Meeting 3100 24th Jan 2022
Guests Pam Young and Sandra Sullivan- Zonta
Apologies-There were a large number of apologies this week due to work commitments, family commitments and Covid Safety.
Chairperson Alan Harris
Toast: Julie Tekell
Grace: Mark Forgie
Alan opened the meeting and invited directors to come forward for their spots.
President mark addressed the group and shared the successful Bunnings Barbecue on Saturday. Despite the slow start and the heavy rain for the second shift the club made $386 profit. While some people might think this is a low income for the day. Mark pointed out it is $386 we didn’t have, and we were visible in the community. We have a second barbecue coming up in March. Mark was impressed with the Bunnings set up and organisation and we have made a note of a couple of small things that we need to remember next time. Mark thanked Steve who stayed all day and acted as BBQ captain, Ron for organising the food etc, Kathy for liasing with Bunnings and organising it, Mike, Jeff, Mark F, Angela, and Mark S for helping and on the day.
As no other Directors had business to share Chairperson Alan indicated that fines were going to End Polio then invited Rotarians and guests to enjoy fellowship over dinner.
Sergeant Barry asked for the wheel spin and winners were Stan and Kevin. After a short entertaining session from Barry Alan introduced guest speakers President Pam Young and Sandra Sullivan from Zonta to speak about the Gawler Mosaic Project.
Pam started by outlining some of the wonderful projects that Zonta have been involved in over the last 12 months both at local and international levels. Zonta is an international service club for woman ‘Empowering women through service and advocacy.’
Some of the significant events have been
- Assembling Birthing kits
- The ‘16 Days of Activism’ against Gender-Based Violence, an annual international campaign from 25th November,- the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
- International Women’s Day breakfast.
- An outdoor playgroup event for local children
- A Chill out day in conjunction with the Spring back to Gawler event.
- The provision of 3 scholarship to girls to further their education in STEM.
Sandra Sullivan then outlined the Mosaic Memorialisation Project.
The artwork has been designed by Sandra who is a long time mosaic artist and teacher. The work is being in done in conjunction with the Gawler Domestic Violence Network due to there not being a dedicated place to hold the annual vigil, but it will also provide a place for women to go all year. It will be placed on the wall at the Post office end of Julian Terrace.
The mosaic is being placed on 2 panels 1.7x1.2m . Mosaics will be long lasting, using coloured tiles and glass. The design will contain flowers, birds, a rainbow to acknowledge the LBGTQ community. It will have a border of aboriginal design done by Aboriginal artist.
This is truly a community event with over 30 members of the community already putting their name down to assist and more on the waiting list. The Gawler Lions club have given the use of the old Gawler Stationmasters house for the storage and work on the piece. Gawler Council have given them a $2,000 grant; there is a crowed funding page “Chuffed” which people can contribute to and the Zonta club are waiting to hear if they are successful in obtaining an arts grant. The artwork is not cheap, but it will be long lasting and hopefully will raise awareness of Domestic Violence. The figures have not changed over many years and there is still approximately one woman a week killed by domestic violence in Australia.
It is hoped that it will be finished by November for this year’s 16 days of activism. Covid has provided its challenges due to numbers allowed in the room to work at any given time.
Chairperson Alan thanked both Ladies for their informative talk and President Mark asked them to let us know how we can help. He said while we can make a monetary donation, we would also be keen to help in a practical way as well. He said the club are looking forward to continuing our relationship with Zonta not just on the project but generally.
In his closing President Mark reminded Rotarians about the Bowls night on the 21st and urged them to invite family and friends along with the reminder they must be double vaccinated.
He closed the meeting with the four way test.
Members being entertained during Sergeant Barry during his session
