Oh lord and giver of all good, we praise thee for our daily food.
May Rotary friends and Rotary ways help us to serve theeall our days.
Quote of the month
Think of the opportunities for service in our own communities. The sick, the homeless, the aged, the hungry. There are children to be taught and guided and loved. Hospitals, orphanages, food kitchens, libraries and schools...summer camps, museums, animal shelters, and community parks require donated time. We know of rivers to clean, neighborhoods to restore, trees to be planted. The list is virtually endless.
A chat with President Cliff Dochterman 1992-93 from North Stockton, California USA. From the Rotarian February 1993
President Bill welcomed everyone to the meeting, in particular our guest speaker Chief Inspector Lauren Leverington, Officer in Charge of the Barossa Local Services Area.
What’s been happening since the last meeting?
On Sunday 10th October we cooked the sausage sizzle for the Barossa Area Fundraisers For Cancer group’s fund-raising Walkathon. Thanks to Phil and Mary Martin, and Peter Perkins.
We visited Lyndoch Motors last Thursday, which was very interesting, and the hamburger dinner was enjoyed by all. Over 24 Rotarians and Friends attended. Thanks to the Ahrens family, Steve, Graeme, and Darren, for their hospitality, and thanks to Bryce for organising, and all the helpers with the BBQ.
Re the keg of port at Bethany Wines: please let President Bill know if you have contacts for the supply of bottles, corks and labels.
As the Clubhouse has received approval for the grant to renovate upstairs into accommodation, our Board is in the process of looking for a new meeting venue.
In closing, President Bill thanked everyone for coming along to the meeting tonight, special thanks to CI Lauren Leverington for the great insight to her progression within SAPOL and policing in the Barossa Valley.
President Bill reminded us that the Board is meeting next week, and the next meeting at the Clubhouse is on 4th November, when our guest speaker will be Susan Raven, from the Seeds of Hope group.
At the last Board meeting, a discussion was held about the application of the $5 meeting fee which is intended to apply when members or guests (not speakers for whom we supply a meal) attend a meeting but either do not have a meal of their own, or share a meal with someone else.
The Board clarified that the $5 fee applies to everyone who does not purchase a meal of their own, including non-Rotarians, excluding guest speakers. If two people share a meal, one of them needs to pay the usual meal/meeting fee of $27, and the other needs to pay the $5 meeting fee.
CI Leverington has been a police officer for twenty years, is married to a police officer and has two children.
She spent twelve months in Malaysia as an AFS exchange student, and her sister was a Rotary exchange student in Finland at the time of the September 11 attacks in the US. Living in a Muslim country was an eye-opener, but sparked her interest in travel and discovering different cultures.
After three years in Ceduna then seven years in Human Resources in Adelaide, she is happy to be back in an operational role in the Barossa Local Service Area. The role of Officer in Charge of the Barossa Local Services Area allows her to meet and get to know many people within the community, not just the unhappy ones! It provides better opportunities to establish a connection with the community, through meeting and understanding local business, volunteers, retirees, service groups and other sectors.
September was her 20th anniversary with SAPOL, having joined as a “mature age” recruit at the age of 22! She first attended university where she majored in Criminal Psychology, and on graduation went straight into the Police Academy at Fort Largs. A posting, which followed, to Port Adelaide CIB working in the child exploitation unit was confronting and challenging, however greatly satisfying when an offender was arrested. Nothing else compares with that feeling.
Fifteen months after having their first child, Lauren went back to work. Some time was spent struggling with the work-life balance, so the decision was made to go to the country, somewhere remote. Ceduna certainly fulfilled that need! Regional policing presented a whole new range of situations, in particular some well entrenched long-term issues within the Indigenous population. However, the work was enjoyable and rewarding, and long-lasting friendships were formed.
After three years, with the addition of child number two, the family moved back to Adelaide. At that time the new Police Commissioner worked closely with the Equal Opportunity Commissioner to make SAPOL more flexible and inclusive. This opened up opportunities for Lauren particularly as a female parent, which enabled part time work as a Sergeant in Human Resources.
However, she wanted to be a Detective – of anything! – so the time in HR made her feel like a “fish out of water”. Her potential for progression within SAPOL was recognised and she was encouraged her to navigate her career, with the warning that many balls are juggled, but two are made of glass and must not be dropped, and they are family and health. The HR role involved establishing working methods beyond the traditional ones, but then COVID hit and pretty much closed everything down. At the same time, caring for nearly 5,000 employees meant Lauren was starting to drop the Family glass ball. Time for change again!
Living and working in the Barossa has enabled CI Leverington to keep those glass balls in the air!
All the family are very happy living in the Barossa and have warned that they will not be moving – if Mum gets a posting elsewhere, she’ll have to commute!
What is policing in the Barossa about?
Foremost it's establishing confidence within the community. After six months experience during the effects of COVID, it is apparent that the community has confidence in SAPOL’s ability to keep people safe. Community confidence in SAPOL is evidenced by people wanting to speak with and hear from police officers. People are happy to see more police officers walking within the community, and this will happen more, within funding limitations.
Another high priority is education of school students about road safety, particularly the dangers of drink-driving. Barossa Local Services Area has the highest number of road deaths in South Australia. 43% of fatalities this year were residents within the Barossa LSA, which covers the Barossa, Gawler, Light and the Adelaide Plains.
CI Leverington quoted statistics which disprove the public idea that accidents happen mostly to young males. The five main causes of fatalities in the country are driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, speeding, distraction, not wearing seatbelts, and dangerous driving.
Questions from the floor were answered.
There are many deliberate collisions between motor vehicles and trees, trucks, etc, more than anyone could comprehend. If a medical episode is proven, that death is removed from statistics.
Safe driving courses in the Barossa currently are limited to one, plus a student program, and of course Rotary conducts RYDA each year (COVID restrictions permitting).
SAPOL itself is a limited diversity organisation, so is finding it difficult to engage with the diversity within the community. SAPOL does provide education about diversity and recognition of cultural differences, and recognises that different policing styles are required in different communities, eg Ceduna is very different to suburbia.
A recent incident of burnouts where two young men had been killed in an accident is of great concern, but without a complaint being lodged, no action can be taken.
As with any organisation, there is a danger of cynicism amongst officers. SAPOL is public service and heavily unionised, and some cynicism will develop depending on circumstances and personal views due to background, and age and/or length of service. There are also the different viewpoints and work ethics of those nearing retirement (“my blood is blue”!) and the younger generation (“what’s in it for me?”!
Robert began his presentation by referring to RIPP Clifford L. Dochterman (1992-93) from the Rotary Club of North Stockton California, U.S.A. and the author of The ABCs of Rotary, a booklet of short articles used in training, originally called “Did you Know?” As current bulletin editor each edition includes ‘The Monthly Theme’ and an appropriate article from various leaders which for October just happens to be Cliff Dochterman and his thoughts on Community. Robert then went ‘Fast Forward’ to the years 1997-1998 an important and exciting time for PDG Peter Thomas who was then the elected Governor of D9500.
“At that time, I was the President of the Clare Club. During my year as President, I set up a committee which recommended to the club that it organise an annual Art Show. This annual event is still being held and the funds raised are more than $200,000. DG Peter visited the Clare Club four times in his Governor’s year and I recall that Barrie Robran, a past football champion from the Roosters was the guest speaker at one of these meetings. Peggy and I attended DG Peter’s fantastic conference in Swan Hill. In 1998-1999 I was selected to be DG’s Representative for DG Geoff Schahinger. Sometime in 1999 PDG PJT phoned me to tell me that Cliff Dochterman was coming to Adelaide as the guest speaker at a D9520 function. After a mere drive down from home in Spalding (172 kms to Adelaide) I attended the function with Peter somewhere in Glenelg. During that evening he tapped me on the shoulder and mentioned that a few of the PDGs had got together to discuss possible candidates for DGN. It was suggested that I should nominate.
That night I stayed overnight with one of my daughters before heading back to Spalding the next day. I then told Peggy about nominating as DGN which was in DG Alan Wilson’s year of 1999-2000. I became Governor in 2001-2002 and Peggy took on the role of District Secretary. In April 2002 our District Conference was held in Clare with 650 people attending. Even today I’m still sometimes referred to as the ‘Singing Governor’. Peggy and I moved to the Barossa Valley in 2004 and continued our friendship with Peter and Bev. Since then, Peter & I have spent time together working on District Grants and submitting applications for District awards which have been successful.
Now that is a mouthful but it’s the best I can do in reflecting on a few hectic but wonderful Rotary years for Peggy and me.”
Our Vocational committee organised an excellent club visit to Lyndoch Motors to see how a car and agricultural machinery business operates. The picture below shows the members enjoying a
hamburger and fellowship after the tour.
Our hosts were Darren Bitter, Steve Ahrens and Graham Ahrens shown below with our club president, Bill Simons. The business was started by Steve and Graham's father in 1951 when he bought a blacksmith's workshop at the back of the family home. Since then, the business has expanded to cover a large area, has multiple shedding and now includes a Mitsubishi dealership and a Case Agricultural Machinery dealership. The property still surrounds the family home
Darren, Steve, Graham and President Bill
Our tour took us through the Mitsubishi car sales, parts and maintenance departments with Steve explaining the business drivers that determined the quantity and range of parts that are needed to be on hand to ensure the prompt service of the cars and machines they sell.
