Bulletin 3350
June 2nd 2025
Stephanie A. Urchick
RI President 2024/25
Stephanie's page in the most recent RDU magazine is worth reading. She wrote "The ideals of service, fellowship and diversity
have enabled us to transcend boundaries of all kinds. We bring people of all backgrounds together, foster collaboration and make our communities stronger. For 120 years, Rotary has thrived through two world Wars, through the cold war, and through multiple deadly pandemics. We have endured and strengthened because we adhere to our mission and to our values. In times like these, we are once again reminded of the strength of Rotary and the importance of supporting our organisation."
STEPHANIE A. URCHICK
President, Rotary International
Monthly Theme for June 2025
Rotary Fellowships
Walter D. Head, was the RI President during the years 1939-1940
It was a time of world war. Fellowship was important and he wrote
" Rotary must carry on - no matter how difficult the conditions it may face in the period ahead! Rotary fellowship will, without doubt, provide a bright spot in many lives." He continually assured his fellow Rotarians everywhere that if they kept faith, when the storm passed, Rotary would find its greatest opportunity.
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President Steve's Snippets
As the end of our Rotary year nears, I reflect on how much I’ve learnt during this time.
Membership is a recurring focus of mine, and I sincerely appreciate those who’ve shared their insights, ideas, and experiences. These contributions are helping to shape a stronger path forward for our club. I’m confident we’ll continue to attract new members who share our values and are eager to be part of the meaningful work we do.
A wise monk once said, “Energy flows where focus goes.” If we continue to focus our collective energy on membership, we’ll naturally draw in people who can find the same sense of purpose and enjoyment in Rotary that we do.
Think of it this way — it’s not about keeping Rotary to ourselves, it’s about sharing the opportunity with like-minded friends and community-minded individuals who would benefit from being part of something greater. Rotary offers a remarkable platform to make a difference — locally, nationally, and internationally. There is something for everyone, all while having fun and building lifelong connections.
Let’s keep that spirit alive as we move into the next Rotary year.
Thank you, Steve, for your regular thoughts during
your time as club leader.
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Presentation by Rotarian Grant Schuyler at meeting 3350.
Subject: The Rotary Club of the Barossa Valley
Foundation Inc.
Grant began by saying "Over the years the trustees have spoken about the Foundation and the reason for its existence. It's important to inform new members, friends, and also remind current members about this fund. The main criteria for the Foundation is "for the advancement, betterment and preferment of the people and the community of the Barossa Valley". Our Foundation was established in 1997 by a vote of the club. The current Foundation representatives from the Board this year are the President - Steve, then myself, John Semmler, Rick Kessner, Sandy Simons, Prue Maitland, Mark Graetz and Frank Ware. As Trustees we are required to promote and build the Foundation - and protect the capital. Our Foundation is our clubs Superannuation. Without the Foundation our club would not have been able to underwrite many successful and ongoing projects - like Operation Flinders and the annual Nuriootpa High School and Faith College Awards. The Funds held in the Foundation have grown steadily through the active support of our club, with donations from various functions. The Fund currently has a balance of $411,000. Our ongoing commitments are well and truly exceeding the income earned but with support from the club anything can be achieved. When the Fund was set up the interest rate was in the vicinity of 7% and we are now getting a return close to that figure. Over the years the fund has benefited from substantial bequests of past Rotarians. A large bequest was made by the redundant "Tanunda Orphan Home Inc." from which we received in excess of $155,000 but with the stipulation that only the interest could be used and the capital preserved. We also receive $2000 from the Great Revival Shop for our university scholarship program. The GRS also donated $4000 to another of our projects the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program. The Truro Op shops' donation of near $7000 represented 25% of their net profits. Over the last thirteen years the Rotary Club of the Barossa Valley Foundation has made scholarships available to students from the Barossa Valley/Eden Valley to assist them to undertake tertiary studies at a South Australian university. The scholarships are available to students who have demonstrated academic merit. Applicants need to demonstrate a degree of financial hardship. Payments are made over the first two-year period of their course. The scholarships provide $2,000 in the first year and $2,000 in the second year subject to satisfactory progress. The trustees are mindful of the dropout rate among country students and see this proposal as providing encouragement to continue study. As a Foundation we have provided this opportunity at each of our three SA Universities since 2011.
