banner
Welcome to The Rotary Club of Northbridge
Northbridge
We meet Tuesdays at 6:00 PM
Northbridge Golf Club
Sailors Bay Road,
Northbridge, NSW 2063
Australia
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
Please send apologies to Helen Gulson before 10:30am each Monday at helen.gulson@ozemail.com.au
Club Service Duty Roster
Club Service Duty Roster
Upcoming Events
Club Commitee Evening
May 19, 2020
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Club Forum (Visioning)
Northbridge Golf Club
May 26, 2020
 
Combined 2020 & 2021 Boards Meeting
Jun 18, 2020
 
Change Over Dinner 2020/21 (TBC)
Jun 29, 2020
 
View entire list
 
The Rotary Club of Northbridge gratefully acknowledges the generous sponsorship of Northbridge Plaza
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Ranald Stewart
April 8
 
Joanne Coleman
April 17
 
Bob Farrar
April 19
 
Bob Edwards
April 29
 
Mike Cocks
April 29
 
Spouse Birthdays
Jan Duggin
April 3
 
Audrey Hodgson
April 10
 
Anniversaries
Peter Grinter
Di Grinter
April 25
 
Bob Farrar
Christine Altmeier
April 28
 
Join Date
Peter Russell
April 9, 2019
1 year
 
Peter Grinter
April 19, 1988
32 years
 
Anthony Clifford
April 24, 2007
13 years
 
Jon Gidney
April 26, 2016
4 years
 
ClubRunner Mobile
Club News
 
Welcome to our 2nd Stay-at-Home Rotary bulletin! I hope you have all found enough to keep yourselves occupied around the home.
 
News & Updates
 
Rotary International is monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak. You can read all about their efforts at https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-monitors-coronavirus-outbreak
 
Rotary Oceania also have an information page which will be updated regularly - https://www.rotaryoceania.zone/page/covid-19-(coronavirus)-information
 
April is Rotary Maternal & Child Health Month
Rotary makes high-quality health care available to vulnerable mothers and children so they can live longer and grow strong. At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, Rotary provides immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improves access to essential medical services, and supports trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Rotary’s projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs. 
Rotary Exchange Student
Valentina (pictured here with her mother) was our Exchange student in 2006 staying with Vicky and me. She returned to Switzerland after the tragic sudden death of her father. She was with us for only 3 months but she was a delight.
 
In Switzerland, she has graduated as a doctor and she has just been transferred to the frontline of a quickly established Covid-19 hospital in Winterthur. She will be 30 years old this year. Switzerland is adjacent to Northern Italy so they have outbreaks. She will be a great asset to her country.
Peter Antaw
David Robertson returns from Fiji
David’s 3 week trip to Fiji was cut short after a week and he is now back in Sydney, in isolation, at his sister’s semi in Hunters Hill whilst she stays with their dad Mack at Castlecrag. David has been busy working in her garden between answering text and phone calls. He said it wasn’t much of a holiday but it could have been a heck of a lot worse!
 
There was only one case of coronavirus in Fiji when he left but now there are 5. Despite this, and even in the short time he was there David managed to see his two families and managed to arrange a 2½ hour appointment with Alexander O’Connor, the Assistant Minister for Health – “time in gold” to quote David.  David is in isolation until April 6.
President's Message
Malcolm Lye
member photo
 
It seems hardly believable that less than four weeks ago our club was enjoying our Pride of Workmanship Awards evening, with the Premier and 60 people celebrating our awardees and enjoying dinner in Northbridge Golf Club. And now most of us are confined to our homes, the golf club is closed, our events and meetings are cancelled indefinitely.
 
But the club is putting in place plans to maintain contacts between members and to keep you all involved in in the club in coming months. These include:
  • Implementing meetings by Zoom video conference. The Board got together by Zoom on March 31 and we are going to run a general meeting using Zoom on April 7. We hope to have online speakers at Zoom meetings.
  • We have organised a “Call tree” whereby small groups of members are asked to regularly call or email each other every week or so. This should keep us all up to date with our club as well as helping to support our fellow members in self-isolation.
  • A revised new Bulletin is being sent to members. It will include items to inform members about Rotary but will also include items to interest and entertain us. Please give Helen your contributions! She will need our help.
 
