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26 September 2018
Volume 58 Issue 13
Next Meeting Responsibilities
 
Chair:            PP Ricardo Balancy
 
Fellowship:   Clare Ganderton
                        PP Gary Evans
                    
Attendance:  Steve Paton
                        PP Peter Batterham
CLUB MEETINGS
The Rotary Club of Berwick meets
Every Wednesday evening at
Holm Park Reserve
(Beaconsfield Football Club)
Emerald-Beaconsfield Road
Beaconsfield
6.30 for a 7.00pm start
 

 
Please email your apology
or book in your guest to
All bookings and apologies
To submitted by 10.00 am on
Tuesday prior to the meeting.
 
Executives & Directors
President
 
Treasurer
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
International Service Director
 
Rotary Foundation Chair
 
Vice President
 
Membership Chair
 
Public Image Chair
 
Club Administration Chair
 
Avenues of Service Chair
 
Fundraising Chair
 
Club Protection Officer
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
David Grant
September 3
 
Russell Dunn
September 15
 
Bruce Shaw
September 17
 
Geoff Double
September 21
 
Spouse Birthdays
Josie Wilson
September 9
 
Geoff Double
September 21
 
Anniversaries
Bruce Shaw
Robyn Shaw
September 4
 
Berwick & District Benevolent Society Inc.
 
Since 2015, the Rotary Club of Berwick has had responsibility for management of the Berwick & District Society Inc. 
 
The current  Office Bearers are:
 
President:  PP David Collyer
 
Treasurer:  PP Peter Batterham
 
Secretary:  David Cutler
 
Upcoming Events
Rotary Youth Exchange Program
Holm Park Recreation Reserve
Oct 03, 2018
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Free Flow Networking Night
Holm Park Recreation Reserve
Oct 10, 2018
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Free Flow Networking Night
Holm Park Recreation Reserve
Oct 17, 2018
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
ClubRunner
President's Preamble 26-9-18
Firstly, I would like to thank all those members who replaced themselves when they were unable to do their rostered duty on Wednesday night.  We appear much more professional to our visitors when our members can slot into their allocated roles and aren’t racing around looking for someone to do something.
 
Secondly, I would like to thank all those members who stepped in to fill the roles.  With most of the nomads still away, I know you are being asked to attend to the meeting duties more often than normal.  Your dedication is greatly appreciated.
 
We heard a very interesting and heartfelt story from Teresa Fraga about her terrifying journey from the mountains in Timor Leste to Portugal and finally to the safety of the City of Casey. 
 
Teresa was only two years old when her family was forced into the mountains to hide from the invading Indonesian army in 1974.  Teresa told us a little of her Mother’s story, about how she was widowed at 33 years old and left to care for eight children while trying to keep them all safe in an unimaginably dangerous place.  Teresa’s family are now safe and living in Australia.
 
Jan Trezise is the editor of the book “From Timor-Leste to Australia, Seven Families, Three Generations, Tell Their Stories”. This book was launched at Bunjil Place, City of Casey on Sunday 24 June.  Jan explained how close Timor is to Darwin and gave us an insight into the violent history of invasions that the country has suffered. 
 
The number of Timorese people killed during these invasions is dreadful.  The nation has gained its independence, but the cost in lives has been enormous.
 
Before the meeting, Gus and I were talking to Teresa and we found out she came from a place on the way to Balibo.  A place we are all somewhat familiar with.
 
That’s it from me for this week.
 
Over and out.
Mock Interviews
PP David Collyer advised that mock interviews will be held  for Year 10 students at Berwick College, on Wednesday 31st October from 9:00am - 10:45 am.
 
He asked for volunteers to conduct the interviews and emphasised that all volunteers must have a current 'Working With Children' card.
 
A "Tick Sheet" was circulated for members to indicate their availability to assist.
Timor Leste to Australia
Guest speakers for this week were Jan Trezise and Teresa Fraga who talked about the book Timor-Leste to Australia, which was launched at Bunjil Place on Sunday 24th June.
 
The book is a collection of stories about seven East Timorese families currently living in Melbourne, having escaped the horrors of their war torn homeland.
 
Jan explained that the initial interviews of the shy family members were conducted over several months by Year 7 students from Gleneagles Secondary College in Endeavour Hills.  The students were coached on what questions to ask and they then documented the stories, providing a raw manuscript.  
 
