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Dignitaries and a Holacaust Survivor (Centre) at the Commoration Ceremony
The Six roses representing one rose for every one million people who died in the Holacaust
Monday 23rd January 2023
 
WELCOME ROTARIANS and FRIENDS
to the WEEKLY NEWS NOTES
 
 
FROM the DESK of the PRESIDENT
 
Andrea  Conti
 
Hi everyone, and welcome to 2023.
 
Our 1st meeting is 2/2/23, and as usual, this coincides with my monthly trip to Adelaide to see my Dad.  Greg has taken on (thanks Greg) to chair the meeting.
 
I was very privileged to take part in the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the victims of the Holocaust, on Friday afternoon, 27/1/23.  This moving ceremony was organised by our Michael Rabey, with our Bill Andrews as MC, in conjunction with the INIC, the ACT Jewish community and the UN association of Australia, ACT Div.  The ceremony was conducted at the Peace Bell,  and I with DGE Andrea Grosvenor, placed a white rose amongst 5 others – to be 6 flowers representing the 6 million who perished.  Never Forget.
 
Cheers Andrea
 
 
 
 
OTHER ROTARY at WORK and COMMUNITY NOTES
 
Duty Roster 
 
The next meeting will be on the 2nd of February at the Commonwealth Club at 12.15 for 12.30.
 
The Speaker will be Russell Dew on the topic on  “What are Cryptocurries and why should you care?” Things to be considered are what are Cryptocurriencies and how will they be relevant for our banking transactions in the future. Also Russell will discuss the scandals that have occurred in this new area of finance transaction’s. So basically a discussion of a topic you were always too afraid to ask of your children????
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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
Sally G
Juris
Thanks to the Speaker
Michael R
Russell D
Graeme H
Bill
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ROTARY AT WORK AND COMMUNITY NOTES
 
 
Holocaust Commemoration
 
January 27th has been designated by the UN as the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. This year the occasion was marked in Canberra by a gathering at Lennox Gardens. Amongst the attendees were 3 Holocaust survivors, MLAs, and many dignitaries including representatives from The Embassy of the Republic of Germany and The General Delegation of Palestine.
 
Ilya Isakovich, a Violinist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, moved us playing the theme from Schindler’s List. Six white roses were placed in six vases to symbolize the six million people whose lives were cut short in the genocide. They included not only Jewish people but the Roma and Sinti, people with disabilities and countless others. The Peace Bell was struck before a minute of silence.
 
In poignant contrast, Canberra was a picture of tranquility, shady trees, joggers, cyclists, and on the lake, paddlers in glorious sunshine.
 
The event was supported by the UN Information Centre, the Embassy of Israel, the ACT Jewish Community, the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin and the UN Assoc of Australia.
The speeches were as follows
  • President of the ACT Jewish Community – Karen Tatz
  • Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Israel – Chris Cantor
  • Message from the UN Secretary General – read by Adrian Edwards UNHCR
 
The unifying theme of the speeches was concern for the present. Animosity, prejudice and discrimination can only occur if others look the other way. Currently there is a rise in antisemitism expressed in the Universities and in social media discourse, and there is also hate speech and disinformation targeted at various groups such as LGBTIQ people, refugees and others. Silence legitimizes the beast of racism. We need to be vigilant to small transgressions, speak up and defend the inclusion and dignity of all people.
Never again.
 
