The “Year That Was” – Club Assembly
There was plenty of energy and enthusiasm throughout the meeting, with positive reactions to the first class “Year That Was” presentations by Team Leaders.
Treasurer Mark’s summary of proposed disbursement of funds raised was well-received, and demonstrated our club’s support for a good cross-section of local and international projects and activities.
From our own Rotary Club of Barossa Valley Says No To Domestic Violence program to the New Dawn project aiding those affected by the war in Ukraine, while still funding End Polio and the Nuriootpa High School Breakfast Club, we should be incredibly happy that we are able to support such a diversity of causes. It is really difficult to choose who should benefit from our club’s fundraising results – how we wish we could support them all! – and it is so very important that every Club Member has the opportunity to nominate the causes they would like to support. Remember, even if the funds given might seem small (“Comparison is the thief of Joy!”), it is funding they would not have received otherwise, so please put your suggestions forward.
I know that many of you will have ideas for future projects. This is your chance, as we will be looking for new opportunities in our new Rotary year!
We also must recognise all those who hold Club Support roles, which are included in every Bulletin, so I’m sure you are familiar with them!
Donations to the Clothing Bins and the Ring Pulls, and maintenance of our website and social media, transporting and caring for our BBQ and cool room trailers, and all the other “behind the scenes” functions need “Someone Responsible”, and thankfully we have those “Someones”. Not to say of course, that a bit of extra help would go astray, so please put up your hand if you can help out with any of those Club Support roles.
Personally, I am deeply indebted to all our Team Leaders and the Club Support people for their dedication and support during the last year.
Just a few updates from me, about “The Year That Was” …
Public Image: we’ve made stronger connections with The Leader, particularly supporting our club’s Rotary Says No To Domestic Violence program, but also with other club activities and events. We’ll ensure we build on the relationship with local media and find other ways to promote Rotary within our community.
Rotary Says No To Domestic Violence program: this will receive greater focus throughout District clubs and communities leading up to the Walk for Respect to be held on Saturday 14th September; we need to ensure that we play our part in creating awareness and providing support within our local community. I’ll also be calling on you to participate in the Walk if you are able, or to give me an indication as to whether you are able to participate in an alternative local event.
Regionalisation Pilot Project: through participation in the District Assembly and DG Craig’s monthly talkback sessions, I’ve gained the impression that clubs will be expected to collaborate more on projects, and support each other more in sharing skills and experience, within their Community Groups. In the new world, we won’t have District feeding us with information and directives – we’ll have to be proactive and find out for ourselves from the appropriate Regional Specialists, with our Community Group leader as a conduit if necessary.
Governance: this covers all aspects of how clubs must operate, and compliance with legal requirements; insurance and mitigation of risks; conflict resolution; youth protection etc. Nothing ominous, we already comply with many, however we do need to ensure we keep up with and comply with all requirements – everything from correct branding to appropriate and comprehensive By Laws.
Club Changeover Saturday 29th June 2024: Our Big Event of The Year! An opportunity to put on your best outfit, a bit (or maybe a lot!) of bling, and of course to proudly show off your Rotary and club regalia, from name badges to Paul Harris Fellow pins – I look forward to seeing you there!
Patrick Ritchie-Haydn - Leave of absence due to health issues.
Patrick Ritchie-Haydn has requested leave of absence for an indeterminate length of time, due to health issues. You might want to get in touch with Patrick and give him some moral support, and perhaps if you are able, assistance with appointments, shopping etc.
RYDA. (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) program
Rotarian John Semmler advised those present that this year's
RYDA program will be held on 16th, 17th and 18th September 2024.
John added that the Great Rival Shop had donated $4000 towards the expenses for this year's event. John also mentioned that as he will be away
for a part of the time, Bill and Sandie will be in charge of setting
up the Roster over the three days.
The gathering below attended on 10th June to witness the
merging of the two clubs now
known as "Rotary Club of Barossa Valley"
Welcome Past President Brian Barnett.
President Sandie added to the function with an assortment
of fancy cakes and puffs.
Rotarian Brian has listed the dates below of
future activities in which members may take part.
These are the dates for the Mitre 10 BBQ’s,
Saturday July 10th
Sunday August 18th
Sunday September 22nd
Sunday October 20th
Saturday November 30th
Sunday December 22nd
Caravan Course dates
Sunday 28th July
Sunday 25th August
Sunday 15th September
Sunday 27th October
Sunday 17th November
Sunday 15th December
Kind regards
Brian Barnett
0419838861
...................
Isabel Munzberg
Here is a photo of Isabel with her Visionary Leader Award from ZONTA
that she received on Thursday, 13th June 2024.
Congratulations Isabel, one of our students from the RCBV Foundation who was the social media guru for us during the 2023 Airshow. We nominated her for the Zonta Award. Sent in by Rotarian Keith Millington.
It was the Zonta changeover night when they elected a new president
and board, with a presentation to seven women who had achieved
exceptionally high standards in community service.
Our final Exchange Student
Philip Sederstrom.
Hi Robert, how nice to hear from you!
I'm so sorry that my answer to your message is so delayed!
The dog's name is Saba, she is an Irish wolfhound puppy that moved in with me and my fiancé 13 weeks ago. She is such a character, sleeps approximately 75% of the day, grows 2-3 centimeters a week and loves to stroll the woods with me in the area where I live.
As for me, I've just finished my master thesis in psychology which I did as part of a pilot study about maladaptive anger inhibition. It received good critique, and I ended up with the highest possible grade for it. I've been offered to help out with writing an article on the matter which is exciting so that is what I'm doing now in my spare time. Now when I've finished my psychologist education, I need to work a year under supervision in order to receive my psychologist license. However, the economy in Sweden is not that great right now so a lot of workplaces are saving money by not hiring newly examined psychology students, so here I am writing articles about treatments for anger related emotional inertia in my spare time hoping it will open up an opportunity for me to get a job in the near future. I've even applied for a couple of PhD student posts. I hope I don't need to be without a psychology themed job for long, eventually there will be an opening for me somewhere I'm sure of it!
Other than that, I'm happy that I've finally finished my education and that I no longer have to commute 5 hours daily between Uppsala and Örebro, now I'll have more time to spend with my fiancé Gennet and our dog Saba.
It has been so nice of you to send me the bulletins from your meetings, I love keeping myself updated of the news and undertakings of the club. Once again, thank you for reaching out to me, and my apologies for being so late with my answer!
All the best!
//Philip
Philip Sederstrom and his dog. Most of you will remember that
Philip was our final Youth Exchange student.
Note from the Bulletin Editor.
I will have completed four years in this role at the end of this month. So far as I know I will remain editor for the next twelve months with Rotarian Steve Ahrens as our President. I thank the people who have sent in stories and photos, mainly John Semmler, Peter Thomas, Keith Millington and Prue Maitland. I am always on the lookout for articles of any kind. Marie Rothe has sent in many
jokes and funnies and some have found their way into the bulletin.
No matter what it is, if it is suitable, in it goes. See you all at the changeover of Presidents which no doubt will be a very happy occasion.
Most of us talk about politics now and then even though
we all have our own choices without pipe in hand.
Sent in by Marie Rothe.
Attendance Report
