Club Bulletin 2Dec2019

Photo: Cherrybrook metro station by John Cowper

Inside This Issue

President's Report

Night Report

Humour

Club Calendar

Upcoming Events

Next Meetings

Club Annual General Meeting

Monday 2nd December

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Members are advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Rotary Club of West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook Inc. will be held at Springfield Function Centre, New Line Road Dural on Monday 2nd December 2019 starting at 7.00pm.

Business to be conducted includes acceptance of minutes from the previous AGM, presentation and acceptance of the annual financial statements for 2018/2019, confirmation of auditor for 2019/20 and election of office bearers for 2020/21.

Copies of financial statements are available from the Treasurer prior to the meeting by request.

Also, the Club Bylaws and Constitution have been updated in line with Rotary International guidelines. A draft copy of these documents is attached and these need to be formally accepted at the AGM. An annotated copy of these documents is attached. There are minor changes throughout these documents in order to comply with changes made by Rotary International but there are no major changes.

Persons wishing to nominate for board positions should contact Secretary Tony Makin or President Keith Ball for information. A nomination form is available on request.

Tony Makin
Secretary
29th October 2019

Tree of Joy - wrapping
at David and Jill Turnbull's
Pizza & BYO drink (it's a working dinner)
Bring scissors, tape, gift bags, etc?
Don't know the address, just ask

6:pm Monday 16th December

- Partners welcome -

Kris Kringle - Dinner Meeting / Partners Night

Monday 9th December

Upcoming Events

This year, please don't forget an annual contribution to the NTA!
TANKS AND TOILETS
TACKLING POVERTY HEAD ON IN FLORES
Dear NTA Supporters,

As if in a flash, another year has vanished before our eyes and Christmas is eagerly knocking at the door.

Your support throughout the year has enabled us to make significant changes, drastically improving the lives of those throughout Eastern Indonesia. It is with this continued generous support we will be able to take further strides, enriching the lives of some of the poorest people in the world, offering them new opportunities and chances in life. TANKS AND TOILETS As we enter the season of giving, there is no better time to enact change and contribute to the NTA. This year we will be directing funds towards the building of water tanks, household toilets and washing facilities for the poor, rural communities throughout Flores, Indonesia. We are aiming to raise $10,000, which will enable the NTA to build 20 x 15,000L water tanks and 20x household toilet/washing facilities.

WHY WATER TANKSWater tanks make a considerably large impact on the quality of life for those throughout Eastern Indonesia. Providing a reliable source of clean water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, farming and hygienic facilities that can be easily topped up by trucks during the extended dry season.

Without tanks, water is carried by bucket from distant and unreliable water sources. All members of the family must take part in this laborious, challenging work. It is not uncommon to see even the youngest members of the family carrying enormous amounts, impacting their physical development. Accessibility of water tanks frees families from this burden, allowing them to focus on other vital aspects of life, and in particular, children are now to free to attend school.

It is becoming increasingly more common for communities to also utilise the water tank for small vegetable gardens and growing seedlings. These vegetable gardens offer families a stable, reliable source of nutritious food throughout the year, combating many of the issues concerning malnutrition in the region. In addition to this, excess vegetable growth represents an opportunity for supplementary income, a boon for many families and communities.

Water tanks are a critical first step in also providing hygienic facilities, the current lack of toilets and washing facilities in many communities contributes to a myriad of health-related issues.

A local community meeting where need for water tanks was expressed.
The NTA implements activities and projects through 200 community groups, each of these composed of between 10 – 15 households. These community groups make their own decisions and communicate priority projects to the NTA. This year, these groups have expressed ongoing demand for water tanks, toilets and washing facilities – more than currently can be met.WHAT WATER TANKS DO WE BUILD?The NTA has been building, designing and assessing water tanks for over 25 years throughout Eastern Indonesia. The current design, a 15,000L ferrocement water tank has a number of distinct advantages:

They provide the maximum volume of water per dollar
Proven to last many years with minimal upkeep
Construction actively involves communities, enhancing their sense of ownership
Utilises locally available materials
Empowers communities with the skills to plan and build, allowing for ease in maintenance and scaling up production.

