Monday 13th February 2023
WELCOME ROTARIANS and FRIENDS
to the WEEKLY NEWS NOTES
FROM the DESK of the PRESIDENT
Andrea Conti
We have great news that our friend Faye Powell is going to rejoin our Club as the Canberra base for when they come back to our fair city. You may remember they are happily travelling Australia.
Also we have a new member Astrida Upitis who has a lot of experience working with the Australian Government in the areas of education and environmental science. We give her a warm welcome to Club. Her vast experience in these areas should be a great benefit to the Club.
Cheers Andrea
OTHER ROTARY at WORK and COMMUNITY NOTES
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Duty Roster
The next meeting will be on the 9th of February at the Commonwealth Club at 12.15 for 12.30.
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This week your Speaker will be Russell Dew on the Topic of Autonomous Cars and their Evolution in the Future of Domestic Transport. He will take you into what is possible and probable as Autonmous vehicles evolve and create a future with less Accidents, Pollution, Traffic Jams and Parking Caos.
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Date
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2nd Feb
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9th Feb
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16th Feb
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23rd Feb
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Door
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Ross
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Ross
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Ross
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Ross
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Welcome and Opening of the Meeting
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Greg G
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Olek G
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Liz
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Judy R
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Toast to Rotary at Work
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Warrick
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Stephen
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Russell D
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To be Advised
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Thanks to the Speaker
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Michael R
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Russell D
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Graeme H
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Bill
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NOTES ON THE LAST SPEAKER AT OUR THURSDAY MEETING
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Presentation on the Evolving Role of Rotaract – Libby O’Brien, District Rotaract Representative
Our guest speaker at the Club meeting on 9 February was Libby O’Brien, District Rotaract Representative and member of the District 9705 Board.
I had invited Libby along to bring the Club up-to-date with what has become an evolving role for Rotaract in our District, following on from the establishment of Rotaract as an entity of its own since 2020, rather than as a “Youth” project of Rotary.
Libby gave a comprehensive rundown of Rotaract in District 9705, providing a summary of the activities of the four Rotaract Clubs – Canberra, Brindabella, University of Canberra and Wagga Wagga.
She commented that all four Clubs are engaging with the challenge of attracting and retaining members, adapting to the world as it is in 2023, while staying true to the values that have always been an important part of the organisation.
With those words, she encapsulated the challenge that faces Rotary Clubs as well.
Libby’s presentation was a timely reminder that Rotaract will be essential to the future of Rotary. We look forward to forging a productive and enduring partnership.
Monica Garrett
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ROTARY AT WORK AND COMMUNITY NOTES
THIRTY YEARS OF THE ROTARY DISTRICT PEACE CITIES PROGRAM AND AN INVITATION TO A GALA DINNER IN WAGGA
On 23rd February 1993, now World Rotary Day, Past RI President Royce Abbey unveiled the peace symbol on the banks of the Wollundry Lagoon acknowledging Wagga Wagga as the world’s first Rotary Peace City.
The Rotary District Peace Cities (now Communities) is an international program initiated in District 9700 and inherited by Rotary District 9705 following the merger of Districts 9700 and 9710. This year, three Australian Peace communities will reach a milestone year. Wagga Wagga will acknowledge 30 years as a Rotary peace community, Coolamon turned 25 on Australia Day and Holbrook in District 9790 will be 10 years. Other communities in 9705 include Bathurst, Cootamundra, Cowra, Forbes, Goulburn, Lockhart, Leeton and Parkes.
Attached please find an invitation to the Gala Dinner and for your information, an outline of all three events taking place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February. Each peace related event is hosted separately by a different Rotary group. Attending these events would provide greater insight into this program, its beginning and plans for the future.
Organisers would greatly appreciate your attendance at the Gala Dinner to recognise this international program which was initiated here in Wagga by Kooringal RC and jointly supported by each of your clubs. Tickets are available through trybooking using the code or link which appears on the invitation.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like any additional information.
