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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
The district has issued two new policies:
- Youth Protection Policy
- Crisis Management Policy
These are available on the website, but if you need a copy please let me know and I will get them to you.
All Rotarians with an email address would have received a notice about a Rotary Survey asking about your experience and opinions in Rotary. The results are used in Rotary Strategic Planning so if you get a survey, please fill it in.
The Rotary International Convention will be in Taipei on 12th - 16th June. Early bird registration has been extended to February due to the pandemic. Hopefully, the borders will be open by then and you will be able to go, and also come back.
Registration for the first 9510 District Conference is now open. The venue is the Westminster School Marion in the Michael Murray Theatre and the date is 16th to 18th April 2001.
The Airshow is progressing with a lot of work being done to meet SA Health, Government, Council, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations and requirements. A more detailed report is in another part of the Bulletin.
Speaking of the Bulletin, are there any members that do not get the Bulletin? There have been some cases where the bulletin is not received that are hard to resolve. If you have not got your Bulletin, please let me know and I can investigate the cause and get it fixed.
Bushfire season is upon us. Have you all done your Bushfire Plan, cleared flammable stuff from around the house and cleared gutters? A half-day working bee around the house could be the difference between a disaster and an inconvenience.
Keith Millington
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MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
ROTARY CLUB OF BAROSSA VALLEY INC.
held at The Clubhouse, Tanunda
Thursday 10th December 2020
7.15pm Meeting opened by Chairman Robert Brookes.
Present and Apologies: per Attendance Register
- Minutes of Annual General Meeting held 12th December 2019
Moved by John Little that: the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held 12th December 2019 be accepted as read.
Seconded: Rick Kessner
Voted unanimously in favour
Carried
- Change of office holders for President Elect position
Due to Lisa Akeroyd’s work commitments, Lisa and Bill Simons have requested that:
- Bill Simons be permitted to hold the President Elect position from 1st January 2021 to 30th June 2021, and therefore hold the President position from 1st July 2021 to 30th June 2022.
- Lisa Akeroyd be permitted to take on the President Elect position from 1st July 2021 to 30th June 2022, and therefore hold the President position from 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023.
Voted unanimously in favour
Carried
- Nomination and election of other Office Holders for the Rotary Year 2021 / 2022
- Treasurer:
As John Tunnicliff indicated he does not wish to continue as Treasurer beyond 30th June 2021, nominations were called for the position of Treasurer for the Rotary Year 2021/2022.
No nominations were received.
Chairman Robert Brookes thanked John Tunnicliff for the last two years he has held the position of Treasurer.
Chairman Robert requested that all Members consider taking on this essential position before 1st July 2021, as our Club’s Bylaws state that “The governing body of this club is the Board consisting at a minimum of the president, immediate past president, president-elect, treasurer and secretary”.
- Secretary:
Sandie Simons indicated her willingness to continue in the position of Secretary for the Rotary Year 2021/2022.
Elected unopposed
- Position of President from 1st January 2021 to 30th June 2021
a. As Keith Millington indicated he does not wish to continue
for another six months as President, beyond 31st December
2020, nominations were called for one or more Members to
take on the position of President from 1st January 2021 to
30th June 2021.
b. In the absence of any one person nominating to take on the
role, Mark Graetz advised the meeting that he is prepared to
share the position of President until 30th June 2021.
c. John Little then advised the meeting that he also is
prepared to share the position of President until 30th June
2021.
d. Mark and John advised the meeting that they will
determine how to manage the role between them.
e. Chairman Robert Brookes thanked Mark and John, and the
meeting applauded Mark and John for stepping up.
- Adoption of the proposed Standard Rotary Club Constitution
Moved by Peter Perkins that: the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley Inc adopt the Standard Rotary Club Constitution, as issued by Rotary International following the most recent Council On Legislation.
Seconded: Bob Sloane
Voted unanimously in favour
Carried
- Proposed changes to the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley Bylaws
The Board recommended that changes be made to the Club’s Bylaws, to support the new Constitution, and to simplify some of the language used, ie:
- Add a new Article which states "The Constitution and Bylaws of this Club shall also apply to any Satellite of this Club".
- In Article 1 Definitions, add item "7. Satellite Club: A potential Club whose members shall also be members of this Club".
