Guests: Unley Mayor Michael Hewiston and Ros Hewitson, Noma and Peter Madida, Lester Saegenschnitter, Brette Schumann
Attendance: 22 members 7 guests plus zooming David Payne
Announcements by President Graham
Heather is convalescing well after an operation in Melbourne.
At the recent Board meeting, items of discussion included: Pride of Work; celebrating the Australian Centenary of Rotary; current projects; attuning with local press; a club health survey; and a forthcoming Thrift Shop working bee.
Guest Speaker: Richard Peake - Its not fake news!
Chairman David rattled off Richard's intro and it went something like this.....born in Mt Barker, family shifted to Naracoorte, secondary education at Westminster, studied journalism, spent time in National Service including officer training, and went on a Rotary Exchange.... For 35 years Richard was owner and editor of the Naracoorte Herald newspaper serving a large area of the South East, retiring to Adelaide in 2010. He has 3 daughters and 5 grand children.
'Facts are Sacred!' so declared Richard.....but it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. Fake news is not new....in the13th century BC, Rameses declared a victory that did not happen. Newspapers represented the first of media outlets some 400 years ago, with radio and TV of quite recent origins. Traditionally people want integrity and honesty in media reporting. He displayed a copy of New Idea which does not conform to this ideal. People tend to judge the quality of reports produced on:
the standing of the media outlet
the reputation of the reporter
story credibility
any obvious errors
Social media and on-line marketing has had an enormously negative impact on newspapers which relied on advertising (real estate and car sales were big earners) for 50-60% of their revenue. The Australian only generates 5% though advertising, It was the traditional role of newspapers to train front line journalists capable of researching and delivery the news. The importance of such training cannot be understated. He cited the case of a Channel 10 journalist who kept asking a critical question during the last Federal election.....keeping politicians accountable is vital.
He made a number of other observations;
famous people often control all aspects of reporting about them
crime reporters and international journalists in hot zones place themselves at great risk.....50 journalists die each year and many more are jailed and tortured
there are 3000 less trained journalists in Australia than there were 10 years ago
attendance at dismal council meetings (Richard had 35 years of experience at this) was a main source of news for local newspapers but now there is greater use of 'closed sessions' to limit public scrutiny and reliance on council media releases which can be misleading
Politicians love Freedom of Information but often curb it, and even Hansard can be wrong.
The problem today is that there are mountains of fake and unsubstantiated stories that keep circulating through the likes of Facebook, Instagram, Google etc. And teachers and children have already embraced these outlets. Trolling has reached epidemic proportions.
The future depends on being able to separate fact from fiction. We need more than ever, and must pay for, credible sources of information. Rupert Murdoch has been a genius at surviving under the most difficult conditions imaginable.
Richard was thanked by acclamation.
Behind the Badge: Judy Barton
Judy whimsically delivered the the story of her life....the shortened version of course. Good local stock....born in Malvern and studied Arts and Politics at Adelaide Uni. She covered her costs through part time work at the State and Children's Library. On graduation, she took up the teaching of English and Phys Ed at Croydon Girls Technical College. But that did not last long! Judy had 30 jobs over her working life with none lasting more than 5 years. Cooking for a tour bus and in Darwin was a special experience. In 1973 she started work at a book shop in Melbourne and finished up owning one (not sure if it was the same one).
Social work was her calling and her most fulfilling job was with Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne where she was responsible for placement of children for adoption. There was a range of other appointments relating to care for disabled and disadvantaged children, occupational health and safety, and hospital social work. After marriage her main priority was educating children.
Her desire to join Rotary was inspired by brother David who contracted polio severely in 1950 - Rotary has made a magnificent effort to eradicate polio across the globe.
Judy was also thanked by acclamation.
Spots
Patsy Beckett reminded of the vocational visit to The Cedars in Hahndorf on Sunday 28 March at a cost of $20.....a log-in sheet is being circulated.
Jerry Casburn asked those involved in the distribution of the materials for the Small Business and Pride of Workmanship awards to collect the gear after the meeting. He also asked for more people to support Sunny's fringe performance in March - see JC's email of 28 February
Stephen Baker exhorted everyone to sign up and pay for the annual bowling grudge match against RC Mitcham scheduled for Tuesday 16 February at the Hawthorn Bowling Club - cost $30 for dinner and bowls. An entertaining night guaranteed.
Finale
Jerry paid a shame fine for Thrift Shop misdemeanors and Stephen was glad that the grandkids were back at school. Patsy won the big bucks from the roulette wheel.
In another timely display, the Prez closed the meeting at 7.52pm but the thought for the day requires further unravelling.
ROTARY NEWS
Italian Rotarians spread joy of giving
By Omar Bortoletti, Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser for Zone 14
Trustee Chair K.R. Ravindran (bottom left) takes part in a virtual major donor event organized by Rotary District 2060 in Venice, Italy.
The Rotary Foundation reminds us constantly why we are here. It reminds us who it is we serve. It reminds us that these days, these hours, while we yet walk this earth – that this is our time and we must grasp it.” These were the words of K.R. “Ravi” Ravindran, Trustee chair of The Rotary Foundation, during the recent major donor event organized by District 2060 in northeastern Italy.
Rotarians in Venice, Italy (under the leadership of District Governor Diego Vianello), had long planned to host Ravindran during Foundation Month last November, but when the pandemic persisted, we found ourselves organizing a virtual event in lieu of an in-person dinner to recognize new major donors.
Moving the event online offered certain advantages: due to the low-cost of a Zoom call, the invitation could be extended to more guests. In the end, 170 participants attended, including current and new major donors and bequest society members, current and incoming district leaders, and Foundation supporters from around northern Italy. In addition to Ravindran, other Rotary VIPs could connect from afar, like Trustee Sangkoo Yun from Korea and RI Director Roger Llhors of France.
One challenge with the virtual format we faced was how to make each of the 16 new major donors feel special and appropriately recognized, even though the traditional major donor pin and crystal could not be presented in person. Through the advance planning of my team of District Endowment and Major Gift Subcommittee Chairs, each donor submitted a photo of themselves carrying the crystal and wearing their pin. These were developed into an elegant, running slide show.
To add a personal touch, we accompanied the photos with a short quotation from the donor, describing what motivated them to make a gift to the Foundation this year. The result was a personal, heart-felt testimony of the very different reasons why Rotarians support our Foundation. Whether they gave to honor a loved one, or to meet a community need, or because of their trust in Rotary’s financial management and the impact of its areas of focus, each donor offered insight into their individual humanitarian values.
A bittersweet moment concluded the gathering when posthumous recognition was given to Ambrogio Locatelli, a long-time Rotarian who passed away just days after making a major gift to the Foundation. As recounted by his wife, Rotarian Mariangela Donà Locatelli, one of his dying wishes was for her to complete his commitment and create a named, endowed fund to support humanitarian projects. In honor of Ambrogio’s service and dedication to Rotary, the first annual Ambrogio Locatelli Award for Friendship and Solidarity was presented to Ravindran, along with a gift of 10,000 Euro to the World Fund from the The Rotary Club of Morimondo Abbazia in District 2050.
For the Locatelli family and all those present at the event, it was inspiring to witness that Rotarians, including those whom we have lost during this time, can continue to make a lasting impact in the world through their generosity to the Foundation.
Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre
Twice monthly, 10.30 am on a Friday, is good for a chat with Rotary friends and a caffeine fix! Next one 12 February
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 9 February 2021 - 6 for 6.30pm Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: Mr Nicola Sasanelli, Smartsat and Paul Duke Behind the Badge
Set-up and Welcome......Fay Reid & Christina Way
Tuesday 16 February 2021...............the mighty lawn bowls big bash tournament against RC Mitcham
6 for 6.20pm at Hawthorn Bowling Club. Cost of meal and bowling $30. Meal only $20.
Enquiries to Stephen Baker 0403 687 015
Tuesday 23 February 2021 6 for 6.30pm Dinner under the Stars with Reno and the Salvos!
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt (Pam Trimmer) & Ken Haines
Week 4: 27 February 2021
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Rhonda Hoare & Jason Booth
Week 5:
Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews | Late: Jerry Casburn & Reno Elms
Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: Pam Trimmer (T) 8293 2612; (M) 0415 238 333; e-mail: pamela.trimmer@bigpond.com
Bunnings Mile End and Mitre 10 Barbeques
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
The Mitre 10 BBQs are first and third Saturdays of each month.....next one 6 February
The Tale End
Tales of doctors' experiences.......purportedly true!
A man comes into the ER and yells. . .'My wife's going to have her baby in the cab.'
I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab, lifted the lady's dress and began to take off her underwear. Suddenly I noticed that there were several cabs - - - and I was in the wrong one.
At the beginning of my shift I placed a stethoscope on an elderly and slightly deaf female patient's anterior chest wall.
'Big breaths, '. . . I instructed.
'Yes, they used to be,'. . . replied the patient.
One day I had to be the bearer of bad news when I told a wife that her husband had died of a massive myocardial infarct.
Not more than five minutes later, I heard her reporting to the rest of the family that he had died of a 'massive internal fart.'
While acquainting myself with a new elderly patient, I asked, 'How long have you been bedridden?'
After a look of complete confusion she answered . . . '
Why, not for about twenty years - when my husband was alive.'
A nurse was on duty in the Emergency Room when a young woman with purple hair styled into a punk rocker Mohawk, sporting a variety of tattoos, and wearing strange clothing, entered......
It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis, so she was scheduled for immediate surgery...
When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that her pubic hair
had been dyed green, and above it there was a tattoo that read ... ' Keep off the grass.'
Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing, which said 'Sorry . . . had to mow the lawn.'
A woman and a baby were in the doctor's examining room, waiting for the doctor to come in for the baby's first exam.
The doctor arrived, and examined the baby, checked his weight, and being a little concerned, asked if the baby was breast-fed or bottle-fed.
'Breast-fed,' she replied...
'Well, strip down to your waist,' the doctor ordered.
She did. He pinched her nipples, pressed, kneaded, and rubbed both breasts for a while in a very professional and detailed examination.
Motioning to her to get dressed, the doctor said, 'No wonder this baby is underweight. You don't have any milk.'
'I know,' she said, 'I'm his Aunt, but I'm glad I came.'
He made a number of other observations;
Judy whimsically delivered the the story of her life....the shortened version of course. Good local stock....born in Malvern and studied Arts and Politics at Adelaide Uni. She covered her costs through part time work at the State and Children's Library. On graduation, she took up the teaching of English and Phys Ed at Croydon Girls Technical College. But that did not last long! Judy had 30 jobs over her working life with none lasting more than 5 years. Cooking for a tour bus and in Darwin was a special experience. In 1973 she started work at a book shop in Melbourne and finished up owning one (not sure if it was the same one). 
A man comes into the ER and yells. . .'My wife's going to have her baby in the cab.' 