After welcoming everyone, including our Guest Brian Barnett, President of the Rotary Club Barossa District, and the usual opening procedures, I advised that Marie Rothe has tendered her resignation from our club in order to join the Rotary Club of Unley, which is closer to her current home at Torrens Park – our loss, their gain! Sorry to lose you Marie, we hope you will visit us from time to time.
We did catch up with Marie at the Gawler Zonta’s first Amelia Earhart luncheon on Saturday 20th January at the Adelaide Soaring Club, Gawler Airfield. The final number of attendees was 93 vs the expected 45-50!
Those who volunteered to assist at the Australia Day Breakfast clocked up the steps! Thank you to Commander David West and everyone else involved, a nice pic of Valerie West and Karin Bosomworth in last Wednesday’s Leader.
Centenary of Rotary in South Australia lunch yesterday, 4th February, was attended by 350-360 people from all over Australia, and the Rotary 100 years in South Australia patron, Her Excellency Frances Adamson, AC. The guest speaker was Professor Veena Sahajwalla, an inventor and world pioneer on research into waste who is revolutionising recycling science. Amazing and inspirational, a fascinating and extremely passionate presentation. Worth checking out Australian Story on ABC iView, and Bryce mentioned that there also was a story in the February 4th edition of the Sunday Mail.
Merger with Rotary Club of Barossa District
Brian Barnett gave some background about the intention of the Rotary Club of Barossa District regarding the future. Brian explained that as key club management positions could not be filled beyond 30th June, the members recognised that they are unable to continue as a club beyond that date. However, the members want to continue Rotary membership and the ability to continue to support their existing projects. Advice was sought from District Governor Craig Dowling. After considered discussions Barossa District members agreed that a Merger with the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley is the option which “ticks all the boxes”, particularly in retaining club and members’ history, years of service, Foundation points and other recognition e.g. Paul Harris Fellow.
I explained the process which needs to be followed to achieve the merger. Briefly Special General Meetings in both clubs are required a) the Rotary Club of Barossa District members to agree to request the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley consider the amalgamation of the two clubs, and b) the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley members to decide whether to approve the motion put forward by the Rotary Club of Barossa District; and whether any changes to conditions etc. require negotiation. When both clubs agree to the proposed motion, the two Presidents complete RI instructions and forms for Merging.
Brian also gave us information about the current projects managed by the Rotary Club of Barossa District members, and it was generally agreed that it would be useful for collaboration between memberships in projects managed by both clubs, leading up to the Merger.
President Sandie with President Brian
Questions were invited from the floor.
Q: John Little asked whether consideration would be given to changing the name of the merged Club to one which included reference to both clubs, e.g. Rotary Club of Barossa Valley District.
A: The guideline from Andrew Best (RI) is that usually a merge retains the name, Charter and Constitution of the older club. This is much less complex and costly than establishing a new club name which requires a new Charter and a new Constitution. And of course, we’d have to open new bank accounts, and signage on trailers, banners etc. would need to be changed, incurring more costs.
John Semmler explained his long-term connection to the Rotary Club of Barossa District during the time his late wife Veronica was a member, and the combined efforts of both clubs with RYDA. John also expanded on the importance of the VET awards managed by the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley District, and his encouragement to maintain that program beyond the Merger.
It was great to have the affirmation of support from those present for the Merger of the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley District and the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley.
February is PEACE AND CONFLICT PREVENTION/RESOLUTION month.
At the Centenary lunch yesterday, I purchased two books about the Rotary Club of Adelaide, one of which in particular has some very interesting facts.
Such as: Rotary was instrumental in the formation of COTA, Council of the Ageing, and Novita (formerly the SA Crippled Children’s Association). In 1930 Amy Johnson arrived in Adelaide having just flown solo from England to Australia attended a special luncheon for her, hosted by the Rotary Club of Adelaide, and in 1940 Noel Coward addressed the Rotary Club of Adelaide. Very interesting reading, and if anyone wants to read them, please let me know.
I also picked up a Peace themed magnet and sticker at the Centenary celebration, and because I’m an incredibly generous person, I offered to give them away to the first person to get this question correct:
“Cast your minds back to October 1956 – if you can! A famous person was credited with lifting the immunisation rate among US teenagers from 0.6% to 80% - isn’t that incredible! This person performed and then was immunised against polio on the Ed Sullivan Show on television. WHO was it?”
Congratulations to Peter Sich and Peter Thomas who collaborated and gave the correct answer of “Elvis Presley”. Peter Thomas promptly gave the sticker to Sue Graetz and delegated the task of following up on the progress of establishing a Peace Pole in Barossa Central! Two essential abilities for a Rotarian – collaboration and delegation!
Karin Bosomworth did a great job of leading us in reciting the Rotary Four Way Test for the very first time, thanks Karin!
This Rotary Club of Barossa Valley meeting number 3319 was a wonderful example of “Rotarianism” (I think I just made up a new word!). We welcome each other with genuine warmth - members, guests, partners and friends alike. We interact throughout the meeting and afterwards with lively entertaining conversation and friendly banter. And there’s lots of laughs!
I leave the meeting feeling very happy, and I hope it works that way for you too!
We have heard and read that 'The Magic of Rotary' the theme chosen by the incoming World President. Stephanie A. Urchick will be the last of its kind. Presidents as far back as Paul Harris 1910-12 selected a theme or in those days a 'Vision for Rotary', which was "To harness the great power of friendship to help do the world's work."
In 1978-79 Clem Renouf's Vision for Rotary "That it marshall its vast resources to 'Reach Out' to people everywhere". President Herbert Taylor from Chicago in 1954-55 took a different approach with a vision "..to honor the Rotary ethic as reflected in "The Four-Way Test". There was our own Royce Abbey in 1988-89 and his vision for Rotary: That every Rotarian "Put Life into Rotary - Your Life". Change is inevitable. The old Classification system has long gone, and we have experienced the induction of female members.
Twenty club members were up early on Friday the 26th of January to prepare a tasty breakfast for approximately 600 attendees at the Barossa Council’s annual award presentations. It has been quite a few years since our members have been called upon to assist with this function. In fact, the last time would have been prior to the breakout of Covid. Rotarian David West did a great job organising this event, as required.
Members were off and running soon after 6.45a.m.
setting up the cooking area.
Bacon cooking was well underway by 7.15a.m.
and it was kept warm in the hot box above.
Breakfast preparation of 600 meals.
Our ladies enjoying the early morning work.
Double yoke eggs when cooked went straight to the platers
who assembled and delivered the breakfast rolls from 7.45a.m.
All those present had been fed by 9.00a.m., with a few latecomers and some wanting seconds up to 10.30a.m. Finally, members helped with the cleaning up, and our BBQ and mobile Cool Room went back to the shed for another time.
