Barossa Conference

The Barossa Conference was held at the Barossa Arts and Conference Centre, Tanunda from the 3rd to the 6th of May 2007.

Memorable Speakers

Never a dull moment award: to Rtn Lynton Nicholas who MC’ed with finesse and outrageous humour - hard to believe he was at his first conference.. The most inspirational speech to Stepahnie’s account of our world as a Global Village which moved many of us to tears. She received a standing ovation. Later RI President’s Rep Bob Stuart awarded her a PHF in recognition of her work. At the DG’s banquet Stephanie surprised us with some superbly sung operatic arias.

The most confronting topic: We were also moved by Rtn Mary Galea’s talk, but for different reasons. She described the long term effects of her rape while on LTYE 30 years ago. DG Bob said “It is because of her courage in at last speaking out that we in D9520 are leading the world in Youth Protection Policy”

Best life story: James Charles, a recipient of an Indigenous Health Scholarship, inspired us all with what he has done with his life. In his 30’s and a father he went back to school to achieve literacy, thenwent to university to gain a degree and is now helping his community.

Most substance award: to Foreign Minister Alexander Downer’s talk on AusAID with significance to what Rotary does in International service “Problems are not solved by throwing money at them, we must invest in people.”

The most entertaining: Pilko, on 40 years without a real job in radio, and we did not even get up to his years with Bazz. Great Rotary Stuff: from the two Bobs. Bob Stuart, being an RI Director gave great insights into RI, its programs, esp the Rotary Foundation. DG Bob gave the District report.

Image Gallery

Welcome from Bob Northcote

Margaret and I extend a warm welcome to you all to the RI District 9520 Conference at the Barossa Convention Centre, an outstanding venue at Faith Lutheran School.

The annual District Conference is the defining event of the Rotary year. In many ways it reflects the health of the District, through the opportunity to review programs, share experiences, renew old friendships and make new ones. The Conference also provides a window into many aspects of Rotary and other issues we may not know about.

Conference Chairman, Graham Wallis, has formed an excellent team from the Rotary Club of Campbelltown, who have worked selflessly to organize all the detailed arrangements for this event. I thank Graham and his Committee for their outstanding effort. I also thank those members and their partners who have provided support at the Conference. Special mention is due to Secretary Bruce Davis, who suffered a serious accident which took him out of action. His registration files were well backed up! We wish him a speedy recovery.

Our contribution to the underlying goal of Rotary, to promote international goodwill and understanding, is reflected in our hosting of two Group Study Exchange teams, from The Netherlands (District 1590) and Sweden (District 2400). Many of the inbound Long Term Youth Exchange students are also at the Conference with their host Clubs. We are delighted to have these visitors joining fully in our Conference.

We are both delighted and honoured to welcome our very special visitors, RI President Bill Boyd’s personal representative and RI Board member Robert A Stuart Jr, and Margie, from Springfield, Illinois, USA. Do have a chat with them too.

Finally, we believe we have a program of interest. The speakers are of significant standing in their fields or in various Rotary programs. They will inspire and challenge you. We do hope you enjoy the program of sessions and social activities.

Brian Stevens

Welcome to the Rotary International District 9520 Conference for 2006-07.

On behalf of the members of the Rotary Club of Campbelltown I warmly welcome you all to The Barossa Arts and Convention Centre in the Barossa Valley, a prime location and a Convention Centre with facilities second to none.

Conference Chairman, Graham Wallis, and his team commenced planning for this Conference in 2005 to ensure that the high standard of our District Conferences is maintained once again. This Conference has been planned to be one to remember, with its theme, its speakers and the supporting social functions.

Should you require any assistance please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Rotary Club of Campbelltown who are willing to help and can be easily identified by their bright red cap, red vest and blue shirt.

I also extend our thanks to Jo Buck, Marie Hodge, Ron Lovell, Lorna Schiller and the staff of The Barossa Arts and Convention Centre for their support and help.