We have in mind other initiatives including advice on excellent books to read; information about online games such as Words with Friends; a possible quiz competition; and online Bridge.
 
Keep well!
Malcolm
 
DID YOU KNOW
 

The Club first organised and conducted a Tree of Joy at the Plaza in 1992 with the full co-operation of the Plaza Management and assistance of the Security Staff. To date the Tree has been conducted for the benefit of The Smith Family, in recent years for their Christmas Book and Toy Appeal. The Club has always been blown away by the generosity of the Northbridge Community in relation to the quantity and quality of the donations that have been received. At Christmas 2019 the total number of presents received filled 24 large green self-standing 75 litre garden refuse bags. However over recent years a couple of little hiccups have arisen which may cause some rethinking as to the charity to receive the benefit of the collection. It has always been a requirement that presents be delivered to The Smith Family, at the latest, a couple of weeks before Christmas so that the delivery of the presents to the recipients could be arranged. As the 10 days immediately before Christmas always sees the greatest number of donations received, a storage problem arises. In previous years The Smith Family used to attend to this problem but now the Club has to solve the problem. Further, The Smith Family in prior years provided the tags to be affixed to the presents but now the Club has to arrange for the provision of these tags. Whether or not the association with The Smith Family continues remains to be seen.

YOU CAN READ MORE IN THE CLUB HISTORY https://tinyurl.com/rcnclubhistory

 
 
Thank you to the many members who have been emailing me jokes, cartoons, funny and interesting videos. Below is a selection of items which will keep you exercising, entertained, informed and occupied. If you have any other contributions to make, please email me at helen.gulson@ozemail.com.au .
 
Michael Bartok has been working on his family history and continues to write his memoirs, as well as trying his hand at poetry whilst in self isolation:
 
I‘ve forgotten how to smile,
Because I didn’t stockpile.
I had neither the style nor the guile to successfully stockpile.
So I’ll just have to relearn to smile, smile, smile.
 
Don Landers sent this link which he and Shush have found very useful for their regular daily exercise - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM6yYf8BodL2Q08BxdujExg/videos . It’s a series of daily exercises which goes for around 20 minutes and is suitable for everyone.
 
David Hyde has recommended Batyr - https://www.batyr.com.au/ - a group founded by two St Aloysius old boys a few years ago whose mission is a for-purpose preventative mental health organisation, created and driven by young people, for young people. He suggested this initiative would be as good for all of us to maintain some sanity over the coming weeks and months as for young people. Join up and every morning you will receive access to a daily wellness session focusing on one of mind, body or spirit.
 
 
Eleanor Chevor has been combatting cabin fever by knitting these stuffed toys. If anyone wants to do some knitting, you can email Eleanor for a pattern.
 
Helen Gulson found this 20 minute TED talk by Rita Wilson very interesting. She is an actress and singer who is the wife of actor Tom Hanks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZML0eAZ-RwI .
 
 
And finally, a little bit of very amusing music you can sing along to –
 
or enjoy the subtle comedy of Sammy J -
 
 
If anyone has any jokes or funny stories, feel free to send them to me for the humour section of the Bulletin! We certainly need a little humour in our lives at the moment!!! Email them to helen.gulson@ozemail.com.au
 
 
 
 

 

 
Stories
Rotary Peace Fellowship Scholarship
The Rotary Club of Northbridge is offering a Peace Scholarship in 2020-21
 
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is the premier educational program of The Rotary Foundation and supports Rotary’s mission to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace. It is intended for individuals who have chosen a career related to international relations, peace, and conflict resolution; who have work experience in these areas; and who have a commitment to community or international humanitarian service and working for peace.
 
These links explain the scholarships and where they are offered.
 
 
and
 
 
Applicants should consider the objectives and criteria carefully before applying.
This scholarship program is fully funded by The Rotary Foundation.
To discuss this opportunity please contact Valda Andrews
 
Email:    valda_andrews@yahoo.com.au or Call on 0416 576 669.
 
