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04

President’s Message

The best you can be

06

News Bulletin

What we’ve been up to

27

Internet versus Intranet

Rotary’s online strategy

33

This Rotary World

Rotary projects and initiatives

to feel good about

life & leisure.

42

Educating Gen Wi-Fi

Are our schools keeping up?

50

Healthy Habits

Olwen Anderson offers some

simple advice on foods to avoid if

you have arthritis

52

Book Club

Win a copy of The Cartographer by

Peter Twohig

traveller.

54

A dark and melky night …

The Austrian village of Melk doesn’t

quite live up to Tim Dawe’s dankly

dark expectations … but it spun a

good tale nonetheless

13

New Club Initiative

Rotarians & Friends @ Work

16

Hamiltons Unite

The story of Hamiltons across five

continents

23

Timor Tales

9000 mosquito nets for Timor Leste

46

Diary Dates

What’s happening near you?

48

Using your smarts

Rotary’s Graffiti Removal Day

unearths a community champion

58

Travel Bitz

An insider’s tour of Champagne with

Australia’s Champagne Dame

Messages from hQ

Sakuji Tanaka

President

Rotary International

Rotary is an international organisation and

when I travel for Rotary I usually speak in English. But

it has been a long time since my last English exam, and

when I am working in Evanston, I always have a Japanese

interpreter. It is important to understand every word of

the meetings and it is important as well that the staff

understand what I am saying.

It was a new experience for me to speak Japanese to a

group and then hear my words spoken in English. Even

now I find it interesting. I hear new ways of expressing

myself in English and I also have a small glimpse of what

it must be like not to speak Japanese.

But perhaps the most interesting moment came early

on in my year as President Elect, when I was in a meeting

with Rotary staff members. To be sure that we could

communicate well, I had with me a Japanese interpreter.

I spoke in Japanese and she interpreted what I said into

English. We had a pleasant and productive meeting.

After it was over, one member of the staff came up to

me and asked, “There is one word I heard you use many

times in Japanese. I would like to know what it means.

What is the word ichiban?” I told her that ichiban in

Japanese does not convey any philosophy or complicated

thought. It simply means to be the best.

But it made me think. Of all the words I had used in

The best you can be

Japanese, of all the words she had heard over and over,

this was the word she had heard the most. I did not realise

I had used it so often. But for me, that one word, ichiban,

is essential to how I feel about my job as a Rotarian, and

as President of RI.

For me, Rotary service means being ichiban. It means

doing your best, and being the best you can be. It means

working as hard as you can – not for yourself, but for

others. It means achieving as much as you can to make

other people’s lives better.

In the dictionary, ichiban means “best”. But in Rotary,

“best” means something different. It means bringing

Service Above Self into all of your thinking. It means

looking at your own effort, not in terms of what it costs

you, but in terms of what it can give. In this way we are

inspired to do so much more. It is our job to see to it that

our Rotary service is ichiban – so that we do the most we

can to build Peace Through Service.

Sakuji Tanaka

President, Rotary International •

Wilf Wilkinson

Chairman,

The Rotary Foundation

Every Rotarian has

a part to play

When I was RI president, I said Rotary is a love story

in which people come together in fellowship, and which

results in doing good in the world. I have witnessed over

and over again how communities and individuals benefit

because of Rotary activities. These activities, to a great

extent, result from exchanges about community needs

identified during club meetings.

The month of April is a perfect example of what Rotarians

and Rotary clubs can do to help make a better world.

This month we celebrate National Volunteer Week, the

International Day of Mine Awareness, World Health Day

and Earth Day, and each of these recognitions ties in with

one of our six areas of focus. This tells me that every Rotary

club member has a part to play as an effective volunteer

in these important observances. Furthermore, we owe it to

our community and the world to tell our story, to make the

world aware of our efforts. One way to achieve this is by

supporting your Rotary regional magazine, particularly in

April, which is also Magazine Month.

So how does all this relate to our Rotary Foundation?

Well, very few initiatives don’t require funding. Your

Foundation is often able to help, whether it’s with a District

grant or a much larger global grant. Your contributions to

the Foundation provide a potential source of funding that

can help a club’s members do good in the world.

My goal this year is to announce at the international

convention that it is estimated that every Rotarian gave

something in the 2012-13 year. Can I count on you? •

4 Issue 549. April 2013

Editorial

Mark Wallace

Just between us

Training seminars first taste

of the bigger Rotary picture

By the time this column is

complete, I will have attended

President Elect Training Seminars in

three states of Australia and in New

Zealand having addressed Presidents

Elect from around 14 Rotary Districts

in Zones 7B and 8.

Having participated twice as a

President Elect myself, I’ve seen what

I believe to be my fair share of these

events and that I’m starting to get the

hang of what such a seminar should be.

Presidents Elect tend to fall into

two categories, those in the role

under duress because nobody else

would volunteer and those who

look to grasp the opportunity to

make their clubs more vibrant, more

relevant in their communities, and

therefore more effective.

When all is said and done, President

“Death by Powerpoint

is no way for a Rotarian

leader to begin their

year in office.”

Elect training leaders have a difficult

job. No two clubs are the same, so it’s

almost impossible to come up with a

program that will be fully relevant to

all participants.

So if I do have a criticism of what

I’ve seen this year and over the

past 10 years or so, it’s that training

programs try to pack in too much. It’s

a big deal to ask a volunteer who is

reluctant to begin with to spend a day

away from home at the weekend, but

asking them to spend two days away

is really quite a demand. If that’s what

you have in mind, you better make

sure that every speaker is going to

pretty much knock their socks off

with a vibrant, interesting, relevant

and entertaining presentation.

District 9630 had participants

dancing for an hour in a presentation

from the leader of the YLead

organisation that was not only

relevant to the issue of leadership,

but simply transformed obviously

negative attitudes into a frenzy of

positive teamwork and responsibility.

I’ve not seen anything like it and will

never forget it.

Vibrant, interesting, relevant and

entertaining.

Powerpoint presentations should

be vetted by training leaders ahead

of time, so that dull, boring, long or

irrelevant efforts can be sent back for

strict editing. This is what happens at

Rotary’s international events such

as Assemblies and Conventions,

and there should be no qualms

about doing it at District level.

Time is precious to us all. Death by

Powerpoint is no way for a Rotarian

leader to begin their year in office.

Presenters need to understand

that they are there to perform.

Simply stating a series of facts that

already appear in print in the Club

Presidents Manual is no way to hold

an audience. Passion, humour and

Happy Birthday Rotary. District 9630

Presidents Elect celebrate with a cake

during their two-day President Elect

Training Seminar in February.

style are every bit as critical to a

successful presentation as content

that can be picked up in a manual or

online at any time.

Bonding is a key to success. For

so many Rotarians in their first

leadership role, President Elect

Training is their first exposure to

Rotary International’s big picture.

For the first time they are confronted

with a Rotary experience beyond

the confines of their own club’s field

of influence. They’re mixing with

people from all over their region, in

some cases, from all over their state

or even other countries. It’s just an

appetiser to the feast of what they

will find when they go to their first

Rotary International Convention.

Making friends from all over their

own country and all over the world is

such an important Rotary experience

and this first taste can lead to a

whole new life in Rotary.

But only if it is done well. •

www.rotarydownunder.org 5

News Bulletin

Golf ball drop to raise funds

It’s on again! The Rotary Club of

Dee Why Warringah’s Rotary Golf

Ball Drop. Held at the Collaroy

Convention Centre, Collaroy, NSW,

on Saturday, April 6, this fundraising

event is a family day full of mostly

free activities. The $10 entry ticket

will secure you a numbered golf ball,

which will be dropped alongside

3000 others from a helicopter on to

the golf course. The closest ball to

the pin wins!

First prize is a wildlife tour to Lake

Eyre and Cooper Basin valued at

$11,560, second prize is $1500 cash

and other holidays are up for grabs.

Join in a spot of rock climbing or

laser tag, jump on the giant swing

or flying fox, or simply grab a prawn

kebab and relax to the live music.

Tickets can be purchased online at

www.rotarydeewhywarringah.com.au

Is this a record?

The Rotary Club of Townsville, Qld, recently achieved a rare distinction in the world of Rotary,

when it celebrated the achievement of 50 years of service by six serving members. Special

awards were presented to George Roberts CBE, Max Short, Jack Gleeson AM, Ian Hastings, Keith

Brazier and Eric Hollamby at a Celebration Dinner held on September 29, 2012.

Club members were joined by Ewen Jones MP, Mayor of Townsville Jenny Hill, District

Governor Ian Lomas, DG Elect Tony Goddard, PDG Alan Church and PDG Peter Kaye to share in

this wonderful achievement by six of Townsville’s leading businessmen.

In praising the six members, Club President Ray Valdeter said, “Each of these men has been

a leader in their chosen field, they have all been extremely successful, yet they are all very

humble people. They have shared their success with their great generosity and service to

the community. Many of the underprivileged of our community have benefited from these

committed Rotarians.

“Over the years they have all been heavily involved in major club projects supporting

ventures such as Reef Wonderland, The Bush Children’s Health Scheme, The Rotary Children’s

Traffic Training Centre and Rotary House at James Cook University.

“These members have held many positions of leadership within the club and their businesses,

but they have also never been afraid to roll up their sleeves and do some of the hard work

required in community service.

“Current members can but look with pride at the achievements of these men and

acknowledge what a privilege it is to be part of the same club as these fine gentlemen. These

men have possessed great vision, innovation and entrepreneurial skills. They are all respected

role models to follow in family life, in business and in service to the community.”


News Bulletin

Art show a blazing success

Members of the Rotary Club of

Korumburra, Vic, are very happy

with the results of their annual

art show, conducted in early

February. Painters, both local and

from all parts of Australia, strongly

supported the exhibition with 340

paintings representing all mediums.

The club was privileged to have

John Bredl as their judge this year.

John is a self-taught artist who

grew up on the Murray River in

Renmark, SA, and now resides on

the Mornington Peninsula. John is

a highly acclaimed artist and has

been acknowledged with over 250

awards. He shares his expertise and

knowledge as a tutor and mentor

with many aspiring learners. John

commented on the high quality of

the exhibition and inspired everyone

to reach their true potential in

whatever their chosen field.

Of course, the art show would not

have been so successful had we not

had such wonderful support from

the many sponsors. There was a

total prize pool of nearly $6000.

First prize of $1500 was awarded

to Malcolm Webster for his

watercolour entitled St Peters.

Second prize of $1200 was

awarded to Peter Lawson for his oil

painting entitled Under Cloud.

Both of these paintings were

acquired by the club for exhibition

in local businesses. For the first time

there was a section of paintings by

artists from the Headway Gippsland

Group, based out of Wonthaggi.

The Rotary Club of Korumburra

would like to thank all of the

sponsors, painters, caterers and

volunteers who helped make the art

show such a success. Profits from

the exhibition will be distributed to

many worthy causes, with the club

initially deciding to donate $2000

to Blaze Aid to assist people in rural

areas to rebuild their fences after

the recent devastating bushfires.

The club also sent a team of

volunteers to Blaze Aid in Maffra

in March.

Growing need for student help

On Thursday, February 7, the Batemans Bay Youth

Foundation, NSW, held its 19th annual Grants

Presentation Dinner at the Soldiers Club, attended by

120 guests. Grants were given to 11 deserving students

(pictured), musical presentations were given by young

musicians, and a guest speaker, a 2012 Grantee, talked

about her first year at university.

The foundation is a Rotary Club of Batemans Bay

project started in 1994. To date, 131 students have

received grants totalling $350,000. Of that total dollar

amount, 62 per cent has been granted over the last

eight years, indicating the growing need of students

to find financial help for tertiary education. The

geographic scope of the foundation is the northern part of the Eurobodalla Shire.

Students are selected based on three criteria – academic performance at school, perceived compatibility with

tertiary education and family financial circumstances. The foundation is a registered educational charity.

The Rotary club invited two partners into the foundation, the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club and the RSL Sub-Branch,

but the Rotary club maintains control through the organisation of the Management Committee. Funding for the

foundation comes from four sources – the partners, three large universities, community businesses and individuals.

Interested people can view the website at www.bbyf.org.au

your website woes are over ...

see page 11


News Bulletin

Zoning Out!

Cheers for Emergency Services: On

February 19 the combined Rotary clubs

of Redcliffe, Qld, hosted an Emergency

Services Appreciation Dinner. One

hundred and forty-eight Rotarians,

partners and emergency services

personnel attended the function. Each

service group was presented with a

certificate of appreciation and a sixburner

barbecue and accessories,

prominently displaying RI logos.

SA Peace Forum: On February 23,

340 people met at Adelaide Oval to

celebrate Peace in all its forms. One

of the highlights of the afternoon was

the procession of young people who

carried Candles for Peace and strings of

Peace Cranes while dressed in traditional

Japanese dress.

NSW Peace Forum: Rotarians from

Batemans Bay, Narooma and Moruya,

NSW, held their own Peace Forum in

Moruya on February 20. MC David

Ashford spoke of the three Rotary

International Peace Forums being

organised by RI President Sakuji Tanaka

and how each focused on a different

meaning of peace.

Calling all trivia buffs

The success of last year’s Port Macquarie Rotary trivia night has promoted

the decision to use the much bigger Port Panthers’ auditorium for this

year’s event. Funds from the night, organised by a committee from the

Rotary Club of Port Macquarie, NSW, will go toward Australian Rotary

Health’s research into motor neurone disease.

Last year’s trivia night was a huge success, with several thousand

dollars raised for mental health research.

The Rotary Club of Port Macquarie had been closely involved with

motor neurone disease since $60,000 had been raised in Laurie Barber’s

year as District Governor. Australian Rotary Health doubled this amount

to provide a total $120,000.

The trivia night will be held on Saturday, April 6. For tickets or

more information contact Sheila Openshaw on 0408 235 870 or email

mentalhealthsupport@hotmail.com

50 Years of Service


Kippa-Ring, Qld, would like to

congratulate Reverend Allan Male

AM, MBE, on 50 years of service to

Rotary and wish him and his wife

Kath all the best for the future.

As President of the Rotary Club of

Brisbane North, Qld, Allan chartered

the Rotary Club of Brisbane

Planetarium as the first breakfast

club in the District and also set in

motion the chartering of the Rotary

Club of Honiara. During his time as

District Governor in 1985-86, Allan

presented the charter to the Interact

Club of Grace Lutheran College,

sponsored by the Rotary Club of

Kippa-Ring, where his son was

Charter President.

Allan then joined the Rotary

Club of Kippa-Ring until he retired

in 2012. During his time with the

Kippa-Ring club he was presented

with another Paul Harris Fellow.

Participating Rotary Clubs:

Rotary Club of Alice Springs Inc.

Rotary Club of Alice Springs-Mbanuta Inc.

Rotary Club of Stuart Alice Springs Inc.

On Saturday 17 August local, national &

international spectators will flock to the

shores of the dry Todd River to watch the fun

& mayhem of the ong>Henleyong>-on-Todd Regatta.

ong>Henleyong>-On-Todd Regatta Sat 17 August, 2013

Come Sail with Us

Why not create a Rotary challenge

between the clubs in your District?

Rotarians can register online @

www.henleyontodd.com.au

Click on ‘REGISTRATION’

Come along and support Rotary helping Rotary.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR ROTARIANS

VIP private ringside area - $80

includes 5 hrs food & bev package

Spectator Hill - $15

includes competition fee

Everyone can enter any event.


Editor’s mailbox

Women worth more than their footwear

It was with great disappointment

and astonishment that we saw

the front cover illustration of the

March issue of RDU. While the

articles contained therein covering

International Women’s Day and

women in Rotary International were

well written and appropriate, the

front cover was anything but.

This is not a good illustration of

women in Rotary. I have been in

Rotary for nearly 20 years and this

illustration is indicative of what?

Is this gender typing women? In

particular, the use of the caption “a

woman’s worth” juxtaposed with

six inch pink stilettoes implies our

gender’s worth is connected to our

choice of shoes.

“A woman’s worth” is measured

by her life choices – by her career,

by her involvement in community,

by her family. This measurement is

identical to “a man’s worth”, is it not?

This magazine cover is

objectionable in many respects.

Perhaps one potential use is to

illustrate gender discrimination

within the media for my sons’ high

school English curriculum.

In a straw poll of my work place

one comment was “creative and

sexually suggestive, perhaps more

suited to FHM”. Others thought

Cosmopolitan-style fashion

magazine.

As a charter member of the Rotary

Club of Sumner Park, Qld, I have

met many wonderful women within

Rotary – club members, District

Governors, Paul Harris Fellows, wives

and partners of Rotarians, youth

exchange committee members,

many youth exchange students and

Group Study Exchange candidates,

Peace Scholars and Ambassadorial

Scholars. Their worth is always

measured in what they do for their

families, their communities and their

workplaces.

Their worth is unquestionable. In

our Australian society women are

seen as equal and our worth is not

measured by our footwear or by the

ability to wear stilettoes.

Michelle McDowall

Rotary Club of Sumner Park, Qld

Best I’ve read

I want to congratulate you on the

best issue I have read since I joined

Rotary four years ago.

Clearly this must help us

women understand that we are

represented in many senior roles

in many clubs across New Zealand

and Australia. We have moved

forward and although we are not

50/50 in most clubs it is also about

the contribution we make to our

community that really matters.

I am aware of clubs where some

members attend dinner each week,

but do not participate any further. I

am honoured to be President of an

innovative club with 47 very active

members, both men and women, all

making a contribution to make our

world a better place.

Esther C Murray

Rotary Club of Doncaster, Vic

Look from outside the wheel

Having already penned my letter concerning Rotary’s approach of information

reaching the general public, I was interested to read Theo Glockmann’s article

in the February issue of RDU.

Hats off to Rotary for one of the best services it performs in creating

crossroad opportunities for our next generation of leaders.

