Invocation
Oh lord and giver of all good, we praise thee for our daily food.
May Rotary friends and Rotary ways help us to serve thee all our days.
Quote for the month
Paul Percy Harris the founder of Rotary made some forthright comments on War and Peace.
It is easier to interest men in war than in peace; it therefore requires more moral courage to talk peace than war.
'The Rotarian February 1917.'
Must the best genius of men be devoted to the science of war and none to the science of averting it.
'The Rotarian February 1940.'
War is a ghastly blunder; even the winners lose.
'My Road to Rotary.'
I have no hesitation in saying that world peace could be achieved and made permanent if reared on Rotary's firm foundation of friendliness, tolerance, and usefulness.
'Addressing the 1940 Rotary Convention, Havana Cuba.'
Will the world's leaders ever learn!!!
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Rotary Theme for the month of April
Maternal and Child Health
GUEST SPEAKERS URGENTLY NEEDED TO FILL VACANCIES. TEAM LEADERS NEED TO FIND APPROPRIATE SPEAKERS FOR MEETINGS ON THE 1ST AND 3RD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH.
LET KEITH ADAMS KNOW (email or phone) WHEN YOU HAVE A SPEAKER AS HE MAINTAINS THE RECORDS.
PLEASE ALSO LET THE BULLETIN EDITOR KNOW SO THAT DETAILS CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE DUTY ROSTER.
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IMPORTANT MESSAGE
CAR PARKING - YALUMBA WINERY
We have agreed to supply personnel services to assist with parking of vehicles on the following dates- 6th May, 7th May and 8th May.
Yalumba Winery at Angaston are hosting the Barossa Valley version of "Tasting Australia". Four(4) sessions over the 3 days, 2 on Saturday 7th May. Require say 20 volunteers over the 3 days.
Should be nothing arduous, just making sure that cars are parked efficiently in Yalumba Winery car park. Would expect that each shift would take about 1 hour.
Rotary stands to make about $500.00 from this event.
Peter Perkins
Mobile: 0409 768 908
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A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER
How time flies. Paul Percy Harris was the founder of Rotary in 1905. He was born on April 19th,1868 which means he would have been 154 years old last Tuesday April 19th 2022. Unfortunately no one seems to live that long.
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Inductions
Our next meeting on May 5th at the Tanunda Hotel will be a special evening for the club with the induction of Anne Schilling and James Dunn into membership. These two people have already hopped in and taken on jobs by helping out at meetings. All members are asked to make the effort to attend so we can welcome Anne and James into Rotary fellowship.
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ANZAC BREAKFAST 2022 for TANUNDA RSL MEMBERS.
Our Rotary Club has happily provided help for a number of years now, to ensure that the RSL breakfast is enjoyed by their members and families. Club organiser Mark Graetz thanks all club helpers who came out early to prepare and cook the breakfast. It was originally thought that up to more than 200 meals would be required. However, not as many RSL people turned up as anticipated and our club members only needed to prepare around 140 meals on this occasion. Nevertheless it was another enjoyable Anzac morning of fellowship.
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PRESIDENT BILL's Burbles
President Bill welcomed Rotarians and Friends and Guests to meeting number 3274, and thanked PP Keith Millington for filling in for him at the last meeting.
Much of what happened prior to that meeting was well covered by PP Keith and our amazing Bulletin Editor Robert Brookes!
President Bill noted a special Thanks to Brian and Janet Schwarz for leading the service on Maundy Thursday, and gave his personal thanks to Peter Sich and all his helpers with catering, and thanked all who attended. President Bill observed that it seems like Peter has gained a worthy apprentice in James Dunn who now knows not only what a toad in the hole is, but how to cook it!
As mentioned in the last Bulletin our Club was recognised with a certificate for attaining Level 2 support of the Rotary Foundation in 2021; this means our club donations (thanks to the Airshow and Gavin’s Uganda Dental Project) were at least $250 per club member.
We have approached The Barossa Council to keep our Club in mind when replacing playgrounds, so we can assist the Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds project which is being run in SA by the Mount Barker club. Members are encouraged to talk to local schools and kindergartens to find out how we can obtain any unwanted playground equipment to support this project.
The Emergency Medical Information Booklets are available now for a $2 donation.
President Bill reminded us that the Rotary Foundation lunch is being held on Sunday 15th May, per the email which was sent to all members on 12th April. At that event the Rotary Polio Ute raffle winners will be drawn.
President Bill referred to the four year Pilot project which has been proposed by RI to regionalise Zone 8, which takes in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. This means the way in which the 20 Districts in Zone 8 are managed and supported will change. He emphasised that it is critical that we all understand what is being proposed, because all club members will be asked to vote later this year whether they are in favour of this Pilot project going ahead. President Bill handed out a brief summary of what the project is about, and said that Secretary Sandie will email everyone with more information over the next few days. The next step is that in May or June, Area Governor Craig Dowling will address one of our meetings to give more information and take questions. He asked for all members to be present at that meeting with AG Craig so we are well informed before we are asked to vote.
President Bill reminded us to respond to the invitation to the Sir Condor Laucke Oration, to be hosted by our Club at the Vine Inn on Thursday 12th May. We must ensure we book our seats prior to 5th May, and make the payment into our club account as explained on the invitation. The two Orators are Rebecca Tolhurst, Chair of the Co-Op Board, and Cathy Main, CEO of the Co-Op, and they are very keen to share with guests their vision for the Co-Op’s future and their experiences in business. We are very fortunate to have received an acceptance of our invitation from Sir Condor Laucke’s daughter, Mrs. Rosemarie Anders. This is a really important event on the Barossa Valley service clubs’ calendar, and as we are the host club it is important that as many of our members as possible attend this dinner.
