The Next Meetings

AGM
election of 2019-20 board

Monday 3rd December

"Where to from here" - Greg Kelly - Amateur Radio

Monday 10th  December

Kris Kringle Meeting

Monday 17th December

​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 Keith, so he can amend his records.
​Also, to avoid being rostered on, please notify Keith of any upcoming known absences (eg holidays) from meetings in the next twelve months.

Inside This Issue

​President's Report
​
​Night Report

​Humour

Club Calendar

Upcoming Events

2nd December

​6th December

​13th December

22nd December

​6th January

PCYC Hornsby - The 2018 Time 4 Kids (Undercover)

Anglicare BBQ

​Tree of Joy - Sorting of presents at Turnbull residence

​Bunnings BBQ at Dural

​President's Lunch at Geranium Cottage

Christmas Carols at PCYC

2nd December

Anglicare BBQ

Thursday, 6th December

Club is looking for volunteers to assist - Please contact Jaswant

Anglicare ARV
Brian King Gardens
Hilliard Drive, Castle Hill

Thursday 6th December

Itinerary:
11:30 am   Arrive
12:30 pm  Lunch
1:00 pm   Concert and Entertainment
2:30pm    Finish

---

Tree of Joy Present Sorting

Thursday, 13th December

Jill and David are wonderful hosts for this event.  Please BYOG

President's Lunch

Sunday, 6th January

Start of the new year by joining us at the President's Lunch.
(More news as it arrives)

Enormous Horns will entertain at "Rotary Rocks"

The Enormous Horns will join us for Saturday night’s dinner dance and will feature the music you grew up with.  Come dressed as your favourite musician, band or song.  There will be prizes for the best dressed individuals and clubs.  Let your hair down, drag out your dancing shoes and show Newcastle that  “ROTARY ROCKS’.
 
The Enormous Horns are a fun party band with an emphasis on entertainment, quality musicianship and classy arrangements. The Enormous Horns are an 8 piece all singing, all dancing, party band from Sydney. With over 2 decades of experience performing in hotels and clubs, at private and corporate functions, weddings, outdoor festivals and on national television, we have developed into one of Australia's hardest working live acts, touring extensively across Australia, South-East Asia and China, and the Pacific Region.

The Enormous Horns can play anything from Rock, Pop and Soul to Big Band Swing and Rock ‘n Roll, from quiet dinner music before the party gets going, to fully costumed routines from the Village People, Blues Brothers, Rocky Horror and the Disco era.
 
​

Rotary Visit to St Gabriels School 21 Nov 2018

International Update: Peter Stanton trip to Flores, Indonesia

Peter Stanton recently travelled to Flores, to confirm the merits of supporting this international project for our Rotary club.
I came away tired, humbled but absolutely convinced that this programme is authentic top down and bottom up and the funds will be well spent and reach the intended people.
 
The programme was introduced by the Rotary Club of Lane Cove and is structured as a sub-set of the total projects run by NTA. This is an active RAWCS project. Subsequently, Tony Makin, Tony Coote and I travelled to Canberra and met with the founder and chairman of NTA Australia and the International Director of the Rotary Club of Belconnen in Canberra.
 
Background:
NTA East Indonesia Aid is a small Australian based NGO, implementing highly regarded aid programs in eastern Indonesia since 1987. They are managed by a founding CEO and a Board of 8 members. The mission is to reduce poverty among communities in rural areas of the East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia.
 
This area is some of the poorest people in Indonesia and they are located right on Australia’s doorstep. The area has a 8 month dry seasons and malnutrition is prevalent.  
 
The flagship project is designed to improve income and food security through improved farm productivity. NTA works with farmers to use techniques, species and varieties which are higher yielding, more resilient and also assist with benefits through the long dry season.
 
Additionally, NTA provide tanks, wells and toilets for safer water and hygiene. Schools in this area are particularly under resourced and we provide basic support, particularly basic training for unqualified teachers, library books (curriculum and fiction), and some basic furniture and infrastructure such as tanks and toilets.    
 
