I hope you are enjoying the new opportunity to interact more with family and friends and pleased to see the staged return to school and work.
It has been a very unusual time but as with all things we have found some positives in our social isolation.
Long lists of items around the house and garden have been tackled and Zoom, Teams, Skype and other virtual techniques have kept us in touch with family, friends and our Rotary colleagues. However some jobs disappeared overnight and created financial stress for businesses and individuals alike.
We look forward to seeing a progressive return to more normal conditions over future months. Please look out for each other in the meanwhile.
May is Youth month for Rotary – such a very important component of our society, a focus for many of our programs and in many ways the future of our organisation.
COVID-19 has temporarily halted a number of popular youth programs including:
Youth Exchange (no inbound or outbound students in 2019-20)
National Youth Science Foundation (NYSF) will not have District presence this coming year, due to the problems with refunds for some Clubs following NYSF course cancellations resulting from the bushfires and the uncertainty of COVID-19 related restrictions at this time. District Governors across Australia have been concerned at the poor outcome for those Clubs who were not able to receive refunds for some the cancelled NYSF Sessions this year. It is therefore Clubs own choice if they wish to proceed in sponsoring students this year, with no District input. We hope that NYSF will quickly review their model and take on board these concerns.
We look forward to the rapid return of all of the magnificent youth related activities of our Rotary Clubs, as COVID-19 restrictions on meeting face to face are transitioned to a more normal arrangement.
I was delighted to attend the induction of three new Rotarians by Torquay Rotary via Zoom recently. Growing our membership is vital. RI Director Elect Jessie Harman has appealed to all Rotarians (and Rotoractors) to use their skills and abilities to find creative, flexible and effective ways for Rotary to maintain and increase its presence and valuable contribution to the world for the next 100 years! To do that we need members. Grassroots ideas are often the most successful in attracting and maintaining members and volunteers so I urge all Clubs to support Jessie’s request for each Club to put their heads together and progress this aim.
I hope you are enjoying the novel (virtual) way District Assembly is being run this year. I congratulate DGE Phil and his team on the wonderful experience they have put together, supported by utilising the Rotary International Learning Centre.
Stay safe. Stay well. Stay kind to each other.
DG Rosanne
Virtual District Traing Assembly
A big thank you to all those Rotarians who have registered for the Virtual District Assembly 2020. We have over 100 Rotarians from 34 clubs across the District who have registered to attend one or more sessions that are being offered.
Remember it is not too late to register. This learning opportunity is available for the entire month of May, and it is not just for the Club board. Any Rotarian can “attend” District Assembly.
It is really easy to join in …just click here to Register, and here to access the program and further details (you will need to use your website login and password to access the Program) and you can then attend the sessions of your choice in the comfort of your own home ….and at no cost to you or your Club.
While District Assembly is being delivered in a very different way this year, you will have access to a fantastic range of information, all from the comfort of your own home.
Each “session” has information from Rotary International as well as localised content , in the form of Power Point presentations, video messages and there are even some live sessions.
If you want to know more about Public Image, The Rotary Foundation, Community and International Service, Youth Services or even if you are new to Rotary there is something for everyone at Virtual District Assembly.
It is really easy to join in …just click here to Register, and here to access the program and further details (you will need to use your website login and password to access the Program) and you can then attend the sessions of your choice in the comfort of your own home ….and at no cost to you or your Club.
This opportunity is too good to miss out on and a great way to brush up on some Rotary knowledge.
Want a project that really helps young people in the community?
Highton Rotary has been involved in the Learner to Probationary (L2P) program for a number of years, helping young people who have no access to a car or someone to teach them, fill the gap.
There is nothing more important to a young person than being able to drive. Employers say 70% of young people must have a license in most jobs. But many young people have no access to a car or someone to teach them.
The Learner to Probationary L2P) license program is designed to fill that gap. The Geelong L2P program needs help urgently to fund an additional vehicle.
The program is training 117 young people (16-21y/o) to become proficient licensed drivers.
110 trained volunteer mentors provide the 120 hours required training, and 60 learners have graduated in the last year. There are still 95 young people on the waiting list.
The L2P covers Golden Plains, Surf Coast, Geelong and Bellarine providing a Learner Driver training program. This program is currently supported by Rotary but needs another car are urgently.
Please help by contacting PP Ian Campbell on 0408082514 or imckc@optusnet.com.auif your club can assist with a financial contribution.
Interview with RIDE Jessie Harman
PDG Russell Gurney interviewed RIDE Jessie Harman Friday 8th May on community radio.
One of the topics she discussed was the Regionalisation project in our Region.
Click on the image to listen to the three minute interview
Associate Professor James Charles is a very proud Kaurna man for the Adelaide Plains, South Australia.
His current position is Coordinator of Master of Public Health, at the Institute of Koorie Education, Deakin University and previous academic with the School of Medicine, Deakin University (2017-2019). Dr Charles has previously worked at the University of Newcastle, and Charles Sturt University.
Associate Professor Charles was the first Aboriginal person to receive a Master of Podiatry, and the first Aboriginal Podiatrist to receive a PhD (Aboriginal foot health). Dr Charles has volunteered his time at many Aboriginal community controlled organisations, boards and committees around Australia.
James has provided clinical podiatry services to Aboriginal communities all over Australia, in urban, rural and remote places. Dr Charles was President of Indigenous Allied Health Australia 2009 – 2010, and Chairperson of the Indigenous Allied Health Australia Network 2008
Alfedton Rotary - Meals Program
Commencing in late April, Alfredton Rotary and The Canberra Hotel launched a partnership to provide homemade takeaway meals.
This is a difficult time for many, particularly small businesses. Even harder when fundraising is almost impossible during times of social isolation, yet we are providing, not only meals to hungry souls, but some, albeit brief, contact with familiar faces as well as making a small amount of money for the Alfredton Rotary Club in the process.
Each week new items are added to the menu. Meals can be ordered via M: 0421 160 797 / 0407 333 410 or E:canberrahotelballarat@gmail.com
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