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Issue number 26  |  Friday 23 October 2020
This Newsletter is somewhat short this time as our Editor is recuperating following some minor surgery this week. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to hearing that all went well.

Our President writes...

Dear fellow Rotarians and Friends.

Mega Raffle major fundraiser update: Whilst we have sold many tickets, we are a very long way off selling all of the 4000 tickets we have printed to raise funds for charitable causes for the club. We need all members to make a real effort to sell tickets to their friends or business contacts. Please contact Craig, Lalitha or I for ticket books and we will get them to you.

We have had a couple of highly productive weekends selling raffle tickets in The Canopy and Lane Cove Plaza locations. Last weekend we were at the Riverview Deli (pictured above) and Lane Cove Aquatic Pool locations. 

Also, don't forget to tell everyone you know that they can purchase tickets online or bid for the signed Swans Guernsey or the Sherrin Football at https://lanecoverotaryfair.org/

Click here to go there now

Ben was a very passionate and eloquent speaker who gave a highly enjoyable presentation

BENJAMIN LEE, SENIOR ADVISOR WITH UNITED NATIONS
 Our Zoom meeting of 13 October was fortunate to have an outstanding guest speaking presentation from Ben Lee, – PE Lalitha Warren’s Godchild. Ben is an Australian Lawyer who works in human rights with the UN in Global conflict areas in our Zoom meeting of 13 October 2020. He commenced by explaining that there are 2 distinct parts to the UN, on the one part the delegates and diplomats and on the other part the practitioners in the human rights forum. He has been fortunate to work in both parts of the UN.

Much of Ben’s work has focused on armed conflict, particularly investigations into civilian casualties. He served as a UN human rights investigator in Afghanistan and in Iraq over a period of four years followed by working in Syria with the UN’s Independent Commission of Inquiry. During his time in Afghanistan ‘spectacular violence’ took place in Jalalabad and when posted in Iraq in civilian casualty work, he witnessed unbelievable atrocities. In Syria he was with the UN’s Independent Commission of Inquiry. That was in difficult circumstances as there was no security mandate when investigation victims of horrendous stories of atrocities. The UN has 193 members of which 5 are permanent and have Veto Power and incidentally they are also the world’s largest arms producers. DGE Lindsay May thanked Ben on behalf of the members on his most comprehensive and eloquent talk.

Steve Dresler being thanked by PP Jenny May and President Silvio Gmur for his talk on “What Ability"

WHAT ABILITY
Our meeting of 20 October was held at the Hotel Urban, St Leonards. We welcomed Steve Dresler, Founder and CEO of “What Ability” who gave an outstanding presentation on his organisation. Steve was an aspiring 1st-grade football player with the Paramatta Eels. Three knee reconstructions later his lifelong ambitions were shattered as he had to retire just after signing a new Eels contract. Steve by that time had experienced voluntary work with Giant Steps which is a school for children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“What Ability” was founded by Steve’s desire to create positive impact and build a community of semi-professional athletes who volunteer to connect with children and young adults with mild to moderate disabilities and ASD and bring joy into their lives and ensure happiness always comes first. What Ability is an NDIS registered disability support service and their funding is derived from NDIS registered clients. Steve now has six admin staff and over 80 Clients and his ambition is to be Australia wide in the future. Rotarian Craig Brodey thanked Steve for his inspirational and uplifting presentation which was greatly enjoyed by all present.

Silvio Gmur
President 2020/21, Lane Cove Rotary Club

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
REMAINING
31st – Adrienne Witteman

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1st – Brian Hall
4th – John Palmer
24th – Silvio Gmur
25th – Patty Wilson-Cust
OCTOBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
24th – Jim Holmes

NOVEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
8th – Phil Wade
21st – Robyn Sleet
29th – Silvio Gmur

Members out and about

During a recent visit to Gunnedah, Rotarian Craig Brodey attended the meeting of the Gunnedah West Rotary club, that evening they held a local knowledge quiz. Suffice to say he only got two questions right and they were True or False questions! He took home the wooden spoon but the next day he replaced it with a spade as he assisted one of the Rotary members with some Landcare work, reinstating walking paths on Porcupine Hill. Congratulations, well done Craig!

Upcoming club meetings and important events

24 OCTOBER – World Polio Day – Get involved!
Rotary Volunteers around the World helping eradicate Polio

28 OCTOBER (Wednesday) – 6.30 for 7.00pm The Kirribilli Club, Lavender Bay
Social Evening – all welcome

3 NOVEMBER – 6.30 for 7.00pm Hotel Urban St Leonards
Stuart Fisher – SES NSW State Emergency Service

10 NOVEMBER – 6.30 for 7.00pm at Hotel Urban St Leonards
Stephanie Heighes – NTA East Indonesia Aid

17 NOVEMBER – 6.30 for 7.00pm at Hotel Urban St Leonards
Peter Ferros – Project Iron Boomerang

and finally...

What do mathematicians feed their babies? Formula of course!
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