It has been a busy week with the Social meeting at the United Service Club, our normal meeting on Monday, the Alex Haslam Dinner on Wednesday evening and the BBQ for the RSPCA Million Paws Walk, tomorrow, Sunday 19 May.
The meetings were well attended with another very social evening on Friday and an excellent presentation by Ralph Praeger, from the Sunnybank Rotary Club, on Monday. Ralph gave us an in depth look at major projects his club has undertaken in Samoa and Tonga.
Prof. Alex Haslam gave a most entertaining and educational talk to 15 Rotarians from three clubs and 29 potential Rotarians. A very condensed summary of his message was that belonging to Rotary, and similar groups, was extremely beneficial to a persons mental and physical health. It was very nourishing food for thought amongst all present and I believe we may have ignited an interest in joining Rotary amongst a reasonable number of those.
Dr. Alex Haslam
We have our Club Assembly and Board meeting on Monday and there will also be a short presentation by Daniel Vujica. Daniel was one of two Senior Leaders our Club sponsored for the recent RYLA program.
I hope I will be able to report a favourable result for our RSPCA BBQ on Sunday and many thanks to Phil Gresham for producing our signs and to the other Club members who have volunteered to help on the day.
Finally, please note that the Macarthur Centre Public NQ Flood Appeal has been postponed from 22,23,24 May.
The amended dates will be addressed once Cameron Gibson has them arranged
Yours in Rotary
Chris Muir
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Collection for NQ Flood Appeal
Dates - TBD
Please note that the previously announced dates had a problem and the event has been postponed. Watch this space.
Rtn Cameron Gibson has once again volunteered to coordinate the collection, and the Macarthur Central Shopping Centre has once again kindly offered to allow us to conduct the collection on their premises. email Mark Williams or Cameron Gibson to indicate your availability.
Meeting opened with Rotary Prayer and customary toasts to the Queen, Rotary International & the Rotary Club of Brisbane.
Rick called on President Chris for his report;
Chris welcomed the 4 visitors and guest speakers, Michael Harding & Mark Henley from AusCham, South China and Ralph Praeger from Rotary Club of Sunnybank.
No meeting Monday 3 June. A social evening will be held at the United Service Club (USC) on Friday 7 June.
Chris reminded members of the Dinner at the USC on Wednesday 15 May with speaker Professor Haslem talking on the Benefits of Social Groups – some places are still available.
Chris asked for more volunteers to assist on the Bar-B-Que for Million Paws Walk at Southbank on Sunday 11 May from 8am to 1pm.
The fundraising Campaign stall in MacArthur Central will be held on Wed/Thur/Fri 15/16 & 17 May from 10 to 2 daily. See organiser, Cameron Gibson if you can help on any of those days.
Spots
Denise gave update on health of Don O’Donoghue and Stan Francis who are not going well at present
Graeme Whitmore reminded members of Golf Day on FRI 14 June. He has 42 confirmed starters but is looking for more to attend.
Daniel Vankov said QUT were running an article on the Club in their magazine issuing soon.
Rick introduced the 2 speakers from AusCham who explained their advocacy work for Australian companies wishing to trade with China. They said getting established was challenging but worthwhile as many companies such as Swiss have found with perseverance.
The speakers were thanked and acknowledged with acclamation by members.
Rick then introduced Ralph Praeger of the Rotary Club of Sunnybank who discussed their club’s assistance in renovating a school in Samoa. He said the planning for the project right through to completion of the project took 12 months with 8 members and friend spending 10 days in Samoa at the school.
Rick thanked Ralph for his interesting presentation and congratulated Sunnybank Rotary Club and his team with this wonderful work which followed projects in the Solomon Islands and Tonga.
Rtn. Ralph Praeger
Tony Pilkington, Sergeant at Arms then entertained the meeting with his series of questions that got the tins rattling.
Sgt. Pilko filling the coffers
Rick called on Chris to close the meeting with the drawing of the raffle (by our American guest from Ohio) and singing of the national anthem. Rtn Phil Little held the winning ticket, but like so many before him, could not find the joker, so the raffle jackpots once again.
April 13th was the date of this year's annual Rotary Peace Fellow Seminar. The theme this year was "Everyday Peace: Processes, Perspectives and Potential".
Class XVI Peace Fellows in a celebratory mood after the 2019 Peace Symposium
The Peace Fellows Seminar is a vital component of the Fellow’s activities in the Rotary Centre – as it facilitates the building and maintenance of links between the Rotary Centre and Rotarians. The Seminar is a platform for our Fellows to share their experiences with Rotarians first hand, to hear about how their learning has progressed, and the journey they have embarked on both as scholars and practitioners. It is also the University’s way of thanking Rotary for its contributions, support and funding of the program and indeed for its enlightened decision some time ago to work towards world peace, justice and understanding. These values are jointly shared by the University of Queensland, and are reflected in our substantial commitment to the School’s teaching and research program in peace and conflict resolution.