Had 140 Scouts hit town on a similar excursion to our Youth Science

Forums, the wider community would have been informed through the media.

Rotary does a good job of informing its members, however, that’s is not

the marketplace when considering new membership, which is the lifeblood

and future survival of our organisation. It is obvious we require a grass roots

publicity person with current media contacts and experience, working at

District level. The events and programs initiated by local clubs, Districts and

Rotary International should be for a wider audience than just members.

The public’s knowledge of Rotarians and how they contribute towards

humanity is poorly communicated. Very few of the public know the truth. A

Rotary Park, a dedicated seat at some vantage point, even the local suburban

or country town insignia gives no insight as to this organisation that has the

power to move mountains when the need arises.

It is time to look at ourselves from outside the wheel for selective change. That

is, assistance towards attracting people who want to be part of what we do.

Malcolm Taylor

Rotary Club of Applecross, WA

a web editor who’s always there

see page 11


Editor’s mailbox

A shoe says it well

I am the organiser of the Women In Rotary’s Women’s International Day

Breakfast held in Melbourne on March 8, 2013.

The event Is It in the Genes was a huge success with over 1000 men and

women all listening attentively to our panel (see www.rotarywomen.org.au).

An event like this needs a big build-up, which we achieved by social

media and print media. I would like to thank you so much for dedicating

RDU in March to the issue of Women in Rotary. With only 17 per cent of all

members being women, we need to address this issue now. The stats reflect

that women are increasing in volunteerism and men declining, so why not

attract an eager market?

The front cover was similar to a cover the Bulletin ran a while ago. They,

like RDU, felt the importance to reflect the strength of women, and a shoe

does it just so well!

Congratulations on your March edition.

Kerry Kornhauser

Founder, Women In Rotary

Rotary Club of Albert Park, Vic

(Ed: See page 12 for report on Inspirational Women’s Awards in Sydney)

Winning attitude

winning over youth

I would like to thank Rotary Down

Under for supporting the “A for

Attitude” Books Project, which

launched in 2010.

At the time, your magazine

published an article that highlighted

this initiative to bring greater

awareness of the power of attitude

to all Year 3 students.

We are most grateful to all Rotary

clubs who have joined in, and I

would like to make special mention

of the excellent collaboration

demonstrated by three clubs in

Armidale, NSW. In September 2011

Armidale North, Armidale and

Armidale Central Rotarians worked

together and generously provided

A for Attitude books to all Year 3

children in the entire District.

Armidale North Rotarians kindly

hosted during our promotion of

the project. It was a great campaign

with lots of positive support from

local schools and media.

This project offers a win/win

for all. Surely entire communities

benefit when young people are

provided with proven, effective tools

and techniques that can help them

work toward reaching their

full potential.

Clubs who invest in this campaign

can promote their great work by

including a permanent message in

each book. The Rotary club name

and mission statement then stays

with that book and reflects upon

the generosity of the organisation

for the life of the book – and we

happen to know that many children

who have received a personal copy

of A for Attitude over the past 14

years have kept it close and refer

to it often. Sometimes their parents

even read it!

Thanks again RDU for your

support of this project. Any clubs

wishing to join in can find more

about our “2020 vision” at www.

aforattitude.com.au/our-2020-vision.

Julie Davey

Author, Speaker

A for Attitude Productions

Surely we’ve

come further

than that?

Women have been members

of Rotary since 1989. That’s for

34 years. And you still think

it’s appropriate to celebrate

International Women’s Day with a

pink stiletto on the cover of Rotary

Down Under? Really? That’s how far

Rotary has come?

Lesley Hewitt

Rotary Club of Daylesford, Vic

Well worth

the read

Congratulations, Mark, not only on

your excellent editorial on page

five (March RDU, issue 548), but

also for the many comments by

other Rotary women on various

pages. It’s hard to believe that

there are still clubs, even in

Australia (one in my own District

9800), that are strictly male.

I had the good fortune when I

was DG in 1992/93 that the first

female members in Australia had

been recently inducted, including

two in D9800.

Issue 548 was, as usual, well

worth reading.

Gordon McKern OAM

Past Governor D9800

Correction

Wendy Gaborit is Governor Elect

of District 9520, not Governor, as

stated in the March edition of

Rotary Down Under.


Editor’s mailbox

Yes, it’s going to cost us

Guest editorialist! On reading this in the February issue of Rotary Down

Under I thought, “Wow, if Mark Wallace is giving away his editorial, this must

be good”.

As someone with some experience on District PR committees I read on

with interest.

There was no surprise in Mal Emery’s forthright message: Rotarians

are hesitant to sell their success and organisationally Rotary’s marketing

is amateurish … in his words it “sucks” (note that marketing differs from

selling). But this gloomy theme went on and on.

After two and half columns (out of three) finally my interest was piqued

with: “And here’s the sticking point: it’s going to cost money”.

Yes, and as Mark Huddleston implies, it’s going to require collaboration,

organisation and professionalism.

Please don’t take away the editorialist’s final message of finding a friend,

or getting a busy Rotarian to provide a freebee. If Rotary is to grow in

influence, not just replacing members, to do more good in the world, it

needs to pay successful professionals for an effective marketing campaign –

and that is going to cost us. It’s important; it’s necessary.

Tim Dawe

Rotary Club of West Perth, WA

Cheap and

offensive

I find the photo of a woman’s red

high heel shoe on the front page

(March RDU, issue 548) cheap and

offensive. It is out of character

with the role women play in our

organisation and is, indeed, at odds

with the articles inside the edition.

The red high heel shoe belittles

women’s contribution to our

movement. I suggest it also

expresses a certain amount of

male chauvinism in that their

achievement can be summed up by

a high heel shoe.

I have been a member of Rotary

for almost 50 years and I have seen

the role that our lady Rotarians

have played in Rotary since the

membership base was broadened

to include them.

Neil Dickins, OAM

Rotary Club of Mount Gambier, SA


Women in Rotary

An evening of inspiration

Winner of the Rotary Inspirational Women’s Award 2013 Rebecca

Ordish (inset), was unable to attend the award’s ceremony last

month, however, her father Richard Steele (centre) accepted the

award on her behalf from District 9750 Governor Bill Salter and

Olympic Medallist Kerri Pottharst.

Thelowdown>>>

• NSW-ACT award won by Rebecca Ordish for

work with disadvantaged children in Nepal

• Awards a combined effort by Rotary clubs and

Districts throughout NSW and the ACT

• More than 1000 people attend Women in Rotary

Breakfast in Melbourne

• Planning already underway for 2014 events

Congratulations to Rebecca Ordish, winner

of the Rotary Inspirational Women’s Award 2013, hosted

by the Rotary Districts of NSW and ACT. Due to Rebecca’s

current commitments in Nepal, she was unable to attend

the award’s ceremony. Her father Richard Steele graciously

accepted the award on Rebecca’s behalf. Rebecca was

nominated by the Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak, NSW.

Rebecca and Adam Ordish founded the Mitrataa

Foundation to provide education and practical skills to

disadvantaged children in Nepal. To date it funds 150

scholarships for Nepali girls to attend school, provides

four skills training centres in Kathmandu; literacy,

numeracy and business mentoring programs for women

and a model school that trains new teachers. Mitrataa

now manages the Balmandir Naxal Children’s Home that

cares for 250 children aged from a few weeks to 18 years.

Visit www.facebook.com/rotarydownunder for photos

of the evening •


Club projects

ROTARIANS & FRIENDS @ WORK

Showcasing Rotary across the country

In one of the biggest collective Rotary initiatives in

Australia and an Australia-first campaign, Rotary & Friends

@ Work celebrates Rotary’s support and commitment to

local communities.

Teaming up with Bunnings Warehouse stores across

Australia and with the support of Dulux, Selleys and

Yates, this initiative will see Rotary clubs from all states

and territories take part in a campaign to reinvigorate a

local garden or building in their community.

It’s all about doing something positive for communities

across Australia, with Rotary clubs invited to partner

up with their local Bunnings Warehouse and together

nominate a painting or gardening project to work on to

help the community.

Whether it’s beautifying a school or a public housing

estate with a garden project, or brightening up the

community by helping repaint a community hall or a

welfare organisation’s facilities, virtually every Rotary

club can take up this great opportunity to do something

positive for their community. >


Club projects

< All projects will be delivered from April 1-21 and

during that time a public relations campaign will be

undertaken to showcase the great work undertaken by

Rotary clubs across Australia. At the end of the campaign,

all Rotary clubs will be encouraged to send in their stories

and pictures of the projects so we can showcase our work

throughout the year and highlight the difference that

Rotary can make to Australian communities.

Each Bunnings store will partner with one Rotary club

who will take the lead in coordinating additional Rotary

clubs in the local area who would like to join in to work

as a cluster on a project. Rotary clubs without a nearby

Bunnings Warehouse store can nominate an alternate

community project to work on as part of Rotarians &

Friends @ Work.

Numerous clubs across the country have signed up

and nominated a variety of projects from establishing or

tidying up community gardens to painting buildings for

local schools, hospitals, welfare organisations and housing

projects. Clubs will have registered by mid-March, but if

your club missed out this year, stay tuned for next year’s

opening registrations in January 2014.

We will bring you stories of what clubs have done in an

edition of RDU soon, or you can go to the website to see

the range of projects undertaken.

This unique initiative was brought to Australia by District

Governor Dennis Shore D9800, who saw this operating in

Districts in America.

For more information on this exciting campaign visit

www.rotariansandfriendsatwork.org.au •

Thelowdown>>>

• One of the biggest collective initiatives by

Australian Rotarians

• Rotary clubs across Australia teaming up with

Bunnings Warehouse stores, supported by Dulux,

Selleys and Yates

• All projects to be delivered between April 1 and 21

• DG Dennis Shore of Victoria devised the scheme

based on a similar American project


Xxxxxx

ShelterBox International

appoints a new Chief Executive

ShelterBox

with Bob Furner

Chairman ShelterBox Australia

Need never ceases

… there and here!

The Board of ShelterBox

International has announced

that Alison Wallace will take over

as its new Chief Executive from

April 15, 2013. Alison is a New

Zealander, a law and commerce

graduate, and joins ShelterBox from

Amnesty International.

Alison has over 15 years’ experience

in the UK and international notfor-profit

sectors, most recently

working for seven years as Director

of International Fundraising at the

International Secretariat of Amnesty

International. She has particular

expertise in fundraising growth

strategies, having delivered Amnesty

International’s first Global Fundraising

Strategy in 2010 and recently

re-launched an ambitious global

major donor fundraising program.

In addition to her extensive

marketing and fundraising experience,

Alison has worked on substantial

organisational change projects at both

Amnesty International and Friends of

the Earth and been a long serving

member of the Board of Trustees of

the Camden Society.

“I am delighted to be given this

opportunity to lead ShelterBox

and its dedicated team of staff and

volunteers on the next stage of its

growth, and to bring shelter, warmth

and dignity to more people more

quickly in times of crisis,” Alison

said. “I firmly believe that shelter,

and the dignity it brings after a

major disaster, is key to families and

communities re-building their lives

as soon as possible. I am also looking

forward to working with ShelterBox’s

international affiliates to spread the

ShelterBox message and increase our

capacity to reach more people.”

Chairman of ShelterBox, Dr Rob

John OBE said, “The Board of Trustees

of ShelterBox were looking for an

outstanding leader who possessed

a track record in fundraising and

strategy development relevant

to our very special charity. I am

delighted that Alison has accepted

our invitation to take ShelterBox

forward as our Chief Executive. She is

an excellent communicator and team

player and we welcome her most

warmly into our ShelterBox family.” •

As a Rotary International Project

Partner we want to keep you informed

about our response to conflict and

disasters occurring around the world.

Much of our current focus is on

sheltering Syrian refugees. Uprooted

by violence and fear, a staggering

humanitarian crisis has unfolded as

over 600,000 Syrian families (OCHA,

2013) have fled their country, streaming

into Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.

Compounding the problem, heavy

snow and freezing temperatures

have brought families to the brink,

struggling to survive the coldest winter

in over 20 years. We continue our

efforts to provide winterised shelter,

gloves, hats, blankets, stoves, lights,

etc. – bringing shelter, warmth, and

dignity to the countless families living

on the edge, day after day.

ShelterBox collaborates with other

aid agencies and with them is working

in Myanmar (conflict), Solomons

(earthquake) and the Philippines

(flooding).

Disasters also happen at home. Our

response team members have been

active after Tasmanian fires (Greg

Moran DGN, Scott and Lynn Jarman)

and Bundaberg floods (Andrew Gauci

and Mike Greenslade).

I received news this morning that

response team members are being

deployed; Peter Pearce and Anthony

Keating to Madagascar (floods)

and Mike Greenslade to Lebanon

(Syrian refugees).

John Lawrence, immediate past

Chairman of ShelterBox Australia said,

“Need never ceases”. It is my hope that

every Australian Rotary club appoints

an Ambassador for ShelterBox, makes

us a friend on Facebook, visits our

website, runs a dedicated fundraising

event for SBA or just remembers us

when it’s time to allocate surplus funds.

The need to give shelter, warmth and

dignity to the dispossessed is always

there (or here!).


Hamilton, NZ: Photo courtesy

Xxxxxx of Hamilton City Council

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada:

Photo by Ron Scheffler

Heart Reef, near Hamilton Island, Qld:

Photo courtesy of Hamilton Island Enterprises

Cincinnati, Capital of Hamilton

County, Ohio, US: Photo by D. Jensen

HAMILTONS OF THE WORLD

THE STORY OF HAMILTONS ACROSS FIVE CONTINENTS

The Rotary Club of Hamilton East, NZ, were

looking for a major fundraiser and felt there had to be a

way of utilising the other Hamilton Rotary clubs around the

world, especially as Hamilton, NZ, is about to celebrate the

150th anniversary of its formation and current name.

When Assistant Governor Tim Brooker, who headed up

the Hamiltons of the World book project, first emailed 17

clubs in 10 Hamiltons, little did he know where the journey

would take him.

Ultimately he located 129 Hamiltons on five continents

and while some are simply listed at the end of each section

of the book, he has managed, with the help of Rotary

clubs around the world, to include around 80 Hamiltons

in the main text.

In our region there are two Hamiltons in NZ (not just the

city in the North Island, but also a small abandoned mining

settlement in Central Otago), while in Australia there is one

in every state as well as Hamilton Island.

Thelowdown>>>

• Club exploits town’s anniversary for good cause

• Book on the world’s Hamiltons lists why those

places are named Hamilton

• 129 Hamiltons on five continents have

responded and will be included

• Discover more at www.hamiltonsoftheworld.com or

contact Tim Brooker via jeanandtim@hotmail.com

From big cities such as Hamilton, Ontario, to small

communities such as Hamilton, Virginia, and from Hamilton,

the capital of Bermuda to the holiday idyll of Hamilton Island,

Queensland, the book includes some marvellous images.

The book details why each place is called Hamilton and

also tells the reader about the history and present nature

of each place. It also has short biographies of many of the

people called Hamilton after whom towns were named.

What a story Hamiltons of the World turned out to be! The

story has links with the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a Dutch

canal in Sri Lanka, the origins of the game of cricket, western

forts and ghost towns in the US, a mountain in Antarctica, a

group of Korean islands, the 1860 NZ wars, a Bishop in the

Czech Republic and many other interesting tales.

The book is a quality hard backed A4 production –

236 glossy, full-colour pages. It would make a great

gift for individuals or a corporate gift for Councils and

companies in any of the Hamiltons around the world. It

would be ideal for hotels and reception areas for lawyers,

accountants, etc., and would also be a marvellous gift for

anybody called Hamilton!

Rotary clubs in various Hamiltons are acting as our agents

in Australia, USA, Canada and UK, and they can forward

copies. This means that profits are being made by a number

of clubs around the world.

Costs are NZ$45, AU$35, US$35, CA$35 or £22.50 plus

postage for individual copies.

Clubs wishing to purchase 10 or more pay a post-free

charge of NZ$40, AU$28, US$28, CA$28 or £18.

All proceeds from this project will go to Rotary charities. •


Disaster relief

Emergency Response

Kits help thousands in

cyclone-ravaged Samoa

By Phaedra Moors

Rotary Club of Apia, Samoa

Following Cyclone Evan,

which struck Samoa on December

13, Rotary Emergency Response Kits

(ERKs) arrived for the Rotary Club of

Apia from Rotary in New Zealand as

soon as flights were allowed back

into Faleolo Airport. Over 200 ERKs

were distributed to the devastated

areas of Upolu, affected by the worst

flooding ever recorded in Samoa’s

history. The first shipment of 100

ERKs was delivered on December

22, by volunteers to Ma’agao, Lelata,

Fa’atoia through to Aai o Niue,

Levili and Mo’ataa, where 14 lives

were taken and over 100 homes

destroyed. The second shipment of

another 100 ERKs was delivered to

the southern rural region of Upolu

to Siumu, Maninoa, Mulivai and all

along the coast.

Each ERK contained supplies for 10

people and contained a first aid kit,

Samoa rebuilds with the help of

Rotary Emergency Response Kits sent

from New Zealand following Cyclone

Evan in December.

machete, gumboots, large tarpaulin

and rope, set of 10 cups, plates and

cutlery, pots and pans, a birthing kit

with disinfectant, scissors, gloves,

stitching needles and bandages,

waterproof matches and candles,

flash light and batteries, clothing,

soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste,

Panadol, buckets and water purifier

tablets. The empty box stores about

a gallon of water.

Almost 2000 people benefited

from the 200 ERKs.

“Samoans are unbreakable,”

reported one Rotarian. “Not a single

person was wallowing in self-pity or

waiting for help. They just got on

with cleaning up and clearing trees

to rebuild.”

The Rotary Club of Apia has come

a long way in terms of experience

and skill in dealing with disasters.

