I hope those who volunteered at or participated in the Peace Walk had a great time. From reports it was a bit quiet at the Peace Bell on Saturday morning. We will see if we can work out something better for next year. Unfortunately, the Red Paint Brigade was back in force, but good work by Michael and the Government to get things back up and running again, as Michael said, the work we do helps to offset this senseless nonsense.

 

I just got back from a trip up North, got to catch up with family and friends and had a great time. Thomas has been stuck in Sydney working at a noodle shop at the Royal Easter Show. They served about 7000 meals on Sunday, a busy day!

 

We are meeting at Tesla in Civic on Thursday, should be an interesting meeting there are a lot of developments, new cars, and moving pieces in the space.

 

Look forward to seeing you there.

 

On Thursday, 21 March, we heard from Dr Michael De Percy of the University of Canberra, who spoke to us about the politics and economics of Canberra’s light rail system.

The fourth Aussie Peace Walk (which is also the first March Mingle) was held over last weekend (23-24 March), involving 485+ walkers from 18 countries (including Australia). Thanks must go to the many volunteers that helped make this a success. Volunteers from our Club included: Andrea, Faye and Tony (see photos above), and Michael and Ross at the Peace Bell on Saturday morning (along with volunteers from Communities@Work).  There were many other volunteers, from other Rotary Clubs and from various walking groups. Thanks to all for their contribution!

 

Our next Club meeting is a social one, to be held on Thursday, 28 March, at the Tesla Showroom, 114 Bunda Street, Civic (opposite the Canberra Centre – parking at Canberra Centre is most convenient). We will start at 5.15pm. Nibbles and drinks will be provided. Bring your friends and hear from Tesla technicians about the future of electric cars.

 

If you have not already done so, please respond to the invitation from Ross asap.

 

To see the program of future meetings, visit: Rotary activities Spreadsheet.

 

Date	28 March	4 April	11 April	18 April
Door	Social Meeting	Ross and Eric	Zoom	Ross and Eric
Open meeting; introduce President; and Toast to Rotary	Social Meeting	George Wilson	Faye Powell	Michael Rabey
Thank speaker and write up for Bulletin	Social Meeting	Bill Andrews	Juris Jakovics	Astrida Upitis

March is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene month in the Rotary calendar. Clean water, basic sanitation and proper hygiene are fundamental human rights, yet some 2.2 billion people in the world still lack access to safe drinking water. Over the past decade, the Rotary Foundation has invested more than $180 million in over 2,500 water and sanitation projects worldwide.

 

Your contributions to the Foundation for these and other life-saving projects can be made through the Centurions program. I realise that everyone's expenses have increased this year, but the Centurions program allows you to contribute in a meaningful and measured way to the work of the Foundation, our charity. I am grateful to Treasurer Ross who is only too willing to accept and record your donations on a cumulative basis, with the goal of contributing a total of $100 each Rotary year.

Monica Garrett, Club Foundation Director   

 

Join the NTA community at the Southern Cross Club, Woden, on Saturday 13 April at 6:30 pm to enjoy a fabulous evening with great people, and fabulous Indonesian food and music. At the same time, you’ll help raise funds to tackle poverty and malnutrition in the poor farming communities of eastern Indonesia. Bookings close on 5 April

 

The guest presentation will be: Rising in the East? Meeting the challenges of gender equity and social justice in the face of climate changes and increasing resource exploitation in NTT. Emeritus Professor Kathryn Robinson will share her knowledge about gender relations, land use and economic anthropology in NTT. Kathryn is an anthropologist, academic researcher and development advocate (CAP-ANU) engaged with Indonesia since 1970

 

Tickets: $80 each, tables of 10 are very welcome! If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation, please click on the booking link and then select Donation.

 

To book: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1184283.

 

Here’s a sign of Rotary activity near the Blue Lake in Mount Gambier.