Venue: Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: PDG Bob Cooper
Guests: Marilyn Cooper, Beverley Baker, Guia Tadiar
Attendance: 28 members 4 guests
President Nathan welcomed guests to the meeting.
Guest Speaker: PDG Bob Cooper - Drought Relief
David Middleton introduced Bob with a condensed version of his accomplishments.....along these lines:
Bob was a Jaycee from 1979-86, a Burnside councilor and joined RC Glen Osmond in 1996, thence to RC Burnside. 2009 he became President of Burnside and went on to become District Governor of District 9520 2012-13. In more recent times he has been a driving force behind RAWCS and particularly programs of drought relief for farmers, plus the coordinator of the End Polio Now campaign. Bob worked for ETSA for 38 years, has 3 children, 8 grandchildren plus a beef cattle farm in the Adelaide Hills.
Bob explained that 2017-2018-2019 and into 2020 were severe drought years for much of Australia. In 2018, Rotary combined with the Farmers Federation and Channel 9 in a drought relief appeal which raised $10m. By October 2018 it had all been distributed, mostly to NSW and Qld. The Federal Government followed up with a plan to help drought stricken farmers in affected LGAs (up to $1m each) which had missed out. Bob as the District's Drought Relief Manager with his committee of 2 put together $275,000 financed by SA clubs for relief in SA through RAWCS. 28 drought relief projects were delivered by 25 clubs. Some of the noteworthy projects were:
- Campbelltown delivering hay to Hawker together with community events to lift the spirits. They also purloined discarded potatoes from the processing plant in the Hills for cattle feed
- Maitland delivered hay but also organised a 'boys' bus trip to look to the future
- 10 laden semis of hay were delivered to Broken Hill and 4 to Wentworth specifically to help farmers keep their breeding stock.
- Other club 'specials' included Onkaparinga's Let's Make It Rain' Dance.....which it didn't; Murray Bridge's Karoonda Golf Training Day, Peterborough's water cartage to farmers, and Tailem Bend's program of support for partners of drought affected farmers.
In 2019 Rotary combined with Bendigo Bank in a drought relief appeal for SA - $133,000 was distributed in the form of $250 gift cards (EFTPOS) for food and necessities. For the past two years the Drought Communities Outreach Program has ventured into the worst hit areas with $475,000 provided by the Federal Government - gift cards of $500 have been supplied to farmers, farm workers and suppliers. 23 clubs have organised BBQ get-togethers at which time needs are assessed and gift cards provided. The touring team of Jerry and Briony Casburn with Sam and Elizabeth Cozens have delivered $166,000 and have included trips to Tasmania and into NSW and Vic...see article below. Rotary District 9510 has supplied over $880,000 in drought relief for long suffering families in South Australia, Western NSW and North Western Victoria.
Drought still affects the mid - Murray area. The cost of restocking is very high due to increase in stock prices. It is pleasing that the State Government is investing in water proofing of farms.
Bob was applauded for his contribution.
Behind the Badge.......Graham Beckett
Graham was born in Auckland NZ in 1938, boarded at college and took up accounting studies. He joined a dairy company, did his military training in the artillery, joined his father's business and was sent to Australia to drum up trade. This did not end well...expansion into Britain was effectively prevented with the 45% tariff barriers. A blind date with Patsy at that time sealed his fate. 4 years of merchant banking followed, which morphed into specialisation in real property financing. He took a Land Valuation course, followed by a Masters Degree in Urban Economics. Lectureships at 2 universities ensued, with 10 years being spent at UNSW during which time he set up his own valuation practice. He was often called as a valuation expert by the courts. He and Patsy found time, despite his numerous outdoor pursuits like golf and surfing, to produce 3 children. He managed to survive skin cancer.....no doubt due to spending too much time in the sun and not enough with Patsy. He joined RC South Penrith in 1994 and played a role in raising $1m to establish accommodation for cancer sufferers and neonatal patients at the Penrith Nepean Hospital. 2003 saw retirement to Adelaide.
Graham was thanked accordingly
The Thrift Shop finances.....Trevor McGurk
Trevor explained that the Thrift Shop performed exceptionally well in 2021 (perhaps indicative of the massive Federal stimulus) with more recent net profit figures in line with previous: For the first 6 months (July - Dec) of the last 3 financial years the figures were as follows:
- 2019 Revenue of $36k and half year profit of $11k
- 2020 Revenue of $46k and half year profit of $20k
- 2021 Revenue of $39k and half year profit of $12k
Rental is the major cost. The shop is our major source of revenue and requires considerable effort. It continues to be a solid earner.
