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OFFICIAL WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF SYDNEY
Weekly Meeting Tuesdays at 12:30pm at The Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh Street Sydney
District 9750 Club #: 18206 Chartered: 1st May 1921 Volume 88 Issue 18 13th November 2007
Rotary is the world's largest non-religious organisation. Membership is open to business and professional leaders interested in joining the cause to help build good will and peace in the world. Click here for more information. |
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The Rotary Club of Sydney
invites you to a special meeting with: |
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Major General Duncan Lewis
discussing the subject of
Security in Australia
The Rotary Club of Sydney welcomes to our
meeting President, Mr. Colin Dunston
& other members of Sydney Legacy |
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 Major General Duncan Lewis
Duncan Lewis served for more than 30 years as an officer in the Australian Army including three tours with the Special Air Service Regiment. He retired from the Regular Army in 2005 as a Major General commanding Australian Special Forces.
For his services as commanding officer of the Special Air Service from 1990-92 he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.
On retiring from the Regular Army Duncan Lewis was appointed to the position of First Assistant Secretary of the National Security Division in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and in October 2005 was appointed to his current position as Deputy Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
In his current appointment he carries responsibility for coordination and advice to the Prime Minister on defence and intelligence, domestic security, international relations, APEC taskforce and government internal governance processes. |
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For more information about this year's President's Project simply click on the image and you will be taken to the relevent web site.
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Service Above Self
This Tuesday is our Remembrance Day meeting. Remembrance Day is the day Australians remember those who have died in war.
In 1918 the armistice that ended World War I came into force, bringing to an end four years of hostilities that saw 61,919 Australians die at sea, in the air, and on foreign soil.
Few Australian families were left untouched by the events of World War I - 'the war to end all wars' most had lost a father, son, daughter, brother, sister or friend.
At 11am on 11 November we pause to remember the sacrifice of those men and women who have died or suffered in wars and conflicts and all those who have served during the past 100 years.
Australians are acknowledged the world over as serving their country and their community. Both Rotary and Sydney Legacy have many things in common which emanate from their beginnings, their values and the desire to help the needy in the community.
Service above Self describes to a tee the way our members view their involvement in Rotary and I’m sure that those in Sydney Legacy take a similar view.
Our association with Sydney Legacy goes back to the 1920’s where Rotary took responsibility for the delivery of Christmas parcels to families of servicemen who had not returned from war. This occurred as Sydney Legacy was still being formed. This idea emanated from those Rotarians who were ex-servicemen.
So, our connections to Sydney Legacy go back to our early beginnings. Today’s meeting I believe is the first time the Rotary Club of Sydney has had a meeting with Sydney Legacy. This is another milestone in our clubs history and calendar.
Our speaker today, Major General Duncan Lewis is another fine example of service above self and we will glean, I’m sure, some amazing knowledge and understanding of what life is like when you are involved in the security of your country.
A fitting topic for this week and for our times; I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday.
Garry Browne
President |
2007-08 BOARD MEMBERS
Garry Browne
President
Gerry Rihs
Past President
Ann Burleigh
Vice-President Internal & Events
Rene Benitez
Vice-President External
Jill Deering
Honorary Secretary
Craig Douglas
Honorary Treasurer
Indy Singh
Youth Director
Rex Doughty
Awards Director
Harry Fox
Membership Director
Tony Benner
Public Relations Director
Ian Conley
Rotary Foundation & International
Natalie Ward
Speakers Director
Mark Dyer
Fellowship Director
Rotaract & Interact
Newsletter
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| OTHER OFFICIALS & REGULAR HELPERS |
Patricia Harrison
President Elect
Les Strong
Club Chaplain
Wayne Costin
Grants & Funding Committee
Don Knudsen
Archive Committee & Music
Garry Browne
Honours & Nominating Committee |
Dianne Ward
Executive Officer
Col Westman
Risk Management Committee
Brian Fletcher
Club Historian
John Randall & John Given
President's Aides
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Vince Dore
Sergeant-at-Arms
David Hunt
Hon. Legal Advisor
Thomas Davis & Co
Hon. Auditor
John Randall
Rules & By-Laws
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| Notice of Annual General Meeting |
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of the Rotary Club of Sydney Inc. will be held at The Castlereagh Hotel, 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney on Tuesday 27 November 2007, as part of the regular meeting of the club on the date, commencing at 12.45 pm.
