A MESSAGE FROM THE NEW CHAIR OF D9685 ARH COMMITTEE

 
G’day to everyone. I have just taken the position of Chair of D9685 Australian Rotary Health Committee and, as is always the case, I am on a steep learning curve about ARH and our support of the work we do. As the second highest ” investor” in Mental Health research in Australia (after the Federal Government) ARH is pre-eminent in funding research which will help Australians who have mental health issues. Most importantly, ARH only funds research  done in Australia, but the results are made available world wide. In order to maintain such important work we need funds and this is where Rotary Clubs come in. It is that time of the year when clubs are considering how to disburse their hard earned funds. My appeal to all clubs is to consider allocating some funds to ARH, in fact, if every D9685  club gave a minimum of $500 we would see the coffers of ARH swell by $36000, a monumental effort. Some clubs may give more, some less but I feel sure the district could get to this sum.
 
Alternatively you may like to consider making some deserving Rotarians (or community members) a “Friend” of ARH at a tiny cost of $100 each. To find out more either go to the ARH homepage, just Google Australian Rotary Health, or email me on lacol@myisp.net.au and I’ll walk you through the process.
 
Lastly, don’t forget Hat Day, the day of excuses to have great fun, let your hair down, or put it up under a hat, get the work of ARH out there to a public who probably haven’t even heard of ARH let alone the fantastic work we do for the Australian community. I suspect that nearly every Australian has at least some connection to a friend or family member with some form of mental health disorder. It is becoming less of a “stigma” to admit to such problems so we need more and more research to develop support for those who ask.
 
Please keep ARH, the biggest supporter of mental health research here in Australia for Australians and ultimately the whole world, on your “to fund” list.
 
Thanks in anticipation of your help,
 
Dudley Mercer
Chair D9685 Australian Rotary Health Committee.