Welcome to the October edition of our monthly newsletter and “Economic and Community Development Month”.
It doesn’t seem one month since I wrote some notes for the last newsletter!
Economic and Community development is about making a long term difference in the communities we are working with. Rotary has experience working alongside people and organizations to ensure that the return on the money invested is spent wisely and makes a true difference in the lives of those we are serving.
We are fortunate in our District 9780 to have some Clubs and individual Rotarians who are striving to make a difference in the lives of those not as fortunate as we are.
Through our contributions to the Rotary Foundation (whether it be Clubs’ contributions or individuals’ contributions) we are fortunate to be able to assist those in need. Many of you have heard me speak about this when I address your Clubs and I urge you to continue your contributions so Rotary can assist with humanitarian projects both internationally and closer to home.
This month’s RDU magazine has a very interesting article on page 18 about the “SewAid program” (www.sewaid.com) which is changing lives in Third World countries by providing women with the practical know-how to start their own sewing businesses. An excellent of assisting with Economic and Community Development” empowering the women in these countries to make a difference in their lives and those of their families. Please take the time to read it and other similar articles of making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
During my visits to Clubs there have been many examples of those Clubs doing their bit to assist with “Economic and Community Development”.
If you and / or your Club would like to consider participating in an Economic and Community Development project I suggest that you visit www.rotary.org Economic and Development section – in this section you will be able to connect with Clubs and projects world-wide that are making a significant difference in the lives of others.
Recently I was honoured to be invited to the opening of the Warrnambool East’s Art Show and have been invited to the Portland Club’s Art Show opening later this month and then Portland Bay’s Upwelling Festival the next day – this is on the long weekend for Melbourne Cup. There will be reports of these events in the next monthly newsletter.
Remember - If you have something you would like to be included in these monthly newsletters please email them to me jncox4@bigpond.com
It is great news that the Barwon Rotaract Club has inducted new members (see below article) – well done Barwon Rotaract – this is a great boost to our District Rotaract. Keep up the good work and we all look forward to hearing more…..
Also do not forget to advise of any new members inducted into your Clubs – it is great to be able to acknowledge these new Rotarians as we have this month with the Maryborough Club. I can also report that our Membership numbers in D9780 have slightly increased over the past 2 months which is great news!!
Maryborough Rotary Club's “#SayNO2familyviolence” campaign is building awareness and "will now be gathering new speed around town" (according to the local paper). The Rotary Club had joined with Maryborough Bus Line to spread the message.
The signs are posted on the back of buses, near the driver's seat and near the doors. The #SayNO2familyviolence program is an initiative of Maryborough Rotary that commenced in 2014. The aim of the program is to raise awareness of the problems associated with Family violence in our community.
For more information on this initiaive visit their website at
The recent newsletter from WASRAG includes stories about:
"… a tool to improve decision making on which innovations and technologies will work best in developing country contexts. "Focusing on technology or infrastructure alone as a solution to water access issues has contributed to high failure rates..."
Rotary work in Cameroon to improve access to water,
The "Days for Girls" project
and many more.
March is "Water and Sanitation Month" and would be a great time to celebrate having made a difference in some way.
Water And Sanitation Rotary Action Group - WASRAG
"The Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group is a group of Rotarians whose purpose is to support Rotary clubs to effectively plan, finance, implement, monitor and evaluate water, sanitation, and hygiene programs, where they are most needed in a collaborative, cost-effective, timely, and sustainable manner, true to the principles of Rotary International. Wasrag operates in accordance with Rotary International policy but is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International." (from the newsletter)
Included in this month's download files is a short PDF about Organ and Tissue Donations. Some excerpts are below.
Discover the facts, Decide and register, Discuss your decision with family and friends
If you’d say yes to a life-saving transplant… have you said yes to becoming an organ and tissue donor?
Have the Chat that Saves Lives
Some donation facts:
Donation is a precious and rare opportunity - only 1% of deaths in hospital occur in specific clinical circumstances where organ donation is medically possible. Tissue donation conditions are less limited.
