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.