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President's Message

 

Dear Club Members and Friends,
 
Greetings from your late-starting half-year President. I was on holidays when you began the year with breakfast at Seb’s – I’m sure I missed a good morning. I want to begin by speaking for the whole club in thanking Victoria for her excellent leadership over the last eighteen months. It is good to have the opportunity to build on what she has done, and it is also good to know that I’ll be followed by Pam Wood – I am confident that she will be another excellent President.

The board had its first meeting for 2018 on Wednesday evening, 24 January. We had a full agenda, including looking at some potential new members. This week one of our comparatively new members (Juliet) is our speaker. It will be good to have her back after leave, and I’m certainly looking forward to hearing what she has to say. We will also squeeze in some business, since we need to fill some key positions for 2018-2019.
 
 
Kind regards
Brian Powell
President 2017-18
 
 
 
 
 
Stories
Farewell to our 2017 Exchange Student, Ana from Brazil
In January we farewelled our 2017 Exchange student Ana Alves from Brazil. Ana's parents visited Australia for a short time before Anna was to travel home to Brazil at the end of January. Club members welcomed Ana's parents at a brunch at Eden Gardens and Rob Wilkinson and his family provided an exciting evening  watching a Sydney FC soccer match. See some photos below. For more photos go to the Photo Album link below in this bulletin.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rotary District 9685 Conference 10-11 March 2018
 
 
 
It's Time to Celebrate
 
In March 2018, it will be 30 years since Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) brought our first patient, 11-year-old Annand Chand from Fiji, to the John Hunter Hospital for life-saving surgery. Since then, over 500 children, from our neighbouring island countries have received life-giving or dignity-restoring surgery, thanks to ROMAC. We can all be proud of our efforts.
 
To celebrate, I invite you and your partner to attend our 30th Anniversary Dinner at Strangers’ Dining Room, NSW Parliament House, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney on Friday 16 March 2018.
 
The dinner is $150 per person (inc GST), plus the online booking fee, and includes 3 courses and drinks. All meals are gluten-free. Dairy-free and vegetarian options are available when booking online. More information about the Dinner is available in the 30th Anniversary Dinner Flyer.
 
You will be in the illustrious company of the current Rotary International President, Ian H.S. Riseley, and his wife Juliet; The Hon. Brad Hazzard, NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research; other key Rotarians, members of the medical profession and government, former patients and of course, our ROMAC friends and volunteers.
 
I would be delighted if you can participate in this significant event because:
  • It is a time to look back and to look forward - and to thank and recognise all the members who made ROMAC possible, including your Clubs
  • We need to thank the medical profession - the specialists, nursing and support staff who treat the children - for all they do
  • The governments, agencies and friends who provide support should see what Rotary is made of and what it can achieve
  • You will be supporting ROMAC’s commitment to saving the lives of children
    Please register online at https://www.humanitix.com/event/romac/ as soon as you can because places are strictly limited. Also, please invite your ROMAC friends and your clubs to attend. Tables of 10 are available for $1500 (inc GST), plus booking fee.
 
Rob Wilkinson
Chairman
ROMAC - Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children
www.romac.org.au
Florinda and Sonia, our ROMAC Patient and her Mum
Florinda and Sonia at Sydney Aquarium
 
At Balmoral Beach
 
Attending a Church service in Kensington with a special Indonesian family who have been very supportive of our Timorese family. ROMAC thanks them for their assistance and also the other members of the local Indonesian community.
 
Florinda and Sonia receiving Australian Souvenirs
 
 
Rotary  Satellite e-Club of Ryde e-Quiz
The Rotary Club of Ryde Inc. & Rotary Satellite e-Club of Ryde
You can send an e-mail to:
quizmouster@e-quiz.org.au or click the e-mail link in the body of this message - if there is one. 

e-Quiz strikes again

February 23-25 is the next e-Quiz organised by the Rotary Satellite e-Club of Ryde.

What is e-Quiz?
A general knowledge and trivia quiz for which you don't have to leave home. Your lounge-room, bedroom or study becomes your quiz base - as long as you have access to the internet there. Log on when the e-Quiz starts and you'll have 20 minutes in which to complete the 60 questions.
Cost is only $25. First prize is $100, but the cash shouldn't be the only incentive; as the winner (and there'll only be one) you'll receive the coveted Winner's Circle trophy - a coffee cup with your name on it (and ours!).

Why?
We're raising funds for the Lift the Lid campaign for mental health research in partnership with Australian Rotary Health. 100% of the registration fees and your donations will go to ARH.

Will I be famous if I win?
It depends how many friends you tell.

How do I enter?
Just go to www.e-quiz.org.au and follow the prompts. Register now. Play anytime between Friday 23rd and Sunday 25th February.  Winner will be obvious (just check the Leaderboard) and will be formally advised. 