More extensive interviews were then conducted by Jan, who went on to develop and edit the manuscipt.  In all, it has taken two and a half years to develop the book
 
Jan provided a brief background to the stories stating that:
  • Timor had been colonised by the Portuguese for 400 years.
  • It was invaded by the Japanese in 1942.
  • Eventually abandoned by the Portuguese in 1974, which led to a civil war from 1974 -1975.
  • The country was invaded by Indonesia from 1975-1979
  • In 1999, following the United Nations-sponsored act of self-determination, Indonesia relinquished control of the territory. 
  • East Timor gained their independence in 2002
It is estimated that the number of deaths from famine and violence during the Indonesian occupation,  was between 90,800 and 202,600 and 70% of the violent deaths were caused by Indonesian forces.
 
The stories of the seven families focus on their struggles and tragedies through these times, before coming to Australia.
 
Teresa Fraga summarised her family's experiences.  Teresa is the seventh of eight children and speaks Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesian and English. 
 
When the Indonesian forces invaded East Timor, her family fled to the mountains. 
 
Teresa's father was a nurse and was killed while helping others, leaving Teresa's mother to look after the eight children.  They do not know where their father is buried.
 
After several weeks in the mountains, the family surrendered to the Indonesian forces and were placed in a concentration camp.  They managed to escape in 1979 and in 1982, they left East Timor for Portugal.
 
Teresa explained that as a refugee, you are continually thinking of safety.  She emphasised how strong her mother was in holding the family together and looking after their wellbeing and safety.
 
The family arrived in Melbourne on 24th July 1985 and were placed in the Enterprise Migrant Hostel in Springvale, where they were made very welcome and received a lot of support, particularly from the Timorese Association.  As a result of her experience there, she is keen to give back to the community. 
 
Teresa currently lives in Berwick and finished her story by saying that all refugees, regardless of colour, religion or background have a "Right to dignity and respect".
Jokers Wild 26-9-18
Guest speaker, Teresa Fraga, picked the winning ticket, which belonged to PP Peter Batterham.
 
Peter carefully selected a card from the deck, which was the Ace of Clubs.  Better luck next time Peter. 
 
Next week, there will 45 cards plus the Joker in the deck and the Jackpot will be $454.50.
 
Make sure you buy your tickets before the meeting starts and please have the correct money.
 
News Snippets
 
October is Rotary International's
Economic and Community Development Month:


Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day.

Our members promote economic and community development and reduce poverty in underserved communities through training, well-paying jobs, and access to financial management institutions.

Projects range from providing people with equipment to vocational training.

Our members work to strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.

Give now to promote economic growth in communities.

 

Wheelchairs for Kids

The Club has received a receipt and a "Thank you" for the $1,500 donation to 'Wheelchairs for Kids' Relief Fund. 

The 'Wheelchairs for Kids' organisation was initiated and is managed by the Rotary Club of Scarborough. This  financial support enables the organisation to continue building wheelchairs for disadvantaged disabled children in developing countries.

Giving these children the gift of mobility increases their ability to participate in community activities, especially attending school. Having a wheelchair can provide a disabled child with independance and relieve the pressure on their families.

 

District 9820 Membership Forum

DG Janne Speirs requests that you come to hear inspirational speakers and participate in workshops on how to make Rotary interesting, so as to attract new members and inspire existing members.

When:  Saturday 13 October

Where: Nossal High School, Berwick

Time:    10:00am until 4:00pm

Bohemian Rhapsody

A District 9820 polio fundraiser will be held in the form of a movie night featuring "Bohemian Rhapsody" (The story of the great band Queen).

The actual date and venue are yet to be confirmed.

It should provide a good opportunity to bring as many family members and friends to this Rotary function.

 

2019 Multi-District Conference

Registrations for the first ever Victorian Multi District Conference are going well with 13 Clubs from D9820 represented so far.

There are now Rotarians from 78 Victorian Rotary Clubs going and that has to be an opportunity to network, inspire and connect!

Remember to register before 31st October to go into the draw for free registration for two people plus accommodation for two nights (up to $500).

The conference will be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre from 15-17 February 2019.

Early bird registration before 30 November will cost:

$175 per person, or

$125 per person for Rotarians < 2 years membership to encourage new members.

$110 per person for the conference dinner, which is optional.

Register online at: http://www.rotaryconference.org.au/registration.html  

Weekly Photos
 
   
 
CLUB SPONSORS