Who Benefits? The People of Flores, Eastern Indonesia

The individuals, families and communities throughout Eastern Indonesia are some of our closest neigbours, neighbours who are suffering from severe poverty and extreme seasonal conditions. The NTA has been working within the region for over 25 years, tackling the issues head on and building sustainable methods to improve communities, enact change and empowering people to rise out of poverty.

The region is quite similar to the northern areas of Australia, with a prolonged dry season known as the ‘hunger season’. Malnutrition is widespread and the area has some of the worst rates of illiteracy, infant mortality and life spans throughout Indonesia.

In this environment of poverty, even the smallest financial contributions to the NTA can have an incredible impact on improving the lives of those throughout the region.

Maria Edita Kapi, Yohanes Jogo and their son Yohanes proudly show off their new water tank.
As Christmas rapidly approaches and we turn our minds to much needed downtime with our friends and family, it is vital we do not forget our neighbours in Eastern Indonesia. Every contribution made to the NTA is capable of changing lives and forging new, previously inaccessible futures.

Warm regards,

Your friends at the NTA.

Pamper Packs for Coonabarabran

Anne and Colin Sharpe have volunteered to visit Coonabarabran to deliver Pamper Packs.
Suggested contents for these Pamper Packs are:

Ladies

Body Moisturiser
Hand Lotion
Lip Balm
Chocolate
Deodorant
Nuts
Tea
Coffee
Xmas Gift Bag for contents

Gents

Shaving Cream
Sunscreen
Chocolates
Body Wash
Deodorant
Nuts
Coffee
Tea
Xmas Gift Bag for contents

The above is just a general idea, but really its the items that don’t make the list when funds are tight, but make life a little easier and help with your state of mind.

If anyone doesn’t have the time to do this but can donate cash Anne is more than happy to purchase goods and make up packs.

Recent Club Activities:

Garage Sale 2019

12-13 October

We had a very successful Garage Sale.
This .pdf file attached contains some 90 photos of the event.
WARNING: it is 9Mb in size

rotary_garage_sale_october_2019.pdf
File Size:	9039 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Duty Roster

If you are unable to be at the meeting please contact the person doing your role the following week/s, arrange a swap and advise Douglas, so he can amend his records.
Also, to avoid being rostered on, please notify Douglas of any upcoming known absences (eg holidays) from meetings in the next twelve months.

What it takes to be a Rotarian

There are members of the community who may have some misunderstandings about what it takes to be a Rotarian.
We are always looking for new members and, in fact, it is new people joining that keeps us alive as a Service club. From time to time I hear people say things that make me think they don't consider joining or even visiting Rotary for all the wrong reasons.
This article is about the things you don't need to join Rotary, and the things you do, just in case you are not sure. The other thing you should know is that we are a very friendly bunch of men and women and we have a lot of fun, as well as achieving some pretty good things in the community.

Don't need:

to be invited
to be of a certain age
to be male
to be a business person
to be retired
to attend meetings every week
to be available on weekends.

Must have:

a sense of humour
a willingness to give back to your community
a willingness to pitch in when required
some time available to help out on the occasional weekend event
an interest in the life of the West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook communities
a desire to contribute in some way to the running of the Club.

If you would like to come along as a guest to see what it is all about just call either:-
President Keith (0478 599 155) or Tony (Membership) (0412 812 624)

Club Details:
Rotary Club of West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook meets every Monday for Dinner at Springfield House
Arrive 6:30pm Start 7:00pm End 9:00pm
245 New Line Rd
Dural NSW 2128 Australia

Centurion Program and Centurion Membership application

How you can become a Rotary Foundation Centurion?
Centurion Membership donation form.

Significant Club Fundraising Events during the year

The Book Sale March 2019

As the result of a lot of hard work the MarchBook Sale was a great success, especially from the organisers Andrew Little, Max Henderson, Neville Hansen and Rosemary Clarke. Funds raised exceeded $19,000. Well done.

2019 Trivia Night

The Club held a very successful trivia night on Saturday 17 August 2019 at the Cherrybrook Community Centre, raising near $6,600 all of which will go to assist drought relief. Click this link to read more.

The Garage Sale 2019

We have just had our best and most successful Garage Sale on the weekend of 12 & 13 October raising a gross - north of $35k.

Excellent Project Management and a large number of dedicated volunteers, some putting in hours of effort, in the weeks before the weekend contributed to this result.

