Bulletin No 10
14th Sep 2016
Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Castle Hill ISSN 2203-126X
Rotary Club of Castle Hill Chartered 18th March 1965
PO Box 13, Castle Hill. 1765 www.rotarynews.info/club4201
Rotary Year 2016-17 District Governor: Bruce Lakin (District 9685 ) Rotary Int’l President: John F Germ
This Week
14 th September
Guest Speaker
Terry O’Mara- My Life Chair – George Biegalke Regalia – Mike Blair, Bruce Allen Notes – David Brown
Next Week 21st September Excellence in Policing Chair – Terry O’Mara Regalia – Peter Marcer, Sushil Bandodkar Notes – David Bull
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
ANNIVERSARIES
Paul Robinson 15th Marie Ford 25th
Chris & Joanne Dunwell 3rd David & Cleo Brown 3rd Noel & Dorothy Milligan 8th Ross & Kathy Hood 16th John & Rigmor Stuart 17th Ed & Lorraine Heyman 26th 1
T
he
The Cross Country Challenge was successfully staged by the Club and the organising committee, chaired by Mike Blair, is to be Zone meet- thanked for tis efforts. Also thanks go to the ing on Friday many members who spent time on Friday, 9th replaced Saturday and Sunday getting the event our ready, running it well and tidying up afterwards. l
el w n Du
hris C t ER en N d i regs R re O P C ular meetS m ’ S Fro I ing fro that week. HR
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The meeting was chaired by our AG, John Fenessey from the Epping Club. All the clubs from the local Hills area were present and each of the Presidents was allowed a few minutes if they chose to speak about their club. I took the opportunity to speak about the Cross Country Challenge. We also received an address by Bruce Lakin, our DG, who affirmed his goals for the year and encouraged us all to have fun as Rotary members. We also had an excellent presentation by Steve Mansour from the Rotary Club of Condobolin who was accompanied by a colleague, Jamie, from the Murrin Bridge Land Council. Steve spoke of his project at Murrin Bridge to turn a disused vineyard into a useful cropping form to being training and employment to the indigenous population of Murrin Bridge, where meaningful work is generally not available. This project was uncovered by our own Club and hopefully we and others in the Zone can support this project to allow it to get off the ground and start making a difference to the people of the region. Jamie advise us that the suicide rate among local people in the area is significantly higher than national averages and is almost certainly a factor of the lack of meaningful work available to the local people.
It seems unlikely that we will make any money from the event this year but I believe we have established its position in the Orange Blossom Festival Calendar and we can be pleased that the feedback from those who participated was generally very favourable. The course is tough – due to the hilly nature of it – but enjoyable and in a great setting. So once again well done to everyone concerned. Support was received from Alan Drew Funerals, Virgin, Woolworths, the Australian Brewery and others and we are grateful for their support also in making the day such a good one. We must also thank mother nature from providing such pleasant weather conditions with clear sky and sunshine. We look forward on the 21st to our Excellence in Policing event and I encourage you all to come along and support the members of the LAC who have been nominated by their peers and their leader, Superintendent Rob Critchlow. In the meantime please let me know if there is anything you would like to see us doing over the coming months to make our Club a fun and enjoyable place to be, so that we can fulfil the plea made to us by our DG to do just that, as we continue to serve humanity. Yours in Rotary , President Chris 2
In
the summer of 1917, only a few months after the United States entered the first world war, Rotary held its eighth annual convention in Atlanta. Although many Rotarians at the time thought the convention should be canceled, the Board of Directors ultimately agreed with Paul Harris that it should continue as planned. In the midst of such uncertainty and fear, Harris penned, as part of his convention greeting, some of the most-quoted words in Rotary: Individual effort when well directed can accomplish much, but the greatest good must necessarily come from the combined efforts of many men. Individual effort may be turned to individual needs but combined effort should be dedicated to the service of mankind. The power of combined effort knows no limitation.
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ittingly, it was at this convention that then-President Arch C. Klumph proposed a Rotary endowment fund “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” The power of combined effort was joined by a new power: that of combined resources. It was a combination that has proved unstoppable and has been behind so much of Rotary’s work for the last 100 years. Today, it is difficult to imagine Rotary without its Foundation. It was the Foundation that turned Rotary from an organization of local clubs into an international force for good with the power to change the world.
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n this Rotary year, we are marking the centennial of our Rotary Foundation in the city where it all began: Atlanta. Our 108th Rotary International Convention promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with inspiring speakers, great entertainment, and a wide array of breakout sessions to help you move your Rotary service forward. And of course, we’ll be celebrating the Foundation’s centennial in style.