I am confident that you are going to be part of a great Conference – enjoy the experience – enjoy the fellowship – enjoy yourself.

William (Bill) Boyd

Dear Rotary Friends and Guests attending the District 9520 Conference.

Loma and I send our warmest greetings to each and every one of you attending this 2006-2007 District Conference. We wish to express our appreciation for the dedication and hard work of Governor Robert S. Northcote who, along with the District Conference Committee, have put together a program of comprehensive Rotary information, fun and fellowship. We hope that you will take this opportunity for fellowship, broadening your Rotary horizons and reaffirming your commitment to Rotary and to the principle of Service Above Self as you Lead the Way in your communities and in the global village.

There are over 500 district conferences taking place around the world. Loma and I would like to attend them all, but you will appreciate that this is not possible. We have, therefore, invited Robert A. Stuart Jr. and his spouse, Margie, to represent us at your District Conference. We hope that you will enjoy their company and their messages during the conference.

I have asked Bob to encourage you to reflect carefully upon the ways in which we can demonstrate our commitment to service and our love for humanity. With the strength of our membership, we must continue our efforts to fight hunger, ensure clean water, reach a literate world and provide education for everyone. In our ambition to work for a better world, let's seek cooperation with other entities working with the same issues. Let us together continue to show the world the great leadership of Rotary International through Service Above Self as we go forward to Lead the Way.

Robert A. Stuart Jr.

Bob is a partner in the law firm of Brown, Hay & Stephens, LLP which was founded by his great-great grandfather in 1828. An estate planning attorney, he is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and of the American Bar Foundation as well as on the Advisory Panel of Leading Lawyers Network.

In Springfield, he has been active as the chair of the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way Campaign, the United Way Foundation and Sangamon County Historical Society. He is a board officer with the National Recreation Foundation, the Abraham Lincoln Association, the Illinois State Museum Society, and the Springfield Parks Foundation. He has received the Silver Beaver and Distinguished Eagle Awards from the Boy Scouts. For service in Masonry, he has been awarded the 33rd degree.

Bob joined the Rotary Club of Springfield in 1975, served as District Governor in 1985-86 and is an RI Director 2005-2007. He has chaired two Zone Institutes and served as delegate to two Councils on Legislation, Information Counsellor, Task Force/ Committees on Extension, Education & Training, and Crime Reduction, International Assembly Training Leader, and Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator. He has received the Citation for Meritorious Service. Bob and Margie are Paul Harris Fellows, Major Donors and members of the Bequest Society.

Bob and Margie have one daughter, Cori, who has completed a master’s degree at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Robert (Bob) Northcote and Margaret

Bob joined the Rotary Club of Glen Osmond in 1981 and was President in 1989/90. He joined the Rotary Club of Campbelltown (SA) in 1996 and was President in 2003/04. He is a Paul Harris Fellow. At District level, Bob has been Chairman of the ARHRF and Science Career Forums committees and an Assistant Governor.

Bob was born and educated in New Zealand, before moving to Adelaide to undertake PhD studies in applied mathematics and computing, where he met Margaret. After completion of their studies, Bob and Margaret spent 7 years in the USA and NZ where Bob developed research and teaching interests in computer science, while Margaret taught mathematics, physics and computing. They returned to Adelaide where Bob managed the establishment of a major software engineering facility for a UK company. In 1974, he became Head of Computer Studies at the SA Institute of Technology for 18 years and then Dean of Applied Science and Technology at the new University of SA for 5 years before retirement. Bob is a Fellow and Honorary Life Member of the Australian Computer Society, of which he was National President in 1976/78. He held responsibilities for the establishment of formal membership standards and the accreditation of computing and information technology courses throughout Australia for the ACS for 15 years.

Margaret taught science and information technology at senior secondary school level, mostly at Seymour College. She made significant contributions to the development of the IT curriculum for schools in SA and has been a Chief Examiner and Moderator for the SA Board for several years. Margaret also joined the Rotary Club of Campbelltown in 1996 and was President in 2005/06. She has been Chair of the EDS Rotary IT Forum and on the District RYLA/RYPEN committee.

