Last Monday our weekly meeting on Zoom went well, we had yet another great Speaker, and everyones participation in the meeting was good to see! I think we are all getting used to the raising of hands and mute buttons etc, well done everyone! It was also good to welcome Tracey back again! My final attendance at the District's 'President’s Meeting' for the year 2019-2020, was held this week by Zoom. The highlight for me, was the presentation to our Club of a ‘Silver Award’ for our contribution to ShelterBox, ie $5,000 each year for the last 3 years! A reward recognition our Club will be very proud of! The Presidents Meeting also had the pleasure of the International President, Mark Maloney's attendance, ‘Zooming’ into the meeting. His key message was that the ‘virtual world’ is here to stay and he encouraged us to embrace it. It was also pleasing to note that he acknowledged our member Harold and his role as Chairman of ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children). The International President said every month he enjoys reading Harold’s ROMAC Newsletter, and he still talks about the last Sydney International Convention, in 2014, where he worked with members Angelo and Harold on the Convention's Organising Committee. He reminded us, that this year’s International Convention, originally planned for Hawaii, will now be a ‘virtual’ Convention. So it will be a great opportunity for everyone to attend an International Convention free of charge, in the comfort of your own home. So put June 20th - 26th in your diary and watch this space for the details.
Bunnings has advised that there will be no BBQ's until further notice due to the outcome of the Corona Virus.We will advise as soon as this policy has been changed.
Our Next Meeting, via Zoom, will be on Monday, the 1st June 2020 when our Speaker will be Tim Kwok, from Transport NSW.
The Western Harbour Tunnel will deliver a new crossing of Sydney Harbour and creates a western bypass of the Sydney CBD. The project includes upgrading four kilometres of one of Australia’s busiest roads, the Warringah Freeway. This will address congestion, improve safety and provide more choice for how to move around Sydney.
Tim Kwok is the Senior Community and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Transport NSW. He has over 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, specialising in communications on major infrastructure projects such as WestConnex and Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link. Tim has expertise in proactively identifying potential issues within the community and delivering effective solutions to mitigate them.
Tim's presentation will explain
· The high level plan for the project including the environmental considerations, and
At our Meeting on the 25th of May, our Guest Speaker was our own member, Kate Riddle.
Kate presented herself, describing her early years, with her parents, living in Australia and overseas. Her story included the United Nations building in New York, and the shoe banging episode by Nikita Khrushchev, First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, who, on 12 October 1960 allegedly pounded his shoe on his delegate-desk in protest at a speech by Philippine delegate Lorenzo Sumulong. According to some sources, Khrushchev pounded his fists on his desk in protest as Sumulong continued to speak, and at one point picked up his shoe and banged the desk with it. Kate also mentioned Marlon Brando who was an American actor and film director , who gave her a little dog! Kate then described the UN’s UNICEF charity and how various famous artists, like Danny Kaye had started it, and how, now days, it has dozens of artists active as Ambassadors. Kate’s presentation was appreciated by all members at the meeting, and PP Tom thanked Kate for a most ‘riveting’ presentation!
Club members and families attended this one important night of the year, when funds raised throughout the year 2018-19 of $50,000 is handed back to worthwhile organisations.
Past President Sue Raveane, handed over Cheques totalling $50,000 to seven non-profit organisations, four who look after our local Community, and three who benefit communities in other countries.
Taudumande
Pheonix House
Canteen
Orange Sky
Shelterbox
School for Life
Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children
Past President Sue said "this is what Rotary is all about! Rotarians in our Community giving back to their Community."
A very pleasant evening was had by all who attended.
However one organisation was absent on our Giving Night and on 3 Feb 2020, the Club presented a cheque to Mr Sean Mura from the Kenyian organisation 'So They Can'.
Dear Rotarians,
ROTARY: 2019-20
The Western Harbour Tunnel will deliver a new crossing of Sydney Harbour and creates a western bypass of the Sydney CBD. The project includes upgrading four kilometres of one of Australia’s busiest roads, the Warringah Freeway. This will address congestion, improve safety and provide more choice for how to move around Sydney.
Reminders;