FROM
WHERE I SIT
by Bob Aitken
Managing Editor
Rotary Down Under |
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A ROTARY AWARENESS CENTENARY BONUS
As a result of the generosity and perceptiveness of our District Governors, every Rotary Down Under subscriber will receive a special Centenary Rotary Awareness 'bonus' with the delivery of the February magazine. A colourful, quality motor vehicle bumper sticker will be inserted in the magazine delivery envelope and all Rotarians will be encouraged to fix same to their vehicle to increase community awareness of Rotary's Centenary. Spare stickers will be available for purchase from RDU Supplies for those Rotarians who require additional stickers for other vehicles owned by family members.
The stickers will be finished in traditional Rotary colours of blue and gold on a white background. They will proclaim a simple, easy to read message like... Rotary International – 100 years of community service – 1905 to 2005, or something similar depending on art work and design factors.
Cost of the stickers will be covered by a per capita grant from Rotary Districts, thanks to the co-operation and support of District Governors. Many other imaginative Rotary Awareness programs have been already initiated by Rotary Clubs and Districts. This latest project should provide a last minute push for community
recognition of Rotary International immediately prior to the major Centenary celebrations commencing the week of February 23, 2005. Rotary Down UnderSr and we are well advanced with a project to provide templates for a Centenary week newspaper feature to all District Centenary Committees across Australia and New Zealand. The templates or pro-forma will provide eight pages, the inside four filled with Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation general projects story, whilst the outside four pages will carry a lead story and space reserved for Rotary content from clubs and Districts in the areas where the newspapers are published. Advertising space will be clearly marked and clubs and Districts should assist newspapers with advertising sales leads in their respective areas. News Ltd newspapers have already indicated their support for the major Awareness program and other newspaper organisations are sure to follow the lead.
These initiatives provide an important Rotary Awareness "umbrella" but it's
e many new ideas initiated by clubs and Districts in their special areas that have greatest impact! |
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Register for Chicago parade!
Rotary clubs still have time to register for the Centennial Parade at the discounted price of US$200. Due to translation difficulties, the early registration deadline has been extended to November 15 and the saving is US$100.
Don't miss this opportunity for your club members to be a part of one of the exciting events of the Convention – a mass `walk' through the streets of Chicago. For an application form, contact majorgpa@aol.com
Port Moresby's jumbo tennis:
Jumbo tennis is a real winner for the Rotary Club of Port Moresby, PNG, and raises K20,000 (about AUS$8,000) from six hours of play!
The club has acquired 35 jumbo racquets and the game utilises table tennis rules.
Only doubles matches are played on the seven tennis courts required. |
President Graham Grant of the Rotary club of Beecrof presents the President's collar to Judith Nance
Jumbo tennis racquets aare bigger than some of the competitors!
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The two winners receive almost $2,000 in prizes and an airline ticket to an Asian destination. There are novelty prizes for the worst umpire, worst dressed player and other stand out reasons to keep all players happy.
Players are handicapped and the tournament is so popular that the Rotary club receives many calls enquiring about the next event.
Further information is available from Assistant Governor Ron Seddon – rseddon@leasemaster.com.pg
Increased membership for Inner Wheel:
A recent rule change allowing daughters and daughters-in-law to join Inner Wheel clubs has given impetus to club growth.
At the recent charter night for the Inner Wheel club of Beecroft, N.S.W., the new President is Judith Nance, daughter of Past Chairman of Inner Wheel District A53 Heather Nance of
the Inner Wheel Club of Ryde, N.S.W.
Another charter member Christine Broadhouse is the daughter of present A52 Inner Wheel District Chairman Pat Spark. Charter member Judith Yeaman was so enthusiastic that her daughter-in-law Annmarie also signed up a member!
Some 18 members of the new club shared the special night with 180 guests and friends – and saw the President of the Rotary Club of Beecroft, Graham Grant, present the collar and jewel of office to the new President.
President of Inner Wheel Australia Sandra Castley travelled from Adelaide to attend the charter night. She presented the charter and officially inducted each new member. District Extension Chairman Wendy Wonson was the driving force behind the new club.
Norwood's 50th anniversary:
| A soft cover book to mark the first five decades of the Rotary Club of Norwood, S.A., was launched at the club's recent 50th birthday celebrations. In a sensible approach to the task of recording history, the club opted for an interesting, potted style that achieves the purpose very efficiently. |
Guests at the Norwood 50th anniversary function. From left, Maurie Degioia, Selwyn Harley, President Graham Perrin, Grant Spence, Judy Spence and Colin Schirmer.
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The anniversary dinner was held in the Adelaide Pavilion in August and 
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