Bob and Margaret have three children (Roger, Bruce & Michelle) and five grandchildren. They enjoy orienteering, bush walking, travel and reading. They are members of the Uniting Church.

District 9520 Governor Elect - Peter Ochota and Meredith

Peter joined the Rotary Club of Somerton Park in 1990, and was President in 1993/94. He is a Paul Harris Fellow. Peter and Meredith have been involved in the Long Term Youth Exchange having hosted an inbound student from Germany and supported their elder son as an outbound student to South Africa.

Peter was District Governor’s Representative in 1994/95, has been a member and chair of the District MedicAlert Committee, and Assistant Governor for three years.

Peter studied Civil Engineering and Economics at the University of Adelaide, and Management at the University of South Australia. His working career included various professional, managerial and executive positions in SA Water, the Department for Industrial Affairs (responsible for encouraging safe work practices and sound industrial practices in workplaces throughout South Australia), the South Australian Ports Corporation and its successor Flinders Ports Pty Ltd (responsible for planning, construction and maintenance of infrastructure at ten sea ports in South Australia). Peter retired in 2004.

Meredith is a registered nurse who was involved in the development of national infection control guidelines, established infection control courses in South Australia and Papua New Guinea and initiated an infection control accreditation system for dental, medical and allied health practices. Before retiring in 2003, Meredith was the senior Infection Control Practitioner in the South Australian Public Health System.

Peter and Meredith have lived in metropolitan Adelaide, except for one year in the UK when Peter was a Confederation of British Industry Scholar, and two years in Mount Gambier as Regional Manager, SA Water. They have two sons They enjoy music, travel (caravanning and overseas), various water sports (swimming, kayaking, sailing and skiing), hiking and relaxing at their holiday house at Goolwa.

Peter Shipp and Judy

Peter migrated to Adelaide from Hull, Yorkshire, England in 1951, went to sea in 1957 studied for his Marine qualifications and became a Ship’s Master at age 32. Peter next took up land based roles as harbourmaster/pilot for South Australian Regional Ports, then returning to Adelaide in 1981 to work for Department of Marine and Harbours. Peter was responsible for the Marine operations in Port Adelaide, the Marine Safety Standards in State waters (including the River Murray), and Senior Examiner of Marine Qualifications. In 1995 he was contracted to the newly formed South Australian Ports Corporation for the position of Executive Manager Port Operations responsible for all operational issues in the State’s 10 major ports; retiring in 2001.

Peter has joined three Rotary Clubs: Ceduna in 1977, Port Pirie in 1978, and finally Holdfast Bay in 1981, where he was President in 1987/88. Assistant Governor for 2004 to 2007, he has been involved on District committees, (Rotaract, Interact and Aged ), and is a Paul Harris Fellow/Sapphire Pin. Peter and Judy have been hosts to 6 Long Term Youth Exchange students, and Ambassadorial Scholars.

Peter has been President of three Amateur Football Clubs, and numerous Professional Maritime bodies and is the Immediate Past President of “The Friends of the Maritime Museum”. Golf is a leisure activity as is Travel and Reading.

Judy was involved in the Aged Care Industry for 25 years, firstly in Activities and for the nine years prior to retiring in 2004 was the Departmental Head of Leisure and Health in an Aged Care Complex. She is a Charter member of the Holdfast Marion Inner Wheel Club and was President in 1999/2000. Judy is a member of the local Church Council, a volunteer at the Hutt Street Centre for the Homeless and has a great interest in all crafts.

Peter and Judy have 4 adult children (David, Andrew, Louise and Nicholas) and 6 very special Grandchildren.

Keynote Speakers

Rod Savage

Rod Savage has been editor of AdelaideNow, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail's website, for the past year. He was also a key member of a national News Limited steering committee looking at the digital future of the company.

