PDG Graham is an expert in US Politics, having lived over there for many years. He will give us an insight of the current situation where both Republican and Democrat parties are struggling to find a suitable candidate for the Presidency 2017 - 2020.
"It is the social - legal issue of the age", Magistrate Ron Kilner opened up. Dr Kilner (he holds a PhD in Criminal Law) makes no bones about his views: "it has been hijacked, it has become a political football!" Ron's ire stems from a change, in 2012, of the legal definition of Domestic Violence: "It used to refer to about (bad) physical or sexual behaviour. Now, it covers just about everything. It has become downright paranoia in some cases. Domestic Violence laws are now used as a weapon to obtain favourite rulings in the Family Court." The new laws have seen a dramatic jump in Domestic Violence cases, from 23,000 in 2012 to 26,000 just two years later, in 2014. Southport Magistrate Court now employs 2 1/2 Judges just for Domestic Violence. 80% of them are instigated by Police. Ron's exclamation leaves little doubt about his opinion: "The act is not working!"
One of the many examples Ron quoted was about "economically abusive behaviour": Let's suppose that the wife wants to buy an expensive handbag. The husband argues that she should not spend the money. Yep, this constitutes economically abusive behaviour if the wife want t push her case. Or "fear", fear being the operative word - if the other party (and almost always it is the female who accuses) feels "vulnerable", this can be set as grounds for a Domestic Violence order, resulting in a person being excluded from the house. So would a term such as "Disruption should be minimized". Even the simple "I was provoked" is good enough.
So, a Domestic Violence order has been issued against you. You are not to come within a cooee of your family home. Then the other partner rings you up: "Why don't you come over here, let's talk". Any reasonable person would jump at it. Only one problem: when you have arrived, the Police will be called, because you broke the DV order... Don't tell me you were not warned!
The statistics are stark: 1,088 people were killed in Domestic Violence incidents. "But, that men also have emotions is demonstrated in the suicide rates: of 4,915 suicides, some 3,800 are males. What is the underlying cause? No real surprise there: "In nearly every case, it is economical circumstances, drugs or alcohol. Mostly a combination of all of the above."
You can read a definition of the term at this link at the Australian Law Reform Commission:
Geoff Croad was at the door (for John Franich), Angus Miller was Chairman (for Fred Hamblen) and Ian Mayberry was (Deputy) Sergeant.
We had apologies from Fred Hamblen, Mitch Brown, Andy Bell and Tony Bird.
President Paul Seymour welcomed all members and guests AG David Baguley, Kate Kimmorley and Phil Rosenberg (all RC of Gold Coast) and our guest speaker, Magistrate Ron Kilner (see separate story further on). Paul advised that our Wheelchair factory has thousands of bicycles which need to be dis-assembled. Can anyone help on Saturday mornings? And, whilst still a couple of years away, now is the time to put on your thinking cap about what our club will do when the Commonwealth Games will be on! And last but not least: on 4th May 2016, our club will enjoy a return visit by the Rotary Club of Hope Island.
Wheelchair Trust Chairman Daryl Sanderson has received visitors from North America: Canadians and US Rotarians visited on the previous Friday. Most impressed indeed, and they were also very generous, presenting Daryl with a donation of $500.00. An idea of what to do at the Commonwealth Games: apparently volunteers can be paid? A fundraising event whilst we enjoy helping the overseas visitors?
Gerald East advised that the Gold Coast Suns 'Horizon' program will continue, but not necessarily along the same lines as prevously - they now will employ 'Crowd Funding' for this.
Simon Brook confirmed that our club will have two tables of 8 at the upcoming Southport Rotaract 'Tropicarna Trivia' night on 16th April.
Tania Laird, if you convey an apology for Sergeant Andy Bell, this means you know he is not coming. This means you are meant to tell me that I'm acting Sergeant before the meeting starts... Darrell Brown, just what happened to your socks? Mario Fairlie, are you disturbing the wild life? (No, just trying to get rid of our "pet" butcher bird..) Gerald East, if you only eat half your food, no wonder the bird loves you... Our three visitors from Gold Coast Rotary, David Baguley, Kate Kimmorley and Phil Rosenberg: normally we don't fine visitors, but we'll make an exception... Paul Seymour, even if Andy Bell is not here, there still is no need to brag about the sporting prowess of South Africa... Terry O'Shea paid a happy buck: his daughter is getting engaged to be married! And our guest speaker, Magistrate Ron Kilner: consider this to be sort of a reverse fine... And, if you have not been fined yet, all of you who have not been to the grand prix in Melbourne, give us some of the money you didn't spend!
Lucas Patchett and Nicholas Marchesi, the founders of the Orange Sky Laundry, have been secured as speakers at this year's District Conference in Murwillumbah, 6th to 8th May 2016.
Orange Sky Laundry is Australia’s first mobile laundry service for the homeless. A world first, started in Brisbane, the custom fitted van has been servicing parks and drop in centres across Australia and the wider community with its two industrial washers and dryers in each van. In addition to assisting the homeless, they also washed clothes for residents affected by Cyclone Marcia in Rockhampton and Yeppoon.
WHAT IS THE ROTARY FOUNDATION’S “DISTRICT DESIGNATED FUND”? At the end of every contribution year, each Rotary district’s contributions to the Annual Fund are divided into two funds. 50 percent is credited to the District Designated Fund (DDF). The District Designated Fund is allocated by the District to fund the Rotary Foundation programs in which it chooses to participate, such as District Grants, Global Grants or Polio! DDF even receives a 100% match from our Foundation when used in a Global Grant. IT IS THIS FUNDING FORMULA WHICH TRULY MAKES THE ROTARY FOUNDATION AN INTEGRAL PARTY OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL IN OUR HOME COMMUNITIES.
By lack of understanding they remained sane. They simply swallowed everything, and what they swallowed did them no harm, because it left no residue behind, just as a grain of corn will pass undigested through the body of a bird.
George Orwell - Nineteen Eighty-Four
“Why they always look so serious in Yoga? You make serious face like this, you scare away good energy. To meditate, only you must smile. Smile with face, smile with mind, and good energy will come to you and clean away dirty energy. Even smile in your liver. Practice tonight at hotel. Not to hurry, not to try too hard. Too serious, you make you sick. You can calling the good energy with a smile.
Our newest member, Jo Gorman, has agreed to answer the traditional 33 Questions! Download it now from the section on the right hand side. 
Tania Laird, if you convey an apology for Sergeant Andy Bell, this means you know he is not coming. This means you are meant to tell me that I'm acting Sergeant before the meeting starts... Darrell Brown, just what happened to your socks? Mario Fairlie, are you disturbing the wild life? (No, just trying to get rid of our "pet" butcher bird..) Gerald East, if you only eat half your food, no wonder the bird loves you... Our three visitors from Gold Coast Rotary, David Baguley, Kate Kimmorley and Phil Rosenberg: normally we don't fine visitors, but we'll make an exception... Paul Seymour, even if Andy Bell is not here, there still is no need to brag about the sporting prowess of South Africa... Terry O'Shea paid a happy buck: his daughter is getting engaged to be married! And our guest speaker, Magistrate Ron Kilner: consider this to be sort of a reverse fine... And, if you have not been fined yet, all of you who have not been to the grand prix in Melbourne, give us some of the money you didn't spend!
Lucas Patchett and Nicholas Marchesi, the founders of the Orange Sky Laundry, have been secured as speakers at this year's District Conference in Murwillumbah, 6th to 8th May 2016.
