President Peter's
(Words of Wisdom).
Last night’s meeting certainly was busy; both in content and a very good crowd in attendance given the confines of the meeting venue.
Firstly, we had the mandatory Club AGM. I would strongly encourage all members to consider offering yourself to take a position of leadership in the Club. Thank you to Sandie Simons offering to continue as the Club’s Secretary and Mark Graetz as Treasurer; we are indeed extremely fortunate to have both these outstanding Rotarians in this Club. However, the positions of President and President-elect 2023/24 at the moment are vacant. Both positions must be filled for the Club to continue.
The Rotary Club of Barossa Valley (the Club) has always been enthusiastic supporter of various youth programmes. The Club supports both the Valley’s secondary schools with awards for academic achievement for year 12 students. This year, Courtney Trenwith from Nuriootpa High School and Bethany Rosenboom from Faith Lutheran Secondary School spoke about their successful final year of secondary education. It was also a pleasure to have both the very proud mothers of the young ladies attending the meeting.
I recently visited the Nuriootpa Medical Clinic for a non-medical issue. When I mentioned that I was representing Rotary, one of the NMC staff asked if I would accept surplus medical equipment as she had heard that Rotary accepts and recycles medical equipment. I gladly accepted the ECG machine plus various medical bibs and bobs. The near new machine was displayed at last night's meeting. PDG Peter Thomas “like a hungry seagull swooping on a hot chip” has taken control of the machine and already has a very grateful overseas recipient awaiting the ECG machine’s arrival. Further information to follow and on behalf of Rotary Donations in Kind facility at Edinburgh, a big thank you to the Nuriootpa Medical Clinic.
Josh West was last night’s guest speaker and entertained us with a presentation on his recent voyage down the Murray River in a kayak. An absolutely amazing feat, especially for a former non sailor or rower. He launched near the head of the Murray in the Snowy Mountains down to Lake Alexandrina and the Murray mouth. Members, Friends of Rotary and guests were in awe of Josh’s incredible journey. Hell of a way to take a tourist voyage down the River!
Now we have some important dates and functions coming up:
- Next meeting is the Christmas Dinner on Thursday 15th December at the Wanera Restaurant Angaston. Members are invited to start arriving about 5.30pm for pre-dinner drinks in the garden at the back of the Restaurant followed by dinner in the restaurant. We have a dinner speaker - Lyn Arnold. Formerly Premier of South Australia to his current role as Anglican priest, Lyn will entertain and inspire you with his life story. We need to know your attendance by Thursday 8th December.
- Soiree in the beautiful gardens of Hans Haan on Thursday 5th January 2023. This is a traditional function to commence the new year, again we must offer our gratitude for the use of Hans’ property for this function.
- Birthing Kit assembly on Sunday 22nd January 2023 at the CWA Hall in Murray Street Tanunda. The Club has purchased all the necessary components to make the kits. Lunch will also be provided by the Club.
I look forward to seeing you all at the Christmas dinner.
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The recipients of the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley Foundation Scholarship 2022.
Beth Rosenbloom, who attended Faith, and is from Williamstown, would like to study History, is planning to do a Bachelor of Arts, at Adelaide Uni.
Courtney Trenwith, who attended Nuriootpa High and lives in Nuriootpa, would like to study Psychology, either at Adelaide Uni or Flinders.
Maybe specialising in Child Psychology or Criminal Psychology.
-Prue M.-
Beth Rosenbloom and Courtney Trenwith each received $750 towards their future studies at university.
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Guest Speaker - Josh West
What an interesting fellow this young man is! Having walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage through Spain in 2019, he arrived back in Australia flush with adventurous dreams. Of course, there was also the walk on the Heysen Trail, to which club members had already listened with funds raised for The Black Dog Institute. Josh wasn't ready to slow down; let's face it, there are a lot more places out there to explore. He had itchy feet so to speak and although Covid 19 had closed borders, he continued to investigate the possibility of more adventures. As he put it, "I have no desire to remain a caged nomad. I have to do something. I had to go big. I scoured maps for projects and despite little paddling experience the prospect of Kayaking Australia's ancient Murray River could not be beaten." Meanwhile, an unrelenting La Nina system had parked her bum on Australia's river systems, and the country's eastern states had flooded. After taking all of this on board Josh decided that March 16th 2022 was a good start date, so with Dad (David) in tow he drove to Bringenbrong Bridge to begin the adventure. Raising monies for The Black Dog Institute once again in support of mental health was also on his mind. He said that amounted to $6780 an effort that would make anyone feel proud. Josh showed members quite a lot of slides as he prepared for this trip, which would cover 2508 kms over 58 days (2 rest days included). Daily distance worked out at 40 kms on average, with the longest day being Tanunda to Port Adelaide. As Josh said, "This was a planned trip that covered six months of research, training and familiarising myself with life on water." An exciting presentation from a young man, whose mind is probably already thinking what next. Applause, and the usual gift handed over from a proud Dad to son, ended an amusing Kayacking event
that only young fellows like Josh would attempt.
