Please send apologies to Therese Stubbs before 10:30am each Monday at: ts@aiol.com.au
Next Meeting – 29nd August 2017
Attendance desk:
John Garrett & Alan Hession Reserves: (John Garrett & Alan Hession)
Set up & pack up:
Peter Grinter & Ranald Stewart Reserves: (Peter Grinter & Ranald Stewart)
Speakers & topic:
Trent Zimmerman MP, Member for North Sydney
Reflections of a new MP – the challenges facing our democracy
Rotary Club Meeting 22nd August 2017
Welcome
President Derekwelcomed all members and guests Trent Zimmerman MP, Mike Dureau, Jo Cocks, Penny Lye, Chris Sullivan, Jan Duggin and Marillyn Stewart.
Toast
PP John Turner proposed a toast to the Rotary Club of Rondesbosch in Capetown, South Africa. He summarised the projects and activities of the club.
Announcements
President Derek announced that District Governor Peter Ward would visit the club on September 5 and each club committee chair would be asked to give a 3 minute summary of activities.
Ian Burnet reported on the RAM Conference he recently attended which covered progress in fighting malaria in PNG, the Solomons and East Timor.
Sally O’Neill said she is looking for two more people for the netball barbecues on August 26 and additional hands for the Bridge Day on August 31. She has 21 tables booked at the Bridge Day.
Guest Speaker - Trent Zimmerman MP, Federal Member for North Sydney
Malcolm Lye introduced the guest speaker, Trent Zimmerman MP, Federal Member for North Sydney. He summarised Trent’s career as an adviser to several politicians, including former Treasurer Joe Hockey, and his roles with the Liberal Party. He noted that Trent is an active member of Rotary Club of North Sydney Sunrise.
Trent spoke on two subjects – his life in the past 18 months as a new MP and the challenges facing Australia. He said “nothing had prepared me for life as an elected politician”: the lack of anonymity; busy Committee work; communications with Ministers, Party Room, colleagues and Opposition members; and time spent in the electorate.
Trent is optimistic about Australia’s future because of its stability and security, diversity and high living standards. He sees four main challenges:
Competitiveness of Australia’s industries. He expects Australia’s main growth to be in service industries and agriculture and sees a need for lower company taxes and more Free Trade Agreements.
Maintaining health care and pensions for Australia’s ageing population.
The increasing costs of energy as Australia tries to combat climate change. He sees “technology as our friend”, with solar costs reducing and providing secure affordable energy.
The growth of our cities. Sydney will have 8 million population in 20 years and long term planning for infrastructure will be critical.
Trent answered questions on the adversarial nature of politics, energy, Liberal Party pre-selection processes, transport issues, the plebiscite for same sex marriage and his own priorities.
PP John Bolton gave the vote of thanks, saying that Trent had provided insights into his life in Canberra and on the challenges ahead for Australia.
Sergeant PP John Turner extracted cash from members. PP Paul Sullivan successfully auctioned a rare bottle of Riesling.
Record Attendance at Rotary’s Northbridge fireworks
A record crowd estimated at more than 4,000 attended Northbridge Rotary's Community Fireworks 30th Anniversary Spectacular on Northbridge Oval on May 13.
The event was a great success, according to the organizer, Rotarian Rob Coote. “We were lucky with near perfect weather and it was a great night for families who attended the evening,” Rob said. “The fireworks were spectacular, there was varied musical entertainment from local school bands plus exciting rides for the many happy children in attendance.
“We had about 120 Rotary Club members, spouses and Friends of Rotary helping on the night,” Rob said.
The spectators included North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Willoughby Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney. The Mayor welcomed the huge crowd and thanked Rotarians, volunteers and sponsors for making the huge community event so successful.
The event raised a surplus of more than $40,000 (net of expenses), which will be used to support local and overseas charities.