The 2009 tsunami saw it mobilising

hundreds of ShelterBoxes to the

southern coast only two days after it

hit. At that time, Rotary immediately

instigated its medical outreach

program, Rotary 5000, in partnership

with the Oceania University of

Medicine to provide medical care to

victims.

“When our country is in need,

we’ll be there to help wherever and

however we can,” said Apia President

Toleafoa Douglas Creevey. “This is

what Rotary is about – our members

are loyal and motivated because we

provide them the opportunity to

help and give back. There are only

a few of us and we have a workload

of 100 people, but we strive to get

things done despite our limitations.”

Dozens of clubs in New Zealand,

Australia, American Samoa and Fiji

sent Samoa aid and assistance. •

International

Development

and Disaster

Response

Join New Zealand Rotarians

support communities in developing

countries to build capacity thorough

sustainable economic and social

development activities.

Provide following a disaster in the

Pacific prepositioned Emergency

Response Kits.

Your donation

to Rotary New Zealand World

Community Service projects will

greatly assist our work, and is

tax-deductible in NZ.

See our website

www.rnzwcs.org

for alternative options.


Rotary Projects

State to state

Tasmania helps Queensland

get back on its feet

YOUR

GREATEST

gift

A BEQUEST TO

AUSTRALIAN

ROTARY HEALTH

If you would like to make a

significant contribution to the health

and well-being of future Australians

(very possibly including your own

family and loved ones), consider a

bequest to Australian Rotary Health.

Your legal advisor can assist you

in the making of a bequest.

To obtain a free Australian Rotary

Health Bequest Kit, please phone

Terry Davies on (02) 8837 1900 or email:

terrydavies@australianrotaryhealth.org.au

Rotarian Legal Advisors

Can you assist us in the making

of a will? If so please phone

Terry Davies on (02) 8837 1900

In the devastating floods that

inundated Queensland in 2011, no

town suffered more than Murphys

Creek in the Lockyer Valley with a wall

of water sweeping away people and

many homes, buildings and roads and

bridges. The horrific scenes of houses

being washed away by raging waters

are not easily forgotten.

Rotary Tasmania launched a

Queensland Flood Appeal which

received $900,000 in donations from

Tasmanian businesses, organisations

and people. It included a contribution

from the Tasmanian Government of

$165,000.

Tasmanian Past District Governor

Ted Richey commenced discussions

with Rotary in Queensland on how

to distribute the funds. The idea

of building a community centre in

Murphys Creek germinated and

the Lockyer Valley Regional Council

became a strong supporter of the

proposal. Rather than allocate funds

across a series of deserving projects,

funds in Rotary Tasmania’s Queensland

Flood Appeal were committed entirely

to meet the construction costs of the

community centre.

The Lockyer Valley Regional

Council identified a suitable site in

Murphys Creek, donated the land and

managed the planning approvals,

design and tendering of the centre.

The Rotary Club of Toowoomba

East was co-opted to oversee the

project on behalf of Rotary. The club

was able to call on a number of its

members with experience in the

building industry.

The building contract was let

to Ivan Johnston Constructions of

Toowoomba and a Sod Turning

Ceremony in August 2012 marked

the start of construction. The Lockyer

Valley Regional Council further

demonstrated its commitment to the

project by providing landscaping and

parking facilities around the centre.

The centre was opened on February

9 by PDG Ted Richey, the Mayor of the

Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Steve

Jones AM and Bob Mann, President of

Murphys Creek Community Centre. It

had been two years and one month

since the tragedy.

In his address at the opening

ceremony, Steve Jones voiced his

opinion that partnerships like the one

between Rotary, local government

and the local community were going

to be more important in dealing

with disasters in the future. He

noted that building the community

centre involved no Queensland State

Government or Commonwealth

Government financial support.

Building of Murphys Creek

Community Centre is believed to

have set a precedent in Rotary in

Australia with one Rotary District

completely funding a major project

in another District, 2000 kilometres

away. In recognition of the generosity

of Tasmanians, Murphys Creek

residents have been collecting for the

Tasmanian Rotary Bushfire Appeal. •

PDG Ted Richey from Tasmania, being

interviewed by ABC TV from Brisbane


Magazine month

Leader

of the

pack

April is Rotary

International’s

Magazine Month,

during which we ask

Rotarians and Rotary

clubs to do whatever

they can to recognise

and promote Rotary

regional magazines

– especially this one!

We’re part of a network of 32 Rotary magazines

from around the world, printed in 24 languages and this

month, we’re 48 years old.

That makes us the oldest officially approved regional

magazine in the Rotary world. But when it comes to

embracing the 21 st century and all its technological

challenges, Rotary Down Under is a world leader.

At more than 2500, Rotary Down Under leads the Rotary

World Magazine Press in digital subscriptions. We reach

more than 28,000 Rotarians with our e-newsletter every

month and we have website technology that leads the

world, making our own website (www.rotarydownunder.

org) and those that we host reader friendly regardless of

device – desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile!

Over the past 12 months Rotary Down Under has taken

bold steps to face the challenges of the digital age and

we now publish more information online than we do in

print, even though our printed magazine is still chock-full

of news, views and information of Rotary activities around

the corner and around the world.

Rotary Down Under has three key commitments around

the migration to digital publishing:

• We will continue to publish a hard-copy edition for as

long as it is required by Rotarians.

• We will cut the subscription price for all subscribers

when we reach a critical mass of 15,000 digital

subscribers.

• Clubs whose members all agree to convert to digital

subscriptions will receive 10 free copies of the printed

magazine each month for public relations purposes,

such as gifts to guest speakers, or to drop off in waiting

rooms at doctors’ surgeries, hospitals, libraries etc.

In August we employed Ellissa Nolan in the role of

Digital Production and Marketing Manager. She has

brought a level of expertise in this field that we could

only dream of prior to her commencement and her work

in re-launching the Rotary Down Under website and

preparing our Rotary Down Under web-hosting service is

testament to her hard work and ability.

In February of 2012, the role of the Rotary Regional

Magazines was recognised by the Rotary International

Communications Committee, when it asked us to work

hard with Rotarians the world over to help Rotarians,

Rotary clubs and Rotary Districts to cope with the

challenges of effective online communication.

One of the fundamental messages delivered was the

importance of uniform Rotary branding in our online

endeavours, as well as the fundamental differentiation

between what belongs on a home-page or social media

post, and what belongs behind the firewall for members’

eyes only.


Magazine month

In fulfilling that commitment, Rotary Down Under

representatives have addressed Rotarians at President

Elect Training Seminars in Brisbane, Sydney, Armidale,

Ballarat and Auckland as well as a multi-District Marketing

and Communications seminar in Perth, where delegates

from clubs in 16 Australian and New Zealand Districts were

represented. We have also addressed District Governors,

Governors Elect and Governors Nominee from all Districts

in Zones 7B and 8 at their annual Rotary Institutes in

Invercargill in October and Adelaide in November on

these critical issues.

Over the next few months, Rotary Down Under is

rolling out its new web-hosting service, which will meet

all requirements of uniform Rotary branding, as well as

helping clubs to meet their community’s needs with a

modern, relevant and effective online profile.

The time has come to stop talking about our future in

the digital age. That future is already here and it’s a fact of

life. Those who do not recognise that fact risk becoming

irrelevant sooner rather than later.

As ever, Rotary Down Under is here to help.

Subscription compulsory

Subscription to an official Rotary regional magazine is

mandatory. This is not a rule legislated by Rotary Down

Under -- it is a condition agreed by all Rotarians when they

accept membership. Rotary Down Under is completely

self-funded. We rely on your subscriptions and advertising

and receive no major funding from Rotary International.

Indeed, we, like all the other regional Rotary magazines,

pay substantial licensing fees to Rotary International.

Other on-line resources

Apart from the digital edition of Rotary Down Under,

Rotarians can use our website to organise District

Conferences and other events, book and pay for tickets

to those events, promote their business through Rotary

Business Networks, buy photographs taken by Rotary

Down Under photographers, find guest speakers, get

direct access to Rotary International’s image download

library, as well as access information on all matters Rotary,

from The Rotary Foundation to searching for your nearest

Rotary club, wherever you may be in Australia, New

Zealand or the South-West Pacific region. •

How to get

published

By Colin Robinson

Rotary Club of St Johns, NZ

Rotary Down Under New Zealand Office

Every Rotary club project is a chance to gain new

members and support for the success of all your

club activities.

By telling the story of your club and its service

successes, you are, in effect, pre-selling your

future projects by showing you are active in your

community with well-run, successful projects.

Every time you write a good article with a

quality photo it can be widely used in your club

bulletin, District newsletter, Rotary Down Under

magazine, your local newspaper, sponsor and

beneficiary newsletters, on your club’s website,

community noticeboards, in club promotional

material and blogs.

It is quality of words written, not the quantity.

The specification for articles to Rotary Down

Under is similar to most print media:

• No more than 300 words. Attach the text and

picture files separately to the same email – do

not embed a photo in an MS Word document!

• Give us your two best pictures only. If we want

more, we’ll ask for them.

• Pictures must be at least 300 pixels per inch

and in jpeg format. If you set your camera to

its finest quality setting, the file size should


Magazine month

look after itself. If in sending the image by

email, your server asks if you want to reduce

the file to make it easier to email, say NO!

• Include a caption for the photo in the email

and name all people featured

• Make sure you include a contact for further

information if required

• In Australia, send it to:

editorial@rotarydownunder.com.au

• In New Zealand and Pacific Islands, send to:

berylrobinson@rotarydownunder.co.nz

Some tips:

• Get compelling action photos – show the

sweat not the cheque presentation

• Do not be afraid to pose photos for best effect

• The first sentence should establish the topic

and set the tone – tell the most important

facts – who, what, where, when, why and how

• Include lots of quotes

• Everyone holds fundraisers and some

programs are quite run-of-the-mill so take care

to point out what makes the project unusual,

unique or innovative. Just because it is the first

time your clubs has done something good,

doesn’t mean it is unique among Australia’s

1143 clubs or New Zealand’s 266 clubs

• Consider how you would view the article as a

reader. Does it inspire you?

Rotary Down Under has a practical application

in all aspects of Rotary and can be easily used to

support club and District objectives, membership,

public image, member education and more.

It is a superb reference resource that on a dayto-day

basis will provide ideas and inspiration for

projects and events. Give copies to all who have

contact with your club as many know little about

Rotary – then ask them to join if you think they

would make good members.

Go to www.rotarydownunder.org or www.

rdu.rotarysouthpacific.org for lots more useful

information or phone and ask how we can help.

To read the magazine on-line go to www.

rotarydownunder.org and include that link in all

your promotional material.

Rotary Down Under Group Representatives

and District Chairs are available to talk to you

or your club at any time – and especially during

Magazine Month.

RDU Board of Directors

Group 1

Districts 9910 – 9920 – 9930 – 9940 – 9970 – 9980

PDG David Watt

12 Lemnos Avenue, Karori,

Wellington, 6012, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 476 2236 / +64 27 246 6339

Fax: +64 4 476 2237

Email: dwatt@xtra.co.nz

Group 2

Districts: 9780 – 9790 – 9800 – 9810 – 9820 – 9830

PDG Don Cox

5 Riverview Rd, Essendon, Vic 3040

Phone: +61 3 9337 4308/ 0407 094 220

Fax: + 61 3 9337 9061

Email: don@coxpartners.com.au

Group 3

Districts: 9670 – 9680 – 9690 – 9700 – 9710 – 9750

PDG Jennifer Scott

PO Box 279, Wentworth Falls NSW 2782

Phone: +61 2 4757 2974 / 0414 367 631

Fax: + 61 2 4757 1450

Email: jennifer@scottadr.com

Group 4

Districts: 9550 – 9570 – 9600 – 9630 – 9640 – 9650

PDG Des Lawson

731 Esplanade, Lota QLD 4179

Phone: +61 7 3348 6607 / 0418 991 337

Fax: +61 7 3893 0416

Email: deslawson@gmail.com

Group 5

Districts: 9500 - 9520

PDG Peter Sandercock

13 Allen Terrace, Glenelg East, SA 5045

Phone: + 61 8 8295 7734 / 0416 153 577

Email: ppsandy@bigpond.net.au

Group 6

Districts: 9455 - 9465

PDG John Kevan

9 Norton Ridge, Winthrop, WA 6150

Phone: + 61 8 9332 8808 / 0419 947 862

Fax: + 61 8 9332 8808

Email: john.kevan@naveko.com


Magazine month

Australia

Rotary Down Under

District Chairs 2012-13

District Name Club

9455 PDG Ian Murray Mount Lawley

9465 PDG John Kevan Applecross

9500 Graham Fussen Tea Tree Gully

9520 PDG Peter Sandercock Holdfast Bay

9550 Julie Nicholson Darwin Sunrise

9570 Monica Fraser Bundaberg City Daybreak

9600 Barry Clark Bribie Island

9630 John Odlum Jindalee

9640 Harold Busch Broadbeach

9650 Lorraine Coffey Armidale AM

9670 Pam Wellham Wallsend Maryland

9680 PP Mark Wallace Bowral Mittagong

9690 PDG Jennifer Scott Central Blue Mountains

9700 PDG John Egan Wollundry-Wagga Wagga

9710 PDG Bob Greeney Belconnen

9750 Steve Lovison Sydney

9780 Rhonda Whitton Highton Kardinia

9790 PP Ian Bushby Bundoora

9800 Chris James Boroondara

9810 Glenda Sherwin-Lane Waverley

9820 Marilyn Cunnington Sorrento

9830 PP Rod Oliver Launceston

District Name Club

9910 PP Felicity Anderson Takapuna

9920 PDG Leanne Jaggs Manakau City Sunrise

9930 PDG Fergus Cumming Rotorua

9940 PDG David Watt Karori

9970 PDG Rex Morris Nelson

9980 PDG Trish Boyle Invercargill North

New Zealand


Promotions Committee


Rotarians Against Malaria

Timor Tales

By Jess Main

Rotaract Club of Canberra, ACT

I’ve never been so hot as the day I was handing

out long-lasting insecticidal nets for Rotarians Against

Malaria (RAM) in Manatuto, Timor Leste. All my sweat and

exhaustion was forgotten, however, the moment I handed

an elderly lady her first net. She was so excited she kissed

me on both cheeks and repeatedly thanked me for it.

After a red eye flight from Canberra I walked into

breakfast with all the nuns at the Carmelite Sisters

Convent. The warmth and kindness provided by the nuns,

and especially waking in the mornings to their marvellous

singing, made every day in Timor extraordinary.

The first week we headed to Manatuto where we

delivered approximately 9000 nets to every man, woman

and child in five villages and six sub villages. During this

time we held two training sessions; one for all the chiefs

in the region and another for local volunteers. Each chief

had to select a number of volunteers who would assist

us with the local census. These volunteers were paid a

wage to assist us. They were provided with information

about malaria and how to undertake a census. One of the

amazing aspects of RAM was that it not only provided

malaria nets, it also provided 20 Manatuto locals with

training and work experience during the project.

In the second week our 20 volunteers went house-tohouse

to count everyone in the five villages and six sub

villages. We assisted on two occasions with this census.

During this week we also visited the fabulous Rotary

project in Baucau called East Timor Roofing and their Mini

Silos Project, which assists locals with storing grains from

one harvest to the next.

My third and final week in Timor was the hardest of all.

The six of us worked from dawn ’til dusk each day in the

heat. We were back at the health centre assisting with

calculating the number of nets for each family and writing

the pick-up slips (date, location and time). It was the first

time in years I can remember having writer’s cramp. We

had six Rotarians, seven Ministry of Health workers and

20 local volunteers all working in this extremely hot room

for two very long days. One of the volunteers left some

of his census papers back in this home village and had

to walk five hours to pick them up. He got a surprise the

next day when our youngest Rotarian picked him up in

the four wheel drive.

The day before the net distribution all the volunteers

went back to the local communities to hand out the

pick-up slips for the Malaria nets. Rotarians assisted

with driving volunteers from village to village. Two of us

accompanied the Ministry of Health staff to announce

Over 9000 insecticidal nets were handed out in Manatuto,

Timor Leste, recently by Rotarians Against Malaria volunteers.

over a loud speaker that tomorrow was distribution day.

We visited every corner of Manatuto. I was sitting in the

middle seat and jumped out at one point to take photos

of the children listening to the loud speaker message – I

was like a novelty and all the children were coming up to

chat to me.

Distribution day was a bit like Election Day. It started

at the health centre where we assisted with putting the

bundles of nets into the utes. The six Rotarians broke up

into three groups and went to the District centres. Before

the distribution started all the communities members

heard about how to use the malaria nets and why they

are so important. My co-worker and I handed out over

1000 nets! It was a very hot and emotional day, but the

response from community members receiving the nets

was overwhelming. They were so grateful that Aussies

had helped their small community.

The trip to Timor was a life changing experience for me

and the people receiving the malaria nets. •

Thelowdown>>>

• 9000 nets to every man, woman and child in five

villages and six sub-villages in Timor Leste

• 20 volunteers went house to house to get an

accurate count of the population

• For more information on Rotarians Against

Malaria visit www.ramaustralia.org or

www.facebook.com/ram.australia


Club projects

Picking up the pace for MS

The Rotary Club of Osborne Park, WA, has

created its own fund raising challenge by organising a

team event for runners, walkers or bike riders to compete

in their inaugural 75km endurance event set for early May.

Each team of three will be required to pay an entrance

fee and also to raise a minimum of $1000 for the Multiple

Sclerosis Society of WA (MSWA). The entrance fee will go

to the Rotary club to assist with the costs of the event.

Jenny Saibu, Events Coordinator with The Multiple

Sclerosis Society of WA said, “We are very pleased to be

partnering Rotary in this inaugural event. It is shaping as

a well organised and fun event for the teams. The funds

raised through the event will be put to good use by the

MS Society in providing its much needed services for

members and families.”