BUSINESS:
1. Confirmation of the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held 21 November 2006.
2. Receive from the Board the Statement of Accounts for 2006-2007.
Dated 12 November 2007.
By order of the Board.
Jill Deering.
Hon. Secretary
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Just $25 for this limited edition 2008 calendar capturing Australia's shipwreck heritage featuring photographs taken by past member Mark Spencer. Raising funds and awarness for Rotary.
An excellent christmas gift for friends or clients.
Consider the benefit to your brand by placing your corporate logo along side the NSW Heritage Office & the Rotary Club of Sydney - available for large orders.
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| Invitation to all Sydney Rotarians |
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Choral Concert: Wednesday 21st November |
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At Cello’s Restaurant, the Castlereagh Hotel.
Hark! The Herald Angels are singing. Well really, it’s Past President Adrian Pilton and his fellow choristers but those who went to last year’s performance know that it’s a celestial experience. For soul food [and finger food] contact Adrian phone 9259 5900 or Dianne Ward 9231 7557.
Cost $50 - payment can be made at lunch. |
Ann Burleigh
Vice President and Events Committee Director |
| Can you help? |
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Opportunity for Rotary |
We would like to hear from members who have personal friends in the media who we could contact through you to help share the Rotary message. There is no need to list your media friends, but simply send your name and contact phone number in an email to PR Chairman, Tony Benner at tonyb@bni.com.au.
We are also looking for several motivated members to join the Club’s public relations committee. Although it’s not all champagne and canapés, it will be fun! Please contact Tony Benner if you would like to be involved. |
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Queen St and West Woollahra is holding a COME TO QUEEN ST - Your clean-green community day.
QSWWA would like to give ROTARY the opportunity to have a COMMUNITY STALL at the Patricia Thompson Park. The only requirements is that you book, you bring your own table and cloth it in green.
This is envisaged to become an annual event. Please contact Elizabeth Gervay - QSWWA President 0411141931 - admin@qswwa.com.au www.qswwa.com.au |
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Paul Harris Oration
- Thursday 22 Nov |
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Looking for Volunteers |
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Message from the RC of Sydney Inner West:
It's on again-the annual Paul Harris Oration. Justice Michael Kirby will be our distinguished orator-make sure you don't miss him before his impending retirement from the High Court of Australia as one of Australia's leading jurists.
PP Hilarie Lindsay MBE, OAM, author of best selling "The Washerwoman's Dream” has written a special poem celebrating the founder of Rotary for the program.
Enjoy a quality 3 course meal with wine and soft drinks in the old world ambience of St Andrews College at the University of Sydney.
And it's not just for Paul Harris Fellows.
Partners and friends are particularly welcome to share this rare Rotary happening and be inspired by a visionary public speaker that has something to say about our human condition and our Rotary ideals.
Dress is lounge suit and your remittance of $65 per person payable to the Rotary Club of Sydney Inner West Inc. can be sent to c/o Frank Low at 301/1A Clement Place, Rushcutters Bay 2011.
The net proceeds of this celebratory dinner will go to the Rotary Foundation.
See you there!
| Venue: |
St Andrews College,University of Sydney, Carillon Avenue, Camperdown |
| Time: |
6:30 for 7:00pm |
| Public Parking: |
Under the College Oval (enter from Carillon Avenue into Western Avenue) Or at rear of King George V Hospital |
| Enquiries: |
e: lowfrank@gmail.com
Phone h: 93321885 | |
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I am the Volunteer Co-ordinator for Sailability Dobroyd. We sail with disabled people in specially designed dinghies from Dobroyd Aquatic Club at Rodd Point.
Last year we piloted mid-week sailing with children from Holroyd Special School on Wednesdays in term 4. It was a great success.
We are continuing with the program this year and we are hoping to expand it to other days and other schools.
We are looking for more volunteers who are available mid-week.
Balmain Sailing Club ran its regatta on Sunday in support of our program. We met Balmain Rotary people there and they will be putting the word out among their members.
As sailing is already underway, could you please email the flyer to Inner Western branches of Rotary for me?