David with son Josh
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Steve Ahrens attended the Rotary Leadership Institute and below you will read his thoughts and acknowledgements
RLI Report November 5th and 6th 2022
I had the privilege of attending the 2-day Rotary Leadership Institute held on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November. An enjoyable course, which gave me a
fast-track learning about Rotary.
Aside from the diversity of Rotary leaders running the course, there were a broad cross-section of people doing the training, Indian, Afghanistan, a former member from Darwin, male, female, long term members and not so long, such as yours truly. A fantastic opportunity to hear different thoughts and experiences on a broad range of subjects, as well as some of the wins and challenges they face within their respective clubs.
Steve, along with trainers and others who attended the RLI
I also found it heartening to reflect on my observations of our Barossa club and feel our main issue is that which is already identified, we are an ageing club. However, put this aside and it is made up of talented “can do” people with a great depth of experience. To this end, I believe the answer to gaining new members lies within. Everyone has his or her own Rotary story. Why they are a member, what they get out of being a member, some of the great things they have witnessed as a member, some of the great things they have done while being a member. These are the tools that each member can use when inviting potential new members to Rotary. It appears referral is one of the greatest way of finding new members, and nobody can tell their story better than the person who knows it the best and what it means to them; all it requires is some thought and practice. We all have a responsibility in finding new members.
I learned Rotary is the biggest humanitarian organisation in the world outside of government. Rotary is also the most trusted brand in the world. Moreover, Rotarians really are 'can do' people.
I learned more about the foundation, and how grants work.
We touched on the importance of strategic planning for the club, and how culture can eat strategy.
When thinking about making improvements to our respective clubs, one of the things pointed out is that the lightbulb did not come about by continuous development of the candle. A little lightbulb moment I found fascinating. Sometimes rather than try to improve a current practice, we need to face the situation and change things completely.
We also learned about some of the resources available on-line through the "My Rotary" website, an excellent tool with a whole host of things for all members to explore.
Rotary is truly an organisation with massive opportunities for members to make a difference in a multitude of ways. Whether on an individual level, club level or combined club level, local, national, or international, there is no shortage of projects and ideas for people to get behind.
As I mentioned previously, the Barossa club is made up of fantastic people with some real super powers. All we need is some tweaking and fine-tuning.
Thank you for providing me with this learning opportunity.
DG Paul presents Steve with his certificate
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Rotary Foundation chair Marie-Louise Lees, led a Q. & A. Zoom meeting on Thursday 24th November.
About 11 members attended from Campbelltown, Alice Springs, Gawler Light, Mobilong and Barossa Valley. Discussions included funds available for future Grants. It is expected that around US $76,000 will be available for distribution 23/24. The following year the figure could be as much as US$50,000. Clubs are encouraged to begin thinking about future projects. The Disaster Fund through RAWCS allocated US$15,000 to the people of the Ukraine who have been affected by the conflict in that country. Overall, there were 470 projects via Grants in thirty countries The polio virus has broken out in a few more countries, particularly parts of Africa.
The polio figures over the past couple of weeks are:
Afghanistan: three positive environmental samples
Algeria: four positive environmental samples
Chad: four cases
DR Congo: three cases
Ethiopia: two cases
Nigeria: four cases and two positive
environmental samples
RI will continue to immunise until the polio virus is completely wiped out worldwide.
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Rotarian Ken Collins AM, died in Perth August 2022
An obituary to Dr. Ken Collins was in Saturday’s Nov. 26th Advertiser, under the heading of ‘A Lifetime of humanitarian work.'
Ken was born in Adelaide in 1936. He played a bit of junior footy for West Torrens, but when he enrolled in medicine at the University he gave up footy.
After graduating in 1960 Ken started work as a junior resident at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Dr. Ken always went the extra mile for his patients. As a young graduate, he volunteered to help out in Indonesia. Travelling distances and treating up to 100 patients daily in primitive conditions were part of the challenge. He later lived in Western Australia and became a GP in 1965. After four years in Sydney he returned to Perth and in 1971 set up his own medical practice in suburban Thornlie, operating it until retirement in 2000. Ken was a top devoted Rotarian and served in a leadership capacity at every level. Ken married his second wife Diane in 1976. During his lifetime Ken contracted polio which added force to his commitment of Rotary’s polio-eradication program.
