District 9600 Newsletter
November 2020
Table of Contents
Welcome
Between Galas and train rides, club birthdays, and early starts, October was a month full of Rotary adventure. I extend a very big thank you to everyone who participated in any, or all of the Lift the Lid activities for Mental Health fundraising, and End Polio be it on or off a train. Thank you to all who supported Rotarians in those activities, too, and for those clubs who made provisions available to train passengers - you're blood is worth bottling.
This month is Rotary Foundation month, and the fun doesn't stop. This weekend we enjoy the Foundation seminar and Annual General Meeting, and resume all of those meetings and events you have planned to focus on the Foundation.
In this editiion of the Newsletter, please note the video on Food Plant Solutions RAG from ABC's Landline, the requests from DGE Wendy, and note that there are still Lift the Lid Walks to do in the District, if you missed out last month.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you at your club. See if you can spot yourself on DGTV.
Stay safe, see you soon,
DG Neil (2020/21)
District Calendar
District Leadership Team Meetings:
2 November: Board & DCM, North Lakes
8 December: Board & DCM, Virtual
District Presidents' virtual Meeting: last Friday of the month, 6.30pm - links will be sent ahead
8th November: The Rotary Foundation Seminar: @ St Columbans, 100 Kean Street, Caboolture
District Conference Registrations Open (see Link below)
Club Visits and DGTV
Thank you to those of you who have subscribed and commented on the addition of DGTV. There are new links, videos and images from DG Neil's visits, as they happen. Thanks to all for your patience while we delve into the 21st Century media.
It's hoped that this compilation of images will serve as a demonstration of the universality of Rotary in our communities, as well as the opportunity to feature many of the excellent causes and projects that you support.
If you have any suggestions for improvement of this inclusion to the the District Newsletter, please let us know. Until then, see you on DGTV!
(For more information, please contact the editor: 9600dgnewsletter@gmail.com )
R100 Baton Relay: around 9600
What are your plans to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand?
Each of the clusters should have their batons and now is the time to plan activities and promotions of this milestone. It's hoped we can post images and articles of the festivities here in this newsletter.
Please send your pics, videos, and commentary to the editor, and share your events for this anniversary.
Environment: Preservation and Conservation
From Karalyn Hingston of the Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group has shared a video from ABC's Landline. The addition of The Environment to Rotary Areas of Service, the work of this Rotary Action Group may be of interest to many in Rotarians and others in the community.
We note that: Food Plant Solutions, now incorporating Learn Grow, is a registered RAWCS project providing DGR status. Food Plant Solutions operates in accordance with Rotary International Policy but is not an agency of, or controlled by Rotary International.
RC Kippa-Ring North Lakes adds Environment Portfolio to Club Board
Vivien Harris is a Rotarian with Kippa Ring/Northlakes Rotary Club, and she writes:
"... I have recently taken on responsibility for the 'Environment' portfolio. Given that Rotary has now included the 'Environment' as its seventh area of focus, it is important that our district give priority to activating new environment projects; to collaborating with existing Rotary Club environment projects; to supporting community organisations whose mission statements are related to the environment, climate change, and conservation; and to applying for local, state & federal grants. I would be interested to hear from clubs (or individuals) in our district which may also have an 'Environment' focus, and whether clubs have any proposed activities focusing on the environment."
Should you wish to contact Vivien, please do so directly here.
District 9620: Update
Services
Rotarian Debra Lewis, a previous District Service Coordinator and a Past President of the Paddington Club has accepted our invitation to take the role of Services Coordinator in the 2021-2022 year and will be our lead in coordinating the service activities included by your District transition team. If you’re a Rotarian or Rotaractor interested in taking a role at the district level in the following services please make contact (email) by 20th November.
Australian Rotary Health (ARH)
Rotary Oceania Medical Assistance (ROMAC)
RAWCS
Donations in Kind (DIK)
Rotarians against Malaria (RAM)
Interplast
Shelterbox
Drought Programs
We will approach one Rotarian/Rotaractor to take the role of District Chair in each of those services and start to develop how messages and activities will happen across District 9620.
We know that there are many projects being focussed on by individual Clubs and will encourage that they are publicised in our regular updates during the year – spread the news and get more involvement across the District.
Thank you for responding to the earlier calls for interest – Foundation Coordinator Elwyn Hodges and Youth Coordinator Colleen Caruana are well on the way to finalising their Chairs .