In this regard the Board of the Club at its May meeting resolved to award 100% of the surplus to organizations in greatest need. These included StreetWork (a local youth charity ) to assist in purchasing a new community vehicle ,the Rural Fire Service, children and women’s emergency accommodation, Rotary’s Polio Eradication programme, The Rotary Foundation, medical research into the causes and treatment of dementia and high need overseas charities in East Timor and Nepal (water delivery infrastructure and schools..)
Rotary President Paul Sullivan expressed the Club’s appreciation to Northbridge Plaza (managed by AMP Capital) as the major sponsor of the event and the new co-sponsor Commonwealth Bank . The invaluable assistance of Willoughby City Council was also greatly appreciated.
At a Club meeting held 23 May 2017 President Paul reported that he had received a letter of resignation from long time member Sydney (Syd) Grolman. Syd has been a member of the Club for 19 years 6 months ably supported by his dear wife Marcelle.
Syd was inducted into the Club in 1998 after being nominated by President Paul.
He and Paul first met at a bus stop when they were both working in North Sydney, Syd going home to Cammeray and Paul to Northbridge.
Throughout his distinguished service Syd has made a significant contribution to the Club including:
Sailability (Honorary Treasurer 6 years),managing the Club’s annual Bowel Scan programme, organising the Blood Bank’s periodic visits to Northbridge for several years, the initiation of the Book Collection Box at the Plaza with all children’s books initially going to the Indy Kindy Foundation.
In addition he served on the Board of Northbridge Rotary for 5 years in various roles.
Syd was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 2007 and the Sapphire Pin in 2012.
Following the acceptance of his resignation the Board in recognition of his exemplary service and resolved to award him an Honorary Membership.
As part of our community programs we are advising you of the Rotary BowelCare Program and that the BowelCare kits will be on sale at participating pharmacies for two months commencing 1st April, 2017.
Check with your local pharmacy or go to our website http://www.bowelcare.org.au for a listing of all participating pharmacies in your area.
This year’s BowelCare kit will cost only $15.00. This price includes pathology testing, with notification of your result to both yourself and your nominated doctor. Your result will be issued within 30 days of your test kit being received by pathology. Please use the pre-paid envelope provided within the kit package.
Throughout Australia, Rotary has chosen to update to the latest technology to screen for occult blood using a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). This test is very easy to use, and requires no dietary or medication restrictions. The kit is a two day sampling, requiring one sample from two different days. Full detailed instructions are included within the kit package.
If you have any difficulty obtaining our BowelCare test kit, please phone the BowelCare office on (02) 4349 5555.
We trust that you will continue to look after your health by participating in our annual Rotary BowelCare Program.
Northbridge Rotary Club held another successful Senior’s luncheon on Saturday 3 March 2017 at St Marks Hall in Tunks Street Northbridge.
Inclement weather did not deter 80 guests from attending the annual lunch for seniors in our community. They were attended by over 30 hardworking Rotarians and friends, who served a delicious three course meal with appropriate refreshments.
Guests were entertained by a talented young local violinist and they received gifts provided by Northbridge Compounding Pharmacy or a complimentary coffee card from the Inner Cravings Café in the Northbridge Plaza.
A special prize was awarded to Mr Geoff Lamb who, at 103 years of age, was the oldest in attendance.
Mayor Giles-Gidney welcomed the guests on matters of interest, including Council merger developments. This was followed by an entertaining question and answer session on the reasons why she entered politics, moderated by Rotarian Peter McNair. The Mayor also thanked Rotary for their service to the community and all their work to make the lunch a success.
The following email from one of our guests summarised the day:
Dear Peter,
Please convey my sincere thanks to all Rotarians, photographer, musician and volunteers serving drinks, for their generosity of their time and hard work and to Pat for the lift.
Food was delicious and was served with smile. This type of function gives seniors an opportunity to meet people and discuss their interests and build up friendships.
Thanks.
Kind Regards,
Shirin(kanji).
Once again, the lunch was an entertaining and successful day for all concerned.
The Rotary Club of Northbridge gratefully acknowledges the generous sponsorship of Northbridge Plaza for our Annual Community Fireworks Night & Pictures on the Pitch Film Night