Rotary Club of Maleny Bulletin for 17th June 2020

"THE RANGE"  Vol. 61 No.24
WEDNESDAY 17TH 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
Michael Gregory

SAUSAGE SIZZLE ROSTER
None scheduled at present.

PRESIDENT'S NOTES

Vale Clem Renouf, an Inspiring Rotarian:

 Sir Clement William Bailey Renouf, AM was an accountant and former President of Rotary International 1978-79. In this latter role he contributed significantly to the planned eradication of poliomyelitis worldwide. He was born in Ingham in 1921. He joined the Nambour Rotary Club in 1950 and remained a member. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1979, was knighted in 1988 "for outstanding service to the community" and awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001. In 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched, using the resources of all four organisations -World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta, national governments and other donors. At that time, wild polo virus was endemic in more than 125 countries. Now it's only left in two. Clem dreamed of living to see a polio-free world. We haven’t quite got there but we are very close. While he was titled and had received many awards, to those who met him he was simply ‘Clem’, a remarkable man. We will have a small tribute to him at our club Zoom meeting this week.

We have been successful in receiving recent approval for Rotary Foundation District Grants for two club projects. One is for a Solar Buddy light project, championed by Chris Brooker. We hope to partner with the Maleny High Interact Club in this project to assemble as many as 40 solar lights to distribute to a school in PNG or the Solomon Islands. If you are good at following instructions and assembling things from kits, please volunteer your time to Chris to help with this hands-on project.

The second grant is for a Domestic and Family Violence Project we are working on with the Zonta Club of the Blackall Range and the Quota Club of Maleny. The grant funding is specifically for DV emergency information signs for men’s amenities. The Zonta Club has already produced and sited signs in women’s amenities on the Range. This combined services project has a very active Facebook page with daily postings of current DV information, as well as resources. For example, there is a resource for Hairdressers who find a client needs DV help. There is also a Bystanders Resource to assist family members or friends who want to help in a DV situation.

The Facebook page is named: Combined Service Clubs of Maleny and the Blackall Range.

Alarmingly domestic and family violence incidents spiked during the COVID-19 lockdown period as revealed in a recent Monash University Report published in The Age this week:

·        Monash University surveyed 166 practitioners about family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

·        59 per cent said the frequency of violence against women had increased.

·        Half said the severity of violence increased as well.

·        42 per cent said more victims were coming forward for the first time.

·        Perpetrators are using the pandemic to inflict new forms of violence and control.

The United Nations Population Fund has predicted that for every three months lockdowns continue, an additional 15 million cases of domestic violence will occur worldwide.

I am pleased to report that another 25 bottles of hand sanitiser have been delivered to the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre (MNC) specifically for the ‘Women’s House’.  The remainder of the sanitisers will be delivered to the Maleny Flexi-school in the next week. This was a very handy little project funded by a Rotary Foundation District grant.

This will be my last Bulletin report as President in the RI year of “Rotary Connects the World”. We have had an extraordinary year in many ways. We could never have anticipated in July 2019 what events would unfold over the next 12 months. We have had to adapt to a ‘new normal’ over the last couple of months or so. I hope you have enjoyed our Zoom meeting programs. Thank you to Paulette for hosting these meetings. Restrictions are easing and I hope soon we can meet again face to face. Thank you all, for your support over the last 12 months.  I have great confidence that we are headed for an exciting year ahead with Greg Williams at the helm as President, with the RI theme of “Rotary Opens Opportunities”.

MINUTES OF MEETING OF 3RD JUNE
President Sheryl opened the Zoom meeting with a welcome to all Rotarians and to our special guests Barry, Micah and Eric. All together 21 people attended. Apologies were received from Melinda and Andy.

Rotary R100: A short video was shown celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand 1921-2021, sponsored by Caboolture Rotary Club.  Maleny Rotary has been challenged to decide on a project to support a century of Rotary Down Under
.
Maleny High School Chaplaincy: Micah Jones the current Chappy tuned in a little late because of the demands of a challenging day at the high school. He welcomed the opportunity to talk to us about what is happening at the high school. The health restrictions imposed on all schools because of Covid-19 have created a unique situation, both when the school was closed and now with the return of all students. Teacher have been anxious about the closure and the return of students, while students have been concerned with their future and re-establishing relationships with their friends after lock down. The school chappy is now a support to students/teachers/parents and families. Micah outlined his future projects to mentor students and develop leadership.

Maleny Neighbourhood Centre: Barry Smith gave us an update on the MNC Women’s House Project which provides temporary accommodation for women and children in desperate situations. He thanked Maleny Rotary for the ongoing support of the project which is wholly funded by the community with no government funding. Since opening, 14 women and 12 children have been provided with temporary accommodation. A report on the project has been sent to the club.