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hether you’re a regular convention goer, haven’t been to one in a few years, or haven’t yet attended your first, the 2017 convention will be the one you won’t want to miss. Atlanta is a great destination in its own right, with great food, friendly people, and many local attractions to enjoy. But the real reason to come to the convention is always the convention itself, and the people, ideas, inspiration, and friendship you’ll find there. To learn more, and save money on registration, visit www.riconvention.org. See you in Atlanta!
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Photos avis & P hil D odkar d n a B Sushil 5
hampers as well as distributing flyers to all his customers, st thanks you. It will be a busy day 31 August, 2016 and all members and partners will be required, many hands make light work, Mike has a job By PP Peter Marcer PP Terry O’Mara informed the for everyone, expect a phone members that past member Ed call. gt Hannibal Shabaz Heyman is currently in BlackMarie Ford addressed the meetcalled the meeting to town Hospital and also David ing to advise that Lutanda Manorder and proposed a Sommerlad is not well, Terry or Retirement Village has toast to Rotary International; he suggested that members may agreed for our Club to use the then introduced Pres. Chris wish to give Lorraine and Joan a function centre in Pennant Hills, Dunwell who welcomed all call. Phone numbers can be their facilities include a kitchen, Members, Guests (Cheryl found in the current member’s BBQ and Pool. Marie also has a Cooper and Carmel Robinson), book. contact to provide some enterAyla Jones (RYLA candidate) tainment. Thanks Marie. PP Mike Blair informed memand guest speaker Maddie bers that the Clubs computer PP Terry O’Mara reminded McDowall. speakers have gone missing and members that the annual ExcelPresident Chris proceeded to asked that if they have been lence in Policing Award night inform all present with the fol- borrowed, could they be rewill be held on Wednesday 21st lowing announcements; turned so they can be used for September at the Castle Hill The Castle Hill Men’s Shed in our guest speakers. (No pun in- Golf Club, this is a very popular Excelsior Park will hold a Mar- tended) night for the local area comket and White Elephant day at PP Mike Blair also updated mand and all members are enthe shed on Saturday 3rd Sepcouraged to bring their partmembers regarding the forth tember, 8-00 am till 3-00 pm. ners. coming “Cross Country ChalThe BBQ will be busy and a lenge” on Sunday 11th Sept. At Sergeant’s fine session cake stall and Bric-a-Brac table Bella Vista Farm Park. The hard PP Hannibal will be available. working committee has comShabaz returned
Meeting Report
will hold their in service dinner at 2153 restaurant (Baulkham Hills TAFE) on Tuesday 25th October, 6-15 for 6-30 pm 3 course dinner and beverages. Cost tba.
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There will be a Rotary Race Day held at Hawkesbury Racecourse on 9th October, Wine Food and entry all provided in the Members Stand. Cost $115 pp with all funds raised to benefit Aust. Rotary Health.
pleted all the preparation and all that is needed are runners. Members are encouraged to spread the word to increase the number of runners to make the day successful. Woolworths have agreed to doThe Castle Hill Inner Wheel Club nate 15 cases of fruit and John Coopers son has donated 5 food
with plenty of fines; Bruce Jenkin for the All Black demolition of our Wallabies team, Bruce advised the All Blacks will be in Castle Hill to take on the local school team. Terry O’Mara accused the Sergeant of being ugly. 6
Geoff Duffy for advising members that the menu tonight was Fish, Fish, Fish. ( One must come early to have a choice). Mike Blair and Phil Davis both fined for the Swans AFL team being minor premiers. (Isn’t that what they strive for). Terry O’Mara has been so busy with Rotary business; he had to take Lorraine out for lunch to square off. Paul Robinson was fined, claims he now is the Shire photographer. Mike Blair for pinching all the BBQ staff for the Cross Country Challenge. Peter Marcer for assisting the Sgt. with a sheet of paper on the proviso he did not get fined. Marie Ford find for arriving at the meeting at a slow pace just minutes before the bell. Chris Dunwell for being missing when time to start the meeting, hence a late start. Mike Blair for calling Cheryl Cooper “cheeky”.