If you don't want to play, please forward the details on to one or more friends or acquaintances.

Not interested?
If, for some reason, you prefer not to do the e-Quiz Challenge you might consider - 
  • Buy one or more tickets anyway. There is no compulsion to play. And Australian Rotary Health would be grateful for your donation. 
  • Tell your friends. We all have Quiz "tragics" among our friends. Forward this e-mail. 
Why me?
If we have e-mailed you inappropriately, we apologise. Its just that we have your details from past contact. If you have moved on from your position of power we'd appreciate it if you would bring this challenge to the notice of your successors - or, send it on to friends if you think that they too would like to play the Challenge.

How much do I lose?
A game will cost you $25*. One hundred percent of this will go to Australian Rotary Health. The Rotary Satellite e-Club of Ryde will cover credit-card costs and will provide a prize for the winner.  You can play the game only once. We'll be happy if you opt to buy more than one ticket because this excess will also go to Australian Rotary Health.
*Plus 30c processing fee levied by TryBooking.

What happens now?
You can register and pay now. In fact, we'd like you to do that so we can gather interest on your money.
In your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari ... etc) enter the following URL (address) : 
www.e-quiz.org.au  (or just click on this link)
Have your credit card handy and pay for as many tickets as you like. We'll keep you updated and on Thursday 22nd February you'll receive, by e-mail, your password to play.
  
The Rotary Four-Way Test

The Four-Way Test" of the things we think, say or do...
1.Is it the truth?
2.Is it fair to all concerned?
3.Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4.Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
New RISPPO Staff Position Available
Rotary International is looking for a suitable person to join the team at the South Pacific and Philippines Office in Parramatta.
 
The role will cover a number of operational activities and the successful applicant will possess the necessary skills to work effectively in all areas of the office’s operations. The initial focus will be working with The Rotary Foundation team but the role will later expand to include finance, club and district support and administration.
 
The Rotary Foundation activity will embrace all areas including recognition management, support of clubs and Rotarians, fund development, report generation/analysis and Rotary Project Grant support when needed. An active participation in the promotion and support of Rotary’s End Polio Now global program will also be a feature of this role.
 
The position offers a good learning experience across all Rotary International support activities and will provide ample opportunities for advancement. While the office is located in Parramatta, the need to travel both within Australia and internationally may arise from time to time.
The su
ccessful applicant will have excellent communication skills coupled with strong writing and very well developed presentation skills. A high level of interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with donors and volunteers to advance philanthropic contributions will be a great advantage.
 
Applications together with the relevant CV material should be forwarded to risppo@rotary.org.
Annual District Youth Exchange Dinner - 9 February 2018
Annual District 9685 Youth Exchange Dinner for 
all our Returning & Inbound Students

When:    Friday 9th February 2018,     6.30pm for 7pm
 
Where:         Muirfield Golf Club                
                      Barclay Road North Rocks
 
How Much:   $ 40  PER PERSON   ( inc  GST)
 
RSVP:    Friday  2 February 2018
 
2018/19 RI President Barry Rassin Wants Rotarians To Be The Inspiration

Rotary International President-elect Barry Rassin laid out his vision for the future of the organization on Sunday, calling on leaders to work for a sustainable future and to inspire Rotarians and the community at large.

Rassin, a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, unveiled the 2018-19 presidential theme, Be the Inspiration, to incoming district governors at Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA. “I want you to inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.”

 View Slideshow

2018-19 RI President Barry Rassin announces his presidential theme, Be the Inspiration, at Rotary's International Assembly. 

 

Rassin stressed the power of Rotary’s new vision statement, “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.” This describes the Rotary that leaders must help build, he said.

To achieve this vision, the president-elect said, Rotarians must take care of the organization: “We are a membership organization first. And if we want to be able to serve, if we want to succeed in our goals — we have to take care of our members first.”

Rassin asked the incoming district governors to “inspire the club presidents, and the Rotarians in your districts, to want to change. To want to do more. To want to reach their own potential. It’s your job to motivate them — and help them find their own way forward.”

Progress on polio

Rassin noted that one source of inspiration has been Rotary’s work to eradicate polio. He described the incredible progress made over the past three decades. In 1988, an estimated 350,000 people were paralyzed by the wild poliovirus; just 20 cases were reported in 2017 as of 27 December. “We are at an incredibly exciting time for polio eradication,” he said, “a point at which each new case of polio could very well be the last.”

He emphasized that even when that last case of polio is recorded, the work won’t be finished. “Polio won’t be over, until the certifying commission says it’s over—when not one poliovirus has been found, in a river, in a sewer, or in a paralyzed child, for at least three years,” he said. “Until then, we have to keep doing everything we’re doing now.” He urged continued dedication to immunization and disease surveillance programs.