2021 Calendar: Lionel indicated that preparations for the 2021 calendar were going well; advertisers have been locked in and the photo competition will close on 12 June. If anyone has a photo for the competition, Lionel would be please to see it entered.

Rotary Foundation: Eric Wood, District Chair of the Rotary Foundation, was given the honour by President Sherryl of presenting a Paul Harris Fellow to a member who has always put up his hand when there is a job to be done.

Congratulation Lionel Tilley from all club members on being award a Paul Harris Fellow with sapphire.

Eric gave an update on the strain being placed on the Rotary Foundation because of the global needs for Covid-19 projects. He also gave an outline of the changes in the way the Foundation will operate with Global Grants and the need for clubs to become familiar with the new system.

Club History: Chris Brooker gave a history of the Club’s involvement with the Mary Cairncross Park starting in 1959 until the current day.

Other Items:
•    Change over on 28th June at the MDSR Building, more details soon.
•    Pride in Workmanship Award starting up soon.
•    Building the back wall on the Rotary stall at the showgrounds on 17 June, contact Mal.
Meeting Closed at 6.30pm

FUTURE MEETINGS
28th June  Changeover

1st July  Zoom Club Meeting at 5pm.

8th July Board Meeting

15th July 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

WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING STILL WITH US, HOW IS THIS FOR
INNOVATIVE DESIGN?

ADVICE SHOULD FACE MASKS BECOME COMPULSORY

Rotary Club of Maleny Bulletin for 4th December 2019

"THE RANGE"  Vol. 61 No.11
WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2019

THIS WEEK'S MEETING
Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for Guest Speakers the Harvey Sisters on their Music.

APOLOGIES AND MEALS
Apologies please to Bernice before noon on Tuesday.

DUTY ROSTERS              
                                 4th Dec
Duty Officer               Jim A                
Assist DO                  Roly N
Registration               Bernice McL 
Fellowship                 Michael G        

SAUSAGE SIZZLE ROSTER
14th December
Michael and Sherryl Gregory (Leader)  James McCormack

PRESIDENT'S NOTES
I enjoyed a stint of calendar selling last Saturday at the Community Centre Kiosk. Jeff had set up the kiosk so well that it was not only functional to sell the calendars but a great PR stand for the club. Chris B was my selling partner. No one could get past Chris without engaging in some way with him. We sold quite a lot of calendars, despite some competition from the Sausage Sizzle team up the road.

During a lull in customers, Chris told me the story of The Rotary Rock. There are a lot of famous big rocks in Australia, so it is great to have a legendary Rotary Rock here in Maleny. I knew part of the story but not all of it, so Chris followed up by sending me the whole story, and here it is:
The Rotary Centenary Project for Rotary Club of Maleny in 2005 was refurbishment of the Howells Knob Lookout at Reesville in conjunction with Caloundra City Council. Apart from the roadworks, clearing of overgrowth and establishment of a lookout building, it was decided to obtain a large rock to house a directional plaque.

Rotary approached Bracalba Quarry near Kenilworth for a suitable rock and were advised one of our choice would be available at the quarry but Rotary were responsible for the pickup and delivery. Brian Allen and Chris Brooker travelled to the quarry and picked out a one tonne rock which was loaded onto Chris’s ute. The Rock was placed on site by Council and the plaque established. Unfortunately the plaque only lasted a short period until it was removed/stolen.

Approximately 12 years later, at the same time Maleny District Sport and Rec Club was looking for a base for the flagpole, Council decided that the rock was a trip hazard. This is completely understandable, being approx. 550 high, 600 long, and 500 wide.  A Rotarian who had contact with MDSRC suggested moving and using the rock.

Rotary was contacted and while being concerned the rock could no longer be housed at Howells Knob were happy to have it rehoused to Zisa Field with Sport and Rec.  Council moved the rock with a crane truck and an excavator and placed it on site. The Rotary Rock is now a long term link between Rotary Club of Maleny and MDSRC.

I went on a quick drive to Howell’s Knob to check out how the rotunda was going- glad that the signage recognising Rotary is still visible, despite a bit of graffiti. I then went to the Zisa Field to see the rock in its new situation. It seems happy there with a great view of the community precinct. We are planning an informal social event there in January, so you can all check it out then.

