THE ROTARY CLUB OF TORONTO SUNRISE … · 08/08/2016 · THE ROTARY CLUB OF TORONTO SUNRISE Sunrise Newsletter August Edition Page 2 of 5 WHAT'S ON AND UR WHEN!! August 16-17 –
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THE ROTARY CLUB OF TORONTO SUNRISE
Sunrise Newsletter
Page 1 of 5 August Edition
WHO'S WHO IN OUR CLUB
President - Peter Hicks
Past President - Graham Streeter
Secretary - Dan Grant/Dollina
Renton
Assistant Secretary - Anne Anderson
Treasurer - Barry Parkes
Project Co-ordinators: Club - Jeff Jansson
Community - TBA
International - Annette Trotter
Youth – Trevor Connell
Sergeant at Arms - Geoff Hurt
All members of our club are welcome to assist any
committees, and, there will be times when it is ‘all
hands on deck ‘!
************
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
'Rotary serving humanity’
President Peter has
been missing in
action, last believed to
be in Russia, although
he did make a fairly
jet-lagged appearance
this morning after
returning home late last night!!
We will eagerly await his tales
from Scandinavia, St Petersburg &
Moscow.
Welcome home Peter & Noula!!
Peter Hicks - President 2016-2017
FUN, FELLOWSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP
THROUGH ROTARY.
Happy Birthday to
those celebrating in
August!!
ZERO!!!
Stork was resting in
August!!!
THE ROTARY CLUB OF TORONTO SUNRISE
Sunrise Newsletter
Page 2 of 5 August Edition
WHAT'S ON AND
WHEN!!
August 16-17 – Discovery Day -
Primary Schools Science Challenge.
Avondale School.
August 23 – Guest Speaker – club
member Ed Wilson.
August 24 – Board Meeting. Peter’s
home. 5.30pm.
August 30 – Guest speaker – Krista
Thompson. Defence Forces in
Afghanistan.
September 06 – D G visit.
************
05/07/2016 - PRESENTATION TO MEALS
ON WHEELS
Memories of the
2015 Santa Boat
event came back
at this meeting
when MOW
coordinator Toni
Bull attended
along with
MOW Board
member Jane
Smith (Ray
Smith). MOW
was their
beneficiary of
the funds raised
via gold coin
donation on Christmas Eve.
A cheque for $2,500 was presented to
Toni who reported that it was very timely and an
appropriate sum. It will pay for the much needed
fencing at their premises – cost being $2475. The
fence will provide much needed security for
volunteer car parking.
05/07/2016 - PETER HICKS - OUR
TRAVELLER IN ‘THE STANS’ & IRAN
Peter gave us a fascinating insight into
travels in Central Asia and particularly Iran where
the contrasts were notable. The public parks were
huge and resplendent with floral displays (Roses,
Tulips) – the space compensated for limited room
in a large amount of apartment living.
The parks might be beautiful but the lack
of sewerage was not so lovely! The tourist had to
get used to ‘starting block‘ toilets (hole in ground).
The word from the experienced traveller was to
wear appropriate clothing that does not trail on the
ground and make sure your mobile is not going to
fall out of your pocket!
Talking of clothing, Peter was told that
the older women resented having to wear the
hijab. If any of them were going to a special
occasion like a wedding they would wear Western
dress with no concern for covering of arms or
head.
The role and place for women was
illustrated in the 2 door knockers on houses – one
for men and one for women. If a male door knock
sounds the woman would know not to answer it!
Shopping was easier than in some cultures
in that there was not hassling of customers, and
visitors know that there is a limited bargaining
style where approx. 10% off asking price is
acceptable. Food is cheap with eating out, & late,
is common. Generally, Peter found that in
communicating with the locals it was important to
demonstrate respectful gestures and behaviour.
Wages are mostly low with a lot of
unemployment – the average pay for a soldier is
$125 /month. One of the party got sick and a
doctor came to the hotel and gave some
intravenous fluids, with no charge to the visitor. It
is not unusual for these doctors to see 150 patients
in a single shift they are so overworked.
cont. over…..
