Rotary District 9830 Tasmania District Governor s Newsletter March 2014 Remembering how it started 90 years ago, Rotary celebrates nine decades of achievement in Tasmania President Diane Fowler, His Excellency, Peter Underwood AC, Governor of Tasmania and John Boag, Director, Rotary International, conferring at the 90th Anniversary Dinner for Rotary in Tasmania MC Colleen McGann introducing the Vox Harmony Choir who provided after dinner entertainment at the 90th Anniversary Dinner President Keith McNeil of RC Melbourne, proposes a toast to Rotary International and Rotary in Tasmania PDG Peter Murfett, Mayor of Launceston, Albert Van Zetten and Mayoress Lyndle, and PDG Don McTaggart and his wife, Judy
2 The front and back covers of the program for the first meeting of the Rotary Club of Launceston on 27th February 1924, two weeks after Professor Osborne, the first President of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, and Mr. W A Drummond, the then Secretary of the same club, arrived in Tasmania to set up Rotary Clubs in Hobart and Launceston. RC Hobart held its first meeting two days later at Hadley's Orient Hotel. To set both clubs up in under three weeks of arriving in Tasmania, and considering the modes of available transport (e.g. an overnight train trip between the cities), was an outstanding achievement by Rotarians Osborne and Drummond. Equally outstanding was the selection of the first Presidents of RCs Hobart and Launceston, Sir Henry Jones and Dr (later Sir) John Ramsay. Past President John Dent presents a personal view of 90 years of Rotary in Tasmania
3 Despite From evidence DG Bruce of some fatigue March is Rotary Literacy Month and whilst Basic Education and Literacy is one of Rotary s main areas of focus, we need to look closer to home to understand the problem in our local area. This was brought home recently at the Rotary Club of Launceston s celebration of 90 years of Rotary in Tasmania. In his keynote address to the audience, the Governor of Tasmania, His Excellency Peter Underwood AC, highlighted the very high rate of adult illiteracy in Tasmania. He challenged Rotarians to take up the cause as a long term project and suggested we visit the website set up to address this alarming issue. Nearly one in two Tasmanians has difficulty with everyday literacy and numeracy tasks like filling in forms and adding up bills. The website giving details of the program is www.26ten.tas.gov.au and a number of programs are listed. The Governor suggested that Rotarians could get involved by implementing or mentoring people in need of help. When I started to plan for this year as District Governor, I had the idea of making February Rotary Connect Month where clubs and Rotarians could connect with their local communities and raise our profile. On looking at the vast amount of events, activities, functions and community events planned by clubs over the February-March period, I realised that this was happening as a matter of course. Most, if not all clubs, have a very busy calendar with at least one, and sometimes many events over this period. All these events give an excellent opportunity to raise Rotary s profile in the community and there has been some excellent publicity for Rotary over the past months. District Conference is only a few short weeks away with registrations closing at the end of March. The very hard working organising committee is looking forward to the culmination of two and a half years of planning with an exciting program planned for all attendees. Gill and I are looking forward to welcoming you over the weekend 11 th -13 th April. Thank you - DG Bruce Of course the opportunity to get involved is far wider than the 26ten program with district and global grants available for the rapidly approaching 2014-15 Rotary year. There is a vast amount of information regarding literacy programs on Rotary International s website: www.rotary.org. UNESCO estimates there are more than 770 million illiterate adults globally, about two thirds of whom are women. Further, there are many millions more who do not have sufficient literacy skills to perform everyday tasks. As a result, illiteracy is a barrier to economic, political, and social development. Unfortunately this problem is not confined to just economically developing countries, but occurs in our own backyard. Mixing touring and Rotary in Nepal, RC Wynyard President Duncan Howes taking a rear view of the Nepal scenery.
