NEWS
SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
The Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) is a significant international youth program sponsored by Rotary. Senior high school students develop an awareness of the United Nations and the countries it represents in a simulated UN General Assembly.
The event provides an excellent forum for students to develop and practice their public speaking skills whilst debating complex topical international issues.
In District 9705, MUNA is held in the House of Representatives chamber in the Old Parliament House and is a project of the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise.
This year, Aurora Gungahlin Rotary sponsored a two-person team from Daramalan College. The team of Ruby Gifford and Caden Skinner represented the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In preparation, they visited the Netherlands Embassy and were briefed by two Assistant Secretaries to the Ambassador.
During the formal sessions, Ruby and Caden seconded and spoke to the motion supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Canberra Sunrise Rotarian Rosemary Everett (left)
PAST PRESIDENT KEVIN TOMPSETT PHF MEMORIAL AWARD
At its Changeover Dinner on 18 June, Bob Garrett was recognised at the PP Kevin Tompsett Memorial Award recipient for 2025. The award is made at the sole discretion of the Club President and recognises the Rotarian who has made the most significant contribution to the Club in the previous Rotary year.
Bob is a quiet contributor and has supported the Club’s barbecue fundraising efforts for several years. He had hoped someone would volunteer to succeed him this year, but in the absence of any volunteer, Bob has continued to provide support, expanding his role to include barbecues for the local schools with which the Club is developing relationships. Bob has also been the Club’s Public Officer, ensuring documentation for the Australia Charities and Not-for-profit Commission and ACT Government have been updated and provided in the required manner.
Kevin Tompsett served as a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Belmont, Western Australia. He served the Club as President and was recognised by being made a Paul Harris Fellow. Kevin was a well-known businessman in Belmont, owning and operating an engineering and plastic injection company. Also an accomplished aerobatics pilot, Kevin died when his Pitt Special aerobatic aircraft crashed near Beverley in Western Australia in 1980 after filming aerobatics for a local television company.
More than 25 years later, Kevin’s cousin Rowley Tompsett became the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Mitchell Gungahlin, later to become Aurora Gungahlin. In the first full year of the Club’s operation – 2007-2008 – Rowley, with the agreement of the Board, determined to recognise his cousin by instituting the PP Kevin Tompsett PHF Memorial Award.
The inaugural recipient was Charter Secretary Robbie Jobson in 2008.
Bob is pictured with President PDG Peter Ford.
ROTARY AND THE AUSTRALIAN SPORTS COMMISSION
WORK TOWARDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Aurora Gungahlin Rotary has recently signed a Service Agreement with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) to provide parking services for events scheduled at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Arena. This succeeds a previous successful agreement held for the past year and has the potential to raise significant funds for community service now and in future years.
The Rotary team ready for work: (L-R) John Platten, Shirley Williams (Honorary),
Bob Garrett, Peter Ford (I M President), Rowley Tompsett (Honorary),
Al Hurdle and Denis Waters
The recent move of the Canberra Braves ice hockey team to the AIS Arena has provided another opportunity for raising funds for community projects. This complements the Canberra Capitals netball season completed over the last summer. As well as these major events, the Club has also provided parking services for other shows, including the Wiggles and Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Organiser Geoff Hare, with Shirley Williams and Bob Garrett, prepares to install the parking signage
Rotarian Bob Garrett collects the parking fee
In acknowledgement of the opportunity provided by the ASC, Aurora Gungahlin is considering a proposal to institute a sports scholarship scheme with those schools where it has a developed relationship: Aunty Agnes Shea High School, Margaret Hendry School, Franklin School, Harrison School, Shirley Smith High School and Throsby School. The Club is consulting with the schools and the ASC to ensure the scholarships will contribute to and support educational, social and community goals.
