Bob s Jottings It has been a very interesting and exciting journey so far - Margaret and I have had the pleasure of visiting Gloucester, Taree on Manning, Taree North and Wingham Rotary Clubs - one doesn t fully appreciate the work and club member participation in Community projects until one actually visits individual clubs. I will be visiting this coming week: Taree, Forster / Old Bar, Tuncurry / Forster and a special trip to the Moree Club for their 80th Birthday celebrations. A reminder to all clubs of RI President Ian Riseley s visit to Port Macquarie on Monday 31 July 2017. District 9650 is fortunate and privileged to have our RI President visit so soon into his year. I do encourage all clubs to consider representation at the dinner. Until next week.. Bob Ryan (Margaret) Rotary District 9650 District Governor 2017-2018 Phone: 02 6772 8606 Mobile: 0409 457 705 Email: ryanmb@westnet.com.au Note If you have queries, suggestions, ideas for promoting the best of Rotary in our District Bob s email address is above CONGRATULATIONS A FIRST FOR D9650 - CONGRATULATIONS Kenneth Hall <hallkr330@gmail.com> wrote to PDG Rob Anderson: Hi Rob and members of the Coffs Harbour Rotary Club This is indeed very good news and congratulations for being the first Club in the District to take a global grant from its start to its completion. I know that you have for some time been working on getting the final report finished so it is great news that you have completed it and it has been signed off by The Rotary Foundation. As you have indicated the provision of clean drinking water in Kiribati villages is an excellent example of how The Rotary Foundation does Good in the World. Ken hall Chairman for Grants and VTT D9650
President-elect of Rotary International, Sam Owori died last night Rotary International President Ian Riseley wrote the following My fellow Rotary leaders, It is with the heaviest of hearts that I need to advise you that the President-elect of Rotary International, Sam Owori, died last night. Sam had undergone some surgery in Texas that he had been planning for some time, and there were post-operative complications from which he couldn t recover. I will provide appropriate details when they are known. In this time of great loss, I ask you to keep Norah, the Owori family and Sam s millions of friends around the world in your thoughts. Sam was a special person in so many ways, and is a huge loss. We will provide more details on funeral arrangements as they become available. From the perspective of Rotary administration, we in Evanston are looking at what needs to be done because of Sam s passing. With enormous sadness Ian Very sad news to include in the second issue of D9650 E-News but important that members are aware of what has happened. No doubt RI headquarters will have a contingency plan in place and we will be updated in the near future. Now for happier news and specific advertising of three promotions coming up at the end of this month 1. RI President Ian Riseley s visit on Monday, 31 July to Panthers at Port Macquarie bookings through Trevor Gilson tcjegilson@gmail.com or 0439 439 232 bookings close this Friday, 21 July Cost $47.50 per person. Want to know what is happening and where Rotary is going in the future COME ALONG! 2. Epiphanies Musical Theatre Gala Concert at Tamworth s Capitol Theatre bookings online capitoltheatretamworth.com.au or 02 6766 2028 Cost is $45.00 plus booking fee up to $49.00 a wonderful afternoon 2:00pm or evening 7:00pm of entertainment bookings filling fast! 3. Coffs Harbour Cycle Challenge Sunday, 6 August organised by Coffs City Rotary a wonderful family day with races over distances of 100km, 60km, 40km, 20km and 10km massive sponsorship contact to obtain more information and / or register you and your family for a healthy outdoor activity - closing date - Friday, 4 August cexmcdonaldscyclechallenge.com no registrations accepted on the day - do it for fun or do it for prize money - over $12,000 in prizes. Book quickly / urgently you have three great choices a very good speaker great music and / or good family exercise and fun day what great choices don t miss out Toasts A toast is just an opportunity to flatter, Make someone expand with ego, And get a drink - All at the same time
Special bell cast to ring in The Rotary Foundation s next century By Francesco Bruno, Communications Specialist, RI Staff While we still need to use our fantasy to search for that hidden gateway that can launch us into the future, finding one that takes you back in history is at our reach if you happen to be at the right place, at the right time. Upon entering the large wooden door of the Marinelli Foundry in the hilltop city of Agnone, Italy, it took only a few seconds to feel like I was stepping back in time. The scene I witnessed was one my ancestors could have observed a thousand years ago. Four silent workers formed a circle inside a knee-high hole, stomping the ground with their feet and a stick attached to a 10 inch round wooden base. Their motion