Applications for the Rotary Peace Fellowship to the Rotary Club of Northbridge, PO Box 80, Northbridge, NSW 2063, by 30 May 2020.”
Rock for a Cause with Rotary
Due to COVID19 Virus Safety Restrictions this event has been cancelled until further notice
 
 
Looking for something different to do in Northbridge?
 
Get in the groove with the local band, Laneway 91. Enjoy the evening with popular music, catch up with friends over delicious food and a drink, and help Rotary raise money for rural communities in need.
 
Save the date: TBA
Time:  TBA
Venue: TBA
Tickets available: TBA
 
 
2020 Northbridge Community Fireworks
The Rotary Club of Northbridge will again hold the annual community Fireworks event. 
 
Due to COVID19 Virus Safety Restrictions this event has been rescheduled to be held on Saturday 12th September 2020 at the Northbridge Oval. 
 
100 per cent of funds raised go towards supporting rural communities, including aiding disadvantaged youth and mental health.
 
There will be lots of rides, entertainment and a variety of food to enjoy – so come on down.
Be sure to mark this family friendly event in your diary.
Volunteer assistance from the community is welcomed!
 
Please contact Sally on 0411 886 539 for more details.
Applauding the Generosity of our Community
 
 
Photo caption: 
Dave Banks (left), President, Nambucca Rotary Club presenting a cheque to a member of the community.
 
 
Photo caption: 
L-R:  John Turner, Marko Delatovic, Nick Hillyard and Peter Grinter.
Rotary President, Peter Grinter, presents cheque to Nick Hillyard for BlazeAid at the Charity Fundraiser at Northbridge Golf Club on 24 January.
Over the recent months our nation has been beset by numerous disasters on a national level. As you are no doubt aware your local Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Northbridge, has approached you to assist us in raising funds to help alleviate, in some way, the suffering occasioned to our fellow Australians. We, the members of the Club, have been blown away by the response and generosity of the members of our local community to our requests.
 
 In October last year we conducted a bucket appeal at the Plaza for funds for the relief of drought-stricken farmers and we raised an amount just shy of $20,000.00. This was followed the next month with another bucket appeal at the Plaza to raise funds for victims of the bushfires then devastating the mid north coast of New South Wales which raised just under $16,000.00. Two months later we were back again asking for money for the victims of the fires then raging down the South Coast and nearly $26,000.00 to date has been raised. This is a grand total of some $61,500.00.
 
In dealing with funds raised by means of these appeals when, quite often, there are national appeals being conducted to raise substantial funds for the same cause, we have found that while the needs of the individual victims of the particular disaster are being helped financially by those national appeals, quite often community amenities are destroyed. However, the repair or replacement of those amenities which would greatly assist the devastated community achieving some return to normality do not qualify for assistance and literally fall through the cracks. To overcome this problem, we try to work with the local Rotary Club in that area and direct funds to helping restore those amenities and allowing the local community to rebuild as an interacting community.
 
In the middle of all this we conducted our regular annual ‘Tree of Joy’ at the Plaza to solicit Christmas presents for The Smith Family’s Annual Toy and Book Appeal for underprivileged children. This appeal resulted in our collecting enough presents to fill 24 waist-high, 75 litre, self-standing green plastic garden bags. Another magnificent effort by the local Community.
 
We, the members of the Rotary Club of Northbridge, wish to gratefully acknowledge the generosity of our Northbridge Community and to place on record our sincere thanks and gratitude for the material and financial assistance you have provided so readily when asked by us.
 
Where does the money go?
“Two people cried as they were so overwhelmed by Rotary generosity”
Karin Eurell
In typical Rotary fashion, we partner with another Rotary Club that is located close to the disaster zone.  In this case, we connected with the Nambucca Rotary Club and the $15,000 raised from our first bucket appeal has been distributed already to where it is badly needed.
Nambucca Council provided Rotary with contact details of the 38 people who registered for Council assistance as they had lost their home in the bush fire.
The 38 names and phone numbers were allocated to 6 Rotarians to call and present them with a cheque for $300.
The President of Nambucca Rotary told us: “I have called 6 people so far, two cried as they were so overwhelmed by Rotary generosity.”
A further $1,400 is being donated to Out of the Ashes for porta loos –for people who have lost their home and are living in a tent.
The balance of $2, 200 will go to BlazeAid to assist farmers in the area by providing fencing materials which will be purchased locally.
 
