Feature Story

The Rotary Revolution

A place where neighbours, friends and problem solvers come together to join leaders and take action for change

WORDS ADRIENNE WITTEMAN

Rotarian Roger Climpson, OAM District Governor Lindsay May, OAM Rotary Lane Cove President Lalitha Warren

Lane Cove Rotary is at the heart of many Lane Cove community-supporting initiatives. A changing, and sophisticated organisation, member and well-known local travel specialist, Adrienne Witteman explains what it does in our area and beyond.

Ihad long moved away from my home city when Dad joined Rotary. Subsequently, on the occasions I did traces its origins back The Lane Cove Rotary membership has long ago forsaken the profile of “born in Australia, 65+, white male.” Of its 35 visit on a Tuesday night, and he was not there for dinner because “tonight is Rotary night”, I never thought to deeply question him about what went on at those meetings. From what little I gleaned, it amounted to a group of blokes getting together to enjoy fraternity, business networking and raise money for worthy causes. Most usually at a sausage sizzle!

Fast forward 40 years to 2021 and Rotary has undergone a revolution. Of course it hasn’t happened overnight. As we’ve all found throughout 2020/21, evolution, adaptation, reinvention, and sometimes revolution, is now a part of our daily lives. Rotary, as a diverse worldwide organisation, and here locally, is no exception. Rotary 116 years members, 29% are female and 26% are under 50 years old with both metrics now trending towards equal representation. The club brings together those of Australian, Canadian, British, Indian, Iranian, Singaporean, Swiss, American, Filipino, Irish and Kiwi backgrounds. Rotary traces its origins back 116 years when a generous and smart fellow, Paul Harris, looked to get more out of life by giving back. Six years later, 100 years ago this year, the Rotary concept migrated downunder so that now there are 25,880 member in 1056 clubs in Australia and 7132 members in 251 clubs in NZ and the Pacific. 37,000 clubs operate around the world with almost 1.2 million members.

Rotary takes part in clean-up Australia day at Blackman Park Kids at Heartland Academy in Nepal. A Rotary project

New member Moey Nirui New member Mel Gonyora

Did you know…

Rotary administration costs are among the lowest of any charity in Australia so your donated dollars go where they are intended?

The international reach of Rotary is incredible, with diverse projects running concurrently. For example, the SewAID project teaches women in Timor-Leste to sew and young men to service the machines. There’s the Ambulance for Samoa project, a mobile health clinic in Fiji and the Days for Girls project which provides sanitary items so girls don’t need to miss school during menstruation.

Rotary Give Every Child a Future has been massively successful: a $4.5M project in partnership with UNICEF that will vaccinate 100,000 children against Polio in the Pacific over three years. By leveraging the knowledge, expertise and resources of Rotary, government, and private enterprise the gains have been monumental.

End Polio Now is not a mission without risk. Very sadly, eight polio workers were killed, and four injured in Afghanistan this year. These workers are among many unsung heroes who daily undertake dangerous and difficult work. Rotary will be forever appreciative of their commitment.

Locally, Rotary delivers the perennially popular Lane Cove Rotary Fair, a major fundraiser. Sadly Covid-19

caused its cancellation in 2020 and a mega-raffle was put in place to raise those missing funds. The international However, the Club still managed to raise and donate, in collaboration with sponsors and donors, $87,000 for local, national and reach of Rotary is incredible international projects. Local funding has gone to the Sydney Community Services Bus, BlazeAid, Australian Rotary Health, Streetside Medics, Covid-19 kits for Nepal, Delvena Women’s Refuge, Nusa Tenggara water tanks, D-Café for dementia sufferers and carers, an annual public speaking competition for primary school children, Lane Cove Youth Orchestra, and Nepal Heartland School. There was also involvement in Clean Up Australia Day, Bushcare Blackman Park, Gunnedah West Rotary (Gunnedah is Lane Cove’s sister city) and the national Salvation Army Appeal. The power of the local club has been perhaps best represented by Rotary member and champion Roger Climpson OAM, well-known to most as a (now retired) television presenter who, when diagnosed with prostate cancer 25 years ago, found information and research about the disease confusing and lacking. He promptly persuaded fellow club members to join him in forming >

an organisation to change this. Lane Cove Rotary Club is justifiably proud to be the genesis of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and to this day is represented on its Board.

The dedication of Rotarians to their chosen causes, and their capacity for hard work is undeniable. ‘Service Above Self’ is a key Rotary tenet as exemplified by local member Lindsay May, who recently commenced his position as District Governor (head honcho in this area, to the uninitiated). This involves a huge amount of work for Lindsay, and his equally committed wife Tania. They are already doing Lane Cove proud.

