Welcome to the October issue of the Centennial Bulletin. It is hard to believe that a third of the Rotary year is behind us already.
Judy and I are well into our ‘official’ club visits, and while they have all been by Zoom we are enjoying catching up with what clubs are up to. As I have said before, we are desperately looking forward to catching up in person in the new year.
I have been pleasantly surprised with what Clubs are achieving under the current restrictions and most importantly focusing in on Member Welfare and Support as well as meeting the needs of their immediate communities.
I was asked on a recent club visit about what other clubs are doing to keep things together across the District and the ideas are all quite simple. Ranging from catching up for a coffee in small groups, form a walking group and walk on different days and at different times to meet individual’s needs, meeting in small groups to share a meal or meeting up in a park in small groups in line with Covid requirements. Make the effort and do not allow members to fade away due to lack of contact!
I strongly suggest you share and read other Club’s Bulletins for ideas see what others are doing to keep busy.
Centenary Grants
The District Board has approved the initiative of providing grants of up to $1000 per club to establish a permanent recognition of Rotary Service in Australia within our communities.
The Board encourages clubs to adopt a “Big R” approach, particularly where there are a number of Clubs in our provincial cities, and collectively come up with a fitting recognition of our service to our communities locally, nationally and internationally.
Grant Information and Application Forms have been sent to Clubs last week. Applications will be open until June 30th, 2021, with all projects to be delivered during the Centenary Year 2021.
Bushfire Fundraising Put to Great Use
Congratulations and well done to both RC Naracoorte and RC Kardinia for delivering on two projects which are and will continue to have ongoing impact on the welfare and future safety of South Australian and Victorian communities.
RC Naracoorte have utilized SA Bushfire Fundraising to install remote static water supplies for firefighting. Two tanks are already installed, two more underway and a further two tanks requiring bores to be sunk and pumps installed – a total of 6 tanks.
RC Kardinia have utilized Victorian Bushfire Fundraising for the Gippsland Fires to provide four shipping containers to residents who ‘lost it all’ earlier this year.
Keep an eye out in next month's Centennial Bulletin for stories and photos on each of these projects.
Congratulations on 50 Years of Rotary Service for Ray Robillard (PP & PHF with 3 Sapphires)
On the evening of Wednesday, October 14th, Judy and I joined the Grovedale / Waurn Ponds Rotary Club to congratulate and celebrate Ray Robilliard's 50 years of rotary service. A Certificate of Achievement along with a letter from the RI President, Holger Knaack, were presented to Ray on behalf of RI and District 9780. A commerative plaque and a PHF 3 sapphires pin were presented to Ray from the Club. Congratulations, Ray, on your dedicated service and commitment to rotary for 50 years. What a great achievement!!!
A little about Ray from his club -
"A retired Dairy Farmer, Ray was born in Camperdown in 1935 and an active sportsman in Tennis, Table Tennis and Golf.
Also active in his local community, Ray spent 15 years on the Camperdown District Hospital Committee having played a significant role in establishing the hospital in Camperdown.
Ray joined RC Camperdown on 14th September 1970 and during his 15 years there he served twice as President of Rotary Club of Camperdown.
Moved to Geelong in 1985 and joined the Rotary Club of Grovedale /Waurn Ponds, serving as President 2010-2011. Ray has also been a member of Grovedale Men’s Probus Club since 2010.
Ray has also been actively involved in the world of Fine Arts and ran the Club's successful Art Exhibition for many years.
He was also an active member of the District 9780 Committee for Organ Donations for 12 years.
Ray has been and still is an active and respected member of our Club. With a sobering influence on people such as myself.
Well Done Ray!!!"
David Carlyle
President, Grovedale Waurn Ponds Rotary Club
Thankyou to Assistant Governor Group 9 Di Crawford
I would like to publicly thank AG Di Crawford for her support and assistance to the Clubs in Group 9 for the past three and half years. Di has stepped down from the AG Role to focus her time and energy in supporting her family health and welfare.
I would also like to wish PDG John Crawford the very best as well as he deals with a recently diagnosed health issue.
