"THE RANGE" Vol. 61 No.23
WEDNESDAY 3RD JUNE 2020
THIS WEEK'S MEETING
A Zoom meeting has been arranged starting at 5pm. Log in details have been circulated separately.
APOLOGIES
Apologies please to Bernice as soon as possible.
SCRIBE FOR THIS MEETING
Roly Neiper
SAUSAGE SIZZLE ROSTER
None scheduled at present.
PRESIDENT'S NOTES
With more movement out and about in Maleny town and some of the cafes and restaurants opening again for more than just takeaway, albeit under strict social distancing conditions, there is a sense that things are getting back to a bit more normal in Maleny. However, we can’t forget that this virus is going to be around for a long while yet.
With this in mind we have been able to acquire 2 boxes of 100ml hand sanitiser (100 bottles altogether) that had been bottled and labelled by District Foundation Chair, PDG Eric Wood, using District Grant funding. Last Thursday, Paulette and I handed over one carton of 50 sanitiser bottles to Ian Demack, President of the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre for distribution in the community.
I have been attending District President’s meetings fortnightly on Zoom. It has been interesting hearing updates not only from the District leaders, but hearing about projects and ways of spicing up club meetings, that other clubs are working on at the moment. Some of these are:
• RC of Mooloolaba are getting organised for their annual “Walk for Mental Health” to raise funds for Australian Rotary Health. This year the 8k walk is on Sunday 11 October. It is a Channel 7 supported event and last year raised $26,680. They are encouraging other clubs to hold a walk in their communities & have offered their support to get it up and running. Maybe we could have a Hinterland Walk?
• Some clubs have held on-line Trivia Nights and one had a “Best-dressed” competition with a case of wine as the prize. Some clubs are holding Facebook raffles.
• RC of Gympie is holding a car rally around Gympie and Kin Kin area.
• In District 9620 they have set up their annual RYLA camp in late November as an alternative to Schoolies Week.
• The Rotary Peace Fellows studying at the University of Queensland are returning to their home countries next month. They did their annual Peace Fellows Seminar on-line this year.
Donations in Kind (DIK) are having to vacate their premises at Kingston and are seeking a new base. They are looking for clubs or individuals who can help clean up the yard before they move. Assistant Governor Jan Lawton has asked if our cluster can get together a team to help with one of the clean up dates - Saturday 27 June most likely. She is hoping for a couple or so from each club if possible. If anyone would be able to assist with things like whipper-snipping and loading up skips, let me know and I’ll contact Jan.
It seems like we will be continuing meeting via Zoom at least to the end of June. Paulette will send out the Zoom Invitation for the next meeting on a Monday. I will send out the Agenda on the Tuesday. Please email me if you would like a spot at the meeting. Anyone who can do magic tricks, sing, dance, play a musical instrument to entertain us is most welcome to a spot to add interest to the meeting. If you have a good travel story for the Memorable Moments segment for the second Wednesday of the month please send a few photos to Paulette to put up at the meeting.
“Do a little bit of Good where you are; it is those little bits of Good put together that overwhelm the world”.
Desmond Tutu
MINUTES OF MEETING OF 20TH MAY
A clear agenda from President Sherryl helped all attendees to keep focus on the newsy and interesting snips from all the contributors.
Paulette S gave us some protocol tips for Zoom meetings with a quick tour around the Zoom screen. The most important being the mute/unmute button to eliminate unwanted background noises. President Sherryl summarised a few points including news that Brian A had got permission and made it to Adavale (in Shire of Quilpie, population 93 people) to join his relatives.
Also, a message from District Foundation Chair, PDG Eric Wood, that hand sanitizer in 2 cartons of 100ml bottles was available for us to distribute.
DG Darryl Iseppi had joined us and gave a quick rundown at District level. He asked us to keep doing our community work at club level and that once the COVID 19 restrictions are lifted, the communities will be looking for leadership to guide them and Rotary can play its part. This will raise our profile and perhaps improve membership by Christmas. Also highlighted the DG newsletter to keep all informed about activities and projects. Mentioned also the virtual International Convention at the end of June which is free to join but we need to register. Finally he talked about the Global Grant for Goroka PNG for approx. $30,000 but still about $5k short so is looking for clubs to consider contributing.
Jim A gave a good historical summary of the Maleny Disaster Fund, emphasising it is the community’s funds, only administered by Rotary. Three persons, namely SES commander, local Police Sergeant and Rotary President make decisions on whether and how much of the funds are to be distributed. The recent tragedy at a rental property in Corks Pocket Rd fitted the criteria and we are pleased that monies were provided to the couple immediately. They are still traumatised but grateful for the community’s support.