Sustaining the environment

Rotary has focused heavily on sustainability in its humanitarian work in recent years. Now, Rassin said, Rotarians must acknowledge some hard realities about pollution, environmental degradation, and climate change. He noted that 80 percent of his own country is within one meter of sea level. With sea levels projected to rise two meters by 2100, he said, “my country is going to be gone in 50 years, along with most of the islands in the Caribbean and coastal cities and low-lying areas all over the world.”

Rassin urged leaders to look at all of Rotary’s service as part of a larger global system. He said that this means the incoming district governors must be an inspiration not only to clubs, but also to their communities. “We want the good we do to last. We want to make the world a better place. Not just here, not just for us, but everywhere, for everyone, for generations.”

 
Supercharge Your Rotary with RLI in 2018
The Rotary Leadership Institute course is now run over two days, powerpacked with information, learning and skills you can use in your Rotary life straight away.  
 
Networking with other Rotarians and led by experienced facilitators, you are sure to enjoy what others are describing as the best Rotary training they have had.  Register online now at rli.rotarydistrict9685.org.au and supercharge your Rotary.
 
There are 2 courses available for registration:
 
RLI45 - Sunday 18 February and Sunday 18 March 2018
RLI 47 - Saturday 5 and 19 May 2018
 
Please share this with your club members, particularly new Rotarians and new 2018/19 Board members.
 
Thanks,
 
Ian
 
Request for Volunteers for an event to support Vision Australia
 I’m writing to seek  volunteers to assist at the fund raising event for Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dog services, on the 10th March this year, 7.30 for 8pm start, at the North Ryde RSL Club.

The event is a performance by the band called Storybook. They have released a debut single called, It’s a Lovely Life For a Labrador. All proceeds to be donated to Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dog services. The song can be downloaded and purchased by going to www.labproductions.org with the cost of $0.99

The band features blind drummer/vocalist Ettore Cipollone and his wife Jennifer Cipollone, song writer, who  plays keyboard. Also Banjo player Cameron Mathers.

The premier performance called, Forever I’ll Call You Mates, starts at 8pm on the 10th of March, which runs for less than an hour.

tickets currently are held at the North Ryde RSL where the performance is being held. Tickets can be bought through Vision Australia national call centre.

We require a volunteer or two to man the ticket store when the doors open at 7.30pm on the night of the event. The volunteers need to assist in checking off the tickets sale with names and reference numbers which Vision Australia will have a record of following the sale of the tickets. Tickets are $10 each with profits to be donated back to Vision Australia.

We also would like the club to assist in the sale of the tickets if possible. Also any advertising or promotions of the performance would be a great help.

Kind regards

Ettore Cipollone

ETTORE CIPOLLONE
Motivational Speaker & Musician
Expert Success 
Personal Development & Wellbeing
"Helping others to make good choices" for the future
M - 0424 243 494
www.ettorecipollone.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ettore-cipollone-0ab5a3104/
https://soundcloud.com/storybook-duo/its-a-lovely-life-for-a-labrador
ettorecipollone@icloud.com
18 Stokes Avenue
Asquith NSW 2077
NSW Emergency Service Community Awards 2018

WHAT ARE THE ROTARY NSW EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMUNITY AWARDS

The Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards are an initiative of the Rotary Districts & Clubs of NSW. In keeping with Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self”, the Awards acknowledge and celebrate the selfless Community Service of NSW Emergency Services Personnel while supporting two important Rotary initiatives: (1) Australian Rotary Health, PhD Research Scholarship investigating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Emergency Services Personnel (2) Rotary District 9675, Vanuatu Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Vocational Training Team

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARDS

Nominees must be appointed as paid or unpaid (volunteer) members of one of the six NSW Emergency Service Agencies who perform Community Service above and beyond the call of their normal duties. * Fire & Rescue NSW * NSW Rural Fire Service * Marine Rescue NSW * NSW State Emergency Services * NSW Ambulance * NSW Volunteer Rescue Association

HOW DO I NOMINATE SOMEONE FOR AN AWARD

Fellow ESA members, Rotarians and the general public are encouraged to submit nominations via the Awards website: www.RotaryESCawards.org.au

WHAT ARE THE KEY DATES

Nominations Open: 7 February 2018

Nominations Close: 28 March 2018

Finalists Announced: 11 April 2018

Awards Dinner: 1 June 2018

For more information call 0412 120 314 or see flyer here

Photo Albums
Farewell to 2017 Exchange Student Ana from Brazil
Member Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Annette Billington
February 6
 
Terrie McConnell
February 14
 
Victoria Crawford
February 27
 
 
   Learning only happens with confusion.

Our website home page features our current Club Executive and Projects. Please deposit funds to: Rotary Club of North Ryde Inc, Bendigo Bank, North Ryde BSB: 633108 Acct: 126363670.