He established The Rotary Foundation Centurion Club in Australia, which was taken up by our districts 9500 and 9520 at that time. Clubs and many Rotarians are contributors to The Australian Rotary Foundation Trust via the Centurion Club.
Ken has been recognised with Awards of Member of the order of Australia (AM), WA Citizen of the year and a Centenary Medal recognition for his enormous community contribution. Ken and his wife Diane were known to many Rotarians all over the world.
RIP Ken - a life well lived.
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Attendance Report December 1st 2022
Members 25
Partners 2
Friends 5
Honorary
Guests 8
Total 40
Apologies/LOA 8
Birthdays for December
Hans Haan Dec. 1st
Patrick R.Haydn " 27th
Date joined Rotary
David Adams 1/12/1991 31 years
Keith Adams 1/12/1992 30 years
Geoff Zerk 18/12/2011 11 years
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Another from Marie's cartoons - Thank you.
JUST A THOUGHT
Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about
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Rotary Club of Barossa Valley
Current Committee Structure on 30 June 2022
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Vocational Committee
Team Leader: Bryce Lillecrapp
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Members:
David Adams
Mark Graetz (also Treasurer)
Bronwyn Lillecrapp
Grant Schuyler
David West
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Friends:
Karin Bosomworth
Peter Flaherty
Phil Graetz
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Community Committee
Team Leader: James Dunn
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Members:
Hans Haan
John Little
Philip Martin
Geoffrey Schrapel
Peter Sich
Geoff Zerk
Keith Millington
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Friends:
David Braunack
Elly Monfries
John Monfries
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Membership Committee
Team Leader: Sue Graetz
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Members:
Peter Perkins
Marie Rothe
Bronwyn Lillecrapp
Bryce Lillecrapp
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Friends:
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International Committee
Team Leader: Peter Thomas
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Members:
Keith Adams
Ray Fiebiger
Rick Kessner
Max Rasmus
Patrick Ritchie-Haydyn
Anne Schilling
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Friends:
Bruce Dutschke
Russell Johnson
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New Generations Committee
Team Leader: Prue Maitland
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Members:
Donald Farley
Beverley Stephenson
John Tunnicliff
John Semmler
Police Checks Recorder and Child Protection: Prue Maitland
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Friends:
Sandy Carruthers
Kevin Hoskin
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Rotary Club of Barossa Valley Foundation
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Chair: Grant Schuyler
Secretary:John Semmler
Treasurer: Rick Kessner
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Trustees:
Mark Graetz
Don Farley
Prue Maitland
Sandie Simons
Club President
Club Vocational Chair
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Members who are not on Committees:
Peter Perkins, President
Sandie Simons, Secretary
Robert Brookes, Bulletin Editor
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Sergeants. Patrick Haydn, John Semmler,
Rick Kessner, John Little, Phil Martin, David West, Ray Fiebiger
Website, Media, Keith Millington, John Tunnicliff.
PHF Recommendations President, Peter Sich, John Little, Peter Canning.
Friends of Rotary Sue Graetz
Police Checks Recorder Prue Maitland.
Bulletin Editor Robert Brookes
Clothing Bin Roster Peter Thomas
Child Protection Officer Prue Maitland
Club History Grant Schuyler
Great Revival Shop Rep. Peter Perkins
Ring Pulls. Bryce Lillecrapp, Bill Simons, Mark Graetz
Awards Committee PDGs Robert Brookes, Peter Thomas.
Sheds and Trailers, Mark Graetz, Peter Sich
Assistant Secretary Marie Rothe
Program. Team Leaders
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Duty Roster
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Meeting 3290
Wanera
Dec 15th 2022
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Meeting 3291
Hans -Soiree
Jan 5th 2023
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Invocation
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Anne Schilling
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Rick's pick |
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Loyal Toast
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Sandie Simons
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Rick's pick |
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Sergeant
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John Semmler
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Rick Kessner |
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4-Way Test
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Peter Sich
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Not required |
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Chairperson
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Keith Adams
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Peter Perkins |
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Speaker
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Lynn Arnold
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New year Message! |
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Subject
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Christmas
Message
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Relax and enjoy |
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Bulletin
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Robert Brookes
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Robert Brookes
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Setting Up &
Packing up
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Bill Simons
Sandie Simons
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As necessary
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Cashiers
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Marie Rothe
Bev Stephenson
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Marie Rothe
Bev Stephenson
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Clothing Bins
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22/12/22 -
5/1/23
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5/1/23- 19/1/23
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Angaston
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M.Graetz
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P.Canning |
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Nuriootpa
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K.Millington |
Ian Mader |
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Tanunda
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G. Schrapel
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Bob Sloane |
