Sergeant Dennis Simpson opened the Meeting.

Reflection by Noel Watt: In light of all the current negative problem, War, Fuel, probable rise of prices of almost everything and complications with international travel he thought the must be a positive.  The only positive is that we are a long way from the war and we do live in Australia one of best countries in the world. Toast to Australia!

International Toast by Noel Watt: For his International Toast he looked for Clubs involved in the current war against Iran and discovered some interesting fact about Islamic controlled Countries and Rotary....There is virtually no Rotary club presence in the following Muslim-majority countries: Saudi Arabia: Rotary clubs have been banned since August 1977, Iran,
Libya, Iraq and Syria with no clubs, but with relief efforts instead managed through
neighbouring regions during disasters. In some regions, Rotary and Lions clubs have been accused by local entities of being part of a "Zionist conspiracy"; or threat to Islam.
In countries like Indonesia, while clubs exist, they have faced pressure from Islamists
to disband, with members sometimes labelled infidels. Conversely, Rotary has a long, established history in other Muslim-majority nations, such as Pakistan, where the first club was chartered in 1933.  Islam's distrust and dislike of Rotary is not new - In the 1970s, Egypt's highest religious official issued a fatwa (religious edict) forbidding Muslims to join Rotary clubs.
In fact, one of Rotary’s primary goals is to promote peace and understanding, which
it achieves by bringing together diverse groups of people who might not otherwise
interact.
Toast to Rotary as a non-political, and non-sectarian organization.

Anne Christensen advised that Carole Booth said that Arthur is doing well at
Shellcove.
Rose Pope updated details about our BBQ on the 6th of April requesting that we need
a few more volunteers, this can be done directly to Rose or via Clubrunner.
Patrick Roberts reminded members that the Citizenship Night will be on the 6th of
May and he expects 10 to 15 recipients.
Jim Christensen advised members that he requires nominations for Pride of
Workmanship; can members please look for possible candidates.

Dennis Simpson reported that both the Joker Draw and Meat Raffle at the Charles
hotel are operating slowly.

President Phil noted that the 23rd March was the 63rd Birthday of the Rotary Club and
noted that next Wednesday's Social Night will be at the Corrimal RSL Club. He then
summarised last week's Board meeting, the details in the bulletin 25th March.

Pat Roberts introduced the 2 Guest Speakers.
Kim McCausland who has worked for 42 years in the Community Service Industry
and is currently the CEO of the Illawarra Multicultural Services.
Wi Meh arrived in Australia as a refugee 15 years ago and is currently a full time student at the University of Wollongong, studying Primary School Teaching, in her final year.
She works full-time for the Illawarra Multicultural Services as a Bilingual Disability
Worker and Multicultural Support Coordinator and is a Community Leader for the
Karenni community.

Kim spoke of the services of the Illawarra Multicultural Services and then did a Q and
A section with Wi Meh.  Wi Meh came to Australia after spending her first 10 years in a refugee camp in Burma, her parents were there for 25 years before coming to Australia as refugees.
There was no education in the refugee camp, so most men were illiterate. She
started school in an English school and progressed well to achieve a Scholarship to
The Illawarra Grammar School and then going to university. She is married has purchased houses for herself and family. Kim then said that Wi Meh is a great example of a refugee excelling in Australia.

Kim then spoke of the difficulty in funding the Illawarra Multicultural Services as the
Government funding of $700,00 is being cut. They are looking to diversify into other
activities that can get Government funding, maybe a multicultural Childcare Centre.
Kim and Wi Meh were thanked by Rose Pope.

The Wine Raffle winners were Ray Lee and Dennis Simpson.