BIBLE THOUGHT
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:13 AKJV)
God is a good giver and a great giver. He cares about you.
I NEVER gave a thought to joining a community service club as decade after decade passed me by over my long life.
My only exposure to clubs like Apex, Rotary and Lions was when I approached towns and observed club logos perched on posts or the occasional branded park or monument.
On second thoughts, a lovely old boss of mine, Terry Connolly from Canberra, used to wear his Rotary badge to work each Monday and later headed off to what he called the “Broken Wheel Club.”
I thought nothing of it until last year when a friend, “Clive,” invited me along to a regular Monday night Rotary Club of Toowoomba dinner at Burke and Wills – I’ve barely missed a Monday dinner since.
I didn’t know what to expect, but what I got, and continue to get, was a 90 minute jam-packed agenda which includes a lovely dinner, high profile speaker, inspirational presentations by office holders, the Sergeant-at-Arms fine session and updates on our various community projects.
And outside Monday night, I’ve had the good fortune to join Rotary colleagues and wield my chainsaw in a major makeover at the property of one of our members who has a mobility challenge.
I also had the (dis) pleasure of getting up at 3am to be a marshal for much of the day on the annual “Ride the Range” cycling spectacular where we raised a considerable amount of money.
Those funds enabled the construction and modification of facilities at Toowoomba Aerodrome which will give Royal Flying Doctor Service patients a significantly more comfortable greeting as they embark on their transfer to one of our local hospitals.
Rotary started with the vision of one man, Chicago attorney Paul Harris, who formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on February 23, 1905 to enable professionals, with diverse backgrounds, an opportunity to exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
Today there are 35,000 clubs around the world, including an impressive 1100 in Australia.
And, this year we toast the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Australia – our local district 9630 intends to celebrate.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday March 5-7 will see the “District 9630 Conference 2021” convened at the Empire Theatre, and members and nonmembers are cordially invited to register.
The packed program comprises a smoking ceremony and traditional welcome by an Indigenous leader and an address from Mayor Antonio; presentations by 10 remarkable Australians headed by NSW Resilience Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons; launch of the Rotary History Book; and dinners plus Friday’s public “Meet Street” event in the theatre forecourt with numerous food and beverage concessions.
Register now at www.9630conference2021.com.au/registration.html
We look forward to welcoming you.