Newsletter - Rotary Tasmania District 9830

Rotary District 9830
Tasmania
District Governor’s
Newsletter
March 2012
Rotary District Conference May 2012
Ideas, initiative, innovation - dotting the I's
Impressive list of keynote speakers
for 2012 District Conference
Michael Ossipoff
Telstra's Director
Capability and Innovation
Rear Admiral Tim Barrett
Commander Australian Fleet
Royal Australian Navy
Stuart Heal
Current RI Director for Zones 7 and 8
"Mover and shaker" at RI Board level
Tasmania's own Robyn Moore
Australia's most in-demand speaker
An electrifying performer
Rotary will be alive and kicking at the District
Conference - it will be participative with
questions invited, breakout sessions and fun
times.
Register Now, Now, Now, Now, Now, Now
District Conference 25 - 27 May 2012
Early Registration closes 30 March 2012
2
March 2012
Rotary Information - the building blocks #7
About May 2011 the (then) incoming District
Governor, Peter, asked me to write a column each
month on “the building blocks” of Rotary. So each
month I have tried hard to reflect on just what are
the building blocks. On one hand there are a few;
on the other there are many!
One thing that happens to each of us is that
‘someone’ invites us to join a Rotary club. You
have been deliberately chosen because someone,
supported by the current club members, agreed
that YOU were the right person to represent your
business or profession in Rotary. It was not in the
sense of exclusiveness, but in the sense of the
right person to give service.
When you joined I trust you felt you were beginning
a new adventure – this can be defined as a bold
undertaking in which certain hazards and
unforeseen developments will be met! I do hope
that has happened in your Rotary life. Each new
member is expected to look for opportunities to
serve – and that must mean that the more a new
member learns about Rotary, the more diverse and
interesting the openings for the very different
people that make up a club. I sincerely hope that
each new member retains this enthusiasm, drive
and excitement for all their Rotary life.
A major responsibility however remains with the
sponsor or nominator – and that is to mentor and
assist the new member to really understand Rotary
and its wide opportunities for practical activity. I am
aware that many people do not see the full view of
Rotary until they attend a District Conference or
even an International Convention. The mentor
should throw out those challenges to attend and
lead by example. Helping a new member become
a Rotarian is a role that can continue for years.
This aspect of keeping members and giving real
and meaningful jobs in a Rotary club is the
backbone of
club retention and strong
membership.
There is a logic that follows your nomination. It is
simply that, in turn, you should seek out, then
nominate, someone to join your Rotary club. You
need to look out for the ‘right’ person. That’s the
only way we can survive.
John G. Thorne – Past Director of RI
Nepalese schoolchildren no longer
drinking from broken water pipe thanks
to RC Devonport
When Tasmanian Rotarians were in Nepal last year
observing the "Gift of Sight" project in operation, they
discovered that, as a result of the Maoist Rebellion,
the local school for displaced students had only a
broken water pipe to drink from.
On becoming aware of the students' plight, RC
Devonport provided funds to dramatically improve the
drinking water situation for students. Two water
tanks were erected above a drinking facility with
several taps within a tiled, long sink. The whole
facility is brilliantly constructed. The name "Rotary
Club of Devonport, District 9830" is prominently
displayed on both water tanks.
The water tanks with Rotary Club of
Devonport clearly displayed on the outside
of the tanks
The facility was officially opened recently by PDG
Kevin Shadbolt. An honour guard of 1200 students
welcomed guests as they arrived. The speeches
heaped praise on RC Devonport. The whole school
is very grateful for the improved drinking water facility
for students.
PDG Kevin Shadbolt cuts the ribbon to open
the drinking water facility funded by RC
Devonport
District Conference 25 - 27 May 2012
Hotel Grand Chancellor - Hobart
Early Registration closes 30 March 2012
3
March 2012
From the DG
It has become traditional in the warmer months of the
year to see the implementation of our Rotary
planning in the earlier months – and February 2012
has been no exception.
Clubs across the State have been busy with
fundraising and community help ventures and the
media have been busy reporting on our activities. A
big thank you for this goes to the clubs for picking up
on our Marketing and PR Committee’s push for more
publicity for the good things Rotary does – and to the
Committee itself for the good use of our District and
RI funds set aside for this purpose.
