February, of course, is Rotary’s Peace and Conflict Resolution Month. 

By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

The Bookworms

The “Bookies” have been chewing through “Light Over Liskeard” by Louis de Bernières, and will meet by Zoom to discuss it on Monday 12 February. It is a novel poking fun at modern mores and delving into what we should really treasure in our precarious lives. You may perhaps have read Louis de Bernières’ “Captain Corelli's Mandolin”, but this book is about a quantum cryptographer. Yikes!

BBC defends Dragons Den 

Here’s a quick follow-up on our article on Chinese Medicine in our last issue:

The BBC has defended the inclusion of a wellness business in “Dragons' Den” after complaints from health groups. Campaigners for myalgic encephalomyelitis complained the show promoted "unfounded" claims that an ‘ear-acupuncture’ product could help the condition. The BBC said products being featured on the program should not be seen as an endorsement of them. A disclaimer on the product’s website states that the product is not used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. - Australian Skeptics

Memorial Service for David Rosback 

President Doug has reported that David’s funeral was well attended by friends, family and associates. It was a lovely collection of reminiscences, and a celebration of David’s life and achievements. These included his work in Rotary, particularly for ROMAC, Australians Against Child Abuse and his A.M., and for his Chairmanship of Epworth Hospital Medical Foundation, in extending the network and the introduction of robotic surgery. 

Noel McInness adds a comment: The additional things that I learned, in addition to Rotary and David’s many voluntary organisations, are:

• David’s Club 13 met monthly for Dinner on Tuesday evenings. There were originally 12 members plus a guest speaker. They have been renamed the “Green Bottles” since several have fallen off the wall.
• Friday lunch group, FLG, has been meeting every Friday for lunch for 41 years, the last 21 years at Tea House on Bourke.
• Grey Power is a travel group for which David organised yearly trips.

PDG Greg Ross sang the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah”, and of course the reception was done in style, giving David a memorable farewell. 

Looking Ahead

Back to normal: a Rotary Lunch at Kooyong on Tuesday with Jacqueline Kuruppu as guest speaker.  Her topic is “Exploring The Response To Child Abuse And Neglect In Primary Care Settings”

We look forward to getting together again, after the Xmas break.

Gordon Cheyne

- Editor