The Rotary Club of
Burwood
 
Chartered 1939

SPOKE 

 Club Bulletin - Vol 86 Issue 5, August 27 2023
 
President Hugo Robinson

Rotary Affirmation: 

May Rotary friends and Rotary ways help us to serve our community
here and  abroad in many ways.
 
 
Monday 28th August 2023 
 
at CORO 88 
88 Burwood Road Burwood
 
 
6.00pm for 6.15pm
 
NEXT GUEST -
 
Patricia Abraham
Eurella Community Services

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

In my journey through this Presidency, I am faced with an exciting yet daunting task of constant learning through experience, but also keeping the on top of the many duties that I have as President of this phenomenal Rotary Club.
 
With the many emails and calls that I receive over the week, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But I must remind myself that I am not only learning on the job, but also having an absolute blast doing it all.
 
Sometimes I may feel like I might not be on top of everything just yet, but I do feel like I am getting my groove and more and more is clicking together. I want to thank you all for your patience, your support and your encouragement. 
 
As I've said before, I am incredibly honoured to hold this position and I will not let you down.
 
Last meeting's guest speakers, Kathy and Mary Kendall from Shamida Ethiopia, was a reminder of why we do what we do. The incredible work that the Kendall Family do in Ethiopia, their sacrifice and their dedication to helping massively disadvantaged children in one of the world's poorest nations, should be in the front of all our minds when we meet together every fortnight.
 
What a truly amazing experience it was to listen to them.
 
At tomorrow night's meeting we will be hearing from our very own Patricia Abraham about the work that Eurella Community Services is currently up to. Eurella is an important pillar of the Burwood community, providing an quality services and support to people with disability of all ages and across different areas of life. 
 
At the meeting following this, on 11 September, we will be joined by PDG Stephen Humphreys to talk about Rotary Health. There will also be a board meeting.
 
I would also like to let you all know that tickets for the 2024 District Conference (8-10 March 2024) are now on sale on the District website. I will provide details later in this email.
 
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
 
See you tomorrow night,
 
 
Hugo Robinson
President
Rotary Club of Burwood
 
 

Shamida ETHIOPIA

Last meeting Burwood Rotary was joined by Mary and Kathy Kendall from the charity, Shamida Ethiopia.
 
Shamida provides a home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to vulnerable children - many of whom are severely disabled.

The amazing work by Karen Kendall, who gave up a job as a lawyer and moved to Addis Ababa from Australia 10 years ago, has changed the lives of countless disadvantaged women and children.
 

Burwood Rotary heard from her sister Kathy and her mother Mary (who just returned from Ethiopia), about not only the many challenged Karen and Shamida faces, but also the many success stories that their work has produced.
 
In Ethiopia social problems have been increasing at an alarming rate due to poverty, HIV/AIDS, various diseases, drought and conflict. Among other social problems the number of orphans and vulnerable children is increasing rapidly. Shamida Ethiopia is a non-profit Ethiopian NGO that is working hand in hand with other NGOs in Ethiopia such as the Hamlin Fistula Hospital to complement their efforts.

I encourage everyone to go and have a look at the work they do. The selflessness put into helping some of Ethiopia’s most marginalised people is truly inspiring and should make us all stop and have a think about what we can do to help those less fortunate than ourselves both here and abroad.
 
You can find out more about the work that Shamida does by clicking here.
 
President Hugo with Kathy and Mary Kendall.
Shamida founder, Karen Kendall with some of the children Shamida cares for.

district president's meeting

On Thursday 17 August, President Hugo and Past President John Mansour attended the District President's Meeting at Bankstown Sports Club.
 
Among updates from around the District, we heard about the upcoming regionalisation pilot, how to create an engaging club atmosphere and received news about the 2024 District Conference (details will be provided below). 
 
Importantly, District Chair of International, Thaya Ponniah, provided each club with two promotional banners for clubs to hang in their local community to promote the great work we do.
 
I will be engaging with Burwood Council to see if we can place these banners in public areas.
 
I think this is a great piece of promotional work and would welcome any other ideas you all have on how we utilise them.
 
 
Thaya Ponniah, Ron Browne and Strathfield Rotary President Nick Hamilton-Kane show off the new banners.

District Conference 8-10 March 2024 tickets on sale now

Early bird tickets for District Conference 2024 are now on sale!
 
I have purchased my tickets and I encourage all of you to hurry before the early bird sale runs out on 30 November 2023.
 
Conference will be held at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach in Wollongong on 8-10 March 2024.
 
There will be speakers covering topical subjects and important Rotary projects.
 
Come and join us for a weekend of learning and fun. Meet fellow Rotarians who care about creating a better world.
 
I would love for you all to join me in March next year.
 
 
Buy Your Tickets!

MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING - 14 August 2023

President Hugo opened the meeting at 6.24pm with the Rotary Affirmation.
 
Apologies: Keith, Peter, Churlya, Paul, Anna 
 
Presidents Report:
 
President Hugo welcomed our guests, Mary and Kathy Kendall from Shamida Ethiopia and any other guests present. 
 
He gave an update on the Sandakan event, the upcoming District Presdient's Meeting, and the District Governor Visit.
 
He updated the Club that Member for Reid Sally Sitou was going to visit the Club in October as well as Canada Bay/Burwood Climate Action Preisdent Ken Enderby and Burwood SES.
 
Hugo updated the Club on PRISCA and whilst he hadn't heard back from Liam or Anna, Patricia and Rob were going to help set the event up.
 
Hugo also updated the club that Coemdy with a Cause will return with Sana helping to organise.
 
Secretary Report:  no report
 
Fellowship: no report
 
New Generations :
 
RYLA 2-7 January at Stanwell Tops - Rob asked members to find people who want to do RYLA to join. 19-28 years of age. 
 
NYSF endorsed candidates for Louis (Rosebank College) with Five Dock Rotary.
 
Patricia is happy to do PRISCA and would like to have help to contact the schools and to sort out how it works.
 
Potentially Monday 13th, 20th, 27th November.
 
Walter congratulated Patricia for taking it on.
 
Patricia was keen to get started. 
 
International: 
 
no report
 
Membership:
 
John spoke about the photo with Garry and Frances Michael and Anne Lascome - 14,15 years ago Anne came to Australia from Paris to do an exchange program. 
 
John updated the club that Anne was very sick but is now very well accomplished and studied International Law in Washington DC. 
 
She was working for a start up company.
 
Sana said that Garry and Frances keep up with a lot of exchange students and 
 
Treasurer Report:
 
No report. 
 
Guest Speaker:
 
Kathy and Mary Kendall from Shamida Ethiopia spoke about the history of Shamida Chairty set up by Karen Kendall.
 
It is a children's home that takes in orphans and children living with disabilities. 
 
Karen started Shamida 10 years ago and has faced many challenges and hardships in running the charity.
 
Shamida's mission statement is: empowering the most vulnerable women and children of Ethiopia through education.
 
End of Meeting at 8pm.
 
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Keith Weeding
August 14
 
Executives & Directors
President
Hugo Robinson
 
Secretary
Peter Moore
 
Treasurer
Irene Giardino
 
Club Administration
Peter Moore
 
Community Service
Keith Weeding
 
International Service
Dennise Herrick
 
Membership
John Mansour
 
New Generations
Patricia Abraham
 
SPOKE Editor
Marilie Bomediano
 
Fellowship
Anna-Marie Sanni
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
Keith Weeding
 
THE FOUR WAY TEST
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