The current pandemic has affected the vehicle industry significantly. New car sales are down, as the availability of a new car has been greatly reduced due to problems with the production of new cars. One example Steve gave was the extensive use of computer chips in the modern car. Currently, there is a worldwide shortage of computer chips so cars cannot be produced. The computer chips are part of the car construction process, so the car cannot be made and then have the chips installed later. This alone has put severe restrictions on the availability of new cars so that there are very few cars in stock. Any cars they do get in are already sold. Another effect of the new car shortage is that the value of used cars has risen.
The washdown shed was an enlightening experience. The water used is rainwater collected from the sheds. When in use, the muck, dirt and grease on the machines are washed into a gutter which then goes to a treatment plant that separates the water from the crud so that the water returned from the process is clean and the crud is disposed of through an environmentally accredited process.
The Case dealership in agricultural machinery was also an interesting experience. The equipment there ranged from a 1939 Case Tractor, which is in working order, to a $1,100,000 harvesting machine.
The picture below shows PP Keith Adams, who is over 6 feet tall, with Sandie Simons and Peggy Brookes who barely make 5 feet tall, alongside one of the wheels on the harvester.
The short and the Tall
The problems with supply, and therefore sales, described in the car department also exist in the agricultural machinery business. The Farm machinery, 80% of the business according to Graham, is not a high turnover area, but the maintenance and repair of the machines are fully catered for at Lyndoch Motors, which explains the number of huge sheds on the property.
Now where did we leave our Glasses ofwine?
After the tour, the club put on a BBQ dinner, followed by informal questions to Steve, Graham and Darren. PP Mark Graetz thanked Lyndoch Motors for opening their business to us and providing so much information about their operation.
We had time for fellowship and time to look at the old tractors in the workshop while we waited for the rain to stop.
Rotary Club of Barossa Valley - see below the various committees where each member/friend is represented.
Vocational Committee
Team Leader, Bryce Lillecrapp, Members David Adams, Mark Graetz. Bronwyn Lillecrapp, Grant Schuyler, David West
Friends Karin Bosomworth, Peter Flaherty, Phil Graetz
Community Committee
Team Leader, Peter Perkins, Members, Hans Haan, John Little, Philip Martin, Craig Rogasch, Geoffrey Schrapel, Peter Sich, Geoff Zerk
Friends, David Braunack, Peter Manning, Vicki Manning
Membership Committee
Team Leader, Sue Graetz, Members, Peter Perkins, Marie Rothe, Bryce Lillecrapp, Bronwyn Lillecrapp.
International Committee
Team Leader, Gavin Sidhu, Members, Keith Adams, Ray Fiebiger, Brian Graetz, Rick Kessner, Max Rasmus, Robert Sloane, Peter Thomas
Friends Bruce Dutschke, Russell Johnson, Mary Martin
New Generations Committee
Team Leader, Catherine LawlerMembers, Donald Farley, Ian Mader, Beverley Stephenson, Anne Tunnicliff. John Tunnicliff. Prue Maitland.
Friends Sandy Carruthers, Kevin Hoskin
Fellowship Committee
Team Leader Roxane CanningMembers, Peter Canning. Roxane Canning, Patrick Ritchie-Haydn, John Semmler, Peter Frazer, Keith Millington.
Friends Elly Monfries, John Monfries, Chris Woidt,
Rodney Woidt,
Barossa Valley Foundation Trustees
Chair Grant Schuyler, Secretary John Semmler, Treasurer Rick Kessner Trustees Mark Graetz, Don Farley, Prue Maitland, Sandie Simons, Club President, Club Vocational Chair.
Sergeants. Ray Fiebiger, Mark Graetz, Sue Graetz, Bryce Lillecrapp, John Little, Philip Martin, Peter Sich, Sandie Simons, Robert Sloane, Keith Millington, David West. Patrick Ritchie-Haydn.
Website, Media, Keith Millington, John Tunnicliff, Catherine Lawler
PHF Recommendations President, Peter Sich, John Little, Peter Canning.
Friends of Rotary Sue Graetz
Police Checks Recorder Prue Maitland.
Bulletin Editor Robert Brookes
Clothing Bin Roster Peter Thomas
Child Protection Officer Prue Maitland
Club History Grant Schuyler
Great Revival Shop Rep. Peter Perkins
Ring Pulls. Bryce Lillecrapp, Bill Simons, Mark Graetz
Awards Committee PDGs Robert Brookes, Peter Thomas.
