MARCH IS LITERACY MONTH
Weekly Bulletin:
Wednesday
18 March 2015
Dates of interest:
Birthdays
19 March—Linley Shine
22 March—John Moss Jnr
Club Anniversaries
22 March—Paul Smith
Bottle Roster
“under control”
Events
19 March—Welcome to Port
Augusta (at Barracks)
28 March—100th Anniversary
Anzac torch arriving (BBQ)
18 April—PETS/District Assembly
at Caritas College
23-24 May—Rotary Leadership
Institute (Adelaide)
Next Week’s Program
25 March—Polly Farmer catering
1 April—Committee meetings
This is the first Bulletin for a while, after a social event at the Bowls Club, Committee Meetings, and
visit to the Scouts last week. The Scouts demonstrated their catering and tent-building skills, and we
were impressed that their ranks have grown from only 6 to 74 in only a couple of years. The Board
will consider a further donation to them.
Chairman President Helen
Opened the meeting, welcoming members, Friends of Rotary and introducing guest speakers Richard Parker and Bob Everett from Uniting Care Wesley.
(there was interest throughout the evening in the PA equipment that Keith was trialling)
Guest Speaker Richard Parker
Richard is the Gambling Support Counsellor. He works in Port Augusta on Mondays, Tuesdays and
Fridays and also in Whyalla. He said that they are not anti-gambling, but are there to help people
with problems. The facts of poker machines are that you have a less than 1 in 10 million chance of
winning the top prize, and over time you are guaranteed to lose. The opportunities to gamble are
now available 24/7, and online betting “puts a casino in your pocket”. Australia has the world’s biggest per capita gambling spend, with Port Augusta one of the worst areas in SA—$12 million per year
on the pokies alone.
“Problem gambling is when a person’s gambling causes harm to themselves and/or to those around
them such as partner, family, friends, or others in the community”. There are many possible effects
on the individual, including mood disorders, poor physical health, low self-esteem, even suicide; ripple effects include relationship issues, financial challenges, community engagement; children especially vulnerable. Gambling is an addiction, and is not discriminating in whom it affects. There are
many and varied causes for problems to develop, such as low self-esteem, boredom, past or present
traumas, and often various types of stress. It is an escape, but then it gives a ‘buzz’ which can develop into an addiction. What we see on the surface is like the tip of an iceberg, with all sorts of
negative feelings underneath—and these often prevent a person from admitting their problem and
seeking help. Richard’s number is 1300 456 946, or Gambling Helpline is available 24/7 on 1800
858 858, or online www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Guest Speaker Bob Everett
In this issue:
1. Welcome
2. Guest speakers
3. Rotary Information
Bob then gave a very sobering account of his life experience as a person who began gambling on
horses at a young age—his first bet of 10/- won him 6 weeks’ wages in 5 minutes, and he was
hooked. It was a buzz, and let him forget the negative experiences of his life. It was his answer to
stress—you forget everything else, but then it becomes all you can think of. As a result of a $60,000
embezzlement, he finished up serving 15 months non-parole in Port Augusta Gaol—if not for his
good reputation in the community it would probably have been at least 3 years. Consideration for
his family stopped him from committing suicide, and eventually with his wife’s support he made
weekly visits to a counsellor and Gamblers Anonymous in Adelaide. He was approached by Uniting
Care Wesley 3 years ago and offers peer support and counselling—he reckons it cost over $1 million
to gain his job qualifications. Some words of wisdom: Don’t look down on people with problems, try
the get them help; Don’t spread rumours you don’t know are true; Anything which is a risk you can’t
predict the answer to is a gamble; Addictions of all sorts are an answer to stress.
Reports
Rotary Port Augusta
PO Box 182
Port Augusta SA 5700
[email protected]
0457 460 151
www.rotaryportaugusta.org.au
The Guiding Principles
Object of Rotary
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:
1. The development of acquaintance as an
opportunity for service;
2. High ethical standards in business and
professions and the dignifying of each
Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity
to serve society;
3. The application of the ideal of service in
each Rotarian’s personal, business and
community life;
4. The advancement of international
understanding, goodwill and peace
through a world fellowship of business
and professional persons united in the
ideal of service.
The Four-way Test
Of the things we think, say and do:
Is it the Truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better
friendships?
Is it beneficial to all concerned?
Avenues of Service
We channel our commitment to service at
home and abroad through five Avenues of
Service, which are the foundation of club
activity.
 Club Service focuses on making clubs
strong. A thriving club is anchored by
strong relationships and an active
membership development plan.
 Vocational Service calls on every
Rotarian to work with integrity and
contribute their expertise to the
problems and needs of society.
 Community Service encourages every
Rotarian to find ways to improve the
quality of life for people in their
communities and to serve public
interest.
 International Service exemplifies our
global reach in promoting peace and
understanding.
 Youth Service recognises the
importance of empowering youth and
young professionals through leadership
development programs.
President Helen

Thanks to all those who helped with the Polio fund-raiser film—will consider buying in platters if there is a next time. Raised $1212.85, boosted to $3638.55 by the Gates Foundation.
Barbara starred by selling 40 tickets!