Lindsay also happens to hold the record for the most consecutive Sydney to Hobart yacht races – 47 to-date and a record broken only by Covid-19. Almost every club meeting features a quality speaker presentation and Lindsay’s enthralling address in January about what happens on the high seas was not one not to miss.

The speakers’ subjects are as diverse and inspiring as Rotary itself. For instance, recent speakers have included Nick Hossack, a Lane Cove local and AFR journalist on “The Cashless Society”, Cathy Booth and her Umoja Orphanage in Kenya, while Rob Edwards spoke about ‘Sustainable Social’. In September Lane Cove Rotary Club is looking forward to “Crime Prevention Tips” from two local constables. The calibre of guest speakers is always impressive and informative.

Among all that the pandemic has taught us, it is the necessity to keep taut the ties that bind us within in our respective communities. We are all in this together. We will get through this together. This forms part of the mission of Lane Cove to the Rotary Club of Lane Cove, and the world at large is so much the better for the existence of it.

Interested to know more? www.lanecoverotary.org www.rotary.org

Lane Cove Rotary Club Mega-Raffle Details coming soon!

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Walk a mile in my shoes

Actually, that’s probably not a good idea at the moment. With travel currently in hibernation, we in the industry are making a few bookings and still processing cancellations, refunds and rebookings. [Will it ever end?] By Adrienne Witteman.

Mostly though we are looking towards a rosy future, dreaming of what might be possible when we finally learn to live with the virus. Much of my own reflection is done while out walking – some of it on the golf course but more frequently around our local streets, through our tranquil bushscapes and alongside sparkling Sydney harbour. I’ve always loved walking, especially when on holiday and never cease to feel grateful for the ability to walk. I’m determined to make the most of it while still capable and so have been considering the possibility of getting out the boots and getting serious about a mini-trek either here or overseas.

Tourism Australia is the governing body that has put together the portfolio Great Walks of Australia (www. greatwalksofaustralia.com.au). It’s a fantastic resource that I use regularly to reference options prior to making bookings on behalf of clients. Favourites to date are the Bay of Fires walk in Tasmania, the Maria Island walk, the Arkaba Walk and the Scenic Rim Trail.

Prior to the establishment of major walking trails in Australia, New Zealand has long been the go-to destination for outstanding “tramping” journeys though the experiences are somewhat different. (www.newzealand.com/au/ feature/great-walks-of-new-zealand/) Tracks such as the Milford Sound, the Hollyford Valley, the Queen Charlotte Sounds and the Abel Tasman Park walks, like their Australian counterparts, have long offered the choice of walking independently, or walking with a daypack and having your luggage carried on ahead of you. However the quality of the accommodation is, I believe, generally vastly superior this side of the Tasman. Several of Australian lodges offer architecturally designed very modern accommodation designed to blend into but complement the surrounding environment, as well as a touch of luxury. How wonderful to arrive after a journey of 12-25km to find a hot shower, an often gourmet meal and delicious wines – and the chance to sleep in a supremely comfortable bed. It must surely inspire you for the next day and more of the same! One day, we’ll be able to send our clients on walks even further afield. Thus far, Trendsetter clients have tended to enjoy walks in Italy, France and Spain – again for the food and wine I think – but also Scotland and England. Castles and ruins aplenty, stone walls, stiles, picturesque villages, pubs with pints and a ploughman’s when it’s time for a break...

The desire to get out and walk some more certainly takes me back to my childhood when my siblings and I hurried to finish our jobs so we could be free. Free to get out and explore. Without parents, who always let us to roam free. Under lockdown, those freedoms are curtailed so is it any wonder many of us are actively planning to exercise those legs some more, when we have the chance? When you’re ready to expand your horizons and walk beyond the neighbourhood, please remember that we are here with our expert knowledge to help you.

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Held for over 30 years by Hobart Yacht Race alumni Keith Tierney. Keith was born in Carlotta Street Greenwich and spent his childhood on the Lane Cove river.

Keith and his friends would provide the local GP with a steady supply of fish in return for a school sick note.

After years as a merchant seaman travelling the world, including picking up refugees from Shanghai in the late 1940’s, Keith returned to set up a seafood wholesale business and married the beautiful Sydney University hockey blues, physiotherapist Judy.

He and Judy built their family home at Seaman Street Greenwich.

Keith began sailing skiffs at the original Greenwich Sailing Club site while Judy picnicked on the river with their children. Keith was instrumental in relocating the Greenwich Sailing Club to its current location.

As President, Keith and Judy invited parents of Greenwich Primary School to bring their kids to the club on Sundays to learn to sail. By the mid 1970’s it was a thriving community club.

Keith spent many active years at Middle Harbour Yacht Club including becoming Commodore, notching up numerous Hobart and off shore races and many charity sailing events.

During this period Keith and Judy built their dream home above the Bay Street wharf and Greenwich Flying Squadron, equipped with boat shed, pontoon and access to his moored boats.

