President Malcolm welcomed members, Premier Gladys Berejiklian, award recipients and guests and ADG Ward Pollard. He thanked Premier Gladys for coming to present the awards.
Toast
PP Peter Antaw proposed a toast to the Rotary Club of Wellington, NSW. Chartered over 80 years ago, Peter particularly reminded us of our connection to the club in aiding them during the drought they have been long experiencing. Whilst they have had some rain, their dams are still low and they still need our support. Some of their members are planning to come to Northbridge to help us with our Fireworks on 9 May.
Award Presentation
Garth Carter introduced Premier Gladys Berejiklian to present the Pride of Workmanship and Community Service Awards. This year's recipients were:
Eileen Ablett (Community Service Award) nominated by Malcolm Lye
Eileen has organised the Combined Probus Club of Northbridge guest speakers for the past 12 years (11 speakers each year) and was a charter member of Probus when it commenced in April 1999.
Michelle Barry (Community Service Award) nominated by Valda Andrews
Michelle, on a voluntary basis, organises food for the parents of babies in the neonatal wards of RNSH. This indispensable service is vital for the parents of babies who are sometimes in hospital for months. Understandably the parents cannot or find it difficult to take breaks for meals.
Rosemary Bekker (Community Service Award) nominated by Luke Keighery
Founder and president of Willoughby Friends of Ossu, Rosemary uses her skills in Project Management, Business and Education to lead projects that have resulted in meaningful and rewarding benefits for the people of Ossu. Rosie’s love of Timor-Leste grew from her teaching of Timorese refugees in Victoria in the 1980s.
Dr Michael Burke (Pride of Workmanship) nominated by Bob Edwards
Michael retired just before Christmas 2019 having practiced, except for break of 4 years, as a GP in Northbridge since 1981. Over that time Michael has treated up to three generations of Northbridge families. Michael graduated in 1977 from the University of Sydney and was awarded Fellowship of the College of General Practitioners in 2000. Over many years Michael has treated patients in Castlecrag Private Hospital and at several local nursing homes as well as many residents of Northbridge and Castlecrag.
Dr Tim Clark (Pride of Workmanship) nominated by Don Landers
Tim retired late in 2019 having practiced as a Dentist in Northbridge for a number of decades. Tim is the last of three generations of Clarks who have practiced as Dentists in Northbridge. He took over his father’s dental practice which was opened over 90 years ago by his grandfather. Many of Northbridge’s residents have been patients of Dr Clark. Tim has a fine reputation for a meticulous standard of competence and a bright and breezy disposition - skills always helpful with putting people at ease when visiting a dentist.
Warringah Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade (Community Service Award) nominated by John Garrett
Luke Robinson is the Captain of the Warringah HQ Rural Fire Brigade and Simon Adams is Senior Deputy Captain. Luke and Simon are here representing the Warringah Headquarters RFS. They represent all members of NSW Rural Fire Services, but tonight we’re recognising the RFS body that Northbridge Rotary and our community know well.
We have seen the extraordinary work of the state’s firefighters over many months since last winter. The fires are out but there is much to be done in overhauling and renewing equipment, as well as refreshing body and spirit. Too soon, and even with the RFS’s best efforts at hazard reduction, and exacerbated by accelerating climate change, the next fire season will be upon us. And RFS will again respond.
We have a special relationship with Warringah HQ Brigade. Amongst their other commitments, they still find time to support other community service activities, including our annual Rotary Community Fireworks. We could not conduct the event without the RFS. Nothing is too difficult for them, and they are responsive, helpful and cheerful.
Following presentation of the awards, Premier Gladys congratulated all award recipients and gave a brief speech elaborating on the contribution of all the award recipients to their community.
Announcements
Sally O’Neill reminded us of the upcoming Rock for a Cause on 22 March and asked members to support the event by coming along and by circulating details of the event to friends and family.
Luke Keighery spoke on behalf of the International Committee updating us on the work undertaken in Timor L’Este, Nepal, Indonesia and Laos. David Robertson is heading to Fiji on 12 March and will take medical supplies from the club.
Luke said there is no Coronavirus in Timor L’Este so it is a good holiday destination! He explained to our guests in particular details of our Ermera Water Project and what it will achieve.
Rob Coote spoke about the funds raised for the bushfires and how they have been/will be spent. He recommended people visit the south coast to help the economy in the region and show support.
Susan Law spoke about Coronavirus and mitigation procedures, and said that risk management is being undertaken at Ryde Hospital. She said it was better to be proactive and as Rotarians we need to think about how to confront the issue.
Jon Gidney reported on the upcoming Fireworks and spoke about the funds raised in our bucket appeals and how proud the Northbridge community and others can be of their generous support. The board is in the planning stages of working out how the money raised for the south coast will best be utilised.