Rotaspoke

Greetings Rotarians and guests,

 

Joseph Mack is taking a break this week from issuing his amazing Rotaspoke bulletin, so I am trialling this format, created in Club Runner,  to see how it works.  Due to time constraints not all the regular content is included this week. Your feedback is welcome.

 

Front of mind at the time of writing is the devastating impact of the floods in Western NSW.  Our club’s own Ed Strom has had his home in the town of Eugowra damaged and town is devastated.  There are Rotarians in D9685 that are starting to form up a Disaster Response effort.  I know there are many members in our club who will want to contribute either financially or via donations of goods, or perhaps even with assisting arrange transport of goods to the affected areas.  Let’s see what we can do as a club to support the recovery after these terrible floods.

 

This week I have mostly been focussed on ensuring flyers and Facebook marketing, as well as website updates are in place for the upcoming North Rocks Christmas Market, and the Carols by Twilight at John Wearn reserve, both on December 11^th (please keep that day free in your diary).  Please do LIKE and SHARE the events on Facebook with your social network !  There will also be a letterbox drop coming up in the week prior to December 11^th.

 

And our Club Christmas Party on Friday December 16^th – Barefoot Bowls and Dinner - is booked at F C Social, Rydalmere with tickets now available for purchase. 

 

Have a terrific week ahead !

Trudy

 

Meeting opened at 7.15pm with a call to Order by Phillip Newell.  

Phillip handed over to President Trudy Stevenson who welcomed members and guests Councilor Georgina Valjak, Councilor Ange Humphries and Councilor Donna Wang who will be presenting an update on the Next Sense planning proposal.

 

President Trudy also welcomed Ruby Santiago (mother of Paolo) who is also a Rotarian from RC Angeles Kuliat, Philippines, John Barber, Vicki Anderson and Fay Kitto, President of the Rotary Club of North Rocks.

 

Apologies were received from Jules Adan, Aaron Kamarajan, Russ Riddell, Geoff Saville, Bob O’Shea and one resignation has been received from Kiran Sirikonda who has relocated to the USA.

 

Phillip announced birthdays for the month, Ben Fox and also Paolo will be married next week.

 

Bass introduced our speaker for the evening Georgina Valjak, who was elected to council in 2021 and who’s work experience included Pharmaceutical, Medical devices and Banking. Angie Humphries and Donna Wang will also take part of the presentation about the next development with the planning of the Next Sense space.

 

The site is 12.6 hectares, zoned R2.  North Rocks Council is protecting the area from high rise buildings.  There is no hard rail or light rail in the area and it doesn’t have a transport system to deal with the influx of people a high rise development would bring to the area. The R2 density is for 1,012 people. Nor traffic impact report has been received from the developers who revised their development plan to include seven (7) story accommodation buildings.

 

The council came back with a revised plan with R2/R3 rating which includes town houses/villas/aged care facilities.  These dwellings are a maximum of two (2) to three (3) stories high, and a mix of housing and affordable dwellings. They have rejected R4 high density development on the site and were also concerned about inadequate open spaces.

 

The proposal will go to Council for a vote on 28^th November.  If the Council opposes the scheme it can then go to the Sydney City Planning Council.

 

Mike Morgan relayed the fact that the Developers had offered a permanent bus service for the area, free of charge and asked if the Council had given any credence to this.  Council had not received any documentation on a traffic study from the Developers.

 

Council has conducted a pre-poll in the area and the majority of people are opposed to any high rise in their area. 

 

The Councilors are happy to return in the New Year to update the club on developments with the Council plan for North Rocks.

 

President Trudy gave a vote of thanks to the Councilors for their time and presentation to the Club and the opportunity for the feedback.  Thanks were also given for the support given to our Club by the Council with our Christmas Carols and Australia Day events.

Councilors left the meeting.

 

Fay Kitto informed the members of North Rocks Club upcoming events - Christmas Carols, Tree of Joy and the Santa Sleigh on Christmas Eve.  They are seeking a Santa.  

 

The Christmas Carol event is now 20 years old.  It is a joint event with Carlingford.  Sophie Bayer and President Trudy are assisting with the event publicity.

 

Ed Strom the late shift and treasurer got an early mark due to the shower at 10.00 am and a follow up at 10.30 am. We did collect, amazingly without any complaints, but it certainly should be classified as a rain affected market.

Stalls = 30 = $1,200, tables = 6 = $30.00, gate $297.50. Total Banking $1,509.50.

 

Sandra Payne is seeking volunteers to assist with the Telopea community garden.  We will have more information soon and also a presentation on 21/11 from a representative of the garden project.

 

Martha Jabour advised that the cheques for the Citizenship Awards were ready and she is seeking volunteers to attend schools for their presentation.  Carlingford High on 14^th December and Muirfield High on 13^th December.

 

Global Grant - Global Grant  22- 338088

Sudhir Mooray

Ghana clean water project will drill thirty new boreholes and build 50 Micro flush household toilets in Ghana.  Our goal is to provide communities with clean water and sanitation in poor communities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.  We will provide 40 micro credit loans for boreholes, Micro flush toilets, farms and small businesses to improve the economic strength of two communities.  The project funding goal is $200,005 to impact more than 42,283 lives.  The communities impacted are in the Obuasi and Kumasi areas of Ghana.

 

Gary Hayman reminded all of the upcoming AGM. Nomination Forms are available. The Christmas Market is scheduled for 11^th December; printing is on the way for this market boost.

 

Phillip Newall ran Heads and Tails with Ruby Santiago as our coin-tosser.  

 

Happy Fines - Chris Johnson was part of a televised segment with Keith Roffey about recycling of medical goods from Castle Hill to send to Ukraine.  SBS News last Saturday evening.

 

President Trudy announced the next week’s speaker will be KATHRYN HAMMOND - Dundas Area Neighbourhood Centre, and the community garden refurbishment project.

 

The meeting close with President Trudy thanking all for attending and in particular our guests Ruby Santiago, John Barber, Vicki Anderson and Fay Kitto, President of the Rotary Club of North Rocks.

Central West NSW has been hit hard by floods.  Our own Ed Strom has been out to his property at Eugowra and described the town to me as being hit by a tsunami and a bomb all at once.  Evidently there are 100 caravans being taken to the showgrounds for emergency accommodation and temporary showers being set up.  Ed & Nola are heading back there this week.  

 

Pam Hudson from RC Pennant Hills together with Paul Rogers from RC Kurrajong North Richmond has kicked off a district project to collect and distribute non-perishable food items to people in need.  All clubs are being asked to create food donation collection points in their local communities.  Bob O'Shea and some mates have offered their services to transport items.  We are also looking forward to Ed letting us know what the Eugowra community needs are.  Let's discuss this at our meeting this week to see how we can best support.  

 

For anyone wishing to donate (tax deductible) funds, a new fund-raising account specific to the NSW Central West Flood has been set up by RAWCS.  Details are here.