“It is now time to seek out teams to register in earnest,”

said Brian Hancock, challenge organiser. “It’s a great

opportunity for friends and colleagues to establish a

team. It’s a good opportunity for companies to support

participating staff members.”

The participants will start at Northam, follow the Kep

Track to Mt Helena and then the Railway Heritage Track for

the final stretch through the John Forrest National Park to

Participants prepare for The Rotary Club of Osborne Park’s

inaugural 75km endurance event to raise funds for the Multiple

Sclerosis Society of WA

Swan View. Teams of cyclists and runners may complete

the course in one day, while runners and walkers can elect

to camp overnight in Chidlow.

Visit rotaryteamchallenge.org.au to find out more

about the event and register your team. •

Investing in literacy pays

off big for everyone

Your literacy project

could win $2,500

Learn more at www.rotary.org/literacyaward


National Youth Science Forum

Vale to a champion

of National Youth

Science Forum

Science forum changing futures

By Shahana Moon

Rooty Hill, NSW

Never did I imagine the National

Youth Science Forum (NYSF) would

become such an enriching experience.

My science teachers strongly

recommended the NYSF early on last

year. I applied soon after, not knowing

what to expect. Selection for the

forum came in two stages. The first

was an interview with my local Rotary

club, the Rotary Club of Mount Druitt,

NSW. The District interview was the

second stage of the selection process.

With approximately 50 applicants,

only 25 were selected to represent

District 9690.

Fifty of us boarded the bus to

Canberra from Sydney on January

7, wide-eyed and full of anticipation.

Arriving in Canberra, we were

greeted by the rest of the NYSF at

Burgamann College at the Australian

National University.

A lot is to be learned from such an

extensive program. A broadening of

the mind is most definitely achieved

as I was exposed to such a variety

of scientific fields, research and

perspective. It was encouraging to

see real life applications of topics

and concepts taught at school and

allowed me to fully appreciate the

diversity and applicability of science

in our modern world.

The forum introduced 150

people from around Australia.

With a common interest in science,

friendships were inevitable. Many

found people sharing their common

interests where those at home

did not. Both staff and students

encouraged each other to pursue

distant goals with gusto. What each

of us gained was more than just a

friend, rather a lifelong companion

who has shared the most fondly

remembered experience of our

lives. I cannot recommend the NYSF

enough to anyone with even a slight

interest in science. •

Thelowdown>>>

• 150 students from around Australia participated

in annual science forum

• PDG Walter Buchanan honoured with Bruce and

Lois Sharp Award

• Students pay tribute with minute’s silence

• Forum’s continued success is Walter’s legacy

January may be Rotary

Awareness Month on the Rotary

calendar, but for the Rotary Club of

Ginninderra, ACT, January is National

Youth Science Forum (NYSF) month.

Two sessions of the NYSF take

place in Canberra every January, each

involving upwards of 150 students

from around Australia.

The Rotary Club of Ginninderra

continued its close involvement

with the Canberra sessions of NYSF

during January 2013, however, this

year was tinged with sadness for the

club, which honoured one of its Past

Presidents and Past District Governor

of District 9600, Walter Buchanan

and his wife Margaret at the Session

C dinner on January 24.

They were awarded the Bruce and

Lois Sharp Award for outstanding

service to the NYSF over many years.

The award was established by the

Rotary Club of Ginninderra to honour

outstanding voluntary contributions

to NYSF, and is named after a past

member, the late PDG Bruce Sharp

and his wife Lois.

It was Lois Sharp who received

the award on behalf of Walter and

Margaret, as Walter was too ill to

make the journey from Brisbane.

The presentation was very timely,

as Walter passed away in Brisbane

on Monday, January 28. Tributes

have come from Rotarians in both

Districts 9600 and 9710, and from

others associated with the NYSF over

many years. The NYSF students of

Session C 2013 paid their own tribute

by observing a minute’s silence.

While NYSF has lost one of its early

champions, Walter’s legacy to the

Rotary Club of Ginninderra and the

District has continued through the

ongoing success of NYSF in Canberra

each January.

Monica Garrett

Rotary Club of Ginninderra, ACT •


Club Projects

Set sail for the 52nd ong>Henleyong>-On-Todd Regatta

Saturday August 17 is the date to set aside in your

calendar this year. The iconic ong>Henleyong>-On-Todd Regatta, NT, is

the only boat race in the world that is cancelled if there is

water. In custom-designed bottomless boats, contestants run,

scramble and stumble their way through river sand in a variety

of traditionally inspired, but novel events. There’s the Bath

Tub Derby, the Oxford Tubs, Sand Skis, Mini and Maxi yachts,

the Boogie Board race and Sand Shovelling, as well as Best

Dressed on the Day for those who take time and effort to get

in the spirit. The grand finale is a spectacle of 4WD-powered

Battleboats called Viking, HMAS Courage and Nauteus.

The ong>Henleyong>-On-Todd Regatta is the major fundraiser for three

Rotary clubs in Alice Springs. It is also an important source of

income for a range of charities and non-profit organisations who sell food and drinks to the hungry and thirsty crowd.

Why not create a Rotary challenge between the clubs in your District? Get a crew together, visit the Alice and take

part in the 52nd ong>Henleyong>-on-Todd. Register online at www.henleyontodd.com.au Click on ‘REGISTRATION’ come along

and support Rotary helping Rotary.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR ROTARIANS

VIP private ringside area: $80 includes five-hour food and drink package | Spectator Hill: $15 includes competition fee

Everyone can enter any event. Come Sail with Us in Alice Springs – the centre of Australia. Who says you need water

for a boat race anyway? •

ROTARY CLUB OF

CARNARVON

50th ANNIVERSARY

7 & 8 JUNE 2013

Please come and help us celebrate.

There will be a Gala Dinner on the

Friday evening, at The Woolshed.

On the Saturday morning visitors

will have the opportunity to enjoy

the Carnarvon Growers and Craft

Markets followed by a bus tour of

the area and lunch at a cafe on the

banks of the mighty Gascoyne River.

If you are interested and require

more information please call Dennis

or Joy on (08) 99985252, or email

dwandjwade01@westnet.com.au

We look forward to your company

and hope you can make the journey

to Carnarvon to help us make the

occasion something to remember.

Obama allocates $15m for mental health

On January 16, 2013, Barack Obama responded to Connecticut’s elementary

school shooting by announcing his Now is the Time plan to curb gun violence

in America. Amid public conversation about mental health, President Obama

will improve access to services by allocating $15 million to Mental Health First

Aid (MHFA) courses for teachers and youth leaders.

The MHFA course is having practical influence on how people with mental

health problems are treated. Australian Rotary Health is thrilled to have

supported its development into such a valuable resource.

In 2000, Canberra couple Tony Jorm and Better Kitchener launched a sixhour

MHFA course in their local community. By 2005 it had progressed into a

12-hour manual with 300 instructors and had moved overseas. That year Tony

and Betty were awarded the Hugh Lydiard Fellowship by Australian Rotary

Health to develop a number of MHFA Standards. With its quick growth, this

study would ensure the course was the standard source of best practice.

“We used the guidelines to completely revise the Mental Health First Aid

curriculum,” says Tony.

Australian Rotary Health also funded a study to test the effectiveness of an

online MHFA course in 2008-09.

“Australian Rotary Health has made a tremendous contribution to the

mental health of the Australian community through its support of practical

research,” says Tony. “We really need the support of Rotary and hope that

Australian Rotary Health will continue its good work.”

“MHFA has become a globally renowned course and we are delighted

to have been part of its journey,” says Joy Gillett OAM, CEO of Australian

Rotary Health. •


Rotary Online

Internet

versus

Intranet

How much

information is too

much information for

the general public’s

consumption?

By Ellissa Nolan

Digital Production and Marketing


When searching online Rotary content, I constantly

read about the great emphasis placed on membership

development and recruitment. I am aware that this kind

of public communication could be interpreted as brand

desperation, and quite off-putting to potential new

members, business partners and sponsors.

Essentially, non-Rotarian online audiences may ask,

“Why would I want to join a brand that appears to be

dying of members?” When in all truth, Rotary is not dying,

it just has not been growing.

From my perspective, the incredible contribution of

1.2 million people volunteering their time and energy

provides the opportunity to tell 1.2 million vibrant stories

on the many significant ways Rotary is contributing to

local, national and global communities.

For a good story, it doesn’t matter if these people are

young, old or in the middle, just that they are contributing

in whatever ways they can, to make a positive impact

towards the advancement and survival of humans across

the globe.

On the other hand, when I read of membership

development strategies, in public spaces, I feel disheartened

to join the spirit of the Rotary cause. It could be perceived

that I would just be meeting a target in terms of increasing

club numbers, rather than being appreciated for the

personal value I would or could bring to the organisation

working on specific humanitarian projects.

So, when thinking about Rotary’s online brand, I believe

collectively we could reflect on how much information

is too much for the general public’s consumption? Are

we writing online for ease of information dissemination

for club members, or are we actually writing to attract

potential new members, sponsors and industry partners?

If it’s the former, it would be best placed on an intranet

(with member log-in); if it’s for the latter, then the internet

is a perfect public platform.

So how do people attract people on the internet?

• Good quality news stories sharing personal journeys

and insights

• Profiling inspiring people working on and delivering

successful projects

• Profiling people and sharing the story on why they

joined Rotary

• Including quotes from the people or communities who

have been helped

• Including testimonials and good quality photographs

of people who have been helped

• Uploading good quality interesting images of who

received the assistance supported with information on

how the fundraising contributions were allocated

• Tweeting, tagging and sharing content for all to

become visible and viral online: For example: #aid,

#fundraising, #charity, #socialgood, #humanitarian

@rotary, #[localarea] #[communityname]

• Follow RDU on Facebook and Twitter so we can follow

you and share your stories among our networks too.

As a content creator, I believe it is a joy to share with

the world the positive vibrancy and diversity of Rotary’s

members and club achievements through individual stories.

However, I can also see more opportunities to position the

Rotary brand as the leader in the successful design and

delivery of sustainable humanitarian projects, which have

significant impact at national and international levels. The

care is to not make all the good stories get undermined by

publicly fretting over membership development, in front of

the very audiences we are trying to appeal to. •

Thelowdown>>>

• Much current online content could be

interpreted as desperation

• How much information is too much for public

consumption?

• Make the distinction between member service

and public image

• Share the vibrancy and diversity of Rotary’s

members and club achievements


End Polio Now!

Rotary says G’day

(HUMANITY IN MOTION 3)

IS UNDER WAY

showcasing Rotary action in Australia!

ORDER YOUR COPIES NOW...

The best Rotary public relations exercise in years!

Wow! I would join that organization.

I did not know Rotary clubs did that …

… just a couple of the comments received following distribution of Humanity In Motion 2 during 2011/12.

The inspiration of PDG Tony Castley, the original Humanity

in Motion volume was produced during his gubernatorial

year of 2008/09, sponsored by Rotary International’s

innovative Public Relations Grants system. The second

edition of this superb coffee table book was produced in

2011/12 and has provided the perfect resource for Rotarians

and Rotary clubs to promote Rotary’s image and

achievements around Australia.

Humanity in Motion # 3 will be a project of the Rotary

International Districts of Australia. It will again showcase

a myriad of outstanding Rotary programs and special

projects throughout 120 pages of superbly presented editorial

and graphic design – reflecting the professional skills of

veteran Rotarian journalist George Richards and graphic

designer Ted Sheedy.

Major programs like The Rotary Foundation, Australian

Rotary Health, success stories from Rotary Australia World

Community Service, Interplast, Rotary Oceania Medical Aid

for Children, ShelterBox Australia, Probus, Disaster Aid

Australia, Rotary Youth Exchange and other major youth

initiatives like Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and Rotary’s

Model United Nations Assembly will all be included!

Rotary says G’day (Humanity in Motion 3) is aimed at promoting Australian Rotary achievements at the time of

the RI Convention in Sydney 2014. It will be the perfect gift for club public relations programs, guest speakers,

awards nights, international guests, exchange students, Group Study Exchange of Vocational Training Team

members, city and school libraries, motels, professional offices and coffee shops … the list is endless!

It is absolutely vital for Districts and clubs to secure their orders - before the print run

is finalized – at the special price of $5 per book (including GST) plus freight.

Contact Judy Drake or Bob Aitken at Rotary Down Under

telephone 02 9633 4888 – for further information.

Orders may also be placed with Judy Drake – email ‘judydrake@rotarydownunder.com.au’

Rotary District/Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

No. of copies @ $5.00 ……………. No. of boxes @ $200 ……………. (40 copies per carton)

Total cost: …………… (postage/freight will be added to this total)

50% deposit is required Please select payment option: Credit card Invoice

PAYMENT DETAILS: Visa M/card AMEX Expiry date ______ / ________

Card number

cvc

Card holders name __________________________________________ Signed ______________________


End Polio Now!

Guinness World

Record attempt

to kick along

polio program

Under the guise of a Guinness World Record attempt,

Brendon Walker, of the Rotary Club of Engadine, NSW, is

gearing up to ride (or rather push) a kick scooter 4128km

from Perth to Sydney to raise funds and awareness for the

fight against polio.

Start Brendon off on a conversation about End Polio

Now! and he’ll start spouting on about how it’s only

the second time in human history that we will eradicate

a disease from the face of the earth. And with recent

valuable support from world Governments, the Bill &

Melinda Gates Foundation and a number of other large

corporates, the fight is almost over.

“Imagine if you had the power to do something to help

… then did that … and then you are a part of history,”

enthuses Brendon. “You did what you could to wipe out

a disease.

“Push for Polio is about doing our part. Sure, there’s a

maniac on a scooter who needs to make it happen, but

behind all that, it’s a community of people who believe in

the cause. They believe enough to kick in some money

that they won’t miss in order to help another human

being less fortunate than they are.”

Brendon started riding scooters in June 2012 to save

money on bus and taxi fares. After a ride home from the

train station (around 5.4kms) he thought, “I wonder how

far someone has ever travelled on a scooter?”

A quick search on the web revealed a record held by an

Austrian, set in Australia, in 2000.

“Instantly, that was like a challenge. I decided to have

a crack at breaking the world record, because that sort

of stuff seems to get more attention. And if I can attract

more attention to this cause, then hopefully that should

translate into more donations towards ending polio. I’m

not too concerned about world records as much as I am

concerned about helping to wipe polio off the face of the

earth for good.”

After securing his first corporate sponsor, Kickbike

Australia, who have provided him with a scooter to ride,

Brendon is now seeking further sponsorship to help with

the project. He is in need of:

A motorhome for support crew and gear and

somewhere to eat and sleep

• Fuel

• Sportswear, skins and joggers

• GPS tracking

• Video cameras

• Technology (storage and SD cards, computer,

race radios)

• Signwriting

• Power bars

• Flights from Sydney to Perth

• A sponsor to bring out a Guinness Adjudicator

(minimum $7000)

• Media promotion

• A promoter

• Welcoming committees in each finishing town on

each day

The 25-day ride is planned for January 2014, an odd

choice of month to ride from one side of Australia to the

other some might think.

“I chose daylight over heat basically,” says Brendon.

“Daylight is what I need the most, so that’s why I’m riding

in January.” •

Thelowdown>>>

• World record trek from Perth to Sydney

• Corporate Sponsors sought to join Kickbike

Australia

• Proceeds to support End Polio Now! campaign

• For further information on Push for Polio visit

pushforpolio.com.au or email Brendon at

brendon@pushforpolio.com.au.


Contributor awards.

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VENUE FOR ALL CONVENTION PLENARY SESSIONS.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2013 – 6.30 FOR 7 AM

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Contributor Awards

Ken Scheller Honours

1985-86 Jim Roberton, Te Awamutu, NZ

1986-87 Arthur Brett-Kelly, PNG

1987-88 Maurice Hawken, Essendon, Vic

1988-89 Robert Stewart, Palmerston North, NZ

1989-90 Richard Walker, Salisbury, Qld

1990-91 John Steele, Penrose, NZ

1991-92 Alan Lawrie, Brighton, SA

1992-93 Ron Barnwell, Brisbane, Qld

1993-94 Patrick Colbourne, Mt Druitt, NSW

1994-95 Bob Turner, Marton, NZ

1995-96 Nevell McPhee, Toowoomba, Qld

1996-97 Tony Reade, Adelaide, SA

1997-98 Penny Hadley, Adelaide Daybreak, SA

1997-98 Michael Sharp, Penrith, NSW (joint winners)

1998-99 Neill Inkster, Masterton, NZ

1999-00 Jim Hudson, Papanui, NZ

2000-01 Brian Yecies, Bundoora, Vic

2001-02 John Watson, Wellington, NZ

2002-03 Elizabeth Caldicott, Blackwood, SA

2003-04 Gerald Victor, Rockhampton Capricorn, Qld

2004-05 Grattan O’Connell, Auckland East, NZ

2005-06 Graeme Woolacott, Glen Waverley, Vic

2006-07 Elaine White, Yea, Vic

2007-08 Lyn Thorpe, Newcastle Sunrise, NSW

2008-09 Ted Latta, Ashgrove, The Gap, Qld

2009-10 Carolyn Cook, Lower Blue Mts, NSW

2010-11 Denise Curry, Turramurra, NSW

2011-12 Jillian Brown, City Central Hobart, Tas

Judges reward creative ideas

Female Rotarians have dominated the nominations

for the 2011-12 Ken Scheller Award, with three of the top

four honours.

The award went to Jillian Brown, of the Rotary Club

of City Central Hobart, Tas, for her report published in

July 2011, entitled Far-sighted membership drive, which

detailed the Rotababies and Rotakids program instituted

by the City Central Hobart club, when several of its

members became pregnant at around the same time.

The Rotary Down Under Award is presented annually to

the author of “a literary contribution of outstanding merit

which, in the opinion of the Committee, best exemplifies

the principles of Rotary.”