4 The presidential theme during Abbey's term, Put life into Rotary - Your Life, urged Rotary members to make a personal committment to their community and Rotary. "Royce lived his motto. He put his life into Rotary's present and future and the organisation thrived because of it," says Keller. Military and Civilian Service and Honours The late Royce Abbey, former Australian RI President and war hero A H Royce Abbey, a former RI President and World War 11 hero who championed the inclusion of women in Rotary Clubs, died on February 20, 2014. Abbey, who joined Rotary in 1954, was a member of the Rotary Club of Essendon in Victoria. Abbey served as RI President in 1988-89, as well as RI Vice President and Director. His stellar Rotary career included serving a term as District Governor, and being an International Assembly moderator. "I will always remember Royce for his enthusiasm, his relentless energy, and a 'can do' attitude" says Clem Renouf, a fellow Australian Rotarian, who served as RI President in 1978-79. "Royce always said 'Rotary takes ordinary men and gives them extraordinary opportunities to do more with their lives than they had ever thought possible' ". During his term as RI President, one of the most dramatic changes in Rotary's history occurred when the Council of Legislation changed the constitution documents to allow women membership of Rotary clubs. While serving in World War 2, Royce Abbey was awarded one of Australia's highest military honour, the Distinguished Conduct Medal for an act of heroism and leadership. His committment to community service was recognized by Queen Elizabeth, who on Australia Day in 1988, made him a Member of the Order of Australia. The next year, he was chosen as Victorian of the Year by the State of Victoria. Abbey was active in his church, enjoyed playing the guitar and table tennis and became a YMCA leader. He was a life governor of the National Councils of YMCA's in Australia, and a Patron of the Australian Rotary Research Fund. He was also a board member of the Greenvale Centre of the Aged. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and his children, Susan, David, Robyn and Leigh. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in memory of Royce to The Rotary Foundation. Condolences can be sent to the Rotary Club of Essendon at P.O. Box 161, Essendon 3040 Australia. Source: Ryan Hyland, Rotary News (26 Feb 2014). Past RI President Charles Keller, who served with Abbey on the RI Board in 1975-76, remembers how Abbey embraced the landmark decision. "Royce championed that decision" says Keller. "He knew this would strengthen Rotary's effectiveness world wide." He was the perfect president for Rotary at the time. Rotary prospered during his term." Abbey was a recipient of The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and its Distinguished Service Award. Royce Abbey
5 Vale Past District Governor Bob Sydes Jan and Bob Sydes Bob loved the international aspect of Rotary: Hosting many incoming Youth Exchange students. Leading a Rotary District Friendship exchange tour to China in 1990 and participated in many friendship exchanges to other countries. Group Study Exchange team leader to Maine in the US and New Brunswick in Canada in 1999/2000. Building houses for displaced Fijians in western Fiji, and also building a mosquito bed net storage facility in the Solomon Islands under the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) program. Bob served his local community in many other ways. Robert (Bob) Thomas Sydes was born in Launceston in 1950, attended St Patricks College before joining the PMG. He was called up for National Service in 1970 where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Bob spent the next three decades helping the unemployed as the Northern Tasmanian Manager of the Commonwealth Employment Service and at Employment National & Mission Employment. Bob meet Jan Brown in 1968 & they were married in 1972. They had four children Chris, Drew, Karen and Tracy. He was Poppy Bob to his seven grandchildren. It was in Rotary that Bob left his greatest legacy: Joined RC North Launceston in 1978. Transferred to RC Central Launceston in 1987. Was Club President in 1996/97 and later served as an Assistant Governor and filled many other Rotary District Leadership roles. In 2002/03, Bob was the District Governor for D9830 (Tasmania) where he had the pleasure of chartering RC City Central Hobart and inducting his daughter Tracy as a charter member. Held a very successful District Conference at St Helens. Recipient of a Saphire Paul Harris Fellow award. Bob Sydes doing one of the things he loved to do - on the microphone at Sally's Ride Rotary International Theme for Bob Sydes' year as District Governor
6 Rotary Friendship Exchange Visit from Nova Scotia Rotarians Gone Riding Thursday morning ride for RC Central Launceston pedal pushers RC South Launceston hosted the visiting Nova Scotia Rotary Friendship Exchange team at Low Head on a "typical (?)" Tasmanian evening The view from the backgate of Steven and Leonie Gordon's home at Low Head. The visiting Nova Scotians agreed the view was almost at good as back home in Nova Scotia After a couple of months of hard work from a team of dedicated volunteers from RC Tasman Peninsula, the Rotary Community Shed was formally opened on 28 February, 2014. This facility boosts the capacity to assist the Tasman Peninsula community in times of emergency. It is a direct response to the impacts felt in the 2013 bushfires. The shed houses the Rotary food van and refrigerated trailer. Storage of food is made possible with a kitchen, freezer and fridges. The shed is expected to become the base for our Club activities. The Rotary Community Shed came about through a variety of fundraising, sponsorship and donations, all of which are acknowledged on the plaque commemorating the opening. Rotary Club of Tasman Peninsula And what better way to entertain the visiting Nova Scotian Rotary Friendship Exchange group than with bagpipe music provided by RC South Launceston member, John Fardon
7 RC, Somerset is organising the trip of a lifetime for Rotarians and friends visiting fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong River Northbound. Exclusive Group Departure. Tour Dates: October 3-16, 2014 The price for 14 Days from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok is $4475 per person based on twin/double share. All meals and drinks are included on 7 night cruise, breakfast included hotel nights. There are a total of 16 cabins; four have been allocated. For any enquiries contact Rotarian Jane Cooper at Harvey World Travel on 64322322. A $500 deposit per person will secure your place. Having participated in previous Rotarian-lead trips to China and Vietnam, I can assure you that travelling with a group of like-minded Rotarians and friends is an amazing and humorous adventure. And consider this: We will also be holding a Rotary meeting on the Mekong River for those keen to do a makeup. Dennis Austin RC Somerset President Mob:: 0419 628 783 Cambodia The District 9830 (Tasmania) GSE team at the team's reception on arrival in District 3460 (Taiwan)
8 PDG Ian Shuey with the birthday cake for 90 years of Rotary in Tasmania. RC Launceston President Diane Fowler looks on Placemat for the 90 th Anniversary Dinner for Rotary in Tasmania, featuring a selection of Rotary images