Read more...
First Box Opened at Christmas
 
 
 
Photo captions:  The educators opened the box with mannequin torso at Christmas, and they were thrilled.  It is the first clinical equipment that the hospital education team own themselves.  Thanks so much 😊🙏Marg
A cry for assistance is certainly not uncommon in developing countries, especially when it concerns medical equipment. Northbridge Rotary Club heard the cry through two of its members Liz Grey and Ros Virtue, and immediately took up the challenge of fulfilling the needs of one of our closest neighbors, East Timor.     
 
At Dili National Hospital, there are currently 12 Clinical Nurse Educators of which two are midwives. This year they became recognised as the first Timorese Clinical Nurse Educators at the Hospital to teach new nurses, midwives and student nurses on the wards. 
 
Margaret McDonald-Ashe, a Nurse Educator for St John of God Nursing Development Program in Timor-Leste said “There is no budget allocation available for teaching equipment at the Hospital or the rural hospitals. We need assistance to carry on this really important work”
 
Past President Derek Matz ( Northbridge Rotary Club ) said “we managed to purchase or obtain via donation the vital pieces of equipment that were requested – mainly 2 adult and 2 child mannequins, a laptop and projector, stethoscopes, thermometers, 12 oxygen saturation monitors, a defibrillator with 10 batteries, bandages, medical tape and much more.”
 
“We can now continue the fantastic work the educators are doing, and even take on a few more people to move into the rural areas and train them as well.”
 
Margaret couldn’t thank Northbridge Rotary Club enough along with all the people who donated the equipment.
Rotary Treats 744 School Kids to a Day at the Zoo
 
Children from the Wellington district enjoying their day out at the Dubbo Zoo with BBQ lunch.
 
Rotarians in Action: 
Members of Northbridge and Wellington NSW at the Dubbo Zoo
Photo: Cheetah, Dubbo Zoo
The Rotary Clubs of Northbridge (Sydney) and Wellington (NSW) have embarked on a joint project to support the families of drought-affected communities in Western NSW.  There are 744 primary school kids from the Wellington District and they are all being treated to a day at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo including a BBQ lunch. 
 
The project is being run over a 7-week period. Rotarians from Northbridge are driving there to connect with their fellow Rotarians in Wellington and to jointly run the BBQ. Northbridge President, Peter Antaw, said that of the families: “The children are suffering as well, most of them don’t understand the financial and extreme pressures that their parents are going through.”  The families are anxious about their future but there is also much determination to keep their communities alive.
 
Australia is experiencing one of its most severe droughts on record, with areas in NSW facing the prospect of running out of water by mid-2020.
The Burrendong dam is now at 4.5% capacity and dwindling rapidly.
The crisis is severely impacting the Wellington area and so special treats like a visit to the zoo is just not possible for many locals and their families.
 
3000 muesli bars, supplied free by Nestles, as well as 744 sausage sandwiches and a cold drink will be given to the children of the district which includes regional small towns such as Geurie, Mumbil, Stuart Town and Euchareena.
 
The joint project was launched on 11th September and Channel 7 Prime TV attended the Zoo to film the event. ABC Morning Radio interviewed the Presidents.  The kids thoroughly enjoyed their day with most of them citing  the Cheetahs and Meer Cats as their favorites.
 
Ben Shields (Mayor of Dubbo Regional) and Daryl Thompson (Headmaster of Wellington Primary) also attended the launch. They both congratulated the Rotary Clubs for identifying children as the hidden victims of the drought.  President Greg Hart of Wellington Rotary also thanked Northbridge Rotary and the Rotary Australia Benevolent Society for their very generous contributions to the project, and for driving up from Sydney to help at the BBQ’s. Without Northbridge, Wellington would not have taken on this project.
THE 4 - WAY TEST of the things we say or do

1). Is it the TRUTH?

2). Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3). Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4). Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?