THE ROTARY CLUB OF TORONTO SUNRISE
Sunrise Newsletter
Page 3 of 5 August Edition
In Central Asia you don’t have to be an
Olympic athlete to be wary of ingesting prohibited
substances – one of the party had some Codeine
tablets and was fined US$600, had passport
confiscated and deported!
Despite coping with a variety of cultural
traditions Peter and his party were able to
appreciate the differences and the beautiful
architecture with amazing and colourful mosaics.
It has its challenges as a tourist, but
Central Asia and Iran were well worth a visit was
the takeaway message from President Peter.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF TORONTO SUNRISE
Sunrise Newsletter
Page 4 of 5 August Edition
12/07/2016 - GUEST SPEAKER - STRATO
ANAGSTOSIS - GUITAR MAKER
Strato delighted us once again with his
story of a lifelong interest in art & music
combined with a commitment to working without
the making of money being paramount.
Strato is Australian born from hard
working Greek parents. Following training at the
Conservatorium his musical interests led him to
time with a harpsichord maker in Nthn. NSW, a
lute maker in England and finally to Tasmania
where he tried to make a living making musical
instruments. He had more success making &
selling beautifully crafted wooden kaleidoscopes,
some of which were sold as gifts for international
dignitaries. This business was sold to an employee
and is still in existence and we were fortunate to
see some of the exhibits – fantastic craftsmanship.
Once in Toronto the guitar making school
took off, helping people fulfil their creative needs
and meet the challenge of building a guitar from
scratch. 50 % of those that come to the school are
not guitar players beforehand.
Since starting the guitar school where
guitar making was the primary focus, Strato has
since developed a franchise system with 5
businesses in Erina, Newcastle, Brisbane,
Townsville and Hobart. Club members could
identify with Strato’s comments that dealing with
franchisees and their issues can be challenging and
less satisfying than your core business. It presents
opportunities to be creative in ways to make
having a franchise worthwhile.
Strato finished his presentation with a few
chords on his guitar which filled our ears with
beautiful music to start the day.
************
A thank you to Strato from
Chris Giles.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF TORONTO SUNRISE
Sunrise Newsletter
Page 5 of 5 August Edition
26/07/2016 - GUEST SPEAKER - MARCEL
VAARZON-MOREL
Shipwright to Hat Blocks to Maritime Law!
A passion for boats led marcel to being a
shipwright and once he was a lawyer there was
already the interest & expertise in boats – not sure
about the hat block connection! The latter business
in Scone was successful and sold hat blocks all
over the world- I guess a niche product.
Marcel is a local having attended Toronto
High School – his father was the Commander at
the Catalina base in Rathmines during WW2.
After a few years post graduating from
Law School Marcel ventured into his own
practice. As well as a general law firm, the
connection with boating & ‘boaties ‘in Sydney &
elsewhere has led to a speciality in Marine law.
This resulted in Marcel recently being the
recipient of a National Export Award for ‘services
to the Super Yacht Sector’.
Another string to his bow is as a writer of
articles for boating magazines which he says not
only provides exposure for his firm but also gives
information ‘the first base in connection with
clients’.
Marcel takes pride in the collegiate
atmosphere in his office with open
communication. Marcel’s desire is to have goals
achieved as a group without the stress of ‘billable
hours’ method.
An interesting angle to the legal firm story
in Newcastle.
PROGRAM UPDATES
Youth Driver Assist Program
Barry with help of Rhonda are doing a
great job with 3 students getting them to stage of
proficiency where club volunteers can help with
building the students required driving hours.
Volunteers will be notified.
Bravehearts Orphanage
Chris Giles has been navigating the electronic
'paper' trails + liaising with RC Phnom Penh & District
leadership personnel to ensure our application for a Global
Grant meets the required criteria. Annette Trotter has had
continuing contact with Bravehearts and has been very
encouraged with new staff coming on board bringing
excellent experience to the managerial, fundraising and
mentoring aspects of the centre.
The changes in recent months are all contributing
to sustainable improvements for the running of
Bravehearts.
Many thanks Chris & Annette for what we know
must be hours of work.
************
Marcel
Vaarzon-Morel
with Graeme
Hooper.
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