President Peter Smith's Column

The President’s Column

Last week we were pleased to welcome PDG Bruce Allen as our guest speaker. Bruce is the Manager of the RI’s Rotary Foundation based at Parramatta. It is often and correctly said most of our good and interesting speakers come from within Rotary – and Bruce was no exception. He spoke passionately and eloquently about the Foundations work –on this occasion of the Foundations work in India. The wonderful work that the Foundation does - which is really Rotary’s very own charity - cannot happen without the financial support of Rotarians.

With June 30 fast approaching why not consider a tax deductable contribution to the Rotary Foundation?

Resignation – I regret to advise that Kevin Beltrame resigned at the May Board meeting. Kevin who has recently moved out of the area – he has purchased a city apartment – has resigned effective 1^st June. Kevin will of course be sorely missed - he has held many positions in Rotary and was always there help in any capacity - be it a BBQ, a community event or helping at meetings.

However, it as the current two-term Director of Youth Services that Kevin really shone – his work with Meriden Interact, RLYA, RYPEN, RYDA, the Youth Achievement Awards and the school Citizenship Awards has been exceptional. The Board has reluctantly accepted Kevin’s resignation. I would like to acknowledge and thank Kevin for his active involvement in Rotary – and I hope that he can visit us from time-to-time.

Thank you to the many members who have volunteered to help with this year’s Red Shield Appeal. The Salvos have faced many challenges in recent months, including helping the victims of floods and cyclone Yasi, and I am aware that their resources have been severely stretched. This is of course in addition to the personal disasters such as homelessness, financial hardships, violence in the home, suicide bereavement and unemployment.

I have been told that the Salvation Army needs to raise $79 million by the end of June to continue their vital work of assisting vulnerable Australians. It’s remarkable to think that every 12 months the Salvos help around one million people. Let’s all do our bit on Sunday 29^th May.

RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) – Thank you to the five members who, at short notice, acted as supervisors at RYDA earlier today. The Students on this occasion were from St. Patricks College Strathfield - so it was appropriate that we should be involved. And who was the co-ordinator – one Kevin Beltrame!

RYDA is a wonderful Rotary initiative – it is a one-day event held at a non-school site which co-ordinates the efforts of local road safety experts, driving instructors, the Police, recovering survivors of road crashes, drug/alcohol educators etc. Why not volunteer to help at the next event?

Tonight we welcome Joanne Gianotto from Strathfield SES – who will talk to us about the great work undertaken by the SES in not only our own local community but also, when called upon, anywhere in Australia. Joanne will also provide an update in regard to the SES’s financial needs in re-equipping their proposed new premises.

President Pete