Summary of Meeting 29 July 2014

Pres Tom announced that he had attended the citizenship ceremony on behalf of the club.

Roger W announced the outline of the funeral arrangements for Neville Johnson at the Lavender Bay Christ Chursh where he and Margot were married.

Tom then announced that Bob Cartwright would be away for 2 months.

Jenny May announced her disappointment that no-one offered to help with the National Tree Planting day. So she took the liberty of shanghaing Pat and his wife who were innocently jogging in the area.

Jenny mentioned that she was departing these shores and will keep everybody informed of her whereabouts via the Lane Cove Rotary Facebook page.

James is back from Fiji.

Harry announced that the Myanmar project had passed on to the Uni NSW Law School. The new budget proposal would involve two conferences in November. The timing of the workshops may not coincide with the political process that is about to unfold that was hoped would benefit from the outcome of the new  constitutional workshops. However, it was anticipated that enough material was generated from the initial workshop to establish a satisfactory framework and that Myanmar could still benefit from the follow-up activities that are being proposed.

The two meetings are proposed to be held in Yangon (Rangoon) and the new Capital City built in secret, Nay Pyi Taw

The funding arrangements might be different from Rotary’s standpoint as there is now a club in Myanmar (fellows, take a bow – I am confident that was a result of this club’s initiative).

The first workshop will be funded by other sponsors and the second 15K from Rotary, through some sort of matching grant. Details TBA.

Rotary established in ‘50s in Burma. Sent letter to current RC of Yangon and also asked for RI backing for half the dollars as “some sort of matching grant”. We, Essendon and Yangon would stump up with the other half. Our club had already committed to $1,000 in the previous financial year. More to follow perhaps.

James Shevlin

Told us of his epic Fiji trip, where en encountered dangers and adventures that beggar belief. His encounter with the massive development there sent shivers down the spine, with the Southern Half of Fiji being taken over by man-eating high-rise. He spoke of gated communities with man-eating mozzies presumably stalking the corridors as it is converted swampland.

At this point, Dick D gave an impassioned policy speech on behalf of the PM, smiting disbelievers hip and thigh and harking back to the good old days of the colonial era when tennis courts were made of grass and rum was rum (only to be drunk for quality control purposes of course).

In reply, James gave an objective overview of the political scene, dissecting the politicians and the major parties. These appear to be divided along racist lines – Indians versus Fijians. The Indians had been imported for plantation and other labour and represent the descendants of those who chose to stay after their period of tenure had matured.

James was surprised that he was not approached by hungry tribal man-eaters still trying to eke out an honest living on this trip, but it would only have been because he now looks lean and probably less appealing to those who still prefer to pursue the traditional tribal life.

Dick Dawes

Last Tuesday the International committee met and composed this year’s agenda.

PP Chris still pursuing the small finance project for Nusa Tangara Timor (NTT). Chris has around $7000 remaining in his present budget, that may need extending at some point.

Pat Price is funding  the Heartland Academy higher education project with the $30,000 that was obtained through our club and the matching grant from RI and topped up by his personal foundation.

Fund Raisers

PP Roger is organising a giant party as only he can.

PP Phil and PP Phil are organising a bowls day with Robyn’s help re a suitable date plus small committee of enthusiastic organisers looking for people looking for fun. Details will be announced as they come to hand.

PP Roger

Noted that an initiative emanating from a Hong Cong RC to find and reward “The One” was up and running. This was a top performer living the Rotary Dream. $100,000 to go to this person’s charity, plus lesser prizes. It was similar to the Sydney Peace Prize that goes for $50,000.

Made a suggestion for a nominee. Club accepted with enthusiasm and Roger to pursue.

Attendance 16,, Apologies 7. Raffle won by PP Phil.