caused finer dust to lift into the air. It was mid-march, and while the air outside was being cooled down by the winds that swept through the snowcapped mountains, the heat inside the foundry was rising fast as the day of the casting of The Rotary Foundation Centennial Bell was approaching. The Marinelli family has been making bells for about a thousand years and today they still do it the traditional way, by hand and fire. The word bell derives from the ancient God of Fire known as Baal, which means Lord or Master. In every age and country, the bell is a universal symbol and an instrument used to communicate, notify, alarm, summon, mark the time, and call to action. For about a century, it has been used by Rotary Clubs to mark the opening of meetings and to symbolize order and discipline. The world-famous Marinelli foundry, the only one that was granted the use of the Pontifical seal, is owned by Armando and Pasquale Marinelli, two brothers who also happen to be Rotarians. Their passion and love for Rotary has brought them to create and donate a 110-pound ornamental bell to help celebrate the Rotary Foundation Centennial. The large and shiny bronze bell resembles the one they gifted in 2005 for the Rotary International Centennial, and which is currently kept on display at Rotary s headquarters in Evanston. This new bell, however, is embellished with a selection of images, logos, and words which tell the story of the Rotary Foundation over the past 100 years. Thanks to all the Italian Rotary Clubs and Districts this symbolic bell was shipped overseas. It arrived right on time to take centre stage at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Rotary International Convention in Atlanta to ring in the next century of doing good in the world. Courtesy of Armidale North Rotary Points to consider In a recent interview, the Managing Director of Mercedes Benz said There have always been the three constant - Death, Taxes and CHANGE! Which companies have become Mercedes Benz biggest competitors? They are no longer other car companies but Tesla, Google, Apple and Amazon. something to think about? The biggest taxi company in the world? Uber - and they don't own any cars! The biggest hotel company in the world? Airbnb - and they don't own any properties! Courtesy of the Woolgoolga Rotary Club Health a question and answer session Q I ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong live is this true? A Your heart is only good for so many beats and that s it. Don t waste them on exercise everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer that s like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap! Q Should I reduce my alcohol intake? A No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more goodness that way. Beers is also made out of grain. Bottoms up! Note Don t complain to the editor if these suggestions don t or do work too well.
Excerpts from Kathryn Stephen s President s Report at Changeover for the Wauchope Rotary Club Our wonderful friends at the Holiday Coast Credit Union and Hastings Cooperative combined with us to start the Pappinbarra Fire Recovery Appeal. Community Services Director Bob Gilligan has been instrumental in gathering a team together to oversee this project. Thanks to the very generous support of community groups and individuals more than $25 000 is helping to re-establish those directly affected. The Pride of Workmanship Awards Dinner in October saw 21 employees from a range of local businesses recognised for their do it well, do it once approach and the very high standards of customer & workplace service they provide Ruby Paul Harris Fellow to Patti Taylor Presented at the Wauchope Changeover Congratulations from every Rotarian in District 9650! Rotary Club of Inverell East Changeover Outgoing President Larry Whitbread, DGE Bob Ryan and incoming President Wayne Fowke Another Paul Harris Fellow presented at the Inverell East Changeover Congratulations to Julie Clendening and presented by almost PP Larry Whitbread
The Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West (Inc) PO Box 330, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 www.rotarypmwest.org.au ABN: 76 138 095 969 A Cordial Invitation to the International President s Dinner The Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West Inc. extends a cordial invitation to the President, members and partners of your Rotary Club to join them in this special celebration to be held in Panthers Auditorium Park/Bay Streets, Port Macquarie on Monday 31 July 2017 5.45pm for 6.30pm start $47.50 per person RSVP by Friday 21 July 2017 to Secretary Trevor Gilson (tcjegilson@gmail.com or PO Box 330, Port Macquarie NSW 2444) (If you wish, email Trevor to secure a table booking [8 to a table]. Please pay by 21 July, by direct deposit into Port Macquarie West s NAB account BSB 082 798, Acct No. 363 473 026, add your Club and name or, alternatively by cheque to our PO Box 330 with Club and name) Please advise Trevor of any dietary restrictions of those attending!