Bulletin No 18
04th November 2015
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 2015-16 District Governor: Gina Growden (District 9685 )
Rotary Int’l President: Ravi Ravindran
This Week 4th November Club Business Meeting Chair Meeting report Meet & Greet Regalia
President Mike Hallen Chris Dunwell David Brown Raymond Danam & Chris Dunwell
Next Week 11th November Rodney Rietdyk “Things you need to know before you go” Chair Meeting report Meet & Greet Regalia
Terry O'Mara David Brown Chris Dunwell Terry O’Mara & Ross Hood
Birth Days & Anniversaries November 2015 BIRTHDAYS
ANNIVERSARIES
Judy Rochford 9th
Phil & Bev Davis 4th Geoff & Jan Duffy 14th
This Bulletin is kindly printed by Snap Printing. Unit Inside this issue 20/5Hudson Avenue, Castle Hill 2154 Phone 02- 96801858
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From President Mike Hallen
A
good turnout last week to hear our Mayor, Councillor Dr Michelle Byrne, speak to us about our Shire and what is happening. She spoke about the proposed amalgamation of councils, building density and the advent of “high-rise” to our Shire. It seems that the NSW government has the overriding authority regarding building density and type but the question posed was “if it is the right thing for the inner city, is it a family friendly solution for our Shire?”. A one size fits all solution that is not supported by our Council. The new railway stations will attract high-rise (up to 24 storeys) but some residents who believed that their property values had appreciated greatly because they had been identified as being in the high-rise areas may be disappointed. We were privileged to have the Mayor speak at our Club, and in recognition the Club recognised her with a Paul Harris Fellowship which she graciously accepted. A number of guests were present, some of whom were unable to attend our Business Networking Meeting on 14th October. We were also supported by a large number of our partners whose presence is always very welcome. The Garage Sale was a success in that we made a profit of approximately $1560 (including the BBQ). Phil Dunn did his usual excellent job and organised a disparate group of Rotarians and partners over the 2 days of preparation and on the sale day. It was a different event to the one we had last year when there was a greater number of “smaller” items for sale. This year we had large furniture items and so many books that we could have started a lending library. All-in-all a fun time and lots of fellowship. A big “thank you” to all who assisted in any way. I hope Mike Blair is enjoying his vacation! Yours in Rotary
President Mike .
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November
O
ne sunny morning at the end of June 1991, a van drove through the busy, rush-hour streets of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Winding through traffic to a northern suburb, the van arrived at the Forward Command Headquarters of the Defense Ministry. Security guards stopped it for inspection. When they did, the two suicide bombers driving the van detonated their cargo: thousands of kilograms of plastic explosives.
Today, more of the world's countries are involved in conflict than not; a record 59.5 million people worldwide live displaced by wars and violence.
In Rotary we believe, in spite of all that, in the possibility of peace – not out of idealism, but out of experience. We have seen that even the most intractable conflicts can be resolved when people have more to lose by fighting than by working together. We have seen what can happen when we approach peace-building in ways that are The roof of the building was blown off completely. De- truly radical, such as the work of our Rotary Peace Felbris was strewn for blocks. In total, 21 people were killed lows. Through our Rotary Foundation, peace fellows beand 175 people injured, among them many pupils of the come experts in preventing and resolving conflict. Our girls' school next door. More than a kilometer away, the goal is that they will find new ways not only to end wars blast shattered every window in my home. My wife but to stop them before they begin. raced toward the sound of the explosion – toward our daughter's school. Among the hundreds of peace