Andrew Wallace lives on the Sunshine Coast with his wife Leonie and the youngest of their four daughters, Sarah.
As a Sunshine Coast resident of more than 28 years, Andrew is committed to the local community.
Our chair was Jim.
Thanks for the photos Dave
According to the Sergeant, Jim had “gone to the dogs“
Not sure what to make of that - do we need one of those electric shock collars they are trying to make illegal?
Guests were our Speaker/speaker, the Honourable Andrew Wallace MP & Jolie; Andy – from the USA, James Reynolds, Erica, Warryn, and Ejike.
I hope I’ve got all the spellings right.
Father Valentine kindly wrote it out for me and described the short and long variations of his Christian name Ejike/nie.
Jim proposed the International Toast to the Rotary Club of Lyon, established in 1954, the second club in France, with 75 members
James delivered the Presidents report -
- Andy is the President Elect of the “Next Generation“ club in Ventura, established in 2020.
- Welcome to Father Valentine, James assured him he would find “plenty of sinners“ in the club – from the murmurs in the background it would assume that plenty of members agreed, but thought they had enough problems with the Sergeant already.
- Welcome to prospective members James and Warryn
- Thank you to Deborah for organising the Change Over invitation which was sent out to members.
- RYDA – Deborah, Robyn, and Ana were mentioned in dispatches.
- ANZAC day – Jim attended the Caloundra State High School ceremony. Our member John‘s partner Kirsten Moore was the guest speaker, talking about her personal experience in the Armed Forces.
President James lead our ANZAC ceremony. It is an acknowledgement of our country. We took a silent minute to reflect and remember those who served. James said a prayer.
Jim and Deborah introduced our guest speaker, Andrew Wallace.
Deborah said he was true and honest. He is the 31st Speaker of the House of representatives, he is in the the Liberal Party, and has represented the Seat of Fisher since 2016.
Jim acknowledged assistance that Andrew has been able to provide in relation to his project - the Men’s Shed.
Andrew acknowledged Andy from the US, and Father Valentine, who he knows through his Church. Father Valentine is originally from Nigeria.
As Andrew now had the rostrum, he was able to reverse their usual role.
As Andrew now had the rostrum, he was able to reverse their usual role.
Jim, Andrew had to admit, was a serial pesterer. (my dictation software even went so far as to call him a pest error)
Andrew acknowledged Rotary‘s influence on his life through his grandfather’s “public life”in the Club, and his desire to give back to his community.
“May you live in interesting times“ is an old Chinese proverb.
Andrew noted the 103 thousand deaths in combat for Australian troops being the equivalent of the spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground plus.
He discussed the Australian war Memorial, where you could “spend days“.
In Canberra, the design of Parliament House has a physical relationship with the Australian War Museum such that, if all the intervening doors were open, you could see it from the Cabinet Room.
Andrew felt we were living through the most geopolitical unstable time since 1945.
He said that there is an inherent risk in having a “no war is possible” perspective. Be alert but not alarmed.
As the ex Chair of Defence Committee he received briefings from the the ADF. He says that the resources that China was putting into undersea mapping for submarine activity were concerning – China has 80 submarines - we have six.
He said, “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum” - “If you want peace, prepare for war“ the original quote is from the fourth century.
Footnote: from the book "Epitoma Rei Militaris," by the Roman general Vegetius (whose full name was Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus).
The government is spending $270 billion on defence equipment – expect an announcement today from Peter Dutton about Helimods.
He said that he traditional industries on the Coast - tourism, construction and the retirement industry were downturn risks, and that high tech engineering needed to be developed here.
Questions and comments
Deborah about the impact of war on families left behind
Stuart said that he had a son who was a sub mariner, and noted the 10 year gap for acquiring nuclear submarines, and the possibility of an interim lease arrangement. Andrew talked a little about the US/UK nuclear technology available through the submarines - they are the most potent weapon available and the nuclear subs have strategic advantages over the diesel electric due to the time they could stay submerged.
Chris about Australia’s Sovereign Capability
Jim thanked Andrew for his talk
Andy was invited to talk about his Rotary involvement in Ventura, USA .
He has known Andrew for about 6 to 7 years through Airbnb and the Sunshine Coast his “second home“.
The Rotary Next Generation club was previously a Satellite Club, starting with eight people but growing to 20 in six months. They now have 40 members, accumulated in less than a year.
Director Pam discussed the USCCF Dinner on 11 May, where four bursaries will be given to postgraduate students. We are up for a Platinum Award. Book now
Sergeant Ian had time for one/six fines, so watch out next time
He did get Richard for his 50 Shades of Gray episode
Andrew Wallace bio:
Andrew Wallace lives on the Sunshine Coast with his wife Leonie and the youngest of their four daughters, Sarah.
As a Sunshine Coast resident of more than 28 years, Andrew is committed to the local community.
For the past 10 years, Andrew has been an active member of the Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club and has served on the Club’s Management Committee as honorary Secretary and Vice-President. He is currently a Patrol Captain and a member of the Club’s 24-hour Emergency Response Team. Andrew is especially passionate about helping young people, having served as a former President of the Sunshine Coast Children’s Therapy Centre.
FAULT PHOTO OF THE MONTH - ELIMINATING BALCONY INJURY