- Replace Article 2 Board “The governing body of this club is the Board consisting at a minimum of the president, immediate past president, present-elect, treasurer and secretary” with “The minimum Board composition shall be President, Treasurer, Secretary, Immediate Past President, and President-Elect”.
- In Article 11 Amendments, replace the sentence “Changes to these bylaws must be consistent with the Standard Rotary Club Constitution, the RI Constitution and Bylaws, and the Rotary Code of Policies” with “The Bylaws of this Club shall be subject at all times to the Constitution of the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley Incorporated”.
Moved by Bob Sloane that: the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley Inc adopt the proposed changes to the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley Bylaws.
Seconded: Bill Simons
Voted unanimously in favour
Carried
- Closing Remarks
- Chairman Robert Brookes expressed his concern that our Club is “slipping behind”; Rotary does good work, we all must remind ourselves that we need to keep this Club active and contributing to our community and to the world, and it is important for our membership also to maintain the Fellowship and the Fun as well as doing good work.
- Peter Thomas concurred with Robert, and he mentioned that he heard recently from Jeffrey Hii, the WHO scientist our Club members have worked with in the Solomons; Jeffrey described his current activities and stressed that “we can’t let COVID stop us from doing things”.
- John Little mentioned that the Barossa Air Show team is committed to planning for this major event to happen on 11th April 2021, even though there always is an element of doubt, due either to COVID or the weather; if it doesn’t happen in 2021, we’ll be well placed for next time. John reiterated that Club members will be called on to assist closer to the time.
- John Little suggested that, to enable our Club to continue well into the future, we need to bring in new members, and asked that each Club member try to recruit at least one new member each, every year.
- Chairman Robert Brookes thanked everyone for their contributions to the AGM.
7.40pm Meeting closed.
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Airshow report.
The Barossa Airshow organisers are making progress in preparing for the show.
200 straw bales have been sourced for the show, they will be stored under cover and be ready for the show in April to be used as seats for the public.
Airside manager Steve reports that there is a lot of interest among aerophiles about the show with multiple comments between pilots about what will happen. A lot of excitement about the Airshow.
There is much paperwork to be done to meet all the regulations that govern the Airshow, with an extra dose due to COVID-19. We are doing detailed plans to scale to support our Council submissions, COVID Safe Plan, and all the other hoops we have to jump through to meet the governance requirements.
There is a new Risk Management proforma from Rotary Insurance that has 32 pages and then there are the CASA regulations for the Airside safety requirements. All this could come to naught if there is another COVID_19 outbreak which results in a limit to people attending the Airshow that would make it not viable. Blue sky, white fluffy clouds and a gentle breeze from the west.
There will be more than an Airshow. The Stalls, Arts and Crafts and Static displays will provide entertainment for the whole family. Marie has a huge list of attractions that will be worth seeing so if aircraft and flying are not your things, then there will be plenty to spark your interest.
We are looking at using an internet-based registration system such as Eventbrite as this will solve many problems associated with a COVID Safe Plan, it will speed up the entrance process, limit the cash handling and will solve the refund problems if we do have to cancel at the last minute.
The SA Health regulations are returning slowly to normal and we are hopeful that they will allow at least 1500-2000 people at an outdoor gathering in April so that show will go on. By the end of January to early February, we will have to make the call to spend money on promotions, merchandise etcetera which will be expensive.
Some of the cost will be offset by sponsorship but we will have to find some of the money. Our fundraising opportunities have been limited of late and the reserves of cash are down on our usual levels but we should be able to cover costs. A successful Airshow will allow us to do so many of our community projects, support our charities and boost our kudos in the Barossa Valley.
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Area 5 Presidents meeting, 1st Dec 2020
District Conference to be on 16-18th April in ADELAIDE. Westminister School, Marion, More info at:
Registration is now open.
Rotary Insurance Risk management proforma are on the website to assist in upgrading risk management. Log in to the District 9510 website, click on Documents, then Governance, then Risk assessment to get to the information.
Youth Protection New policies are in force from the District Website. Log in to the District 9510 website, click on Documents, then Governance, then Youth Protection to get to the information.
As COVID-19 has stopped youth exchange programs, an alternative has been set up to allow short term exchanges between clubs in safe areas.
Learning. Lots of training and information available from My Rotary.
PETS training will be on 13th and 14th March in Adelaide.
Communications The Club Runner app on smartphones has been upgraded.