fellows who have graduated from the program, two from Sri Lanka, one from Our daughter was then nine years old. That morning, each side of the conflict, studied together. In the first she had forgotten her pencil case at home. At the moweeks of the course, both argued passionately for the ment of the blast, she was coming out of a stationer's rightness of their side. Yet week by week, they grew to shop, admiring her new pencils. Suddenly her ears were understand each other's perspective; today, they are ringing, the air was filled with sand, and everywhere good friends. When I met them and heard their story, around her people were screaming, bleeding, and run- they gave me hope. If 25 years of pain and bitterness ning. Someone pulled her into the garden of the badly could be overcome by Rotary, then what, indeed, is bedamaged school, where she waited until my wife arrived yond us? to bring her back to our home – its floors still covered with broken glass. We cannot fight violence with violence. But when we Sri Lanka today is peaceful and thriving, visited by some fight it with education, with understanding, and with two million tourists every year. Our war now is only a peace, we can truly Be a Gift to the World. memory, and we as a nation look forward to a promising future. Yet so many other nations cannot say the same. 3
4th November Chair Meeting report Meet & Greet Regalia Dunwell
Club Business Meeting President Mike Hallen Chris Dunwell David Brown Raymond Danam & Chris
11th November Rodney Rietdyk “Things you need to know before you go” Chair Terry O'Mara Meeting report David Brown Meet & Greet Chris Dunwell Regalia Terry O’Mara & Ross Hood
18th November Chair Meeting report Meet & Greet Regalia
Club Committee Meeting President Mike Hallen Rod Williamson Phil Dunn David Bull & Chris Dunwell
25th November Chair Meeting report Meet & Greet Regalia
Guest Speaker TBA Chris Dunwell Phil Dunn Bob Chary & Chris Dunwell
At the entrance to a restaurant in Bourke, NSW. Taken by the editor. Two more photos on page 12. I noticed that girls who were in.. Not keen to save money! 4
PAST PRESIDENTS 1965-66Gerald Engel Prov & Charter President 1966-67 John Wells 1967-68 Roley McClintock 1968-69 Don Wright 1969-70 Ray Wells 1970-71 Tony Dehlsen 1971-72 Roy Martin 1972-73 Frank Crooke 1973-74 Allan Buckingham 1974-75 Ken Binns 1975-76 Colin Lawford 1976-77 Roger Wood 1977-78 Brian Stacey 1978-79 Warren Bowden 1979-80 Ern Death 1980-81 Peter Gilbank 1981-82 Graeme Brangwin 1982-83 Stan Fulker 1983-84 Phillip Dunn 1984-85 Bill Robinson 1985-86 John Barker PSM 1986-87 Norm Roach 1987-88 Milton Colburt 1988-89 Ron Marcus OAM 1989-90 Bill Tait 1990-91 Peter Wood 1991-92 Bruce Allen 1992-93 Ray White
1993-94 Ron Miller 1994-95 Gerry Larkin 1995-96 Hannibal Shabaz 1996-97 George McDonald 1997-98 Peter McBean 1998-99 John Stuart 1999-00 Geoff Duffy 2000-01 John Cooper 2001-02 Mike Hallen 2002-03 Judy Ford 2003-04 Jeff Whyte 2004-05 Peter Ford 2005-06 Mike Blair 2006-07 Terry O’Mara AM 2007-08 David Waterhouse 2008-09 Peter Marcer 2009-10 Rod Williamson 2010-11 Terry O’Mara AM 2011-12 Stephen Macquarie 2012 –2013 Paul Robinson 2013-2014 Bev Cooney OAM 2014 - 2015 Mike Blair PAST PRESIDENTS OTHER CLUBS David Sommerlad AM , Bruce Jenkin MBE Neil Todd, Phil Davis Raymond Danam SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD Ron Marcus OAM
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Date Event
Rotary Monthly Theme
July, 2015
8
District Governor's Visit
No special designation this month
15
Guest Speaker
22
Club Assembly
29
Guest Speaker
5 12
Club Visioning Session (6:00pm start) Guest Speaker
19
Club Business Meeting
26
Guest Speaker
2
Excellence in Policing Awards
9
Guest Speaker
16
Mini Club Assembly
23
Guest Speaker
30
Club Committee Meeting
7
Guest Speaker
14
Business Networking Meeting
21
Fun and Fellowship with Partners
28
Guest Speaker
4
Club Business Meeting
11
Guest Speaker
15
BBQ at Bunnings
18
Committee Business Meeting
25
Guest Speaker
August, 2015
September2015
October 2015
November2015
Membership & Extension Month
Basic Education & Literacy Month
Economic & Community Development Month
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Month
White Ribbon Collection Day.
December 2015
2
White Ribbon March 7.00am Breakfast at CH RSL (8.00am) Annual General Meeting
5
BBQ at Masters
9
Club Christmas Party
16
Parking at Bella Vista for the Bush Christmas
23
No Meeting
30
No Meeting
Club Calendar July - Dec 2015
Month/Year
Disease Prevention & Treatment Month
6
Date
Event
Rotary Monthly Theme
January 2016
5
BBQ, Bunning's Castle Hill
Vocational Service Month
6
Home Meeting #1 – Mike Hallen’s BBQ, Bunning's Castle Hill
7
13
20
February 2016
March 2016
April 2016
May 2016
June 2016
Home Meeting #2 – Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Office Home Meeting #3 – Chris Dunwell’s
27
Guest Speaker
3
Guest Speaker
10
Club Business Meeting
17
Pride in Workmanship
24
Business Networking #2
2 9
Club Business Meeting Guest Speaker
16
Mini Club Assembly
23 30 6
Excellence In Teaching Awards Club Committee meeting Guest Speaker
13
Club Business Meeting
20
Anzac Day Guest Speaker
27
Tour de Hills Presentation Night
4
Club Committee Meeting
11
Guest Speaker
18
Club Business Meeting
25
Guest Speaker
1
Club Committee Meeting
8
Guest Speaker
15
Club Assembly
22
Club Business Meeting
29
Club Changeover
Peace & Conflict Resolution Month
Water & Sanitation Month
Maternal & Child Health Month
Youth Service Month
Rotary Fellowships Month
Club Calendar Jan- June 2016
Month/ Year
NOVEMBER Rotary Foundation Month 7
Meeting Minutes th 28 October 2015
A
By PP Rod Williamson cting Sergeant Terry O’Mara called the meeting to order on time and a toast was made to Rotary International.
President Mike opened the meeting with a special welcome to partners and guests including visiting Rotarian Vi Nutt from Rotary Club of North Rocks and advised that the guest speaker, Mayor Councillor Dr Michelle Byrne of the The Hills Shire Council, would not be arriving until approximately 7.15pm. He also referred to a letter of appreciation that had been received from the Mayor acknowledging and thanking our Club members for supporting this year’s Orange Blossom Festival. After a fellowship break President Mike:
Advised that the Garage Sale and BBQ at Storage king raised approximately $1560 and thanked all those who assisted and specially acknowledged the significant contribution of Phil Dunn. Informally welcomed the Mayor as she was escorted into the room by Rod Williamson. Mentioned that he had spoken to Hannibal Shabaz who told him that Joan was at home and that they have been visited by David and Diana Waterhouse. Hannibal welcomes phone calls to his home or mobile number including visits with prior notice to ensure that it is convenient. Following dinner and at the invitation of President Mike acting Sergeant Terry O’Mara conducted the Fine Session imposing fines as follows: All members who did/did not work at the garage sale, Neil Todd – booking in late, Peter Marcer – photo resting at garage sale, Chris Dunwell – unfailing sense of humour, Di Nutt – booking in late with message to Mike Blair, Rod Williamson – worrying about attendance numbers, Pinky Singh, Ray Danham & David Brown – new members with the last fine on Phil Dunn – excellence in leadership at the garage sale. The raffle was drawn by the Mayor – Bruce Allen the red with ticket 77 (two weeks in a row) and Bruce Jenkin the white with ticket 78.