Of 149,100 deaths in Australia in 2014, 74,400 occurred in hospitals. Of these, only 700 circumstances permitting donation. 378 families supported the decision to donate their loved ones organs in 2014
Heart, lungs, kidney, liver, pancreas, pancreas islets, tissue including skin, bone (eg. femoral head) heart valves, eye and cornea, cartilage, tendons and veins can all be donated after death.
Australia is a world leader in transplant outcomes.
For more information and discussion ideas, see the Download file.
Youth
Rotaract - Barwon assemble 600 birthing kits in memory of Tess
This month I will start by sharing this story told by Beth from Think Humanity in Uganda, about a Congolese woman she once met whilst working in a remote refugee camp. “This woman came up to me and tearfully told me how just that week her heavily pregnant friend Esther was turned away from giving birth at the camp clinic because she did not have a plastic sheet or “mama kit”. She said they later found Esther dead in the bush with her deceased baby lying alongside her”. Esther was turned away to die, scared and alone in the bush because the camp just didn’t have enough resources to assist with the birth of her first child.
Stories such as this highlight the urgent need to provide safer births in countries like Uganda and have inspired the Rotaract Club of Barwon to assemble and distribute 1,600 birthing kits in the past 2 years. These kits contain plastic sheets, soap, gloves, sterile scalpel blades, cords and gauze squares to help address the 7 cleans needed for a safe delivery. Recently Barwon purchased 600 kits to assemble in memory of Tess McDonnell, mother of a dear friend to the club. It was a touching day for the 25 people, including 8 of Tess’s family members and 4 Rotarians who gathered to help the club strive towards making maternal health a reality for women everywhere.
New Rotaractors
In other news at its first meeting in October Barwon President Liz Fagan had the pleasure of inducting 6 keen new Rotaractors, boosting the club’s membership to 21. The group are a strong force in Geelong and were recognised earlier this year as winners of the Community Citizenship Category in the local youth awards. They have a proud partnership with sponsoring Rotary Club of Geelong East and keep very active by, among other things, feeding breakfast to over 120 students twice a week at the North Geelong Secondary College.
The enthusiastic 6 new inductees to the Rotaract Club of Barwon with their new member certificates.
Brendan Holland
Secretary
Rotaract District 9780
Community, Youth and Vocation: Defying the Drift
Defying the Drift was developed as a partnership between Marcus Oldham College and Rotary District 9780 in 2010 to assist rural teenagers to investigate the benefits of a career in rural Victoria and South Australia.
This year is the 5th program as it did not proceed in 2011 due to extensive flooding in much of rural Victoria. It is a program available to Victorian secondary students considering a career in agriculture and related industries. The program is for year 10 & 11 secondary students interested in rural careers and lifestyles and it includes 3 day residential course at Marcus Oldham in the Term 3 holidays.
The cost of the course is $100 and Clubs and schools often help with the whole or part of the fees, the application process and transport if required. An important part of the personal development is public speaking and students report back to the Club and receive a certificate.
Why?
To encourage, motivate and enthuse young Australian men and women to explore options, formulate goals and implement strategies to assist in their development of a career in regional and rural Australia.
What is Defying the Drift?
Defying the Drift was developed by Rotary District 9780 and Marcus Oldham College to assist rural teenagers to investigate the benefits of a career in rural Victoria and South Australia. Why another Rotary youth program? While existing programs, such as RYPEN and RYLA, are valuable for all young people in a number of age groups, none addressed a long standing issue specific to rural teenagers and their communities - the steady drift of young people away from their rural roots.
Country communities have watched the emergence and growth of this demographic phenomenon over many decades with dismay and a growing sense of resignation. It has become a focus of governments at all levels and NGO’s operating within rural areas. While the program idea arose in the context of a drought, its long term value has become apparent during its development and following its initial staging. The Rotary District 9780 Rural Support Committee feels the program makes a real contribution to helping young people see the great opportunities available in rural communities.
What the students say? - Testimonials
"I can honestly say it was a life changing experience ….. showed me that staying in a rural community is an achievable goal."
