On Saturday 2nd November 2019 our President Glendon Young and Past President Kerry Young attended this anniversary on behalf of our Club. In the family of District 9630 our Club Woolloongabba is the first born/ (new club) sponsored by RCSB. No dutiful child of the parent would miss such an important anniversary. Apart from duty, our Clubs have partnered in many projects and events over the years and we wanted to congratulate them on this fantastic milestone.
The anniversary was celebrated by a dinner at the Yeronga RSL. The evening opened with RCSB President Roger welcoming dignataries, guests and Rotarians. The Master of Ceremonies Past President Judith commenced a competition on historic moments in the life of RCSB which continued through the night by which we learnt of the continued community support and assistance provided over those 80 years. Then she introduced the evenings keynote speaker Mundanara Bayles from BlackCard Pty Ltd. I have copied part of her biography from the website for BlackCard pty Ltd
“Mundanara’s cultural heritage is connected to the Wonnarua and Bunjalung people on her mother’s side and the Birri-Gubba and Gungalu on her father’s side. Mundanara grew up in Redfern NSW with her 8 sisters and moved to her father’s country in the early 90’s. Coming from a family that has been active in the Aboriginal movement since the 60s and 70s she continues to follow their example. As a proud advocate for her people, she follows in her father’s footsteps and aims to make a positive contribution.” To read more go to https://www.theblackcard.com.au.
Mundanara presented her story giving information that I have rarely heard discussed concerning Aboriginal history and it renewed my interest in learning more. She also distributed the Black Card – a combined business card and guideline for acknowlegement of Country.
After Mundanara our District Governor Ros spoke to recognise the anniversary and how important it was to recognise. Then Judith did a final tally of points in the competition and awarded the first place to a combined table of Rotarians. Our protest to the Stewards was turned down and we had to be content with second place.
To conclude the night President Roger introduced Wilfred Prince. Wilfred had been disabled from birth and because of his disability was removed from his family. He gave us his story which I found particulary interesting when he learned he was different from the other kids at Xavier Home for Crippled Children – he was black. He grew up yearning to know who he was and where he came from. He achieved that knowledge and alot more ending up working for the State Library. RCSB recognised his service to his community and the community as a whole with Honourary membership of the Club.
Thereafter the evening concluded. A fitting celebration of an 80th anniversary.