Asked if anyone minded an exchange student being hosted at Quorn again, with one going
from Stirling
Theout
Raffle
was North
won (no
by objections)
Norma, and she drew the four of spades—the

Cynthia
&
Helen
had
photos
taken with new interpretive signs on foreshore
jackpot was $548.75

Cynthia, Helen, Colin S., Trevor and Viti went to Oraparinna last Thursday to help produce
23,000 baitsclosing
from kangaroo
meat for air dropping inside the dog fence.
President’s
remarks

Roly, Colin S., Merv, Helen and Keith assisted at the Desert Fringe on Friday with a BBQ
Next
week’s
meeting—As
you
will have
seen
from
theupMay
program,gift to

John
Clements
has been in touch
to advise
that their
e-club
is now
and running—a
nextrecognize
week will
thetoSpecial
Events Committee meeting, but the Club
theirsee
charter
be organized.
and Community
Community—Colin
S Committees’ meetings have been cancelled. Some
are required
fornight
a Polly
event for
at 100
the atGolf
 members
Just received
advice thatfor
thecatering
Polly Farmer
whenFarmer
we are catering
the Golf
ClubThey
is not know
in May, who
but is they
next Wednesday,
25 March.
Although
some members
already
Club.
are—details
of what
is required
will bewillsent
be
away
at
District
Conference,
we
will
go
ahead
with
this—members
please
arrive
between
by email as soon as Graham is given this information.
5 and 5.30 (instead of regular meeting venue). BBQ, salads and desert will be served 6pm
Important
the following
be 5.45

Presidentnote:
Elects’ Training
and Districtweek’s
Assemblymeeting
and District(15th)
Grants will
Seminar
will be for
held in
6pmPort
start
at
the
new
Salvation
Army
complex
in
Carlton
Parade,
folAugusta on Sunday 19 April at Caritas College.
a fellowship
at Paul
and
Viti Smith’s
home—124
Flin lowed
JohnbyJnr,
Roly, & Colinevening
S. are down
for the
Welcome
to Port Augusta
event tomorrow
ders(Thursday)
Tce. 6-8 pm at the Barracks, but anyone else who wants to help is welcome too.

If anyone is interested in a Red Cross Food Forum about food security on 24 March see
- Saturday 15 June is the Roxby District Club’s changeover, celebratColin for the details
ing 5 years—a good time is promised to anyone wishing to attend.

The Anzac 100th anniversary torch is arriving here on Saturday 28 March, 10am to 2pm—
Merv and
Colinnews:
S. wouldthis
probably
bit of there
help with
the BBQ
- Some
great
yearlike
to adate
have
been 26 confirmed
 cases
Negotiating
North against
Progress Assoc.
menu
& music
for last
change-over
of poliowith
in Stirling
the world
44 torethe
same
time
year. night
Paki stanGordon
& Anita Wood1,going
well for19.
those
who know
them efforts are con6, Afghanistan
andalong
Nigeria
Your
monetary
Raffle
tributing towards this goal and it is so achievable, so please remember
theSchwab
silver won
bowls
on the
tables
at each
meeting
for theadonation
of jackpot
coins win
Colin
the raffle
but not
the jackpot.
Gerald
was presented
cheque for his
End
Polio Now.
at towards
the last raffle
draw.
An- enthusiastic
fines session should
was held,note
with the
usual
beingdepot
targetedis closed on
Bottle collectors
that
themembers
recycling
Saturday
mornings
the winter months, and the trailer should be
President
Helen’s
Closing for
Remarks
taken to Merv’s place at the end of each collection.
The bike rider who was going to ride around Australia in record time fell off his bike early in
the trip and had to call it off.

Probus change-over is on 28 March—John Moss will be there (MC) and Colin & Fay
“If things stay the same, we are going backwards!”

Rotary Club of Prospect Sunrise (one of our metro partner clubs) have asked if our conference attendees would like to join them for pre-dinner drinks on Friday at Port Lincoln—
referred to those involved

Peter Nicholls invited us to the Whyalla Norrie Club’s “Black & White” changeover on 11 July

After a long-ish but very interesting meeting we closed with the Four Way Test.