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Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin News Notes 19th October 2026
Last Week - Visit to Australian War Memorial
Last Thursday Michael led a group of members including President Neil, Ross, Eric and Bill on a tour of the newly renovated areas of the Australian War Memorial.
The Memorial was in need of updating to do justice to the many thousands of servicemen who have been involved in military action, both as soldiers and as peacekeepers, in many hundreds of conflict regions since it was originally conceived and built by Charles Bean in 1941.
From the outside, you can see the new  parade grounds, and gallery on the rear of the original building, but it is not until you start wandering though from the front entrance that you realise there are now more levels, more dedicated regions representented and certainly more aircraft and equipment on display throughout the Memorial. We got lost on more than 1 occasion.
There are dedicated permanent galleries now covering recent service  in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria alongside Australia's global peacekeeping contributions since 1947.
Some of the architecture, such as the underground entrance and forecourt are spectacular - a glass oculus inverted into of the main copper dome brings natural light underground.
It was a wonderful tour and one we should repeat  when more time allows.
Ed.
Candle Festival Saturday 24th October 2026
Preparations are well in hand to make this the most successful Candle Festival ever. Next week we will distribute the roster. Please do your bit to help out either at the Peace Bell 4-9.30pm or the Taiyaki and Japanese Beer stall 3.30 - 9.30pm.
See you there!
Bill
The massive ANZAC atrium house helicopters and aircraft with space enough for a cafe and section of a naval ship.
The oculus......
New displays for each of the theatres of war are excellent.
Ross had prepared this article about last week's presentation by Heather Hart of the Stroke Foundation on 1st October however the printing press was closed. It is an excellent report so it is re-produced today:
 
Guest Speaker- Heather Hart from the Stroke Foundation.
 
Any one can suffer from a stroke, young and old.
What should you do first to help to minimise the risk of a stroke?
* Visit your GP for a heart health check, including high blood pressure check, High Cholesterol, Atrial Fibrillation (an irregular pulse) and type two diabetes
* Take steps to a healthier life style
* Share F.A.S.T with family and friends
Here are Heather's top tips to help avoid a stroke:
Quit smoking, within months blood pressure can return to its normal range.
Reduce alcohol intake to no more than 10 standard drinks a week, with no more than 4 in one day. The less you drink the better.
Try to aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day.
Eat well, eat a balanced diet, cut down on salt, limit added sugar and Drink plenty of water
Did you know that you are at a higher risk of a stroke, if you are an older male, if you have a family history and genetics, or you have had a previous stroke.
Some quick signs to identify a potential stroke (F.A.S.T.):
FACE - Drooped
ARMS – Can’t be raised (Can they lift both arms)
SPEECH – Slurred or confused (Can they understand you?)
TIME – is critical call 000
If you experience a TIA (Transient Ischaemic attack – when blood supply to your brain is blocked temporarily) . The signs are the same as a stroke, but they disappear within a short time. A TIA is a warning that you may have a stroke and gives you an opportunity to prevent this from happening. Call 000 right away even if the signs go away and you feel better.
All great advice if we are to live stroke free lives to reach of Centurion goals.
Ross Brown.
Save these dates in your diary
 
 
 
 
24 October
Candle Festival
Peace Bell and Canberra Nara Peace Park
13 November
Visit Hay to present scholarships to Indigenous students
Hay War Memorial High School
10 December
UN Human Rights Day with Zonta Canberra remembering victims of domestic violence.
Peace Bell
Next meeting
Our next meeting will be lunch at the Royal Canberra Golf Club on Thursday 22nd October at 12.30pm.
Please respond to Eric’s invitation if you can cpome.
 
Duty Roster
Date:
 
 
 
22ndOctober
Chair:
 
 
 
Ross
Guest speaker:
 
 
 
 
The Role of Justice of the Peace in the ACT- Rod Nichols
Member to propose Toast to Rotary, thank guest speaker, and write up 
for Bulletin:
 
Russell
29th October
Ross
An Architects view about the renovations to the Australian war memorial. Rebecca Conway
Warrick
5thNovember
 
Ross
The last Flight of the Zepplin- Margaret wright
 Eric
12thNovember
 
Ross
Hats off to the Australian Constitution – John Christensen
Michael
 19thNovember
 
Ross
 
Elections and AGM
 
John
 
 
 
 
 
If you cannot perform your allocated duty, please arrange a replacement and advise the Acting President for that meeting (listed above). Please advise the Bulletin Editor of any planned absences to avoid being rostered on while away.
 
To see the program of future meetings, visit: Rotary activities Spreadsheet
 
This Bulletin is the creation of Bill and Stephen who work late into Sunday night to ensure it is sent on Monday morning. So please send any contributions by beer o'clock Sunday to andrews79@iinet.net.au
 
Rotary saying of the week
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness.
Mark Twain 1835
 
Rotary Clean Joke
Why did the poor dog chase his own tail?
He was trying to make ends meet.
 
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