As Rotarians, our responsibility is to identify with the truth and to communicate and share with others our achievements and objectives. The image of Rotary in a community will be strengthened if the Rotary club is viewed as a dynamic group of men and women who are eager to serve others with an ethical approach to life. That image, however, will be strengthened even more if the club's major projects are publicized and promoted in areas where they are carried out.
President Steve's Snippets
Just a quick update as things ramp up for the Airshow—it’s shaping up to be a fantastic event!
It was wonderful to see so many people at Meeting 3345, held at the Rotary Shed in Tanunda. Once again, we witnessed the incredible dedication of the Great Revival Shop and Truro Op Shop—our community is truly fortunate to have such generous and hardworking individuals. It was also great to see the Men’s Shed in action and the marvellous projects they continue to create.
A heartfelt thank you to the community group and everyone who helped put together a delicious meal. And of course, a special mention to Valerie and David for their renowned sticky date dessert—always a treat!
Mark your calendars for our next meeting on Monday, the 17th—one you won’t want to miss! Grant Schuyler will share insights into the history of the Barossa Rotary Club Foundation and the incredible work it does. We’ll also hear from Tim Mee and Maurice O’Connell with an update on Rotary’s efforts in Ukraine.
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Important message
The CLOTHING BIN at Tanunda has MOVED
Rotarians David West and James Dunn moved the bin (at the request of shop tenants) to the car park at the rear of THE HUB. Enter off BUSHMAN STREET.
The easier access, using the car park, for people depositing bags of clothes, and Rotarians moving contents, will be safer and more convenient.
Pass the message on please.
The Tanunda Rotary Clothing Bin has found a new home and is
more easily accessible.
Rotary Clothing Bin (in Tanunda) now in Rear Carpark behind the Hub.
Clothing Bins
WE need more volunteers. If you can help please contact Peter Thomas
I hope you were able to read the excellent article in “The Leader “on 5th March, by Tony Robinson.
The “GOOD SORTS” from The Great Revival Shop and The Truro Op Shop are amazing people. The two teams alternate in sorting the ever-increasing volume of donated used clothing and household items. At times the mountain of plastic bags delivered to the sorting shed by our rostered Rotarian volunteers seems overwhelming. The past three months has seen a dramatic increase in material deposited in the three bins. In one recent two-week period, after the “sorters” had collected suitable goods for the shops, four and a half tonne of excess clothing was collected by the company accepting recycled clothing. Add to this the two skip waste bins full of “not acceptable” items taken away at the same time. And we were charged extra as one of the bins was “overweight”?
We are one of the very few organizations able to dispose of used clothing to the only outlet available. Economic conditions have resulted in that company being unable to dispose of goods to traditional overseas outlets. The good work done by the “Good Sorts” has kept us in good favour with the Company.
BUT our big concern is what will happen if our outlet is no longer available, and we are no longer able to dispose of unwanted items. If we have to close the bins, where will people get rid of their bags of unwanted clothing, etc? Dumping in seemingly secluded places seems likely. A huge potential problem for Councils and State Government is a distinct possibility.
We are providing a great service to the community thanks to a dedicated group of Rotarians who clear the bins and the amazing “GOOD SORTS”.
A Rotary night in the sheds.
These Rotary fellowship nights usually attract quite a number of members, friends, guests etc. However, when you have cooks like David in the above picture, you can be sure of an excellent meal, and that Sticky Date pudding wow!
It should also be mentioned that David and his wife Valerie are delighted to announce that they have made it to 50 years of marriage. Their wedding was celebrated on March 8th, 1975, at St.Petri Lutheran Church. They have had a wonderful and sometimes crazy journey over that 50 years and are very proud of the three children that their union has produced.
I don't remember pulling a face like that. However, my second
Sticky Date pudding may have had an effect on the photographer.
All those in blue. Grapevine,Texas, here we come.
President Steve, Millie (Nuri High Coordinator), Miyu, Sergeant Keith, Arabella, Nick, Riley, May
MEETING 3345 a Fellowship gathering at the THREE Sheds.
3rd March 2025
Members 23
Friends 3
Partners 8
Apologies
LofA.. 12
Total: All up.... around 70 attended.
Additional Attendees were numerous, including Great Revival and Truro Op shops and Men's Shed workers.
Birthdays for March
Mark Graetz 6th
Frank Ware 16th
Julie Weckert 21st
Keith Adams 23rd
Mike Connors 24th
James Mitchell 29th
Date Joined Rotary
Rick Kessner March 22nd 1988 37 years
Mark Graetz March 1st 1993 32 years
Bev Stephenson March 4th 2003 22 years
JUST A THOUGHT
These days it's easy for Doctors. Either it's something I have to live with, or something I have to live without.
Mitre 10 Sausage Sizzles
Please let Brian Barnett know at a meeting if you are available for one of these dates:
Sunday, 23 February 2025
Sunday, 9 March 2025 - for Grapevine Texas Study Exchange
Saturday, 15 March 2025
Sunday, 20 April 2025 - for Grapevine Texas Study Exchange
Saturday, 3 May 2025
Saturday, 31 May 2025 - for Grapevine Texas Study Exchange
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Saturday, 12 July 2025
Saturday, 26 July 2025 - for Grapevine Texas Study Exchange
Police Checks Recorder and Child Protection: Prue Maitland
Friends:
Sandy Lineham
Special Projects
Team Leader: Brian Barnett
6
Members:
Mark Burton
Jim Mitchell
Michael Nietschke
Frank Ware
Wendy Randell
Rotary Club of Barossa Valley Foundation
Chair: Grant Schuyler
Secretary: John Semmler
Treasurer: Rick Kessner
Trustees:
Mark Graetz
Prue Maitland
Club President (Steve Ahrens)
Sandie Simons
Club Vocational Chair (David West)
Vacant
2025 Barossa Airshow
Chair: Keith Millington
Airside: Steve Ahrens
Landside/Promotion: Keith Millington
Treasurer: Mark Graetz
Secretary/Admin: Sandie Simons
Workforce: Sue Graetz
Sponsorship: David West, Brian Barnett
Grounds: Bill Simons, Mark Graetz, Bryce Lillecrapp
Catering: Anne Schilling
Displays & Stalls: Mike Connors, Karin Bosomworth
Club Support Roles
Public Officer: Keith Adams
Club Program Co-0rdinator: Keith Adams
Bulletin Editor: Robert Brookes
Assistant Secretary: Vacant
Meeting Welcomers and Cashiers: Sue and Mark Graetz
Sergeants:
3346 Monday, 17 March 2025 Rick Kessner
3347 Monday, 7 April 2025 Sue Graetz
3348 Monday, 21 April 2025 Peter Sich
3349 Monday, 5 May 2025 David West 3350 Monday, 19 May 2025 Mike Connors
Website, Social Media: Keith Millington
Public Image / Marketing: Sandie Simons, Steve Ahrens
Grants (District Foundation and Other): Peter Thomas, Anne Schilling
PHF Recommendations: Peter Sich, John Little, Keith Adams, President (Steve Ahrens)
Friends of the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley: Sue Graetz
Police Checks and Child Protection Officer: Prue Maitland
Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA): Sue Graetz, Chair; Mark Graetz, Treasurer; John Semmler, Secretary; Brian Eckermann; Peter Thomas; Bill Simons; Sandie Simons
Clothing Bin Roster: Peter Thomas
Club History: Grant Schuyler
Great Revival Shop Rep: Bev Stephenson
Ring Pulls: Bryce Lillecrapp, Bill Simons, Peter Thomas
Shed and Trailers: Mark Graetz, Peter Sich, John Semmler, Mike Connors