President Andrew Johnston of RC Deloraine
hands over a cheque for $5,000 to DG Peter for
PolioPlus as part of the proceeds of the
Tasmanian Craft Fair
Overall an excellent day for all.
Thank you also to the majority of our clubs for
participating in the “Tassie’s Biggest BBQ” day and
similar functions around that time. There is no doubt
that Rotary in Tasmania is now better known for its
community contributions than before.
The display of projects in which clubs have been
involved on that day has been reported as a real
success – lets keep those boards out there at all of
our public functions so that our communities can see
where our fundraising goes. This issue of the
Newsletter reports details of many successful
projects promoted by clubs and makes for very
interesting reading.
My thanks again to RC's Evandale and Oatlands for
their organisation of the Family of Rotary Day on a
weekend when temperatures hit real highs. Over
250 Rotarians and friends from almost all clubs
gathered at Ross for what has become an annual
event enabling members to mix with their colleagues
from other clubs and for donations/making a pledge
for a donation to The Rotary Foundation. Some
$80,000 was the total for the day and with some
promises to come.
The highlight was the culmination of “The Yellow
Boat Road” when Rotarian Rob Pennicott handed
over a cheque for $264,000 for Polio Plus (see back
page). This magnificent result was warmly hailed as
one of the best ever fundraising events in this District
and was only achieved through the super-human
effort of Rob and his team.
Much has already been said about this feat and the
records which were made but it will go down in the
history of Rotary Tasmania, and indeed Australia, for
one of the great events. And this to help eradicate
polio from the world.
The District Conference – the front page tells of
the success we have had in attracting a number
of great presenters and our Committee has
worked hard to take on board suggestions from
past years. The cost is reasonable; there will be
plenty of opportunity to question and comment;
there will some breakout sessions; and above all
we intend to have fun.
Now we need you! Register early if you want to take
advantage of the early-bird registration. We will be
passing out more information in the next few weeks.
DG Peter
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Opportunity for film maker at RI Convention
in Bangkok
The Food Plant Solutions - Rotarian Action Group is
looking to recruit a Rotarian to film their break out
session "End Malnutrition Now - The Evergreen
Revolution" at the Rotary International Convention in
Bangkok.
The breakout session is a workshop with four
speakers followed by a lively Q & A session. There
will be about 150 people present.
The Food Plant Solutions Rotarian Action Group is
closely allied to the LearnGrow project which has its
origins in Tasmania.
Interested?: Phone John on 0409 817 898 or Email:
John Thorne ([email protected]) or
Buz Green ([email protected]).
District Conference 25 - 27 May 2012
Hotel Grand Chancellor - Hobart
Early Registration closes 30 March 2012
4
March 2012
Some Great Rotary Club Projects
The Tucker Van: RC Ulverstone West: This project
is a few weeks old. Each Monday evening, the club
provides free food to the local homeless and other
needy people in Ulverstone.
It has been given
extensive coverage in "The Advocate". As a result,
many volunteers have come forward to assist in the
van or offer to donate or pay for food items.
Magic of Christmas Charity Fair:
RC Kings
Meadows: Held in early December for the past five
years at the Meadow Mews Shopping Centre, the focus
is on running a community event for children. Activities
include magicians, puppet shows, face painting, lucky
dip, Father Christmas, a chocolate wheel and a large
raffle. Money raised on the day is donated to local
charities. The $3,000 cost of staging the Magic of
Christmas is offset by the annual Christmas raffle. The
Fair is run in conjunction with Centro Management who
own and operate Meadow Mews.
Construction and Erection of bus shelters: RC
Sorell: Nine bus shelters have been constructed and
erected in the Sorell Municipality with another four to
go in this year.
This project is being done in
conjunction with Sorell Council.
RC Sorell has
contributed $20,000 to the project so far.
First satellite Rotary Youth Driving Awareness
(RYDA) Program: RC Huon Valley: The first
satellite RYDA program has been run successfully by
RC Huon Valley at Huonville PCYC for the past three
years. All Huon Valley high schools are committed to
the project.
Approximately 150 to 180 Year 10
students attend RYDA Huon Valley each year. The
major sponsors of RYDA Huon Valley are Bendigo
Bank branches at Geeveston, Dover and Huonville.
Circus Quirkus: RC Central Launceston: Circus
Quirkus provides the opportunity for local businesses to
sponsor a child with a disability to attend a Circus
Quirkus performance at the Princess Theatre in
July/August each year. Individual seat sales are
arranged through local telemarketers and sponsorship
funds are returned through the support of other
children, often with disabilities. Up to $25,000 raised.