We look forward to you joining us, if available at such short notice, on the last weekend in February for the Gala Dinner and some announcements which may interest you.
PEACE begins with ME + YOU making a difference.
Kind regards,
Deidre Tome
Administration | Promotion & Publicity
M: + 61 416 263 570
Rotary District 9705 Peace Communities Program
Peace Secretary | Peace Communities Program
PO Box 8019 Kooringal | Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 | Australia
WAGGA WAGGA - the world's first Rotary Peace City - 1993
Principles of the Rotary Peace Credo
Respect for the life and dignity of every person, without discrimination or prejudice.
Rejection of violence, in all of its forms and towards all people.
Resolution of conflict among people within local and global communities.
Reconciliation of differences and the pursuit of harmony.
Freedom of expression and cultural diversity.
HOW YOU CAN HELP THE BEAT SCHIZOPHRENIA
Well known Griffith Rotarians, Cyril and Ros Ceddia suffered the loss of their son Jono recently.
Jono died in his sleep from pneumonia.
He was a long term suffer of
schizophrenia, a debilitating and mysterious condition that affects many lives.
The Rotary Club of Griffith Avanti has set up an appeal in honour of Jono for research into this condition, which will be donated to Australian Rotary Health.
I'm writing to ask for your club's support in this.
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chizophrenia is horrible. The funds raised will be dedicated to researching the condition, with the hope that we might be able to reduce the incidence of it, and find ways to keep the condition under control.
That it has affected a great Rotary family makes it even more poignant!
Donations should be lodged at
BSB 325 185
a/c 01008940 Rotary Club of Griffith Avanti.
Reference ARH Jono.
Be sure to reference your club as donor as well.
Many thanks for your support.
PDG John Egan ARH representative D9705
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FURTHER UPDATES ON THE FLOODS INN THE CENTRAL WEST,
Purpose. The purpose of this email is to provide club and district officers with an update on D9705 plans and actions concerning the response to floods in Central West NSW and the Riverina.
Continuing Effects of Floods. While flood water has receded in the Central West and Riverina, communities in the most western parts of the district still have to deal with extensive water and damage to properties, crops and infrastructure. You can see an
ABC Landline video here which reports on flooding in WA and NSW. The segment on Central West NSW starts at 13.40 and shows the effects at Eugowra and at points west of Forbes.
Relief Action. While relief action on a daily basis has ceased at Eugowra some D9705 clubs have been in action doing things that help flood-affected communities.
- An RC of Parkes team led by Peter Thompson has cleaned up the sheds and sites used by Rotary over the last 10 weeks to manager physical good donations and provide kitchen and food services.
- RC of Narrandera has been undertaking fencing with BlazeAid at Tichborne between Parkes and Forbes. (see pics in attached PDF)
- The RCs of Forbes & Forbes Ipomoea have drawn on donations from Rotary clubs and have been providing cash card vouchers through the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS), Catholic Care and Uniting Church Care. They are presently considering doing more of the same. An account of recent donations and distributions is provided blow.
Premiere of 'Eugowra Stories - Heartache and Hope'. The inspiring premiere of the Eugowra flood video produced by I
an Freestone and
Robert Shore of the
RC of Parkes was held at the Eugowra Bowls and Community Centre on Sun 5 Feb with an audience of Rotarians and local residents. It was a very successful event and focus was on the stories of the the people of Eugowra was very well received. The video captures the human element, individual stories, the community's spirit and the Rotary response. You can see
Eugowra Stories - Heartache and Hope on the Parkes Rotary YouTube channel by
clicking here. This is a wonderful production and can be used by clubs at fundraising events. The bottom line is that Eugowra still needs help and is only at the earliest stage of its recovery. Much remains to be done.