The Foundation has also made donations over a longer period to Faith Lutheran College and Nuriootpa High School of $1000 each for year-twelve awards. The trustees have recommended to the board to see both of the two major scholarship and school awards to continue for a further cycle. This equates to the Foundation and our club donating in the vicinity of $90,000 for the youth of the Barossa Valley.
VET (Vocational Education training) Awards. These awards are seen as complementing our University Awards Program in providing encouragement and assistance to students pursuing a vocational education. The trustees considered that the value of the VET awards should be brought in line with the High School Academic Awards. With this in mind the allocation was increased to $3000 up from the $1600 allocated in 2023. The Trustees are always searching for and would also like to come up with another Major Project of the scale of the Men's Shed, but ideas and the funds have not come together at this point.
The Bulletin Editor says, "There is much to read and absorb in Grant's presentation and if club members would like a copy, I am sure that can be arranged".
Advance notice of RYDA 2025.
Monday September 15 to Thursday September 18.
Cancel holidays and all appointments.
10 volunteers needed each day.
Cheers,
John Semmler
Secretary
Thank you Marie
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Meeting 3350. 2nd June 2025
Members 24
Friends 1
Guest 1
Total 26
Apologies 11
Birthdays for June
Anne Schilling June 8th
Rick Kessner " 11th
Ray Duance " 12th
Partners Birthdays
Beverley Thomas " 11th
Sharon Kessner " 24th
Date Joined Rotary
Geoffrey Schrapel 1/6/1989 36 years
Prue Maitland 1/6/1998 27 "
Bronwyn Lillecrapp 7/6/2001 24 "
Ray Fiebiger 7/6/2015 10 "
JUST A THOUGHT
Growing old is when you hear
the Snap, Crackle and Pop before
you even get down to breakfast.
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Mitre 10 Sausage Sizzles
Please let Brian Barnett know at a meeting if you are available for one of these dates:
Saturday, 14 June 2025
Saturday, 12 July 2025
Saturday, 26 July 2025 - for Grapevine Texas Study Exchange
Saturday, 23 August 2025
Sunday, 21 September 2025
Sunday, 26 October 2025
Saturday, 29 November 2025
December TBC
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Duty Roster
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Meeting 3351
Vine Inn
June 16th 2025
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Meeting 3352
Novotel
June 21st 2025
Changeover
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Invocation
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Rick Kessner
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Loyal Toast
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Bryce Lillecrapp
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Sergeant
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John Semmler
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4-Way Test
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Robert Brookes
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Chairperson
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Steve Ahrens
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Subject
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Tegan - Vintage Chef
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Changeover
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Bulletin
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Robert Brookes
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Robert Brookes
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Setting up
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Phil Graetz
and Peter Sich
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Phil Graetz and
Peter Sich
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Cashiers
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Mark Graetz
Sue Graetz
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Mark Graetz
Sue Graetz
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Clothing Bins
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5/6/25-19/6/25
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19/6/25-3/7/25
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19/6/25-Angaston
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M. Graetz
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J. Mitchell
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Nuriootpa
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J. Semmler
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P.Thomas
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Tanunda
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J. Dunn
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R. Kessner
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Website, Social Media: Keith Millington
Public Image / Marketing: Sandie Simons, Steve Ahrens
Grants (District Foundation and Other): Peter Thomas, Anne Schilling
PHF Recommendations: Peter Sich, John Little, Keith Adams, President (Steve Ahrens)
Friends of the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley: Sue Graetz
Police Checks and Child Protection Officer: Prue Maitland
Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA): Sue Graetz, Chair; Mark Graetz, Treasurer; John Semmler, Secretary; Brian Eckermann; Peter Thomas; Bill Simons; Sandie Simons
Clothing Bin Roster: Peter Thomas
Club History: Grant Schuyler
Great Revival Shop Rep: Bev Stephenson
Ring Pulls: Bryce Lillecrapp, Bill Simons, Peter Thomas
Shed and Trailers: Mark Graetz, Peter Sich, John Semmler, Mike Connors
Local Government Liaison: Bill Simons
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