Before his virtual existence, he was The Advertiser's Chief of Staff.

He worked in London for three years from 2002 as deputy editor of a magazine produced by the Times Educational Supplement. He was also a sport sub-editor on The Times, fuelling a passion for English football.

Before that he was The Advertiser's Features Editor, music writer and general grunt reporter.

In 2001 he was a member of Rotary District 9520's Group Study Exchange team to Yorkshire.

He is often asked to compere events for The Advertiser and has co-hosted Carols by Candlelight in Elder Park for the past three years.

He is married to Kate - also a journalist - and has two children, Meg and Henry. He is disappointed that, at five months old, Henry has not achieved an official golf handicap.

Tony Pilkington

Tony's broadcasting pedigree goes back to the 1960s with over 40 years in commercial radio in Victoria, NSW and South Australia. And he's still helping Adelaideans get up and off to work every weekday morning as co-host, with Keith Conlon, of the top rating Adelaide Breakfast show on FIVEaa.

Between 1976 and 1991, prior to moving to Sydney to further his career, Tony was one half of the successful 'Bazz & Pilko' team in Adelaide, achieving the highest rating for any radio show in Australia in November 1982, with an audience share of 42.3%. So successful that they produced six comedy albums of the highlights from the show.

His partnership with Barry Ion (Bazz and Pilko) ran for 16 years in Adelaide and Sydney. This stint included broadcasts from London, Los Angeles, New York and the first commercial radio broadcast by a western station from Moscow in 1990, before the fall of communism.

Tony enjoys life to the full with wide ranging interests in sport, politics and through his Rotary involvement - and when he has a few moments to spare, enjoys reading great biographies - and he's a family man enjoying life with his wife Anne and six children.

James Charles

James Charles is of Aboriginal heritage, from the Kaurna Tribe, which belongs to the area now known as the Adelaide plains. James has lived all his life in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. He is 39 years old, married with five children 13, 12, 7, 5 and 2, all boys.

James studied year 11 and 12 as an adult at Marden Senior College. He then enrolled at Adelaide University for a year before transferring to the University of South Australia, to study Podiatry. He received an Aboriginal Health Scholarship, provided by Rotary, which was a great help to finish his Bachelor of Podiatry.

James was chosen in a District 9500 Group Study Exchange team (the first all Indigenous GSE team from Australia) to go to California in 2005. This was an excellent learning experience culturally, professionally and personally. He has been a member of the Rotary club of Adelaide East for the past 12 months.

James works now at Muna Paiendi Community Health Centre, an Aboriginal specific health centre. He is also is currently studying for a Masters of Podiatry degree at the University of South Australia.

Stephanie Doust

An Adelaide girl at heart, Stephanie Doust currently lives in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where she is the Senior Manager of Public Relations for the Middle East Broadcasting Centre (MBC). MBC is the largest broadcaster in the Middle East., with an audience of 75 million.

For the previous three and a half years, Stephanie was communications adviser to the Public Affairs Group of the Australian Government’s International Development Agency (AusAID). On behalf of AusAID, Stephanie managed positive.negative (www.positivenegative.net.au) a two year, 85 venue, photographic exhibition touring rural and regional Australia, drawing attention to the Australian Government’s work in fighting HIV and AIDS throughout the world.

Representing AusAID in field-based emergency operations, after the Indian Ocean tsunami, Stephanie spent much of 2005 in Banda Aceh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Nias, undertaking media liaison. Stories generated appeared in print and television in Australia and internationally. She was the Executive Producer of Tsunami—Islands of Hope Channel 10 (aired nationally on 17 December 2005) and Co-producer of Banda Aceh—A Year On for Channel 9 (aired nationally on 26 December 2005). Stephanie was awarded the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal in 2005, in recognition of her media & communications work post-tsunami.

Prior to this, Stephanie worked for 7 years in marketing, communication and project management roles in health and education. She was the Project Manager of The Human Race (www.human-race.org), the world’s first online physical activity program, based at the Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Adelaide.