PP Vici Funnell (RC Kardinia) has accepted the role of Assistant Governor Group 9 and has hit the road running to support her clubs. Welcome AG Vici to the District Leadership Team.
Thankyou to Assistant Governor Group 7 Graeme Rogan
I would also like to thank AG Graeme Rogan who has also stepped down in his role of AG Group 7 and thank him for his support to those clubs this year. I know that this comes as a huge disappointment to Graeme as he was very enthusiastic in taking up the AG role this year. We wish Graeme all the very best as he deals with a recently diagnosed health issue.
Membership Ideas from Around the District
IPDG Rosanne Kava has been busy in her current role as District Membership Director, contacting Club Membership Directors across the District.
I encourage you to read her article in this edition and take the time to view the videos via the link provided. Thank you to Rosanne and Club Directors.
Toiletry Kits for End Trachoma
Is your club Looking for a simple, low-cost hands-on project? Please read PP Graeme Fischer’s article on ways to support the End Trachoma by 2020 Project.
DG Phil
DISTRICT 9780 COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS
Community Service is one of Rotary International’s 5 Avenues of Service. Rotary Clubs all over the world work with communities to enhance economic and community development. Every community has different needs and this gives Rotarians different opportunities to serve.
“If we can make a difference in the life of one person in the community, it is a small yet significant step to empowering a whole community” Lashini Naidoo
District 9780 supports the following Community Service Programs. Why not invite the Committee Chairs/members to speak at your rotary meetings so your members can learn more about these areas. District Community Service Chair – Graeme Fischer –Email: graeme.fischer@bigpond.com
Australian Rotary Health (ARH) District Chair – PP Catherine Eagleson (RC Drysdale)
The District ARH Committee provides financial support to research projects within Australia, which will enhance the health of our community (an approved multi-district program).
Every year 1 in 5 Australians suffer a mental illness. Research shows that half of all mental illnesses start by the age of 14. In 2016 preliminary data showed an average of 7.85 deaths were by suicide in Australia each day. Despite this, there is limited government funding provided for Mental Health research.
Programs funded by the ARH "Lift the Lid" Campaign include: Mental Health Grants, Funding for PhD Scholarships, Post Doctoral Fellowships, Indigenous Health Scholarships, Rural Medical Health Scholarships and Rural Nursing Scholarships.
Bowelscan District Chair – PP Barry Stokes (RC Highton) Email: stokesbh@bigpond.com
Bowel Cancer Screening saves lives. And screening is one of the most effective ways to detect early signs of bowel cancer. When found early, most bowel cancer cases can be successfully treated. Bowel (or colorectal) cancer causes the 2nd highest number of cancer deaths in Australia after lung cancer.
Cancer Council of Australia recommends that Australians aged 50-74 complete a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) every two years.
The District Bowelscan Committee manages the distribution of simple test kits, later collected for analysis and reporting by appropriate medical authorities. The Committee also manages the Bowelscan programs in D9820, country areas of D9790 and 9800 and the Mildura area in D9520.
Defying the Drift District Chair – PP Dale McIntyre (RC Belmont) Email: mt.zero.dale@gmail.com
Defying the Drift aims to encourage, motivate and enthuse young Australian men and women in secondary schools to explore options, formulate goals and implement strategies to assist in their development of a career in regional and rural Australia. See www.defyingthedrift.org
Organ Donor Awareness (Donate Life) District Chair PP Maggie Isom (RC Torquay)
Australia leads the world for successful organ and tissue transplants. Organ donation is a lifesaving and life transforming medical process. Organs that can be transplanted include – heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. Almost everyone can help others through an organ and tissue donation. It only takes a minute to register as an organ and tissue donor.
Preserve Planet Earth encourages Rotary Clubs to promote awareness amongst rotarians and the community, to foster concern for the global environment and sustainable development. Sustainable development projects promote economic and social progress that alleviates poverty and preserves the environment for the future generations. RI projects of this nature support agencies of the United Nations, governments and community organisations having similar aims of creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
Probus is a social club for active members of the community, to join together for a new lease of life in retirement or semi-retirement. Probus members enjoy the three “F’s” – FUN, FRIENDSHIP, FELLOWSHIP.
