President Peter Smith's Column

Last week we welcomed PP Terry Davies from Australian Rotary Health. Terry spoke to us about how we can support the goals of Rotary Health. Terry also spoke at length about

Last week our guest speaker was Mark Wallace from Rotary Down Under. Mark gave a very enthusiastic talk not only about RDU, as you would expect, but more importantly about PR in Rotary. And I guess that is not surprising either – Mark is after all the District 9680 PR Chairman. He is a member of Crows Nest RC and was President in 2007/8 – and is also the editor of his club’s newsletter. So it is easy to see why he knew his subject so well! No doubt Ian Johnson will report in more detail elsewhere in the newsletter.

Click photograph for a larger image

Probus: We were also very pleased to have as our guests four local Probus members – Harry & Val Burness (from Strathfield Probus) and Peter & Helen Bourke (from South Strathfield Probus). Harry spoke on behalf of Probus and explained the activities undertaken by his club – and was pleased to report that his club recently voted to admit ladies and members - even if it was by just one vote!

While Rotary was instrumental in the formation of Probus many Rotarians – including me – know little of the history of Probus. To this end here is an abridged version (click)

This week we are pleased to welcome back PDG Warwick Tester (Holroyd). Warwick has been a regular – and welcome - visitor to Strathfield either in his then capacity as DG (2003-4) or as a District Conference chairman. However, tonight PDG Warwick will be talking about the Rotary Centurion program – and how Strathfield might (one day) achieve 100% membership.

Tonight we also welcome back David Martin. As members will know David has been sponsored by Strathfield Rotary and has been selected as a team member of the GSE team which is going to the Philippines and Taiwan in 2011. However, tonight David is not on GSE business but is bringing a few visitors with him – his entire Westpac Strathfield team! If you ever wanted a low rate loan – or a high rate deposit – tonight’s the night! Welcome guys.

Do YOU enjoy Rotary??

If so, why be selfish and keep the enjoyment to yourself? Invite a friend, business colleague or acquaintance to one of our meetings. You know they will be made to feel very welcome - and our Guest Speakers are always informative and fun. We should be very proud of our club and of Rotary in general, and be pleased to share it with others. And that's a sure way to grow our membership list too....some visitors may just be interested enough to consider taking another look.

It's a challenge for each of us!

Cowboy logic: “Good judgement comes from experience and a lotta that comes from bad judgement”

President Pete