Wednesday 27 April 2011
The President's Column
Last week we were pleased to welcome Major Adam Rock as our guest speaker – Adam spoke to us about “ANZAC Day, Kapyong Day and the Army of Today”. Major Rock, who is the Officer Commanding Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, RAR at Holsworthy gave a wonderful insight into what it is like to be an officer in today’s high technology army.
Major Adam Rock
I regret to say I was pretty much ignorant about Kapyong Day - and that this month was actually the 60th anniversary of the battle of Kapyong Valley in Korea and so much so, I came home and immediately did the Google bit!
Graffiti Removal – members will recall a recent dinner meeting presentation, by The Rotary Club of Turramurra, where it was suggested that we might consider a similar project in Strathfield?
Should there be sufficient interest I would like to see Strathfield Rotary adopt the programme as a community project. The Board has briefly discussed the possibility and there is general support. Strathfield Council have been informally approached and were very enthusiastic about the project and are amenable to financially providing support. The following photograph is but one example of the graffiti vandalism that is on our doorstep.
Optometrists - The Crescent, Homebush West - Good Friday
However, before any formal application, feasibility study and budget are presented to Council, there needs to be some commitment by members to be actively involved. I would envisage a minimum of 12 members so that it would be possible to roster say 4 teams of 3 each month (ie so that no one needs to go out more than once a month).
Benefits, to the club, are numerous – and certainly not limited to the following: - A real hands-on project; minimal organisational work involved; club activity is seen more regularly; local community appreciation; promotes Rotary; gets the club closer and well known to our local businesses; potential for new membership; personal satisfaction; little or no financial cost to the club - and get to know other members better and have fun together.
An “expression of interest” sheet will be circulated shortly – however, in the meantime please do not be shy in putting up your hand!
A big thank you to PDG David Croft - for another great ANZAC Day at Cape Cabarita.
The Anzac Day Breakfast provided the opportunity for the local Cape Cabarita residents and Strathfield and Breakfast Point Rotary members to commemorate, reflect and give thanks for the men and women who have served our nation in time of war. The event was again superbly organised by David & Margaret Croft and PP Peter & Anne Manenti – and ably supported by the usual BBQ crew.
MC’d by David Croft, an excellent “Reflections” by PP Rod McDougall, a reading by local resident Les Norman and David Brimfield’s stirring rendition of the Last Post and Reveille, all contributed to a memorable ANZAC morning.
This week we welcome Jenny Abela from Vision Australia (at Enfield). Jenny will be accompanied by Nick Gleeson, also from Vision Australia, and Nick’s Seeing Eye Dog “Unity”.
We may not (yet) be familiar with the name “Vision Australia” – it was formed following the merger of the Royal Blind Society, the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, Vision Australia Foundation, and the National Information Library Services in July 2004 – to become Australia's first truly national blindness agency. Please make Jenny Abela welcome.
President Pete
