We were so fortunate to have Robert Webster OAM, President of the Vic Branch of the RSL, address us on the eve of Vietnam Vet’s Day when the 55th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan was fought. A unique piece of Australian history that really needs to be retold especially to honour our Vietnam Veterans, who really got a raw deal when they returned home. “I was only 19” by Redgum resounded in my mind as I heard Robert speak. Imagine the horror of war that many were involved in. I think the best we can do is to say “Thank you” to every vet we encounter. I have asked Robert to come back to educate us. Their sacrifices and a changed attitude to life is much appreciated.
Now, a good example of how Zoom meetings can make our club great. Those who missed out because of their aversion to zoom really missed a gem. Please connect with us for tomorrow’s great speaker on homelessness. One of my pet subjects that I would love to eliminate but never practical.
It was a beautiful winter’s day with plenty of sun and many people turned up to complete their market shopping. We had a team of members including Paul Shekleton, Kay Widmer, Theresa Liu, Chris Raw and Rod Smith who helped make it a good day for our fundraising effort.
We hired a popcorn machine from Ryan Simpson who showed us how it worked and Paul grabbed the opportunity to be our cook for the morning and made wonderful bags of popcorn which were a huge success. Team members were out in the crowd talking to customers and bringing them to the desk to make their purchase.
We supplemented the popcorn with some cookies from the previous market appearance and altogether our fundraising to date has achieved a result as follows.
Market 1 445.50
Market 2 716.00
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1,161.50
Less hire of machine 200.00
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Proceeds to date 961.50
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We have more events planned and they will be reported in further editions of the Rotary Bulletin.
Dr Robert Webster OAM, FCPA, FAPI, FRICS is president of the Victorian RSL. While studying accounting at Swinburne Robert was drafted and spent 12 months in the Vietnam war as a National Serviceman in 1970. In particular, he served with the Australian forces at Nui Dat in the battle of Long Tan. Robert felt that in the Vietnam War he experienced personal experiences there that were life changing. The effect it had on the course of his life, and how he came to grips with those significant personal challenges were discussed in his talk.
Robert talked about how each year on the 18th of August also known as Vietnam Veterans Day, we honour and commemorate all those who served in Vietnam, including the 521 Australians who died and more than 3,000 people who were wounded, injured or became ill as a result of the conflict.
Eight Rotarians were each presented with the Royce Abbey Award during the 2021 Changeovers. Our awardee member was Ian Salek.
This Award recognises a Club member who demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment, consistent with Royce Abbey’s Presidential Theme of 1988/89: ‘Put Life into Rotary, Your Life’. And it provides AUD$1,000.00 to support the Royce and Jean Abbey Vocational Scholarship.
In 2015, the newly formed Swinburne Rotaract Club established its first International Project working with the experienced Glenferrie Rotarians. The project was the establishment of a Basic Literacy & Vocational Training Centre in Gombe, Nigeria. A proposal was put forward by Ishaku Lemu Haruna, a double Masters student at Swinburne who later returned to Nigeria. Click here for the video.
He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." Andrew Lang
"He had delusions of adequacy." Walter Kerr
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." Winston Churchill
"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow
"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." Moses Hadas
Sunday September 12th 12pm Bring friends and family, but most of all bring the kids and grandkids to this signature event for the club, celebrating the Rotary Australia Centenary in 2021
Bookings are now open for our Lift the Lid Fundraising Dinner at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on Tuesday, October 5th 2021
Social Housing within the Context of the Australian Housing Market
George Housakos has been a director at PwC since 2018 and, in July this year, was appointed Managing Director, Real Estate Advisory Services. Prior to that he has spent many years working in the social housing area, as Managing Direcor of People4Places, and before that as Founder and Chief Executive of Urban Communities Lited.
At the club meeting on August 24th, George will brief us on the latest developments in all aspects of Social Housing within the broader context of the Australian housing market.
