Our next meeting will be in Wednesday 10 May at the Graphic Arts Club, Mascot. It will be a Club Assembly, with discussion around our forward plans and budgets.
Please advise if you will be attending to info@botanyrandwickrotary@gmail.com
President's Message
Our Club has had a very exciting and busy couple of months achieving numerous projects. Simon Van Wyk organised for us to sponsor three students from Alexandria Community School to attend Windeward Bound sailing adventure, a Rotary project, leaving Sydney for Brisbane on 7 May. This program aims to encourage youth development by supporting efforts towards international friendship and understanding. We look forward to hearing from them on their return.
To further support this project, we hope to be able to sponsor a student from Walgett who will do the return journey in early June – more on this in the next newsletter.
Warwick, Greg and I attended an afternoon cruise sailing Sydney Harbour on the Windeward Bound. I invited Ross, who helps children from difficult backgrounds. I’m hoping Ross will help us support the child from Walgett. Simon too had a day planned with his family, but his father-in-law had had a fall and was taken to hospital. All good now, but an interesting story – ask him!
We are supporting two students from JJ Cahill High School, Cohen and Tahlia, to attend the RYPEN personal development weekend camp. Many thanks to Greg, June and Phil for helping with transport.
We had close communication with our local PCYC and looking at supporting them through their “Fit for Life” program helping disadvantaged kids with boxing lessons and breakfast. We hope to support with boxing equipment, while Maroubra Rotary has been supporting the breakfast costs.
Last month we supported the South Eastern Sydney Community Connect food program for those who are currently struggling with cost of living.
We laid wreaths at two ANZAC Day Dawn Services, Coogee and Brighton-Le-Sands. Two of our members. Aunty Barb Simms and Warwick attended at Redfern where Aunty Barb gave the Welcome to Country.
Richard has been extremely busy working on ROMAC with three kids from The Solomons and Tonga having had had major surgeries at both Randwick and Westmead Children's Hospital.
Our last meeting saw the room at capacity to hear Theo spoke about his experience at the Rotary Science Forum and we also heard from Tara from the PCYC. We continue to draw interest from possible further membership.
This meeting will be a club assembly, essentially a planning meeting for our suggested projects and sponsorships for the 2023/24 Rotary year.
The board has worked on a draft budget which will be shared with members and we will use this to decide on projects and engage further member participation.
There are a number of people who wish to attend but have not yet become members. You are welcome to come along and listen to our plans but if we have to vote on anything you will be unable.
Our last meeting
Our guest speaker was Waverley College Year 12 student Theo Varvaressos who was sponsored by our Club to attend the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF).
During the 2022-23 summer school holidays, Year 12 student Theo spent two weeks surrounded by many highly-regarded scientists and like-minded students exploring the opportunities available to budding scientists post the HSC. The experience was split into two weeks. Week one was online, where participants networked with industry experts and a range of different scientists such as CEO of Lockheed Martin (an Australian Defence contractor), the NSW state recipient of the Australian of the Year Professor Veena Sahajwalla, and UN scientists and board members. Week two saw participants traveling to a variety of labs specialising in computer science, quantum computing, biomedical sciences, and environmental chemistry. Participants also visited universities, a nuclear reactor, spoke with professors, attended lectures, conducted experiments, and attended a range of social events.
Tara Colman, Club Manager, Eastern Suburbs PCYC also be attended and updated on the work of the Police Citizens Youth Club.
Proudly Partnered with Sydney Airports Corporation
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at the Graphic Arts Club,
182 Coward Street,
Mascot.
6pm for pre-meeting drinks and chat. The meeting, with dinner, starts at 6:30pm and normally concludes by 8:30pm.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is very pleased to be sponsoring three students from Alexandria Community School to sail on the Windeward Bound from Sydney to Brisbane, departing on 7 May for 7 days. This program aims to encourage youth development by supporting efforts towards international friendship and understanding. We will look forward to hearing from them on their return.
The brigantine "Windeward Bound" is a 33 metre symbol of enterprise and commitment to provide youth with an opportunity to enjoy and learn skills otherwise out of their reach. The future of the Trust is tied to the development and training of youth with particular emphasis on those in dire need; made to feel helpless by financial, social, lifestyle or family circumstances.
The Windeward Bound Trust also aims to foster good character and a spirit of enterprise in the youth of Tasmania and Australia generally, including youth disadvantaged or hampered by circumstances who could not otherwise participate.
