April Bulletin (May 23, 2022)

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT HOWARD

It seems ages since I stepped into the chair as President of the Rotary Club of Melville, so I am using an article by PP Tony Heyward, sometime Assistant Coordinator, is a bit of a recapitulation, dated 6 July 2021. His point is making the contrast between worrying about things over which we have no control and a purpose driven culture. You might think this is a bit late in my year to focus on this concept. It comes after some reflection on my past year and what I am leaving behind for the future of this Rotary Club. If you have been part of a purpose driven culture, I am sure you will want to rediscover it.

When I look back on the various roles at which I have worked the ones that were purpose driven were the most rewarding, providing a sense of a job well done. You might think that being a minister of religion was full of purpose. I found that not to be true as many parishioners had quite a different view of what purpose was driving our Parish and culture.

When I took on my first parish in WA, I was overcome by the huge debt in which I found the parish and the challenge to move from in the “red” and back into the “black”. That certainly filled me with plenty of purpose. It certainly was something I had never done before as I had no commercial background. In contrast to that I found that my time in the Australian was certainly purpose driven.

My time sailing a mono hull sailing boat was certainly purpose driven – sail the boat around the designated course for the day and be the first boat across the finish line. That included a sub purpose that was equally purpose driven – use the give way rules to your own advantage by making sure you had the starboard right of way and could use that advantage to put your opposing yacht in “dirty air”. To achieve that purpose, I had to lead the team, the crew. That involved listening for any suggestions that improved the way the boat sailed and changes in the course sailed to build on advantages gained on that leg of the course.

Having a purpose driven culture means we stop worrying about the things over which we have no control, such as magazines, costs availability of time, meals and who might join us. Such obstacles do not exist in a purpose driven organisation. The first thing is to be intentional in creating then driving that purpose. The next thing is to look for the possibilities in front of our club and not to be distracted by the issues where everything seems impossible.

Being a purpose driven club creates a camaraderie that drives a sense of loyalty and belonging.

My thanks to Marilyn Barton for sending me the article written by PP Tony Heyward.

Cheers and keep enjoying your time in the Rotary Club of Melville.

Howard MacCallum

President, 2021/22.

Anzac Day 25 April - Lest We Forget

I am sure many of you will be attending either a community run or a driveway dawn service so I have added this beautiful poem which I found on: https://anzacday.org.au poetry where you can find many more beautiful poems.

Sir

Sir- would it help if I shed a tear

I swear it's the first time since this time last year

My spine is a tingle - my throat is all dry

As I stand to attention for all those who died

I watch the flag dancing half way down the pole

That damn bugle player sends chills to my soul

I feel the pride and the sorrow - there's nothing the same

As standing to attention on ANZAC day

So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free

Will you take a message when you finally do leave

To your mates that are lying from Tobruk to the Somme

The legend of your bravery will always live on

I've welcomed Olympians back to our shore

I've cheered baggy green caps and watched Wallabies score

But when I watch you marching (Sir) in that parade

I know these are the memories that never will fade

So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free

Will you take a message when you finally do leave

It's the least we can do (Sir) to repay the debt

We'll always remember you - Lest We Forget.

Damian (Dib) Morgan 1998

BULLETIN

This is my last Bulletin. As most of you know Charles and I will be travelling through Australia for the next 12 months or so. Janice Pounder has kindly offered to take on the role and I am sure she would be happy to receive any help you can provide.

This is our club Bulletin and to make it work the writer needs to receive input from members so if you have an item please submit it to Janice so we can have a rich and interesting read.

Margaret Waterton

AND IN CLOSING a quote from Michael Leunig:

On Anzac Day, coffee and jokes with a Turk might be the most meaningful and fair dinkum dawn service you could possible have.