Dear Everyone,
I shall give the report on last week’s meeting, as our usual reporter Kristine, who does an excellent job taking notes each week, took a well-deserved break.
Our guest was Past District Governor John Barnes, a member of the Oakleigh Clayton Huntingdale Club, speaking on “Rotary beyond the Club”.
John has been a Rotarian for 40 years!
- Jan. 2000 - The Club’s sponsorship of Interplast led to a trip to Vientiane Laos. During the 2 weeks, he witnessed how the surgical team was able to change a child’s life in a 2-hour operation. 50-60 people were operated on.
- The trip changed how he saw Rotary and International service, and initiated his lifetime relationship with Interplast.
- Interplast District Committee set up in all Districts in Australia and New Zealand over a 10-12 year period
- Attended Zone Institutes and DGs’ briefing sessions and presented on Interplast to these groups
- $500,000 was donated to Interplast annually.
- AG in 2005-6
- DG in 2008-9, proving that “Rotary Opens Opportunities”.
- 2009 joined District Foundation Committee, became its Chair in 2011
- Was a member of the Governors-Elect/Nominee Training Team for 3 years
- 2014 Trustee of the Australian Rotary Foundation Trust which became the Rotary Foundation Aust. Ltd. Became a Director.
- 2015 Regional Rotary Foundation Co-ordinator for 3 years, which took him around Australia and NZ.
- Represented the R.I. President 3 times at District Conferences: London 2015, Delhi 2017 and in Tasmania 2018 District 9830 Conference
- Participated in National Immunisation Days, 4 or 5 times, of children 5 years and under in India. India was declared polio-free in 2014, but polio is on its borders in Pakistan and Afghanistan. 715 million children are immunised annually in a week approx., through the partnership of the government, Rotary and The Gates’ Foundation.
- Money raised after the D9810 Shepparton Conference was used to provide water and sanitation, bores for water and medical camps in Moradabad India, where there were 60 slum villages. One of the 13 Moradabad Rotary Clubs bought a bus to transport medical teams, to visitthe 60 villages on weekends.
- After the District Grants were spent, a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation of $75,000 enabled the setting up of a 5-year program in partnership with a modern leading hospital. That program is about 3 years in now.
- John’s journey illustrates how Rotary opens doors beyond the club; you have an opportunity to go around the world with some programs.
- If you find in Rotary a passion, get yourself involved in it somehow, you can start by speaking to Ken.
- There are 150 approx. Rotarians on District 9810 Committees
- started on the District Committee for RAM (Rotarians against Malaria), progressed to the Regional one and is now the Secretary of the National Committee. Gloria loves working with people who are as passionate as she is.
- Peter Brock was on the District RAGAS (Rotarian Action Group Against Slavery). John mentioned that if you move, you can join another Rotary Club as they exist in over 200 countries.
- Rotary Fellowships are another good way of getting involved in Rotary. Russell Marnock is a member of the International Ski Fellowship, and there are many others, e.g. Rotary Nomads, the Cricket Fellowship and both Wine and Beer Appreciation. Russell has a District position with EndTrachoma too, and has found a network of people who are interconnected.
- DGN Ken has met all the other DGNs virtually and learnt that there are so many likeminded people looking at the bigger picture. He has been impressed by the Rotaractors who are passionate about doing good in the community. Ken says not to hesitate to get involved, it’s an eye-opening experience.
- Rotary Friendship Exchange is when Rotarians exchange visits to other districts across the world. Russell is learning about this program, but current international travel restrictions will delay its re-introduction into our District.
Reports, Updates and Announcements
- I enquired about the Pen-Pal Project that RSL President Peter Maloney asked us to publicise. Russell has volunteered to join the project which involves monthly letter-writing to an Emerald Primary School Grade 5 student that he will be paired up with. EPS Principal Emma spoke about the benefits provided to both the pupil and the Senior, especially during this period of isolation.
- I mentioned that a Sub-Committee of the Board will meet on the 1st of August to start preliminary work on a new 3-year Strategic Plan. The last one was drawn up by PP PHF Emma in her 2016 presidential year. The Membership Committee led by Roy has been busy putting together a Member Satisfaction Survey, in light of membership changes and the new Zoom format of our meetings. Your feedback once received will be used to guide the Sub-Committee in the direction the members want the Club to go. We will be looking at Vision Statements among other things.
“Know Your Rotarian”, a new weekly five-minute segment, was introduced by PP PHF Vocational Chair Ian Wakefield. The aim is that each Rotarian will talk about their business or working life, their strengths and weaknesses etc., anything they feel club members will benefit from having a better understanding of.
- At age 17, Ian started work in the carpet manufacturing industry and remained until age 60.
- He set up mills and imported machinery from many countries.
- Ian’s role changed from that of manufacturing to a consulting role for the last 20 years of his working life.
- Being a Rotarian gave him the confidence to stand up and talk in front of people.
- Project management became his one great strength and he was involved in large-scale projects, for example at Crown and Rialto, and he worked with varying groups such as law firms, manufacturers, property owners and developers etc.
- Ian was usually able to find a way to get a job done
- And his greatest shortcoming? – impatience!
Thank you’s were given to:
- Sangeeta for sending out the membership invoices to everyone.
- The Sergeants for bringing much-needed cheer and laughter to our weekly meetings; we really need it in this current environment.
I said I would ring “The Glades” to see how the elderly in their care were faring.
- Sunshine Lady Lyn for checking in on some members
- Tina for storing the Rotary Container on her land for so long
- Ken for gallantly agreeing to have it put on his block
- John Shaw and Ian Wakefield for overseeing the removal and reinstallation of the Container
- Ian Ash for his presentation at the Rotary-Rotaract Webinar last Saturday on Interview Hints and Tips for Getting the Right Job. Ian did us proud as usual, and was praised by DG Alma.
- Tina for collecting face shields for some of us.
Fines:
Sergeant David asked that members send fines to Gayle and him, especially if you were an apology, as you may have forgotten by the next time you attend.
Good news and Bad news:
The bad news is that Martin has tested positive to the Corona Virus.
He is fighting it as best he can. It is a shock as Martin and Pat have been doing everything in their power to stay safe. Martin is in the thoughts and prayers of us all, and we wish a complete recovery for him.
The good news is that Marcus is turning 50 tomorrow, and we all wish him a very happy birthday and a great celebration on his milestone, despite the lockdown.
Next week:
Please join us to hear Russell Hayes from Wandin RC talking about that most wonderful of projects “Wheelchairs For Kids”. Russell can also tell us about “Donations in Kind”.
Let’s be grateful for the wonderful life that we have and for the love of our families and friends.
Yours in Rotary,
Vicki.
The Zoom link for the 4th of August meeting will be emailed to you shortly.