SPOTS
Christina Way expressed her thanks for the big box of stamps provided by RC Salisbury (Mignon Clarke)
Stephen Baker ascertained that 5 members were yet to register for next week's bowling night with RC Mitcham.
Paul Duke has given back his prized copy of 'Kissing the Frog' (author David Middleton) to the Thrift Shop for others to benefit... a steel at 25c.
Rhonda Hoare explained that the Young Friends of Unley Rotary group had been formed from participants sponsored by our club in District youth programs.. and a really dynamic group of young people they are. Their first project is to raise money for women and children in Afghanistan through film nights. Details are provided below (after Evening Under The Stars). Please support generously.
Trevor McGuirk mentioned that our birthday meeting on April12 would be a fun night with members displaying their artistic talents.....mmmmmmmmmmm.....we may need to ban singers.
Finale
Virginia Cossid scooped up the filthy lucre.....again
The meeting closed at 8.05 pm.
DCOP on tour through the Murraylands.
The Drought Communities Outreach Program is now continuing to assist people in rural areas that have been affected by drought. The areas that we travelled through last week are still in drought, a drought that has lasted over 4 years.
Our touring team of Jerry and Briony Casburn, and Sam and Elizabeth Cozens was supported by the Commonwealth Government through the RAWCS organisation to distribute $500 debit cards to drought affected families in Lameroo, Alawoona, Nildottie, Sedan, and Palmer. We made contact with 179 farmers, farm workers, and farm contractors in the first instance to give them a small encouragement boost with the $500, but equally important bring them in contact with a range of other support organisations who were travelling along with us.
In total an amount of $89,500 was injected into the local community, and we trust that the various government and private agencies were able to give advice to support these important businesses in the short term, and planning advice for longer term viability.
This is an example of Rotarians in action. Story and photo Rotarian Sam Cozens.
Evening Under The Stars
Last Saturday, the Unley Road Association hosted its annual event at the Unley Soldiers' Memorial Gardens with a bumper crowd and lively performances from the two bands with their singers and performers.....and the weather was perfect. The supported charity was again Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation. Our club was responsible for providing Covid marshals to check that everyone QR coded on entry and to operate the BBQ. Our highly trained and impressively strong Covid marshals who kept the crowd under control included Vera-Ann Stacy, Rhonda Hoare, Paul Duke, Greg McLeod, and Chris Davis, while on sausage cremation we had the usual suspects Jerry Casburn, Ken Haines and Stephen Baker with Paul multi-tasking. Below is the sausage team with Maddie from Breakthrough. Another worthwhile community contribution from our club!
An opportunity to assist Women and Children in Afghanistan.
Film nights are being organised by our new group of Young Friends of Unley Rotary (young people we have sponsored on Rotary Youth projects) who have come together to create a project to support Afghani women and children who are struggling to find food and are unable to attend school.
Let us get behind and encourage these altruistic young people in their good work. If you are unable to attend the film could you please consider giving a $20 donation to their cause. There will be a collection box at our Rotary meetings. You can choose either film to attend as they are both showing on each night.
Rotary International News...suspended for a week...too much local 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 4 March 2022
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday 23 February 2022 6.30pm Clarence Gardens Bowling Club
A fun bowling night out with our daughter club Mitcham.
Please eat before-hand Supper will be served after bowls. Cost for attendees is $20 (cash please). Flat shoes or bare feet.....no heels
Attendance......Stephen Baker
Tuesday 1 March 2022 6 for 6.30pm Damien on Fisher
Guest Speakers: Julie Robertson & Corey Grogan Calperum Update
Set-up and Welcome...........Brendan Kenny & Leonie Kewen
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: 5 March 2022
Early: Jerry Casburn & Jurgen Stahl | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
Week 2: 12 March 2022
Early: Greg Mcleod & Virginia Cossid | Late: Wendy Andrews & Haydn Baillie (Heather Kilsby)
Week 3: 19 February 2022
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera-Ann Stacy (Pam Trimmer) & Vera Holt
Week 4: 26 February 2022
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 one is Saturday 19 February 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 28 February 2022
The Tale End.....
Nine Words Women Use.....underlying messages For Male Eyes Only:
(1) Fine : This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up. This means your facts may be right but you are still wrong.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing : This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks : A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome'.. That will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever : Is a woman's way of saying...Go to Hell.
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it : Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?'
(For the woman's response refer to # 3).
Jerry's contributions are improving