It is the principal philosophy of the Trust that no young person should ever miss out on the Windeward Bound opportunity because of personal circumstances or lack of funds.
Since launch day in 1996, Windeward Bound has covered more than 100,000 nautical miles, has circumnavigated the Australian continent, sailed to New Zealand and back, circumnavigated Tasmania, crossed Bass Strait more than 30 times and sailed the Australian East Coast many times. Almost always, we have carried Australia's youth, proving time and time again, the value of a structured Sail Training Program on a traditional square rigged vessel. She proudly flies the flag of many sponsors, and of Rotary International with whom she works closely, and is supported proudly by her Patron, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AC, the Governor of Tasmania.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick again commemorated Anzac Day, with members attending and laying wreaths at several Dawn Services.
At Coogee, Richard and Simon attended a very memorable service, in perfect weather. Richard is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and a former Commanding Officer of the 21st Construction Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers whilst Simon served as an officer in the South African Defence Force.
It was somewhat of a family affair, with Simon's wife Linda and Grandson Harley also attending. Richard was supported by his grandsons Kyle and Logan, his daughter Louise and son-in-law Grant, both serving Air Force officers and Middle East Veterans.
At Brighton Le Sands Greg and Mark placed a wreath on behalf of the Club.
Aunty Barb gave the Welcome to Country at a very special Anzac Day Service at Redfern, attended by many dignitaries, with
When the Rotary world arrives in Australia for the 2023 Rotary International Convention, between 27-31 May, our vibrant country will be in the spotlight. This is a rare chance to be an ambassador for Rotary in Australia and for the warm, welcoming host city of Melbourne, so register today!
The convention promises to be an inspirational event, with distinguished speakers, energizing breakout sessions, and abundant opportunities to brainstorm ideas for ‘Doing Good in the World’ with Rotary and Rotaract members from around the globe.
Join us in Melbourne to Imagine What’s Next as we form and strengthen connections and learn from one another.
Register now and encourage your friends to do the same.
As we start to resume some sort of normality after years of COVID, ROMAC is slowly getting back into the provision of much needed surgeries for children in our Pacific neighbours.
ROMAC recently farewelled baby Melenaite after 9 months of treatment at both The Canberra Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital at ROMAC. There are now three more children in Sydney:
Senri, a 13 year old boy from the Solomon Islands being treated at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick for burns suffered when he picked up a World War 2 phosphorus grenade. He was successfully operated on in a nearly 8 hour operation, with a second procedure in several week's time.
Isileli, a 9 year old boy from Tonga being treated at The Children's Hospital at Westmead for a respiratory issue, seen in the photo being welcomed at Mascot airport by one of our Club members, Richard, and a member of the Solomon's community. He had successful surgery at Westmead to remove part of his lung, which had been very badly infected.
Ephraim, an 8 year old boy from the Solomon Islands, also being treated at the Children's Hospital at Westmead for vision issues.
Our Club is a strong supporter of ROMAC, both in terms of financial donations and the work of a number of members who both assist the management of the Program and support the families whilst they are undergoing treatment at our local hospital.
Rotary Information
May is Rotary International Youth Service Month, when the focus is on young people and the development of the next generation of leaders.
Our programs help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service.
Our Club is seeking to expand on its role in this area, with students involved in the RYPEN program, for Year 9 students, Theo recently attending the National Youth Science Forum, sponsorship of students with Windeward Bound just a few opportunities that we are providing.
The Four Way Test
The Four-Way Test is a non-partisan, non-sectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships.
Of the things we think, say or do:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
To contact the Club, please email info@botanyrandwickrotary.org.au
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is very pleased to be sponsoring three students from Alexandria Community School to sail on the Windeward Bound from Sydney to Brisbane, departing on 7 May for 7 days. This program aims to encourage youth development by supporting efforts towards international friendship and understanding. We will look forward to hearing from them on their return.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick again commemorated Anzac Day, with members attending and laying wreaths at several Dawn Services.
When the Rotary world arrives in Australia for the 2023 Rotary International Convention, between 27-31 May, our vibrant country will be in the spotlight. This is a rare chance to be an ambassador for Rotary in Australia and for the warm, welcoming host city of Melbourne, so register today!
s we start to resume some sort of normality after years of COVID, ROMAC is slowly getting back into the provision of much needed surgeries for children in our Pacific neighbours.
May is Rotary International Youth Service Month, when the focus is on young people and the development of the next generation of leaders.