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THE UNLEY ROTARIAN: Meeting 4267 -  23 November 2021 Website: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/2039/
 Rotary Club of Unley Inc.

 District 9510 - Chartered 17 April 1935

 President:  Nathan White 0424 608 699
 Secretary:  Greg McLeod 0417 811 838
 Address:  PO Box 18, Unley SA 5061
 Email:  secretary@unleyrotary.org.au
 Meetings:  Tuesdays at 6.00 for 6.30pm
 Venue:
 Damien on Fisher, 123 Fisher Street, Fullarton SA
President Nathan White
 

NEXT WEEK WE ARE INTO ANAESTHESIA AND PEARL HARBOR

Last Meeting

 
Venue:                      Damien on Fisher
 
Guest Speaker:       Dr Brian Wheeler
 
Guests:                    Haydn Baillie, Vivienne Wood, Rtn Oleh Bilyk; Sophia, Natalia and Derek Lewis
 
Attendance:            26 members   7 guests 
 

Chair David Middleton indicated that President Nathan's twin brother Greg McLeod would act on his behalf for this meeting.  There will be a Board meeting following.

Guest Speaker: Dr Brian Wheeler OAM -  'Up, Up and Away' with the Royal Flying Doctor Service

David introduced Brian who is a retired dentist. He was heavily involved in the Australian Dental Association at State and Federal level, including as national president He joined the RFDS in 1978 and spent 23 years on the RFDS Central Operations Board covering SA and NT. 20 years ago he obtained his pilot's licence. He was awarded the OAM in 2009 for services to dentistry and RFDS.

Brian's first encounter with RFDS was at an outback dental clinic in the 1970s. His hero is Dr John Flynn who was a driving force behind the opening up of central Australia. In 1911 while working at Beltana Flynn was struck by the lack of medical facilities between Port Augusta and Darwin. He established the Australian Inland Mission with a series of bush hospitals. In 1928 he utilised a plane from the Queensland and NT Aerial Service to transport a patient.....the beginning of RFDS. Across the country there are 79 aircraft and 1500 employees. Central has its head office in Adelaide (1980s), command centre at Port Augusta (1955) and offices in Alice Springs (1935) and Darwin more recently.

The workhorse of the fleet is the Pilatus single engine PC-12 with a 2 stretcher capacity which can land almost anywhere; the purchase of  the PC-24 jet adds a new dimension of speed, 3 stretcher capacity, sophisticated systems  and an ability to travel at 45,000 feet. These planes whilst airborne can access information (including patient records) through the NBN data satellite. They have a great team of nurses. Medical kits have been deployed across the outback. While originally RFDS was aimed at recovering injured and sick people from remote areas its current suite of services covers much more including: teaching of first aid: clinics/outreach for medical, oral health, mums and bubs, mental health; special support for aboriginal communities. There have been 6000 inter-hospital transfers of Covid patients. Children have been airlifted to Sydney and Melbourne for major operations. Organ transplants require immediate response. RFDS Central office at Adelaide Airport is well equipped with modern training and aircraft facilities.

While recurrent expenses are covered by government, there is a big gap, $68m over the next 5 years for capital (planes and equipment). Corporate and philanthropic donations are vital

Brian was thanked by acclamation.

 

Sophia Lewis and her journey on the One and All

Unley Rotary sponsored Sophia to participate in a 5-day training/fun exercise aboard the One and All from 26 -30 September. Originally it was planned to sail around Kangaroo Island but favourable winds saw them travel to Eyre and Fleurieu Peninsulas. On Day 1 at Port Adelaide the participants were divided into 3 watches Port, Starboard and Midship. A great start with smooth sailing and no phones. Day 2 the weather turned stormy and most contributed to ocean pollution (except Sophia). But just as the world was coming to an end, a bright blue sky and dolphins emerged on day 3. The team disembarked at Port Julia and had a lot of fun on the beach including team building exercises. Day 4 saw more time to savor and reflect on their adventure, and build stronger friendships. Day 5 was sadly back home. There were many magic moments.