President Mike invited Bruce Allen to speak and show a DVD with the assistance of Paul Robinson of Bill Gates providing an update on Polio Plus and also acknowledging the significant contribution of Rotarians to eradicate the world of this dreaded virus over three decades. Following a formal introduction of the Mayor, President Mike invited Michelle to address the meeting. 8
After paying tribute to Rotary Michelle’s address centered on two main issues, the recent State Government announcement that Local Councils have 30 days to consider amalgamations with other neighbouring Local Councils and submit their recommendations in order to become more cost effective. The other was the challenges from the future growth of The Hills Shire given the impact of the Northwest Rail Link project. Michelle whilst reinforcing the importance of Local Government and the need to protect what’s important, such as the current strong Hills community spirit, supported the need for more effective and efficient local government. After a 4 year review by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) a final report had been released declaring The Hills as fit, but the neighbouring councils as unfit. Whilst the Hills may be in a strong position for the future the State Government is serious about less small to medium size ineffective Local Councils and The Hills will be expected to play its part. The State Government is not interested in alignment of boundaries changes and takeovers/amalgamations will be insisted upon. Hawkesbury or Hornsby Councils are two possibilities. In regard to the challenges that the Hills Shire faces with the many issues to be confronted as a result of the development of the North West Rail Link Michelle demonstrated in her address that Council is concerned with all aspects of changes to infrastructure and the demographics of the Hills Shire and the need to maintain the quality life style that currently exists and where possible avoid any adverse impact on residents. Notwithstanding this, as pointed out by Michelle, the final planning rests with the State Government and the Hills Council can only seek to coerce the State Government to achieve the best possible outcome. As expected there were many questions and points of view expressed regarding high rise buildings, adequate open spaces, development of jobs etc from members and guests with Michelle taking on board several concerns raised. At one point Michelle made it clear she did not want Castle Hill to become another Chatswood! In thanking Michelle for making the time to attend our Club and for a very informative address President Mike recognized Michelle as a Paul Harris Fellow for her service in the Hills community. In response Michelle acknowledged the contribution that Rotary makes to society and expressed her appreciation of the Paul Harris recognition. President Mike thanked all the guests for attending and closed the meeting by inviting everyone present to join with him in singing the National Anthem.
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Attendance Report for 28th October 2015 by PP John Cooper Apologies: John Barker Frank Anisse Warwick Talbot Harshad Desai David Sommerlad Marie Ford Phil Davis Peter Marcer Ron Marcus Make Ups: Nil Honorary Rotarians: Neil Todd
52%
Friends of Rotary: Penny Burke Visiting Rotarians: Vi Nutt – Rotary Club of North Rocks Guests: David Maguire, Joe Gorman Rod Byers, Linda Gunek, Mike Sullivan Leave of Absence: Anil de Silva, till Dec 31 2015 Geoff Duffy, Sept 23 till Nov 03 Bev Cooney, July 01 till Dec 31 Pinky Singh, till Dec 31 Mike Blair, Oct 12 till Nov 28 Bob Chary Nov 19 till Jan 12 2016 Hannibal Shabaz till 31 Dec Mike Blair, Oct 12 till Nov 28 Bob Chary Nov 19 till Jan 12 2016 Hannibal Shabaz till 31 Dec
CHICAGO RADIATOR SHOP: "Best place in town to take a leak."
********
And the best one for last
Sign on the back of another Septic Tank Truck: "Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises" 10
Club Officers and Non-Executive Positions Rotary Year 2015-2016 Rotary Club of Castle Hill President President-Elect (2015-2016) Secretary Treasurer Director Club Administration Director Membership Director Public Relations Director Service Projects Director Rotary Foundation Director Outreach Projects
Mike Hallen Chris Dunwell Geoff Duffy Bruce Allen Chris Dunwell Rod Williamson Geoff Duffy Mike Blair Bruce Allen Hannibal Shabaz
In addition, the following non-executive roles have been accepted by those listed below: Bulletin Editor Raffle Guest Speaker Program Attendance Recorder Welfare Officer Sergeants Webmaster Committee Chairs International Service
Anil de Silva David Bowles Ross Hood Geoff Duffy Terry O’Mara Hannibal Shabaz & Harshad Desai Paul Robinson (assisted by Chris Dunwell) Phil Davis
Volunteers are still required as committee Chairs for the Avenues of Service (see below) covered by the Director Service Projects and Director Outreach projects. Please contact the relevant Director to volunteer: Youth Vocational Service Community Service
For those who are wondering for answers for the last week riddle
Quietly get off the merry-goround and go home!
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Sergeant’s Fine Session
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
A
Terry O’ Mara ll members who did/did not work at the garage sale, Neil Todd – booking in late, Peter Marcer – photo resting at garage sale, Chris Dunwell – un-
failing sense of humour, Di Nutt – booking in late with message to Mike Blair, Rod Williamson – worrying about attendance numbers, Pinky Singh, Ray Danham & David Brown – new members with the last fine on Phil Dunn – excellence in
BULLETIN EDITOR
leadership at the garage sale.
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
Editor in Bourke ( “in REAL OUTBACK” As they call it) 12