As a former member of the State Opera Chorus of South Australia and with a long history of theatre performance, Stephanie is an accomplished public speaker and relishes opportunities to perform.

Hon. Alexander Downer MP

Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1996, MP for Mayo from 1984.
Mr Downer was educated at Oxford, and the University of Newcastle on Tyne. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Politics and Economics and is a Doctor of Civil Laws (honoris causa).

He is married to Nicky, with four children; Georgina, Olivia, Henrietta, and Edward.

Prior to entering Parliament, Mr Downer held a number of senior positions. These include Economist with Westpac; Diplomat with Foreign Affairs to the EEC, NATO, Australian Embassy in Belgium and Luxembourg; Political Adviser to Hon Malcolm Fraser; and Executive Director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce.







As Foreign Minister, he has overseen a range of important developments on the international stage, including

• adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty;
• a leadership role in the Bougainville Peace Process;
• delivering an independent East Timor by urging Indonesia to give the people of East Timor a vote on their future and negotiating at the UN to deploy peace-keepers;
• increased co-operation with our regional partners on counter-terrorism;
• a new era of co-operation with Indonesia;
• establishing Human Rights Dialogues with China, Iran and Burma;
• establishing the Regional Assistance Mission for Solomon Islands (RAMSI);
• establishing the Youth Ambassadors for Development
• campaigning for a comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS through the establishment of a $600 million aid program;
• reform of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service;
• realigning the foreign aid program to focus on improved governance, assisting developing countries maximise the benefits of globalisation and strengthening regional security;overseeing two white papers on foreign policy.

A transcript of Mr Downer's speech can be found on the Australian Government AusAID website

Professor Alan M. Bond

Professor Bond is currently R.L. Martin Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Federation Fellow at Monash University in Melbourne. Previously, he held Chairs of Chemistry at Deakin and La Trobe Universities. He is an eloquent speaker and an excellent communicator on science and its impact on society.

He received his Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees from the University of Melbourne. Professor Bond's major research interests involve the development and application of modern electroanalytical techniques, and he is the author or co-author of over 600 papers, patents and books on this subject and is on the editorial board of fourteen journals. He is the recipient of several Australian Chemical Institute Awards. Awards from other societies include the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies Foundation Lectureship, Royal Society of Chemistry Award for Electrochemistry, the Governor General’s Centenary Medal and the Australian Academy of Science Craig Medal. In 1990, Professor Bond was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. In 1991 he was the recipient of the Robert Boyle Royal Society of Chemistry 150th Anniversary Fellowship, which enabled him to spend a year at Oxford University as the Robert Boyle Professor. Professor Bond was awarded the Hinshelwood Lectureship by the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Oxford for the 1997/98 academic year. In 2002 Professor Bond concluded a three year period as Head of the School of Chemistry at Monash University and in 2003 he was awarded a 5 year Australian Research Council Professorial Fellowship. In 2004 Professor Bond became the R.L. Martin Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Monash University and also the Vallee Visiting Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford. In 2005 Professor Bond obtained a Federation Fellowship which has allowed him to hold a full time research position at Monash University.

Alan Bond's Electrochemistry Research group.

Professor Kevin Clements

Kevin is the Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Foundation Director of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia.

He came here from ‘International Alert’ where he was Secretary General from 1999 to late 2003. ‘International Alert’ is one of the world’s largest NGO’s working on conflict transformation. It pioneered innovative policy and practical approaches to conflict prevention and transformation in Africa, Eurasia and Asia. It has also made a major contribution to the mainstreaming of conflict prevention within European Foreign and Development Ministries, the Economic Union (EU) and a variety of United Nations institutions.

Prior to becoming Secretary General of ‘International Alert’, Professor Clements was the Vernon and Minnie Lynch Chair of Conflict Resolution at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia USA, 1994 - 2000 and Director of the Institute 1994 -1999.