We have just 2 club meetings to round off the year (as well as a board meeting). I look forward to seeing you all there. We have a member induction at the first meeting- great to welcome Brian A back to the club, and the second is our Christmas party at The Orangery. More details to come out about that soon. Also we have involvement in the Street Carnival on Friday 13 December and the Christmas Tree Festival at the Uniting Church. Get involved where you can, as all help is very much appreciated.

MINUTES OF MEETING OF 20TH NOVEMBER
Our Business meeting on 20 November 2019 was held at Maleny Hotel and opened at 7 PM.  The first item of business was our AGM which President Sherryl invited Jim A to facilitate. Jim provided a summary of our strong financial position, advised that there were no problems identified with our reporting process and presented the audited report which was unanimously received and accepted .

The Club is also pleased to announce the incoming board for the 2020/2021 year is as follows:
President:                   Greg Williams 
President Elect:          Vacant
Vice President:           Michael Gregory
Treasurer:                  Jim Atkinson
Secretary:                  Bernice McLennan
Board Members:        Rick Vickers
                                   Phillip Stark
                                   Paulette Steele
                                   Jeff Cornfoot

Sherryl G will also remain on the Board as Immediate Past President. The AGM was done and dusted by 7.10 pm.

We certainly have a number of Club members who enjoy travel. Prior to dinner we were entertained with 3 recent travel stories.
First up, Ric T told of his trip to Alstonville NSW with wife Jacinta to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Sheryl G recounted her recent trip to Rainbow Bay with Michael G when she was confronted with the sight of the St Columbans school bus – packed with male staff enjoying an end of year fishing weekend. Bernice M also told us of her travels with John B throughout Europe

Following dinner, the following reports were provided:
Paulette S gave an update on the raffle for the 2019 Xmas Street carnival. Our Club was asked to take responsibility this year for this raffle and Paulette reported that Alan W, Greg W and herself had approached the business owners primarily in Maple Street over several weeks and garnered some excellent prizes.

Paulette has grouped the prizes into packages,organised the printing of the raffle tickets and commenced distribution of the tickets to members and other local organizations,  and businesses for sale. The tickets have been selling well and Paulette may need to print more tickets.
The beneficiary of the proceeds is the Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital Auxillary

As a follow up, Paulette visited Louise Hickey and Joan Whitehouse selling tickets outside the IGA


















Greg W reported on progress of the Uniting Church Xmas Tree Festival.
Greg W and Paulette S will collect a timber tree from Rick V and several items of our Club history to display on the tree as it fits in this year's theme which is Old Becomes New at Christmas
Set up starts about 8.30 am on Wednesday December. We should be assisted with a couple of Santa Elves - Mitch and Indiana Williams. The Display is open 19-24 December. If you have any visitors and particularly children and grandchildren visiting Maleny during the festive season, it is highly recommended to take them for a visit.

Greg W also reported that our next Vocational Visit will be to the Maleny Cheese at Balmoral on Wednesday 29 January 2019. Greg will confirm numbers and other details in the coming meetings.

Sherryl G thanked Keith R for his excellent work in producing our Blog,  Michael G for organizing our meeting speakers and Philip S for the advertising material being published in the Glasshouse and Maleny News, and other electronic publications such as the Maleny District Sport And Recreation Newsletter.

Michael G reported on Rotary UN Day, on the Club attendance at the recent Rotary District Grants Seminar at St Columban’s at Caboolture with a strong club representation by Sherryl G, Michael G, Bernice McL, Alan W, Paulette S and Greg W and that the Rotary Foundation is keen for clubs to complete applications for eligible projects for grant funding as it has considerable funds available. It was one of  the best, if not the best, run and organised grants seminar.

Michael G reported that Rotary International business is all going on line, and that there will be no hard copy directory from now on; also expect a big shake up of Rotary Boards. Michael also raised an ongoing concern arising from district amalgamations with a potential issue where the Gold Coast does not want to join surrounding Rotary districts.

Ric T provided an update on the battery collection. With assistance from Greg W, he recently collected 4 bags of batteries from the Maleny Chemist and took them out to Witta for recycling.
Alan W also reported on a transportable homeless sleeping pod being made on the Gold Coast and distributed by the Sunrise ? Club at Surfers for about $ 1000 each.

President Sherryl closed the meeting with a reminder of the upcoming Board meeting, the sausage sizzle roster and a reminder of the Xmas Street Party, parking at the Maleny Golf pro-am and calendar selling at the kiosk.

FUTURE MEETINGS & EVENTS
11th December
Board Meeting at the Masonic Hall.

13th December
Maleny Street Party

18th December
Christmas Party at the Orangerie.