Notes from Judy Raymond who participated in the Ceremony
 
 
ANOTHER UPDATE ON THE CENTRAL WEST FLOOD SUPPORT BY ROTARY CLUBS
 
 
Current action in Eugowra.   The RC of Orange Daybreak lead by Michelle Duncan with Colin Nayda have sustained an enormous effort that is deeply appreciated by the residents of Eugowra.   Focused relief action by Rotary volunteers has effectively finished although some leaders and teams will still undertake specific actions.    
  • Club member and former Cabonne Shire General Manager Graeme Fleming assisted by Orange Daybreak Rotarians will today help the Orange Ex-Services Club undertake the distribution of cash vouchers to Eugowra residents.  
  • Scott Griffiths and the RC of Orange have managed the herculean task of distributing the mountain of donated items to Eugowra residents, or to appropriate charities when the goods were not needed there.  That there was very little wastage - just 2 pallets of old kitchen utensils and tired stuff - is a good indication of their efficiency.
  • A one-page infographic of D9705's flood response is attached.  It may be helpful in conveying the extent of Rotary and Rotary Australia World Community Service's (RAWCS) support to the many communities affected by the flood emergency.  
Premiere of Rotary Flood Response Video.   The video made by the RC of Parkes of the flood and Rotary's response will be premiered at the Eugowra Bowling Club on Sunday 5 Feb.  We hope the video will record the effects of the flood and what Rotarians did to assist the town to recover.   Possibly it will show actions that could help other districts if they experience a similar event.
  • You can see the video trailer here https://youtu.be/ZjG9xfC1vlY
  • The bottom line is that Eugowra residents still need help and donations are still most welcome.  To do that, go to the RAWCS project page and search for "46-2022-23: Assistance to flood-affected Central West and Riverina regions of NSW (RABS)"    Click on that and follow the steps.
Rotary Australia Benevolent Society Project 46-2022-23.   We have kicked off the RABS project and have had an early conversation with Eugowra's leader Sean Haynes as to what is needed in the form of benevolent relief projects.  District Governor Geraldine Rurenga will attend the video premiere and further conversations may well be had.  At this stage the situation is as follows:
  • No need for emergency housing.   That is being provided by Commonwealth and State government agencies. Mr Haynes mentioned some 160 plus pods would be coming in and people would be transitioning to them.
  • No need for mental health or trauma counselling - that is being covered;
    • However, the one thing in this area that is possible is an event or activity for men.  The town has had held a ‘pamper day’ for women and Mr. Haynes is hoping for something of the kind for men.  So I am on the lookout for a ‘mens’ day.
  • Positive towards Air Conditioning.   Mr. Haynes was very pleased with the work that partner-of-a-Bathurst Rotarian Dave Conyers and his tradie volunteers have being doing to install new or 2nd hand air conditioners across the town.  I gather he would like to see that continue though both of us were unsure of the status the work.  I have sought an update from Dave Conyers.   This might be a "quick win”.
  • Positive towards Storage and Garden Sheds. Mr. Haynes thought these were needed on those housing blocks where flood waters had scoured the surface flat. Many people had lost their sheds and all the tools and things stored in them.  
  • Positive towards Kitchen Refits.  He noted many existing kitchens are made of melamine particle board that swell when soaked in water. So there is a need and he noted a mens shed is aiming to bring some 2nd hand kitchens salvaged from a retirement village.   He felt that there was scope for more of the same though the extent of the need was not clear.
    • Community Core Central West which is associated with Peter Milbank and the RC of Orange North may have an interest in this sort of project.  I gather Community Core comprises former members of the RC of Orange Calare.
Further updates will follow.
 
Yours in Rotary

Tony Maple
_______________________
D9705 Flood Response Coordinator
e. tonymaplerotary@gmail.com
m.  0413132259
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
JOKES……..PONDERISMS  
 
Joke #1……..
As it's no longer politically correct to direct a joke at any racial or ethnic minority, try this one:
          An Englishman, a Scotsman, an Irishman, a Welshman, a Ghurkha, a Latvian, a Turk, an Aussie, a German, a Yank, an Egyptian, a Jap, a Mexican, a Spaniard, a Russian, a Pole, a Lithuanian, a Jordanian, a Kiwi, a Swede, a Finn, a Canadian, an Israeli, a Romanian, a Bulgarian, a Serb, a Swiss, a Greek, a Singaporean, an Italian, a Norwegian, an Argentinian, a Libyan, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist and an African went to a night club.
Wait for it!
The bouncer said, "Sorry, I can't let you in without a Thai. " 
  
 Joke #2….. A pirate walked into a bar, and the bartender said, "Hey, I haven't seen you in a while. What happened? You look terrible."
"What do you mean?" said the pirate, "I feel fine."
"What about the wooden leg? You didn't have that before."
"Well," said the pirate, "We were in a battle, and I got hit with a cannon ball, but I'm fine now."
The bartender replied, "Well, OK, but what about that hook?  What happened to your hand?"
 The pirate explained, "We were in another battle. I boarded a ship and got into a sword fight. My hand was cut off. I got fitted with a hook but I'm fine, really."
"What about that eye patch?"
"Oh," said the pirate, "One day we were at sea, and a flock of birds flew over. I looked up, and one of them shit in my eye."
"You're kidding," said the bartender. "You couldn't lose an eye just from bird shit."
"It was my first day with the hook."
         
 Eric Carmody.
 
 
 
 
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