Malcolm Lye & Garth Carter (Reserves: David Hyde & John Garrett)
Set up & pack up:
Karin Eurell & Ros Virtue(Reserves: Chris Switzer & Bob Edwards)
Speakers & topic:
Dr Dai Suter - Gluten & Coeliacs
Rotary Club Meeting 9 October 2018
Welcome
PP Ranald Stewart welcomed all members, guest speaker Dr Colin Barlow and his wife Ria, Anita Robertson, Mack Robertson and Amy Brittain.
Toast
Chris Switzer gave a toast to the Rotary Club of Bathurst, the town of the Bathurst 1000 which was held last weekend. During the 1990s our club had a very enjoyable exchange visit with the RC of Bathurst where they showed us wonderful hospitality which was reciprocated when they visited us. The club’s major event is a night in which they honour their emergency service personnel.
Announcements
President Ranald reminded all present that there will be no club meeting on 6 November – Melbourne Cup Day.
David Hyde advised of our club’s upcoming “Clink for a Cause” community fundraising event to be held on 24 November from 6pm-8.30pm at Gallery 371 on Sailor’s Bay Road. Flyers will be available soon and an email with full details will be sent to all members who are asked to forward it to friends, family and neighbours. There will be a presentation by Johnny Furlong from Two Furlongs wines at Mudgee, art viewings and talks by an artist as well as an art therapist. This function has been organized as a result of our visioning session earlier this year at which it was agreed that more NRC involvement in the community is something we should aim for and it is hoped that many locals will attend.
David also talked about donations to the blood bank. NRC life member Sid Grolman has, over his lifetime, made over 380 blood donations, so the “Grolman Challenge” has been set up. More information about this will be circulated shortly.
Kim Wilkins asked for any unwanted books to be brought to the bookstall next Sunday for sale as the stall is in need of more donations. He advised that the roster for Sunday is complete and thanked all those who have volunteered to man the stall.
Doug Herridge thanked everyone for the get-well cards he received whilst he was ill, and he encouraged all those who are able to donate to the blood bank.
Peter McNair reported on his recent visit to the drought region of Longreach, Queensland where he received a banner from the Longreach Rotary Club. They are extremely grateful for the $8,700 from our club. The funds will assist farmers and shopkeepers and the local community.
Longreach RC until recently had 20 members, but 2 have left as they were so affected by the drought they have had to sell up and leave the community.
John Turner advised that the guest speaker next week is Dr Dai Suter who will speak on the topic of Gluten & Ceoliacs.
Guest Speaker - Dr Colin Barlow - Nusa Tenggara
Liz Grey introduced Dr Colin Barlow, founder, president and CEO of Nusa Tenggara Association (NTA). He is a PhD, an agricultural economist and an academic at ANU. NTA operates out of Canberra and Indonesia and works closely with local governments in the region.
Nusa Tenggara is located amongst the Indonesian islands closest to Australia and is one of the poorest regions of Indonesia. NTA was formed in 1988 in an effort to combat the dire poverty of the region, which is a Christian province about 1900km from Jakarta, remote and dry, with mainly subsistence farmers.
Dr Barlow has worked in the region for 25 years. NTA concentrates its work in rural areas targeting six areas with a population of about 1 mil and works to improve water supplies, sanitation, education and farming techniques. It has installed over 1200 water tanks and 3500 toilets which have contributed to improved health, enabled more children to attend school and produced more income generating work.
NTA works with 202 household cooperatives of 10-15 families each (called Kelompoks), 60 primary and secondary schools of 100-150 students each and has established teacher and librarian training as well as provided books and improved school facilities. They work on a self-help principle using local materials and labour with NTA providing modern inputs and advice.
Having been in the area for nearly 30 years, NTA has a good name in the region and contact with the communities is very rewarding for those who travel over to help. Dr Barlow said that whilst the Indonesian government does provide volunteers to help implement projects, they are always looking for more people willing to go to Nusa Tenggara, and welcomed anyone who would like to travel to the area. He and his wife generally visit twice a year spending 3-4 months each time.
Barry Anderson thanked Colin and his wife Ria for his fascinating talk and for the enthusiasm and commitment to their work.
The Rotary Club of Northbridge held its second successful Bridge Day on 30 August 2018. Eighty-four guests played a full day of Bridge and enjoyed a delicious morning tea and lunch with a glass of wine at Northbridge Golf Club.
Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney opened the event and spoke to the Bridge-players about Willoughby Council initiatives, including the upcoming Spring Fair. She then introduced speakers from the two worthy causes that benefit from this event. Firstly, Rotarian Barry Anderson described the Rotary Water Reticulation Project in East Timor and how an entire community will have access to clean, running water. Then Steve Jones spoke about Kids Like Brett, a local charity that donates life-saving medical equipment to children’s hospitals.
The Club raised $3,500.00 from ticket sales and a raffle with fabulous prizes including a beautiful quilt made by Elva Alma, family passes to the Maritime Museum, hair products and a voucher from Glamourpuss Salon and dinner vouchers for the Harbourside Restaurant.
Many of the guests attended for the second year in a row and are already looking forward to next year’s event for a delightful day of Bridge while raising funds for worthwhile local and international causes.
It hasn’t rained in many months ... worst drought since 1902! the crops are gone … the ground is parched, The sheep are gaunt - too weak to walk … a bale of hay … might do!
Farmers in many parts of New South Wales have reached desperation point!
They need YOUR help!
The Rotary Club of Northbridge
is raising much needed funds to assist our farmers stay on the land!
.PNG)
