Summary of Meeting 19 August 2014
Posted by Margaret Silink
The meeting was opened with a warm welcome to the guest speaker, Ian Cochrane, and club members.
President Tom reminded members that next week’s meeting would be a combined Zone meeting with the District Governor, Ian Scott at the Roseville Golf Club. He also reminded everyone of the treasurer’s request that the annual dues needed to be paid.
PP Chris Curtis then provided exciting details of a proposed trip to Bali, Kupang (West Timor, Maumere (Flores Island) and Dili (East Timor) in May 2015. The aim of the tour would be to inspect the Rotary NTT Small Grants Project which is being supported by our Club and which is one our major international projects. On the islands of Flores and Timor the group would be the guests of the Nusa Tenggara Association (NTA) for part of their regular inspection visits which are undertaken twice a year to assess the work being carried out by farmers and school support groups. The NTA have a well-established procedure of interview, discussion and financial review as well as physical inspection of progress. It is intended to register this activity as a RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) project. The cost estimate is around $2800 pp.. Team members will be responsible for their own bookings and documentation but it is expected that Rotary travel insurance would be available to Rotary members. If any member is interested to join this tour, then please contact PP Chris who would be happy to provide further details.
Rtn Harry Clarsen gave a brief report on Foundation matters and indicated that applications for District grants needed to be submitted immediately as the deadline was the following day. He outlined the proposal for the Club’s continued involvement in support of the Myanmar project for Constitutional Reform Workshops and indicated that the RC of Essendon had committed $5000. Rtn Harry asked for a similar amount from our Club and a general sentiment from those present was that this should be recommended to the Board.
PP Martin gave a brief report on the concert being organised at 5.30 -7 pm on Saturday 18th October by Rtn Paul Benitez to benefit the IDF Life for a Child program which supports children with diabetes in developing countries. All members and their friends and families are invited to attend. More details will be provided soon. The Club agreed to allow its logo with the words “proudly supported by the Rotary Club of Lane Cove” to be included in the advertising and on the program.
The keynote speaker, Ian Cochrane, was introduced by PP Roger, who was a long-time friend and colleague having taught in the same school in 1968. Ian spoke in detail of his work and that of his wife, Jill, in developing the Livingstone School in a small town in rural Bangladesh. Ian and Jill are retired but devote much of their time to giving Bangladeshi children the chance of an education. This school is now providing primary schooling for 200 children, 198 of whom came from families who had never attended school themselves. Next year the first of the high school years will be started. The school not only provides education but also provides breakfast as many of the students come from families unable to afford regular meals. The Club has supported the Livingstone School in the past and Ian thanked the Club for its past support and hoped that further support would be considered.
PP Chris formally thanked Ian and presented him with a Rotree. PP Phil kindly donated his raffle winning wine to the guest speaker.
Attendance
Rotarians 17
Apologies 5
Guests 1