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Books purchased by the Majura Primary School with funds for their Citizenship awards every fortnight. Each winner gets to choose one book from a selection of either Fiction or Non-Fiction.
Monday 20th February 2023
 
WELCOME ROTARIANS and FRIENDS
to the WEEKLY NEWS NOTES
 
 
FROM the DESK of the PRESIDENT
 
From Andrea’s desk, 20230220
A few things this week I’d like to mention and bring to your attention:
  • We welcome Astrida Upitis to the club as a new member, and hope to see her soon when she returns from overseas travel.
  • We RE-welcome Faye Powell as a full time member (Faye was a former member before she and her husband went travelling across Australia , and she became an honorary member of RCCBG).
  • And sadly, we farewell Greg Gibbs, who has left Rotary, to pursue other interests.
  • Next – we have as our speaker next week, Dame Annette King, NZ High Commissioner to Australia.  Please come along to the meeting, and book in yourself and your mates to come along.
  • On a side note, we sadly only had two tables’ worth of attendees last week.  So I feel the need  to remind all members of the obligation you agreed to attend the weekly meetings as often as you can. Personally I miss one meeting in 4-5 as I go to Adelaide monthly to visit my father.
  • I have been working on a club mission statement – here is a draft!  Please send your feedback to me on president@rccbg.org , keeping in mind it needs to ideally be just one page of information.
 
 
RCCBG Mission statement (DRAFT)
“We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.” (A quote from Rotary International)
 
“RCCBG provides service to the residents of the ACT, the 1st Australians in Ngunnawal country, and the indigenous peoples in nearby communities. We promote peace in our area through the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell and the installation of Peace Poles throughout Australia.”
How we do this
  • We raise funds for the
    • Peace – with our establishment of the Rotary Peace Bell in Nara Park, we promote Peace by having regular events at the Peace Bell, including tours for school groups visiting the Bell from across Australia, embassies, UN commemoration services, and any community groups or individuals wanting to ring the Bell for Peace.
    • Rotary Foundation that are used for distribution for Projects in the ACT, the pacific and the world, including Polio Plus which is eradicating Polio from the world.”
    • Support of ACT centres that protects survivors of domestic violence
    • Twinning arrangement with Hiyokyo Rotary Club, Nara, Japan
    • International Programs (2022 – Ukraine Donations to assist Mothers and Children displaced by the war with Russia)
    • Environmental projects in co-operation with Indigenous Communities
    • Aboriginal student Scholarship Program (Hay High school)
       
  • We do this by fundraising with
    • The Annual Candle Festival Nara Park
    • The STOMP in conjunction with the dance schools in the ACT
    • Small coin donation for the Peace Bell tours
    • Dinners and lunches
 
 
 
Cheers Andrea
 
 
 
 
OTHER ROTARY at WORK and COMMUNITY NOTES
 
Duty Roster 
 
The next meeting will be on the 9th of February at the Commonwealth Club at 12.15 for 12.30.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date
2nd Feb
9th Feb
16th Feb
23rd Feb
Door
Ross
Ross
Ross
Ross
Welcome and Opening of the Meeting
Greg G
Olek G
Liz
Judy R
Toast to Rotary at Work
Warrick
Stephen
Russell D
To be Advised
Thanks to the Speaker
Michael R
Russell D
Graeme H
Bill
 
NOTES ON THE LAST SPEAKER AT OUR THURSDAY MEETING
 
 
 
 
 
Russell spoke on the potential changes that Autonomous cars can bring to the domestic travel we undertake every day. Will we need to own a car, do we still need a garage?, will there be a huge cost reduction in our transport costs if we use Autonomous cars in conjunction with companies that provide commuting services ? and will you still need to drive your children to school?
 
These issues were considered in his Seminar on Autonomous vehicles in the future and you obtain get a copy from him if you missed the presentation by emailing Russell at russelldew1@gmail.com
 
NOTES ON FUTURE SPEAKERS
 
 
 
 
 
This week we will here from the New Zealand High Commissioner ; Dame Annette King. The recent floods in New Zealand will be one area she may speak on.
 