25th December
Happy Christmas - no meeting.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES FOR DECEMBER
6th Chris & Jocelyn  12th Jim & Elaine and Roly and Kerry Neiper 17th Lionel & Judy

BIRTHDAY FOR DECEMBER
11th Jim Atkinson 

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT
THE JOY OF RECEIVING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS -
AND SOME POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES

  

                            

   

Rotary Club of Maleny Bulletin for 17th January 2018

"THE RANGE"  Vol. 59 No.11
WEDNESDAY 17th January 2018

THIS WEEK'S MEETING
Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm with Guest Speaker Cody Schaeffer on Youth Transition Seminar.

APOLOGIES
Apologies to Bernice before noon on Tuesday 16th.

DUTY ROSTERS                       
                           17th Jan          7th Feb        21st Feb                             
Duty Officer        Roly N             Ric T            Malcolm B              
Assist DO           Angela G         Keith R        Jeff C          
Registration        Bernice McL    Bill H            CL C
Fellowship          John McL         Phillip S       Melinda M

SAUSAGE SIZZLE ROSTER
27th January
Malcolm Baker (Leader)  Chris Brooker  Greg Williams

10th February
Ric Townsend  Phillip Stark Angela Griffin

MINUTES OF MEETING OF 6TH DECEMBER
This was a busy meeting, chaired by President Alan, and attended by several guests.
The meeting started with the AGM, chaired by Jim, minutes taken by Bernice. Details of AGM proceedings can be read when minutes are distributed to Club members.

The general meeting followed with many reminders of forthcoming events:
- January Social Event: First Wednesday in January at Roly and Kerry’s place
- Parking for Golf Club Pro-Am: Saturday 16 December, see Chris B.
- National Cross Country Event: August 2018 (expected 1200 competitors, and 4000 visitors) 2 day event at Community Precinct- parking duties planned.
- Maleny Street Carnival: Friday 9 December, volunteers called for BBQ.
- Club Christmas Party: at Bill and Marlene’s place on Wednesday 20 December.
- Community Grants Applications are now open: last year 14 local clubs benefited with grants of up to $1000 each.
- Australia Day Community Expo: Volunteers needed to set up and for parking duties at the Showgrounds.

Other notices involved:
- Sunshine Coast Council Disaster Management Exercise: Rick V. reported on this successful exercise and thanked members who took part.
- Polio Pig: For the information of visitors, Angela noted the significance of the pink pig which was passed around for small change donations. She gave an update on how the worldwide Polio Eradication program was progressing.
- Vocational Education news: Sherryl reported on a new national vocational training strategy as below:
Real skills promotion to help raise the status of VET.  The VET Information Strategy was launched at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra and includes the new ‘real skills for real careers’ initiative and tagline, and a revamped My Skills website.

The Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews said that raising the status of vocational education and training was a key priority.
"The fact is that VET qualifications lead to successful, meaningful, professional careers with great salaries and outstanding career prospects,” Ms Andrews said.
All the information about the VET Information Strategy including resources can be found here.

Guest Speaker for the meeting was Assistant Governor, Linda Morell, from The Rotary Club of Cooroy. Linda brought to attention the wealth of information on the Rotary International website in the member’s section: My Rotary at https://www.rotary.org. 

Linda gave a snapshot of the My Rotary section of the website, explaining how to register and log in, and the features of the dashboard. There is a section for all clubs, which can show club goals, member statistics, club projects etc. However this is only useful if kept updated with current information. Linda showed a You Tube video titled “Welcome to the Rotary Community” which explained each section of the My Rotary member’s section. She encouraged club members to register and log in to explore the website for themselves.
Sherryl gave the vote of thanks.

President Alan closed the meeting with the reminder that the next meeting at the Hotel will be Thursday 14 December with a special guest speaker.

MINUTES OF MEETING OF 14TH DECEMBER
A hearty Christmas type meal consisting of a large roast dinner followed by mince pies had been organised by our President Alan. Directors reminded us of our Christmas party to be held at the Hankinson’s on the 20th and the parking duties at the golf club ProAm on 16th. Our Exchange Student Adri told us of his participation in the recently held Sunshine Safari, thanking the Club for its help and assistance.

The Polio Pig went squeaking around the tables but our fiendish Sergeant remained silent so no tales of dubious authenticity were told.

Our guest speaker Kim Kirkman, formerly of 10 Tenors fame, gave us a most entertaining thumbnail sketch of his background as well as providing us with some delightful music on his harp. He had an early musical background with his Mother very keen for him to play violin but as he was not destined to turn into a maestro he moved on to the cello and finally fell in love with the harp. He was for some years a members of the 10 Tenors & organised the first international tour for the group. Overseas touring and living in London ended when he returned to Australia to compose and teach music at the Uni campus in Mackay. The beauty of the Maleny hinterland finally won his heart and he settled, along with his wife and daughter, at Crystal Waters where he found an acoustically delightful house to continue with his music.

