Connie Maina. Did you Know?

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1 Volume 77 Issue 16 Tuesday 18 October 2011 Connie Maina Connie was born in Meru, on the slopes of Mount Kenya. A member of the Kikuyu tribe. She received her primary schooling in Meru and then completed her first degree in sociology at Nairobi university. She followed this up with a masters degree in communication, then in the United States she completed a degree in culture and development culminating in an MBA in Australia at RMIT. Her background in Rotary is strong, her husband, who was murdered 12 years ago, was a Rotarian and Connie has been a Rotarian for the last 10 years. Since her husband s death Connie has been shunned by all his family and has had to bring up her three children (Rose, Michael and Stephanie) by herself, Her move to Australia was prompted by a home invasion by a vicious group of thugs who threatened to kill or rape her, an incredibly frightening situation for a lone woman with three children to care for. She faced these thugs down and managed to avoid any harm to herself and family. Connie has worked in wildlife conservation for many years, first with WWF for 15 years and then with Richard Leakey with whom she started Kenya Wildlife Service. This organisation has been instrumental in turning around the depredations that were threatening to extinguish the native wildlife of Kenya. The last five years Connie has worked in the Nairobi Cultural museum which houses one of the world s prime collections of human ancestor fossils. 27 th November: Camp Getaway Golf Course RC of Keilor has built a golf course at the camp and celebrates its grand opening on 27 November. Everyone is invited to attend the opening and there are BBQs on site to cook your lunch. They are also seeking donations of forty golf putters for the course, so if you have any old, usable putters that are no longer required please let President Steve know Did you Know? The words Kaiser and Csar(Czar, Tzar, Tsar) describing respectively (possibly respectfully?) previous rulers of Germany and Russia are both derived from the cognomen of Gaius Julius Caesar(100-44BC) late of Rome, famous, among other things, for being stabbed to death in the Senate to prevent his autocratic ruling of Rome.

2 The Four Way Test: Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? The Rotary Club of Essendon P.O Box 161 Essendon, VIC 3040 Club President: Steve Roe Club Secretary: Rob Thomas Today s Attendance 45 members plus 3 guests Red Cross Until the middle of the 19th century, there were no organized and/or well-established army nursing systems for casualties and no safe and protected institutions to accommodate and treat those who were wounded on the battlefield. In June 1859, the Swiss businessman Jean-Henri Dunant traveled to Italy to meet French emperor Napoléon III with the intention of discussing difficulties in conducting business in Algeria, at that time occupied by France. When he arrived in the small town of Solferino on the evening of June 24, he witnessed the Battle of Solferino, an engagement in the Austro-Sardinian War. In a single day, about 40,000 soldiers on both sides died or were left wounded on the field. Jean-Henri Dunant was shocked by the terrible aftermath of the battle, the suffering of the wounded soldiers, and the neartotal lack of medical attendance and basic care. He completely abandoned the original intent of his trip and for several days he devoted himself to helping with the treatment and care for the wounded. He succeeded in organizing an overwhelming level of relief assistance by motivating the local villagers to aid without discrimination. This experience so motivated him that he eventually started the organization that is today the Red Cross Society. Birthdays: Andrew Lowcock Gwenda Munro Guests: Katrina Brancatisano (Tim Anderson) Rose Maina (Connie) Michele Cornwell (Colin Bell) Upcoming Events 16 th November: RC of Central Melbourne Sunrise Annual PHF breakfast Guest speaker is Professor Patrick McGorry, a leading advocate for mental health reform who was named Australian of the Year in 2010 in recognition of his efforts. Bookings: mitchco@bigpond.net.au Relay for Life Aberfeldie park 17 th. February 2012.

