite us in the spirit of Rotary fellowship.
Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is a sacred site for Sikhs with immense religious and spiritual value to both Indians and Pakistanis. Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru, is believed to have spent the last 18 years of his life there. The complex on the east bank of the Ravi River is massive and well-maintained. Its beauty is overwhelming. Strict immigration and customs rules are in place for people from India making a pilgrimage to visit Kartarpur. Access is through a narrow corridor. Fortunately, we were able to secure all the necessary permissions to make it happen.
In the reception area that served as our venue, old friends hugged while new friends shook hands and got to know each other. Almost everyone was busy with their cameras, taking photos to capture the moment. Members exchanged club banners and presented Rotary pins. Some participants gifted each other with boxes of treats.
Because Pakistan is still a polio-endemic country, Rotary members from India were required to receive polio drops in the Indian immigration building before crossing the border. The person administering the drops saw my Rotary pin and said excitedly, “Rotarians have been giving these drops to the children of our country for so many years. I am so proud to return the favor today.” It was a touching moment.
The idea originated with past governors Madhukar Malhotra of District 3080 (India) and Shezad Ahmed of District 3272 (Pakistan), both directors of the Indus Peace Park Society. They proposed a meeting between members of the Rotary Clubs of Chandigarh and Lahore Garrison. But as an assistant governor, I expanded the idea to include more clubs from the two districts.
Our focus was also on creating twin club relationships before the trip so that members of the paired clubs could meet. I had help from Anil Ghai, a Rotary member from Delhi who is also an Indus Peace Park director. Our efforts resulted in eight clubs from Chandigarh, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Shimla, and Parwanoo, India, forming twin club relationships with clubs in Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan, in February.
On the day of the event, we had members from 16 different clubs, including many current, past, and future district leaders and club presidents. Ved Parkash Kalta, our district governor, was not able to attend due to a previous commitment to training events but supported and encouraged attendance. Twin club certificates were signed, and memorandums of understanding exchanged. We discussed future opportunities to follow up on the goodwill meeting and collaborate on future service projects.
All too soon, it was time to say goodbye. Many felt a sense of fulfillment for having made the journey as well as sadness at having to leave. Invitations were extended to visit each other in the future. Since our return, two of our clubs in India have had joint meetings over Zoom with their twin clubs in Pakistan. The Rotary Club of Chandigarh has also pledged to work with clubs in Pakistan to bring children with congenital heart disease to India for free heart surgeries.
As Rotarians, we can help make this world a better place through our actions.
Rotary Expo and Dinner
Helping the Salvos
Unley Salvos are asking for support at Mitcham Shopping Centre at various times between 18th and 27th of May. Can you please fill in the document on this link if you are able to help out.
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 22 April 2023
Early: Stephen Baker (David Pisoni) & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5: 29 April 2023
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 one is Saturday 20 May 2023
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
We have been allocated the last Monday of each month.....next one is Monday 29 May 2023.
The Tale End.....
Jokes about Rotary
Tying the Knot
My grandfather rented a tuxedo to attend a Rotary convention in Philadelphia. The tuxedo came with an untied bow tie and he didn't know how to tie it.
Just taking a chance he knocked on his hotel's next door and there was a guy there.
"Excuse me, can you help me tie my tie"
"Sure. Just lie down on the bed."
My grandfather wasn't sure what he was getting into, but he wanted to have the tie on.
So he lay down on the bed as he was said, and the guy tied a perfect bow tie knot.
Quite reasonably the grandfather asked, "Thank you, but why did I have to lie down on the bed?"
The guy said, "I'm an undertaker. That's really the only way I know how to do it."
The Dead Fund Raiser
A doctor, lawyer, and a Rotarian in charge of fundraising all die and arrive at the Pearly Gates about the same time. St. Peter tells them they may each have one thing to take with them to Heaven.
The doctor is first, and asks for $1 million. This is given and proceeds to enter Heaven. The lawyer, not to be outdone, asks for $2 million. "Very well," say St. Peter and opens the gate to Heaven for the lawyer.
Finally it is time for the Rotarian, who had just finished a fundraising project for The Rotary Foundation. St. Peter asks him what he would like to take to Heaven. The fundraiser moves up very close to St. Peter, and in a soft voice asks, "It it's not too much trouble, could I just have the names of those two people who were ahead of me in line?"
Some gag assistance from Jerry (send me your stuff, I'm not great at gags)