Trip Programme:
                                          CALENDAR–NTA/Rotary OCT/NOV 2018 FIELD VISIT

Field Visits. Kunjungan2 Lokasi
Agriculture:
I joined the Joint Team, along with Pak Falens and Pak Kanis of YPMF and spent 4 days visiting 15 cocoa and cashew nut demplots and surrounding farms, as well as other tree and annual crop and pig production. During these visits performances and outcomes were observed, and discussions held with kelompok members and other interested farmers. Pruning and cultivation techniques were demonstrated on the spot by Pak Taher and NTA staff and created great interest and improving interaction. The Joint Team on these visits saw both good and poor outcomes, and heard many comments from participating kelompok members..
The record sheets maintained by each participant in the 19 crop and animal demplots were informative and are used for improvement and tracking purposes.
The Team suggested that passive farmers should be dropped from the records, and new new farmers recruited. This is an annual process.
Water and Sanitation:
The Joint Team spent 4 days visiting Water and Sanitation and Education activities, dividing into 2 sub-Teams respectively led by Pak Don and Ibu Ruth/Ibu Tina. The tablets, which were used for the first time for recording questionnaire information, worked well, and will greatly improve analysis of field data.
 
It is expected that YPMF colleagues will become more involved in questioning and recording during the water and sanitation and education visits, with routine data being secured by the YPMF before actual field visits to reduce field visit times.    
More time is needed to improve tablet recording and analysis, and Ibu Stephanie will obtain professional help with this so the process works better in May 2019.
 
 
A MOU was signed by NTA I and YPMF last year, noting that the primary role in Water and Sanitation and Education activities was envisaged as being taken by the YPMF. It was envisaged that YPMF staff would be taking a primary role in questioning and recording Water and Sanitation and Education matters by late 2019. 
 
The field visits over 4 days each took a long while. They involved more than 10 kelompok/ school visits per day, and with visits extending into the late evening. It is recommended that in the May 2019 visit 5 days are devoted to water and sanitation and education field visits.  
 
Field Day at Bauwunut
 
This event organized by NTA I was held on Friday 2 November 2018, and involved an enthusiastic group of over 70 farmers. The emphasis was on cashew nut, and most participants were connected with cashew nut demplots at Baowunut, Liang Awo and Leta Let. The Camat of Hewokloang was present, and made useful comments on improving agriculture in his area.
 
Following opening talks by Pak Taher, Pak Melki and Pak Simperius on cocoa and cashew, there was a field demonstration led by Pak Taher, and this involved pruning old cashew trees with a chainsaw. Pruning is an essential step in improving yields, and is followed later by fertilizer applications. Records to date have shown steady yield improvements under such treatment, from a low 1-2 kg per of cashew per tree per year to 4-5 kg per tree and the promise of further increases. This at least doubles incomes from a key income earning crop at altitudes below 300 metres.
 
The demplot at Liang Awo has already been completely pruned, and NTA will be making 2 more chainsaws available to facilitate pruning by those wanting to undertake that. Individual participants have been asked to keep records, so that improving yields secured through the pruning/fertilization approach can be demonstrated with factual evidence. 
 
4) Festival at SDK Nangarasong
 
This Singing and Dancing competition on Thursday 8 November was attended by some 1,500 people, including participating students from the 12 schools involved. These are some of the schools currently assisted by the NTA. The newly elected Bupati – the head of government in the shire of Sikka – was present, and offered to help sponsor the festival in 2019. He also offered to support the NTA, and was briefed on NTA activities. The festival was an exhilarating affair, with the enthusiasm of participating students being a huge stimulant to all concerned.
The programme was well organised by the NTA Australia and NTA Indonesia and sponsored by the Rotary Club of ……..

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month

Our health is everything. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care. We believe good health care is everyone’s right.

Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for millions of people worldwide. That’s why treating and preventing disease is so important to us. We lead efforts both large and small. We set up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access. We design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients, and governments to work together.
Our members combat diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and polio. Prevention is important, which is why we also focus on health education and bringing people routine hearing, vision, and dental care.

How Rotary makes help happen​

Disease does not prevent itself. We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases. Rotary members have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time. ​

Vaccines

Learn how Pakistan’s vaccination strategy is reaching children on the move.


​Read more

---

Polio

Mobile phones and simple text messaging may be the keys to victory in the world's largest public health initiative: the eradication of polio.


​Read more

---

Malaria

​We are dedicated to a malaria-free world through treatment and prevention. 


Help us end malaria

---

Alzheimer's

​Our members use their extensive experience and leadership to fight Alzheimer’s disease and dementia through education and collaboration. 


Help us fight Alzheimer’s

---

Telemedicine

See how technology is bringing health care to rural Nigeria.


Read more

---

Dengue Fever

Read how Muslim and Christian women united to prevent dengue fever.

​
Read more

---

Wanted - New Members

If you know of someone who would benefit from Rotary, or, from whom Rotary would benefit if they were a member, then contact Tony C.