Breakfast in the Park: RC Devonport North: RC
Devonport North stages its annual pre-Christmas
"Breakfast in the Park" on the banks of the Mersey
River. In a near military operation, 600 breakfasts are
served and the entire area is cleaned up by 8.30am.
Kingston Rotary Annual Fun Run:
RC
Kingston: The annual fun run involves all club
members and promotes a family commitment to
health and wellbeing within the community. It also
provides an annual event for serious runners.
Scheduled for Sunday 3rd June this year.
Hobart Kite Festival: RC Sandy Bay:
The Hobart Kite Festival is organised by RC Sandy
Bay in conjunction with the Kite Association of
Tasmania for members of the public to fly kites at
the Hobart Regatta Grounds. Held in January
each year, the Hobart Kite Festival aims to
encourage family activities and promote the good
work of Rotary. The beneficiary of the event is The
Families of Hobart Community. The value of the
event is incalculable. Funds raised of $1,500 went
to the RYDA Program.
Christmas Shoeboxes: RC Claremont: RC
Claremont contacts nursing homes in the
Claremont area and requests the Christian names
and ages of residents who have no one to share
Christmas with. Members of RC Claremont then
select names and contact the nursing homes to
find out about the individual needs of the person
they have selected.
Members are given a shoebox to
their chosen recipient.
Filled
returned at the club's Christmas
shoeboxes are distributed to
residents before Christmas Day.
fill with gifts for
shoeboxes are
Function. The
the nominated
The project brings alive the spirit of giving for
members of RC Claremont and their families.
Beneficaries are the residents of the nursing
homes. The cost of the Shoebox project is minimal
- most items are donated by RC Claremont
members.
(To be continued)
This segment will become a regular feature of the
DG's Newsletter provided clubs provide articles.
Clubs are encouraged to submit short summaries
(like above) of their "top shelf" projects for inclusion
on this page. Please do not send lengthy articles.
Those articles already sent have been passed onto
the Editor and will be used in future issues.
Send project summaries to Rod Oliver by Email to:
[email protected]
District Conference 25 - 27 May 2012
Hotel Grand Chancellor - Hobart
Early Registration closes 30 March 2012
5
March 2012
Charity Sail Day
RC Hobart's Charity Sail Day has grown from 14
businesses for the first event in 1992 to 80 businesses
in 2012. The event is still the same as originally,
except that the inclusion of the Windeward Bound
allows individuals to participate.
The Charity Sail Day generates 60% of funds raised by
RC Hobart each year. $53,000 was raised in this
February's event.
RC Hobart's latest Paul Harris Fellow, Michael
Walpole, Chairman of the Sail Day Committee.
Michael was inducted as a Paul Harris Fellow in
the presence of many of the donors of product
for Sail Day. They had been invited along by the
club to say thank you.
Reviving an old Sail Day Tradition "Singsong on Board"
"The Presidential Barge"
District Conference 25 - 27 May 2012
Hotel Grand Chancellor - Hobart
Early Registration closes 30 March 2012
6
March 2012
Queensland Flood Appeal update
RC Scottsdale International Night
Tenders have been called for construction of our
Community Centre at Murphy’s Creek in the Lockyer
th
Valley. When the tender period finished on 10
February, 18 tenders had been received with most of
them in a fairly narrow cost range.
The Gatton Shire Council, as their part in the project,
are currently doing an internal selection process with
their technical and building people to oversee the
probity of each tender, to make sure that it is compliant
and to see that it will fit into our stated budget.
The Gatton Shire Council is responsible for providing
the land, building the car park, and providing ongoing
maintenance and management with the help of the
Murphy’s Creek Progress Association. A short-listing
of suitable applications will be provided to the steering
committee, composed of council representatives,
progress association representatives, and Rotarians
from RC Toowoomba East, plus myself.
The decision of this committee will go to the meeting of
th
the Gatton Shire Council for approval on the 28 March
and shortly after the successful tender bidder will be
notified. Things are happening slowly but they are
happening, and happening surely.
Ted Richey
Immediate Past District Governor
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Liz Bond, Gwen Wood, Laxman Chhetri,
President John Lette and Robin Thompson
RC Scottsdale hosted an innovative International
Night featuring three guest speakers with different
experiences of migrating to Tasmania.