Youth Leadership Award) candidate for this year, Ayla Jones (24 yrs) is a student at Univ. of Sydney completing her Bachelor in Science degree. She is currently in her honours year in Chemistry, completing a thesis centred on the ”Chemistry Education of Second Year University Students”. Ayla is employed with the University as a laboratory demonstrator for the High School engagement program (kick start Chemistry). Outside Uni, Ayla enjoys Abseiling, Canoeing, Sailing, Reading and practical Education, she also is a member of the Rover Scout Crew at 2nd Castle Hill, and a Venturer Scout Leader with the Drummoyne Scout Group. Ayla aims to improve her leadership skills at RYLA, she feels her personal growth as a leader Ross Hood the master of enter- and role model for other young tainment proceeded to arrange people has stalled and is looka game of Bingo, this was in ing for RYLA to solve this for lieu of the usual raffle. We fin- her. ished up with 2 winners, Cheryl We look forward to hearing Cooper and Geoff Duffy. from Ayla again in the new While still at the lectern, Ross year, following her week at RYLA in January. introduced the RYLA (Rotary
Ross Hood introduced our guest speaker Maddie McDowall , her talk was titled “Building a school in Solomon Islands”. In July of this year Maddie was part of a group of young adults from Thornleigh Community Baptist Church doing a leadership program called ‘emerge’, she went to spend time with a local village in Honiara, and to work with them to build a strategy for improving the quality and capacity of education with-
in the local community. Maddie started her talk with a short video, unfortunately soon into the video the computer failed and we missed the end of the video and slide show, however Maddie did not let this concern her and proceeded with her talk. The Solomon lifestyle is very slow paced, with school and work not being strictly scheduled, and everyday life is very family and community focused. Upon arrival, the group were 7
overwhelmed with loving hearts and awe-inspiring generosity, lathered with gifts, and food, when the locals struggle each day to eat enough themselves. Prior to the group arriving, the church community had raised over $6000, the group were unknown and were just strange white people coming into their village. The community had built a hut so the group had somewhere to sit away from the heat, and making sure they had somewhere safe to put their belonging.
school due to ill-health or unpaid school fees, and uneducated parents therefore don’t hold any value on education, hence they don’t make it a priority for their children to receive an education.
lacerations will not heal, leading to infection, and an increased risk of malaria etc. Despite all these daily struggles, in the midst of poverty the people of the Solomon Islands are the most beautiful humans she 60% of children enrol for prima- has ever met. ry school, but are forced to drop The churches relationship with the Solomon Islands began out due to when a couple from the church unpaid moved to the Kwaio valley, they fees. Onwere working with the organily 40% of sation called ‘World Fish’ which the popuaims to achieve sustainable fishlation ing. During their stay they nocomplete ticed that all the children in the high village played all day, and did school, not attend school, so after and furbuilding friendships and trust thermore within the community, Nath the local and Aly planted the seed with a language few local school teachers to of the Solstart a kindy school for all the omon is village kids to attend. pijin, but
Despite its beautiful surroundings and location, the Solomon’s is very prone to natural disasters with two cyclones in 2015, bringing destruction to 40,000 family homes, and many agricultural areas. There was also a flood in the capital Honiara last year destroying homes; rubble was still evident during the students her visit. must Unemployment is high and a complete their exams in Enggrowing number of people livlish, making it even harder to ing in squatter settlements and successfully complete their sub-standard housing condischooling. tions, resulting in a deteriorating social environment. Many of Many of the things we take for granted are never learned and the poor live in low-quality housing without proper access passed on like the importance to water and sanitation leading of hand washing, how to hygienically prepare food, the to poor health, poor employment prospects, and poor edu- concept of germs, and good nucation. Children frequently miss trition. Poor nutrition means
But unfortunately due to issues with visas, a year later Nath and Aly had to leave the Solomon’s. however, a couple of months later, they received an email and photos of the ‘AlyNath’ kindy school’s first classroom, which was the house of a local family who gave up their home to ensure the commencement of the school. This resulted in the school receiving 50 enrolments from local families. This was community initiative to get 8
the kindy up and running, instead of relying on westerners to supply finances and resources for them.
see children get a quality educa- officer has already agreed to in tion. their meeting. By 2018: Have 3-4 classrooms As the Nathaly kindy is a prifrom prep to grade 1 or 2, and vate school, the government to meet requirements of the Maddie’s trip was the first time does not provide funds for rereturning to the village since sources and teacher salaries. So city council so that the school Nath and Aly had to leave the they arranged to meet with the can be registered and therefore country, and they were in awe Honiara education minister and teachers get paid by government. of how the community had em- board to discuss the requirebraced the seed that they plant- ments needed to register the At this time it only costs A$60 to ed to have a school in the local school under the government. support one child’s education community. Maddie’s mission This means that school fees are for a whole year, so funding the was to find out what the needs cheaper for families, classrooms teacher’s salaries until the of the kindy school and commu- can be built to host more stuschool is registered by the govnity were to try and assist them dents, and that the teachers will ernment is a very achievable in any way they could. Today receive a stable and reliable in- goal. there are around 80 enrolled come. Some of these requireMaddie believes this project is students, three full time teach- ments include having an onsite sustainable development as she ers, and four students doing toilet, tables and chairs in the can see an end point where they practical training there from a classroom, and having particu- stop aiding the community filocal NGO. This is an incredible lar meterage of space needed nancially, when government per student. And currently with registration is approved, and 80 students, one classroom Thornleigh Community Church doesn’t come close to those re- can live in relationship with the quirements. Solomon community without
step forward for the community, however throughout the trip it was discovered that the three full time teachers were working for free, as families were failing to pay school fees, yet they still turn up to work every day simply rooted from their passion to
So to help reach the needs of the school they put some goals in place to eventually help the AlyNath kindy school to become self sustaining and government funded. This includes:
any expectations.