​Click here for a PDF copy of the form to the right, and send or give it to Tony C.​

Significant Club Fundraising Events during the year 

The Book Sale March 2018

As the result of a lot of hard work the April Book Sale was a great success, especially from  the organisers Andrew Little Max Henderson, Neville Hansen and Clive Denmark.  Funds raised were circa $15,000.  Well done.

---

2018 Trivia Night

​The Club held a very successful trivia night on Saturday 25 August 2018 at the Cherrybrook Community Centre, raising near $6,250 towards the charities we support. 


                       

---

The Garage Sale

We have just had our best and most successful Garage Sale on the weekend of 7&8 October raising a record 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 Carol. 
Phone 8850 6515 or email  carol.russell@ybr.com.au before 3pm on the Friday before the meeting.

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

 |

President's Report  26th November 2018

It was pleasing to welcome 47 members and guests tonight.  A great turnout.  Our guests were: Winnine Yip  (District RYEP)  Senthill Kumar Palaniswamy, Nicole Will, and Bec Love, Anna Laroumanie, Thomas Hubbard, Amelia Craig, Fernanda (another Brazilian Student, Ruairi and Gavin O’kane, Zachary & Marcus Tchetchenian.  Our partners present were: Anne, Bev, Jill, Rita, Celine and Margaret.

​Rosemary and Rob are travelling so Ric is our Sergeant for tonight and the next couple of meetings.

A number of people to thank tonight:

1. The tree of Joy team who are re-supplying the baubles on the tree and collecting the presents.  Sorting is on Thursday 13th Dec at 7 pm at Jll and David’s place. 
2. The Ronald McDonald House team who helped with the meal preparation, serving and cleaning up.  Anne, Joanne, Helen, Janelle, Ross, Rita, Larissa, Fernanda, Neville, Bernard, Jaswant, Alan, Keith, John, Marcus, Zac.
3. I spoke to the Cherrybrook Uniting Church Council for 20 minutes last Tuesday evening about the potential for expanding our partnership – work together on finding local community and bush projects that may meet our support criteria.  They were presented with a donation of $1640 for the Church Restoration Fund and an appreciation certificate.  Why $1640 – with the Garage Sale rent for their garage the total comes to $2000.  Thank you to Neville and Brian for facilitating this meeting.
4. Thirty of us enjoyed a delightful end of year lunch at Muirfield Golf Club - so thank you to Max for making it happen.  Other Social activities this week were – well supported – SYMT Tarzan and Castle Hill Players – Private Lives.

 I apologise to those who came to Epping a couple of weeks ago.  The main event was a disappointment to many – feedback has been passed on.  District is keen to hold another combined event this Rotary year, so I have tentatively volunteered us to hold it in April/May and so far three clubs are keen to attend. ​

• I have an author and award-winning speaker in mind.  Riccardo Bosi (Lionheart Australia) speaking about his Afghan Adventures. 
• Ricardo is is a former Australian Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel who, between 2009 and 2014, lived in the United Arab Emirates and with his team trained UAE Special Forces soldiers to fight the ‘war on terror’ in Afghanistan.  Ricardo previously served with Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters in Kuwait, Australian Theatre and Special Operations Headquarters, the Special Air Service Regiment, and the 1st Commando Regiment. 
• He will tell what it is like to live, work in the Middle East.  Are the images and stories we receive through the news accurate or are they a distortion of the truth?   Can the divide between the Christian West and Muslim Middle East ever really be bridged or is this ‘a fool’s errand’?

 
The Presidents New Year Lunch will be held at Geranium Cottage on Sunday Jan 6 ($35 & BYO) -.  A booking has been made for 30 so book early with Carol to assure yourself of a seat.
A group of club members visited St Gabriel’s School to see the result of our project that was completed earlier this year in action.  Tony Coote, Peter Stanton, Jaswant, Tom, Douglas, Col McGowan and myself joined St Gabriel’s staff for morning tea.  The school is undergoing expansion by adding a secondary school so there is scope for more projects and Tom has already scored shade sail business for the new school.
 
What on next week:

• The AGM followed by Club Assembly.  Please get your nominations for Directors in to Tony Makin.  Tony Coote will present the results of the Club Survey conducted back in. 

Note book in for club meetings is now required Friday midday.  Allows Frank to do preliminary meal preparation over the weekend.  Please get it right and do not put Carol under stress.  Changes after midday Friday are unacceptable unless there is genuine illness that keeps you away.  

