Tuesday evening’s meeting was exciting. I was happy to be able to acknowledge the team leaders of the projects recognised by the Service Clubs Association of SA - 2025 Premier’s Awards. Thank you again to Simon Sickerdick who leads the Calperum Youth Camp, Rob Walters who liaises with Monarto regarding the fencing, the building of shelters and Jack Redden who presented our Club with the opportunity to be a participant in the Playgrounds for Mongolia project with the Rotary Club of Mobilong. With the decision made by the G7 to take this project over from the Rotary Club of Mt Barker we are going to be instrumental in putting smiles on the faces of children for some years to come.
Roxanne’s presentation on the changes in Rotary, part 1, was very interesting. I think it is good that Rotary is looking at itself and reassessing how we go about our business. After all it is important to look after our members so we can continue to do good in the world.
It is a busy weekend for our Club. Saturday morning was partnering with Mobilong to supply breakfast for the ski for life. Sunday was cooking bacon and egg sandwiches at the Multi-Cultural Festival then to top it off, on Sunday, there was to be a Bunnings BBQ. This has been cancelled. A big thank you to all who volunteered to help, especially as weather conditions were so hot.
Thought for the week. “To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care.”
Mount Barker Special Meeting
On Monday March 17th 2025, the Rotary Club of Mount Barker is hosting a dinner at which the keynote speaker will be Stephen Pallaras KC, former Director of Public Prosecutions in South Australia (DPP). The title of his presentation is "Because we have always done it this way" in which he will discuss outdated practices in Australian law and how this might apply to service clubs. Mr Pallaras has over 40 years experience in both the private and public sectors in the practice and teaching of criminal law and advocacy. In addition to his leadership of the DPP, he has worked as a law lecturer, defence counsel, prosecuting counsel and as an Adjunct Professor of Law. In his retirement, Mr Pallaras specialises in sharing his experiences and insight through public speaking. I would like to invite you, your members and guests to join us and other Rotary and service clubs in the Mount Barker area for this special dinner. It will be a great opportunity to network and share information. During the evening I will ask you to give a two-minute summary about your Club and its key projects.
The dinner will be in the Robert Charles Room at Auchendarroch House, starting at 6.30pm. Cost will be $32 for a main course from a limited menu. Payment can be made on the night, either by cash, or by credit card.
Please RSVP to Karen Nolan on karennolan110@gmail.com or by phone 0488 489 791 by Monday March 10th. Please also let Karen know about any special dietary needs.
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.