President Chris thanked Maddie for giving her time to tell us of the good work her group are doing and presented her with a cheque for A$75 being the funds By 2017: To fundraise $10,000 to raised from the Bingo game build two classrooms and an earlier in the night. office on the local church land. Pres Chris closed the meeting. For head teacher Rose to apply (Thanks Peter for the comprehenfor a position with Honiara city sive report and Thanks Phil for council as a teacher and for her Photos - Editor) to be placed at AlyNath school, which the chief education 9
July 6 July 13 July 20 July 27
EGM & Revisit Strategic Plan Guest Speaker Guest Speaker Cherelyn Suzuki: Youth Exchange Retrospect Christmas in July Family Event (TBA)
Chair Chris Dunwell
Aug 3
Club Assembly – Yearly Plan & Budget
Chair Chris Dunwell
Aug 10 Aug 17 Aug 24 Aug 31
Chair: Terry O'Mara Chair Mike Blair
Sep 7 Sep 9 Sep 11
Guest Speaker Sgt. Samantha Davies: Missing Persons Unit Info Meeting – Fun Run Fellowship Event Guest Speaker Building a school in Solomon Island Maddie McDowell No Meeting Zone Meeting - Hosted by Epping Cross Country Fun Run
Sep 14
Guest Speaker—Terry O’Mara- My Life
Chair – George Biegalke
Sep 21
Excellence in Policing
Chair – Terry O’Mara
Sep 28
Fun Run Presentation Night
Chair Mike Blair
Oct 5
Guest Speaker—Phil Davis Restoration of the James Craig
Chair – Bob Chary
Oct 12
Club Assembly
Chair Chris Dunwell
Oct 19
Guest Speaker—Pam Wilson-History of Castle Hill
Fellowship Committee
Oct 26
Fellowship Event
Chair Chris Dunwell
Oct 30
BBQ Cumberland forest
Nov 2
Guest Speaker
Nov 9
Polio Movie Night
Nov 16
Guest Speaker
Nov 23
Fellowship Event
Nov 30
Guest Speaker
Dec 7
Annual General Meeting
Chair Chris Dunwell
Dec 14
Club Christmas Party
Chair Santa Clause
Chair Geoff Duffy CHCC Christmas Fair
Chair Ross Hood
Notes – Chris Dunwell
Chair AG Hills
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14 September
21 September
Guest Speaker
Chair – George Biegalke
Terry O’Mara- My Life
Regalia – Mike Blair, Bruce Allen
Excellence in Policing
28 September
Guest Speaker
5 October
Fun Run Presentation Night Guest Speaker Phil Davis Restoration of the James Craig
12 October
Club Assembly
Notes – David Brown Chair – Terry O’Mara Regalia – Peter Marcer, Sushil Bandodkar Notes – David Bull Chair – Mike Hallen Regalia – Paul Robinson, David Bull Notes – Raymond Danam Chair – Bob Chary Regalia – Mike Hallen, Mike Blair Notes – Terry O’Mara Chair - Chris Dunwell Regalia – Raymond Danam, Karl Gessner
19 October
Guest Speaker
Notes – Chris Dunwell Fellowship Committee
26 October
Pam Wilson-History of Castle Hill Fellowship Event
Chair - Chris Dunwell Regalia – George Biegalke, John Cooper Notes – Sushil Bandodkar
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We meet at
Castle Hill Country Club every WEDNESDAY at 6:30 pm for 7:00 pm (Spurway Drive, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153) Apologies, Please inform Geoff Duffy NO LATER than Noon Tuesday before the next meeting so numbers can be confirmed for Dinner jgduffy@internode.on.net
BULLETIN EDITOR
Anil De Silva (from Cobar, Outback NSW) aniljdes@yahoo.com.au Deadline Friday 8:00 pm This Bulletin is kindly printed by Snap Printing. Unit 20/5 Hudson Ave. Castle Hill 2154 Ph: 96801858
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e
have secured the Cumberland State Forest BBQ site for Sunday October 30th so please record this in your diary to help as we need a big team on this busy day (every 2 years)
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