The award was struck in 1985 and named in honour

of Ken Scheller, who died of cancer in 1984. Born and

educated in Adelaide, Ken was associated with Rotary

Down Under from its inception. As Rotary International

Director and Vice-President, it was his advocacy that led

to the approval of selected regional magazines as official

regional magazines of RI. Rotary Down Under was the first

to gain this status.

The judges specifically looked for contributions that

gave readers new, creative and effective methods to

tackle old problems.

“Jillian’s report showed that members aged between 20

and 40 did not have to resign from Rotary due to family

commitments if their club was prepared to adapt to

enable them to remain,” Rotary Down Under Editor Mark

Wallace said.

Three other stories were highly commended. They were:

• Rotary Club of Crawley: investing in the future, published

in April, 2012, by Rebecca Olsen. Rebecca detailed her

club’s innovative and highly successful approach to

recruitment of young Rotarians through its Corporate

Scholarship program.

• West Perth Rotarian an international achiever, published

in September, 2011, by Tim Dawe, of the Rotary Club

of West Perth, WA. Tim’s cover story reported on the

inspiring career of West Perth Rotarian Professor Ralph

Martins and his work to find a cure for Alzheimer’s

Disease.

• Deeds of Rotarians Past, published in November 2011,

by Celeste Rossetto, of the Rotary Club of Wollongong,

NSW, about a letter written to the club from a woman

who had been afflicted with polio when she was a child

60 years ago. A particularly moving story of the power

of simple gestures of kindness to change lives forever.

Honourable mentions went to:

• Anna Kemble Welch, of the Rotary Club of Wellington

South, NZ, for her moving account of her work with

underprivileged children in Vietnam suffering from the

rare disfiguring disease Epidermolysis Bullosa.

• Peta Rule, of the Rotary Club of Crawley, WA, for her

report published in October, 2011, on Holly Ransom,

the then 21-year-old President elect of one of the most

innovative and successful new clubs in Australia.

• Kerry Kornhauser, of the Rotary Club of Albert Park,

Vic, for her three-part series on the need to attract

more women into Rotary. •


This rotary world



Waitangi Day

celebrations


Porirua Sundown, NZ, attended

the Waitangi Day celebration at

Takapuwahia Marae, Porirua, on

February 6. The group was there

as guests of the Mayor of Porirua

Nick Leggett, who also invited new

migrant families who have moved to

the area from overseas.

The ceremony started with a

welcome (powhiri in Maori) on

to the marae. Rotarian Pania

Houkamau-Ngaheu began with the

exchange of calls (karanga), which

clears the spiritual pathway for the

ancestors of the host and visitors

to meet.

Guests were then challenged by

a warrior who laid a leaf on the

ground. The leader of the menfolk

picked the leaf up to show that we

came in peace. The women were

led into the wharenui (meeting

house) first, followed by the men.

There were a series of speeches and

waiata (songs) in Maori, followed by

the traditional greeting (hongi). Then

there was a welcome in English and

a history of the Ngatitoa tribe.

It was a very interesting visit and a

great opportunity to experience the

local Maori culture.

Albury North

turns 50

The Rotary Club of Albury North,

NSW, will celebrate the 50th

anniversary of its charter, May 1,

1963, on Saturday May 4, 2013, at

the SSA Club, Olive Street, Albury,

NSW, at 6.30pm for 7.00pm. Former

members are invited to take part

in these celebrations. For more

information please contact Glenys

Hall on 02 6023 6378 or Syd Lukins

on 02 6043 2196.

Beecroft supports Aboriginal health

and education in outback NSW

In his plan for the 2012-13 Rotary year, President Dr Geoff Heise outlined

his plan for the Rotary Club of Beecroft, NSW, to become involved with the

health and educational requirements of an Aboriginal community.

The Currawah Boarding School at Gongolgon in outback NSW, some

750km North West of Sydney near the town of Brewarrina, was identified.

Currently there are 32 year 7-8 indigenous students at the school

ranging in age from 12-16 years. Due to the location there are gaps in their

healthcare including immunisations, infectious diseases, nutrition, impaired

vision and hearing resulting in learning difficulties. The objectives are to

meet their needs with regular medical visitations.

All of the students at the school are a product of the Welfare Dependency

System and there are major gaps in their social and educational abilities.

The project offered the club a number of project opportunities:

• Health needs being met and on par with mainstream society in Australia

• Social behaviour that allows students to make a contribution to society

• A clean water system that meets the needs of the school

• Literacy that is on par with mainstream Australian expectations

• Numeracy skills that are on par with that of mainstream Australian

expectations

In the first six months of the project, a clinic room has been fitted out by

the club where Dr Heise and his team can attend to the medical needs of

the school.

School uniforms to give a sense of uniformity and belonging were also

seen as an essential project. The club gained partial funding for this project

from The Rotary Foundation District Designated Fund.

The club will visit the school four to six times a year to carry out medical

requirements as well as assess other ongoing projects.


This rotary world

Reunion helps out Blaze Aid

On the weekend of February 8-10, the club Presidents

of 1994-95 in District 9650 and their partners conducted

their 18th Reunion. Since 1996 they have been meeting

with their Governor of the day, PDG John Barwick and

Dorothy from Tamworth, NSW, on the second weekend

in February for a program filled with fellowship.

Long before the devastating bush fires, plans were

made to hold this year’s reunion at Coonabarabran.

Knowing that the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran was

involved with providing food for the 50 members of the

“Blaze Aid” team working in the area, it was decided

that this year’s reunion should involve some community

work and help out in some way. After contacting local

club member PDG Jo Wilkin, the Past Presidents’ reunion

took on the duties of preparing and serving Saturday

PDG John Barwick and PDG Barry Hacker with past

Presidents and wives of District 9650 lend a helping hand

to feed 50 members of the Blaze Aid team during their

Presidents’ reunion in fire-ravaged Coonabarabran, NSW.

night’s dinner and cleaning up following the meal.

PDG John Barwick and Dorothy enjoy these reunions

and were very quick to roll up their sleeves to help PDG

Barry Hacker, his wife Bronwyn (Rotary Club of Port

Macquarie West) and other reunion members with the

Blaze Aid food preparation.

Organisers for this year’s reunion were Past President

of the Rotary Club of Moree on Gwydir Frank O’Neill

and his wife, Ros.

Seeking all past Gladstone Midday members

The Rotary Club of Gladstone Midday, Qld, is celebrating its 20th birthday on Saturday, May 18, 2013.

Past members are invited to join in the anniversary celebrations, catch up with old friends and experience the

changes that have occurred in Gladstone over the years.

Past members are spread from Melbourne to Peru, and unfortunately we do not have all their forwarding

addresses, so we are looking to RDU readers to contact Judie Luce on 07 4976 8016, mobile 0403 087 727 or email

jluce.gladstone@ljh.com.au



Discover Lisbon

with the locals

The best way to experience another culture is with

a local guide. That’s why Portuguese Rotarians have

planned several events for people attending the Rotary

International Convention in Lisbon, June 23-26.

On June 24, immerse yourself in a night of

fado performances at Campo Pequeno, a historic

bullfighting arena that now also serves as a concert

hall. Singer Carminho will headline the evening. The

platinum-selling artist has gained popularity with

her innovative take on traditional fado, performing

Portuguese folk music with occasional dips into pop,

rock and jazz. On June 25, more music and culture

will be on the menu, along with course after course

of elegant Portuguese fare, at the Experience Portugal

event, to be held inside Convento do Beato, a 15 th

century monastery.

For those who want to see more of Lisbon, Portugal

and Spain, the Host Organisation Committee offers a

variety of sightseeing tours, as well as side trips before

and after the convention. Purchase tickets at www.

lisboa2013.org/events until June 7.

Register for the Convention at www.riconvention.org

SUPPORT EDUCATION

FUND FOR TIMOR

Governor Ian Lomas has issued a general invitation

to any Rotarian or Rotary club to make contributions

to the District 9550 Timor Vocational Education Fund

– to mark the first Rotary District Conference in that

developing country during the first week in May, 2013.

Rotary Down Under has organised a Rotary Timor

Conference Tour to support the historic event and

some 40-plus Rotarians and partners have booked to

take part. Each participant has been invited to request

their Rotary club to donate $1000 to sponsor special

education grants for young trades and professional

people in Timor.

Governor Ian emphasises that donations will be

appreciated from any individual or organisation

willing to support such a worthwhile and vital cause

to support young people in Timor Leste. RDU Editor

Mark Wallace will lead the conference tour group and

cheques should be forwarded to Rotary Down Under

Inc, PO Box 779, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, made out

to ‘RDU Timor Education Fund’. Mark will present the

cheques to Governor Ian at an appropriate time during

the conference program.

DISCOUNTED advertising rates available

to ROTARY CLUBS AND DISTRICTS

Do you need more support for

your club or District projects?

Spread the word to 40,000

Rotarians by advertising in

Rotary Down Under magazine

Contact Gay or Sam for information on our special discounted rates

Email: advertising@rotarydownunder.com.au

or phone 02 9633 4888


Notices

Called to Higher Service

PDG IAN GEORGE

HUDSON AM

Australia lost a distinguished

Rotarian and a generous benefactor

on February 20 with the death of

PDG Ian Hudson.

Ian was a charter member of

the Rotary Club of Rydalmere in

1955. He held most club offices,

was president in 1960-61 and,

after service on several District

committees, was Governor of

District 268 (9680) in 1966-67,

during which he formed five

new Rotary clubs. He was later

given several Rotary International

committee appointments.

At his instigation – and insistence

– as Chairman of this magazine’s

management committee in 1970,

the Rotary Down Under office was

moved from its cramped premises

in Newtown to Parramatta and was

placed on a sound financial footing.

For his services to society, Ian

Hudson was appointed a Member

of the Order of Australia (AM)

in 1977. A great Rotarian and a true

friend, Ian Hudson is sadly missed.

– Paul Henningham

James Ian Dunsmore, QSM

(PHF), initiated what is now known

as the Gisborne International Music

competition. Run with the backing

of the Rotary Club of Gisborne,

NZ, the competition was a bid

to boost the profile of the city of

Gisborne, on the east coast of New

Zealand’s North Island, following

the destruction of Cyclone Bola in

1988. No comparative competition

for emerging players of orchestral

instruments exists in Australasia.

The Rotary Club of Windsor,

NSW, regretfully reports the

passing of Past President Bill

Henderson (PHF). Bill served his

community for 44 years. He was a

true gentleman.

Past President Glyn Jones (PHF),

of the Rotary Club of Waiuku, NZ,

and formerly of the Rotary Club of

Papakura. Glyn will be very much

missed by his Fijian connections.

Tony Lahood, of the Rotary Club

of Bomaderry, NSW, formerly of the

Rotary Club of Campsie, NSW.

Noelle Michaelson, wife of

Paddy Michaelson, of the Rotary

Club of Brighton, Vic.

Vincent Michielin, Honorary

Member of the Rotary Club of

Unley, SA.

The 2012-13 President of the

Rotary Club of North Balwyn,

Vic, Terry Gretton passed away

unexpectedly in December. Terry

was well loved in the club and led

by example.

Dr John Green passed away in

late December 2012. He was an

outstanding Rotarian and member

of the Rotary Club of Woodend,

Vic, for three years and a long

standing member of the Rotary

Club of Essendon.

Past President Trevor Power

(PHF), was a valued member of the

Rotary Club of Biloela, Qld. Trevor

supported every facet of Rotary

work from barbecues to working

bees and practising Service Above

Self in the community for those

less advantaged. A proud supporter

of The Rotary Foundation, Trevor

passed away on January 10.

Past President Rawson

Weatherall (PHF Sapphire Pin), of

the Rotary Club of Manilla, NSW,

was called to higher service on

February 22. His sense of humour

was ever present. He will be sadly

missed.

President Glen Lawrence, of the

Rotary Club of Frankton, NZ, was

called to higher service during his

2012-13 year as President. Glen

was a keen supporter of ShelterBox

NZ, so his memory will live on

in an overseas country when a

disaster hits.

Charter President Mac Williams,

QSO, JP (PHF), of the Rotary Club of

Henderson in Auckland, NZ, sadly

passed away on December 19, aged 98.

Past President Mack Butts (PHF),

charter member of the Rotary

Club of Henderson in Auckland,

NZ, was called to higher service

on December 30, at the age of

87. Mack was an accomplished

sportsman in many sports, including

tennis, golf, squash, trout fishing

and his favourite sport soccer.

John Built, of the Rotary Club

of Howick, NZ, passed away on

February 18. John was a 43-year

Rotarian. Members miss his sense of

humour, generosity and friendship.

Harry Westbury, past member

and honorary member of the Rotary

Club of Hutt City, NZ.

Garth Barnsdale, honorary

member of the Rotary Club of

Invercargill North, NZ.

Past President Allen Waghorn,

of the Rotary Club of Invercargill

South, NZ.

Lady Kay Higgins, wife of Sir

Patrick Higgins, a Past President of

the Rotary Club of Milson, NZ.

Dick Seddon, of the Rotary Club

of Otumoetai, Tauranga formerly of

Wellington, NZ. Dick is the former

Prime Minister of NZ Richard John

Seddon’s grandson.


Notices

Ian Papworth (PHF), of the Rotary

Club of Pakuranga, in Auckland,

NZ was called to higher service on

February 19, aged 62. Members

miss Ian’s many years of friendship

and ideals of Service Above Self to

Rotary and the community.

Charter President Peter Wyatt,

MNZM (PHF), formerly of the Rotary

Club of Tauranga Sunrise, NZ, sadly

passed away on February 22 after a

long fight with cancer. Peter was the

Bay of Plenty Times Person of the

Year in 2012.

Bob Burns, longstanding member

of the Rotary Club of Terrace End, in

Palmerston North, NZ, since 1968.

Past President Merv Brown,

JP (PHF), of the Rotary Club of

Takapuna, NZ, passed away on

January 4, aged 92. He served in

the Air Force as a Radio Operator

in WWII and became a hero when

his aircraft crashed in a swamp

on Piva Island when he rescued

comrades trapped in the burning

plane wreckage. Merv was an active,

dedicated Rotarian for the past 60

years. He masterminded the 1961

Auckland District Conference and

had three years as District World

Community Service Chair.

Robin Park, former member of

the Rotary Club of Thames, NZ, for

about 30 years, then an honorary

member for the last five years,

passed away on December 5.

Jim Lucus (PHF), longstanding

member of the Rotary Club of

Upper Hutt, and more recently the

Rotary Club of Masterton South, NZ.

Past President Bruce Mansell

(PHF), of the Rotary Club of

Waikanae, NZ since 1972.

Ray Dowden, long standing

former member of the Rotary Club

of Wellington, NZ.

Paul Harris Fellows

George Davies, Cedric Davies,

Frank Warner, John Jennings,

John Hawes, John Harvey and

Tito Sciani (Sapphire Pins), of the

Rotary Club of Mareeba, Qld.

Brian Allen (Second Sapphire Pin)

and Gillian Allen (Sapphire Pin), of

the Rotary Club of Maleny, Qld.

Wendy Andrews, Joan Reed

and Lyndsay England, of the

Rotary Club of Unley, SA.

Don Armstrong (Sapphire Pin) of

the Rotary Club of Waiuku, NZ.

Ken Lyons, Roy Duncombe,

Jim McMillan and Merv Cross

(Sapphire Pins), of the Rotary Club

of Windsor, Vic.

Keiran Slattery (Sapphire Pin), of the

Rotary Club of Wetherill Park, NSW.

Rod Chisholm, of the Rotary

Club of Maryborough, Qld.

Terry Gretton (posthumous),

of the Rotary Club of North

Balwyn, Vic.

Matthew and Denise Howard,

presented by the Rotary Club of

Maleny, Qld.

PDG Rob Crabtree (Ruby Pin),

of the Rotary Club of Howick, NZ,

presented at South Pacific PETS.

PDG Bob Young (Fifth Sapphire

Pin), of the Rotary Club of Ellerslie

Sunrise, NZ, presented at South

Pacific PETS.

PDG Tony Fortune (Fifth

Sapphire Pin), of the Rotary Club of

Remuera, NZ presented at South

Pacific PETS.

PDG Leanne Jaggs (Third

Changes

The Rotary Club of Point

Gellibrand-Williamstown, Vic,

has moved to the Royal Yacht

Club of Victoria, meetings still

Tuesdays 6:45pm for 7pm.

Sapphire Pin), of the Rotary Club

of Manukau City Sunrise, NZ,

presented at South Pacific PETS.

PDG Peter Signal (Sapphire Pin),

of the Rotary Club of Otorohanga,

NZ, presented at South Pacific PETS.

Christopher Robertson (Second

Sapphire Pin), of the Rotary Club

of Port Nicholson, NZ presented at

South Pacific PETS.

PDG Neil Reid (Fifth Sapphire

Pin), of the Rotary Club of

Henderson, NZ, presented by

District 9910.

Craig Webber and Reg vinod

Nand, of the Rotary Club of

Hillsborough Lynfield and Mt

Roskill, NZ, presented by District

9910.

David Ross, presented by District

9910, NZ.

Jenn McKenzie, of the Rotaract

Club of Pupuke, NZ, presented by

District 9910.

Lucy Conroy, Sally O’Mara and

Jane Blackbourn, presented by

District 9910.

Chris Turland (Sapphire Pin),

of the Rotary Club of Bishopdale-

Burnside, NZ.

Wendy Betteridge (Sapphire

Pin), of the Rotary Club of

Plimmerton, NZ.

Ken Linscott, of the Rotary Club

of Timaru North, NZ.

Dr David Cross (Sapphire Pin), of

the Rotary Club of Warkworth, NZ.

Margaret Cross, presented by

the Rotary Club of Warkworth, NZ.

