Tuesday we were able to listen to Elaine Bensted and her recollections of her time as CEO of ZoosSA. Elaine had such wonderful stories about her time as CEO, the modernisation of Adelaide Zoo and the development of Monarto Zoo into an exciting Safari Park. In amongst the development of both she hasn’t forgotten the experience of many magical animal interactions.
After Tuesday’s dinner meeting we had a rather late Board Meeting. Decisions from that meeting were: the donation of $3,200 to the SA Drought Relief Project for a truck load of hay bales for SA Primary Producers affected by the drought; agreement that the Rotary Art Show still continues.
Board was reminded that the process of reporting Risk Management for our various bbq’s one activities needs to be tightened up as well as any non compliance re food handling. It is also important that in order to look after our members there needs to be rules in place re bbq’s/events on high temperature days.
Friday night was when Gemma Sisia came to Murray Bridge to talk about the School of St. Jude. The evening was a great success. Firstly thank you to all who were involved in the planning, helping on the night to make this a night to remember.
Gemma Sisia was accompanied by two of St. Jude’s Alumni Winnie and John. Maddy Kelly who worked at the school for a few years and wrote the latest book about the school was also with them.
The of the School of St. Jude story is so inspiring. The name of the school refers to St. Jude the Apostle and patron saint of hopeless cases. Gemma believes that by educating the poorest of the poor and teaching them English is a way to fight poverty in Tanzania.St Jude’s supports its Alumni to become the doctors, engineers, tradespeople entrepreneurs and teachers. John is starting his own business.
By our Club sponsoring 2 students and helping this school in a small way, is definitely “making a difference and creating hope in the world.”
Thought for the week. - “Perhaps dreaming is not so bad if one dreams good dreams and makes them come true.” Paul Harris
District Assembly Update
Today (Sunday), seven of our Club members attended the District Assembly in Adelaide.
There were many presenters who outlined their areas of interest & expertise. We were reminded to adhere to the Governance rules relating to volunteer registrations and ensuring our risk and insurance oversight was adequate.
I think we all came away knowing a little more about the changing world of Rotary South Pacific.
Gemma's Visit
Fighting POVERTY through Education. In 2002, Australian woman Gemma Sisia, opened The School of St Jude, on a gifted two acres of land in Tanzania. The school started with a mission to provide free, quality education to high performing students from disadvantaged backgrounds in northern Tanzania. Today, St Judes includes three schools, 1800 students on full scholarships, around 350 staff and a groundbreaking tertiary program with over 300 tertiary graduates. In Tanzania three quarters of the population live on less than Aus $ 4.80 per day, an adult averages 5.8 years of schooling and 92% do not access higher education. Now the program includes a Community Service Year where over 600 graduates of year 12 become volunteer teachers in Government schools and have taught over 100,000 students since inception. These secondary graduates are supported to go on to access higher education. Over 350 St Judes alumini have already graduated fron Tertiary Institutions. Now, alumini are entering the workforce in a diverse range of fields, from business, teaching and law to engineering, medicine, social work and agriculture. John Stanley pictured in the photos spoke to us about his journey in a very powerful presentation. Gemma's obvious passion is passed on to the participants and shows in one of the photos. Gemma was brought up in Armidale NSW and started with a $10 donation, support from her local Rotary Club which has spread right across Australian Rotary Clubs including Murray Bridge, Mobilong and Tailem Bend. This is the second trip she has made to Murray Bridge and those of us who have been in Rotary for a while all remember her enthusiastic presentation at the Broken Hill Rotary District Conference. We raised moneys for three buses and spare tyers in the fantastic mayhem created. Rotary Youth programs since the beginning have included donations and individuals also supporting students. Some clubs have visited to provide physical support on occasions. Gemma said * No way the project would have proceeded without the Support of Rotarians". 90% of the budget annually comes from Australia. Student accommodation is also available, Murray Bridge sponsors two students. They also have an Interact club to further teach students about serving community. For further info www.schoolofstjude.org John Scarvelis
Letter From Kalebu - School of St Jude
CALENDAR WINNERS
25th March
Draw Date
Value
Winning No.
Winner
Location
Sold by
25.3.25
$100
42
Kirsten Attrill
Murray Bridge
Rotary
$50
882
Yvonne Hurrell
Goolwa
Goolwa Rotary
Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
