Last Monday I attended, together with other Club Members, the Funeral of Past President, Eric Warth. Eric was President 1983-84. For this reason Last Monday’s meeting was cancelled. Last Thursday we had our first board meeting of the year, and I encourage you to read the attached minutes. The highlight of this week was attending Sienna’s Gala Dinner with board members Sue, Angelo, Ian, Tom & Owen. For a third year our Club was a platinum Sponsor for this event raising money & awareness for Neuroblastoma Australia. Their president, local Crows Nest resident Lucy Jones, has spoken at our club on a couple of occasions. To recap, Neuroblastoma is a cancer impacting children under five years, with a survival rate of just over 50%. We heard from two researchers on their latest efforts, as well as a heart wrenching story from a father boy currently in remission. I was honoured to be asked by Lucy to speak for a few minutes about Rotary, and draw the raffle. Looking forward to catching up on Monday 24th.
Yours in Rotary
Mark
It was truly a show of girl power last Saturday at Bunnings Artarmon.
Cheryl (new recruit) Sandra, Celia and Kate show the boys how it’s done!
Tom Sweeney
Our Next Meeting will be 24th February 2020 when our Speaker will be Alfonso Calero, presenting ‘A Photo Tour of Tokyo’.
Director/Owner Photographer Alfonso Calero started Australian Photography Tours in 2008 with the aim of teaching locals and tourists travel photography. www.alfonso.com.au. Alfonso and his staff, deliver regular Saturday afternoon or night photography walks/courses to suit all levels of experience. Private lessons also available for groups or individuals. “Using the outdoor classroom as our learning environment we explore the technical capabilities of your camera to capture some creative ideas”. This will be about how much smartphone photography has progressed - the limitations of what we can achieve are endless. Alfonso will show the audience some basics on how to use their mobile, recommend free fabulous apps for editing. Also, he will talk about creativity and composition while showing images of Japan. The focus will be on Travel Photography in Japan and the locations will include Tokyo & Hokkaido. While presenting ‘Tokyo’, he will speak about how you can use your smartphone and still capture beautiful images of street portraits, architecture day and night. While presenting ‘Hokkaido’ in Northern Japan, landscapes and wildlife will be the focus.
Please note, we now meet in the Crows Nest Hotel Board Room, 1st floor, at 12.30pm Mondays.
At our Meeting on 10th February 2020 the Speaker was Ashleigh Bower, the Events Coordinator at Arthritis NSW
Arthritis Awareness, Managing the Symptoms;
Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW is a charity, non-for profit organisation who recognise and advocate for those in our community suffering from Arthritis and similar musculoskeletal conditions. There are several strategies that can be used to mitigate symptoms of arthritis, including exercise, strength training, and weight management, among others. The challenge lies in effective implementation of these strategies among community-dwelling older adults. Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW would like to educate community populations about these strategies thus empowering them to take control of their Arthritis.
What is Arthritis? and how to Manage it! click on the article below for all the answers.
The International Toast was proposed by our President Mark, to the Rotary Club of Stockholm.
REMINDERS:
Our next meeting will be Monday 24th February 2020
Please note, we have changed location, back to the Crows Nest Hotel, upstairs in the Boardroom.
District Conference 20-22 March 2020
Next Year RI Convention will be in Honolulu, and as always our Club will be well represented.
Monday the 9th of December was our Christmas Party Giving Night!
On 10th February 2020 our Speaker was Ashleigh Bower-Events Coordinator at Arthritis NSW
Arthritis Awareness, Managing the Symptoms;
Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW is a charity, non-for profit organisation who recognise and advocate for those in our community suffering from Arthritis and similar musculoskeletal conditions. There are several strategies that can be used to mitigate symptoms of arthritis, including exercise, strength training, and weight management, among others. The challenge lies in effective implementation of these strategies among community-dwelling older adults. Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW would like to educate community populations about these strategies thus empowering them to take control of their Arthritis. Read on for 'How to Manage Arthritis, and Strength Training Classes.
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'.
There is now a single Rotary National Bushfires Appeal entry on the RAWCS Home Page, allowing you to share this in all your newsletters, or Facebook or Instagram platforms as a potential opportunity for the many members of the public who are keen to make a contribution to the devastation.
For the direct link to the Rotary National Bushfires Appeal page use: Bushfire Donations
Funds from this account are channelled directly to the Districts affected to enable their support and rebuilding in the future.
I know some of you have already received enquiries internationally for donations, which is just amazing. These must take a slightly different path, and here are the instructions:
International bushfire donors to RAWCS can only donate by bank transfer to RARF.
SWIFT Code CTBAAU2S [all alpha except second last digit which is a two [2]
Any efforts from Rotary will be once the first responders – RFS/SES/Red Cross/Salvos/etc – have completed their good work, and we can start to help residents and communities to rebuild themselves and their communities. Some affected Districts have formed local work groups or been talking to Blazeaid – all good solutions when the time is appropriate.
Dear Rotarians,
It was truly a show of girl power last Saturday at Bunnings Artarmon.
ROTARY: 2019-20
Director/Owner Photographer Alfonso Calero started Australian Photography Tours in 2008 with the aim of teaching locals and tourists travel photography. www.alfonso.com.au. 
Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW is a charity, non-for profit organisation who recognise and advocate for those in our community suffering from Arthritis and similar musculoskeletal conditions. There are several strategies that can be used to mitigate symptoms of arthritis, including exercise, strength training, and weight management, among others. The challenge lies in effective implementation of these strategies among community-dwelling older adults. Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW would like to educate community populations about these strategies thus empowering them to take control of their Arthritis. 
Please see below website link for the ”The Rotary Clubs of Australia 2019 National Drought Appeal” GNBC "Let It Pour" Fundraiser website - now LIVE!