The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville

Weekly Bulletin Monday 12th August

Issue 5 No.7

Rotary Four-Way Test:

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER

FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Program for Club Meeting

Monday 12th August 2013

Writing Competition

Duty Roster tonight:

Door - Bobby Redman

Inside this issue

Tonight’s Program

President Rob’s

Message

Members’ News

Review of last week’s

meeting

David Rosenberg

– Con men

Club Calendar

Club Members

Last Meeting: 5th August 2013

Program

David Rosenberg – Con Men

Apologies

Keith Stapley; Alan Jones; Mike O’Connell

Next Meeting: 19th August 2013

Program

District Governors Zone Visit

The Madison Function Centre

(formerly The Burning Log)

632 Old Northern Road, DURAL

6-30 for 7PM

Congratulations to the Rotaract Club of The Hills

Chartered Friday 9th August

The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville welcomes

students, families and school representatives from:

Crestwood Public School

Ironbark Ridge Public School

Jasper Road Public School

Kellyville Public School

Matthew Pearce Public School

Our Lady of The Rosary

Rouse Hill Anglican College

Sherwood Ridge Public School

William Clarke College

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President’s Message

Hello members,

Last week David Rosenberg entertained us by talking about “Con Men”. David works with the Department of Fair Trading, tracking down and prosecuting unscrupulous door to door operators, particularly roof repairers and bitumen driveway installers. It was a wakeup call to us all to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true because they usually are not good value. David has addressed the club previously and his presentations continue to invoke keen interest from the members and guests.

On Thursday night, the Hill’s Zone Presidents met for our scheduled monthly meeting. Assistant District Governor (ADG) Joan Van den Burg suggested that the Hills Zone Rotary Clubs (Castle Hill, Dural, Glenhaven, Norwest Sunrise and The Hills-Kellyville) should consider a combined social event early November. More information to come.

ADG Joan also announced that the Rotary Club of Winston Hills will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary on the 9th November at Madisons, Dural. The Rotary Club of Baulkham Hills instigated the formation of the Winston Hills Rotary Club. Further information will be forwarded to our club regarding this event.

Another celebration happens this Sunday with Laura’s 17th birthday party at Jim and Vivien Sifonios’ home at Kellyville. Happy birthday, Laura!

Next week, the 19th August is the District Governor’s visit for the Hills Zone Clubs. This will be held at Madisons, Dural commencing at 6.30pm. There is plenty of onsite parking.

Look forward to seeing you all at our Writing Competition Presentation evening.

Regards,

President Rob.

Happy Birthday to Wilf van Emmerik on the 18th – have a wonderful

day and enjoy your family celebrations.

Hope you all enjoyed Laura’s Birthday party on Sunday.

No anniversaries this week (clearly too cold for weddings at this time

of the year!!!!!!)

We have received bad new from Suresh’s family. Unfortunately Suresh is

not at all well at the moment . We wish you all the best for your surgery

this week, Suresh. Take care.

Just to show that Rotary’s not the only place to gain awards – Bobby wanted to

show off her 20 year Red Cross service award presented by Major General Warren

Glenny AO RFD ED (Rtd), on Friday.

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August 5th 2013

Apologies: Keith Stapley; Alan Jones; Mike O’Connell

President Rob welcomed members and guest speaker David Rosenberg, with a special welcome to and

special guest Xiaoli Chen, introduced by Brian King and our YES Laura Seif. He also welcomed back Bruce Pike

and Thomas Cann who briefly told us about his trip to Texas, Miami, Nassar and Cuba. Thomas was

particularly impressed by Cuba where they boast a 90% literacy rate and excellent medical facilities.

Apparently following the crisis in Haiti, Cuba sent out 300 doctors to assist and where they remained for 12

months.

Rob reminded members that the Club is still seeking a President Elect, pointing out that this was now

becoming a matter of urgency that needed addressing.

PP Wilf in his regular role as Secretary informed members that a thank you letter had been received from

ROMAC together with a receipt for fund raised at the ROMAC fund-raising dinner held by the Club.

In his role Acting Treasurer, Wilf announced that semi-annual dues are coming in, but reminded those

Members who hadn’t yet paid that they were now over-due.

Wilf also reported on Margaret’s progress, saying that she is now home and walking without sticks.

Naturally, she is starting to become a little frustrated but that she was starting a day rehab program shortly.

President Rob wished her well on behalf of all the Members.

PP Ray, Club Service Director, indicated that the program is well in place for the next couple of months, but

reminded Members that he is always keen to hear about any potential speakers. If any Members can suggest

anyone, Ray said that he is happy to make contact. He also said that he is hoping to organise a vocational

visit prior to Christmas.

Ray told members about an upcoming wine auction, being held by the members of the Norwest Inner Wheel

Club, at the Castle Hill RSL on Saturday 14th September. Wine is being donated by PP Chris Kelly and all funds

raised will go to Chris O’Brien’s Lighthouse Project. The wine has been valued and any interested persons

are welcome to sight the valuation. Tickets will be $50 per person.

PP Graeme, Community Service Director, reported that:

Dan Murphy’s had again sold out last Saturday with a special mention of the egg and bacon

rolls – apparently “cooked to perfection” by Ray Campbell, chef extrordinaire!!!!!

Members should remember the BBQ at the Powerhouse Museum on 17th August. Graeme

reported that the list of supporting Members is looking good.

Bollyhills 2013 being held on 16th November is coming together well with 10 tables already

committed. Organiser Haran had a meeting with PDG Bruce Allen on Wednesday, to discuss

an appropriate program requiring support.

PP, Bobby, PR and Bulletin Editor, apologised for an error in the Club Calendar printed in this week’s Bulletin

– the dates of the Rotaract Charter Night and the Rouse Hill Trivia Night had been reversed. Bobby also said

that the Club had received a mention in The Hills Shire Times, in an article about the upcoming event at the

Powerhouse Museum at which we are providing the BBQ on Saturday 17th August.

PP Jim, Youth Service, updated Members on arrangements that had been made for the Writing Competition

(Monday 12th August). Over 100 people were expected at this stage, and the meeting would be moved to

the larger function room at the Tavern. Some additional trestles were required and these were located from

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Members. Dinner was no longer to be a buffet, because of the numbers and alternate menus would be

served.

Jim reminded Members that as Laura Seif’s Birthday coming up, he and Vivien would be holding a

celebration Birthday party to which all members were invited. It is to take place at his home from 1 to

around 6pm on Sunday 11th August. Jim and Vivien will provide the meat and Members were asked to bring

salads and desserts as well BYO drinks.

There were no reports for Membership, International Service or Vocational.

The wine raffle was won by Michael Griscti, and sadly for Michael the joker was not drawn and so the

jackpot, was carried over for another week. Sergeant Brian King then proceeded to empty Members’

pockets.

Guest Speaker

Our guest last week was David Rosenberg, Intelligence Officer with the NSW Department of Fair Trading, who provided us with an overview of one of the Department’s projects, involved with exposing & taking action against Itinerant Con Men who pose as tradespeople. He spoke about how these individuals door knock, offering cheap deals, for “today only”. They ask for cash up front, sometimes offering to drive targets to the bank & pressuring them to accept their offer. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to their approaches.

Common jobs offered include painting, roof & driveway repairs. Most of these con men are from Ireland and the UK, but some are homegrown Australian citizens & residents. There are around 1200 members (300 males) in Australia at any time, many who spend 9 months of the year here.

Fifty-two individuals have been prosecuted by NSW Fair Trading, for 205 offences, prosecution has resulted in a 100% conviction rate. If convicted of Home Building or Australian Consumer Law offences, they are not permitted back in the country for a minimum of three years.

David advised that if you suspect that trades people might be Travelling Con Men you can contact NSW Fair Trading (call their hotline 1300 133 408) and try to get information that will help NSW Fair Trading assist you - e.g. person’s name, business name, ABN, vehicle registration number, etc., and remember that a tradesman who is proposing to perform certain Home Building work exceeding $1,000 requires a NSW Fair Trading licence. Above all avoid paying cash.

For further information take a look at the Fair Trading website:- www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or the Facebook page www.facebook.com/stoptravellingConMen

Ray Campbell thanked David on behalf of the Club for a presentation which may help to protect our Members from this sort of malpractice.

11 t h August 2013

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY LAURA

11th August 2013

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We have had a wonderful trip so far – driven over 12,500 kms. since leaving home.

After the Gunbarrel Highways and Len Beadell Roads, we reached 80 mile beach on the west coast, then

south and inland again through the deserts, past sand ridges, rocky hills, amazingly wild flowers everywhere

following rain about 4 weeks previously. Large areas also isolated plants of yellow, purple, pink, blue, white

and red set in a background of red sand. Our timing here has been very fortunate! Also lots of camels, some

dingoes, brumbies, very few roos or emus, large variety of birds and their lovely calls waking us each

morning.

After leaving Tag-along group, we’ve come to Alice Springs via Uluru (10 km walk around the base), the Olgas

(another shorter walk), Kings Canyon, Palm Valley in the Finke Gorge, historic mission Hermannsburg, did the

walk around the Pound at Ormiston Gorge. The weather has been cold of a morning (3oC to 6oC then

warming up to about 25oC during the day) so the walks in the open have been quite warm and tiring.

The car is being serviced today in readiness for the last leg of the journey via the Plenty Hwy. to Boulia then

winding home via Bourke School. We’ve been so out of touch with the outside world. No news, radio contact

or emails for ages. Watched the Morning TV and caught up with a bit but sounds as though nothing much

has changed!

Alice Springs is amazingly big now and so clean and tidy. When the washing is finished we hope to see some

of the Town.

Hoping everything is OK in the big smoke, should be joining the rat race about the 15th August.

DG Graeme Davies and Lyn

Official Hills Zone Meeting

Monday 19 August 2013

6.30pm for 7.00pm

The Madison Function Centre

Rouse Hill Trivia Night – 10th August

Congratulations Hills-Kellyville

Trivia Team

2nd Prize Trivia Competition

1st Prize Best costumes (Table) [Penny –

Butterfly; Savi – Bumble bee; Bobby – Bandit;

Graeme and Edna – “Beautiful people]

2nd Prize – Best ladies costume (Penny –

Butterfly)

1st Prize – Ladies Line Dancing (Bobby)

$100 prize - Graeme

$100

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Club Members

Name

Classification

Ray Campbell PP, PHF Education - Secondary

Thomas Cann PHF Landscape Supplies

Col Davis Accounting Taxation

Steven Fry

Education, Technical

Michael Griscti PHF Lighting Technician

Penny Hill PP, PHF Customer Service Manager

Alan Jones PP, PHF Marketing Consultancy

Brian King

Insurance

Bob Low PHF Electrical Distribution

Robert Mackey PP, PHF Construction Services

Michael O’Connell PP Dental Supplies

Ian Pearce PP, PHF Industrial Consultancy

Bruce Pike Nursery Retail

Suresh Prasad PP Sugar Research

Haran Ramachandran PP, PHF Computer Support

Bobby Redman PP, PHF Psychology

Michael Richardson Honorary Member

Graeme Rohan PP, PHF Petroleum Distribution

Gordon Scoble PP, PHF Education Primary

Jim Sifonios PP, PHF Product Development

Keith Stapley PP, PHF Photogrammetry

Rod Tilden PP, PHF Window Furnishing Sales

Alex Traill PP, PHF Building & Maintenance

Wilf Van Emmerik PP, PHF Specialised Transport

Allan Walker PP Funeral Director

P – President PP - Past President PHF - Paul Harris Fellow

Club Calendar

Aug

Mon 12 Writing Competition

Mon 19

DG Visit – Club

Meeting transferred

to Burning Log, Dural

Wed 21 Board Meeting

Mon 26

PDG John Wakefield

– Harassment

Hypothetical

Mon 2 TBA

Mon 9

Andrew Zbik (past

YES) Changes in

Superannuation

legislation

Dan Murphy Roster

17th August 2013

Keith Stapley

and

Rod Tilden

Note: Apologies must be in to

PP Ray Campbell by 12pm on

Mondays so numbers can be

confirmed for dinner.

Final Comment

I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon.

Then it's time for my nap. - Bob Hope