Sophia saw 4 major benefits from her participation namely experiencing another side of life, overcoming natural fear (particularly when it came to climbing the mast), building confidence and making new friends from diverse backgrounds....plus learning navigational and ship-handling skills. She will be participating in another adventure as a volunteer this coming weekend and has registered for April as well. Sophia expressed appreciation for Julie the on-board chef who kept them well fed, the ship's crew and Unley Rotary.

And we expressed our delight! But the editor is wondering what happened to the cat o' nine tails and the plank for misbehaving. 

Club Corner

A new meeting segment is being introduced, namely regular updates by Directors.

Ken Haines was first cab off the rank on Fundraising.

The club is reliant on the Thrift Shop and Bunnings and Mitre 10 BBQs for its revenue raising. They have placed the club in a strong financial position. Ken was pleased that the BBQs were enjoyable events and developed camaraderie. Mitre10 is good local involvement. Bunnings also calls on us when there is a drop out on a key day.......and we will need more volunteers on December 26 and 27. Last week a proposal by Sturt Football Club to have our club provide a bbq on match days was examined but proved to be logistically too difficult. 

The Brownhill Creek BBQ trailer which we inherited is housed at Brighton....new premises are to be constructed by Council

Editor's note - Ken (together with Jerry) puts an enormous effort into these BBQs, for which we are all grateful

Behind he Badge - David Middleton     

David was born in a Sydney hospital on 4 December 1950. Happy family, and life free and easy in a small town near Picton. Boy scouts was the go.....schooling was vaguely bearable. On leaving school, he snared a teachers scholarship at UNSW and studied marketing. He got a job at Readers Digest as their statistics clerk. At age 24 he was enticed to join Rigby Books in Adelaide but that fell apart and many jobs followed mainly in the manufacturing sector. And he married Sue.
 
In 1987 David established a financial advisory company Prescott Securities (named after the street in which he lives) where he spent 35 years. 10 years ago, after a dust-up, he formed a new company called Midsec. He authored the book "Kissing the Frog" (about money making) which has been mildly successful and can be purchased for $10...someone suggested a sure cure for insomnia.
 
David has been an Unley Rotarian of 30 years and has loved the experience.
 

Spots

 
Trevor McGuirk offered to transport 2 more volunteers out to Donations In Kind next Saturday....he is hoping for a good turnout from Unley on what is always an enjoyable and productive day.
 
Stephen Baker provided a positive update on the club's 'walking wounded' namely David Payne, Alex Jonson, Vera-Ann Stacy and Genese Mullins
 

Finale

 
Bob Mills won the filthy lucre and guest Brian Wheeler the Fruchocs.
 
The full-some meeting closed at 8.00pm.....great effort.
 
 

Club Notices

Annual General Meeting call for nominations......get excited

The Annual General Meeting of the Rotary Club of Unley Inc. will be held Tuesday 14 December 2021 at Damien on Fisher, 123 Fisher Street, Fullarton.
The business of the meeting will include the election of the following officers to fill vacancies on the Board for the following year:
  • President elect (2022-2023)
  • Vice President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Director (International)
  • Director (Community)
  • Director (Vocational)
  • Director (Membership)
  • Director (New Generation)
  • Director (Environment)

 

 

Upcoming Rotary event:

This is great - full of fun and fulfilment

                         

 

ROTARY NEWS

What we can accomplish when we embrace diversity

By K V Mohan Kumar, charter president of the Rotary Club of Bangalore, Prime, India, and an ambassador of the Ellen Meadows Prosthetic Hand Foundation
 
 
                    
                                  A mother adjusts the strap on her son’s new prosthesis.
 
As members of Rotary, we can show our support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) not only by our words, but by our actions. The way we design projects and include people of all backgrounds as volunteers and recipients speaks louder than words.
 
In 2021, three members of our district came together to plan a medical project that fitted individuals who had lost hands with free below-the-elbow prosthetics at a camp in Dharwad, India, in October. All three of these members were from different occupations and backgrounds; one a microbiologist, one a business entrepreneur, and one an IT project manager. Together in Rotary, they blended their unique skills to lead a project benefitting people from all backgrounds. 
They elicited the support of Rotary clubs that were as diverse and inclusive as they were; including a 12-year-old club whose membership is mostly women; a 56-year-old club that has members of different ages, gender, and occupations; and a brand new five-year-old club that has younger members. We had 10 members of Interact and 16 members of Rotaract participate in the project.
 
