Rotary Club Of Bendigo Sandhurst
Notes for Bulletin
Relevant to Meeting of: September 22, 2016
Well, another action packed meeting at restaurant 18eighty seven, conducted by Paul Henderson as Acting President and Chairman.
Highlight was induction of a new member, Andrew Howe Classification Hygrographer, and ex UK Policeman, referred by Ted Gretrix.
International: Visiting Rotarian Lindsay Murphy of the Rotary Club of Leongatha, and our Doug Lougoon, Phil Harris, and Martin Ruffell, funded by themselves and
the Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee join Team 48, leaving on September 29th to replace the roof, prefabricated in Bendigo, on the school at Maulau, Maubisse,
Timor Leste.
And, we have a one man academic “Team” by way of our Prof Adrian Schoo visiting Timor Leste in November.
President’s Report:
Our esteemed president Conor Cunningham, snowed under by new and increasing pressures has wisely accepted the Board approving his leave of absence until December 31, 2016.
Nice to be so successful in business.
During that period, Paul Henderson past president and George Waters president elect will run a tag team, attempting to emulate Conor.
[First step was tag team two hour “brainstorming” at “Bay Leaf” café Mitchell Street, today]
The Board has ratified our annual donation of $1,500.00 to “Patti’s Knitting Project”, via a circuitous route, reimbursing Patti for her purchases of wool.
Ray Carrington has personally delivered the cheque to Radius Disability Services finance office today.
And, we bought a car:
One new, [Not used], Nissan Patrol 4WD, 10 seater, 6 door, 4.2 litre, air-conditioned, manual diesel.
We’ve asked our Mark Weragoda to design and supply the signage and livery, acknowledging donors and contributors, and, the purpose of the vehicle.
This vehicle will be shipped from the supplier in Thailand to Dili, and thence to the Order of the Carmelite Sisters Timor Leste for the purpose of distributing food
and nutrition education, complementing the new kitchen designed and built by our members and other volunteers at Maubisse in the highlands of Timor Leste.
We’re reminded of the Global Nutrition Report of June 14, 2016, which states that, based on childrens’ height and weight data, Timor Leste is a bad last, of 83 countries surveyed.
Funding for the vehicle:
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AUD
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Anonymous Rotarian Donation
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$10,000.00
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Previously Approved by
Board Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst
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$20,000.00
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Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee
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$5,000
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Approved at extraordinary meeting
Wed Sep 14 2016
Board of Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst
Funds necessary to limit of $11,600 AUD
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Estimated costs to
$10,528.37
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Rotary District 9800 – DDF Grant
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$6,000.00
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We continue discussions re Customs Duty liability, ownership arrangements for the first six months in Timor Leste, and compulsory wharf handling charges of some $300 USD.
We acknowledge advice from Lindsay Murphy, and Daryl Mills, manager Rotary International Liaison Office, Dili, Timor Leste.
All paid and anticipated eventualities are covered in current Board approved funding.
Our Board requests the Order of Carmelite Sisters accept responsibility for insurance[s] once the marine insurance expires, and vehicle registration.
The Order of Carmelite Sisters have already received cash funds for running costs, from the Timor Leste government, and, anticipate continuing government support.
So, congratulations to all concerned !!!
Next Generation Club
Tim has notified us that again, they have calendars for sale.
Strath Club invite us to Red Wine “opportunity” Friday evening at the airport. Lucky door prize is a flight with a trainer, not trainee, instructor.
Cluster meeting [On Fathers’ Day … !!!]
At Conference 2017 organisers are looking to us for videos of “Rotary Highlights” [Maubisse Kitchen and Vehicle ideal subject]
Foundation
Cluster and TRF have organised a dinner at Silks out at Bendigo race course Wednesday November 23rd:
Chances are that we’ll make that our official meeting.
Fellowship Evenings last Thursday of the month:
Rising Sun Hotel Thursday September 29th.
[Pat would appreciate numbers RSVP Cathie Miller]
Ray Carrington reported that our Patti is well, and has appointed two deputies to continue overseeing the knitting project.
Martin Ruffell seeks more volunteers for the Swap meet cluster clubs’ event.
Doug Lougoon has seen the light:
Doug publicly announced his retirement effective October 3rd 2016
What can we say?
Gives a chance for other real estate agents to have a go, or, some reference to golf handicap.
Phil Harris reminded us of the Team 48 bound for Timor Leste.
Guest Speaker
Well, there are talented young people, and then there’s Tom Houlden:
Tom attended the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra, after his form filling. letter and interview at Bendigo Rotary Club.
Not content with that two week achievement, Tom was one of three successful applicants of some eighty, to attend XLAB in Germany.
He has been generously supported financially by his parents, and Catholic College Bendigo, and, admits to “working his butt off” to repay the costs of attending XLAB.
It was my pleasure to see his face light up when I “spilled the beans” and let him know that we had a cheque for one thousand dollars, with his name on it.
You couldn’t hear the proverbial pin drop as Tom led us through some of the techniques of neurophysiology, gene mutation and other research techniques he learned at XLAB.
“You just sort of poke this cool really tiny thing into the neurone … “
It was such a pleasure to listen to such a down to earth Bendigo scientist on the way up.
As an out-of-left-field offer, George has promised to introduce Tom to the son of his 1962 co-exchange student, Verity Cowley, one
Prof Michael Cowley, eminent Australian scientist.
Rotary at work fifty-four years later.
Attempting to ‘nail” the roster for next formal meeting, Paul Kirkpatrick volunteered that he will be in Japan, and has swapped with Kevin Reade, presently in Germany …
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