President Peter Smith's Column

An important announcement:

February 23 is now a Transfer Meeting – last week a commitment sheet was circulated to gauge if there was sufficient member interest in attending the Night at the Movies at Greater Union in Burwood. This is an evening to coincide with and to celebrate Rotary’s birthday.

While there were only 30 members in attendance it looks like a minimum of 17 members and partners have opted for the movies. So rather than have a split meeting – with reduced numbers attending the dinner meeting – it has been decided to make the 23^rd February a full transfer meeting.

The event – the pre-release of “Conviction” – is a private screening open only to Rotarians and their guests. PDG Lloyd Roever tells me that excluding Strathfield there is likely to be about 100 Rotarians, partners, guests and Rotaractors will be attending. All proceeds will go to the End Polio Now Challenge. It will be a 6.30 for a 7pm start.

The commitment sheet will be again circulated this week so that we can establish final numbers. This will of course be a partner’s night. Rather than have confusion on the night each club has been asked to collect ticket money from their own members/guests.

Tonight’s guest speaker is Paul Jeffress - who will talk to us about the Mines and Victim Clearance organisation which is known as MiVAC. And without stealing Paul’s thunder - the MiVAC Trust is the initiative of Australian Vietnam Veterans who cleared landmines in Vietnam and have seen first hand the devastation caused by these indiscriminate weapons. Membership of the Trust has broadened to include ex-service personnel from other conflicts, humanitarian aid workers, members of peacekeeping forces and many concerned civilians. I am sure our members will make Paul most welcome this evening.

Last week we heard a wonderful presentation from Roger Norman from the Rotary Club of Turramurra – about Rotary’s Graffiti Removal Project. A challenge was issued to Strathfield to at least look at the feasibility of running a similar project. Roger has provided a full DIY kit and has indicated a genuine willingness to help get a similar project off the ground in Strathfield. If there is some interest – and there should be – please see me for contact details etc.

Book Buzz – last week I circulated raffle tickets in support of Book Buzz, which is the Indigenous Literacy Program of District 9690 and the Fred Hollows Foundation with some success. I am pleased to advise that a $500 travel allowance has been added to the first prize of 4 nights at the Sheraton Mirage at Port Douglas. The tickets will be circulated for a final time at our meeting this week.

District Reorganisation/Consolidation Proposal – earlier this week I circulated, by email, full details of the proposed District consolidation; of the 3 existing Sydney based Districts into 2 new and larger Districts, to our members. As a few of our members do not have access to email I have hardcopy versions of the material available this evening for distribution if required.

District Conference -The Olympic swimming Gold Medallist and beyond Blue Ambassador Jon Konrads is now to one of the speakers at Bathurst. Please note that conference registration closes on 25 February

President Pete