Venue: Castello's Cucina, Living Choice
Guest Speaker: Professor David Wattchow
Guests: Rtn Bronwyn Kenny, Kate Porter, Margaret Wattchow
Attendance: 23 Members 4 Guests
Introduction
Valerie Bonython opened proceedings and President welcomed our guests. PauL Duke is slowly recovering from his operation. The Evening Under the Stars last Saturday, where our club sold snags, went well. Trevor and Madeleine distributed pamphlets there for the Multiple Births Festival in April.
Guest Speaker: Professor David Wattchow AM- A Twig is Bent
Valerie introduced David, a former Professor of Surgery at Flinders Medical Centre. He was in the first medical intake at Flinders Uni in 1974.......with Paul Duke, who twisted his arm to be our guest speaker.
David has written a book entitled 'A twig is bent' which provides a history of the development of the Flinders Medical Centre. The analogy is drawn from the ghost gums of the NT and the snow gums of the Victorian Alps which grow from twigs. Flinders Uni, intricately linked with a hospital, was the brainchild of Sir Thomas Playford, and developed during the Dunstan era. Peter Karmel, the first Vice Chancellor of Flinders Uni was a driving force as was Gus Frankel, the first Dean of the Medical Faculty. Peter Karmel went on to become one of Australia's most distinguished academics. And John Blandford was the first administrator of the hospital. The grounds now include Flinders Private Hospital, a mental health clinic and research facilities.
The very best of teaching talent was recruited at the outset with the likes of Professor Laurie Geffen (Psychology), Jim Watts (Surgery), Michael Collins (Anaesthesia), Anthony Radford (General Surgery) and Gary Kneebone (Paediatrics) - all became nationally renowned. Paul Duke and David graduated in the class of 1979, and David then chose surgery. From that same class Chris Baggoley went on to become Australia's Chief Medical Officer. Another graduate is working as an ophthalmologist in the US and Ukraine. There was great camaraderie in those early years. The research centre is producing world class results with eg the work of Marcello Costa and Simon Brook relating to nerve cells in the human intestines. Organs can continue contracting after extraction....
would have been good to have a practical demo.......far better than dissecting frogs which we did at school. The Dean of the Faculty is now Jonathan Craig. David was awarded a Companion of the University in 2016 and AM in 2017. He subscribes to the view that good researchers make good doctors.
As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.
The Q&A that followed was more akin to statements about the challenges facing hospitals, medicos and patients.
David was applauded for his address.
It must be said that the editor was required to take notes in a blackened room after Jerry extinguished all the lights......any errors or omissions can be laid at his feet.....and editor may have to go to Ukraine for an ophthalmological examination.
Spots
Jerry Casburn made 3 announcements:
- invoices for the membership dues will be served this week
- two places at the Women in Rotary breakfast in March are being funded by the club. Hong Mei from the Thrift Shop will be attending - we need one more.
- Calperum - The Australian Landscape Trust owns and manages Calperum station of nearly 10 square kilometers near Renmark. The long term aim is to return it to its original state of heavily wooded mallee scrub. Rotary clubs like Unley have partnered with the Trust for a number of years on maintenance and research projects. The recent flooding caused minimal damage. Jerry will be seeking expressions of interest from club members re participating in working bees to make improvements to the houses there.
Finale
Bronwyn Kenny won the big bucks but guest Kate Porter did even better by nabbing the more expensive Favourites (chocolates) and Greg McLeod scored the large Haigh's chocolate frog......it does not get much bigger/better than that!
Rhonda reported on the successful transfer of money raised by the Young Friends of Unley Rotary to needy women and children in Afghanistan. Stephen was happy that footy will be happening soon......beats the hell out of being smashed in India. And Valerie entertained us with microwaving.
President Ken advised that the next Board meeting will be at the Middleton's hacienda on Sunday 25th February.
The meeting closed in a timely fashion at 7.52pm
Women in Rotary Breakfast
Wednesday March 8th
7:00am-9:00am
Pavilion Restuarant, Veale Gardens
Book Here under Table Captain: Unley Rotary
Tickets are $45 per person (plus booking fee)
Please bring your business cards for a door prize. There will be a raffle; tickets available for purchase, at $5 per ticket, with excellent prizes.
If you are unable to access the website, bring your $45 to the next meeting and Rhonda will book you in.
Rotary International News
Rotary responds to earthquake that has devastated areas Turkey and Syria
Turkey and Syria were struck by a devastating earthquake on 6 February that has killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed thousands of homes and other structures, and left people across the region without shelter in bitterly cold winter weather.
The Rotary world responded to this catastrophe immediately. RI President Jennifer Jones activated our disaster response efforts, communicated with the affected districts, and encouraged governors in those regions to apply for disaster response grants and share information about their relief efforts so that Rotary can amplify the calls for support.
Rotary's project partner ShelterBox has an emergency response team assessing the needs in the region and how it can respond. That team is communicating with Rotary district leaders. Our service partner Habitat for Humanity International is also working on its response. Many Rotary members are asking how they can help. Here's how to have the greatest impact:
- Give to The Rotary Foundation's Disaster Response Fund. Donations help clubs and districts provide aid and support rebuilding efforts where the need is greatest. The funds are distributed to affected communities through disaster response grants. The Disaster Response Fund can accept cash contributions and District Designated Funds (DDF). Donations to the Disaster Response Fund are combined and cannot be designated for a specific disaster.
- Support local initiatives. As we learn about local response efforts that are being led by clubs and districts, Rotary raises awareness about how to support them. People can then support these projects by working directly with Rotary members in the region. If you want us to publicize information about local response efforts, write to relief@rotary.org.
9-Feb-2023
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 March 2023.
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 21 February 2023 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina, Living Choice
Guest Speaker: Miriam Cocking Multiculturalism
Attendance and welcome: Brendan Kenny and Leonie Kewen
Tuesday 28 February 2023 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina, Living Choice
Guest Speaker: Nerissa Kilvett SA Small Business Commissioner
Attendance and welcome: Brendan Kenny and Leonie Kewen
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: 4 March 2023
Early: Jerry Casburn & Haydn Baillie | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
Week 2: 11 March 2023
Early: Greg Mcleod & Wendy Andrews | Late: Virginia Cossid & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 3: 18 February 2023
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 25 February 2023
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5:
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 8.30am - 12 noon; afternoon shift 12.00 - 3.30pm, then clean-up.....next one is Saturday 18 February 2023
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 27 February 2023.
The Tale End.....
Brendan Kenny's contribution to brighten your day
Morris, an 82 year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later, the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm. A couple of days later, the doctor spoke to Morris and said, 'You're really doing great, aren't you?'
Morris replied, 'Just doing what you said, Doc: 'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.'' The doctor said, 'I didn't say that.. I said, 'You've got a heart murmur; be careful.'
Brendan may need more practice.
Three from the history books
Willie Nelson in ideal company