The following week we will have Dr Elizabeth Minchin will draw on her research on the Homeric epics as oral poetry. She will consider the relevance of writers and poets from the ancient Greek world. Her studies have encouraged classical scholars to recognise the continued relevance of linguistic studies from the Homeric epic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ROTARY AT WORK AND COMMUNITY NOTES
 
COMMEMORATION OF 5 YEARS SINCE THE INAUGURATION OF THE CANBERRA PEACE BELL
 
 
On the 23rd February 2023 marks exactly 5 years since the unveiling of the Canberra Rotary Peace Pole within Lennox Gardens. To recognise this significant date in the history of the Peace Bell I invite all members, who are available, to meet at 2pm following our meeting Thursday for a ringing of the Bell. At the same time we will be remembering the 2011 Christchurch earthquake which occurred on the 21 February.”
 
 
Michael Rabey
0411367700
 
AN UPDATE ON OUR CLUB ACTIVITIES
 
  1. Last week we handed over Peace Pole 273 to Beryl Women to be placed in a garden at their Canberra Home. The pole was donated jointly by our Club and Peter Clapinski the Australian Representative for “May Peace Prevail on Earth International”
  2. On Sunday we had a stand at the Canberra Multicultural Festival. This is in conjunction with the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum and we will be represented by Olek, Eric, Warrick, Judy, Russell and myself.
  3. Next weeks speaker is our Diplomatic Member Dame Annette King. As mentioned in my email last week why not invite a potential new member to this meeting to hear her speak. Think of friends, colleagues, former colleagues or other people who you would think would enjoy Rotary allowing them the privilege to serve our community through this club. Please confirm any additional attendees to Ross.
  4. Please know that on the 15 April and 22 April we will be joining the ACT Heritage Festival and offering our tours through Lennox Gardens finishing at the Peace Bell where all attending would have the chance to strike the Canberra Rotary peace bell. If the demand is there we may also offer tours on Sunday 16 as well as the following weekend. Tours will be limited to just 25 people. Cost will be $20 plus booking fee.
  5. How can you help with the tours: consider becoming a guide yourself, we will be conducting training soon. Who is interested?
  6. Secondly consider gathering family and friends and invite them to join a tour with you. We know everyone will enjoy the experience
  7. When we go live with our Everbrite bookings after the 16 March publicise the event on any social network sites you have access to.
  8. This project could become a really important fund raiser for the club and also will be a great advertisement for Rotary
  9. Finally I have very sad news, it looks like John Kerin will not be able to join our meetings again. He is very ill. Please remember him in your prayers.
Michael Rabey
0411367700
 
  • LETTER FROM THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR
 
 
  1. Rotary's work around the world again comes into focus in the wake of natural disasters. Rotary and Shelterbox have quickly responded to the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye & Syria and appeals are ongoing for both the New Zealand and New South Wales flood disasters. 
  2. Read about Rotary's responses in Turkiye and donate through the links on that page or through Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS). There is also an active RAWCS appeal for New Zealand, and another for the NSW floods. If you or your clubs are in a position to donate to any of these appeals, please do so. 
  3. The Rotary Club of Parkes has produced a video about the 'heartache and hope' of the small town of Eugowra following the flood there in November last year, which was launched recently. Thanks to Parkes, Orange Daybreak, and many other Rotary Clubs and members who have been involved in this flood response. 
  4. Finally, please keep an eye out for details on how you can further serve the district by nominating as the incoming District Governor Nominee. Coming soon!
  5. District Governor Geraldine Rurenga
 
 
 
 
 
 
WOULD YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW LIKE TO JOIN AN ROTORACT E-CLUB
 
We would like to cordially invite you and your club members to attend an information session on a potential District 9705 Rotaract e-Club.
 
We have developed a proposal for a regional Rotaract e-Club following expressions of interest from Rotarians, other Rotaractors and RYLA alumni.
 
We would love to share our proposal with you, and discuss how Rotary clubs within the district can support this venture to help get it off the ground.
 
We will be holding an online seminar at 6:30pm on Sunday March 5th. All interested Rotarians are encouraged to attend. Please let us know if you will be joining us by replying to this email. 
 