Joint Meeting weekend. A fellowship event for all Area 5 clubs is proposed where we can meet at a venue that will allow caravans or cabins for people without a caravan. Suggested dates are 20th to 21st February or 13th to 14th March. Suggested venues are Blanchetown Tourist park or Calpernum station. It was suggested that hiring a Houseboat could be an option.
Engineering Challenge Riverland clubs have regularly promoted the Engineering Challenge where schools will take on a project to be assessed at the completion of the event. Sponsored by the University of Newcastle. I will get more details as to exactly how it works. I thought that Nuri High, Faith Lutheran or St Jakobi could be possible schools.
Next Area 5 Presidents meeting will be 3rd March at the Riverland.
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Message from Don Farley: Called to visit Rotarian Jim Miller on Tuesday morning the 8th of December, following a couple of weeks lock-out. I found him walking down one of the long corridors with his walking frame. He had just attended choir practice!. He was getting ready with members of a small choir for a presentation on Wednesday afternoon December 9th in the Gramp Chapel. I gave him a couple of bulletins for him to catch up on what the Rotary club had been up to. We also swapped cricket books. I attended the G.R.S. (Great Revival Shop) meeting on Tuesday afternoon, being the last for this year. Megan, a representative from the Community Kids creche was also in attendance and said that the creche parents hoped to be involved in some way, with the Rotary Airshow next April.
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The club's CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE VINE INN, Thursday Dec.17th 6.00 pm for a 6.30 pm start. Cost is $30 a head for a two course meal. A main course choice of either Roast Turkey Breast or Barramundi Fillet. Dessert choice is either Plum Pudding or Pavola Puff. If you are a Vine Inn member you are entitled to free corkage for one bottle of wine.
Please book with Bill 0409 851 730 no later than midnight Sunday December 13th. Also confirm your attendance or apology with Marie Rothe. Thank you: Bill Simons.
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Rotary Information - John Tunnicliff
John reflected for a few moments on the many differences in clubs around the world, some of which he had visited.
For instance Moscow in Russia is the only English speaking club in that country. He said their meetings were very formal compared to his visit to St. Petersburgh. Arusha in Tanzania whether black or white members, many were successful Indian
business owners who are all Paul Harris Fellows from personal
Foundation contributions. However, John concluded that no matter what the differences may have been there was a common desire of all being Rotarians 'doing good in the world' enjoying fellowship and providing help where needed in their own
communities.
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Rotary Club of the Barossa Valley Foundation.
From Deborah Heithersay Director of Advancement at the University of South Australia. I've attached comments from two recipients regarding their scholarships provided by your Foundation. Your generosity has assisted our students greatly with their study expenses and has eased the pressures on their education particularly during the COVID crisis.
Student - Kathleen Arbery said: my first year at university has been very interesting, challenging and stressful but overall is providing me with a sense of purpose and enjoyment for what I am doing. I particularly enjoyed an elective I took on, named child development. I have enjoyed learning the theories attached to the many different parts of psychology. The hardest part to understand so far was the segment on the brain, as the brain is so complex and has many layers. Your Foundation's award has helped me to purchase textbooks, which without these I would have struggled to do the study. My career goal is to become a qualified clinical psychologist. A massive thank you for your financial help with my studies.
Student-Benjamin Roennfeldt (currently enrolled in program 'Bachelor of Education Primary (Honours). He said I grew up on a farm in Greenock and still live there today. Despite the challenges of COVID, I have thoroughly enjoyed my university studies so far. My learning has included 'Theories of Learning', Learning through Play, Design and Technologies and Geography. My favourite subject was 'Digital Literacies for Learning' and I was lucky enough to get a High Distinction for this subject. Your Foundation's award has helped with purchasing fuel and textbooks. My career goal is to graduate first and foremost as a primary teacher and then seek work anywhere in the country or city. I may also seek work in Lutheran schools. I sincerely thank the Barossa Valley Rotary for their generosity in making this award possible.
Submitted by John Semmler
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Attendance on 10th Dec. 2020
Members present 29
Friends 1
Partners 1 (Sophie - care dog)
Guests
Apologies 15
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Birthdays
Patrick Ritchie-Haydn 27th Dec
Anniversaries
Gavin Sidhu 2 years 7/12/2018
Geoff Zerk 9 years 18/12/2011
JUST A THOUGHT
We are not what we are because we do what we do, we do what we do because we are what we are.
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