The Rotary Club of Port

Moresby, PNG, will now meet

at the Royal Papua Yacht Club at

noon every Tuesday for a lunch

meeting.


Smiles

Take your subscription

ONLINE

Become a valued digital

subscriber of Rotary Down Under

magazine and free up your

letterbox.

You can now receive each new

edition in a portable format

available to read on your desktop,

mobile or iPad. Just contact us to

have your subscription transferred

from print to digital.

If your

whole club signs up, we’ll

even send you 10 free hard copies

of the magazine for promotional

use each month!

Email: subscriptions@rotarydownunder.org

or phone: 02 9633 4888

Pride of Workmanship

A Vocational Service program which provides -

- involvement with your local community;

- membership development opportunities;

- great public relations opportunity;

Australasia's most popular Vocational Service program for over 30 years.

Check out our website at www.pride-of-workmanship.com

or contact the Rotary Club of Pennant Hills - District 9680

Phone 61 2 9484 4889 or Fax 61 2 9484 5241

(We are an official licencee of Rotary International)

Spread the word

HAT DAY

Hat Day

Friday 1118 October May 2012 2013

www.hatday.com.au

• Sizes available from 2.4m to 9m • Pool & Spa Gazebos

• Domestic & Commercial • Kits for smaller sizes available

• We build in Vic, SA, NSW & Tas.

• Registered Building Practioners

See Our Displays at: 124 York Rd, Mt Evelyn Vic 3796

We support wheel chairs for kids

Ph Tom 0414 383 606 / tom@gazebos.com.au


It’s common sense

An American tourist asks an Irishman,

“Why do Scuba divers always fall backwards off their boats?”

To which the Irishman replies,

“They have to go backwards.

“If they fell forwards, they’d still be in the boat.”

Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains, NSW

Not tonight, dear

Never assume!

Smiles

Our friends James and Florence attend choir practice on Wednesday

evenings and often head to a restaurant afterwards with their fellow

choir members.

Florence soon noticed that every time she had a glass of wine, it was

followed by a severe migraine headache.

James agreed with her that it might be better if she abstained, and so

she did.

On one post-choir occasion, however, Florence decided, after some

hesitation, to try a different variety of wine. Some time passed with no

consequence.

She waved happily across the big table where her colleagues all sat

and, while holding up the empty wine glass, announced in a loud

voice, “James! I don’t have a headache tonight!”

Rotary District 9790, Vic

His request approved, the CNN News photographer quickly used a

cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight.

He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at

the airport.

Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside

a hangar.

He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted,

“Let’s go”.

The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off.

Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, “Fly over the

valley and make low passes so I can take pictures of the fires on

the hillsides”.

“Why?” asked the pilot.

“Because I’m a photographer for CNN,” he responded, “and I need to

get some close up shots.”

The pilot was strangely silent for a moment. Finally he stammered,

“So, what you’re telling me, is ... You’re NOT my flight instructor?”

Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mts, NSW

Object of

Rotary

The Object of Rotary is to

encourage and foster the

ideal of service as a basis of

worthy enterprise and, in

particular, to encourage

and foster:

1

The

2

3

The

4

development of

acquaintance as an

opportunity for service;

High ethical standards

in business and

professions; the

recognition of the

worthiness of all useful

occupations; and the

dignifying of each

Rotarian’s occupation as

an opportunity to

serve society;

application of the

ideal of service in each

Rotarian’s personal,

business and

community life;

The advancement

of international

understanding, goodwill

and peace through

a world fellowship

of business and

professional persons

united in the ideal

of service.



Rotary at a Glance

ROTARY international zones 7B & 8

TIMOR L ESTE

9455

9465

9550

9500

A U STR ALI A

R O TA R Y INTERNATIO N AL Z O NE 8

PA P U A

NEW GUINEA

9520

9780

9570

9630

9640

9650

9670

9700

9820

9830

9600

9685

9675

9710

9790

9800

9810

S OLOMON

ISL A N D S

N A U R U

VAN U AT U

F IJI

NEW CALE DONIA

N O R FOLK ISL A N D

9910

KIRIB AT I

S AMOA

AMERICAN

S AMOA

COOK

T O N G A

ISL A N D S

9920

9930

9940

NEW ZEA L A N D

9970 R O TA R Y INTERNATIO N AL Z O NE 7B

9980

F RENC H

P O LY NESIA

ROTARY AT A GLANCE

Rotarians: 1,228,788 in 34,336 clubs

in 530 Districts in 215 countries.

Rotaractors: 210,979 in 9173 clubs in

171 countries.

Interactors: 329,015 in 14,305 clubs

Down Under there are 32,243

Rotarians in 1136 Clubs in 22 Districts

in Australia and 9331 Rotarians in

265 Clubs in 6 Districts in NZ and the

Pacific. Australian and New Zealand

Districts include Nauru, Papua New

Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor

Leste, American Samoa, Cook Islands,

Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Norfolk

Island, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu,

where there are 776 Rotarians in 41

clubs. (As at May 2, 2012).

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL WORLD HEADQUARTERS

One Rotary Centre, 1560 Sherman Ave, Evanston,

Illinois, 60201, US.

Telephone; 847 866 3000. Fax; 847 328 8554.

General officers of Rotary

International 2012-2013

President: Sakuji Tanaka, Rotary Club of Yashio,

Japan; President-elect: Ron D. Burton, Rotary Club

of Norman, USA; Directors: José Antonio F. Antiório,

Rotary Club of Osasco, Brazil; Kenneth R. Boyd, Rotary

Club of Kerman, USA; Yash Pal Das, Rotary Club of

Ambala, India; Elizabeth S. Demaray , Rotary Club of

Sault Ste Marie, USA; Allan O. Jagger, Rotary Club

of Elland, England; Paul Knyff, Rotary Club of Weesp

(Vechtstreek-Noord), The Netherlands; Shekhar

Mehta, Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, India; Juin

Park, Rotary Club of Suncheon, Jeonranam, Korea;

Kenneth M. Schuppert Jr, Rotary Club of Decatur, USA;

Ann-Britt Åsebol, Rotary Club of Falun-Kopparvågen,

Sweden; John B. Boag, Rotary Club of Tamworth

North, Australia; Takeshi Matsumiya, Rotary Club of

Chigasaki-Shonan, Japan; Anne L. Matthews, Rotary

Club of Columbia East, USA; Gideon Peiper, Rotary

Club of Ramat Hasharon, Israel; Andy Smallwood,

Rotary Club of Gulfway-Hobby Airport, USA; Bryn

Styles, Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia, Canada;

John Hewko, Rotary Club of Kiev, Ukraine (General

Secretary).

The Rotary Foundation Trustees

Chair: Wilfred J Wilkinson, Rotary Club of Trenton,

Canada; Chair-Elect: Dong Kurn Lee, Rotary Club of

Seoul Hangang, Korea; Stephen R. Brown, Rotary

Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, USA; Antonia

Hallage, Rotary Club of Curitiba-Leste, Brazil; Lynn A.

Hammond, Rotary Club of Loveland, USA; Jackson

San-Lien Hsieh, Rotary Club of Taipei Sunrise, Taiwan;

John Kenny, Rotary Club of Grangemouth, Scotland;

Ray Klinginsmith, Rotary Club of Kirksville, USA; Ashok

M. Mahajan, Rotary Club of Mulund, India; Michael

K. McGovern, Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape

Elizabeth, USA; Samuel F. Owori, Rotary Club of

Kampala, Uganda; Kazuhiko Ozawa, Rotary Club

of Yokosuka, Japan; Ian H.S. Riseley, Rotary Club of

Sandringham, Australia; Julie Sorjus, Rotary Club of

Barcelona Condal, Spain; John Hewko, Rotary Club of

Kiev, Ukraine (General-Secretary).

Rotary International

Regional Office

Level 2, 60 Phillip Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150 or

PO Box 1415, Parramatta, NSW 2124. Telephone; 61 2

8894 9800. Fax 61 2 8894 9899. Office hours; Monday

to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm (Closed public holidays).

Regional Head; Frank Pezzimenti (Frank.Pezzimenti@

rotary.org); Administration Coordinator/Literature Clerk;

Michelle Fuller (Michelle.Fuller@rotary.org); Reception;

Amanda Kahlon (Amanda.Kahlon@rotary.org);

Club and District support Supervisor; Joy Walker Joy.

Walker@rotary.org; Coordinator; Barbara Mifsud

(Barbara.Mifsud@rotary.org); Correspondent; Mary

Jayne Desmond (MaryJayne.Desmond@rotary.org);

Regional Financial Controller; Grace Ramirez (Grace.

Ramirez@rotary.org); Coordinator; John Jiang (Aust

& NZ) (Xiang.Jiang@rotary.org); Coordinator; Rachel

Hernandez (Philippines) (Rachel.Hernandez@rotary.

org); Finance Corespondent; Melissa Asanza (Melissa.

Asanza@rotary.org)”; The Rotary Foundation, Manager;

Bruce Allen (Bruce.Allen@rotary.org); The Rotary

Foundation Assistant; Krissy Aure-Canson (Kristenne.

AureCanson@rotary.org).


– The Council

RI Director John Boag; Phillip Skelton (D9455); Bob

Cooper (D9465); Marie Dorrington (D9500); Roy

Armstrong (D9520); Ian Lomas (D9550); Ken Kelly

(D9570); Dai Mason (D9600); Annette Richards (D9630);

Sandra Doumany (D9640); Brian Beesley (D9650); Peter

Raynor (D9670); John Dodd (D9680); Keith Roffey

(D9690); Greg Brown (D9700); Phil Armstrong (D9710);

Bill Salter (D9750); Helen Trigg (D9780); John Gatt

(D9790); Dennis Shore (D9800); Brian Martin (D9810);

Tony Spring (D9820); James Wilcox (D9830); Lindsay

Ford (D9910); Ron Seeto (D9920); Roger Miller (D9930);

Graeme Blick (D9940); Gordon Hooper (D9970); John

Prendergast (D9980).


– The Board of Directors

Past District Governor Des Lawson, (chairman), Past

District Governor Peter Sandercock (vice-chairman), RI

Director John Boag, Past District Governors Don Cox

(treasurer), Jennifer Scott, John Kevan, David Watt, Bob

Aitken (secretary).

New Zealand Rotary Down Under

Promotion Committee

Past District Governor Fergus Cumming (chairman,

D9930), Past President Felicity Anderson (D9910), Past

Governors Leanne Jaggs (D9920), David Watt (D9940),

Rex Morris (D9970), Trish Boyle (D9980).

Rotary Down Under Staff & Associates

Editor: Mark Wallace

Associate Editor: Meagan Jones

Digital Production & Marketing: Ellissa Nolan

Executive Director: Bob Aitken

Finance Manager: Barry Antees

Third Floor, 43 Hunter Street,

Parramatta, NSW, 2150, Australia

PO Box 779, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia

Phone. +61 2 9633 4888

Fax. +61 2 9891 5984

editorial@rotarydownunder.com.au


Subscription/Admin enquiries

Phone. +61 2 9633 4888

subscriptions@rotarydownunder.com.au

enquiries@rotarydownunder.com.au

Advertising (Australia)

RDU Web Hosting

Gay Kiddle & Samantha Ausburn

Phone. +61 2 9633 4888

advertising@rotarydownunder.com.au

Marc Wilson

Phone. +61 3 8523 2278

Fax. +61 3 9580 4997

Mobile. +61 419 107 143

marc@gypsymedia.com.au

Advertising (New Zealand)

Colin Gestro

Phone. +64 9 444 9158

colin@affinityads.com

Special Advertising Projects

Lex Laidlaw

Phone. +61 2 4329 4203

lexlaidlaw@bigpond.com

Speakers Corner

Rotarians Doing Business

Gay Kiddle & Samantha Ausburn

speakerscorner@rotarydownunder.com.au

rotariansdoingbusiness@rotarydownunder.com.au

Phone. +61 2 9633 4888

RDU Merchandise & Promotions

Rotary and Probus

General Manager: Barry Antees

Corporate Sales Manager: Paul Reid

Unit 16, 45 Powers Rd, Seven Hills, NSW, 2147, Australia

PO Box 244, Toongabbie, NSW, 2146, Australia

PO Box 91772, Victoria Street West, Auckland, 1142, NZ

Phone. +61 2 9674 6855 (AU) or 0800 738 695 (NZ)

supplies@rotarydownunder.com.au


RDU supplies, travel insurance

Phone. +61 2 9674 6855 (AU) or 0800 738 695 (NZ)

New Zealand & Pacific Islands Office

Editorial & Promotions Manager: Beryl Robinson

PO Box 87328, Meadowbank, Auckland, 1742, NZ

Phone. +64 9 273 2061

berylrobinson@rotarydownunder.co.nz

www.rdu.rotarysouthpacific.org

Published by: Rotary Down Under Inc

ABN: 6211348579 | ACN: 001408377

Design & Layout: iMedia Corp

Printed by: Rotary Offset Press

Approved by the Board of Directors of Rotary International

and prescribed for the members of the Rotary clubs within

RI Districts 9455, 9465, 9500, 9520, 9550, 9570, 9600,

9630, 9640, 9650, 9670, 9680, 9690, 9700, 9710, 9750,

9780, 9790, 9800, 9810, 9820, 9830, 9910, 9920, 9930,

9940, 9970 and 9980 and published by the Committee by

direction of the Council.

Disclaimer: All expressions of opinion are published on the

basis that they are not to be regarded as expressing the

official opinion of the publisher unless expressly stated.

The publisher accepts no responsibility whatsoever for

the accuracy of any of the opinions or information or

advertisements contained in this publication and readers

should rely on their own enquiries in making decisions

concerning their own interests. In particular, no responsibility

is accepted for the quality of goods or services supplied by

advertisers or for the accuracy of materials submitted for

reproduction. To the extent permitted by law, the publishers,

their employees, agents and contractors exclude all liability

(including liability and negligence) to any person for any loss,

damage, cost or expense incurred or arising as a result of

material appearing in this publication. The views expressed

herein are not necessarily those of Rotary International or

The Rotary Foundation.


life & leisure.

gen wi-fi . diary dates . foods to avoid if you have arthritis . smart industries . book club

GenW

gen wi-fi


gen wi-fi

Educating

The term “real world” is often

thrown around by educators

to ensure students and

parents alike that the material

they’re learning will be applicable in

their everyday lives. But even after

the dawn of the digital age, some

schoolrooms still resist embracing the

increasingly multimedia culture we

live in. Greg Whitby, Executive Director

of the Catholic Schools Diocese of

Parramatta and author of Educating

Gen Wi-Fi: How to Make Schools

Relevant for 21 st Century Learners,

thinks it’s about time schools utilised

the vast array of tools students are

adept at using to create a more

meaningful and dynamic learning

experience that mirrors society today.

Technology and information are

constantly changing, yet the idea of

one teacher being the channel of

data for 30 students has remained

fundamentally the same.

I-FI

Technology and

information are constantly

changing, but are our

schools changing rapidly

enough to keep up with it?

Words: Libby Wright

“The issue is not the teachers,

their role is critical,” explains Greg.

“It’s that students are becoming

deeply frustrated and increasingly

disengaged because the classroom

is very different to the world they live

and socialise in. We need talented

teachers to mediate the learning,

to teach students how to navigate

today’s technology and help make

the learning experience more

representative of modern society.”

In Educating Gen Wi-Fi, Greg

discusses making the learning

environment more collaborative by

having students working in smaller,

personalised groups that reflect the

open-plan, teamwork orientated

workplaces of today.

“There’s no one size fits all when it

comes to education anymore,” says

Greg. “We need to know how each

child learns and what they know, and

group them together so they support

one another and not get held back.”

There’s no denying that although

the dramatic rise in everyday

technology is powering along, it is

still somewhat in its infancy. Just a

generation ago, devices like the iPad

and Kindle were almost other worldly,

but at the current rate they quickly

become outdated, sometimes over

the course of just a year. Greg wants

to get schools trained to embrace this

shift and be prepared to meet the

demands of the future.

“It’s not going to happen overnight,

but eventually we’ll be laughing at the

crude technology we have today and

wonder how we got by. Half the jobs

that exist now didn’t exist 20/30 years

ago, and we need children trained to

utilise these ever-changing array of

tools and situations.”

So why haven’t our schools stayed

abreast of this issue?

“It’s certainly been slower than I

would like, but I think the better term

is cautious,” explains Greg. “We’re very

concerned when it comes to children

and shaping the way we teach, but

this is about bringing to bear the best

we know about education and slowly

and carefully implementing it.” >


gen wi-fi

< The reason for the slow uptake lies

partially with parents and facilitators

rejecting a school experience that

differs too significantly from their own

and dissonance between generations.

“If you ask a Baby Boomer or

Generation X which search engine

Generation Y used most, they’ll tell

you it’s Google, when in fact it’s

YouTube,” Greg reveals.

This discord between teachers,

caregivers and the students is a clear

example that something is amiss.

While Educating Gen Wi-Fi calls for

a more multimedia classroom, there’s

no need to start tearing down libraries

and throwing away pens.

“Of course there are facets of the

current teaching method that need to

be preserved,” says Greg. “We want the

best of both worlds; we want students

to be high tech users, but books are

to remain integral. Gross motor skills

and eye-hand coordination that

come with writing are critical. A good

teacher finds a balance and many are

beginning to rise to the challenge.”

The acquisition of social skills and

responsibilities is another crucial part

of the school experience that won’t

be left by the wayside. In his book,

Greg acknowledges that students

and parents alike would be horrified

if schooling involved sitting at a

computer on their own all day, and

for good reason.

“Children need to learn how to

interact effectively with one another.

Office spaces are so flexible now, you

can be working as part of a large

team or autonomously, but either

way children must learn how to

function in these environments, and

socialising plays a big part in that.

Their classrooms should reflect the

real world,” says Greg.