It was heartening to see a full house at The Women's College auditorium again this year. About 140 Rotarians and other guests gathered to to hear the Class XVI Rotary Peace Fellows "Show and Tell" us about their focus in study and activities.
Emilse Anabella Palacios joined other women scientists as part of the Homeward Bound expedition to Antarctica.
On the last day of 2018, I set sail for Antarctica with 89 other women scientists from 26 countries as part of Homeward Bound, an initiative that aims to heighten the influence and impact of women in making decisions that shape our planet. On board the former research vessel MV Ushuaia, we represented the largest female expedition ever to that continent.
I was completing a year-long program designed to strengthen the inner capacity of women to lead change and impact society. This new style of leadership emphasizes empathy, respect, and vulnerability. It also accepts that we make mistakes, but that we can embrace and learn from them.
Women at the South Pole
The trip allowed me to be part of a historic shift increasing the visibility and work of women at the South Pole. Research at the pole remained male-only through the 1960s, partly on the argument that facilities did not exist to accommodate women. But we are finally breaking this “ice” ceiling.
Antarctica is also special to me because it is a scientific preserve, a continent with no owner or country. It is regulated by the Antarctic Treaty signed by 53 countries that bans military activity. This environment of peace is a Rotary dream come true.
But Antarctica also suffers from climate change. While there, we experienced glaciers retreating into the sea and penguins suffering in the rare heat of a summer day. We heard humpback whales that must make migrations of thousands of kilometers to feed in the summer. We teared up when we saw a pod of 17 orcas traveling together and feeding their babies.
Climate change
Climate change undermines human rights in parts of the world. Those who have contributed least to the problem suffer the worst impacts. Rising sea levels create harsh storms that, coupled with poor infrastructure, threaten the safety of vulnerable families in their path. Droughts are combining with poor farming practices to threaten entire food systems, causing small farmers to struggle to feed their families. This is definitely not “fair to all concerned.”
Rotary has taught me to live true to my values and live the ideal of Service Above Self. In Antarctica, I reflected on the need to inspire others to make positive change. If everyone makes even one small change, we collectively can have a big impact. Men and women, we are stronger together, and by working to preserve our planet, we are working to save ourselves.
By Magdalena Zurita, Rotary Peace Fellow, International Christian University, Japan, 2016-18
Rotary Peace Fellow Magdalena Zurita on the Via Francigena
In May of 2018, I completed my master’s studies as a Peace Fellow at International Christian University in Japan. As I waited for the graduation ceremonies, I pondered where I should put everything I had just learned into practice. I was awakened one morning with a new and unexpected thought – traveling. And the word “Tuscany” resounded in my head.
Intrigued, I contacted a friend in Italy who suggested I should consider walking the Via Francigena, a thousand-year-old path that has been traveled by thousands of pilgrims since the Middle Ages. As I researched and read more about this ancient path, it seemed the perfect place to think and find answers. So after graduation, I made the necessary preparations and embarked on my trip.
The Via Francigena
The Via Francigena begins at the San Bernardo Pass, 2,000 meters above sea level and 1,000 kilometers from Rome. My trusty 7-kilogram backpack and I set out, walking between 18 and 34 kilometers a day. I walked through towns, cities, vineyards and forests. I passed over mountains and through plains, enjoying sunny days and enduring cold, cloudy days. I slept in abbeys, parishes and other lodgings. At each new arrival point, I put a seal in my pilgrim passport.
Sometimes I walked with others. But other times, I walked alone; contemplating my virtues and flaws, hopes and dreams. As I progressed, I got stronger and was able to increase my pace. I relished the unexpected surprises: laughter and singing with other pilgrims; sharing pasta and Italian espressos; and the gift of water from strangers who seemed to appear out of nowhere when I had nothing to drink.
Always, I remembered the great dream thatwee had taken me to Japan, to work for a fairer and more united world. And day by day, I connected that dream with the thousands of memories and ideas that sprouted in my mind from my studies on promoting peace and building partnerships. Step by step, I was building my next path.
Meeting with the pope
Zurita meets Pope Francis at the end of her pilgrimage.
Finally, my backpack and I arrived in Rome. And I received a unique gift: an unforgettable opportunity to meet Pope Francis. New discoveries also started to emerge. I began to understand my life as a path that is built, step-by-step, between ups and downs. I began to value “the internal walk” with meditations and daily prayers. I forged my “outward” path by promoting strategic partnerships and supporting humanitarian and environmental projects from more than 10 organizations in Argentina, Peru and Italy.
Little by little, this built the foundation for an endeavor I call Suyai – “Hope” in the language of the Mapuche people indigenous to Patagonia. The Suyai Project serves as an accelerator for peace projects through the promotion of strategic partnerships between individuals and institutions committed to at-risk people and natural areas. This new path brings me closer to my dream that would not have been possible without Rotary International: the organization that believed in me, contributed to my education, and inspired me to walk for peace. Let’s keep walking!