Rotary’s role is to sponsor and support, where there is a need in the community, new Probus clubs. In return they have volunteers they can call upon to help with projects and activities and share in fun and fellowship. ACTIVE RETIREES – Tomorrow’s Vision for Probus.
Literacy Resource Group District Chair PP Judy Beasley (RC Bayside Geelong) Email: j.beasley490@gmail.com
Basic Education and Literacy is one of Rotary International’s areas of focus. Rotary’s goal is to empower communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce greater disparity in education and increase adult literacy.
The District Literacy Chair, Judy Beasley, is interested in learning more about the projects and activities that clubs are involved with and or planning throughout District 9780.
Judy would like to hear from interested rotarians to form a Literacy resource interest group. We can then share ideas and learn from others so that clubs might be able to implement similar literacy programs into their local community or partner with another club on an overseas Literacy project.
If your club hasn’t already done so, could you please fill in the attached form and return it to Judy asap
Alfredton Rotary have been supporting the poor and needy in Karangasem, a district in North Eastern Bali since our inception in 2013.
In 2012 the Indonesian Government reported that there were 8916 families living below the Indonesian poverty line (defined as an income of less than US$100 per year) and many of these families live in the East Bali region.
Bali Sehat, formerly known as Rumah Sehat, is a small not for profit charity founded by two retired Australians, Sue & Ray Bishop in 2012 who wanted to bring a health service to the impoverished population of East Bali. In November 2012 they began with a health day in the village of Batakusini where a team of professional volunteers provided free health care to 120 patients. Since then over 30,000 people have received free dental and medical care, including nutrition and hygiene education, dental education in primary schools, women’s health programs and vocational training schemes.
In partnership with Sue & Ray Bishop of RC of Bali Ubud Sunset and RC of Hope Island, Qld, Alfredton Rotary have funded and supported Rumah Sehat with a patient transport vehicle, 6 dental/heath days [where our members participated in 4 of these sessions], the provision of medical supplies and equipment, first aid supplies, dental equipment, and provided the means to grow Kelor crops [a highly nutritious meal supplement].
Alfredton Rotary are again supporting Bali Sehat following their construction of a new all-purpose larger Medical Clinic by providing a shipping container filled with donated goods including 25 hospital beds, medical and dental equipment and supplies, mobility aids, uniforms and linen. The shipping container was purchased with the funds made during the first Covid-19 lockdown from takeaway meals out of the Canberra Hotel, Ballarat.
Helping us provide these donated goods are Ballarat Health Service, Shannon’s Bridge, St. John of God Hospital, Central Highland Linen, Professor Michael Stubbs, Creswick Hospital, St. John’s First Aid and DIK, Footscray. We sincerely thank them all for their assistance.
Membership development is an ongoing goal for most Clubs in the District. Our numbers have declined every year over recent years so there is an incentive to encourage new members of existing Clubs and ensure all members have a positive Rotary experience. There is also scope for creating new Clubs in areas where there is growth or a demographic that is not being well catered for by existing offerings.
As a first project for the District Membership Committee I have conducted virtual interviews with Clubs that have had good membership growth over recent years and asked them to share what has worked well for them. While as we all know there is no silver bullet to gain new members, it is great to see Clubs succeeding and being prepared to share their ideas.
If you are looking for a few ideas on growing or sustaining your membership, or of forming a Satellite or Passport Club or engaging with youth or corporates, have a look at the summary video and dive into some of the individual interviews of Club Membership Chairs.
These videos will be put on the District 9780 Vimeo Channel shortly and will be able to be downloaded from there for individuals and Clubs to view at any time.
If your Club is running with a successful membership initiative please let me know. I would love to hear about it and share it with others if it is okay with you. We learn so much from each other.
My sincere thanks to all those who participated in the interviews. You are all stars in the making! Well done.
PDG Rosanne Kava
Assistant Governor Membership Development
Mob 0427 509 349
All Clubs in District 9780 are invited to join in the “Colour Your World” project of Rotarians for Bees and District 9800 Environment Committee. The aim is to collectively contribute to biodiversity and support pollinators, by growing flowering plants in their garden.