For all the advantages of a

multimedia classroom, there’s bound

to be parental concern, and the

hot button issue of cyber bullying

won’t go unmentioned. Doesn’t

an increasingly wired-in classroom

create opportunities for bullying and

a potential gateway for predators?

“Cyber safety is nothing new,”

says Greg. “But parents need to

understand the sophistication of

the networks being connected in

schools. They’re powerful tools that

can track and monitor usage. We can

find a person where they stand and

have a better chance of stamping it

out now more than ever.”

As the triumphs of the technological

revolution mount ever higher, children

now have access to more information

in their formative years than their

grandparents did their entire lives, yet

some schools continue to ban mobile

phones and handheld devices during

school hours.

“Don’t ban the technology, that

just adds to the frustration,” says

Greg. “You can never keep up with

the technology they have, so why

not embrace it and help create a

seamless interface between the

world of school and the world they

live in?”

Educating Gen Wi-Fi is available online

and from ABC stores. •


It’s just not cricket

Words: Max Crus

“Struth, Patto, it’s just not cricket,” Johnno lamented over his 13th

beer at the Hyderabad Hilton – after all it was getting late … in the

afternoon. “We‘ve never had to explain ourselves.”

“And wattabout those performance reviews, Watto? Just look at

the replays. It’s obvious we were hopeless.”

“Yeh, what’s this ’bout homework?” quizzed Khawaja, who was

also feeling aggrieved because his nickname didn’t end in ‘O’.

“Geez, it’s like having to lodge an OH&S form every time

we want a lucrative government contract. We‘ve earnt our

lucrative government contract by years at the fully funded,

debt-free, tax-free Cricket Institute.”

“What can we say? ‘I regret playing that shot off the back

foot and will be mindful in future of the hurt such rash

decisions may cause my teammates, my family and my

country, and I offer a full and unreserved apology to them

all and future generations moving forward’.”

“Anyway, shouldn’t the coach be telling us what went

wrong, rather than the other way around?”

“And these namby-pamby team bonding sessions,

what’s wrong with 37 schooners at the Beefsteak and

Burgundy and a good punch-up? Look at Punter.”

“And those life-training sessions? For crying out

loud, you don’t get rehearsals in life, you’re in it

from the word go. Anyway, 55 cans on a flight

to London is all the life training cricketers need.”

“Mate, I’m stumped,” Watto lamented.

“Nah, mate, Clarkey was stumped, you were

caught for nine. Better have another Singha.”

“Can’t, mate, VB are sponsors remember.”

Cricket is a different game all right, ever

since Clarkey chose a night at home with a

blonde instead of swilling 22 more victory

VBs in the rooms with the boys. Actually,

he might have a case had it not been

Lara, although surely that’s irrelevant?

So now, instead of being dropped

because you dropped your guard, you

get dropped for not handing in your

performance reviews, no doubt full

of boxes to tick, KPIs and WBPs.

It’s a wonder VB are still

sponsors, surely a nice, soft

Pinot would suit the

current bunch of “soft

corks”? Imagine

55 of those on

a flight to

London?

1

Grape Expectations

Delatite Pinot Noir, 2010 – $30

Like the Aussie test team, Pinot can get swamped on a

table full of hearty red lovers, but we persevered. 8.6/10

2

Mandala Pinot Noir, 2011 – $28

Leaner than a kangaroo in drought, that would nevertheless

be a good accompaniment. 8.2/10

3

Mitolo Jester Shiraz, 2010 – $25

No joke(’r‘), this is big (15.2) and needs food (and friends)

to make it friendly enough for a Friday night. 8.5/10

4

Toolangi Yarra Valley Paul’s Lane Shiraz, 2011 – $12

Everyone aspires to this sort of wine; a bit thinner than

most, but quite sophisticated. 8.5/10

5

McLaren Vale Associates Giant Squid Ink Reserve Shiraz,

2010 – $150

This is more like it, 16 per cent-ish and voted best red wine in

the world. Alas, not appropriate for Aussie cricketers. 9.1/10

6

Preston Peak (Granite Belt) Serisier Pinot Noir

Chardonnay, 2006 – $22

If you must tighten your belt and can’t afford Krug, put on

a granite belt and celebrate with this.

Great stuff, great price. 9/10


Xxxx

The guide

to what’s

happening

near you

What’s what and what’s

hot throughout Australia,

New Zealand and the

Pacific Islands this

April-May

17-26

May

Argyle Diamonds

Ord Valley Muster

This iconic West Australian event will feature an

outstanding line-up of concerts and activities.

The highlight will be the internationally acclaimed

Airnorth Kimberley Moon Experience at the Jim

Hughes Amphitheatre on the banks of the majestic

Ord River. www.ordvalleymuster.com.au

New South Wales

Queensland

Tasmania

Northern Territory

South Australia

Victoria

6

May

Rotary

Bangtail

Muster

The Rotary Bangtail Muster

Parade has been part of the

community of Alice Springs

since 1959. It’s a fun-filled

parade that celebrates what

makes Central Australia

different and provides

an ideal opportunity to

promote different themes

that bring the community

together. The story behind

the Muster goes back to

when stockmen would cut

off the ends of the tails to

record the number of cattle

mustered.

www.alicespringsrotary.org

4-5

MAY

Narooma Oyster

Festival

Celebrate local oysters, local produce and the NSW far south

coast’s culinary and artistic talents. Saturday’s Naturally Gourmet

beside stunning Wagonga Inlet features MasterChef Julie Goodwin,

cooking demonstrations by master chefs, the Ultimate Oyster

Experience, oyster opening competition, food and craft stalls, live

music and other family activities. www.naroomaoysterfestival.com

Western Australia

Australian Capital Territory

New Zealand

24-26

May

37th Historic Winton

Historic Winton, Australia’s largest and most popular all-historic motor race meeting, presents a

weekend of nonstop racing featuring over 400 historic racing cars and motorbikes from the 1920s to the

1980s. This year’s highlights will include Shannons Classic Car Park, spectator access to the competition

paddock, a selection of Minervas and veteran and vintage cycle-cars. www.historicwinton.org

46 Issue 541. July 2012

Diary Dates

18-20

April

Lee

Kernaghan

Since barnstorming his way

on to the country music

charts with the mega hit

“Boys From The Bush” Lee

Kernaghan has notched up

31 number one hits on the

Australian Country Charts.

In 2012 he headed back

to the studio to record his

10th studio album, Beautiful

Noise. On his Tassie tour Lee

will visit Burnie, Launceston

and Hobart.

www.leekernaghan.com

18

May

An Evening with

Julie Andrews

12-14

APRIL

Woolgoolga

Curryfest

Woolgoolga’s annual Curryfest is a signature event

celebrating the cultural diversity of this beautiful part

of the Coffs Coast and particularly the unique Punjabi

and Sikh heritage of Woolgoolga itself. Enjoy art

exhibitions, a Bollywood movie on the beach, lots of

curries and other ethnic food stalls as well as music,

dancing and entertainment. The Sikh Vaisakhi parade

will wind its way through town, making its way to

Temple. Wind down the weekend with an afternoon

cricket match on the oval. www.curryfest.com.au

12-14

April

V8 Supercars

– ITM 400

Auckland

The new era of V8 Supercars

is racing on New Zealand

soil for the first time.

Anticipation is building as

the V8 Supercars teams

bring the Car of the Future

to the upgraded Pukekohe

circuit. www.ticketek.co.nz

Take an incredible journey through the life and career of one of

the world’s most popular icons. From her London stage debut at

the age of 12 to her defining roles in Mary Poppins, The Sound of

Music and The Princess Diaries. www.julieandrewslive.com

25-30

April

Kangaroo Island

Feastival

The Kangaroo Island Feastival offers a feast of events, including

over 15 exclusive dining and wine events. Taste what George

Calombaris creates from the island’s geese, abalone and sheeps’

cheeses, or join Maggie Beer for a Romanesque banquet. Immerse

yourself in the island’s culture, food, wine, art and entertainment on

the main day featuring a Tourism Kangaroo Island signature dish

competition judged by Maggie Beer. Feastival also includes pop-up

events like table surfing! www.tourkangarooisland.com.au


Xxxxxx

Using your

Ted Smart with wife Alison, left, RDU chairman

Des Lawson and RDU Treasurer Don Cox.

smarts

ROTARY’S GRAFFITI REMOVAL DAY

UNEARTHS A COMMUNITY CHAMPION!


Xxxxxx

Many Rotary projects unearth champions and

Graffiti Removal Day 2013 in NSW was no exception.

Rotary Down Under won the NSW Government tender

to organise and conduct the day, which was held on

September 23. Support from major sponsors Dulux, Rokset

and Smart Distribution Services was nothing short of

magnificent and all are worthy of editorial praise.

However, the story of Smart Industries is quite unique

… a wonderful story of one man’s business intuition that

resulted in another outstanding Australian business success.

With many years spent running a maintenance business

with 16,000 rental properties on the books, Ted Smart had

first-hand experience dealing with graffiti.

After Ted sold his business he took a break and, looking

for a new venture, soon settled on graffiti. Ted identified

the need for a non-hazardous graffiti removal product that

really worked, but was also cheap and reliable. While there

were countless products on the market, Ted believed that

very few, if any, were really effective. After teaming up with

some industrial chemists and undertaking research and

development, he came up with some answers.

As graffiti comes in many forms, there is not one product

that can tackle all problems. So Ted and his team produced

several products to tackle specific graffiti problems. The

Smart Elite product tackles graffiti on bare or painted brick,

concrete or timber. It is sprayed, painted or brushed on the

affected area and then washed off after about a minute

using a high-pressure hose. The Smart Metal Safe can be

used on metal objects, such as metallic road signs and metal

or plastic playground equipment.

Other Smart products were tailored for specific graffiti

problems. For instance, one cleaner is used in schools to

remove Texta from lockers and cabinets. Another is used

to remove graffiti from marble, while another has been

developed for use on surfaces where long-term protection

from graffiti is required.

Things were running along smoothly and Ted’s products

were (and still are) being used by numerous government

departments and most local councils throughout Australia.

Then, in 2004, an American man visiting Melbourne

happened to read a story about the Smart Graffiti products

in a Melbourne newspaper. He took the article back to the US

and showed it to his friend, a multimillionaire businessman.

After making some enquiries and doing his homework, the

US businessman realised that, of the 15 products available in

the US at that time, none of the competitors’ products came

anywhere near the Smart products.

Smart Graffiti products are now distributed in the US and

Canada, South America, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

You will find this proudly Aussie-made product cleaning

graffiti from London buses, the Metro Underground and

numerous graffiti-covered buildings in Dublin. The products

are sold in over 24,000 stores in the US.

What a great Aussie champion!

Even after his success, Ted is modest about his

achievements and remains passionate and proud that Smart

products continue to be made in Australia using only local

materials. Ted plans to hand the running of the business

over to his son over the next few years and we are sure the

business will continue to thrive. •


Healthy Habits

arthritis

to

Foods

AVOID

Arthritic pain can have an

immense impact on your life.

Olwen Anderson offers some

simple dietary adjustments

to help you move better and

enjoy life more.

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid

arthritis, gouty arthritis, or any sort of

chronic joint inflammation, is at the

very least a painful nuisance, and at

the worst completely debilitating, with

an immense negative impact on your

quality of life. But what you choose to

eat can make a positive difference in

the amount of pain you’ll experience.

Rheumatoid arthritis:

When it’s easier to just

keep moving

When you get out of bed in the

morning and your feet hit the ground,

how do your joints feel? Stiff? Painful?

Do they feel better after you’ve been

moving around for a while?

Joints with rheumatoid arthritis

feel better the more you move them

and get stiff after a period of being

still. That’s because your immune

system has mistaken your joint cells

for invaders, so it attacks them. A

focused immune attack like this

produces lots of toxic waste materials

that cause pain when they come into

contact with nerve endings. When

your limbs have been still for a while,

like overnight, the circulation to your

joints (which would have removed a

lot of the inflammatory material) has

pooled in the joint. So in the morning

your joints are likely to feel at best stiff

and at worst extremely painful until

you’ve been moving for a while and


Health Habits

If you have osteoarthritis,

you may be sensitive to

vegetable members of the

“deadly nightshade family.

“

the waste products of that immune

attack have been flushed away.

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you

want to eat less of the foods that can

amplify inflammation in your system.

Generally speaking, that’s foods high

in saturated fat and sugar, or highly

processed foods: butter, high fat dairy,

deep fried food, pastries, cakes, etc.

There are also foods that actively

fight inflammation: Oily fish like

tuna salmon and sardines, fresh

vegetables, especially leafy greens,

and fresh fruit.

If you want to tone down the

inflammation in your joints, plan

your menu with these foods in mind:

Sardines and tomato on toast for

breakfast, a large salad for lunch and

an evening meal that includes lots of

fresh, lightly steamed vegetables.

Osteoarthritis: When it

hurts to move

Osteoarthritic joints also contain

an inflammatory process, but for a

different reason. Here, the protective

layer of cartilage that covers the end

of your bones has been worn away

and not rebuilt. As unprotected bits of

bone grind together, you will feel pain.

This is why osteoarthritic joints tend to

feel worse the more you move.

If you have osteoarthritis, you

may be sensitive to vegetable

members of the deadly nightshade

family (although not everyone is).

That’s potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant,

capsicum and chilli. Also, foods that

have an acid-forming effect on your

body pH may make your symptoms

worse; that’s tea, bread, biscuits, cakes

and dairy food.

The meal plan of a person with

osteoarthritis should contain lots of

anti-inflammatory foods like oily fish

and unprocessed vegetables; just give

the deadly nightshade family a miss if

you’re sensitive to them.

Gouty arthritis: When your

toes bite back

Gouty joints can deliver excruciating

pain because of dysfunctional

biochemistry. Gout is often inherited,

with an inborn metabolic defect in

processing purines in some kinds of

food. What happens as a result is that

the unprocessed molecules can form

crystals when they gather in large

enough concentration. The smaller

blood vessels in areas where there

is naturally low circulation, like your

feet, are where the crystals are likely

to form. Crystals have sharp edges;

hence the pain.

For people with gouty arthritis,

avoiding foods high in purines is a

top priority. High purine foods are

salty seafood, stock cubes, offal (like

liver and kidneys), alcohol, coffee and

black tea.

Helping your joints stay

healthy

If you’re blessed with healthy joints,

there are some foods that will actively

help them stay that way. The general

rule of thumb is to choose foods

that are as unprocessed as possible,

like high-quality protein from eggs,

fish, chicken and other meats, fresh

vegetables eaten raw or lightly

cooked, raw nuts, some legumes and

fresh fruit. If you focus on deliberately

including these foods in your diet,

there will be just a little room left for

the foods that you don’t need much

of (like sugar and pastries).

Test and measure

If you’d like to experiment to find out

what effect a particular food group

could be having on your joint pain,

the best way to do this is to keep a

written record of your pain levels over

a week, along with what you ate, while

maintaining your usual diet. Then

exclude one potentially problematic

food group from your diet for two

weeks, while you keep the record

keeping going.

Finally, reintroduce the suspect

food group and keep records for

another week. You might uncover

some interesting results.

Olwen Anderson is a naturopathic

nutritionist.

Visit olwenanderson.com.au •


Book Club

The Cartographer

Peter Twohig | HarperCollins | RRP: $19.99

Winner of the Ned Kelly Award 2012 for Best First Fiction and shortlisted for

Indie Award 2013 Debut Fiction.

The back streets of Richmond, Melbourne, in 1959 are full of dangers and

wonders if you’re a boy who inhabits the role of superhero – one with an

absent father, a grief-stricken mother who can barely look at him, and the only

adult who listens to him being a petty-criminal grandfather.

Having seen his twin brother Tom die in a tragic accident, he wanders his

suburb aimlessly, exploring and taking advantage of open doors (and closed

ones), climbing fences and spying into windows. On one of his nocturnal

adventures he witnesses a vicious murder – and the killer sees him watching.

From then on, the boy is both drawn back to the house, while trying to avoid

the places where he has seen the murderer.

To this end he draws a map and takes on the role of The Cartographer,

leading him to more mysteries as he observes Richmond’s underlife. His

acute observations are tempered

by his innocence, and the reader

understands more than he does.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

The language is grounded in the

vernacular of the time and is highly

entertaining, but there is a thread

of sorrow and darkness beneath the

exuberance.

Review by Lindy Jones

Abbey’s Bookshop | abbeys.com.au

WIN

For your chance to win a copy of The Cartographer email

editor@rotarianlifeandleisure.com or write to Editor, Life & Leisure,

2/3 Fleay Court, Burleigh Heads, Queensland, 4220, with your answer to the

following question. ‘What 2012 award did The Cartographer win?’ Please include

‘The Cartographer Giveaway’ in the subject line and postal address details in the

body of the email (or within the letter).

Village Cinemas Friendship Fridays a hit with seniors

More than 120 representatives of

Seniors organisations such as Probus,

U3A (University of the Third Age) and

Life Activities Clubs, as well as local

council officers, gathered on February

21 at the Rivoli Cinema, Camberwell,

Vic, to launch Village Cinemas Silver

Screens’ new community program,

Friendship Fridays.

On the first Friday of every month,

over 60s will be able to meet local

group representatives, find out

what’s on, enjoy free refreshments,

meet up with friends and then see a

movie, all for $7 on presentation of a

valid senior’s card.

Over tea and muffins, the group

met their local Village Cinema

Managers, networked with seniors

groups and were treated to the

action-packed movie, The Impossible.

Sally Mason, Village Cinemas Local

Area Marketing and Communities

Coordinator, welcomed everyone to

the launch and gave an overview

of the Friendship Fridays campaign,

encouraging community groups to

get involved.

“Programs such as Village Cinemas

Friendship Fridays are another way of

supporting and enhancing the Probus

maxims of Friendship, Fellowship, and

Fun – so important for active retirees,”

said John Brown, Vice-President,

Probus Association Victoria.

The next Friendship Friday will take

place on April 5 and will be available

at participating Village Cinemas in

Victoria and Tasmania. Tickets are

available online at villagecinemas.

com.au, the Village Cinemas contact

centre on 1300 555 400, or your local

Village Cinema ticket box. •


traveller.

tim dawe discovers austria’s melk abbey . a royal enfield ride through india

Traveller

On a dark &

Melky

Words & Photography: Tim Dawe

The Austrian village of Melk didn’t quite live

up to Tim Dawe’s dankly dark expectations …

but it spun a good tale nonetheless.

On starting my cycle tour along the Danube I discover it takes me past the

Austrian village of Melk. There’s a frisson of excitement at the prospect. That’s

because it’s central to one of my favourite novels, the dankly dark, medieval murder

mystery The Name of the Rose.

Later I realise this story of an abbey with a scriptorium of priceless manuscripts

is set in northern Italy and its narrator is Adso of Melk. When travelling, it’s easy to

confuse fact with fiction.

Viewing the massive bulk of Melk Abbey, it’s anything but my brooding imaginings.

It’s layered in yellow-ochre and cream like a delicious Viennese cake. It’s light, bright

and … baroque!

Day-trippers to Melk Abbey (Stift Melk in German) arrive from Vienna by river


Traveller

Night ...


Traveller

boat, less a vessel than an elongated

viewing platform, to trudge 700m over

river flats. The size of the abbey means

these boat people see the towering

domes well before their arrival – as

others have for centuries.

I arrive by bike; it’s very different.

Riding along the shaded riverside path I

see nothing but overhanging trees until,

whoomph, suddenly I’m looking up at

the rounded rear of the abbey, framed

by trees and moat. A few metres more,

over a little footbridge, I pop up in the

main street of town. On a bike there

is no approach, no traffic or signposts.

Melk’s pretty and peaceful.

Given its strategic setting high on

a rocky outcrop with a commanding

view of the Danube, Melk Abbey has

some serious history. The Romans built

a garrison in the first century, then in

976 the Babenberg kings made it their

seat from which to rule Austria. In 1089

Leopold II of Babenberg gave his castle

to the Benedictine monks to endow

a monastery. The current building,

designed by Jakob Prandtauer, was built

from 1702-1736.

Today, Viennese residents on a

Sunday outing stroll around, join town

folk in window shopping or a long, late

lunch. I join them at Café zum Fürsten

for coffee and Linzertorte.

I walk up the main street of the

village that is literally defined by the

monastery’s long rocky foundation.

With no possibility of crossroads, the

entire village is spread out along the

wall. I deviate up the steep and staired

Steingasse passage to the entrance, and

an extraordinary plateau in the sky. A

sign invites visitors to wander through

the abbey’s extensive formal gardens.

Saints Peter and Paul welcome me

as I enter and cross Prelates Court to

a modern ticket office. There’s nothing

medieval in this modern, high-tech

museum, with mood lighting, special

exhibits, whirring and purring and lots

of interactivity. It’s a little incongruous.

Parallel to this ultra-modern exhibition

arcade is the uncrowded, 200m-long

Imperial Corridor and a traditional line

of Hapsburg portraits.

I enter the Marble Hall. It’s beautiful,

made more so with shafting golden

sunlight. For a while I have the

room to myself. It is a formal, yet

not overwhelming, space for special

occasions, perhaps to receive a pope or

a potentate.

It’s spare. There are large wooden

cabinets at each doorway and pilasters

in red marble, but overhead is wow and

wonderment. The fresco by Paul Troger

(1731), cunningly contrived to make

the flat ceiling curved, is a baroque

masterpiece. Its allegorical centrepiece

features St Benedict ascending to

Heaven. This room may be sublime, but

most visitors continue interacting with

museum machines.

With one step I’m outside on the

rounded rear balcony - on top of the

world. Down there are towns, fields, the

Melk River and, crossing it on a small

bridge, dark ant-shapes: first-glimpse

cyclists, like me.

“The library is this way.” I follow. It

takes two steps just to get through the

doorway.

This is more like it; books stacked to

the ceiling … another Troger ceiling.

Books in aged brown line every wall

and glass-topped cases display special

books, maps and manuscripts. It’s a

reminder that for hundreds of years,

long before schools, universities and the

World Wide Web, all knowledge resided

in monasteries.

If knowledge was power, that made

monasteries, particularly worldrenowned

Melk, very powerful indeed.

In alcoves there are globes of the

known world at various centuries.

There are more than 80,000 volumes

held on 10 floors, two available to

the public.

The lateness of the day precludes

me from ascending the spiral

staircase to the second. Dubbed

the staircase to God, it is stunning.

Viewed from underneath it resembles

a giant luminescent seashell.

My self-guided tour brings me to

a highlight: Melk Church. Fittingly,

light descends from above through

a large cupola spreading over the

brown and burnished-gold altar.

Here I meet Peter and Paul again, this

time bidding each other farewell. It

is astonishing; perfect proportions

designed to inspire with awe.

Exploratory instincts take me

to niches along the sides. In glass

cases abbots and other important

figures down the ages rest, not in

stone or plaster, but as skeletons.

One suggestively leans on a former

elbow; all are “dressed” in their

official clothing. It’s a reminder how

customs and sensibilities change.

Having finally sorted fact from

fiction, I reflect on this memorable

visit of architectural and religious

history presented through 21st

century technology. My imagined

medieval monastic traditions remain:

Melk Abbey today is a thriving

community of Benedictine monks

and scholars.

Just without the murders. •


Traveller

Champagne tour with

Dame of Champagne

Australian champagne lovers are invited to

France to join a unique ‘Insider’s Tour’ of the Champagne-

Ardenne region where they will meet and dine with the

winemakers and owners of some of the world’s most

prestigious champagne houses, normally closed to

the public.

Described as a “true connoisseur’s peak” into the world

of champagne and hosted by one of Australia’s foremost

experts on champagne, Kyla Kirkpatrick, the five-star

tour includes a stay at a grand 17th century chateau and

private visits to champagne houses, or maisons, where

guests can sample more than 70 types of champagne,

including secret, “high end” cuvees reserved in cellars for

VIPs and not available to the rest of the world.

Known as the “Champagne Dame”, Kyla Kirkpatrick

has spent more than a decade living in and travelling

to Champagne, where she has befriended some of the

world’s top champagne makers, and regularly hosts

champagne master classes in Australia and overseas.

“This will be an intimate, red carpet sojourn that will

enable fellow champagne lovers to enjoy indulgent

soirees with the owners and winemakers of the world’s

most exquisite champagne brands whose estates are

normally closed to tourists, so it’s a special experience

money simply can’t buy,” said Ms Kirkpatrick, who has

worked for the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group

promoting Krug, Dom Perignon, Moët and Chandon and

Veuve Clicquot.

Places are now available for the 2014 tour running

from June 8-13. For bookings call 0403 149 809 or visit

www.thechampagnedame.com •

A Royal Enfield ride through India

Motorcycle tour operator, Extreme Bike Tours,

has introduced new luxury rides in India.

The tours will take adventure seekers through Rajasthan

in November, 2013, and also November, 2014, and

through South India in February, 2014, with guests riding

India’s classic Royal Enfield 500cc motorbikes.

The 14-day Rajasthan tour, covering 2000km of roads,

takes in iconic sights such as the Taj Mahal, and the

City of Lakes – Udaipur – with riders visiting ancient

forts, lavish palaces and bustling bazaars and throttling

across the vast Thar Desert with its camel caravans and

wandering nomads. Riders will also take a safari through

Ranthambore National Park to find tigers, elephants

and crocodiles.

Meanwhile, the 12-day luxury South India tour includes

1600km of riding along some of the quietest roads in

India, with motorcyclists starting in the ancient spice

capital of Cochin and travelling to the beaches of Goa via

vast tea plantations, the spectacular palaces and temples

of Mysore, the ancient city of Hassan and the jungles

of Mudumalai National Park where rides will stay in a

luxurious jungle retreat and search for tigers.

On both tours, groups are limited to just 10 bikes

and open to licensed motorcyclists, although pillion

passengers are also welcome.

The five-star Rajasthan tour is available from US$3930

per rider. The five-star South India tour is available from

US$4450 per rider.

Featured on, Top Gear, Extreme Bike Tours is based in

India and owned by former Englishman and adrenalin

junkie, Zander Combe. Up to 80 per cent of riders are

from Australia.

For bookings visit www.extremebiketours.com or call

+ 91 96653 77344. •


Traveller

Top Western Australian winemaker

Larry Cherubino goes bush

Internationally acclaimed Western Australian

winemaker Larry Cherubino will visit one of the world’s

most isolated settings to host a four-day wine tasting

event – Wine in the Wilderness at Faraway Bay in the far

north Kimberley, from July 29 to August 2.

A maximum of 16 guests will share Larry’s intimate

winemaking secrets while indulging in tastings of his

finest drops, including vertical and regional tastings, fine

wine and food matching, and more.

When not talking and tasting wine with Larry, or

dining on freshly prepared gourmet meals, you can

immerse yourself in Faraway Bay’s spectacular scenery

and tempting array of activities. Overlook the Timor Sea

while bathing in a spring-fed rock pool, enjoy spectacular

fishing, explore Ice Age rock art, and a boat cruise to

Western Australia’s largest waterfall – the iconic twin King

George Falls.

Revered by wine critics and collectors, Larry Cherubino

has won more awards than any other contemporary

winemaker working in Australia today – some 100 trophies

and 400 gold medals, and counting. Larry Cherubino

Wines was James Halliday’s 2011 Winery of the Year and

in the 2013 James Halliday Wine Companion, and scored

more 94+ point ratings than any other Australian winery.

Larry describes the trip as the ultimate dream holiday

for wine, food and travel connoisseurs.

“Faraway Bay is one of Australia’s hidden gems and

if you love wine, then you’ll be in good company. I’m

looking forward to sharing some of my favourites, and

what an amazing setting to do it in.”

The fully inclusive Wine in the Wilderness package is

$5540 per person. For bookings or further details visit

farawaybay.com.au or phone 0419 918 953. •

FRANCE

LANGUEDOC

Villa and garden flat in wine country near

Mediterranean. Details at: www.les-oliviers.org

ITALY

TUSCANY, CHIANTI

Self catering Villa/apartments in historical hamlet.

Ideal location for relaxing and visit all places of

interest. Beautiful setting, uncompromised views.

Free WiFi. Rotarian owned. www.aiolina.it

FRANCE

“Luxury hotel barge cruises for discerning

travellers in search of a leisurely, indulgent,

and authentic French experience.”

BOOK EARLY & SAVE

New Zealand Ph: 07 865 9842

Australia Ph: 02 4363 1617

CANAL CRUISING IN FRANCE

www.canalcruisinginfrance.com

ADVERTISE YOUR

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

Contact Gay or Sam for a quote

Phone: 02 9633 4888

E: advertising@rotarydownunder.com.au

CLASSIFIED AD - $20 plus GST per line

DISPLAY AD $180 plus GST

Book 6 issues, get 1 FREE


Traveller

100 ROTARIANS AND PARTNERS

TO COMMEMORATE

on a exclusively designed

2015

tour for Rotarians

The Centenary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli in 2015 will be an important moment in the history of Australia, New

Zealand and Turkey. It was the events of the Gallipoli campaign in 1915 that ultimately helped shape our nations.

The 2015 tour is a project of the Rotary Club of Balwyn and District 9800 with the APT Travel Group appointed to

handle all travel arrangements. Only Rotarians and their Partners from Australia and NZ will participate in this tour.

APT is recognized as a leading tour operator in Australia and with its international partners they are able to offer tour

participants the exclusive use of the MS Island Sky, a boutique luxury cruiser with capacity for 114 passengers. Her

boutique size means she can manoeuvre into small docks and squeeze into bays off limits to large cruise ships

The ANZAC Centennial tour package will include 14 nights with the first 7 days spent discovering modern and

ancient Turkey. Rotary Club of Goksu will be arranging special events including a dinner cruise along the Bosphorus,

the historic strait that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia, and an official Rotary meeting between

the Clubs of District 2420 and 9800. Following on, a 7 night cruise has been arranged from Istanbul to Athens.

Accompanying us will be Hugh Dolan an Australian historian and former RAAF intelligence officer who will provide us

with his unique perspective.

The Gallipoli campaign was a maritime campaign. The landing of soldiers on the Gallipoli peninsula was a means to

get the navy through the Dardanelles and onto Istanbul. The peninsula remains a protected reserve with its battlefields

only metres from the sea. Men from Australia, France, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Britain, India and Africa

landed from across the seas to fight their way inland. Likewise Turkey’s brave defenders attempted to push the

invaders back down the slopes to the beaches below. Just about every cemetery, certainly at ANZAC, has a view

across the water to the island of Imbros and Cape Kephalo. It is a beautiful setting for a most terrible struggle.

For Australia the beaches across the cove and under the 400 plateau are loaded with meaning. Australians fought

in aircraft based on Imbros and in a submarine to win through the Narrows. Perhaps the clearest picture of the

campaign can only be gained from the sea. Lone Pine, The Nek, Hill 60, Embarkation Pier, Ari Burnu, and Gaba Tepe

are all coastal features. We will visit these places before the ceremony and see where all Australians and New

Zealanders served. We will visit the resting place of Australia’s submarine AE2 in the Sea of Marmora and cruise past

the 35 Turkish forts that lined the Narrows. We will sail up past Cape Helles and the British bloodbaths of V, W, X

beaches where the River Clyde was grounded. And finally we arrive at ANZAC Cove. During the centenary we will

be out to sea in the exact place where the transports waited for the dawn, between Cape Kephalo and Gaba Tepe.

Rotarians, who have been successful in the ballot, will have the option to either attend the ANZAC Service at ANZAC

Cove or stay on board and experience the ANZAC Service via a live telecast.

For further information see the advertisement on the back page of RDU and those wishing to register an expression

of interest can contact APT on Australia 1800 655 440 or New Zealand 0800 278 687. 2015 will be the 7th

commemorative tour to Gallipoli arranged by the Rotary Club of Balwyn.

Rotary Club

of Balwyn &

District 9800


PRE REGISTER

YOUR INTEREST

NOW

Traveller

DISTRICT 9800

CENTENNIAL TOUR GALLIPOLI 2015

EXCLUSIVE TO ROTARIANS, PARTNERS & FRIENDS^

ANZAC ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Stay 7 nights in a luxury hotel exploring Istanbul and Ankara

Spend 7 nights on board a boutique ocean cruise ship MS Island Sky

– max. 114 guests

Fully escorted tour with services of an APT Tour Director & onboard historian

Dinner cruise along the stunning Bosphorus with Turkish Rotarians

Tour Istanbul’s Old Town and see the Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia

Joint Club meeting with members of the Rotary Club of Göksu

Travel to Gallipoli National Park for a tour of the war memorials,

in company with Turkish Rotarians

Participation in Turkish National Sovereignty & Children’s day in the town

of Gallipoli: Hosted by Mayor of Gallipoli

ANZAC Dawn Service on the Gallipoli Peninsula

Cruise the Greek Islands and end in Athens

A project of the Rotary Club of Balwyn in conjunction with

Rotary District 9800 Australia & the Rotary Club of Göksu,

Istanbul & Rotary District 2420 Turkey

Rotarians and Partners from Australia and New Zealand are invited to

register your interest in participating in this special event. The 2015

Centennial Tour will comprise a 14 night package of 7 nights in Istanbul

discovering modern and ancient Turkey followed by 7 night luxury cruise

participating in ANZAC celebrations and visiting the Greek Islands.

To avoid disappointment you can secure your place today by paying

a fully refundable deposit of only $250 per person.

Please email us at: Groupsadmin@aptouring.com.au

or mail to: P.O. Box 118, Hampton, Vic. 3188.

For more information Call APT Groups on:

Australia 1800 655 440 New Zealand 0800 278 687

www.balwynrotary.org.au

ANZAC CENTENNIAL TOUR

14 Days from $7,990*

Ask about combining your

14 Days ANZAC experience

with an APT European River Cruise from

Budapest to Amsterdam

For bookings and more information

Phone: AU 1800 655 440 NZ 0800 278 687

Email: groupsadmin@aptouring.com.au

www.balwynrotary.org.au

Rotary Club

of Balwyn

Conditions: Please contact APT Groups department on 1800 655 440 (AU) or 0800 278 687 (NZ) or email us at groupsadmin@aptouring.com.au. *Prices contained within this flyer are a guide only, and are

subject to change due to unknown factors such as fluctuating exchange rates and CPI in Turkey. A guaranteed price, along with full terms and conditions will be available approximately 18 months prior to departure.

Airfares & taxes are additional. Price is based on lead in category cabin and does not include cabin upgrades. Deposit of $250 per person is required to pre-register interest. This deposit remains fully refundable

until a guaranteed price is advised. Once guaranteed pricing is released, clients will be required to pay non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per person (additional $750 pp) within 7 days to secure their position.

All Itinerary Highlights are subject to availability and confirmation. MS Island Sky is subject to final deployment confirmation. Anzac Day commemorative services including the Dawn Service are held within the

Gallipoli Historical National Park. All services are open to the public. The Park is subject to Turkish governmental regulations in keeping with its status as a National Park. Turkish authorities may restrict some

access for 2015, full details will be advised as known. The New Zealand and Australian Governments, along with counterparts in Turkey have commenced discussions about strategies for attendance at Gallipoli


for ANZAC Day 2015. As planning is still in its infancy, we are not able to guarantee how the commemorations will be operated. Therefore the ANZAC itinerary is subject to change until further official information

is received. ^Subject to achieving minimum numbers. Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd ABN 44 004 684 619 Lic. No. 30112 MKT10587

Henley- on-todd - Rotary Down Under

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