A busy few weeks.
Tuesday 18th February 2025 - A Fortunate Life
President Diana gave a most interesting and highly informative presentation entitled “A fortunate Life”. It covered much of her life’s history but focused on her experiences and major happenings in Rotary- initially at Freshwater then with Balgowlah club.
Being a physician meant that she has been also able to serve and travel thought Rotary:
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| Diana teamed with doctors in Nepal (Plastic Surgery Team) |
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| New Guinea (Australian Doctors International, |
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Her presentation also outlined the club’s Community and International activities, along with the charities supported and various events and projects undertaken. It provided a summary of the different aspects of the club's achievements over the years and its standing in the community.
Diana concluded “Medicine and Rotary allow you to do lots of good in the World and
you can travel the world with both Medicine and Rotary”. “Never let an opportunity pass by
Grab it with both hands it will enrich your life.”
Everyone in the audience was most grateful for the excellent work that Diana has done over the years, and her great effort of presenting it in such a well-prepared manner.
Tuesday 25th February 2025 – Club Assembly
The meeting was set up to provide all members the opportunity to contribute to the forward plan for the club. A paper outlining many of the issues and possible options was distributed a week prior to the meeting.
The impact and contributions of the club over the last 50 years was acknowledged, and a strong desire to continue this in the future was agreed. Issues with club membership, meeting format, and workload were identified and discussed, with both short-term and long-term solutions proposed.
A small implementation team is being assembled to fully develop and progress the plan.
Friday 28th February 2025 – Minister for Fun Event
7 people attended an amazing tour of the State theatre in Market St, Sydney.:
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| Original mosaics. |
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| The theatre houses amazing marble staircases |
When the complex was built 97 years ago, a 4/21 Wurlitzer organ was installed and is now fully restored. We were so fortunate to be there on a day that the organ was being tuned (& played)...what an extraordinary treat, not normally part of the tour.
The complex also has themed anterooms and special retiring rooms, original artworks and beautiful, almost priceless lead crystal chandeliers.
We had a comprehensive tour of the theatre, lasting over 2 hours, led by a long-time guide with fascinating stories.
As Sue said "A highly recommended tour if you can walk up and down many sets of steps."
Thanks to Sue Terry for arranging such a unique and interesting experience.
Tuesday 4th March 2025 – Combined meeting with
Warringah club
13 Balgowlah members, 10 Warringah members and 4 guests attended the meeting in the Wine room at Balgowlah RSL where our guest speaker was Liz McDougall (Warringah Club).
After three years of exemplary service as a secretary, Liz transitioned to the role of Official Storyteller for Rotary District 9685. This new position was a testament to her ability to connect with people and her passion for sharing Rotary’s mission with the world. As the Official Storyteller, Liz's primary responsibility is to articulate the impact of Rotary’s projects and initiatives through compelling narratives and personal anecdotes.
Liz's journey as the Official Storyteller is enriched by her personal experiences of working and visiting numerous Rotary projects across the globe. Her firsthand accounts provided us a unique and authentic perspective on the challenges and triumphs faced by communities and the transformative power of Rotary’s initiatives.
Liz shared several examples from her visits to places showcasing Rotary in action.
Fiji: Humanitarian Aid: A Meeting hall and toilet block.
Rebuilding Communities Since inception over 1,000 dwellings have been built in a project entitled "model Town"
Disaster relief and Humanitarian Aid:
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| Building Post Khmer Rouge. |
A Rotarian-led nonprofit organization assists rural Cambodian families by helping them achieve a sustainable quality of life with access to safe water and sanitation, sustainable incomes, healthy food, and quality education for their children.
Village families participate in building schools, installing wells, learning alternative agriculture, and managing community projects. They then share what they have learned by assisting neighboring villagesCommunity Education and Development: RYLA & RYPEN (locally conducted)
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| RYLA in Timor Leste |
Liz also visited Rotary HQ
Together with international Conventions where other Rotarians present their projects and programs
Liz's role is essential in sharing Rotary’s mission and project impacts globally. Her stories preserve Rotary’s legacy and inspire others to contribute.
Everyone present was most supportive and impressed by her work and thought provoking presentation.
The joint meeting held with another Rotary club was highly successful and should be encouraged whenever a speaker presents a topic of broader interest.
Other news
A Seniors week activity:
An very interesting and highly practical presentation was given by Julia Dwyer at Totem Club on Friday March 7. She is a spacilast in this area and was supported by local Estate agents, solicitors and Financial planners. Everyone present felt the information supplied was very useful and worthwhile.
Despite only 9 Rotary attendees, she generously donated all entrance fees to Balgowlah Rotary, totalling $130. We are very grateful.
A practical workbook of how to downsize and move was distributed to attendees.
Another activity - help required...
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Seniors Festival Expo stand – Dee Why RSL Showroom FRIDAY March 14 from 10am (More volunteers please) |
Future Events:
THE NEXT MEETING IS at FORESTVILLE RSL
on Tuesday March 18th, 2025
Meeting with Belrose Club: Tues March 18, 2025
Special Guest Gemma Sissa - School of St Jude.
Venue: Forestville RSL @ 7:30pm Cost: $20.(proceeds go to St Jude's)
District Conference: We are car pooling.....Sat 22nd March ONLY
Come and be motivated; Rotary is more than being in a club!
Help with marshaling please..
Save the date- April 15, 2025 Balgowlah RSL @ 7pm
OPEN YOUR CALENDAR >>
FINALLY:
25 REASONS I OWE MY MOTHER
1.. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE . 'If you're
going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'
2. My mother taught me RELIGION . 'You better pray that this will come out
of the carpet'
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL . 'If you don't straighten up,
I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'
4. My mother taught me LOGIC . ' Because I said so, that's why.'
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC . 'If you fall out of that swing and
break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT . 'Make sure you wear clean
underwear, in case you're in an accident.'
7. My mother taught me IRONY 'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to
cry about.'
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS . 'Shut your mouth
and eat your supper.'
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM . 'Will you look at that dirt
on the back of your neck!'
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA . 'You'll sit there until all that
spinach is gone.'
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER 'This room of yours looks as if a
tornado went through it.'
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY . 'If I told you once, I've told
you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .. 'I brought you into this
world, and I can take you out.'
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION . 'Stop acting
like your father!'
15. My mother taught me a bout ENVY . 'There are millions of less fortunate
children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION . 'Just wait until we get
home.'
17... My mother taught me about RECEIVING . You are going to get it when
you get home!'
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE .'If you don't stop crossing
your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.'
19. My mother taught me ESP . Put your sweater on; don't you think I know
when you are cold?'
20. My mother taught me HUMOUR . 'When that lawn mower cuts off your
toes, don't come running to me.'
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT . 'If you don't eat
your vegetables, you'll never grow up...'
22. My mother taught me GENETICS. 'You're just like your father.'
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS . 'Shut that door behind you. Do
you think you were born in a barn?'
24 My mother taught me WISDOM . 'When you get to be my age, you'll
understand.'
25. And my favourite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE 'One day you'll
have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.
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