14th June meeting - Commissioner James Condon - Salvation Army

 

Visitors

Sue Robertson and Merv's partner Anne Paddison

These were the only three lights enlighting our meeting,

so most of my photos suffered movement "blur"

International toast by Alan to RC Seoul.  There are 90 clubs in Seoul, with the RC of Seoul chartered in 1927 and having 61 members.

I once applied for a job in Seoul - apparently it's a good Korea move

Makeups

Gerry & Anna at District Assembly

 

 Good chairmanship Stewart - but next time try to stay more focussed

President's Address

by incoming President Anna 

check your email - important projected plan included

Changeover - pay up or else!
As you can see, if anyone moved "too quickly" I couldn't photograph them
So no surprise there is no photo of Anna

Guest Speaker

Stuart introduced James, who retired from the Salvation Army 14 days ago after 45 years service.  He has retired to Caloundra with partner Jan.

They have two children and four grandchildren

 James was born in Noura NSW.  His first Salvation Army appointment was in Tenterfield.  At that stage he was 21 and single.  The local Rotary President lived next door and invited Stewart to join.  The rest, as they say, is history.  44 years on he has been in 13 Rotary clubs in three countries, been President twice and in "every role"

Hopefully RC Caloundra will be No. 14.

Watch out for corruption and bribery in PNG and being bored to death at RC Bournmouth.

Rotary has allowed James to mix with people from all walks of life, and he made special mention of the Service Above Self motto and the Four Way Test 

His personal goal is to "Make a difference, and finish well"

James was in Mt Isa in 1975 then Mackay where Samaritan House was built for domestic violence victims.  RC Port Moresby was the most active club.  Those containers from Australia make an incredible difference.  RC Sydney from 2014/15 established William Booth House for recovering addicts and raised $250K to build a skills training centre.  
The ANZAC Day BBQs use Salvation Army equipment normally reserved for natural disasters.

James was a witness at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, where historical instances relating to the Salvation Army were examined.  James was in the difficult position of answering questions relating to the past deeds of others within a Trial by Media environment.  He noted the comfort provided by his Rotary friends, and that the survivors needed to have a voice 

Stuart thanked James

Directors
Merv - BBQ on 22nd, RYDA in July

Anna - Blue cards - see Mark

Is that a halo Peter?

Peter re Hat Day - Fashion Parade on 7th October with Chaps and She Vita for mental health projects.  Ron offered to model the swimwear.  I nearly included a photo of Borat in his mankini, but the blog has it's limits