Meeting Report 3210 July 1st, 2024
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Formalities
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Chair
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Toast
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Toast to Rotary International
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Grace
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PP Steve Barilla
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PP Kathy Heinrich
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DG M-L Lees
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Grace Barilla
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Meeting 3210 was the changeover meeting for the Rotary Club.
Around 70 people met at the Pavilion at Trinity College to witness the investiture of new president Anthony Barilla. Besides club members and their family, there were representatives from the town of Gawler including Mayor Karen Redman and Member for Light Tony Piccalo. We were also joined by members from other Rotary Clubs and various Service Clubs. It was a fabulous evening of live music provided by local singer and songwriter -year 12 Trinity College student Chloe Sea; lots of conversation and fine food.
The evening was presided over by MC PP Steve Barilla who kept everyone on track. The formalities included Acknowledgement of Country from Steve and a short introduction about the Rotary International then a toast by PP of Rotary Clubs of Gawler and Gawler Light and the current District Governor Marie-Louise (M-L) Lees.
After Entrée PP Steve introduced the guest speaker for the evening Nick Hately, Head of Trinity College. Nick began by saying it was an honour to witness an old scholar being inducted as President of a wonderful community service organisation such as Rotary. He said it was humbling to stand in front of a group of community minded people and that it is his hope that students of the college go on to join the various groups. In August he will be presenting 4 Lighthouse awards; these go to an Old Scholar who has given back to the community.
Nick grew up in Mount Gambier and attended Tennyson College. He finds being a teacher a very rewarding career. He then gave a brief history of the College from its beginnings in 1984 in St George's Parish Hall Gawler with just 27 students. In 1985 the College moved to its current location of Alexander Avenue in Evanston South. Interestingly only 1 of the original 27 students moved to the new site because that community wanted to stay small. Today the school has 4280 students across 6 campuses including 1 senior campus. Having such a large school has benefits such as the ability to offer more subjects and pool resources to offer more facilities such as Starplex which opened in 2000 and a Performing Arts Theatre as well as numerous sporting fields. Nick said that 20% of the students at Trinity are from families who could afford to send their children to any school; but 20% are school card so the lower end of the scale. 81/ 300 staff are old scholars and Trinity staff are the second highest paid teachers in South Australia. In the last 10 years the school has received 11awards presented at the annual Australian Education Awards.
Anthony thanked Nick and invited questions from the floor.
After Dinner the formalities took place. First with outgoing president John Lyons reflecting on his year as president and thanking members for their support. He made special mention of a few people who he believed who had provided extra support to the club in the last 12 months.
- PP Steve Barilla- can always be relied on to ‘fix the problem’.
- Michael Jacob-his work behind the scenes to make sure everyone is informed.
- PP Kim Potger, who will be sadly missed due to his move but recognised for always approaching things with a sense of humour.
- PP Mark Smeaton- for his huge amount of work not only in the club but the community
- PP Kathy Heinrich -always reliable and he acknowledges he probably couldn’t have done it without her.
- PP Ron “the fairy Floss man” always making himself available not just for events but behind the scenes.
- PP Brian Burt -his tireless work with the media
- PP Leanne Clinch-organising and weekly meals
- PP Mike and Deb Williams- always putting up their hand to assist.
- PP Barry Stewart- helping at events but bringing his humour to the sergeant’s session every week.
- Angela Moore- for her input into board meetings and compiling the bulletin every week.
- PP Chris Edmonds -setting up and tidying away the room every week.
- Beth Hudman, Margaret Leversedge and Brian Burt for their organisation of the 70th anniversary dinner.
John claimed his highlights were the clubs 70th anniversary; Participation in the Christmas parade; and the support and involvement of the many community events. His biggest highlight was bestowing Life Membership on PP Dr Bruce Eastick for his 70 years as member of Gawler Rotary. It was then PP John’s honour to resent Paul Harris awards to PP Steve Barilla and Michael Jacob. John stated he would have loved to present a number of Paul Harris awards but was limited to 2 so he presented certificates of recognition to Mark Smeaton; Kim Potger; Kathy Heinrich; Ron Lloyd and Brian Burt whose award was accepted by Beth Hudman. PP Ron then gave an emotional tribute to the late Ian Nys who worked alongside Ron looking after the Rotary Shed and was a constant volunteer at all events. Ron said had Ian been still here he knows the award would have gone to Ian.
John’s final act as president was to induct Anthony Barilla as the new President and handover the collar. PP Steve then invited some past presidents to give Anthony their best piece of advice to enjoy the year and make it successful. DG Marie-Louise, PP’s Kathy, Steve, Mark and John all imparted their wisdom.
After giving John his banner and replacing it with this year’s theme banner- “The Magic of Rotary,” Anthony gave a short speech stating that he was looking forward to the year and acknowledges that there are changes coming but he feels they will be for the betterment of the club and the community. Anthony’s goals include reaching out and working with other groups in the community and surrounding areas. Collaboration with other Rotary Clubs will also be a focus and using the strengths of each club could only be seen as a bonus.
President Anthony then introduced his board for the next 12 months.
Secretary- Michael Jacob,
Treasurer -PP Kathy Heinrich,
Immediate Past President - John Lyons,
Director Vocational/club projects – PP Mark Smeaton
Director -Community Service -PP Steve Barilla
Director- Membership and Public Image- Kyle Smith
Director- International Service/ Youth/ Foundation- Angela Moore
President Elect- Shawn Lock who was absent.
At the conclusion of the formalities PP Steve invited guests to enjoy tea or coffee and continue to enjoy the fellowship before closing meeting 3210 and asking members to recite the four way test.
Did You Know?
You can keep up to date in between bulletins by checking out our Facebook page?
Just look up Rotary Club of Gawler and like the page.
