RotaCove Issue 21

Issue number 21 | Friday 14 August 2020

Our President writes...

Dear fellow Rotarians and Friends.

This year’s District Governor’s visit took place at the Northbridge Golf Club on 4 August, 2020. DG John Clarke’s objective in having clubs work in collaboration with each other meant that the Rotary Clubs of Lane Cove and Northbridge hosted a combined evening for his annual visit. It was a most informative evening with Dave Clarke and our DGE Lindsay May OAM giving inspiring addresses to the gathering. Myself and Northbridge’s President Kevin Tattrie gave overviews of each club's past achievements and outlines of new objectives for this year as is customary with a DG’s visit.

As is known PHF (Paul Harris Fellowship) recognitions are normally awarded at changeover. As one of our awardees was absent on Rotary Volunteer duties until this meeting, we took the opportunity to ask DG David Clarke make the official presentation to Rotarian Craig Brodey; which DG Dave gladly obliged. Craig has been recognised for his leadership in the ‘Clean Up Australia’ campaign and for his unstinting support with volunteer work with members Gunnedah’s West Rotary Club.

A Presidents Meeting with DG Dave took place on Saturday 02 August ‘virtual online’ with no less than 74 attendees. Despite the number of participants, it went well and it came close to what RI President Holger Knaack asks for: “Have Fun, otherwise why do it”.

Our virtual meeting this week on 11 August featured none less than Wes Lambert (pictured above) who is the CEO of Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA). Wes heads the industry association which represents the interests of more than 47,000 restaurants, cafés and catering businesses across Australia with approximately 440,000 employees and a stated combined $37 billion in retail turnover each year. We were given an overview of the state of the catering industry, which is described as very vulnerable and has suffered severely from the COVID Pandemic imposed restrictions on trading. It was said that the industry will never be the same again with take-away accounting for a far greater proportion to dining in. Many operators will need to adapt and be challenged to survive. High-end dining will survive as people will want to find relieve for special occasions. Wes’s understanding in frequent meetings with state and national leaders is that some state borders in Australia will be closed until the end of the year and National Border will not reopen until July of 2021.

Wes Lambert was thanked by Brian Hall on behalf of the members for a most informative and interesting overview of the state of the Restaurant and Catering Industry in Australia.

Silvio Gmur
President 2020/21, Lane Cove Rotary Club

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
13th – Tania Mace
21st – Bob Cartwright
24th – Lalitha Warren
26th – Flynn McDermott
29th – Stephen Miller

AUGUST WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
23rd Roger Wescombe
29th Hazel McNamara

Jennifer E. Jones makes history, becomes first woman named Rotary president-nominee

Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s President for 2022-23, a selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history. A current Rotary Foundation trustee, Jones has been a member since 1997 and has served Rotary as vice president, director, training leader, committee chair, moderator, and district governor. Jennifer is considered by many to be a highly dynamic person and likely to be a game-changer for Rotary both internally and externally. You can read more on the nomination by clicking here

Members out and about – Craig Brodey

Recently, Rotarian Craig Brodey has been farm sitting up in Gunnedah, looking after 200 head of cattle on 400 acres with the help of a Ute and two old farm dogs. The request for him to farm sit came about from a couple of visits made to Gunnedah with three other Rotarians late last year as we started to establish ties with the Rotary clubs in our sister city of Gunnedah. The plan was that we would build friendships and also assist with each other clubs projects where we could – such as providing labour for Gunnedah's AgQuip show in August and Lane Cove's Fair in October (unfortunately both cancelled for this year). While in Gunnedah Craig took part in a couple of Rotary meetings, played two rounds of golf with a fellow Rotarian and also assisted in the refurbishment of the grave of the first Mayor of Gunnedah.

A great way to raise money for our club!

If you, or anyone you know, can secure an advertisement to the highly targetted audience of Rotarians, then Rotary Down Under magazine will pay a sizable commission on that placement to our club. This could be as much as $880 for every single insertion of a full-page advertisement or $7108 commission for an annual booking of the same. Half and quarter pages are also available too. For further details contact advertising@rotarydownunder.com.au and don't forget to let our President and Treasurer know of the booking.

Media kit can be downloaded here

Upcoming club meetings and events

18 AUGUST 2020 – 6.30 for 7.00pm at Hotel Urban St Leonards
Presentation of Pride of Workmanship Awards. (Previously delayed)
Keynote speaker: Emeritus Professor Ed Davis (pictured above) 'The ABC in crisis; Why this matters'
25 AUGUST 2020 – 6.30 for 7.00pm virtual on Zoom
Craig Wrightson, General Manager, Lane Cove Council
01 SEPTEMBER 2020 – 6.30 for 7.00pm at Hotel Urban St Leonards
Dr Daniel Nour ‘Street Side Medics’

and finally... some COVID-19 humour

André-Philippe Côté-Canada

What’s the difference between COVID-19 and Romeo and Juliet? One’s the coronavirus and the other is a Verona crisis.

Finland just closed its borders. You know what that means? No-one will be crossing the finish line.

You know what they say: "Feed a cold, starve a fever, drink a corona!"

With so many coronavirus jokes out there, you could say it’s a pundemic!

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