The list I have is:
Campsie, Drummoyne, Five Dock, Haberfield, Leichhardt, Marrickville, Sydney, Sydney CBD, Sydney Cove, Sydney Darling Harbour, Sydney Inner West
If you have no email contact, could you send me a contact address and I will send them out via snail mail.
This is 'armchair' sailing in dinghies. You do not need to throw yourself around the boat and you are in no danger of capsizing. (Our boats have a heavy centreboard with 30kg of lead shot inside).
This should be suitable to retired or part-time workers, or the self-employed with flexible working hours.
Robert Domone
W - 8382 9334 H - 9874 3642
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The Anzac on the Wall
I wanderered thru a country town 'cos I had time to spare,
And went into an antique shop to see what was in there.
Old Bikes and pumps and kero lamps, but hidden by it all,
A photo of a soldier boy - an Anzac on the Wall.
"The Anzac have a name?" I asked. The old man answered "No,.
The ones who could have told me mate have passed on long ago".
The old man kept on talking and, according to his tale,
The photo was unwanted junk bought from a clearance sale.
"I asked around," the old man said, "but no one knows his face,
He's been on that wall twenty years, deserves a better place.
For some one must have loved him so, it seems a shame somehow."
I nodded in agreement and then said, "I'll take him now."
My nameless digger's photo, well it was a sorry sight
A cracked glass pane and a broken frame - I had to make it right
To prise the photo from its frame I took care just in case,
"Cause only sticky paper held the cardboard back in place.
I peeled away the faded screed and much to my surprise,
Two letters and a telegram appeared before my eyes.
The first reveals my Anzac's name, and regiment of course
John Mathew Francis Stuart - of Australia's own Light Horse.
This letter written from the front, my interest now was keen
This note was dated August seventh 1917
"Dear Mum, I'm at Khalasa Springs not far from the Red Sea
They say it's in the Bible - looks like Billabong to me.
"My Kathy wrote I'm in her prayers, she's still my bride to be
I just cant wait to see you both you're all the world to me
And Mum you'll soon meet Bluey, last month they shipped him out
I told him to call on you when he's up and about."
"That bluey is a larrikin, and we all thought it funny
He lobbed a Turkish hand grenade into the Co's dunny.
I told you how he dragged me wounded in from no man's land
He stopped the bleeding closed the wound with only his bare hand."
"Then he copped it at the front from some stray shrapnel blast
It was my turn to drag him in and I thought he wouldn't last
He woke up in hospital, and nearly lost his mind
Cause out there on the battlefield he'd left one leg behind."
"He's been in a bad way mum, he knows he'll ride no more
Like me he loves a horse's back he was a champ before.
So Please Mum can you take him in, he's been like my brother
Raised in a Queensland orphanage he' s never known a mother."
But Struth, I miss Australia mum, and in my mind each day
I am a mountain cattleman on high plains far away
I'm mustering whiteface cattle, with no camel's hump in sight.
And I waltz my Matilda by a campfire every night.
I wonder who rides Billy, I heard the pub burnt down,
I'll always love you and please say hooroo to all in town".
The second letter I could see was in a lady's hand.
An answer to her soldier son there in a foreign land.
Her copperplate was perfect, the pages neat and clean
It bore the date November 3rd 1917.
"T'was hard enough to lose your Dad, without you at the war
I'd hoped you would be home by now- each day I miss you more"
"Your Cathy calls around a lot since you have been away
To share with me her hopes and dreams about your wedding day
And Bluey has arrived - and what a godsend he has been
We talked and laughed for days about the things you've done and seen"
"He really is a comfort, and works hard around the farm,
I read the same hope in his eyes that you won't come to harm.
Mc Connell's kids rode Billy, but suddenly that changed
We had a violent lightning storm, and it was really strange."
"Last Wednesday just on midnight, not a single cloud in sight
It raged for several minutes, it gave us all a fright
It really spooked your Billy -and he screamed and bucked and reared
And then he rushed the sliprail fence, which by a foot he cleared"
"They brought him back next afternoon, but something's changed I fear
It's like the day you brought him home, for no one can get near.
Remember when you caught him with his black and flowing mane?
Now Horse breakers fear the beast that only you can tame,"
"That's why we need you home son" - then the flow of ink went dry-
This letter was unfinished, and I couldn't work out why.
