Sunday 12th May at 7.00pm: DG Talkback.
YOUR chance to find out what’s happening at District and club level e.g. how other clubs manage their challenges and opportunities – and put faces to names so you can say hello with some confidence when you see these people at other events.
Thursday 16th May: Sir Condor Laucke Oration, to be hosted by the Barossa Lions Club. Cardiologist Associate Professor Carmine De Pasquale BMBS (Hons), PhD, FRACCP, FCSANZ, FAACC, FESS will be the Orator.
Monday 20th May: Club meeting
Helen Marshall, Chair of the RYLA committee, and two of our sponsored attendees, Casey Miles and Adam Robinson will be attending.
We are unable to support RYLA this year with volunteer hours so have made a financial contribution equivalent to registration and a windcheater for one participant.
Monday 20th May: Board meeting starting at 8.00pm.
Treasurer Mark Graetz has emailed a request for suggestions for the disbursement of funds available for donation to Rotary and other projects, so we’ll discuss the list at the Board meeting and share the selections with you at a June meeting.
22nd to 29th May 2024: Rotary International Convention in Singapore
Monday 3rd June: Club meeting
Julia Cropley will tell us about the Barossa Anglican Domestic Violence Program.
AND very important that you SAVE THIS DATE …
Saturday 29th June 2024: Our club changeover!
An evening dinner, proper dress up, PHF regalia, Venue negotiations underway, invitations out soon
It was a sad start to our meeting, with a minute of silence to honour our friend and fellow Rotarian Don Farley, who passed away last Wednesday 1st May.
Don had been a member of the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley since June 1987, and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in May 2005.
Unfortunately Bill and I will be travelling so cannot attend Don’s funeral, but I know that our fellow Rotarians will represent us on Wednesday 8th May, at the Angaston Uniting Church.
We had an excellent turnout of 25 Active Members (ie those eligible to vote) for the Special General Meeting, at which the result was unanimous that we accept the proposal of the Rotary Club of Barossa District for a merger of our two clubs. This was a very momentous occasion, and I know that there is great enthusiasm amongst the members of both clubs towards ensuring a strong future of Rotary in the Barossa Valley and surrounding Districts.
Those members of the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley who nurtured the newly formed club in its infancy, must feel incredibly proud that your support of, and confidence in, that new club has been well-rewarded since it was chartered in January 1985.
The form and information required by Rotary International were sent to the RI Support team after the meeting, and we have been advised that the merger process is underway.
Bron Anderson from the Rotary Club of Gawler Light, in her other role with Beyond Bank, gave us some valuable insights and warnings about the various scams that are out there, and which we need to be aware of and know how to deal with. We cannot be too vigilant!
President Elect Steve Ahrens and Bill and I attended the President Elect Preparation (PEP) day on Saturday 4th May, followed by the District Assembly and Rotary Focus Showcase on Sunday 5th May.
During the PEP activities and the general presentations there was a focus on the Regionalisation Pilot and what that means for leadership and ways of working within clubs, and for the Rotary Community Groups, which take effect from 1st July. We were reassured that District 9510 will still exist through the Pilot, and that some things will remain within District control, e.g. the District Foundation grants management, Rotary Says No To Domestic Violence, and the Youth-focussed programs.
We (Steve, Bill and I) participated in sessions with other clubs in our Community Group Seven. There seemed to be genuine interest in opportunities for meetings between the Group Seven Club Presidents, and also between full club memberships, and collaborating more with various projects, particularly as collaboration between clubs on projects improves the chances of securing a District grant!
President Elect Steve’s experience over the two days reinforced the intention of the Regionalisation Pilot, i.e. that we must adapt and change to new ways of working to increase membership and ensure the longevity of Rotary throughout the world.
In the words of either Albert Einstein, or Henry Ford, depending on the interpretation of the original: “If you keep doing the same things, you'll end up getting the same results”.
Can’t argue with that logic!
Thank you to Geoff Schrapel for organising wine for the chocolate wheel!
