In the absence of President Mark Smeaton, President Elect Kathy Heinrich opened meeting 3111 and welcomed special guest Bruce Williamson. Apologies were received from
Julie Tekell, Wayne Murphy, Lance Hatcher, Kevin Clarke, Angela Moore, Patsy Johnson, Bob Ahrens, Dino Donati, Mark Forgie, Mark Smeaton, Tom Kelly, Dan Berrett
Chaiperson for the evening was Geoff Bennier
Steve Barilla reported that the Freeling Farm Fair, Bunnings Sausage Sizzle and Relay for Life returned a profit of $2,164. Past President Ron Lloyd reported that the last of fifty digital television sets had been delivered to the Gawler Health service and presented President Elect Kathy with a certificate of appreciation from the Gawler Health Foundation.
Past President Alan Harris gave a detailed report of the recent District 9510 Conference held in the Barossa Valley. About 400 Rotarians and guests attended the event which ran from Friday April 1st to Sunday April 3rd. Alan presented President Elect Kathy with a certificate acknowledging Gawler Rotary’s Level 1 status for support of the Rotary Foundation.
Almoner Mike Williams announced that Gawler Rotary had a new future member with the safe arrival of pp Julie and husband David Tekell’s grandson Thomas Michael Tekell born @ 4:42am 7.4.22; weighing 7 pounds (3.2kg). Parents are Michael and Jessica. Congratulations to all.
Sergeant at Arms Barry Stewart once again provided some light entertainment with his Bunyip Roundup. Wheel winners were Dave Griffiths and Kathy Heinrich. Barry also gave a recount of his encounter with a kangaroo while riding his motor bike.
The guest speaker, Past President Brian Burt was introduced by Rotarian Geoff Benier to speak about his retirement. Geoff pointed out that Brian had served in nine schools during his career in the SA Education Department and was known for doing as he liked rather than what he was told.
Brian commenced by saying that he loved his job at Gawler East Primary School where the students, parents and staff were delightful and a joy to work with. He spoke about grand plans for home renovation, travel within Australia and overseas, enjoying the company of family and friends and serving the community and Rotary.
Just over one year into retirement, Brian and Ann set off on a seven month journey which was to take them to Hong Kong, Rome, a European tour which included spending time with students they had hosted, the world Rotary Convention in Glasgow, visiting family and friends in the UK and doing consulting work in English schools.
Two days into the trip, they learned that their daughter Jenny had died unexpectedly and they were back in Australia five days after leaving to begin a new life helping Jenny’s husband Keith raise four young children.
Brian spoke of the two year nightmare caused by certain government entities which claimed to want to support the family, but in fact caused a great deal angst and stress and robbed the children of thousands of dollars. He praised the support given by Keller Road Primary School and Pre-school, Keith’s employer Woolworths, the Coroner’s Department and made special mention of the generous backing provided by Gawler Rotarians. As a result of that backing, Brian was able to fulfil his commitment to be President of Gawler Rotary during the 1998-99 Rotary Year.
In 2000, the family moved from Ingle Farm to Gawler Belt and the children attended Hewett Primary School and later Xavier College. Brian acknowledged the exceptional support of former colleagues Bruce Williamson and Ian London who were teaching at Hewett Primary at the time.
Due to time constraints, Brian was unable to complete his story and will continue next month.
After presenting Brian with a token of appreciation, Geoff invited Kathy to present the wrap up and close the meeting.
President Elect Kathy reminded members that there would be no meeting for the next two weeks due to public holidays and the meeting on the 11th April would be a quick dinner meeting at Nixon’s before moving to the Rotary Shed for a yard cleanup. Lights have been organised. There will also be no meetings at Nixon’s for the following 2 weeks due to us visiting the Modbury club on Tuesday 10th, in lieu of our meeting on the 9th. For the Area 6 dinner. The meeting on the 16th will be at the Kapunda club for their last meeting. Please keep an eye on emails and book into the events as per instructions.
As President Elect Kathy will be attending the PETS training on the 30th May and will be joined by Angela Moore on the 1st April for the District Assembly. Kathy has also spoken to John Lyons and invited anyone else who is interested to see her and she will forward the information re registration. It is open to any member.
Kathy then asked members to be upstanding and recite the Four Way Test before closing meeting 3111.
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