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Vol 36 No.1
2 July 2009
Changeover Night
Meeting Report
30 June 2009
60 Members present
45 Partners
7 Visiting Rotarians & partners
8 Guests
34 Apologies
Email all apologies to Philip Lambers or call Philip on 9499 7407 ah or 9829 1512 bh
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Next Meeting
Our speaker will be Duncan Ferguson and his subject is “Brain Fitness Solutions”.
A partner with Navon Brain Fitness solutions, Duncan Ferguson is responsible for sales and marketing. Prior to the commercial launch, one of Duncan’s key roles within Navon involved researching the comparative offerings in the global brain training market place.
The outcome of this research is that Navon have partnered with CogniFit, an Israeli firm that specialises in the development of cognitive assessment and training software.
The programs offered are not just tailored to each user’s unique needs and requirements, they are also the first of their type to be scientifically proven by independent third party clinical trials to significantly improve cognitive functioning.
Navon is an Australian based company dedicated to keeping people’s brains healthy in order to promote long term brain health and add greater vitality to everyday life following their motto “turning it on”.
A simple explanation of the importance of novel and challenging activities to help keep the brain healthy will be given emphasising the long and short-term benefits of doing this and the positive changes such activities can make to the brain.
Navon recommends people take a cross-training approach to exercising your brain including physical exercise, diet and social interaction as well as mentally challenging activities such as bridge, crosswords, Sudoku, learning new musical instruments and languages. They recommend underpinning your brain health initiatives with the MindFit™ software program, the first program of its type to be scientifically validated by independent, third-party clinical trials to significantly improve cognitive functioning.
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Meeting Report
GALA EVENING AT ARLINGTON: CHANGEOVER 2009
With a touch of excitement in the air, it was a gala evening on Tuesday at the Arlington, Wattletree Park! It was an elegant setting for the conclusion of the past Rotary year and the inauguration of the new. Yes, there was a buzz in the air as we celebrated the achievements of 2008-9 and anticipated more to come in 2009-2010.
It was an evening of bonhomie and pleasant conversation as we caught up on the personal and family adventures of the past months. Holidays, travel, children and grandchildren were the stuff of pleasant exchanges. Sips of De Bortoli wines improved the flow of chatter amongst the 120 or so of us present.
Presentations to President Andrew and first lady Shirley drew attention to the sterling work entailed in leading such a prominent Club as Balwyn. But the immense activity taking place in such a club as ours was emphatically underlined as President Andrew referred to the exceptional contributions of several outstanding fellows. Special citations were made to Ted Gillies, Mike Rodgers-Wilson, Keith Carroll and Peter Blundell for exceptional contributions. As President Andrew concisely reviewed other achievements of RC Balwyn during the year, which of us did not feel a surge of pride in our membership?
Our evening was honored by the presence of Past District Governor Jim Studebaker and first lady Caroline. We also welcomed District Governor Elect Keith Ryall together with well wishers and distinguished visitors from neighbouring Clubs and local parliamentarian Robert Clark.
Of course, the big event of the evening was the passing over of the Gold Chain of Office from Andrew to President Elect Bill Goodwin! Not forgetting that in passing over the chain, a challenging array of responsibilities goes with it….. In addition to first lady Julie, several Goodwin family members were also present to celebrate the occasion. Bill and Julie might well have wished that their daughter in London could have been present. However, a goodly set of photographs from the club photographer will soon make their way to London!
So we are away to a good start for the new Rotary Year!
Owen Tassicker.
Click here to view picture montage
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From the Oblong Office
To all members who helped us celebrate and thank "Feather Duster" PP Andrew and team for a fantastic action packed year of Making Dreams Real, and to those many who sent messages of encouragement & support, sincere thanks from myself & Julie.
We had a great night.
If our Prime Minister can have one why can’t we . . . stand by for an RCB stimulus package.
President Bill.
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Care Report
Our immediate Past President Andrew quietly confessed to Joan and I that the Past President's badge presented to him last night was originally presented to his father, when his father completed his service as Past President in New Zealand. A nice touch.
An absentee last night was Frances Rigby, whom I think has only missed one other 'Changer Over' in 37 Years. Her other obligation was to a grandson from Darwin, celebrating a special birthday.
Talking of Grandsons, Bob and Judy Batrouney are most excited that their son Christopher's wife, Anna nee Boulton, gave birth last night to a 8 lb. Doz (3.685kg) baby boy, Oscar Boulton Batrouney. Mother and son doing well. There is some concern about controlling the excitement of father and grand parents. We congratulate all the family, and know Oscar is fortunate to be borne into such a loving family environment.
