Pres. Sangeeta
- Apologies were read out by Carol Cain
- Introduce Guest Speaker – From the Wandin Club, we welcome Gavin and Diane
Chairperson – PP PHF Ian Ash
Guest Speaker– Gavin & Dianne McIntyre – ROMAC
Excerpt from website is below as we had technical difficulties during the meeting!
ROMAC commenced in March 1988 out of the actions of an Australian Rotarian who, with a group of surgeons, visited Lambasa in Fiji. They found the child mortality rate as high as 25% in some places. They quickly identified that lack of medical and surgical facilities and skills for children of the island nations in Oceania, was a major cause. Rotary faced the challenge to assist an 18-year-old Fijian girl whose right leg was threatened if immediate surgery was not performed.
During the next four years, eight children were brought to Australia for major, often lifesaving, surgery. Soon 20 Australian Rotary clubs were caught up in the success of each case and assisted in various ways. ROMAC established five regions representing clubs in the west, east, south, north and centre of the country.
A New Zealand region was formally established in 2004 and treated its first patient, from Vanuatu, in December 2005. The inaugural New Zealand region representative was Trish O’Reilly and Dr Max Morris, the first New Zealand Medical Director.
It was a slow and steady process to promote the objectives and raise awareness of ROMAC in the New Zealand region, but the number of patients treated in New Zealand has risen to more than 25 patients per year.
ROMAC in New Zealand and Australia enlists assistance from medical experts, hospitals, nurses, physiotherapists, pathology and radiology services, airlines, sponsors and other supporters. Today ROMAC is providing surgical treatment to around 50 children from Oceania every year – we are making a huge difference in their lives.
Other points made during the presentation:
- A video was played highlighting the lifesaving and life improving surgery for children in Oceanic Area
- Commenced in 1988 by Rotarian Barry Cooper
- District 9810 raised over $18k this last year
- Started with a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Bendigo
- No paid staff
- Many of the children require multiple surgeries over many months – even years
- Surgeons provide their time FOC but all other expenses have to be paid and donation mean a lot
- Monash and the Royal Children’s Hospital support the program. They have paediatric intensive care for the more severe cases.
Response - PP PHF Vicki Van Den Bergen
Reports
Market - PP PHF Catherine Elfick – Sat 14th October
- Halloween theme
- Stallholders are excited about it
- Roster to be sent via we-joinin link
- Thank you for last month
- Children’s costume competition at 11.30
Primary School Speech Competition - PP PHF Gloria Hargreaves
- Final stages of preparation
- Program and certificates are complete
- QR Code for people to get program on phones – thank you Greg Adams
- Project and objective as a theme as a Rotary Club – thank you!
Environment – Allan Douglas
- Lot happening in Vic – bush fires and flooding – opportunity to clear up land in next 2 weeks
- Hot weather is coming down from Sydney – get gutters cleaned
Kids Fun Run With Puffing Billy – John Henderson
- 53 sleeps away
- Thank you to Kris and Shalini for PR – in the press
- $5000 and 108 kids registered so far – we are ahead from last year
- 124 train tickets
- John will be starting the school visits
- Flyers are ready for distribution – need Belgrave and Rowville to be covered.Posters need to be distributed
- Printing on the back of A5 flyers for hospital colouring competition – assistance needed
Halloween Party 28 October – Pres. Elect Kelly McAlister
- Flyers to be distributed – please assist
Fundraising - Christmas Raffle – Pres. Elect Kelly McAlister
- Please bring items for the raffle – chasing kids toys – need to be brand new
- 7-week build up and will be selling tickets in Emerald and Gembrook
Community Service - PP PHF Emma Clark
- Next week high quality used women’s clothing for victims of domestic violence required – collection points in the community – bring items next week
Membership and Marketing – PP PHF Ian Ash
- Thank you to Kris and Shalini – posters for Halloween and Market – consistent marketing materials of a good quality
- Membership applications – Sheeba and Neil Umesh are being processed
- Club survey coming in the next few weeks – please - complete
- Mentoring process – trialled with Lynne and Rowan – it has been helpful – if you are a mentor, please contact Ian if you have any questions
Fine session conducted by our returning Sergeant – John Henderson (welcome back we have missed you)!!
Pres. Sangeeta
- Thank you for the presentation about ROMAC
- Thank you PP PHF Ian Ash for Chairing
- Thank you Allan Douglas for doing the furnishings
- Christmas Party Lunch 10th December at Tina’s house (thank you Tina)
- Club Assembly next week on Regionalisation – no guests please!
