Valerie Bonython introduced Andrew who was an Economics graduate from Adelaide Uni. He worked for Nestlé food company in Adelaide and head office Sydney where he succeeded in lifting their sales. In 1999 he took up executive roles in finance, promotion and marketing in the SA tourism industry. In 2000, Andrew formed AWC Business Solutions which is a training and coaching firm specialising in the development of organisations and individuals, particularly in the marketing, selling and customer service areas. He owns the International copywrite to Personality Profiling Tools.

In 2020 Andrew became a Director of Cafe Outside the Square, a registered charity, in Whitmore Square which has provided meals to those most in need and training in hospitality for those less fortunate.

Andrew showed a video displaying the work of the cafe, providing good food for the needy and training for people struggling to find work. The cafe was established in 2017 by Mike Chalmers and Tim Seymour-Smith at the old Iliad restaurant (superb in its day) now owned by Vinnies. The cafe opened from 8am - 3pm, feeding and training the under-privileged.  It nearly went pear-shaped when Covid struck in 2020 but was saved by changing to a soup kitchen providing food to other organisations. That year 15,000 servings were produced, increasing to 30,000 in 2021 and currently on-track for 50,000+ this year.  They supply food to a range of charities like Baptist Care which provides 100-150 meals per day and have catered for the Hutt Street Centre and a Salvos dinner in Pirie Street. They are great at producing soups, sausage rolls, vegie dishes and fruit platters. As well as the training provided, groups of students participate from eg St Marks College. There are about 50 volunteers. A successful fundraising event has been Soup and Sleep raised $154k this year and delivered 2,500 meals/servings on the day. Members of our club were invited to participate next year, sleeping under the stars.....Ken and Valerie seemed keen to participate.

 

The 5-year lease on the Whitmore Square premises expired this year, New premises have been found at the Anzano Club in Chief Street, Hindmarsh. It is big and will enable larger scale cooking and cold storage. The raison detre remains food and training. They need to raise $400-500k each year to keep it running. Good stories abound like the fund-raising efforts of students from Glenunga International School who had participated in the training program, and Seymour College which had its own Soup and Sleep event. There are initiatives being taken to include these types of experiences in the school curriculum.

 

Andrew was thanked by acclamation. 

 

Secretary Greg McLeod convened the AGM to report on the appointments to the Board for 2023/24:

 

President - John Peacham

Immediate Past President - Ken Haines

Secretary - Greg McLeod

Treasurer - Vacant but Brenton Judge had indicated a willingness to serve

Club Services - Paul Duke

Vocational - Chris Davis

Community Service - Jerry Casburn

International - Graham Beckett

 

 

Comment was made about the lack of female representation on the Board.

Greg also explained that he has been unable to place a tribute to Ging Tadiar in the Advertiser until the death notice is issued.

 

I would never have thought I would get so much enjoyment out of a concert and be so exhilarated to be part of leading the charge for global change. Before the Global Citizen Live concert in Accra, Ghana, 24 September, Rotary International President Jennifer Jones, who was in our country visiting Rotary clubs and projects, encouraged all Rotaract members to be a part of the buildup to this big event by creating excitement. Our charge was to step on the world stage and join with artists and leaders around the world in creating awareness for the need to protect our planet and end extreme poverty.

I was more than eager to do my part and use my social media accounts and one-on-one engagements to spread the word, posting and reposting content about the festival on Twitter and Instagram. We urged as many people as we could to take part in the festival at the Black Star Square in Accra.

The stage was significant. This year’s event was the 10th anniversary for Global Citizen Festival and the first time the event was held in Ghana. Ghana is the first African country to gain its independence from colonial rule. The Black Star Square ceremonial grounds are where all our major celebrations take place. Being able to share the stage for Rotary at this significant gathering highlighted the important work that Rotary is doing in fighting hunger, preventing disease, providing clean water and sanitation, promoting peace, supporting education, and ending polio.

Truly, Rotary and Rotaract members are joining with global citizen and changemakers to take action and improve lives. I have just begun in my own small ways to create positive change. I hope our efforts before and after this event will inspire others to do their part as well.

 

Saturday Thrift Shop Roster

 

ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm