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Club Meeting Wednesday 10th June 2026

Encouraged by political preferences and amplified by media , for many it seems like a perpetual open season on politicians, but when you have the chance to hear representatives like Marielle Smith (and indeed other guests before her), we are reminded of the super-human effort they need to pursue policy interest that they believe will make real change for the betterment of lives. Marielle who is “conflict averse” spoke of her special interest in support for women’s health services, maternal health and early childhood to name a few. It’s a miracle how she can balance her family life and sanity with the massive demand that is a part of political life.

It was also a very sad occasion when we were informed that it was Blaikie’s last shift at the Kensington Hotel. Blaike has been at the Kensington Hotel for six years and has always been very attentive and helpful to the Rotary Club of Burnside. We have all enjoyed his wonderful sense of humour and his ability to make us all very welcome. He will be a greatly missed both by the Rotary club and Kensington Hotel. We all wish him the best of luck in his new position. Thank you Blaike for all your support.

Farewell to Blaike.

To finish the evening Peter Fowler Friend of Rotary and past member of the Rotary Club of Burnside won the Club raffle.

Congratulations Peter Fowler

On Wed 20th May, seven members headed off to historic Fort Glanville to explore a SA historical site.
Volunteer guide Kim showed us through the museum in the visitor centre, then on to the fort proper. On the way he explained about the rare historic canons they have, including a mountain gun, one of only two of its model left in the world, which can be disassembled to horse- or donkey-load sized pieces for hauling over mountain passes; a couple of rather unique over-bank siege cannons (surplus to British Army requirements so packed off to the colonies as a stop-gap) and a pair of original fort guns, one complete with original carriage mechanism (the other lost all its gun carriage to scrap dealers in the 1930s, but scrap merchants failed to cut the actual cannon up). The main guns had special shell and charge feed gantries to minimise the manhandling of the heavy weights. Special precautions were required throughout the magazines to prevent striking sparks which could have set off any stray gunpowder.

The Glanville Fort was one of several planned along the coast: Forts Glanville and Largs were completed, Fort Glenelg was planned but never built and Fort Malta, a temporary earth embankment gun placement was set up for WW1. Fort Malta has long since disappeared; Fort Largs has been modified over the years, to the detriment of its historical character; but Fort Largs is still very original. 
This was a very enjoyable visit, the weather was kind, and we followed up with a pleasant meal at the Semaphore Palais.  Many thanks to Brian for organising and to the Desi drivers for accommodating the rest of us tourists. Post submitted by John Rockliff.

On Wednesday 27th May 2026 we had the pleasure of Sgt. Bridgette Barendregt present at a Club meeting. Bridgette’s topic was Cyber Security and scams. It was a very important topic one that can affect us all. Her tips on how to secure yourself better, are vitally important -particularly the use of Multi-Factor Authentication.
As more of our lives become integrated online- from banking and shopping to communication and personal records-the importance of cyber security is continuing to grow.
Today, fraudsters can target thousands of people from anywhere in the world.
By sharing knowledge, looking out for one another, and remaining vigilant, we can help protect ourselves and those around us.
Many thanks to Bridgette for her presentation. While alarming on how clever scammers are, we need to be suspicious and cautious when receiving emails with links. Also, there are many scammers preying on the vulnerable who do not have the ability to detect a scam.
It was a fun meeting as we were in the newly renovated atrium. The renovations at the Kensington Hotel are coming along and the finished product will be worth the wait. It is anticipated the renovations will be finally completed in July.
Congratulations to Ruth for winning the club raffle. Always good to see Ian and Ruth at a meeting.

Community Wellness Hub Thursday 21st May 2026

We had the honour of Elizabeth Olssen speak on the Bangka Island, Radji Beach massacre. It was a very confronting presentation but one that needed to be spoken about.
Nurses and Soldiers were evacuated from Singapore 12^th February 1942 during the Japanese invasion only to have some of the ships bombed and people trying to survive in the sea. Many were washed away but many also made it to Radji beach. Unfortunately, the Japanese arrived and many were shot. A group of nurses were marched into the sea and gunned down. Only one survived and that was Vivian Bullwinkle. Trying to survive in the jungle was impossible and along with a soldier they both surrendered to the Japanese.
Vivan spent 3 1/2 years in an Internment Camp under horrific conditions. Lack of food and medicines resulted in many deaths. Eventually liberation arrived and the surviving nurses sent home.
On her return Vivan took up the position of Director of Nursing at the Fairfield Infectious Diseases hospital. In 1947 Vivian gave evidence of the massacre at a war crimes trial in Tokyo. She devoted herself to the nursing profession and to honouring those killed on Bangka Island, raising funds for a Nurses’ memorial. In later years she became president of the Australian College of Nursing.
Vivian Bullwinkle is an inspiration to all nurses and her story truly remarkable. Elizabeth presented with passion and emphasized the sacrifices and courage the nurses demonstrated under such horrific conditions.
It was an inspiring presentation, and the group were humbled by the actions of Vivian Bullwinkle and the Army nurses.
Many thanks to all the volunteers on the day, D. Munro, K. Cross, S. Girke, P. Higgins, T. Maloney and a new volunteer P. Boyce.

Youth Sailing Challenge on the tall ship One and All

Club meeting Wednesday 13^th May was a full house. We were delighted to be joined by members of the Rotary Club of Eastwood.
We also had the pleasure of hearing from our youth candidates together with their families who attended in support, as each shared reflections on their experience participating in the One and All Sailing Challenge: a five-day voyage alongside young people from all walks of life across South Australia.
As noted by RC Eastwood’s Don Will, attendees included youth refugees and participants from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds. It was inspiring to listen to the candidates describe their experiences. What stood out most was how, beyond overcoming the inevitable seasickness, they came to understand that everyone aboard the ship had a role to play — and that reliability and contributing to the team were essential. These are the kinds of lessons that quietly plant the seeds for future success. I commend the efforts of the One and All organisers and volunteers.
To our youth candidates, Director for Youth Ana Kuusk, and the subcommittee: thank you and well done. I would also like to extend a special thanks to Ian Vayne. A former musician and opera singer, we were privileged to receive a heartfelt recital of a poem dedicated to the One and All.

Our RAWCS leaders meet the Governor-General

This was a landmark 60th Anniversary Celebration of Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) at Government House, Canberra on Friday 15 May 2026.

Major event : Pioneer Adventure Day at Old Tailem Town, Tailem Bend

Rotary provided a free family event for farming and rural families who have been hard hit by the drought. Around 500 farming families attended and were entertained by several bands. A truck load of hay destined for Loxton added to the show giving a signal of hope.

There were lots of giveaways in the way of groceries, clothing and well-being goods. Provision of health services like skin cancer testing, breast cancer checks and mental well-being discussion groups being part of the event. Rotary Clubs involved were Adelaide, Adelaide Central, Adelaide Light, Burnside, Eastwood, Edwardstown, Hyde Park, Mobilong, Mt Barker, Murray Bridge, Prospect, Regency Park, Strathalbyn, Tailem Bend, and Unley.
Rotarian Bob Cooper earlier called up Macca, from the ABC’s Australia All Over Radio show and spruiked the event to success.

There’s More

About 200 Volunteers helped run the event. About 140 of those were members of Rotary Clubs from about 15 Clubs.
Approximately 600 Farmers attended.
Over $50,000 of groceries and Household/Farm items were given away as families left. Pantry items, fresh fruit and vegetables as well as clothing.
7 farmers visiting the Health Hub were identified with potentially life-threatening conditions whereby without immediate intervention, they would likely to be dead within a year.
2 farmers were diagnosed with advanced melanoma.
4 farmers found with advanced undiagnosed diabetes.
1 farmer displayed extremely high blood pressure.
Our friends at Fat Farmers Health Hub (Adelaide University & Flinders University) have systems in place to follow these people up.
Beyond this sobering side, the day was was full of mirth, merriment, music, dancing, food and entertainment.
A number of farmers showed tears of joy. Some came intending a stay of two hours and left after six.

Burnside Rotary cares for the environment in a practical way.

YOU COULD SAY STARS ARE DRAWN TO EACH OTHER

Saturday 2nd May 2026 was Environment Expo at the City of Burnside. The Rotary Club of Burnside were honoured to be part of the proceedings.
It was a bit of a worry about Saturday’s rain and cooler weather putting a dampener on the BBQ, but how wrong we were.
City of Burnside informed us up to 3000 people attended the event, the star attraction being Costa Georgiadis from Gardening Australia. The weather started off being pleasant and we hoped it would continue. Once different presentations finished, we were overrun with customers with little downtime. We smashed through an estimated 305 sausages plus a six-pack of vegan sausages, struggling to keep up with the demand. The weather turned and the rained came down heavily.
We might not have won the Environment Award, but we certainly brought home the bacon.
Many thanks again to all including Margie’s neighbour John, for digging in to make this event work for us -and especially Club stalwart Brian Wall who put in a full shift, and our newest John, who came along to see what we did, jumped in on the BBQ action and didn’t let up till stumps were called when we sold out at 1.30pm.

Meanwhile over the road, Rotarian John Caddy had a productive day talking to the public who stopped in to look at our environmental efforts, and to enquire about our habitat boxes.

Overall, we raised over $1500 in a short time –better than the long shifts we do at Bunnings.