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Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin News Notes 4th May 2026
 
Notes on the Run:
 
Thank you Eric for Chairing our meetings during April. This example of co-operation is a hallmark of our Club and shows that teamwork and planning can still achieve strong results for our small Club during this difficult period in Rotary.
This month our ever- reliable Treasurer Ross will take the Chair and we have a strong programme for the balance of the month.
However our programming is short of speakers and I ask all members to help with arranging new speakers to cover the intermediate future. The programme can be accessed on the website below.
This week Prime Minister Takaichi of Japan will visit to Canberra Nara Peace Park and plant a new Black Pine near our Peace Bell, and listen to a musical composition arranged by Chris Latham of the AWM incorporating the tones of the Bell.
This Thursday, let’s enjoy the stories and pictures of the exciting adventures of our member George Wilson and his trip to India. See you there!
 
P. Warrick (by Ed.)
 
Last week's meeting:
 
Russell's Trip to Tumut, Adelong, Batlow and Tumbarumba.
 
It was great that once again Russell stepped in to give us an interesting talk about his trip to Tumut, Adelong, Batlow and Tumbarumba which he enjoyed with other members of the Queanbeyan Probus Club in April.
The trip begin with a stop in Harden to look at the silo murals and a talk by "Bill the bastard". From there they journeyed to Tumut enjoying some time along the Tumut River, and also had an interesting time at the broom factory where they produce handmade brooms - mainly for commercial purposes.
At Adelong members of the group learnt all about the Gold rush days and viewed the crushing plant and other equipment used to pan for gold.
Blowering Dam was their next stop, looking at the Tumut Power Station then onto the Yarrangobilly Caves before arriving at Batlow for some cider tasting. 
On the way back they stopped at Gundagai and Bowning before arriving back in Queanbeyan, having had a really enjoyable 4 days exploring a lovely part of southern New South Wales. 
 
Liz Scrivener
(PS It was a great advertisement for the Probus Club sponsors and their tour partner, Trade Travel.
Ed.)
 
Bill the Bastard - Tumut bus trip
 
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A wonderful example of local history and heritage from Russell's talk about  Harden- Murrumburrah and Tumut. Bill the Bastard was an unrideable horse  which only answered to a few, including A B "Banjo" Patterson.  He was shipped to the Middle East  in World War 1 and used to rescue and retrieve injured soldiers from the front, sometimes carrying 4 soldiers at a time! At the Battle of Romani, he carried his rider and 4  troopers 3 km to safety. Later in the same battle, his rider was shot in the leg  and passed out , but "Bill" carried him to the nearest medical centre.
A life-like sculpture carved by a local stone-mason  Carl Valerius is a feature of Murrumburrah's  town centre. 
To see the program of future meetings, visit: Rotary activities Spreadsheet.
 
Coming Events
Date:  Thurs.                     
 
            
  
Event:
 
 
 
 
 
Club member to Introduce, Thank and send write up to Bulletin editor.
         7th May
Ross – Chair. Lunch at Royal G C.
George Wilson will present on his recent adventure to India to attend a wedding of a work associate.
Neal
       14th May
Royal Golf Club
Respresentative from GOGS – we will donate to their projects.
Bill
       21st May
Aust. National Botanical Gardens Tour and picnic
Astrida will introduce us to the Gardens
Astrida
       28th May
Royal Golf Club
Stephen McMillan
Michael
         4th June
Unallocated – Warrick is Chair
 
 
 
Monday 4th May - Visit by Prime Minister Takaichi and PM Albanese to Canberra Nara Peace Park
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The clean-up crew of P Warrick, Michael, Graham and Neal with musician Johannes Latham, getting the Bell ready on Sunday afternoon for the rehearsals for Prime Minister Takaichi's visit on Monday.
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Monday 4.15pm - The rain stopped and blue skies welcomed the Prime Minister Takaichi and about 200 (3 busloads) of media and security at  our Peace park. The PM planted a Black Pine commemorating 50 years of the signing of the original Basic Nara Treaty. The music written for the occasion, incorporating the Peace Bell ringing, was superb.
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After planting the tree , the Prime Minister spent a few minutes at the Memorial to the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe  who was assassinated in Nara  in 2022. Wreaths were also laid by our PM and CM Barr.
Rotary Saying of the Week:
I expect to pass through this life but once.
If, therefore, there can be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now,
for I shall not  return this way again.
                                                                                                                               William Penn 1644-1718
 
Joke of the week
Why was Eric the Pirate unable to write "D' ?
Because he was alway getting lost at C.
 
COME VOLUNTEER WITH US ON COMMUNITY PROJECTS
 
 
Contact Bill Andrews on Telephone 0416 785 133, for further details and dates of activities. 
 
Our next significant project will be on 28th October 2026 manning two Stalls and the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell at the Canberra Nara Candle Festival, Nara Park. We would love to see you there.
 
Current activities include:
  • Barbeques
  • Gardening assistance
  • Peace bell ceremonies and tours
  • Parking area supervision at Canberra show
  • Participation in local primary school civics programs
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR CLUB?
Contact Russell Dew on Telephone number 0400 622 112 or e mail russelldew1@gmail.com
 
Help us make the world better through assisting our community. 

 

 
Meetings + Speakers
The History of Tea
Apr 16, 2026
Closing in on the once invincible
Apr 02, 2026
Closing in on the once invincible
Apr 02, 2026
presentation on flight over Antarctica
Mar 12, 2026
We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on, the Ngunnawal people.
We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make 
to the life of this city and this region.

There are at least 14 Rotary clubs and some Rotaract clubs just in the ACT.

 
Aurora Gungahlin; Belconnen; Brindabella e-club; Brindabella ROTARACT; Canberra; Canberra Burley Griffin; Canberra East; Canberra Rotaract: Canberra Sundowners; Canberra Sunrise; Canberra Weston Creek;  Ginninderra; Gungahlin; Hall; Jerrabomberra (NSW); Tuggeranong; Murrumbidgee Canberra; the University Of Canberra Rotaract; Woden Daybreak.
 
 
 
 
 
We are part of District 9705, where up to 82 Rotary and Rotaract clubs.
 
 
 
 
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