Food Water Shelter Inc is a not-for-profit, non-denominational, non-governmental organisation that builds and runs eco-friendly children's villages with education, social and health facilities for children in developing countries. FWS has bases in Australia and the United States of America.
FWS was established in late 2005 by five Australian women on their return from professional volunteer placements in Tanzania as social workers, sponsorship coordinators and teachers.
Since then, FWS has continued thanks to dozens of expert and dedicated volunteers working behind the scenes across Australia, United States and the rest of the world. The off-site volunteer team includes architects, accountants, lawyers and legal advisers, social workers, education experts, permaculture experts, company directors, secretarial support, publicity officers, fundraisers, editors, graphic designers, HR specialists, researchers, writers and sponsorship coordinators.
Peter is a senior analyst at JBWere and a director of FWS. At JBW he provides a small number of clients bespoke investment advice. Clients include insurance companies, not-for-profit institutions and high net worth individuals.
His role as a director of FWS is to set the strategic direction of the organisation while planning and maintaining the ongoing sustainability of operations in Australia, Tanzania and the United States. He helps to bring financial rigour and discipline to the board while also providing 'in-country' experience with the benefit of previous role as Project Manager in the same organisation.
Last week it was heard on the grapevine that Mik had changed jobs. But the reality is very different. Mik is still very much in charge at SHINE FOR KIDS, VICTORIA; however he and Dianne do have another project on the go. Here’s the good oil about ‘Ripples n Tonic’.
“Dianne and I had a vision three years ago and it is now realised. Beautiful accommodation in a relaxing and tranquil environment catering for all, including families who live with a disability. ‘Solaro’ is nestled amongst Banksia trees in a peaceful yet central Phillip Island location.
A fully renovated and modernised beach shack known as 'Solaro', accommodating eight, overlooking the glorious Silverleaves foreshore reserve and beach where nature provides the ultimate catalyst for a truly relaxing beach holiday. Ideal for families, canoeing/kayaking, surfers, golfers, bush walkers, nature enthusiasts, aged, respite and holiday groups, or lovers seeking some romantic time away.
The 'Ripples n Tonic' beach house has the capacity to cater for all. It has an accessible main bathroom and a regular en suite to the main bedroom. One of the bedrooms has an adjustable bed and a mobile hoist. The bathroom has a shower chair, commode, and all necessary rails. And there is a beach wheel chair for use.
The house is only 25 metres from the beach and central to all Phillip Island attractions. Motorsports, beaches, penguins, seals, walks, golf, wildlife, local food and wine – the choice is yours! Around the corner is a licensed cafe and Phillip Island Golf Club.
Mik and Dianne welcome bookings from member’s, you may also have friends who are seeking a holiday bach with accessibility facilities. For further information and photos go towww.ripplesntonic.com.au
Your Vocational Services committee have arranged a visit to The Lost Dogs Home –including the private veterinary clinic to be followed by a visit to a nearby cafe, 7pm, for dinner [at own expense].
Please register your interest NOW by email to Anne King or David Jones [click on name]
“The only unique feature of Rotary is vocational service; everything else that we do is repeated by some other organization. If we have a special message or mission in the world that is unique to ourselves, it lies only in the realm of vocational service.” - T.A. Warren, Past RI President 1945-46
Traditionally, Rotarians set aside October as the month to showcase our second avenue of service, Vocational Service. It is possibly the least understood of our five avenues of service and for this reason it is often overlooked as an area of activity within our clubs. In reality, vocational service is an avenue through which we serve so often that we don’t always recognise it as service.
We assume that Paul Harris and his friends created Rotary to promote the noble ideas of humanitarian service, goodwill and world understanding. In the early days of Rotary this was not the case. These worthy pursuits came later. Rotary was started for business and professional purposes.
At the start of the twentieth century, business was aggressively competitive. Professional standards, customer service and business ethics were seldom topics of real concern. Simply making money was the goal. Paul Harris began to wonder if one person from each business and profession could meet as friends perhaps rivalries could be broken down and they could even help each other to achieve business success. Thus, the idea of a club combining friendship and business developed
Visitors; Gary Jungwirth of RC Greenvale; Michelle Heard, Scholar
Announcements;
Roger Thornton was pleased to announce that Rob Hines had become the 80th Paul Harris Society member and the 7th from our club.
David Jones reminded us of the Lost Dogs Home vocational visit on October 15th
Neville Taylor promoted the Pub Night on October 31st and congratulated one member who has already checked out the décor at the Cabinet Bar and Balcony
Doug Robertson reminded us of the Garden DesignFest on Sunday November 16 and the Paul Harris Breakfast on November 18.
Directors Report; International Services.
Kevin Love reporting on Frank O’Brien’s behalf updated us on the Laos Schools projects. The 2013/14 project is complete and Kevin and Veronica will travel to LuangPrabang to attend the opening. The Fitzroy Crossing project set for ~ June 13, 2015 is being progressed with Rob Hines going there next week. Another DIK working bee is being planned and RC Echuca - Moama are keen to host us up there.
Guest Speaker;
Chairman Bruce Heron introduced our guest speaker, Ms Sherene Hassan, a Director of the Australian Islamic Museum who was unwell but regardless felt it important to talk to us about the public debate around Islam in our community. Sherene was born in Perth and has found the current social climate difficult for Muslims and urges more dialogue so that we do not allow ourselves to be crippled by fear.
Sherene addressed three main issues; Sharia, violence and misogyny. The historical literal translation of Sharia is “path to God” and is based on 5 principles including the sanctity of life and respect for other religions.
Sharia law or Islamic law is not set in stone and is subject to context including local law. No one country has adopted Sharia law completely and there is no grass roots drive for its adoption in Australia. Unfortunately negative stereotypes abound e.g. forced marriages, genital mutilation, etc, are customs which predate Islam. One issue of particular concern to Sherene is the misconception regarding patriarchal authority and she regards herself as a Muslim feminist urging the role of Muslim women to become better understood in society.
On the issue of violence, Sherene noted that of about 6200 verses in the Qur’an, 11 deal with the use of violence, vs 130 that deal with peace or tolerance. She also noted that “sayings of the Prophet Muhammad” i.e. hadiths which are the recorded words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad, are sometimes misquoted, incorrectly interpreted, or even fabricated in order to make an erroneous point. The popular image of Islam is not helpful - e.g. a school class of ~250 kids when asked if they knew a Muslim, could only name Osama Bin Laden! Moderate views really struggle for airtime in our media. Sherene related a couple of egregious examples of media behavior reflecting preconceived negative themes or poor investigation or both. She referred to a survey by Professor Kevin Dunn which showed that those who interacted with Muslims but considered themselves not very knowledgeable had generally positive views about Islam whilst those who did not interact tended to be fearful and claim a high level of knowledge on the topic.
The Muslim community has responded to the more strident debate by either getting on the front foot to demonstrate they are responsible citizens much like everybody else or they retreat into isolationism, which potentially worsens relationships.
Question time was fully used by members and Chairman Bruce thanked Sherene.
Peter McTiernan
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)