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President Usha's Notes

31 March 2021

Dear fellows,

Excellence is not a gift, but a skill that takes practice. We do not act "rightly" because we are "excellent", in fact we achieve "excellence" by acting rightly"

Plato

Rotary unites more than a million great minds around a shared purpose and together, there's no limit to the good we can do.

International news

• The Rotary Virtual Convention (click) is coming up on 12-16 June and event registrations will open in mid-April and I recommend a visit to this page for more information. Click the logo

• With the COVID19 re-emerging in different part of the world, here is a nice Rotary story (click) from Sri Lanka where members, Rotaractors, and Interactors launched a Stop the Spread campaign to promote wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing. More than 280 athletes, including Olympians, joined the campaign. "We have done a great job at keeping COVID-19 at bay, but our next focus is making sure Sri Lanka can adequately provide vaccinations to its people," said Athukorala, the organiser.

District news

• The District Conference held on the weekend of 19-21 March was a great success, a credit to the organsers. On 27th March, as part of leadership training, I attended the President Elect Training held at Canada Bay Club. Once again, a very well organised and run program with much information covered in this short time. The focus was on governance issues, growing membership and creating vibrant clubs.

• The Rotary Service Summit (previously known as the District Assembly) will be held on Saturday May 1 at Bankstown Sports Club from 9.00 to 3.30pm. All incoming Board members are expected to attend this summit to ensure they have the latest information in order to run a successful and vibrant club.

Club News

• Dr. Fiona Martin, recently spoke in the Australian Parliament about our work and her sense of pride in being a member of our club. "It was an honour to acknowledge the hard work of the Rotary Club of Strathfield in this way, and I look forward to continuing to work with you during my time as Federal Member for Reid." Last week we received the Hansard Excerpt (click)

• At the last meeting, PP Roy Ellis presented the funds raised from the IWD to Father James Collins and Rosemary King representing St. Paul's Parish, Burwood. Thanks to all the members and guests for their generous contributions.

• While we have all been busy in our activities, one of our members has quietly tied the nuptial knot at the weekend. Congratulations, Trudy and Kyo and best wishes from all of us. May you both be blessed with a very happy and exciting life ahead.

• The eventful weekend continued with Graffiti Cleaning Action at two locations, Liverpool Road - Enfield, and Parramatta Road, Homebush. A team of Strathfield Rotarians met behind Dan Murphy's early in the morning led by PP Rod McDougall and the second team of Interact Boys from Homebush High and friends met at Parramatta Road supervised by PP Peter Smith. I gather all had a great time. Looks like I missed out on some fun! 

• Later in the afternoon, the IWD team met for a de-brief and an early dinner at my place to share the positive outcomes and lessons from IWD10MARCH21. One thing was certain - this was going to be an annual event on our calendar regardless of format. Thank you all for taking the time out and for the wonderful messages received afterwards.

• The Strategic Planning Committee has an early draft report ready for circulation. We will have an opportunity to discuss this at our next in-person club meeting/assembly on 7^th April. Let us have a good attendance on this night.

• Vocational Service Director Jan Barrett has planned a great Anzac Day Service on Sunday, 25th April followed by breakfast at the Strathfield Event Centre. I encourage all members to attend and bring family and friends with you. 

• Meriden Interact club is growing from strength to strength with a record membership of 90 members now, adding 67 new students this year. The Interact dance will be held on 14th May to raise funds for Mission Australia. Anyone interested in volunteering for the night should contact Roger Vince.

• Our grand Strathfield Rotary's 50th Anniversary Dinner and Celebration preparations are in full swing. Members and guests are requested to register their interest as soon as possible to help the committee get some idea of the numbers expected to attend.

• The 50th Anniversary outdoor banners would soon be seen at strategic locations in Strathfield and I wonder who will be the first to get a picture for the bulletin. Thanks to sponsors Rtns Roy Ellis. Peter Manenti and Dominic Alvaro, who made these banners possible.

• There are a few grant bulletins out there and for those interested it is time to look at applying for some. The next round of the WestConnex | Transurban Community Grant Program will open at 9am on Monday 29 March, 2021. Eligible community groups can apply for up to $10,000 to deliver initiatives that provide long-term benefits to communities within close proximity to WestConnex.

• This week on our Zoom meeting, we look forward to hearing from Narelle Brown Community Engagement Officer on the "Role of the NSW energy & water ombudsman".

Warm Regards

 
Usha Garg
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