Liz Bond came to Tasmania from the Orkney Island
off the North Coast of Scotland. On the Orkney
Islands, the climate is mild and the soils are
extremely fertile. Agriculture is the main sector of the
economy.
Significant wind and marine energy
resources are of growing importance.
Gwen Wood is a volunteer with the Uniting Church
who helps immigrants who come to Tasmania,
meeting them at the airport, befriending them and
helping them sort out everyday problems e.g. getting
a driver's licence.
Laxman Chhetri told the meeting of his story. He
was one of 110,000 people displaced from Bhutan in
the early nineties because of their ethnicity and
culture. They were mostly Hindus of Nepalese origin.
Nepal wouldn't accept them and Bhutan wouldn't
repatriate them. After twelve years in camps, Nepal
finally agreed to let these people seek resettlement in
third countries.
The D9830 GSE team to District 5580
Front row (left to right): Renee Sushames, Helena
Mitev (team leader) and Emma Fyfe. Back Row:
Ryan Harris, George Smith and Julia Baxter.
The team arrives in Ontario, Canada on 6 April. Their
first stopover will be Thunder Bay in Ontario. They will
also travel through Minnesota, Wisconsin and North
Dakota in the United States.
In 1994, they applied for resettlement in Australia.
Laxman, his wife and three daughters arrived in
Australia in 2008.
There is a community support group in Launceston
for these families, offering them support, friendship,
outings, conversation and assistance to settle in and
integrate successfully.
This was a new beginning and at last the family has
peace and happiness in this great country.
District Conference 25 - 27 May 2012
Hotel Grand Chancellor - Hobart
Early Registration closes 30 March 2012
7
March 2012
Welcome to new Rotarians
New Rotarian
Joanne Cox
David Peachey
Dianne Duggan
Yvonne Di Venuto
Kareen Brandt
Jane Pybus
Sue Hepburn
Danny Gibson*
President inducts sister into Rotary Club
Club
Ulverstone
South Launceston
George Town
Sandy Bay
Huon Valley
Tamar Sunrise
Salamanca
Tamar Sunrise
(*transfer in)
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Fresh Sea Air for Sydneysiders
You would struggle to find more different
environments that Western Sydney and the Tamar
Valley. But this is what strengthens the sister club
relationship between RC Holroyd in Western
Sydney and RC George Town in the Tamar Valley.
This year it was the turn of RC Holroyd to visit
George Town; and they brought a strong
contingent. The locals organised a great program
including attending the Family of Rotary Day at
Ross and touring Boag's Brewery. They even put
the visitors to work tidying up the grounds of Ainslie
House Retirement Village at Low Head.
President David Logan inducts his sister Dianne
Duggan into RC George Town
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RC Tasman Peninsula presents:
Helicopter trips to Tasman Island
th
Saturday 14 April. Helicopter from Safety Cove to
Tasman Island with 2 hours on island. Contact:
Peter Wilson on 0417 037 109, or Email:
[email protected]
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RC George Town Member Peter Cox conducts
members of RC Holroyd through the Maritime
Museum at the Low Head Pilot Station
Just being so close to the sea and boats must have
been stimulating for the Sydneysiders.
The
nautical theme was continued with a dinner
meeting in the Boathouse at the Low Head Pilot
Station. Before the spit-roasted beef and pork, the
visitors were taken on a conducted tour of the local
Maritime Museum.
District Conference 25 - 27 May 2012
Hotel Grand Chancellor - Hobart
Early Registration closes 30 March 2012
8
March 2012
Family of Rotary/Annual Giving Day
Ross, Sunday 26 February
The "A List" Picnicers at Ross - RC Kingston
"Follow the Yellow Boat Road" driving force Rob
Pennicott presents a cheque for over a quarter of
a million dollars to DG Peter for End Polio Now
RC Oatlands' Jenni Muxlow and Megan Penzig
manning the food stall at Ross
President David Fry presents a cheque for the
Rotary Foundation from RC Launceston West
RC Oatlands
President Danny
Burow presents a
cheque to DG
Peter for the
Rotary Foundation
RC Evandale BBQ crew flat out keeping up with
demand at Ross
District Conference 25 - 27 May 2012
Hotel Grand Chancellor - Hobart
Early Registration closes 30 March 2012