Members choose to grow flowering plants (including vegetables) that support insects – butterflies, birds, bees and other pollinators while adding colour to their world.
Plants can be grown in the front gardens, back gardens, balconies, rooftops or pots.
Members can interact with each other with tips, sharing information, posting their photos or videos in club Zoom meetings.
Add-on benefits during these challenging times is that gardening is well recognised for its positive mental well-being impact.
We believe this can be easily achieved:
It is a simple idea.
It is tangible
It does not involve leaving your home and therefore safe
It is an opportunity to engage members in a meaningful activity
It is the first step in a broader environmental sustainability strategy but the current focus is on this initiative that can be started straight away. To find out more Click on this link
Australia is the only first world country where Trachoma, an infectious eye disease, that can be prevented with good hygiene practices still exists within our Indigenous communities. Together we can eradicate trachoma so that all our Indigenous people can see further.
The End Trachoma by 2020 project is based around the simple fact that providing the opportunity for people to be clean can prevent the spread of infectious diseases like trachoma. Ways include – mirrors in homes, personal care kits, washing facilities and community pools
So, who wants to help?
There are 28 schools in the Alice Springs area with close to a total of 1,000 students, who are in need of personal toiletry kits. Why not, as a club or get together with your rotary club group in District 9780, to “adopt” a school and prepare and send off a number of toiletry bags. Decide on the number of kits you would like to make and you will be matched with a school requiring between 10 and 140 kits.
There are also plans to give packs to new mothers at the Alice Springs Hospital for their newborns. The Education Department in Alice Springs will be coordinating the distribution. Click on this link to find out more
For more information contact the District End Trachoma Chair - Graeme Fischer – E: graeme.fischer@bigpond.com Mob: 0439 135 766
The second of our “Sailing into Life” speaker series is on Thursday November 5th at 6.30pm.
It will be a free online event withProfessor Bill Kosar, logging on from Kenya – a conversation about Bill’s experience sailing along the East African coast.
Bill is a Rotarian and works throughout the world assisting post-conflict governments and private sector entities with legal reform, legislative drafting and capacity building (currently in Somalia, remotely on several other projects including ones in Myanmar, Fiji and South Sudan).
Bill sails a modified Elf 26 catamaran and most recently came 2nd in his class in the 2019 Dar Tanga Yacht Race, which is the oldest and longest offshore yacht race in East Africa. We anticipate other Rotarians and mariners from his region to join us.
For the Centenary of Rotary in Australia, DG Philip and partner Judy have chosen the Indigenous Literacy Foundation as a project for the rotary clubs of District 9780 to support.
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is dedicated to lifting the literacy levels in remote Indigenous communities, so all children across Australia have the same choices and opportunities –“Equity of Opportunity”.
“Reading Opens Doors” - Reading and writing are the basic skills everyone needs to help them learn and provide opportunities for their future. The ILF’s programs focus on ensuring access to quality resources including books in home languages, publishing community stories and empowering families to share reading and lead their own literacy future.
We as rotarians, by supporting the ILF in their important work, can open up opportunities to our First Nation People living in remote areas. Our support will help provide books and literacy programs to over 400 remote Indigenous communities across Australia, where they are needed most.
Just imagine if all of our rotary clubs in District 9780 worked together and contributed $500 or more each. That would lead to a substantial donation to this important foundation.
With your help we can make a real difference and “open opportunities” to many young Indigenous children.
If your club is able to and would like to help, please use the following bank details to make a donation. Rotary International District 980, BSB 633000, Account Number: 164 290 835. Please put as your reference: ILF and your club name.
Thank you for your support!
Do you have something great you would like to share with everyone in District 9780?
If you would like to place an article in the District Governor's Monthly Newsletter, "The Centennial", please contact the DG's Monthly
The need for social contact, that sense of belonging are needs that we all have. Further to that, is our collective strong desire as Rotarians to help and assist those in need, but we must not do this at the risk of becoming infected or infecting others.
Please follow the advice from the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, available through this link:
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