Rotary Club of
Port Macquarie West Inc.
Westport Bowling Club, Buller Street,
Port Macquarie
Tuesdays 6.00pm for 6.30pm
Rotary Report from the 21st April & Notices for the 28th April 2015
Volume 46 No. 39
Chartered 26th April 1971 by the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Website: www.rotarypmwest.org.au PO Box 330, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Apologies for meetings please call Barry Bird (02) 65826633 Presidents Thoughts
What an excellent night it was! My congratulations to PDG Barry for the great effort. Our many VIP guests were all very complimentary and today I have received at least 10 messages saying how much it was enjoyed by those who attended. The look on Wayne Evans (OAM) face was worth the PHF on it’s own. My congratulations to Geoff Jhonson for a very well deserved sapphire to his PHF. We still need a lot more names on the Mother’s Day raffle roster, so please let John Channon know what times you can fill. This is our last fund raising effort for the year and I would like to keep Coles happy with a full roster. It will help us no end with the Christmas Raffle. It is not fair that some people are doing 10 shifts and some none at all. Come on West Port Rotary, even those who are still working should be able to do a shift or two at the weekend. Remember next weekend is the District assembly and the Iron Man, so rest up! Peter President: Peter Gray President Elect: Keiren Freeman, Vice President: John Channon, Secretary: Stephen Maxwell, Treasurer: Peter Kenny Rotary Foundation and International: David Gleeson, Membership: Trevor Gilson Vocational: Darrel Moore, Community Service: Rick Eller, Club Administration: Barry Bird, Youth Director: Helen Gleeson, Past President: John Harlow Visitors
President Port Macquarie RSL Sub-‐Branch – Greg Laird and Lynn (Guest Speaker) State Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams and Don Suite 6, 27 Grant Street PM Federal Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie and Charlotte President Port Macquarie Legacy – Peter Bruce & Mrs Bruce President of the Port Macquarie War Widows -‐ Margaret Blake and Members Hastings Laurel Club – Iris Fletcher Honorary Members -‐Kevin & Jean Retallack, John & Margaret Hall and Graham Down Treasurer Port Macquarie RSL Sub-‐Branch -‐ Colin Clark and Barbara President of the Inner Wheel Club of Port Macquarie West Inc – Margot Lee Dr Major Andrew Whitworth and Naomi Dr Richard Blaxill & Donna President of Sailability -‐ Wayne Evans OAM & Rhonda Treasurer National Serviceman’s Association – Graham Smith & Di Budgie Parrott and Cynthia Captain David Meidling & PP Lyn Doug Nolte & Cheryl (Air Force Cadets) Major Jim and Patricia Munro Rod Simpkins & Maureen (Masonic Lodge) Returned Serviceman Simon Thresher Partners of Members Returned Serviceman and Proud Member of PMCQ West Club Ron Walesby Paul Harris Fellowship
This evening two Paul Harris Fellowships were recognized. Congratulations to our retired magistrate and President of Sailability, Wayne Evans OAM. PP Geoff Jhonson was also recognized with a Sapphire pin. Congratulations to both gents on your outstanding service to the community. Pack your bags … we’re hitting the road!
29th – 31st of May – South West Rocks Tourist Park. Accommodation is available for cabins, powered and unpowered sites to suit all interests. Please contact South West Rocks Tourist Park, Gordon Young Drive. Tel: (02) 6566 6264 or check their website. When you have booked, can you please notify Alan Naylor that you have booked. Ironman
Thank you to all those that have volunteered to assist with the Ironman. It will be a busy day with District Assembly and Ironman. If you have volunteered to assist, Ray Laws will be at the meeting on Tuesday with your Volunteer’s shirt and final details of your post for the event. Calendar
APRIL 28th April MAY 3rd May 5th May 12th May 19th May MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH MONTH Kerry McFariane – The New Palliative Care Unit at Wauchope Hospital YOUTH SERVICE MONTH District Assembly – Port Macquarie Marilyn Chambers – Update on Kenya – Partners Night Michael DeGroote Board Meeting Neil Yates – Sea Rescue 26th May 29th – 30th May JUNE 2nd June 9th June 16th June 20th June 23rd June 27th June 30th June JULY 1st July 7TH July Darren Gray – Healthy Brain South West Rocks – Tourist Caravan Park – Weekend Away ROTARY FELLOWSHIP MONTH PMCQ West Rotary Club Change Over Rod Nugent – Special Olympics Combined Board Meeting Catherine Doran -‐ Organ and Tissue Donation – Intro: Anne Meister. Partners Night Sunrise Changeover Transfer Meeting for Wauchope Change Over District Changeover at Inverell Betty Allman AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH Port Macquarie Change over RYLA Attendee Presentations: Nisha Cross, Amy Deegenaars, Jessica Genders and Ellie Pitkin – PARTNERS NIGHT Coffee Club Details
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1 Thursday 2nd Thursday 3rd Thursday 4th Thursday 5th Thursday The Corner (cnr Clarence and Munster Street) The Rainforest Café (Sea Acres) Rivermark Café (261 Hastings River Dr) Bitter Sweet Café (Watonga St Shops) Café 8 (Port Home Zone – Harvey Norman) 10:15am 10:15am 10:15am 10:15am 10:15am Guest Speaker – Greg Laird – Port Macquarie RSL Sub Branch President
Australia’s most important anniversary. ANZAC – Australia and New Zealand Army Corp When war broke out, we were only a Commonwealth for 14 years but we didn’t argue when it came to fighting for the crown. Over 8000 soldiers were killed during the First World War. The “cream of the Australian population”. 120,000 names are now listed at the War Memorial for those that have paid the ultimate price for their service. Anzac Cove and Lone Pine are two of the best known sites on the Turkish shores, that hold a special place in the hearts of Australians due to the high number of casualties we lost. Greg told us the touching story of his Grandfather, Private Frank Jackson that fought in the First World War. “In the attack on Stormy Trench, east of Gueudecourt, on the night of the 4th/5th February 1917, Private Jackson greatly distinguished himself as a Battalion runner, repeatedly carrying messages from advanced Battalion Headquarters to the Companies in the captured trench through a tornado of shell and machine gun fire. About 2 hours after the attack was launched a message to the O.C. Support company was brought back, the runner stating that the Officer had been killed and that the trench was a shambles. Private Jackson and McLellan then volunteered to take the message and deliver it to the next in command. On the way they met the Lewis gun Officer and a man carrying up two Lewis guns to replace two destroyed. The Lewis gun Officer was wounded and Jackson and McLellan then volunteered to get the guns across after delivering their message. Private Jackson was wounded in the attempt, but did not leave the gun until he had found someone to go with it.” WWI and WWII were supposed to be the wars that would end all wars. Sadly, this isn’t the case and we still serve overseas today. A quote from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: We do not know this Australian’s name and we never will. We do not
know his rank or battalion. We do not know where he was born, nor
precisely how he died ... We will never know who this Australian was ...
he was one of the 45,000 Australians who died on the Western Front ...
one of the 60,000 Australians who died on foreign soil.
One of the 100,000 Australians who died in wars this century.
He is all of them. And he is one of us.
Courage, Endurance and Sacrifice “The best way for anyone to prove their true love for their fellowman, is through service to their fellowman.” Paul Harris The Last Word:
Returned Serviceman and Stepson of Mike Chambers with a “new spin” on Heads and Tails A special pic for those that may have missed The special prop from our PDG Barry to assist The vertically challenged in the group.