President Bill thanked everyone for attending tonight’s meeting, with a special thanks to David Gooley for giving us insights into the value of Calperum.
In closing President Bill reminded us that next week is the board meeting, and our next club meeting is in a fortnight’s time which is Thursday May 5th here at the Tanunda Hotel.
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Guest Speaker Rotarian David Gooley
Keith with David Gooley.
David is a member of the Rotary Club of Mitcham.
He was introduced to Calperum Station in 2009
and began planting seedlings in the revegetation program of the Semi Arid Woodland area in 2010 and has been planting ever since.
The original trees had been removed during the first 80 years, post 1850s, of the European operation of sheep grazing. These trees were used for housing, fence posts and firewood. The two lower levels of vegetation subsequently died due to exposure to the wind and sun and the sheep ate the native grasses.
Myoporum Platycarpum
In 2010, the revegetation program began at the end of 9 years of drought. In 2011/12, more than twice the average rainfall fell replenishing the subsurface water.
Myoporum Platycarpum after more rain
The initial plantings were watered for 2 years. This enabled the seedlings with good gene structure to develop a deep root system quickly to reach the subsurface moisture and become a long term survivor. These survivors are now up to 4 metres high. There are 300 to 400 survivors. whilst this number is low, only 5 to 10% of the planted number, it is a start. Some of these plants/ trees are now producing seeds which are being spread around by the wind.
When the rains come so does the green
Natural revegetation will occur when the next good rainfall occurs. We have been waiting since 2013. The later plantings, post 2013, have all struggled due to the lack of rain. Increased watering has had little effect because the subsurface water level has been gradually getting lower in the ground and the plants roots have not been able to reach the water and hence have died. A repeat of 2011/12 is being prayed for.
In 2020 I noticed some of the small trees were flowering and producing seed.
We can hope the rejuvenation process will continue naturally even if only by 30 or 40 metres, as much of the seeds has been blown by the wind or when there is good rainfall.
A couple of years back, I asked the ecologist what were his thoughts on the success of what had been achieved, and the density of young trees in site 4 (there were 13 sites in the first reveg. program, spending a lot of my time in site 4. In 2013/14 I volunteered there 3 days a week on average). He was pleased with what had been achieved, all thanks to the wet years 2011/12. As far as the density, that was higher than what was there originally which was OK, it provides more seed production. He said that in a few 100 years we could look down from above and be proud of what we started. I felt good. I had often been disheartened because of the high failure rate but I have not felt that way again.
Editor: A very interesting presentation highlighting the work Rotarians can become involved in at Calperum Station. The above photo shows an Exchange Student enjoying life in the bush.
Thanks to David for coming out to the Barossa to explain the work and achievements happening at Calperum.
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Dental Education Program underway in Uganda
Rotarian Gavin Sidhu is all smiles as he undertakes the work he set out to achieve for the children of Uganda.
It happened because of his determination and our club support followed by the approval of a Global Grant through The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
Gavin with his Dental Team
It has taken quite some time to set up all the necessary requirements to enable him to see this project come to fruition.
The Rotary School and Community Dental education program has commenced in Mbarara, Uganda. Gavin’s dental team have been visiting orphanages, schools, communities and Nakivale refugee camp teaching about the importance of brushing and diet.
Gavin is so thankful to Rotary for providing his team with the funding to educate tens of thousands of Ugandans over the next few years and to all the people who have helped make this project a reality.
Marie-louise Lees (D9510 Rotary Foundation Chair) commented on the wonderful work now being done in Uganda with the funding made available together with the support of all clubs in the Barossa/Gawler area. She went on to say, "Gavin Sidhu – Project champion."
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Anzac Day – Military Reflection
Reflecting on the many years since ANZACs first became;
There’s much that now is different, but much that stays the same.
There’s still a price for liberty, so we can choose our path.
There still are those who go to war and pay on our behalf.
There still are those who sacrifice and leave loved-ones behind.
So we can have the right to vote and speak what’s on our mind.
There still are those who face a foe and fight in foreign lands.
In hopes that we’ll be terror-free and safe from evil hands.
There still are those who take a wound and live with daily pain.
Their battle is a lifelong thing; their price for freedom’s gain.
There still are those who give their lives and break a happy home.
There still are grieving boys and girls - and partners all alone.
So keep in mind our wounded vets and families of the lost;
They’re still the ones who bear the bulk of freedom’s daily cost.
Remember freedom has a price – we’re in our soldiers’ debt.
Remember to remember – Lest we all forget.
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Attendance Report April 21st 2022
Members 21
Honorary 1
Friends 1
Visiting Rotarian 1 Guests attending 2
Total Attending 26
Apologies/LOA 17
Member Birthdays
Ian Mader April 5th
Sue Graetz " 16th
Peter Frazer " 18th
John Semmler " 30th
Date Joined Rotary
Ian Rice (now Honorary) 1/4/1978 44 yrs
Patrick Ritchie-Haydn 1/4/1982 40 yrs
David West. 10/4/2008 14yrs
Ian Mader 11/4/2019 3 yrs
Roxane Canning 24/4/2014 8 yrs
Sue Graetz 24/4/2014 8 yrs
Marie Rothe 24/4/2014 8 yrs
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JUST A THOUGHT
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world, and when you think about it, isn't that how Rotary began.
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