Visit by District Governor Geraldine Rurenga to Eugowra. DG Geraldine visited Eugowra on 5 Feb and was taken on a tour of key locations by the town's leader, Sean Haynes. During the tour, she was able to see the path of the 'inland tsunami', the effects on people infrastructure and homes, the damage to kittens, living spaces and appliances, the temporary living arrangements, installation of an air conditioner by Dave Conyers and the Fridgys 4 Eugowra volunteers (see attached pics), and the continuing need for help. DG Geraldine also spoke at the video premiere, empathising with the ordeal the Eugowra community had been through, thanking volunteers that had been assisting in the recovery, and outlining Rotary D9705's plans to deliver relief projects. The DG noted the District and the Rotary Australia Benevolent fund had just procured 32 air conditioners for the Fridgys 4 Eugowra volunteers to install. Sean Haynes also spoke in Response, thanking Rotary for its vital help over a long period.
Benevolent Relief Projects. Discussion and planning is underway on the delivery of benevolent relief projects. The town's leadership has described their priorities and we are in the early stage of scoping the need and a framing appropriate response. This is where Rotarians across the district can contribute ideas, contacts, suggestions and experience.
- To date, RAWCS and the Rotary Australia Benevolent Society (RABS Project 46-2022-23) have paid nearly $35,000 for Gree air conditioning units that will assist people to get back to the homes and to effect further repairs. The airconditioning units are being installed by volunteers led by Dave Conyers (who does much of the work himself).
- Other RABS projects under consideration, and for which we are seeking ideas, include:
- Replacement kitchens
- Replacement floor coverings
- Replacement fences and
- Replacement garden sheds.
- Send ideas/suggestions to Tony Maple (see contact details below)
- Donation to RABS Project 46-3022-23 are still most welcome.
Club Planning. I will be providing updates on proposed benevolent projects at Eugowra at the forthcoming District Training, and at PETS at Merimbula and Orange. I would greatly appreciate all present and incoming club presidents reserving some time in their club's program for the planning and conduct of a club activity that would support benevolent relief at Eugowra in the months ahead.
RCs of Forbes & Forbes Ipomoea Cash Voucher Distributions
That below is an excerpt from a Report by Chris Finkel of the RC of Forbes dated 12 Jan 2023
Forbes RC’s Flood Relief Involvement – A quick check of our new flood account bank statement reveals more donations from private donors and Rotary clubs since last reported. These are:
- Private Donors 850.00
- Batemans Bay RC 3000.00
- Queanbeyan RC 1000.00
- Leeton RC 2000.00
- Pambula RC 2000.00
- Bowral/Mittagong RC 5000.00 (Originally reported as $1k last month)
The $200 gift vouchers that have been distributed so far are as follows:
- 50 x $200 cards to the Forbes RFCS Office
- 25 x $200 cards to Catholic Care Forbes
- 20 x $200 cards to Uniting Church Care Forbes
With the interest on the joint Forbes RC’s Flood Account we still have $12,859.90 available for more cards and a call to the local RFCS office revealed that they only had eleven cards left and would probably require some more shortly. I’m awaiting for news from our other two card distributors to determine what their situations are.
ROMAC NEWSLETTER AND A CALL FOR DONATIONS
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Issue No. 1 January 2023
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CREATING NETWORKS | IDENTIFYING NEED | TAKING ACTION
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Message from the Chair
Happy New Year from Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children, a project of Districts in Rotary's Zone 8.
Our ROMAC team is fresh and invigorated from our work in 2022 to restart medical aid for children. We have many new patients in our referral process and the year is shaping up to be busy.
Most importantly, we are looking for Rotarians or Rotaractors with skills to join our committees in areas like fundraising, marketing, communications, producing newsletters and maintaining databases, liaising with Government and Hospitals, paediatrics, finance, recruiting, and hosting. ROMAC is a wonderfully rewarding project to be involved with and appeals to all ages so give it some consideration and let us know how you would like to help by emailing me at chair@romac.org.au. Ian D'Arcy Walsh
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