In their later years Keith and Judy would sail every Wednesday night at the Greenwich Flying Squadron, Bay street, and when Keith’s sailing days were over he could still be seen setting the course each week for the twilight race.

Whenever estate agents would hopefully ask Keith if he was ready to sell, he would always say “put a price on paradise”

Go ahead… make my school day

To the parents of children who are currently remote learning, I salute you. You are the silent, plate-spinning heroes of this pandemic. To the children who are putting up with their parents on their case 24/7… my heart goes out to you.

WORDS JULIAN LEDLIN

It must be like having local law enforcement watching your every move; patrolling the halls of your makeshift educational compound like a band of power hungry, scholastic militants. Issuing warnings, handing out fines…a world of stakeouts, stings and sentencing. Busting my 14-year-old the other day for watching Dude Perfect videos instead of writing an essay on the merits of aquaculture, it made me question my approach to it all. Post-bust, I felt like a battle-worn cop from a 70s TV show. You know the type - the trash-talking, scotch-drinking, lonely cop on the brink of retirement and psychological collapse. “Thought you’d rot your brain with some inane videos, did you? Not on my watch, pal.” Next, the obligatory verbal skirmish that leaves us both annoyed and exasperated. Needless to say, the only learning my son does in the following hour is discovering new and colourful words to describe me. Being the fifth interaction of its kind for the week (it was still only Monday), it made me think about other parents and what sort of cop they might be.

The Highway Patrol Officer

The home school highway cops are a force to be reckoned with. They sit and wait like spiders; they know their patience will be rewarded. An alert is sent from Jasper’s teacher: “Calling all cars. Calling all cars. Jasper has not submitted any work in the last two days. Sad face emoji.” The turbo diesel BMW screeches into action. Sirens, lights, and a gritted smile roar down the freeway. The kid’s a gonner. After a quick pursuit and stern lecture, Jasper’s bank account is missing a zero and he’s three points in the hole. On top of all that, there’ll be no screentime until all fines have been paid and all work is up to date. You’ll never win against the highway patrol.

The London Bobby

The London bobby thinks he’s well liked in the home school neighbourhood. He patrols his beat like it’s 1966, swinging his baton and twirling his moustache. His “Allo-allo-what‘ave-we-here-then” catchphrase bounces whimsically off cobblestone footpaths and his persistent whistling of show tunes is jaunty and bright. But don’t be fooled, he’s not really into the razzle dazzle of Broadway… he’s into nicking young scallywags who aren’t doing their work! Get caught by a bobby and you might get a warning for a first offence, but if you get too cocky with this charming cockney, he’ll throw you in the nick before you can say, “core blimey,” especially if he’s had a long day of wall-to-wall Zoom meetings.

The Corrupt Cop

Also known as the “Just-give-it-here-let-me-do-it Cop.” This questionable member of the constabulary has no regard for the integrity of the force. He is a law unto himself, hellbent on sending his offspring to the top of the class while receiving kickbacks in the form of chores around the house. He takes smug pride ripping through 20 maths mentals questions while waiting for the kettle to boil. “Here you go son, submit that, then come help me in the backyard.” The corrupt cop knows no bounds and his backyard has never looked so good.

Good Cop / Bad Cop

For kids lucky enough to have two parents in the watchtower, the Good Cop / Bad Cop routine might be a familiar policing tactic. It’s a tried and tested performance, effective on perps and pupils alike. Bad Cop bursts into the interview room and sweeps a coffee cup off the table. He demands to know why the kid doesn’t understand ‘integers’ despite going over it a thousand times. He accuses the child of talking to his friends on Discord during class time. The child, unaware of his rights to a lawyer, soon becomes a shrinking, traumatised mess. Bad Cop storms out for some air. In walks Good Cop. She offers a shoulder to cry on, some soothing words and a cigarette. Once the child has stopped sobbing, a confession is signed, and Good Cop leaves the room. She high-fives Bad Cop on her way back down the hall.

Like any good 70s cop show set on the mean streets of San Francisco, here comes the epilogue: These are indeed strange times we’re living, and while they probably won’t be repeated any time soon, they won’t go on forever. Kids are not adults, their ability to time manage, prioritise, and focus on work is extremely limited. When it comes to memories from all this, our kids will have plenty. Clear, visual reminders that will flicker front and centre in their hearts and minds for decades to come. These memories of lockdown will outlive their ability to find the hypotenuse of a triangle or the area of a sphere. Such memories will benchmark our patience as parents during tough times. They will be a lasting testimony to our relationships and what it means to be human. What those memories will be are up to us adults to help cultivate. So, in an effort to look after your good selves and those around you, hand in your badge and gun to the captain, it’s time to retire the policeman within. Your kids will thank you for it, and who knows, they might just learn a thing or two along the way.