Barbecues

The club runs fund raising barbecues throughout the year, mainly at Bunnings (both Dural and Thornleigh) Here are Barry, Tony, Nick and David hard at work. at Thornleigh..

Meetings

Monday 6:30pm for 7:00pm - Springfield House - 245 New Line Road, Dural 2158

Apologies

If you are unable to attend or are bringing a guest (even if they are your partner) you must notify Julie.
Email admin@altitudecapital.com.au before 1pm on the Friday before the meeting.
Please no communication via phone (either verbal or SMS)

If you are expected and do not show you will be required to pay for the meal.

President's Report 25th November 2019

Some 44 members, partners and guests enjoyed a wonderful Youth Night. Janelle has assembled a gathering of RYPEN (Lily Vaughen and Sarah Henry – Video presentation), RYLA (Janinda Liyanaarachchi), NYSF (Michael Bai), and RYE (Katherine Louey) participants.
We had an excellent night culminating in Katherine being presented her jacket from Dee and John Brown (District RYE) and partners presenting Katherine with badges to start the jacket display.
We also had a visitor, Ian Tamplin from Southsea Castle Rotary Club, UK. Ian gave a presentation on the activities of his club. He was accompanied by his daughter and son in law.

The venue for the Presidents Lunch has been selected and the date set. Vanilla Cream Café (Amaroo Park) at Noon 11th January. I thank the Hendersons and Turnbulls in assisting with this venue selection.

Next week is our AGM. I received two nominations for Directors. You should be aware that Neville will not accept nomination.

Rotary Rocks
Keith

Night Report 25th November

Sgt Cawas: opened the meeting and Barry Freeman proposed the toast.

President Keith Ball thanked all in attendance at tonight's Youth Night meeting and in particular welcomed:

Ian Tamplin from Southsea Castle Rotary Club in the UK, and his daughter and son in law, Simone and Robert Jones
Dee and John Brown, District RYEP
Katherine Louey 2020 Outbound RYEP and her parents, Fei and Bill
Janinda Liyanaarachchi, 2020 RYLA candidate
Michael Bai, 2020 NYSF candidate
Bob Waller, Jason Terry and Wayne Lever, Rotaract
Barry Freeman
Club Partners Patricia, Glenda, Beverley, Lyn, Anne, Margaret and Jill.

His full report is contained in this bulletin.

Director’s Reports
Neville (Community Service)
The AVR BBQ is scheduled for Thursday 12/12/2019 and more members are required to help out here; please contact Neville.
Gift wrapping at Cherrybrook Village is scheduled for Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December. To date only Edwina has volunteered for this activity and another pair of hands would be greatly appreciated.
Mrs Claus (aka Helen Ballinger) will be at Cherrybrook Village the day before on Thursday 19 December, and she is set for action, reporting in that the trial run of her costume was a success.

David (Tree of Joy sorting and wrapping)
David reminded members that the sorting and wrapping of Tree of Joy gifts will take place at the Turnbull residence on Monday 16 December commencing at 6pm. This is BYO alcohol with catering consisting of pizzas to be ordered in. David has also organised for a gazebo shelter in case of rain. The plan is to eat and then get wrapping.
A reminder also went out for donations of Christmas gift bags for this event. Members were encouraged to help provide these as soon as possible so that if there are insufficient to cover the number of presents, additional bags can be purchased in time for this event.

Anne Sharpe
Anne is coordinating pamper packs for the farmers in Coonabarabran and asked members to assist in donating items for the preparation of these kits. If members don’t know what to donate or if they are running tight on time to do this, Anne suggested they may wish to donate some money instead and Anne will purchase the times needed to put these packs together. Anne and Colin are delivering these packs to the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran on route to Brisbane and so need these packs by 16/12/2019 at the latest.

Colin Sharpe (Vocational)
Colin reminded members that we need to book shortly for the 2020 District Conference, which will take place in Wollongong on 20-22 March 2020. So far, the Savios, Turnbulls, Sharpes, Carol and Janelle are attending.
He advised that the Tree of Joy at Cherrybrook Village is going well with more than half the bubbles placed on tree so far.
Colin will be chasing people up for Member Talks in the new year, so please consider booking in a date if this hasn’t been done yet.
And finally in relation to the Christmas gift bags reported on by David, Colin reported the best deal on these to be at Aldi at $2.99 a pack (various sizes).

