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Issue number 46 | Friday 20 August, 2021
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Dear Rotarians and Friends,
Nothing is insurmountable. There is nothing in our lives that cannot be overcome, whatever the situation or problem there is always a solution. Humanity is currently being tested like never before and I feel the Universe has hit a pause button on us. We seem unable to rewind or move forward stuck in a state of limbo We need to have the mental fortitude and resilience to believe that we can overcome the current situation that we are in. Let’s not forget to reach out to friends and family to find our inner strength and most importantly to know that together we are able to overcome whatever is thrown our way.
I thank fellow members for their continued attendance rate on Zoom to ensure that our fellowship and connectedness remain strong. Thanks to Chris for taking the initiative to open a COVID café on Wednesday evenings for another optional weekday interlude.
Our speaker a fortnight ago, Nick Hossack touched on a very relevant topic of the day “The Cashless Society”. The decade ahead is anticipated to be swept with technological disruption as we digitize every aspect of our day to day lives. The way we pay for things makes no exception. Finland, Sweden, China, and UK are already tipped to the leaders in moving towards a truly cashless society. The current COVID situation has also accelerated this move and frequency of usage. In the same vein, online sales or e-commerce platforms generated 3 trillion dollars’ worth of sales in 2019 and shows no sign of abating.
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August is membership month and so it was most apt to get onboard John Fenessy, Membership Chair District 9685 to talk about how to maximize our membership and find innovative ways to attract fresh young members to our Club. He spoke of satellite, corporate, alumni and caused based clubs as alternatives to expand our membership base. He touched upon how important it is to fit the right club to a potential member’s interest instead of the usual based on location assignment. We also thank Melody for that engaging short presentation on her Twitter account that has garnered 10K followers.
Our Cluster 2 rotary clubs have initiated a get-together (virtual) and casual chat over a glass of wine or beer called “Chinwag” taking place on the fourth Friday of each month from 6pm onwards starting from 27 August. Please feel free to join in the fun.
Our Board members are exploring other ways to raise funds for some of our activities one of which is applying for the Rotary Club of Balwyn centenary grants open to all Rotary Clubs in Australia. When we face challenges like this, we need to pivot and find innovative ways to support on our ongoing projects. Till then, my fellow Rotarians, keep safe.
Lalitha Warren
President 2021/2022, The Rotary Club of Lane Cove
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"Cashless Society and Negative Interest Rates"
Nick Hossack is an economist and public policy consultant. His extensive professional career included being an advisor to John Howard MP. He is also a columnist at the Australian Financial Review.
At his recent guest speaking to our club, Nick gave an overview on the declining rate of cash transactions. Despite of this there is some 96 billion in banknotes in circulation, roughly half of it in $50 notes and the other half in $100 dollar notes! We are spending less in cash, but the amount of cash in circulation has not declined. A cashless society would have less fraud and less cost to business as well as increased tax revenue.
Nick gave an excellent overview on the reasons of why the Central Bank (RBA) has lowered interest rates to stimulate the economy. This leads to the question as to whether we will be experiencing negative interest rates in the future if current financial measures do not succeed as intended. (As some countries already have).
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John Fenessy gave an excellent presentation on what is important to attract and maintain members to Rotary. It's crucial that everyone who engages with Rotary -- no matter who they are in the world, or how long they have been connected with Rotary – to feel valued, respected, and welcomed. Rotary's capacity for doing good is amplified when we not only welcome, but actively invite, a variety of experiences, cultures, and perspective.
Most importantly involve new members from the start in club activity and embrace diversity and new ideas.
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“Healthy Eating & Healthy Thinking”
A report from Rotarian Pat Price who is CEO of Heartland College In Nepal.
As in Australia mental health is at the forefront of ‘lockdown ‘. As the second Covid wave is still sweeping Nepal, at the Heartland College, Kathmandu, graduate alumni were invited to interact online with Dietician/Clinical Nutritionist Dt Mira Shah around healthy eating and preserving positive mental health during periods of lock down. The two-week masterclass session was well received with over 150 students participating and gaining invaluable information on nutrition and how to maintain mental health. (Heartland Academy is a supported project of the Rotary Club of Lane Cove).
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ROTACOVE'S ENVIRONMENTAL COLUMN
Rotary's Seventh Area of Focus - Sustaining the Environment
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World Cleanup Day 18th September 2021
Do you know what one of the most pervasive forms of plastic pollution is? Cigarette Butts. It is estimated that 4.5 trillion are littered globally every year! Most cigarette filters contain cellulose acetate fibre – a type of bioplastic that can cause serious damage to the environment.
World Cleanup Day is the world’s largest one-day civic action to engage more than 180 countries to tackle global waste crisis. World Cleanup Day is not just about cleanups. It's a strong and unique network of doers who share the vision of the waste-free world and believe that together we can clean up the world from waste. Join the World Cleanup Day on 18th September 2021!
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Invitation by the Crows Nest Rotary Club for a ‘Chinwag’
On the fourth Friday of each month, starting Friday evening 27th August 2021 6pm. – until….
‘Chinwag’ get togethers, are a bit like going to the pub for a beer - you never know who you will meet, what you will talk about, but you do know it will be fun. And in a Chinwag using ‘Zoom’….you don’t need an Uber to get home!
No registration, just turn up! Relax, and chat or just listen to the others.
Bring/invite a friend along, and if you wish to talk about a particular subject (photo, project) or even wish to invite or know of a guest speaker to address our chinwag, just email to arrange; rotarycrowsnest@gmail.com
The Link for joining the meeting is; https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3833840670
‘Barman’ Phil, will be the host for the night, but this will rotate.
Stay Safe! COVID safe!!!
See you there 6pm on Friday 27th August. Put it in your diary now!!!
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August Birthdays and Anniversaries
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Happy Birthday Tania!.
An impromptu happy Zoom get-together and a special toast to Tania Mace on her birthday. We even managed to sing "Happy Birthday" to brighten up Tania's lock-down confinement! Congratulations on your birthday Tania!
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Future Meetings and Events
24 Aug, 2021
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No Meeting
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No Meeting |
| 31 August, 2021 |
Eleanor Pratten
Acting CEO of Seaside Scavenge |
Virtual on Zoom
7.00 pm – 8.15pm
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| 7 Sept. 2021 |
Hon Jim Lloyd,
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Aust. |
Hotel Urban St Leonards
6.30pm – 8.15pm
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| 14 Sept. 2021 |
Jennifer Brown & Jonathon Alderton
Crime Prevention Tips in Local Area |
Hotel Urban St Leonards
6.30pm – 8.15pm
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| 21 Sept. 2021 |
John McGirr
Fire & Rescue NSW |
Hotel Urban St Leonards
6.30pm – 8.15pm
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| 28 Sept. 2021 |
Selvamuthu Balakrishanan
Vice Pres. Operations, Al Jazeera |
On Zoom, 7.00 pm – 8.15pm
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All Members please note:
Have you had an interesting experience you would like to share with members?
Please email the editor.
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