It was wonderful to be able to induct 4 new members into our Club last week. Suellen Scutter who will be mentored by Roger Wickes; Tracey Long who will be mentored by Jenny Phillips, Kevin Dalton who will be mentored by Simon Sickerdick and Sandy Dalton who will be mentored by myself. These four members attended our Rotary Information Night earlier this year and have been to many meetings since, helped on bbq’s and are now members.
Also at last week’s meeting we heard from Dr. John Willoughby who gave us further information about his project Vision of Islands. President Elect Roxanne Rowland will be speaking this week giving us more information about the proposed changes in the Fit For Purpose. I again stress this is a “trial” and if a Rotary Club does not feel comfortable with some if the changes they do not have to adopt them.
I hope everyone had a good Easter break helping children and grandchildren to find and eat Easter Eggs. Rob and I went with the dogs to stay at Wirrina, thankfully for just one night as the many kangaroos around the campsite kept the dogs and us awake. It is a beautiful spot though.
The news on Easter Monday about the passing of Pope Francis was sad but not unexpected. He was a man of great faith and humility. He touched the hearts of many people over the world, Christian and non-Christian. We now wait for the Conclave to decide who will be the next Pope.
To some happy personal news. I bought up with my nephew Tyler who gave a presentation to the Club about Operation Flinders. His younger brother Charlie is also in the Op. Flinders programme and is doing to well that he is being sponsored to walk the Kokoda Track. So proud of these two young men.
Some Rotarians attended the Dawn Service on Anzac Day, along with a lot of other people. Thank you to Rob Walters for laying a wreath on behalf of our Rotary Club.
Thought for the week: “Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is. Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”
Pope Francis. 17/12/36 - 21/4/25
Vision Of Islands
Dr John Willoughby OAM was the Founder of the Vision of Islands project creating hope for South Pacific Islanders who would otherwise be blind. The Rotary Club of Murray Bridge in partnership with the Rotary Club of Nuku'alofa in the Kingdom of Tonga District 9920 with Dr John Willoughby with his nonprofit volunteer eye surgical & clinical team providing free of charge cataract removal for all ages. Rotarians organised a shipping container to be filled with medical equipment ready for shipment to Tonga in August 2024. Pacific Hawk (boat) was used to enable access to various islands with equipment. They took 26 cases of eye care supplies to Vaiola Hospital, attended outpatients & gave opinions on unusual & severe cases, found one family with severe congenital cataracts for genetic testing, western outlying clinics & provided some equipment, attended new Haapai hospital, helped out with Clinic and observed in Theatre, 17 cataracts. 13 pterygia, 3 intravitreal injections, 5 laser treatments. Left Haapai for Vava'u. Clinic in local hospital. Visit Prince Wellington Ngu hospital, demonstrated YAG Laser, opinion on two tricky patients, Attended Vaiola Hospital- Earthquake. Late September loaded supplies on ferry to Vava'u. Working with local Dr Duke, Dr Antonio and Dr Bassy to support sustainability of the project. The Project is registered with RAWCS rawcs.org Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd which is a public company limited by guarantee, bound by its constitution and authorised by Rotary International as a Multi District Activity. The volunteer team comprised Dr John Willoughby Dr Margaret Wiese, Chris Short (skipper) Stuart Marshall, Dr Nick Kahl ( retired GP and experienced sailor) Mikey Short 2nd year ophthalmoly student), Denise Kelsey (scrub nurse). Submitted - John Scarvelis
CALENDAR WINNERS
22nd April
Draw Date
Value
Winning No.
Winner
Location
Sold by
22.4.25
$100
669
Justin Smith
Wellington
Rotary
$50
796
Phillip Roberts
Brinkley
Brinkley Tennis Club
Thank You Murray Bridge Rotary
The message below was received following our Club donation of $3500
G’day President Jenny and all at Murray Bridge Club
WOW!! 😊
I wanted to write to personally Thank You your Club for your recent generous donation!
FYI – this donation will indeed buy a full truck load of hay (32 bales) which equates to 19.2 Tonne – and that makes a MASSIVE difference, likely to 2 farmers and their livestock.
Keep an eye on our web page. We keep adding details of Trucks delivered plus some new photos here and there.
I have added your Club’s logo to our Web Page to officially recognise this amazing contribution.
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.