He has been an advisor to the New Zealand, Australian, British, Swedish, and Dutch governments on conflict prevention, peace, defence and security issues. He was a member of the New Zealand Government’s Defence Committee of Enquiry in 1985.

He was President of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA) from 1994-98, President of the IPRA Foundation from 1995-2000, and Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Peace Research Association. Professor Clements has been a regular consultant to a variety of non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations on disarmament, arms control, conflict resolution, development and regional security issues. He has written or edited 5 books and over 135 chapters/articles on conflict transformation, peace-building, preventive diplomacy and development. He has been invited to lecture at over 150 international conferences.

Professor Clements' Profile can be found online at the University of Queensland Website

Mary Galea

Mary Galea is a former Rotary Exchange Student, and a Rotarian with the Strathalbyn club. She was sexually abused during her exchange, and after the incident was publicised 5 years ago, has received great support from all levels of Rotary. The aftermath of that abuse has been with her all her life and she now speaks regularly to current exchange students and Rotarians about Child Protection. Last year she returned to South Africa for the first time in 34 years, and stayed with one of her host families. Mary has a positive and optimistic attitude to life and believes that all things, good or bad, go to making a person who they are. She believes that the Youth Exchange Program is going from strength to strength, and that Rotary is emerging as the world leader in protecting vulnerable young people.

Joining Rotary has been great fun for Mary, and she tries to contribute to her club as much as possible. She has been the Program Coordinator for the past 2 years, with another year coming up. She will be joining the District Child Protection Committee in July, and is looking forward to that very much.

Mary and her husband Mike operate their business, Environ Arc Design, from home, supplying architectural services to clients around the state, including several large government departments. The use of modern technology to create a “Virtual Office” means overheads are kept to a minimum. All members of their team also work from home, and regular team meetings in the city keep everyone in touch.

On a personal level, Mary and Mike have three adult children and five active grandchildren. They live at Clayton on the banks of the mighty River Murray – although watching the water level dropping has been quite stressful. They enjoy sailing in their spare time, and travel as much as possible. Mike is also a Rotarian, and they have met a number of like-minded Rotary travellers through the International Travel and Hosting Fellowship.

Robert (Bob) Aitken

Managing Editor, R D U
R C of Lower Blue Mountains, NSW
District Governor 1996-97, D9690, Rotary International

Bob is a journalist who enjoyed 21 years with Western Newspapers in country NSW before joining the staff of Rotary Down Under. During his 23 years as Editor of RDU he has served on many special Rotary project committees.

Bob joined Rotary in 1975, was President of the RC Parkes (D.9700 NSW) in 1980-81, joined RC Lower Blue Mountains in 1984, and served as Governor of District 9690 in 1996-97.

Bob has served as the RI President’s representative at District Conferences, and has been on RI’s Literacy and Numeracy Task Force for several years. He was a member of the RI Organising Committee for the San Antonio Convention in 2001 and recently served terms on the RI Sponsorship Committee and South Pacific Affairs Committee. In 2003/04 Bob was given a three year appointment to the RI Communications Committee, becoming its Chairman in the Centenary year. Bob also served on the 2005 Chicago Convention Promotion Committee. In 2005/06 he continued as Chairman and also served as Assistant General Co-ordinator of the RI Public Relations Resource Group, becoming, in this Rotary year, its General Co-ordinator.

A dedicated sportsman in his youth, Bob represented NSW Country against the West Indies at cricket and led NSW Country teams on three international tours. Currently Bob is actively involved with RI’s Fellowship of Cricketing Rotarians (IFCR). He is a Nationally Accredited Level 2 coach in cricket and hockey and is still involved with coaching at representative levels.

In his limited spare time, he enjoys music, the theatre and quality time with his wife Ann, their 2 children and 6 grandchildren. Bob has a great passion for Rotary. He believes our organisation is one of the key players among major non-government organisations making a difference in today’s world.