FROM WHERE I SIT by Bob Aitken Managing Editor Rotary Down Under At the end of every Rotary year, it’s natural that thoughts should turn to the year ahead and the excitement of new programs. There are many interesting items on my personal Rotary wish list but Rotary is essentially a vocational-based service organisation and there is a most pressing need for Rotary clubs and Districts to create a new focus on vocational service projects. Two vocational cries for help have come across my desk in recent weeks . . . First, a request from a dedicated Rotarian working within the prisons system for Rotarians to create and support a project aimed at providing vocational opportunities and training for first time offenders on release from gaol. The N.S.W. Prisons system is certainly prepared to offer support to Rotary in developing such a project. Second, a concerted effort to encourage responsible employers to provide opportunities for developmentally-delayed adults. These people are a little slower than most people but are incredibly loyal and conscientious. Many already are registered with the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service and only need a little encouragement and help to take a normal place in society. One such employer already setting a standard for community responsibility is Steven Bennett of Benbro Electronics in Brookvale, N.S.W. Steven is a member of EMAD (Employers Making a Difference) and will be delighted to talk with any interested employer prepared to support such people. His contact number is (02) 9938 5443. Perhaps it’s not too late for District Vocational Service Committees to consider establishing such projects for 2005/2006. Such projects provide perfect opportunities for Service Above Self.

May telephone number was incorrect
John Geddes, of the Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise Central, Qld., advises that he contacted the telephone number given on this page in the May, 2005, issue of Rotary Down Under for One-Stop Chicago as he wished to find accommodation when attending the R.I. Convention in Chicago, U.S.A., from June 18 to 22, 2005.

He found the number was incorrect.
Then he found that dialling 0011-1-880-974-9833 and 0011-1-847-282-2529 allowed him to make contact and a reservation with ‘‘a lovely lady named Barbara’’.

The Rotary Club of Katoomba, N.S.W., impressed all with its display at the District 9690 Conference in Canberra, A.C.T., where Robyn Hayes sold replicas of convict bricks, c.1820.

The bricks are available at $A200 each, plus GST, from the Rotary Club of Katoomba, Post Office Box 54, Katoomba, N.S.W. A convict memorial and pioneer wall will be built on the Great Western Highway at Leura, N.S.W.

The shirt was superbly framed by the Rotary Club of Balwyn, Vic., and all funds will go to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Tennis Australia also celebrated its Centenary in 2005.

The shirt was donated by Hamish Macmillan of the Rotary Club of Balwyn, Vic. John Voytas was excited about the acquisition and said the valuable piece of tennis memorabilia will make a fine addition to his growing collection.Funding DIK containers: Donations in Kind (DIK) depots around Australia are continually struggling for funds to meet the cost of freighting containers of goods to developing nations.

From the DIK Brisbane warehouse comes the news that the cost of shipping containers seems to rise monthly – and containers that cost $2,500 not so long ago are now costing $3,000. District 9600 Past Governor Bill Waterhouse explained in the recent District 9600 World Community Service Newsletter that maintaining the flow of goods from the DIK store is not a problem. However, he emphasised that some $150,000 a year was needed to fund freight for at least four containers a month.

The special message . . . Rotary clubs can assist by including DIK donations in end-of-year cash distribution and, better still, allow for donation of cash to sponsor freight for at least ONE container each year in annual budgets.

Introducing French Polynesia: French Polynesian Rotarians and Rotaractors officially joined District 9920 on February 1, 2005. District 9920 Governor Beryl Robinson and her party have been shown the attractions of the beautiful islands. They met members of established and provisional Rotary clubs while learning about their past activities and service opportunities.