Quote of the Month
In a World which is filled with misunderstanding, distrust, intolerance, hypocrisy, jealousy, suspicion of the activities of others Rotary stands out as a unique organisation based on goodwill, understanding, tolerance, friendship, and consideration of others.
Maurice Duperrey
27th President of Rotary International (1937-38) Address to the 1938 Convention.
Theme for the Month of January
Vocational Service
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President Mark advised members that the first annual Conference for the combined district 9510 would now be held at Westminster School from April 16th -18th 2021. It was originally planned to be held in Bendigo but the uncertainty caused by Covid 19 virus and the various restrictions that could occur between state borders had made it impossible to stick to the original venue. It is hoped that some of our club members will be able to attend even though the week prior will have tested their energy following a very busy time of our first Airshow set for April 11th 2021 in Rowland Flat.
If you are planning to attend the Conference, the district website has all the details, including speakers and total cost per member. You can also find all of the details in District Governor David's Newsletter.
One of the advantages available is that you may wish to only attend the Governor's dinner, to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Saturday April 17th. The dinner will also include a celebration of the Centenary of Rotary in Australia. The separate fee per person for the dinner is $110 and includes a drink package.
Editors Note: Having attended in excess of 20 District Conferences, plus two world Conferences and a number of Institutes, these events are without doubt a highlight for any Rotarian to attend. The speakers, fellowship and the opportunity to meet and share with Rotarians from clubs across the world are a stand out over my 37 years in Rotary.
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Happy Hello to 2021!
To celebrate our first meeting after the Christmas and New Year festivities, and to say a Happy Hello to welcome in 2021, President Mark called for Happy Stories. Of course the story tellers had the pleasure of paying for the privilege (as always)!
We heard some terrific tales about what people had chosen to wear or bring:
Queen Bev’s Bear Babies
Sir Peter Perkin’s cap from Lords (gosh, a cricket story, who woulda thunk it?)
Alexander Downer’s rather large CHOGM shirt which could have been made into a set of curtains but Robert Brookes chose to wear it
John Semmler’s very credible(?!) Man in Black impersonation
Bryce wearing a Princess Cruise shirt
Dr David’s happy place seafaring cap of nine lives
Catherine is happy it’s summer and the Pony can leave the stables, also thank you Catherine for the happy music!
Sue Graetz’s something Blue bridal jacket
Patrick Ritchie-Haydn check-mated by his son, teacher too good
Don Farley’s Rings of achievement gold on the left hand silver on the right
Mark Graetz’s golf shirt from USA, may never visit again to play a game.
John Tunnicliff happy eating and drinking on the Ghan back to Adelaide, a no-go into NT thanks to Covid-19
Rick Kessner wore his Vanuatu shirt which was made locally and purchased after berthing there on a Princess cruise. He was glad it didn’t have the made in China label.
After the usual chocolate wheel (with our friends the Woidts scooping the pool!), Bill ran the Chocolate Wheel with a Twist.
The lucky tile holders won the opportunity to draw a mystery garment from the grab bag, and either put it on themselves or give it to someone else to wear. Interestingly most people chose to wear it themselves, apart from Bryce who very generously handed over the top hat to Bronwyn! Amongst other visions splendid, we had Peter Frazer doing the hula, Keith Millington in not one but two feather boas channelling his inner Shirley “Hey Big Spender” Bassey, Karen Bosomworth disguised as a hippie bride,
Bronwyn and Karin
Peter Thomas wearing an Easter Bonnet,
and Robert Brookes sparkling in a sequinned bow tie - big in proportion to the shirt. For some reason, the person who drew the Port Power scarf didn’t leap about with joy!
We had a very enjoyable evening of Fellowship, and there’s plans for more fun as we move into 2021 – albeit with cautious optimism.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Bill and Sandie Simons
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AKANU OHAFIA INSTITUTE IGBOLAND NIGERIA.
Editors Note: Members and friends you may recall reading in bulletin 3225 (August 27th 2020) an account of the work and accomplishments of former Rotarian and PDG Katina Jones. The article referred to the establishment of a school in Akanu Ohafia Institute, Igboland Nigeria. The school which was born in 2015 has continued to grow and its expansion in just five years is quite outstanding. Starting off with 30 children from the poorest of families in Ohafia to what it is today with more expansion on the way.
In the earlier bulletin you would have read that there were currently 130 children registered at the school with another intake scheduled for September 2020. However, the situation with COVID 19 may have placed restrictions on that happening.
It has been my pleasure to know Katina, as a hardworking, committed person. Her achievements in the areas of education, healing, rest and recovery are extraordinary. I asked Katina for an update and she sent the following:
The annual graduations ceremony was held on the same day as the Xmas party this year, with parents of the community in attendance to celebrate the progress of the students.
In the photograph our nursery (kindergarten) students are feeling proud and special to wear the graduation gowns to show they have progressed to first year primary school.
This year our students sat for the entry examination to high school. This marks a new cycle in the life of the Akanu, Ohafia International School to be recognised as an accepted high school in Nigera. The school needs to offer accommodation on site. To that end we are not only working hard to raise money to build more classrooms, but also a dormitory to accommodate first year high school students.
We are indeed proud and grateful for the progress we have made. Katina Jones
If you have an interest in the wonderful work that Katina is doing, you can contact her by phone on 0400 670 622 or
email: kjones@equals.edu.au
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The Star Fish Story
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out 'Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?'
The young man paused, looked up, and replied 'Throwing starfish into the ocean.'
'I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?' asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, 'The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die.'
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, 'But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!'
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, 'It made a difference for that one.'
So, can I encourage you to take the time to do something that will make a difference to someone else's life ... and it doesn't have to be much and they don't need to know. Just take a moment, do something special ... the universe will know and that's enough.
Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977).
Catherine Lawler sent this in. It is not new, however, this message in life of helping others rings out loud and clear. As Catherine said it is what Rotary does around the world every day of the year.
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Attendance Report meeting of January 7th 2021
Members Attending 23
Friends Attending 5
Partners Attending 1
Guests attending 1
Total attendance 30
Apologies/leave of Absence 18
Birthdays
Peter Canning Jan 7th
Sandie Simons Jan 9th
Ian Rice (Honorary member) Jan 10th
Marie Rothe Jan 16th
John Little Jan 22nd
Craig Rogasch Jan 30th
Anniversaries
Peter Frazer 1 year Joined 16/1/2020
Charter Member of Stirling Club from 1974 -1994
JUST A THOUGHT
In Life it's important to know when to stop arguing with people and simply let them be wrong.
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