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Notes on the run
Thanks to Neil and team who helped out with the Aussie Peace Walk on the weekend. From the sounds of it, it was a great success.
 
I've been away at a family wedding is in Melbourne for a few days. It’s been good to have a few days away but I’m ready to get back into the swing of things too.
 
We are back at the golf club this week. Looking forward to seeing people there.
Warrick
 
From the temporary Editor
Bill is up in Darwin, visiting family and dodging crocodiles in the rain-swollen rivers and creeks. Please send your contributions to me (sjmcmillan1974@live.com) for the next few weeks.
Stephen
 
Last week’s meeting
Member Juris presenting a blank cheque to guest speaker Phil. The cheque was returned and the NTA received the Club's donation of $1000 electronically.
 
On Thursday, 26 March, we heard from Phil Domaschenz of the Nusa Tenggara Association (NTA). The NTA works in areas of the Indonesian province of Nusa Tenggara Timur, one of the poorest regions of Indonesia. Phil outlined the various programs the NTA delivers, including water tanks; toilets; help to farmers to improve yields, boosting income and food security; help to schools, including furniture, books, training for teachers, and “teacher in a box” (a computer loaded with educational resources that may be accessed by teachers and students through Wi-Fi); and promotion of traditional weaving skills. The NTA also seeks to partner with other organisations where practical – an example being identifying people with cataracts and referring them for surgery to correct this. Want to know more about the work of the NTA? Come to its annual fundraising dinner (details below).
Stephen
 
Next meeting
Our next meeting will be held at the Royal Canberra Golf Club on Thursday, 2 April. The guest speaker will be Carol Mead, who will tell us all about what is happing with the Circle of Women.
 
If you are planning on attending but haven’t responded to Eric’s invitation, please do so by 11 am on Tuesday, 31 March.
 
Duty Roster
Date:
Chair:
Guest:
Member to propose Toast to Rotary, introduce and thank guest speaker, and write up for Bulletin:
2 April
Eric
Carol Mead: the Circle of Women
Warrick
9 April
Eric
Bridget Colless: the sinking of the HMAS Sydney during WW2
Michael
16 April
Eric
Dr Mark Lax: The history of tea
Russell
23 April
Eric
TBA
Stephen
 
To see the program of future meetings, visit: Rotary activities Spreadsheet
 
Community Awards, 22 March
On 22 March, our Club joined other Rotary Clubs in presenting community service awards at a ceremony held at the Peace Bell. Our Club’s award was to the staff at Claire Holland House. Thanks to Ross for these photos of the event.
 
Club Board Decisions, 25 March
At its meeting on 26 March, the Board approved an increase in the scholarships to Indigenous Students at Hay War Memorial High School to a total of $3,200 pa from January 2027. A club visit is being planned to the school for its awards ceremony on 13th November 2026. Are you interested in coming?
 
The Board also approved a donation to Mawson Primary School, which is an enthusiastic participant in the annual International Day of Peace ceremonies at their Peace Pole, of about $850 to buy replacements soccer goal nets which the school cannot afford. 
Bill
 
Aussie Peace Walk, 28-29 March
Eric ready to stamp the booklets
Ringing the Peace Bell
Walk completed!
 
On 28 and 29 March your temporary editor joined hundreds of other walkers, many from other countries, on the Aussie Peace Walk, a two-day walking event. There were a range of walks on offer, from 7 km up to 42.2 km (the latter being the distance of a marathon). I walked 12 km each day, earning the 2026 bar for my medal. On the way I talked with walkers from Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, and the USA. And to a walker who lives in the same suburb across the border as I do.
 
A big “thank you” to those members who staffed the Peace Bell checkpoint on Saturday, offering walkers the opportunity to ring the bell as well as stamping the official walk books: Eric, Juris, Michael, Neil and wife Evonne, and past member Peter. Thanks also to member Andrea, who has been a longstanding contributor to this event, who staffed a checkpoint on Saturday and was back at event HQ on Sunday.
 
Special guest speaker: 9 April: who can you invite?
On 9 April we have a special guest speaker: Bridget Colless, who lost her father when she was five years old. He was a captain of the HMAS Sydney, which was destroyed on 19 November 1941 in an encounter with a German raider. She’s spoken at significant events on this issue, and this is an ideal meeting to invite friends and potential members to. Please mark it in your diaries and think of who you might invite.
 
NTA Fundraising Dinner – Saturday, 18 April
All are invited to the Nusa Tenggara Association (NTA) Fundraising Dinner, to be held at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Corinna Street, Woden, starting at 6 pm on Saturday, 18 April 2026.
 
You’ll receive a fun night with great people, Indonesian food, music, entertainment, a raffle, silent auction, and more! The guest speaker, Emeritus Professor James Fox, will present on: "an overview of the textiles of the NTT province and how NTA is working to promote them".
 
All proceeds will help tackle poverty and malnutrition in the poor farming communities of eastern Indonesia.
 
Cost is $97 per person ($75 for students). Tickets are on sale until 11 April, from: https://www.trybooking.com/DJZUC
 
For more information contact enquiries@nta.org.au or call 0406930835.
 
Please send items for inclusion in the next News Notes to Stephen McMillan (sjmcmillan1974@live.com) by 10 am on Monday, 6 April.
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