Had a phone conversation with Nelle Lees. Nelle is home, being cared for by Ian. Enjoys being home but it will be a while before Ian, or she, are back at Rotary. She was most distressed to hear of the sad news of Emily Mulqueen.
Another who has returned home, after time in hospital is Heather Price. She is making good progress from an operation on her foot and now feels independent enough to be home alone.
Keith Carroll
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Letter from Past President Barbara Paton
Hello everybody,
I’ve now been in Armidale two months and six weeks into the job – which is interesting, challenging etc., all that I believed it would be, and of course full on as I learn about a new university and new library.
Gary has sold his business and arrived in Armidale two weeks ago, and is focusing on the accommodation issue. We have not had any success in finding suitable rental accommodation so we are now looking at purchasing – earlier than we intended. We have two dogs with us in a serviced, ground floor apartment (a very obliging and understanding landlord who has provided a temporary fenced off area for the canines) while the cat is holidaying with my parents in Brisbane.
I hope all isre going well at Balwyn Rotary. (I’ll catch up with news via the Bulletin.) I have been on a “tasting tour” of the clubs in Armidale and think I have concluded which club I would like to join – I’m meeting with President of that club next week so I hope I’ll be invited to join and can then set the wheels in motion with transferring (?) from Balwyn. The clubs here are somewhat different to Balwyn. J
My best wishes to President Bill Goodwin for a successful year.
Thank you and warmest regards
Barbara
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Footy Tips
Apologies firstly for no updates for Round12, I was having a mid-season break.
CONGRATULATIONS to Julie Goodwin who picked the card in Round 13 and collects $50 for her skill.
Commerisations to Judy Batrouney and S.G.Lai who selected 7 correct - a near miss as everyone else seem to pick 6 winners.
No real change in the end-of-season race as Henry Sammut leads on 79 from Bill Goodwin on 76 with a pack on 75 - Gavin Wayland, Jim Hopper, Peter Blundell and Kevin Walsh.
Prize of $10 for Rdound 14.
Good luck . . . The Administrator
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Club member launches new business
Kevin Walsh has a new vocation . . . Wine Purveyor
You will find him now at ACG Balaclava
254 Carlisle St - which is just 500m from from St Kilda Town Hall
Phone 9534 0988
And . . . please excuse a little payola for one of our own
Kevin has 'cleanskins' at amazing prices from New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, France, Italy & of course, Australia. He can arrange mixed half and one dozen tasting packages in any configuration you want. He also has a great range imported & Australian boutique beers.
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News from the Western Front
Hi to all members & partners at the Rotary Club of Balwyn.
Special greetings and best wishes to Bill and Julie as they take over the mantle. Andrew and Shirley can now relax!
We’ve just about concluded our main role in the west for this year. Currently on R & R in Perth, but go back to the farm next week as our grandchildren are arriving for the school holidays. Expect to be back home about 23 July.
Wendy has successfully midwifed a multitude of lambs, but ended up with five on the bottle as their mothers gave up the ghost. That’s a bit of a nuisance. Meanwhile I have single handedly sown 1800 hectares (4500 acres) of crop as there was no back-up support this year. The saving grace was the introduction of auto-steer to the tractor. This is brilliant; accurate to within 5 cms leaving ramrod straight lines and much more relaxing to drive, especially as the hours were often 7.30 am till 10.00 pm. Main issue with auto-steer is to avoid sleep. There are numerous stories of machines ploughing on regardless through poles, fences, ditches, etc. with the operator out cold. When rigs cost $750 000 or more, sleeping at the wheel is not a good option!!
Season wise we’re travelling well with some 30 mm mid May and another 12 mm this week. Just needs to keep coming.
Looking forward to returning to the fold.
Best wishes . . . Garry & Wendy Le Get
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Rotary Making a Difference in Timor Leste
Dear Friends of Suai
Today four of the trainees in computer hardware and software complete three months training in Baucau, Timor Leste. It’s exciting because they will return to Suai tomorrow with the aim of setting up a similar enterprise in Suai. Take a look at the link to see them in action trainees have been for 3 months they complete the training today.
http://friendsofsuai.spaces.live.com/
Pat Jessen,
Coordinator,
Friends of Suai.
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Diary Dates
Meeting Program
Jul 7 - Brain fitness solutions . . . Duncan Ferguson
Jul 14 - Club Forum
Jul 21 - Stem cell research . . . Dr Caroline Gargett
Jul 28 - Schools 4 Schools program . . . Andrew Asten & Bernadette Choo
Aug 18 - District Governor's visit
NOTE
There are many other Rotary events scheduled for the year. Please refer to the calendar in the club website for details. You can click on the "Agenda" tab for a summary.
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