Guest Speaker Bron Anderson
Beyond Bank Manager
President Sandie summed up Bron's presentation by saying that scammers are increasing right across the world and we should all be aware of the dangers that can occur when we're not careful. Bron's handout to all members with the heading 'Protecting yourself from Scams' is well worth reading and keeping it close to your work area at home or in the office. It may sound impossible but over the past 12 months Australians lost a total of $3.1 billion to scammers. If a transaction or email doesn't feel right, you are encouraged to report online to "scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au" Alternatively if you have any doubt regarding emails/phone calls etc, which do not seem right to you a quick delete/delete is recommended.
Bron Anderson made it clear watch out for scammers.
Scholarships
The following was sent in by John Semmler on the 9th of April,
but held back due to the size of the last bulletin. John has put a huge amount
of effort into the success of our club's Scholarship program. Thank you,
John and Happy birthday for April 30th when you celebrated your 84th year.
Barb and I represented our Foundation at an inspiring afternoon at the new Flinders University City Campus.
One of the aspects of the program highlighting a little-known disease is perhaps best described in the words of Mark Goldsmith, Senior Manager, Advancement.
“It was insightful to hear from Dr Siti Mubarokah whose research into childhood dementia hopes to improve the quality of the children’s short lives. We are grateful to Chris McDermott and the Little Heroes Foundation for supporting Dr Mubarokah’s research into the devastating genetic condition that impacts as many children each year as childhood cancer”.
Scholarship Recipients emphasised the considerable difference that scholarships had made to their life and study.
ANZAC DAY BREAKFAST.
As has been in the past for a number of years now, Rotarian Mark Graetz
rounded up a number of our members prepared to start work
at about 6.30 am to cook up a neat breakfast for the Tanunda RSL members
who were attending their annual service to acknowledge those ANZACS
who had served their country.
t.
On the run preparing breakfast for the Tanunda ANZAC members.
Rotarians and helpers produced about 170 egg and bacon burgers
for breakfast, which were very much appreciated.
A nice cup of tea, coffee or milo to follow kept us busy too.
Thanks to Phil Graetz who kept topping up the urn
with hot water. Also thanks to the Tanunda Anzacs
who provided many of us with a neat glass of Port.
A good morning's work which reminds all of us 'Lest we Forget'.
....................................................................................
THE WORKING LIFE OF MIKE CONNORS
Born in Broken Hill I went to Burke Ward Public School then to Broken Hill High. I then gained a 4-year apprenticeship as an electrical fitter with the ZINC mine. In the last year of my apprenticeship, I was working in the electronics department where I did a certificate in electronic engineering through RMIT. I continued in this department for 10 years working on office equipment; the main area was the WANG word processor (which had taken over from the electric typewriters, I am told). During this time I did a diploma of electrical engineering with TAFE NSW.
Time for a change I moved to the local hospital to work in the biomedical department for 18 months. By now I had met a young girl from Adelaide (KATHY) and had married and decided to move to Adelaide. While
looking for a job in the biomedical engineering area I spotted a job
with the renal department of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital maintaining dialysis equipment (I had to read up on what dialysis was).
I thought this job would be ok for 6 months until I got into the main biomedical department. Now 34 years later, the 6 months is just about up, with the hope of more time to do things I wish to do.
The next job is RETIREMENT.
Rotarian Mike tells us of his working life
Lions Club of Gawler visits SAHMRI
South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute
North Terrace, Adelaide
The following picture and story appeared in the most recent
SAHMRI bulletin. As Bulletin Editor I've enclosed the picture and story
because of its interests, and some readers
may have known Lion Garry Hoppo.
The Lions Club of Gawler visited SAHMRI for a tour and to present Professor Deb White, Theme Leader of Precision Cancer Medicine, a cheque for $15,000 to support cancer research.
This donation is in memory of former Lion Garry Hoppo, who passed away from lung cancer and wanted to make a difference by leaving a bequest to research. This gift is gratefully received and will be used to advance research and improve the lives of those affected by cancer.
There are many ways your service club or community group can get involved
with SAHMRI so please reach out for more information.
