After officially opening the meeting John asked for members to come forward for spots.
Lance Hatcher Lance provided an update on recent assistance the Gawler Quality of Life team have provided. A single mum approached the QoL group to assist with cleaning her backyard. A member from Gawler Light Rotary club is also on the GQoLF and volunteered to take the project on board with the help of some of his club members. They put in a total of 20hrs to clean it all and the lady donated the $56 that was raised from recyclables back to the Foundation.
PP Steve Barilla The planned donut making workshop sessions have had to be postponed due to lack of donut mix. This will also affect the fundraiser. A suggestion is that we can use the machine as a deep fat fryer and sell dim sims and spring rolls or chips instead.
The next fundraiser is at the Gawler swimming pool for the 60th birthday celebration. We need to cook a BBQ between 12-2pm Council will pay for food etc
Gawler Carols on the 17th December we will be selling hot dogs and drinks.
Michael Jacob Michael reminded everyone that he has emailed nomination forms to everyone for the upcoming AGM and also has hard copies tonight if you prefer. Please remember to ask the person you are nominating.
PP Dr Bruce Eastick recently attended a function put on by Jacqui and Tony Atyeo to celebrate 70 years of the Vet practice’s involvement in Gawler. When Dr Bruce started the practice in 1952 there were 6 people sharing a phone line so when anyone needed the Vet all 6 phones rang! They received their own single phone line when they moved to Willaston in 1953.
Everyone then enjoyed some fellowship over dinner. Following this John announced that fines would go to the Quality of Life Foundation then introduced Barry for his sergeant’s session and he called for the wheel spin. Winners were Leanne and Dave.
John then introduced the guest speakers for the evening-Anthony Barilla, Larry Cavallaro, Heinz Beck Joseph Furina, to talk about their recent involvement in the SA Variety Bash
Anthony opened by giving us a very informative but concise history of the Bash. Anthony also pointed out the parallels between Rotary and the Variety club. Both had beginnings in USA formed by a group of men. Variety however the men were from an entertainment background. It was at one of their usual gatherings that one of the men found a baby on the doorstep with a note attached saying that her mother could no longer look after her and that she heard that entertainment people were very generous and kind and she hoped that they would look after her. Her mother had called her Catherine so the men informally adopted her and called her Catherine Variety. They raised her alongside their own families and put on a huge event to raise money to support her. You can read more here
https://www.variety.org.au/vic/about/our-story/.
In 1975 Variety started in Australia and Dick Smith organised the first Bash. There are5 different “bashes” the big one, the 4WD Run; the motorcycle run; Muscle Car; Supercar. They have raised a nett $63 million. Each state keeps the money they raise. They help where no Govt assistance is available for kids anywhere disadvantaged and disabies. In 2021 they raised $20 million. A Massive 96% of the money raised goes back to the charity with only 4% spent on admin.
Anthony and Joseph handed photos around from their recent trip. It was their first trip but Heinz and Larry have participated in a lot more. Anthony and Joseph liked it so much that they have decided to enter their own car next year and will be “the Wog Boys” They have already had offers of support from people around them. The Bash is the reward for all the hard work raising money beforehand.
Larry has 30 years’ experience with Variety and the Bash Heinz has been involved for 14 years and done 9 Bashes.
In 2021 SA was the only state to hold a bash due to Covid and they also have the honour of winning the best organised Bash 4 times awarded by Variety International.
Larry spoke about the comradery in the club and the fact that everyone pays to go on the bash even the admin girls who work in the office. He said the bash is like a “mobile pantomime party” Each team takes on a role/ theme and sticks in character throughout the trip. His car has been Where’s Wally for 16 years.
When the cars pull into a town everyone has fun and includes the local community.
Larry then told a couple of funny stories about past trips. One of them detailed how committed one team was called the 2 blind twice (not mice) They were 2 big burly farmers who had chipboard cut outs for guide dogs. They used to pantomime being blind so well that the locals thought they actually were blind and wondered how they drove the car! They stayed in character and on day 3 they brought out more chipboard puppies. Someone decided to saw the dogs head off while they were at the pub but they boys didn’t flinch just sat there acting blind. When they stood up they made out that they thought the dog had died.
On a more serious note Larry acknowledged Anthony’s commitment to Rotary. During the trip Anthony made sure everyone knew he was a Rotarian but importantly a Gawler Rotarian and that we were supporting the team. Larry said that Variety is about integrity and that Anthony certainly showed that.
Following the entertaining talk. John presented the boys with a certificate acknowledging their contribution to vaccinate 45 children against Polio. And called on Kathy to close the meeting
Pres Kathy informed the club that Marg and Bob Ahrens have made a donation to the club.
Next week is the AGM and members were reminded it is not too late to nominate for Board. Don’t forget to support Steve and Mark with the Cricket match on the 4th at Sandy Creek. Please dig deep to make your monetary donations as well as physical support on the day. Steve is feeling very nervous!
Monday 5th is the combined meeting with Gawler Light at the Gawler Arms for Quiz night and optional dinner.
Thanks once again to the guest speakers also Grace for joining us.
Kathy closed meeting 3138 after the Four Way Test.
