Quick finder

Rotary Club of Burnie News

Another induction in to Burnie Rotary

At our meeting on July 5, President Themba inducted a new member (Dr) Pui-Lin Lau. Pui-Lin is now our sixth Rotarian with a medical degree. Conclusion: There is no safer place to be than in Burnie Rotary Club!

Induction of Dr Pue-Lin Lau

Guest Speaker: Marcus Johnston

On Mon. 28 June, Marcus Johnston told us of his experiences at  this year’s RYLA week at Camp Clayton. [RYLA = Rotary Youth Leadership Awards]
Six fellow “RYLArians” attended as well (below) – living proof that “you will make friends for life”. Marcus described the events of the week. It seemed hard to fathom that so many things could be packed into the week. Marcus has used one technique taught at RYLA to secure his first job.

Pres. Themba handed a memento to departing member Jim Forsyth: Jim has been a Burnie member for 14 years, but is moving to WA to be nearer to his children.

Two new members were inducted: “Net” Wijewardhane (at L) and Dr Wing Sze Lau (at R)

Burnie Rotary Changeover Luncheon

On June 20, club members and their partners assembled at the Beach Hotel in Burnie to mark the end of the 2020-21 Rotary year and to begin planning the 2021-22 year. President Themba Bulle welcomed several visiting Rotarians, including Rotary District Governor Michael Plunkett and his wife Gayle.

In his President’s Address, Themba announced that the club had inducted five (5) new members during 2020-21 – including one induction during the luncheon (Amy Bartlett, at right) – and a further two people might join in the near future.

Earlier in the year, it had been intended that Themba would hand over the ‘chain of office’ to an incoming President, but circumstances later dictated a change of plan; Themba will continue as President for the 2021-22 Rotary year.

Amy Bartlett - Inductee
General view
Jim Forsyth leaving for WA
John Pease Fines Master

General view of room

Jim & Kaye Forsyth – soon to depart Burnie and live in  Western Australia

Venerable Fines Master, John Pease, and Corporal Ian Guest 

Burnie Rotary assists hospital in Zimbabwe


The Rotary Clubs of Burnie and Bulawayo South aim to refurbish the Plumtree District Hospital near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.  The hospital is in desperate need of medical and IT equipment (anaesthetic machines, ultrasound scans and the like).

 This Rotary project aims to raise US$100,000, of which $80,000 will be used to buy equipment and the remainder will fund project management, advertising, training, maintenance and sustainability.

Burnie’s President, Dr Themba Bulle noted that; “Our club will donate AU$10,000 and we will receive a modest contribution from the Rotary Foundation through their World Grant Scheme.”

The Rotary Districts where the two clubs are located have also earmarked a total of US$20,000 for the project – provided the clubs raise the remainder (approx.  US$70,000).