3 Weekly Raffle: Peter Condos failed to draw the Joker. Colin Bell won the consolation prize. Jackpot now over $782. Manchester for Philippines Any members who would like to donate new or second hand manchester, single cotton sheets and bath towels for the new crisis centre in Philippines can do so by contacting Shirley or Cathy. The centre is being opened on 11 November, Group Study Exchange Success!! Our candidate for outgoing GSE team selection, Del King was interviewed by the District panel on 9 th October. We have received the exciting news that Del s application was successful and that she will be one of four team members to travel to India with GSE team leader Murray Verso in January Del spoke to us recently about her experiences in escorting African children from the Flemington flats as well as students from St. Bernard s to the Kokoda Track. She will be a wonderful ambassador for Rotary and we look forward to welcoming Del back to the Club in the near future. I don t think her scaly companion will be accompanying her to India, I believe that they have enough snakes of their own! (Editor s note)

4 Help yourself and help the Club by banking with Strathmore Community Bank. Take out a home loan and the club will received up to $500, take out a 3 month fixed term deposit and the club will receive up to $50 etc. For more details drop into the branch at 337 Napier St or call branch Manager Philip Stewart on

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6 PROJECT of DISTRICT 9800 Fundraising Opportunity The sister event to the world s largest run is coming to Melbourne. The Sunday Age City2Sea presented by Westpac will take place for the very first time on Sunday, November 13, The 14km course starts at the Arts Centre in the CBD, travels along St Kilda Road, around the Albert Park Grand Prix track and on to a spectacular finish by the sea in St Kilda. The City2Sea is working closely with our official charity partner Movember; a global movement aimed at changing the face of men's health, amongst a range of other charities. All we have to do is find 600 Volunteers for their very first City2Sea Fun Run on November 13 and the Age will pay D9800 $22,000 in sponsorship money. All the funds go back to the Clubs who provide Marshalls; from $30 per head to $50 per head depending on hours and responsibilities. Please contact President Stephen if you are available. We will celebrate Oktoberfest with a special German theme day at Fredricks for our meeting on 25 October. Our guest speaker will be Pamela Rauleder, an experienced and enthusiastic presenter and journalist with SBS radio whose topic will be Germany Today, aka Don t mention the war! Please bring partners and friends to what will be a very entertaining and enjoyable meeting. To assist with catering, could you please also advise the front desk next week of your expected attendance at this special luncheon.

7 For the diary DATE EVENT VENUE Mon 24/10/2011 Andrew Morello Clocktower Tues 25/10/11 German Cultural Day Fred s Tues 1/11/11 No meeting Melb Cup Tues 8/11/11 Lt. Cmdr. Andrea Agarides RAN Fred s 9/11/11 16/11/11 Philippines Delegation Philippines 12/11/11 RC North Melbourne fundraiser Windsor Hotel 13/11/11 City2Sea Fun Run Tues 15/11/2011 Chris Don - Foundation Fredericks Wed 16/11/2011 Night BBQ Traffic School Tues 22/11/2011 Sue Lloyd-Williams Melb Cup - VRC Fredricks Tues 29/11/11, 1pm AGM Tues 13/12/11 evening Tues 20/12/11 breakfast Tues 27/12/11, Tues 3/1/12, Tues 10/1/12 Tues 17/1/12 late afternoon/evening Xmas Function (no lunch time mtg) TBA Breakfast mtg with guests from RC of Moonee Valley No meeting Xmas Meeting and BBQ at DIK Fredricks Fredricks DIK Thurs 26/1/12 Australia Day BBQ TBA Friday 13/2/2012 Relay for Life Aberfeldie 3/3/12 12/3/12 Mynamar Delegation Myanmar 9/3/12 12/3/12 80 th D9800 Conference Melbourne Convention Centre Tues 22/5/12 Charter Night (no lunch time mtg) TBA Tues 3/7/12, 1pm President Changeover Fredricks

8 The trivia night held last Friday was an outstanding success. Over 200 enthusiastic participants were put through their paces by Boris Struk who was outstanding in his first attempt as quizmaster and party game host. MC Simon Cookson did a fine job keeping the noisy crowd under control and focussed. His auctioneering expertise came to the fore and keen bidders ensured good prices were achieved for all items on offer. The staff at the Maribyrnong Park Bowls Club were kept busy all night and their bar was almost emptied by the thirsty gathering! Co-hosted by The Rotary Club of Essendon and Kangan Institute, the event raised close to $10,000 for Bahay Tuluyan. Congratulations to Shirley Kukk and Cathy Nicou for their organisation of a most enjoyable and successful night. Oh, the moral of the evening if you want to put a Mars bar up your trouser leg, don t wear tight pants!

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