We know we can’t include everyone who wants to be involved – but if you want to give some energy and enthusiasm in any of the services above please send along an email. If you don’t make contact then we’ll never know.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers, Wendy
District Conference 2021
Register now for the District Conference in March, 2021. If you think Christmas is coming quickly, the conference isn't that far away. For more information about the Guest Speakers, Program, and local sightseeing and accommodation, click on the image below.
In supporting local businesses, producers, and grassroots Rotarians, this year's conference offers something for everyone, while acknowledging the endeavour and achievement of people just like you and I.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to visit the South Burnett and the gems of the northwest part of 9600.
All Roads Lead to Kingaroy
Chapter 5: Wondai
One of the larger towns in the South Burnett, Wondai is located between Murgon and Kingaroy. About 2,000 residents live in this neat and tidy town, which is home to several interesting attractions.
The Visitor Information Centre is also the Timber Industry Museum, and was built by volunteers to look like a traditional timber storage shed. It features a large diorama of people working with wood. On the walls are slab of local wood with name, history and uses of the particular piece. There is an active group of hobby wood workers in Wondai and their craft pieces are for sale.
Across the road is a very large St Vinny’s store to interest the ladies, while around the corner and down a block is Wondai Traders, a second hand shop overflowing with farm machinery, collectables and other vintage things, sometimes rusty!
Wondai Art Gallery is diagonally across the roundabout from St Vinny’s. Very popular among the many local artists it has four gallery rooms with displays that change every month. Supported by the Shire Council, it also has a studio room used for craft workshops of all types.
Lots of places to eat too, and Dimitie's Cottage is one not to be missed. Tables on the veranda of the old house, for lunch and coffee, it has a function room inside, as well as crafts and paintings made by the owner. You will find a surprise gift voucher from Dimities in your ‘Welcome to the Conference’ bag of goodies.
But if you go around the roundabout heading directly between Murgon and Kingaroy you won’t see the town shopping area. It's here that the chemist, doctor surgery, post office and supermarket are located. Also the Shire office and library, and the Heritage Museum on Mackenzie Street. In this museum you will see the Oddfellows Hall, slab barn, hospital complex, steam engine and machinery shed. Manned by volunteers, it is funded by the Shire Council and has a very small entry fee.
Wondai is a happy town, well worth a leisurely visit.
Next door to the information centre is the Woodworkers Workshop where the fragrance of the freshly worked wood is noticeable. The friendly and dedicated hobbyists can be seen actually making things on the premises most mornings. Works for sale here too, all labelled with name of the wood used.
Coming Events
Lift The Lid in November
WEBSITE: https://www.liftthelidwalk.com.au
Rotary International Convention: Taipei, Taiwan
Sir Clem Renouf AM: Polio Appeal
As PRIPs from Australia and New Zealand, we feel a special affinity towards Sir Clem and we think it is extremely appropriate to honour his memory through an appeal for the cause that he held so dear—PolioPlus.
So we teamed up with Past RI Director, Noel Trevaskis and RI Director Elect, Jessie Harman, along with Regional End Polio Now Coordinator, Bob Aitken, to formulate a plan. The result is The Sir Clem Renouf Polio Appeal. You may have seen Bob’s recent articles about Sir Clem in RDU.
How can you participate?
You and your club may already be in the process of arranging polio fundraisers for World Polio Day (24 October) and Foundation Month (November). It would be wonderful if these events could be dedicated to the memory of Sir Clem;
Two of these events are the annual Polio Train Ride and Polio Movie Event and these events will be promoted in Sir Clem’s name;
District 9800’s Rotary Walk with Us, an online platform that enables Rotarians and others to seek sponsorship for going for a walk. You can encourage members and friends to register to walk. See details on Facebook: RotaryWalkWithUs; and
And clubs and members can pay tribute to Sir Clem by supporting PolioPlus, directly.
We look forward to all the ways Rotarians in 9600 will honour Sir Clem.
Kind regards,
District Leadership Team 2020 - 2021
District Contacts
Webmaster: Mark Williams: d96x0webmaster@gmail.com District Governor: dg2020-2021@hotmail.com District Directory: rotarydistrict9600@gmail.comDistrict Information
District Leadership Team Meetings: as aboveNorth Lakes Office Bookings: Ian HopeRegional office: Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Office: RISPPO@rotary.org