Chairperson for the Meeting was PE Kathy Heinrich. Grace was read by Pres mark Smeaton and toast was given by Chris Edmonds.
PE Kathy invited directors and members to come forward for their spots.
Mark Forgie, read a piece outlining the harshness of realities for volunteers in the Ukraine.
Kathy informed members to look out for the invitation to the changeover dinner which should be coming this week.
Michael Jacob said to hold off on booking into the Salvos Riverside Business lunch as it might be delayed until later.
Pres Mark Thanked everyone for helping at the recent shed clean-up. He also thanked members for representing the club at the Kapunda and Area six dinner. He then asked Mike Williams to come forward to receive his Sapphire pin Paul Harris fellow award for his contribution to the Rotary Foundation.
Mark then passed on the news that Kevin Clarke had resigned from the club. He read a letter form Kevin which outlined his service to Rotary in different Clubs. Kevin and his wife Helen will remain in contact with both the Gawler Club and the Parkes Club of NSW. Kevin appreciated and valued his time at the Gawler Rotary Club, and he has requested to remain on the bulletin mailout. Members wished Kevin all the best in his travels and his health.
Anthony Barilla spoke briefly about his upcoming involvement in the SA variety Bash. Anthony will have more information next week about a quiz night and Auction to be held on the 23rd July.
After a short break Kathy welcomed Sergeant Barry to present his regular Bunyip roundup and fines session. The wheel winners this week were Bruce Eastick who chose the chocolates and Angela Moore who received a gift voucher.
Following Barry’s session PE Kathy introduced tonight’s guest speaker pp Rotarian Brian Burt to give the second part of his autobiography.
In part 1 Brian spoke of the hard times following the sudden death of his daughter Jennifer. This time he spoke of more positive times-his Rotary times. Through Rotary Brian had opportunities to be both hosted by and host guests from overseas. He and Anne participated in Friendship exchanges overseas several times as well as take part in conferences. Despite having four young grandchildren to help raise they still were able to do things they enjoyed.
Even in the sad times Brian was thankful for his Rotary Family. In 2010 Ann was diagnosed with Leukaemia and in 2012 she received a hip replacement, but this didn’t go very well. Ann was accepted to use a new treatment from the US and for the next three and half years things were better. In 2015 after 42 rounds of treatment Ann was declared free of leukaemia.
Brian was then diagnosed with Colon Cancer despite having 5 doctors tell him he was fine. Doctors removed a metre of his colon. Ann took this news badly and ended up in hospital at the same time. Brian started Chemo 6 weeks later but had an extreme reaction and ended up in intensive care. After 8 days he was moved to the general ward where he spent a further 9 days and lost a total of 22kg along with his hair. He also had an ileostomy bag for 2 years. Brian remains grateful to the Gawler Rotary club members who visited him in hospital and those who organised to help by assisting with appointments for him and Ann and having a roster to help with chores around the house. Brian said this is what Rotarians are all about -Helping where it is needed.
Five weeks after being told Ann was leukaemia free it returned. Brian became involved in the leukemia foundation and supported by Rotary held the Light the Night fundraiser In Gawler. Over the next 2 years they raised over $20,000. Brian is still involved in the leukaemia Association but not as heavily and since the board replaced him as organiser of the Light the Night there hasn’t been one held in Gawler.
Brian is still active. He lives by himself and still helps
Pioneers of SA
Leukaemia association
Rotary
Association of Public Sector Superannuants
Liberal Party
Uni of Adelaide.
He has 3 great grandsons, and 7 grandchildren who are successful in their own right. His son Steve and daughter in law Vicki; Brian is very proud of all his family and their achievements.
Kathy Presented Brian with a gift and thanked him for his talk tonight.
Kathy then invited Pres Mark to give his closing remarks.
Mark also thanked Brian,
- Next week is Anthea Johns autobiography; Angela Moore is president.
- Next week is Board and quick committee meetings
- 6th June Ben Smeaton will talk about his life in Public relations. 4th July is the changeover make sure it is in your diary and start inviting guests.
- After reciting the four way test mark closed meeting 3115.