An urge to assist others with their musical journey saw him establish the ‘Lift’ studio at Balmoral where he teaches music, organises and conducts 3 choirs and enchants audiences with his harp recitals. As well as being an extremely talented harpist, should he give up the harp, he could well succeed as a comedian given the tales he regaled us with. A delightful talk finished with Kim giving us a vocal rendition of an amusing Christmas story accompanied by his harp playing.

Lionel gave the vote of thanks.

CLUB 2017 AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE
This Award was presented to Reinhard Ryva at the recent awards ceremony organised by the local SES.

FUTURE MEETINGS & EVENTS
24th January
Masonic Hall at 5:30 for 6:00pm for Club Assembly.

31st January
Possible Vocational Visit to Mountain Liqueurs.

7th February
Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm with Guest Speaker John Szkutko on Playing the Tuba.

14th February
Board Meeting at the Masonic Hall.

21st February
Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for Gordon Jones video and Greg Williams "My Story".

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FOR JANUARY
1st Malcolm and Nancy

BIRTHDAYS FOR JANUARY
1st Jan Cornfoot & Kay Wilkinson  21st Michael Gregory

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT
FROM OUR FINANCIAL PLANNING CORRESPONDENT
HOW BITCOIN MIGHT BE UNDERSTOOD

A lot of monkeys lived near a village.

One day a merchant came to the village to buy these monkeys!

He announced that he will buy the monkeys @ $100 each.

The villagers thought that this man is mad.

They thought how can somebody buy stray monkeys at $100 each?

Still, some people caught some monkeys and gave it to this merchant and he gave $100 for each monkey.

This news spread like wildfire and people caught monkeys and sold it to the merchant.

After a few days, the merchant announced that he will buy monkeys @ $200 each.

The lazy villagers also ran around to catch the remaining monkeys!

They sold the remaining monkeys @ $200 each.

Then the merchant announced that he will buy monkeys @ $500 each!

The villagers start to lose sleep! ... They caught six or seven monkeys, which was all that was left and got $500 each.

The villagers were waiting anxiously for the next announcement.

Then the merchant announced that he is going home for a week.  And when he returns, he will buy monkeys @ $1000 each!

He asked his employee to take care of the monkeys he bought.  He was alone taking care of all the monkeys in a cage.

The merchant went home.

The villagers were very sad as there were no more monkeys left for them to sell it at $1000 each.

Then the employee told them that he will sell some monkeys @ $700 each secretly.

This news spread like fire.  Since the merchant buys monkey @ $1000 each, there is a $300 profit for each monkey.

The next day, villagers made a queue near the monkey cage.

The employee sold all the monkeys at $700 each.  The rich bought monkeys in big lots.  The poor borrowed money from money lenders and also bought monkeys!

The villagers took care of their monkeys & waited for the merchant to return.

But nobody came!  Then they ran to the employee.

But he has already left too !

The villagers then realised that they have bought the useless stray monkeys @ $700 each and unable to sell them!

Bitcoin may well be the next monkey business!!!

UPDATE ON RAWCS PROJECT 7 2016-17 SHED THE LIGHT NEPAL

ROTARY CLUB OF MALENY

At the meeting of 15th November, members were given a great Power Point presentation by Dr CL Claridge on the ongoing Rotary projects with which she has been involved in Nepal.

She was asked if it would be possible to make this available so that all members could look at it again, or for members who were, unfortunately for them, not in attendance could also see it.  A selection of six slides that give an overview of the presentation are shown below.

The Objectives of the project are:
•    To facilitate the social and economic empowerment of women from disadvantaged backgrounds;
•    To develop and implement a range of training programs for women;
•    To develop women’s micro-finance projects;
•    To increase women’s ability to meet the educational needs of their children.

The location of the project is the Handikhola Village Development Area, Makwanpur District, Nepal. This is a very remote area with a sparse population and poor or non-existent facilities. Travel is difficult at all times and impossible in the ‘wet’ season.
At this stage there are 54 women and 5 men involved in the project.

•Sewing skills –30 women (Chepang)

Assembling the treadle machines that have been brought to the remote location by porters.

After training, the new operators are able to produce goods for sale.

Computer Skills Training
Involves 24 females and 5 males  (Bankariya) of whom 18 are school students.


If you would like the view the full project presentation the Vimeo link (and password) is http://vimeo.com/243516283  and you must enter the Password which is ' Rotary '.