President Colin

 |

Night Report - Youth Night

Sgt Ricardo opened the meeting at 7pm.
President Colin welcomed serial traveller Howard Fleming back to the club,  and also Senthil Kumar who is to be inducted as a member to the club on 17th December.  
As the night was a Youth Night,  we also welcomed in attendance  Winnie Yip Rotary Youth Exchange Leader,  Nicole, Will and Bec Love, Anna Laroumanie,  Thomas Hubbard,  Fernanda,  a Brazilian friend of Larissa our Exchange student, Amelia Craig,  Ruairi O’Kane and his Dad Gavin,  and the Tetchetchian sons,  Marcus and Zachary.
 
President Colin’s full report – See later in the Bulletin.
President Elect Keith Ball.... called for people to come forward to fill various positions still available on the Board for 2019/20 year.
Attendance at Meetings.   Keith reminded everyone that they should now register by 3pm on Friday afternoons to Carol Russell on email .... carol.russell@ybr.com.au  with the word ATTENDANCE the first word in the subject line, then your name.   In wording of email  if you are not attending several dates...  add exact dates if multiple.  ..      No SMS messages pls.
Early notification is to accommodate our Springfield catering staff make their arrangements.
No advice by 3pm Fridays of Non Attendance it will be assumed you will be attending, and charged accordingly.  
Community – Jaswant Thakorial report on Community projects.
The Tree of Joy sorting of gifts to be on 13th December at 7pm at David and Jill Turnbulls home. 
Everyone urged to come along to enjoy some fellowship and help lighten to load on those attending.
International  - Peter Stanton told us of a very authentic programme he is recommending to the club in Flores in West Timor
Fund Raising -  Bill Mann called for volunteers for the last BBQ of the year at Dural Bunnings on 22nd December, 2018.
Social -  Ricardo Raad made a last call for those interested in going on a day out to sea fishing .  He advised to take food, water and sea sickness tablets!!!
Welfare   Colin McGowan updated us on the health status of Colin Baxter and Andrew Little.
 
Youth....
Janelle Craig then took the microphone and advised that since Larissa Marcossi our Exchange Student who has been with us since January, 2018 will be leaving us on 6th January 2019 and returning to Brazil,  tonight she would be telling us of all the things she had learned and places she has been whilst she has been with us this year.
 
Janelle then went on to introduce us to the students who would be representing our club during 2019..
-Thomas Hubbard would be attending RYLA in January to enhance his personal/leadership skills,  he worked alongside us at the Garage Sale, is 22years of age and hails from Wollongong. Currently working as a Roof Tiler and Aged Care...
-Zachary Tetchetchian who attends Oakhill College will be attending RYPEN.  He will report back to us in February as to the experience and how it was for him.
-Ruari O’Kane is highly interested in Physics and Chemistry, and in particular the quantum side of physics.... He will be attending the National Youth Science Forum in 2019.
 
It was noted also that Eric Willison who represented us last year at the National Youth Science Forum then went on to the National and International Youth Science Forums. 
 
Larissa then took to the Microphone and gave us a very entertaining run down of all the things she had learned during her stay here in The Hills.  A very confident young lady leaving us compared to the shy young girl who came to us, exhausted and way out of her depth,   in January, 2018.
Congratulations Larissa,  we have loved having you here.
 
Winnie Yip, the Youth Exchange Leader for our Rotary district,  congratulated Larissa a successful Exchange year and on the personal growth she had seen in her during this year and spoke of the benefits of Youth exchange, both to the student and to the community into which they come.
 
Ricardo conducted a lively fines session.
Heads and Tails was won by Alan Paynter.
We were reminded of the Club Assembly next week  3rd December,   and of the need to register ATTENDANCE on Friday afternoon by 3pm.
 
Meeting closed at 8.45 pm.
Carol Russell,  Night reporter.

 

Night Photos

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

 |

This Week's Humour

Financial Planning

My friend Tom was a single guy, living at home with his father and working in the family business
 He knew that he would inherit a fortune once his sickly father died.  Tom wanted two things:
 

• To learn how to invest his inheritance.
• To find a wife to share his fortune.

 
One evening at an investment meeting, he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Her natural beauty took his breath away.

I may look like just an ordinary man," he said to her,
"but in just a few years, my father will die, and I'll inherit 20 million dollars."
 
Impressed, the woman obtained his business card.
​ 
Two weeks later, she became his stepmother.

 
​Women are so much better at estate planning than men....

Colin S

Joke Bank content is 12, or more, or less.  I need an auditor!!!!

Club Calendar

Editor's Note:  ​If you wish to download and print the Calendar please click here.

Bulletin Editor - Mighty Duo of Neville & Keith