Staff at Pallavi Hospital pre-registered patients prior to the camp. Local government officials helped by securing permission and permits and providing Rapid Antigen Tests for patients, medical workers, and volunteers. A Rotary member who is a physiotherapist organized a team of three other physiotherapists from her clinic to fit and train the prosthetic recipients.
We created publicity materials in both English and a local dialect to reach a diverse group of beneficiaries. We promoted the camp on a variety of social media platforms and print and digital publications in multiple markets. We received a big boost when RI President Shekhar Mehta, RI Director Mahesh Kotbagi, and our district governor attended an event promoting the camp on 19 October.
We had Rotary members travel from all over India to take part. Two dozen came from 265 miles away and one member from Jamnagar traveled 855 miles to volunteer.
 
More than 100 people received free prosthetic hands as a result of the 840 volunteer hours. Each of our prosthetic recipients received an individual assessment, fitting, and customized training on use of their prosthesis. Each also received professional counseling. Our beneficiaries came from different socio-economic backgrounds and varied in age from eight to 64 years old.
A 32-year-old individual from Bagalkot who had to have both of his hand amputated came to our camp, emotionally drained after he had been abandoned by most of his friends over time and even some family members. We were able to fit him with prosthetics, and he was overjoyed by the results. He left with renewed hope in his future. Results like this are what keep us going.
 
The project will continue to serve those in need. A permanent center is being established at Vithal Institute of Child Health in Dharwad. Big journeys begin with small steps. We can achieve so much when we apply the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to all of our efforts. And DEI itself is a journey, not a destination.

Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre

10.30 am on the first Friday of the month is good for a chat with Rotary friends and a caffeine fix! Next one is Friday 3 December.              

Upcoming Meetings

Tuesday 30 November 2021     6.00 for 6.30pm Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: John Crowhurst 'The anaesthetic legacy of Pearl Harbor'
Set-up and Welcome.......Jason Booth & Robyn Carnachan
 
Tuesday 7 December 2021 6.30pm Unley Soldiers' Memorial Gardens
Event: Unley Road Association Networking Event
More details to follow
 
Apologies to: Jerry Casburn by e-mail jerry@thecasburns.com.au  or  0407 646 396
Meeting Enquiries to: Secretary Greg McLeod on 0417 811 838  or email to secretary@unleyrotary.org.au
Venue Set-up Enquiries to: Bulletin Editor Stephen Baker on 0403 687 015
 

Saturday Thrift Shop Roster

Early Shift: 10.00am to 1.00pm    Late Shift: 1.00pm to 4.00pm 
 
Week 1: 4 December 2021 
Early: Jerry Casburn & Jurgen Stahl |  Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
 
Week 2:  11 December 2021
Early: Greg Mcleod & Virginia Cossid |  Late: Wendy Andrews & Heather Kilsby
 
Week 3: 18 December 2021
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White  |  Late: Pam Trimmer & Vera Holt 
 
Week 4: 27 November 2021
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran |  Late: Jason Booth & Rhonda Hoare
 
Week 5
Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews |  Late: Jerry Casburn & Paul Duke 
 
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

Mitre 10 and Bunnings Barbeques 

The Mitre 10 BBQs are the first and third Saturdays of each month. Morning shift 8.30am - 12 noon; afternoon shift 12.00 - 3.30pm, then clean-up.....next is  Saturday 4 December
 
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
Morning shift: 8.00am – 12.30pm | Afternoon shift: 12.30 – 5pm
We have been allocated the last Monday of each month.....next one is Monday 29 November
 

The Tale End.....   

The very best in advertising

Did I read that sign right?
"TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW."
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In a Laundromat:
AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT.
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In a London department store:
BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS...
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In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN.
------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------------
In an office:
AFTER TEA BREAK, STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD.
------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------------
Outside a second-hand shop:
WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?
------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------------
Notice in health food shop window:
CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS...
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Spotted in a safari park:       
(I sure hope so.)
ELEPHANTS, PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR.
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Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR.
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Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.
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