Until I started reading the letter number three
A yellow telegram delivered news of tragedy
Her son killed in action - oh - what pain that must have been
The Same date as her letter - 3rd November '17
This letter which was never sent, became then one of three
She sealed behind the photo's face - the face she longed to see.
And John's home town's old timers -children when he went to war
Would say no greater cattleman had left the town before.
They knew his widowed mother well - and with respect did tell
How when she lost her only boy she lost her mind as well.
She could not face the awful truth, to strangers she would speak
"My Johnny's at the war you know, he's coming home next week."
They all remembered Bluey he stayed on to the end
A younger man with wooden leg became her closest friend
And he would go and find her when she wandered old and weak
And always softly say "yes dear- John will be home next week."
Then when she died Bluey moved on, to Queensland some did say
I tried to find out where he went, but don't know to this day
And Kathy never wed - a lonely spinster some found odd
She wouldn't set foot in a church - she'd turned her back on God
John's mother left no will I learned on my detective trail
This explains my photo's journey to that clearance sale
So I continued digging cause I wanted to know more
I found John's name with thousands in the records of the war
His last ride proved his courage - a ride you will acclaim
The Light Horse Charge at Beersheba of everlasting fame
That last day in October back in 1917
At 4pm our brave boys fell - that sad fact I did glean
That's when John's life was sacrificed the record's crystal clear
But 4pm in Beersheba is midnight over here.......
So as John's gallant spirit rose to cross the great divide
Were lightning bolts back home a signal from the other side?
Is that why Billy bolted and went racing as in pain?
Because he'd never feel his master on his back again?
Was it coincidental? same time, same day, same date?
Some proof of numerology, or just a quirk of fate?
I think it's more than that you know as I've heard wiser men
Acknowledge there are many things that go beyond our ken.
Where craggy peaks guard secrets neath dark skies torn asunder
Where hoofbeats are companions to the rolling waves of thunder
Where lightning cracks like 303's and ricochets again
Where howling moaning gusts of wind sound just like dying men
Some Mountain cattlemen have sworn on lonely alpine track
They've glimpsed a huge black stallion - Light Horseman on his back.
Yes Sceptics say it's swirling clouds just forming apparitions
Oh no, my friend you cant dismiss all this as superstition
The desert of Beersheba - or windswept Aussie range
John Stuart rides forever there - Now I don't find that strange.
Now some gaze at this photo, and they often question me
And I tell them a small white lie, and say he's family.
"You must be proud of him." they say - I tell them, one and all,
That's why he takes the pride of place - my Anzac on the Wall.
by. Jim Brown of ex-"Healthy, Wealthy and Wise" fame, on the iconic mateship of a high country
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CHAIRMAN
President Garry Browne
GRACE /
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Rotarian Ian Hamilton
TODAY’S SPEAKER
Major General Duncan Lewis
VOTE OF THANKS
Dr. Rod Rate
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BIRTHDAYS - this week
Ken Sutherland
Tony Harding
Krishan Anand
(actual dates are witheld for
privacy reasons)
ANNIVERSARIES
Herman Eisenberg AM
Inducted 6 November 28 years
Alex Shaw
Inducted 12 November 16 years
Paul Vertes
Inducted 10 November 9 years
Tanya Vanderwall
Inducted 13 November 6 years
John Marcos
Inducted 9 November 3 years
Harry Fox
Inducted 8 November 2 years |
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Board
Tuesday 13 November at 6 pm.
Castlereagh Hotel, 4th floor.
PR & Membership
DAte to be advised, 7.45 am – 9.00 am, Wilson Learning Australia
Level 14, 9 Hunter Street
Sydney
International
Tuesday 27 November at 11:45 am. Castlereagh Hotel,
4th Floor - Adam Room.
Service & Awards
Thursday 16 November at 7:45 am.
Lvl.16, 60 Castlereagh St., Sydney.
Youth
Friday 30 November - Last Friday at Noon, Fiducian - Level 4/1 York St. Light lunch provided.
6:00pm Wednesday 14 November UNSW Sports Club
10 Hunter Street Sydney
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Future Speaker Highlights |
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This Month |
Next Month |
Following Month |
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20 November
Joerg Hoffman
CEO Audi Australia |
4 December
Community Service Award |
15 January
1st Meeting for the year |
Murray Wells
AusSchol Inc.
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