CL (with a fantastic backdrop of Dunedin railway station) provided a summary of life under Covid19 in Nepal. Population 29 million. Testing to date 80,000. Thed tests are being administered to those showing likely Covid-19 symptoms. It is difficult to get reliable information. From WHO data: Positive cases: 402. Deaths: 2. Country has been in lockdown since 24 March and this will continue till at least 1 June. Lockdown is enforced by police and military. Impacts of lockdown are felt most by people living in poverty, especially those in the Kathmandu Valley.
RCM's RAWCS women's empowerment project which commenced approximately 3 years ago is now complete. Fifty-eight women have been trained in either sewing skills or computer skills and most are now earning sufficient money to improve their family's life.
RCM's RAWCS women's empowerment project for blind and disabled women is on hold. Blind women in Nepal are seen to have no value. Traditionally a woman in Nepal has value only as a wife and mother. Blind women are often shunned by their families and societies and are left to fend for themselves - often homeless and living in extreme poverty. There are sufficient funds (if exchange rates don't fall too much) in the RAWCS account to implement the project. As soon as the two NGOs, Pahichan and Shed the Light Nepal, are back in operation the project will go ahead. Ten women will receive training and support in various aspects of livelihood development, product making, marketing, communication skills, self-confidence, independent daily living skills, and self defence.
Pahichan will implement the project, STLN will oversee and manage the project at the Kathmandu level. Pahichan's own resources will provide accommodation for the women during the training, provide the training venue, and set up a shop where the women can sell their products. Pahichan will also provide ongoing mentoring and support for the women.
Angela then provided an update on our long running international project – support for the Ebenezer Trust for the construction of the high school in Livingstone Tanzania since 2008. Despite some setbacks and stalled progress, the project is nearly complete which has been a fantastic effort. There was a small shortfall in the RAWCS account for completion but that gap was picked up by Bob and Sue Hall, allowing the completion once the COVID 19 restrictions are lifted. Angela praised the efforts of some fellow club members for the dedication and perseverance, especially CL and Jim A and past member Bob H. We can look forward to the completion and official opening in the near future.
Jim also added his praise and thanked Angela and CL also for their determination and patience over many years to get the documentation compliant to meet RAWC’s project requirements.
Memorable moments. Three members, complete with images presented via powerpoint slides then gave their memorable moments of an event or events in their life. Jeff C spoke of his three bike trips; in India, on Route 66 in the USA and through the West Coast US/ Canada/ Salt Lake City. Fantastic images and plenty of characters in his 2 wheel, noisy convoys.
Paulette S gave us a skydiving trip in Wanaka NZ in 1998, and a blues tour of the US in 2012 with her friend Cate from New York thru Chicago to Memphis.
Sherryl showed us parts of the NT that she and Mike explored as a 50th anniversary present to Bamurru Plains, with day trips to rock art and billabongs in Kakadu, Jabiru and West Arnhem Land, returning each night to their luxurious glamping accommodation.
Well done you three.
Greg W thanked all for their turn up to the Settlers Green gardening session. The edging to the garden beds now completes the Fed Govt grant project. I am pretty sure there were not more than 10 people gathered there, otherwise it would be against the restriction imposed!!
President Sherryl thanked all for their contributions and to look out for the article in the MDSRC newsletter on the history of RCM. She thanked DG Darryl for joining us and we look forward to the District newsletter. Paulette S and Zoom host closed the meeting.
FUTURE MEETINGS
10th June Board Meeting
17th June Zoom Club Meeting at 5pm.
FUTURE EVENTS
20-26 June Rotary International Virtual Convention
BIRTHDAYS FOR JUNE
1st Mike Edwards
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES FOR JUNE
1st Chris and Judi Ross-Smith 16th Alan and Mary Wilson
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Don't Mess with
us old folks
The old lady handed her bank card to a bank teller and
said, "I would like to withdraw $500.
The teller told her, "For withdrawals less than $5,000, please use
the ATM.”
The old lady then asked, "Why?”
The teller irritably told her, "These are rules. Please leave if there is
no other matter. There is a queue behind you.”
She then returned the card to the old lady.
The old lady remained silent…
But then she returned the card to the teller and said, "Please help me
withdraw all the money I have.”
The teller was astonished when she checked the account balance.
She nodded her head, leaned down and said to the old lady, "My apologies
Granny, you have $3.5 million in your account and our bank does not have so
much cash currently. Could you make an appointment and come again tomorrow?”
The old lady then asked, "How much am I able to withdraw
now?”
The teller told her, "Any amount up to $300,000”
The old lady then told the teller that she wanted to withdraw $300,000 from her
account. The teller did so quickly and handed it to the old lady
respectfully.
The old lady put $500 in her purse and then asked the teller to deposit
the balance of $299,500 back into her account.
