Download the Club Bulletin for Meeting 917 here.

From President Elect Mina Ward:

917_imageThis week the Club welcomed Marcos da Costa Dias (‘Marco’ for short), who is part of the Vocational Training Team from Timor Leste, who have been sponsored by our District to spend five weeks furthering their English language skills, which they can take back to the schools where they teach. The team is here, thanks to money which has matured from Club contributions to The Rotary Foundation. It is great to see our money in action! After a busy few days, including attending the District Conference, the team are settling in with their host families. Sue and Paul Hector are very kindly hosting Marco for the five weeks, so please contact Sue if you would like to take our guest out to show him the sights or tour around our beautiful city.

Erica Vidinis, from Campbelltown City Council attended our 917th meeting to tell the club about the new WWII Monument that is being constructed on the corner of Darley and Lower North East roads. Council acquired this area of land in 1948 and named it Campbelltown Memorial Oval to commemorate those who had served in World War II. No official memorial was established to acknowledge the reasons behind the name, but pine trees were erected along Lower North East Road, which were later removed when the road was widened. In November 2013, Council passed a motion for staff to prepare a design for a WWII Memorial at the site which was subsequently approved as part of the annual budget for 2014/15.

The design is based around a large curved wall with three silhouettes and the words ‘Lest We Forget’. Each of the silhouettes symbolises each of the defence forces: Army, Navy and Air Force. Permission was sought to use the current defence force badges, to make the memorial more current.

The plants being used include the traditional rosemary, wattles, Australian natives and carpet roses. In the centre of the gardens will stand a ‘globe’ made up of several straight pieces of metal, all intricately placed together and each one labeled with a place in which an Australian served during WWII.

Construction started on the memorial in December 2014 and is due to be completed this week, just in time for the 100th anniversary of ANZAC landings at Gallipoli. There will be an official opening on July 26th, which will be the same date that Campbelltown City Council renamed the plot of land to Memorial Oval. Please contact the council if you would like any more information on 8366 9222.

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Ballarat District Conference

Mark and Mari Thompson and myself were the only Club attendees at this year’s District Conference held at Ballarat. With a magician/comedian doubling as EMCEE laughter and fun permeated the event. The Three Waiters (a comedy/operatic parody of the Three Tenors) topped off the enjoyment on Saturday Evening. As timing is everything the Three Waiters actually waited till the reds kicked in for those attending the dinner.

The conference also gave us a chance to catch up with former club members and make new friends from the District.

Next week, Steve Wright from Headspace will be telling us a little about this organization and where some of the money raised from The Reel Event, will be going. Mark Thompson will also be giving us a quick synopsis from the District Conference.

Download the Club Bulletin for Meeting 917 here.