"opened his eyes to the many career paths that could be available to him "
"learnt about Australia’s involvement in supplying agricultural products around the world, different jobs and opportunities in agriculture ….. enjoyed getting to know new people ….. the opportunity to discuss agriculture "
Ever been on a Rotary Friendship Exchange? Well now is your opportunity to connect with Rotarians from other parts of the world, plus travel with a fun bunch of Rotarians from D 9780….yes we do exist.
A Rotary Friendship exchange has been arranged with D 2981 India February 2016, this will involve a group of up to twelve Rotarians and partners or unaccompanied Rotarians from D 9780 visiting D 2981 and a similar team from D 2981 will arrive in district 9780 in April 2016.
The expression of interest forms are included in the Downloads for this newsletter.
Also further contact details concerning RFE in general
Maryborough Rotary & Ballarat South East Rotaract combine to present
Purple Pizza Party - A Glow in the Dark Night event
When: 24th October 2015
Time: 5:45 for 6:00pm start
Where: Ballarat Tenpin Bowling Club
Cost: $30 per person
See Downloads for the flyer or contact:
Karen McCarthy 0428 697 823
Jessica Glisson 0458 238 649
International Yachting Fellowship of Rotary
All Rotarians and Rotaractors in District 9870 are invited to join the IYFR squadron based in Geelong. The only requirement for joining is an active interest in boating (ownership of a boat is not required).
Fleets are located worldwide and you will become a member of this international fellowship.
District 9870 squadron will be a part of the Victorian fleet with activities focussed in our area but with the ability to participate in all fleet events.
Inquiries should be sent via email to: contactprocesscoach@gmail.com
Interested Rotarians are invited to join Rotary Club of Geelong East for a fundraising sail for "Sailability" (sailing for the disabled).
Where: Royal Geelong Yacht Club. No experience necessary. (The boats are bigger than dinghies)
When: Wednesday 21 Oct. 17.00-19.30. Dinner after sailing in the Club dining room is optional.
Further Information: Bruce King 0423.225.478. No charge but donation appreciated
See flyer (in Downloads) for more information on this Fellowship and other opportunities to sail around Corio Bay (and beyond).
Melbourne Cup Calcutta
Trivia, Silent Auction, fun and fellowship. Join us for a fun evening and support Rotary. Get in for some early Christmas shopping at the silent auction, compete fiercely to win the ultimate in Trivia competitions and enjoy a 2 course dinner with friends and family.
The Geelong Central RC annual major fund raising event is just around the corner - the Melbourne Cup Eve Calcutta night. This year we have a new venue that has a capacity for up to 150 people. Now with a crowd that size there is some serious fund raising potential ready for us as a club to capitalise on.
This year our two worthy causes receiving all funds raised are:
The Rotary Club of Geelong Central - Habitat for Humanity House being built in Geelong for a new family to move into in 2016 AND
Geelong High School musical students to support their efforts to purchase a much needed piano
New Venue: North Geelong Football & Cricket Club, Swinburne Street North Geelong.
Date: Monday 2nd November (Melbourne Cup Eve)
Time: 6pm for a 6:30 dinner
Ticket: $35 per person
Includes: 2 course, loads of fun and a bit of competition
Each guest will be able to simply click the link for booking book their ticket and pay by card. Tickets are available for single adults, couples or you can book a full table of 8. There is also space for indicating if there are some special dietary requirements we need to cater for.
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In other news at its first meeting in October Barwon President Liz Fagan had the pleasure of inducting 6 keen new Rotaractors, boosting the club’s membership to 21. The group are a strong force in Geelong and were recognised earlier this year as winners of the Community Citizenship Category in the local youth awards. They have a proud partnership with sponsoring Rotary Club of Geelong East and keep very active by, among other things, feeding breakfast to over 120 students twice a week at the North Geelong Secondary College.
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A Rotary Friendship exchange has been arranged with D 2981 India February 2016, this will involve a group of up to twelve Rotarians and partners or unaccompanied Rotarians from D 9780 visiting D 2981 and a similar team from D 2981 will arrive in district 9780 in April 2016..jpg){kind=logo}