You can join via this link: 
 
To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/mog-jvbd-usg
Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +61 3 8594 5009 and enter this PIN: 709 978 150#
 
You can also find the Facebook event here: https://fb.me/e/2y7nKbe4q 
 
Kind regards,
 
Libby O'Brien 
District Rotaract Representative 2022-23
Phone: 0491 652 756
 
Matthew Crouch
President, Rotaract Club of Wagga Wagga
Phone: 0434 392 875
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SOUTH PACIFIC & PHILIPPINES OFFICE: tHE rOTARY fOUNDATION TEAM
The Rotary Foundation has responded with specific action in response to the tragedy in Türkiye and Syria. While Rotary and Rotarians are not generally first responders, we do have clubs and members across the devastated areas, and these Rotarians have requested our help. Local clubs and members are best placed to understand the immediate needs of those affected.

In order to provide direct action, the Disaster Response option on www.rotary.org has been replaced with a button that reads Türkiye/Syria Disaster Response Fund. This will stay active on the Rotary website till 31 March 2023. In addition:
  • The Trustees immediately made available more than $125,000 to Rotary districts affected by the earthquake through Disaster Response Grants for immediate disaster response.
  • The lead story on Rotary.org and My.Rotary.org about Rotary responding to the earthquake has been updated to include information about helping by giving through the general disaster response fund.
  • A video from RIP Jennifer Jones has been shared on social media with a call to action to donate to the Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund. The video can be viewed on Face Book, Twitter and Instagram.
As New Zealand struggles with its own challenges in the aftermath of cyclone Gabrielle, ROZOPs has set up a NZ Flood Relief Appeal (NZFloods.org) for anyone wanting to help. But for those who have deep connections with Türkiye/Syria and wish to donate, donations from New Zealand should be directed to the ROZOPs ANZ bank account for the New Zealand Rotary Clubs Charitable Trust (NZRCCT): 06-0193-0905286-30. Please coordinate with operations-manager@rotaryoceania.zone to ensure it is remitted to The Rotary Foundation by 31 March 2023.

Donations from the Philippines should be deposited using the BPI Guidelines for Contributions using DST as the reference. Again, please note that only deposits made by 31 March 2023 will be considered as designated for Türkiye and Syria.

For further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at risppo.trf@rotary.org.

Grace
Grace Ramirez
Manager - International Office & Financial Services
 
 
 
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
JOKES……..PONDERISMS  
 
#1 Blood Type 
I asked old Maud how she lost her husband. She told me her sad story: “Well, he needed a blood transfusion, but his blood type was not on record, so the doctors asked me if I knew what it was, as they urgently needed to know, in order to save my Norman’s life. 
Tragically, I’ve never known his blood type, so I only had time to sit and say goodbye. 
I’ll never forget how supportive my Norman was. Even as he was fading away, he kept on whispering to me, “Be positive, be positive!” That was my Norman! Always thinking of others.” 
#2 Some Thoughts On Getting Older 
1. When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison. 2. To me, "drink responsibly" means don't spill it. 
3. Age 60 might be the new 40, but 9:00 pm is the new midnight. 4. It's the start of a brand-new day, and I'm off like a herd of turtles. 5. The older I get, the earlier it gets late. 
6. When I say, "The other day," I could be referring to any time between  yesterday and 15 years ago. 
7. I remember being able to get up without making sound effects. 8. I had my patience tested. I'm negative.
4 
9. Remember, if you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid  that doesn't fit any of your containers. 
10. If you're sitting in public and a stranger takes the seat next to you, just stare  straight ahead and say, "Did you bring the money?" 
11. When you ask me what I am doing today, and I say "nothing," it does not  mean I am free. It means I am doing nothing. 
12. I finally got eight hours of sleep. It took me three days, but whatever. 13. I run like the winded. 
14. I hate when a couple argues in public, and I missed the beginning and don't  know whose side I'm on. 
15. When someone asks what I did over the weekend, I squint and ask, "Why,  what did you hear?" 
16. When you do squats, are your knees supposed to sound like a goat chewing  on an aluminium can stuffed with celery? 
17. I don't mean to interrupt people. I just randomly remember things and get  really excited. 
18. When I ask for directions, please don't use words like "east." 19. Don't bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30  seconds in my head. That'll freak you right out. 
20. Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life out of nowhere,  makes your heart race, and changes you forever. We call those people cops. 21. My luck is like a bald guy who just won a comb. 
Eric
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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