DINNER ROSTER
THIS WEEK - 18 June NEXT WEEK - 25th June Program Parliamentary Educator(RAICA) Woden Rotary Club Changeover
Anne Kennedy
Introduction Des Henderson-Kelly Jeff Ibbotson
Appreciation Shukry Sahhar Lyn Svanosio
Fellowship John Gray Des Henderson-Kelly
Phil Ibbotson Bob Harvie
Raven Recorder Bob Harvie Debbie Whitfield
Birthdays nil nil
Anniversaries John and Pixie Gray nil
The Raven - Page 4
APOLOGIES & GUESTS
Lyn Svanosio 0431 028 241 [email protected] please advise Lyn of apologies and/or guests by 12am Tuesday.
June is Rotary Fellowship Month Dates for your diary
25 June—Woden Rotary Club changeover
29 June—District 9710 Changeover, Batemans Bay 14-16 Nov—District 9710 Conference, Canberra
TONIGHT
Parliamentary Educator (RAICA)
Anne Kennedy
Rotary Club of Woden
Inducted Ed Klim 11th June 2014
Ed Klim classification is
Agriculture
President Jeff Ibbotson Inducted Ed Klim
Shukry Sahhar welcomes Ed
Ed meets George Pratt and others Attendance last week
Visiting Rotarians : Tony Betts—Rotary Club of Redbridge
Guest: Toby Phillips, Louise Ibbotson, Helen Sahhar, Joan Pratt & Gerda Lambeck Members attending: 15
Percentage: 71.42%
The Raven
The Weekly Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Woden Number 47Volume 47: 18 June 2014
Meetings: 6.00 for 6.15 pm Wednesdays, Statesman Hotel, 14 Theodore Street, Curtin, ACT.
FUNDRAISING—PARKING AT THOROUGHBRED PARK - Gary Scott will let members know when dates become available.
ROTARY CLUB Board Directors
President: Jeff Ibbotson
Secretary: Mike Rodd
Immediate Past President: John Robson President Elect: Lyn Svanosio
Treasurer: Bruce Wyatt
Club Service & Administration John Widdup
Community: Shukry Sahhar
International & Foundation: Neale Emanuel New Generations: Debbie Whitfield Membership & PR: Songfa Liu
Contact Information PO Box 637 Woden ACT 2606 Secretary: [email protected]
OF WODEN INC.
Other officers Attendance: Lyn Svanosio, Program: Gary Scott, Mike Rodd Sergeants: Neale Emanuel,
Shukry Sahhar Public Officer: Mike Rodd Member Data: Ken Goard
Bulletins: Debbie Whitfield, John Gray, Bruce Wyatt, Alec Phillip Facebook: Lyn Svanosio & Bruce Wyatt Webmaster: John Widdup
Previous Issues of the Raven Web: <www.wodenrotary.org.au/>
The Club’s crest & bulletin name reflect ‘Odin’ (Anglo-Saxon ‘Woden’), the ancient Nordic God of Wisdom.
Odin had two ravens called Hugin and Munin (Thought and Memory) who flew forth every day and returned at night to tell him what they had seen, so contributing to his wisdom.
On the net for your information:
You can now search for a Rotary club with RI’s free iPhone app. Available from the Apple iTunes app store, it’s called the “Rotary Club Locator” from Rotary International:
http://itunes.apple.com/en/app/rotary-club-locator/id406614602?mt=8
Rotary International theme for 2013/2014
“Engage Rotary, Change Lives”
“Woden Rotary”The Raven - Page 2 The Raven - Page 3
Club Changeover 25 June 2014:
Venue:
Canberra Irish Club 6 Parkinson Street Weston
Time:
6.00—6.15 pm
Cost:$27.00 per person
Meal:
2 Course meal (Special Diets to notify Lyn)
RSVP:20/06/2014
Payment:
Payment in Advance is available District Conference 14-16 November:
This year’s District 9710 Conference will be at the National convention Centre Canberra in conjunction with District 9675 which covers the southern part of the Sydney Metropolitan Area. This up and coming Theme is Our Youth Our Future.
Last Week:
After Sergeant Shukry opened the meeting with our customary toasts, President Jeff welcomed members their partners, visiting British Rotarian Tony Betts from Rotary Club of Redbridge and our guest speaker Toby Phillips.
Phil Ibbotson informed members he will be promoting the sale of his book of poems, a collection of poems he has written over many years. The proceeds will go towards our club projects. Phil is also offering a ‘poem for any occasion’
service, where for a modest fee that will also go to our projects, he will pen a poem for your next special occasion. Contact Phil for more details.
Rotarian Tony spoke about the recent Rotary International Convention he attended in Sydney, saying it was the way of being instantly aware of Rotary as a powerful international organisation. He also spoke of his London club which has the characteristics of clubs the work over: service, fellowship and fun.
Ed Klim was then inducted as a member of the Rotary Club of Woden and was welcomed as the newest Rotarian in the Worldwide Rotarian network. Ed’s classification is Agriculture. He has already demonstrated the Rotarian spirit by helping on the Rotary Ride and by lining up a guest speaker. Unfortunately Ed’s induction had been delayed while Ed cared for his ailing father, who has now passed away. All members’ sympathy goes to Ed and his family.
Lyn reminded member that our changeover dinner will be at the Irish Club in Weston see page 2 for more details.
Jeff introduced our speaker, Toby Phillips. By day Toby works as a public servant. After work he takes on the role of Convenor of the ACT Branch of the Australian Republican Movement. A most interesting talk, discussion and
Things you should know about
RAVEN REPORTER Jeff Ibbotson PHOTOGRAPHERDebbie Whitfield
questions followed.
Toby explained that the Republican Movement advocates a steady two-step process. The first question for the community to resolve is whether Australia should become a republic. If this is affirmed the next step is a lengthy and considered process to select the model that is most acceptable to the community.
To date two models have received the most attention. Under the parliamentary selection model Parliament would select our head of state. This should lead to a person well qualified and with experience suited to the role, but who otherwise might not put themselves forward. However, it does not give the people a direct say. The direct selection model gives people a direct say, but risks the
politicisation of the role or the election of a popular personality ill equipped for the role. The British Commonwealth of Nations shows there is a quite a range of options available.
One obstacle the Republican Movement faces is ‘creeping republicanism’ where people think we will reach a republic without the need to do very much at all.
This relaxed confidence indicates a lack of understanding of the constitutional issues that need to be discussed, agreed and acted upon before a republic with come about.
Another issue to face is changing demographics. Baby boomers are much more open to a republic than the more conservative 18-29ers who simply have no opinions on the monarch or constitution.
Australia’s generally risk averse culture is also and impediment to an early move to a republic. Being pragmatic we resist change unless there is a clear and pressing imperative to do so—the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ syndrome. Monarchists mount symbolic reasons too, such as the impartiality of the monarchy.
The Republican Movement considers the current system is broken and we should embrace change. We should move from a head of state over whom we have no choice at all to select our own and show how we define ourselves as a people.
Toby conceded that this will and should take time and that to advance significantly it requires strong political leadership which is just not present in today’s political climate.
In the discussion and questions that followed, members made a number of penetrating observations about the issues that will need airing and resolving.
Neale expressed our appreciation to Toby for his most illuminating talk and the significant and important issues it raises.
Jeff thank every one and closed the meeting in the words of our RI ‘Engage Rotary Change Lives”