International Guest Talk
Ian Tamplin from Southsea Castle Rotary Club, who is visiting from the UK, spoke to the Club about his club, the activities they engage in, and the major fundraising events they undertake. Ian is a Past President of the club, and his lively and entertaining powperpoint presentation helped club members get a feel of the history and culture of his club, and of the similarities it shares with our club in pursuing international Rotary objectives.

Youth Night program
Janelle lead this part of the program and called upon candidates to introduce themselves to members and partners, and explain what they hoped to achieve by undertaking the specific program they are being sponsored to attend.

Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN)
Candidates, Lily Vaughan and Sarah Henry were unable to attend tonight’s Youth Night as they are away on a school camp. They did however send through a video which was played at the meeting. Both Lily and Sarah explained a little bit about themselves, their hobbies and interests, their performance at school (Model Farms in Baulkham Hills), and what they hoped to learn by attending the summer RYPEN in February 2020. They also expressed an interest to feedback their experiences at the next Youth Night in February 2020. Proud grandparents, Stan and Pat Baseley, were acknowledged by Lily as being part of her inspiration for attending RYPEN. This sentiment was further endorsed by the Club. It’s fitting that we can help support a family who have been longstanding supporters of all Youth programs, and it’s fantastic to see the Rotary ethos pass through to younger generations.

National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)
Michael Bai, the 2020 NYSF candidate, spoke about his passion for science and technology particularly the biological sciences, and how attending the NYSF at the Australian National University (ANU) in January would help to further develop his knowledge of STEM, as well as enhance his problem solving and communication skills. Michael also thanked the club for supporting him to attend the Honeywell Engineering Summer School which will take place the first week in December.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
Local Cherrybrook resident, Janinda Liyanaarachchi spoke about his interest and motivation for attending the RYLA program in January 2020. Janinda is 23 years old, went to CTHS and is now in the third year of a science degree at Macquarie University. He works part time at Woolworths in Cherrybrook and is active in cricket and European handball. Janinda acknowledged that while his leadership skills have emerged through his sporting activities, he really hopes these skills will be extended through the RYLA program. He sees these skills as being essential for his career aspirations in medicine, where teamwork, collaboration and decision making are vital. Janinda credited his mum, a fulltime lawyer/mother/community member/rheumatoid arthritis suffer, as being his inspiration for pursuing the RYLA program.

Rotary Youth Exchange Program (RYEP)
Katherine Louey, the 2020 outbound RYEP student, gave an amusing and heart-warming account of her background, family and interests, and the reasons for pursuing exchange. She explained that her passion for music influenced her choice of host country as Austria and that she hoped to be able to continue studying flute and piano whilst there; her big thrill would be to hear the Vienna Philharmonic, and as many orchestra and music recitals as possible. Katherine is excited by the thought of learning to speak German, attending school in another country and of having at least two sets of host families. Katherine’s Rotary host club is based just outside of Vienna and members from the club have already made contact with her. Katherine flies out from Australia on 17 January 2020.
At the conclusion of her talk, John and Dee Brown from District RYEP Committee presented Katherine with her green jacket, which Club partners then proceeded to decorate with the much sought after badges exchange students love. Janelle also presented Katherine with the Club banner that she will pass onto her host club.

Sergeant at Arm’s
Cawas conducted a lively fines session.
Heads & Tails won by: Pat Baseley
Raffle won by: Cawas

Night Reporter - Janelle

Night Photos

Editor Note: Click on a photo to see a larger version.

This Week's Humour

Paddy's Faith Healing Discontent

Paddy asks, “Mick, how did you get on at the faith healer meeting last night?”
Mick replies, “He was absolute rubbish. Even the fella in the wheelchair got up and walked out !”
Thought you would like it.

Alphabet Wife

After being   married for thirty years, a wife asked her husband to describe her.
He looked at her for awhile, then said, "You're an alphabet wife . A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K."
She asked, "What the hell does that mean?"
He said,”   Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, Elegant, Foxy, Gorgeous, and Hot."
She smiled happily and said, "Oh, that's so lovely ... but what about I, J, K?"
He said, "I'm Just Kidding!"
The   swelling in his eye is going down, and the doctor is cautiously optimistic about saving his testicles.

Some helpful DIY tips for the more challenging job: