Before we begin the newsletter, we would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional owners of this land – the Aboriginal people past and present. It is upon their ancestral lands where we are today.
As we share our knowledge, Rotary practices and ideas, through this meeting and all of our activities, may we also pay respect to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country.
What an honour to be a Rotarian, sometimes it is worth it to just sit back and listen to all the amazing Rotary events happening across the world. Now, I get that conferences aren’t for everyone, and hey, let’s face it if it hadn’t been online, I would have been a participant in 2020, but there were hundreds on-line that would never have gone in normal times.
So what is there to share?
The Bowden Brothers play some great music – like their style and content.
We need to know “what we want” – Proudly remember why you joined Rotary and do something to action your ‘why’ --- you don’t need to wait for everyone else --- they may have a different ‘why’
Rotary was founded in a world that doesn’t exist anymore – the world will not slow down for us.
The Four Way Test – should help you make decisions, to reflect on choices
Rotary’s Core Values are valued -
Service
Friendship (How are we building our Rotary family?)
Diversity (this means different things around the world – we need to make it meaningful to us!)
Integrity
Leadership
One size does not fit all.
Fun, sharp, short events/activities are popular at this moment in time
Our Foundation is our charity – “we are making the world a better place”
19 million people are walking around today, living their lives due to our support of eradicating Polio.
How polio plus funds are used
If you didn’t get a chance to see the Conference live, the event is available at the following link. All of the speakers' presentations have now been uploaded to our YouTube channel and can be viewed by copying and pasting the following link into your browser.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCINXDFUA4cLHCCQ4AWYMZgA
The Rotary International Board meets in November 2020 and will consider a proposal by the Shaping Rotary’s Future committee to move toward Regionalisation. Governance would move from the current 527 Districts to 20-40 Regions. This would allow more Regional autonomy and provide more support for Clubs, Rotarians and Rotaractors.
In Jan 2019, the RI Board approved a petition from the District Governors of Zone 8 (Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands) to propose a Regional structure and approach to halt membership decline, provide a stronger Rotary voice and better partnerships with government, business and communities. Our work since receiving that approval means we are well placed to modernise Rotary in our Region, if the RI Board votes to proceed toward Regionalisation. There have been articles covering this in Rotary Down Under (Nov 2019, April and Sept 2020). Formal approval to establish Regional Pilots will be required at the next Council on Legislation in April 2022. The earliest implementation in our Region would be for the 2023-24 Rotary year.
If you would like to receive a copy of the submission by our Region or have any questions, please email the project team at rotaryregionalpilot@gmail.com
Ingrid Waugh D9920 and Peter Frueh D9800
Co-Chairs Planning Group for Zone 8 Regional Pilot Structure
Radio is a powerful way to spread your Club stories. If your Club has a project, local or overseas, which would interest the wider general public, discuss it with Rotary Matters presenter Ian Stuart who will be glad to help spread the word. Ian.stuart@optusnet.com.au 0416 138 860
Rotary Club of St Ives and Their Type 1 Diabetes Project
The latest RAM Quarterly Newsletter is at: https://mailchi.mp/1fb3bde093d0/ram_australia_quarterly-news_july-september-3033062 Please share with as many interested parties as you see fit. There are lots of interesting articles. I particularly recommend the malaria video made by a primary school in Vanuatu as its entry in the RAM Schools Malaria Video Competition. You’ll also find links to the presentations from the recent RAM Virtual Conference.
Changing futures through medical care and training
In Australia and New Zealand, we often take it for granted that if we ever need medical care, we will be treated quickly and effectively by highly qualified doctors, nurses, surgeons and other specialists.
But right next door in the Asia Pacific region, a lack of resources combined with limited training means people with repairable conditions are often not treated fast enough or well enough – if they are treated at all.
The numbers are almost impossible to grasp.
An estimated 143 million people each year go without surgical attention they urgently need, according to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery. More than 99 million of those cases are in Asia and Oceania, where Interplast works.
A Rotary Action Group that saves lives : Rotary Action Group for Blood Donation
To give blood is to save lives. That is why our Rotary Action Group for Blood Donation is committed to promoting voluntary blood donation around the world. Probably many of your Clubs are already involved in community motivation, promoting or organizing voluntary blood drives or collection sessions. Thank you for encouraging them to do so. They actively implement the motto of Rotary International ‘Service above Self’
Rotary is a global player in voluntary blood donation and we count on your District to support and contribute. We wish you an excellent Rotarian year and encourage you to "open opportunities" through the gift of life – safe blood.
The Australian Beirut Rebuilding committee has received a recommended project from the Rotary Beirut Disaster Committee with an assessment and sustainability report for providing medical equipment to the delivery and nursing departments of the neonatal and newborn at the St Georges Hospital University Medical Center. The significance for this to be the first project to be undertaken is due to the fact that one of the current Beirut Rotary club’s Presidents was killed at this hospital as a direct result of the explosion (shattered glass). As an act of kindness, he was visiting a friend in the hospital at the time, but never made it home. From the sadness of his passing comes new life by installing medical equipment to the Obstetrics Unit.
To give you an idea of the what it was like inside the St Georges Hospital at the time of the explosion look at this YouTube video click here
Nine local business employees were honoured by Lower Blue Mountains Rotary Club at its annual Vocational Excellence Awards night in Emu Plains Sports Club on Tuesday night.
Some 40 Rotarians, partners and friends enjoyed the ceremony conducted by the Rotary Club’s Vocational Service Director Stan Wall, supported by Club President Michele Ellery.
Pictured – Rotary Vocational Excellence Award winners pictured with Rotary President Michele Ellery and Vocational Service Director Stan Wall.
From left, those pictured are Chloe Welsh, President Michele, Dylan Calabrese, Peter Redmond, Nick Hurley, Dylan Mercer, Jordan Nunus and Rotary Director Stan Wall.
NOTE: Bradley Mills, Jorge Wiehri and Troy Bennett were unable to attend due to prior commitments.
While most community events went into isolation, the Sydney Hills Garden Competition was held this year as the only Orange Blossom Festival event running in 2020. Intricately linked to the Hills Shire, the first competition ran in 1959 as the forerunner of the Orange Blossom Festival. Gardens entered into the competition were judged in their spring glory from mid-September culminating in an award ceremony held in the Hills Shire Council Chambers auditorium. Prize winners were delighted to receive their awards from the Deputy Mayor, Clr Samuel Uno
to let us know of any bereavements you would like published.
You may also inform your Assistant Governor, the District Secretary, or the Governor. Remember to also update your club's member database on the District website.
FEEL THE ENERGY IN TAIPEI, 2021
Click on the above for more information
RIDE THE TRAIN TO END POLIO , FRIDAY, 23rd OCTOBER, 2020
Check out this story on the District 9685 Website
The train timetables can be found on the District website
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