Venue: Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: Superintendent Mark Syrus, SA Police Officer of the Year
Guests: David Wark, Graham Ey, Genese Mullins, Richard Peake
Attendance: 23 members 5 guests
Valerie Bonython called the meeting to order. President Ken welcomed our guests and informed that Virginia is unwell. His report included a successful Mitre 10 BBQ last Saturday; upcoming Bunnings and Variety Club (Zoo) BBQs next week are in hand; the District Shed is to be ready in about 3 weeks; the club's vote on zone 8 rationalisation was lodged last week.
Guest Speaker: Superintendent Mark Syrus - SA Police Officer of the Year 2022
Chris Davis in introducing David Wark, the CEO of Operation Flinders, reflected on the history of POOTY which was launched in 1978 and has been operating successfully ever since. He asked David to provide background on Operation Flinders to which Mark had made such a significant contribution. David himself grew up locally, went to Rostrevor School, taught PE, helped establish the EFM chain, is a life member of Surt Football Club and has been CEO of Norwood Club.....he was chuffed with the Redlegs winning the SANFL premiership and Sturt FC the Reserves.
The OF trek operates out of Yankaninna Station, which is 700km north of Adelaide on the other side of Leigh Creek. 10 juveniles aged 14-16 head out with a team leader and support staff for a 100km hike over 8 days carrying all their provisions and shelter. The going is tough as it has to be. Participating kids all have issues..... like recidivism, drug abuse, truancy and anti-social behavior. Mark's nickname in Operation Flinders is Yahoo! He has sacrificed many of his holidays to help these kids. He carries enormous experience and knowledge which is invaluable in turning them around.
Mark Syrus was born in Kingswood, one of 5 boys. He attended St Josephs and Unley High School, and joined the SA Police Force as a 17yo in 1980. After 2 years as a cadet he was posted north as a relieving constable firstly in Port Augusta and then to Maree. First night there a fight broke out among the locals which he managed to survive but found himself ill-equipped to handle. With help from Leigh Creek and 3 days of training he learnt how to operate more effectively in what can be a testing environment. Relieving for 4 years took him to the mining town of Andamooka which he enjoyed. Working in regional and remote communities is challenging but rewarding. His next appointment was to Star Force in underwater recovery for 12 years, thence to the Riverland, Port Augusta, back to Adelaide for his children's education and OIC of Star Force and now head of the Yorke Peninsula and Mid-North Region policing area with 32 police districts and 140 staff.
In 1995 Mark volunteered for Operation Flinders. And started walking in the outback with 2 support staff and 10 kids from the Magill Training Centre......they do not get much tougher than that.....100ks and 8 days with an unwilling group of lads. But it was the difference in attitude at the end (a proud dad moment) which hooked him for the next 27 years. Plenty of aggravation, physically challenging, tears and anxiety. By day3 much of the negative attitudes had disappeared (one imagines from sheer exhaustion), and by the end a sense of achievement. Social media has made life difficult for young people.....no phones for 12 days is a bonus. The program runs with an army of volunteers, and heaps of rations and equipment. Mark calculated that he had used 432 days of annual leave with OF....and reflected that this was on occasions at the expense of his wife and family. He related the story of an urban aboriginal lad who found and connected to rock carvings on the trek. There are many success stories.
David Wark explained that the program is further evolving with Next Step. This is to help kids who have been through the program but have had to return to a difficult/traumatic home life. To keep them engaged, they are provided with monthly activities until the age of 19.
Participants in OF are chosen by the 50 nominating high schools. And the operations are becoming more complex due to increase in mental health issues. Trevor McGuirk advised David that our club wished to donate a further $2000.... That is Trevor's shopping docket being presented! David said this further donation would help in the provision of better footwear (boots)
Mark and David were warmly applauded.
SPOTS
Christina Way was pleased with the stamp donations and thanked her helpers....a big parcel dispatched recently.
Rhonda Hoare announced that the Young Friends of Unley Rotary were now holding their film event, Mrs Harris goes to Paris, on Monday 31 October at Wallis Mitcham. (The Capri cinema needed 200 bookings which was too risky). Looking for a bumper crowd...in lieu of normal meeting.
President Ken said that the BBQ at the Adelaide Zoo will be from 10am - 3pm with parking at the Torrens Parade Ground - access code is 5080.
Stephen Baker urged strong support for the RYLA graduation dinner on September 29.....see advert below.
Finale
The winners of the McGuirk raffle were the man himself (twice....but refrained from accepting his prizes), Leonie, Stephen, Vera-Ann and Mark Syrus. Nathan was happy to have not only stormed down the Anzac Highway on the City to Bay Fun Run, but then walked all the way back. And Wendy now has a yellow line outside her house to prevent people parking across her drive...very speedily painted by council.
A Board meeting is to follow.
Meeting closed at the witching hour.
RYLA Graduation Dinner Invitation - 29 September 2022
Rotary International News
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 7 October 2022
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 27 September 2022 6 for 6.30pm Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: Honourable Steven Marshall MP Technology for SA
Attendance and welcome: Vera-Ann Stacy & Christina Way
Tuesday 4 October 2022 6 for 6.30pm Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: John Arvier Topic TBA
Attendance and welcome: Vera-Ann Stacy & Christina Way
Apologies and 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: 1 October 2022
Early: John Peacham (Jerry Casburn) & Haydn Baillie | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
Week 2: 8 October 2022
Early: Greg Mcleod & Wendy Andrews | Late: Virginia Cossid & Ging Tadiar
Week 3: 15 October 2022
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 24 September 2022
Early: David Middleton (Stephen Baker) & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5: N/A
Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews | Late: Virginia Cossid & Paul Duke
Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: Vivienne Wood 0408 819 630; e-mail: vwood#ozemail.com.au
Mitre 10 and Bunnings Barbeques
The Mitre 10 BBQs are the first and third Saturdays of each month. Morning shift 9.00am - 12 noon; afternoon shift 12.00 - 3.30pm, then clean-up.....next one is Saturday 1 October 2022
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 26 September 2022
The Tale End.....
Another true story
An 80-year old Scotsman went to the doctor for a check-up. The doctor was amazed at the great shape the old fellow was in, and asked 'How do you stay in such great physical condition?'
'I am Scots and I’m a golfer,' said the old fellow, 'and that’s why I’m in such good shape.
I am up well before daylight and out golfing up and down the fairways. I have a wee nip of whiskey on each hole, and that’s it.'
'Well,' said the doctor, 'I’m sure that helps, but there has to be more to it.
How old was your dad when he died?'
'You mean you are 80 years old and your dad’s still alive. How old is he?'
'He’s a 100 years old,' said the old Scottish golfer. 'In fact he golfed wi’ me this mornin’,
and then we went to the topless beach for a walk and another wee dram, and that’s why he’s still alive.
He’s a Scot and a golfer, too.'
'Well,' the doctor said, 'that’s great, but I am sure there’s more to it than that. How about your dad’s dad?
How old was he when he died?' 'Who said my grandad is dead?'
Stunned, the doctor asked, 'You mean you are 80 years old and your grandfather is still living!
Incredible, how old is he?' 'He turned 118 last month,' said the old Scot.
The doctor was getting frustrated at this point: 'So, I guess he went golfing with you this morning too?'
'No. Grandad could’nae go this mornin’ because he’s getting married today.'
At this point the doctor was close to losing it.
'Getting married?! Why would a 118-year old bloke want to get married?'
'Who said he wanted to?'
This is how real men decorate a house
It is the women's turn next week provided decent material can be unearthed