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Town & Country Weekly

Your e-Zine from District 9800

Volume 3  Issue 40 - 28 April 2007

 

DG Bernie's Weekly Message
AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH RESEARCH MONTH

Rotarian, the late Ian Scott, was the founder of the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund and there is a scholarship awarded each year in his honour. Ian joined Rotary in 1973 and served with distinction in many Rotary Clubs throughout New South Wales and Victoria. Whilst a member of the Rotary Club of Mornington in 1981, Ian was inspired to found the "Fund" to identify the cause of 'Cot Death'.

He served as Treasurer on the Board and became a Life Member in November 1989. The ARHRF Ian Scott Fellowship was founded in 2000 to honour and recognise Ian's service to Rotary and mankind.

This is yet another example of an ordinary member asking "What if" with the result that a Health Research facility was established Australia-wide to invest funds in particular fields of research in periods of up to four years duration.

Since 1986, Rotary Clubs and Rotarians have supported Health Research in Australia with findings in the areas of Cot Death, Health of the Elderly and Adolescent Health and Family Health being internationally acclaimed.

But that is not all the story for many achievements have been recognised and it is well to mention just a few to show the immense value of this facility for the well-being of many:

  • Around 18,000 Australians have a communication problem as the result of a 'stroke' and ARHRF funded a project to reduce depression and social isolation for survivors and their families.
  • Findings of funded research are influencing the way CPR is taught.
  • Results of research showed that treatment within 90 minutes of a heart attack reduced the death rate in patients.
  • The incidence of Cot Death (SIDS) has been reduced in Australia from 500 a year at the time of the ARHRF research funded breakthrough to less than 100 cases per year.
  • A major study of youth suicide in Victoria, funded by ARHRF, has resulted in the Government incorporating these results in their suicide prevention policy.
  • ARHRF has received awards for its programs and involvement in Mental Illness and Depression.
  • …. and the list goes on.

This year, 11 new research grants were made in research into mental illness and depression projects, 2 new PhD Scholarships were awarded and one Post Doctoral Fellowship Grant was made. The Fund received 112 applications for new projects, 22 applicants for PhD funding, and 14 applications for Post Doctoral Grants.

From these figures you will realise the recognition the fund is receiving, however the Directors would have wished to support a number of others had funds been available

The expenditure on new and ongoing activities is in excess of $ 4 million dollars this year. For further information on how you can assist, contact Des Jones, Hon. Director ARHRF at desjones@vicnet.net.au or 9836 9626.

And all this started because one Rotarian had a dream and followed it through.

Lead The Way and support the quest for better health.

Bernie Walshe

District Governor
 

Calendar of Events:         Click here
 

STOP PRESS - 29 APRIL

DISTRICT GOVERNOR FOR 2009-2010 SELECTED

Congratulations to PP Colin Muir (Rotary Club of Werribee) who was today nominated as District 9800's Governor for 2009-2010.

Colin is currently Assistant Governor, Westside and during 2007-2008 Colin will be District Secretary to 2007-2008 DG John Davis.

We wish Colin and Pauline all the very best as they begin their journey towards Colin's year as Governor.
 

MAY IS AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH RESEARCH MONTH

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CLUBS

RC Central Melbourne - Sunrise     CONGRATULATIONS FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY ON 1 MAY
The regular breakfast meeting of Tuesday 1st May at RACV has been cancelled in lieu of the Club's 20th Anniversary celebratory dinner that evening at the Australian Club for invited members and guests.

Hypothetical - It is on again      NEW
This will be the best yet - combining a fascinating (even controversial) subject matter with an extraordinary and diverse panel under the moderation of the incomparable and feisty Jack Hammond QC. You will be both entertained and enriched. The panel includes;
Dr Peter Hollingworth, The Hon Joan Kirner, Rod Quantock, Alexandra Richards QC, Arnold Zable, Prof Homer Le Grand, Paul Sheahan, The Rev Jason Kiao and probably another couple of panellists - both household names.                Click here to read about "Paradise Lost"
As in the past years, this event is to be held at BMW Edge, Federation Square
Click here for the booking form to complete and return sooner, not later, as it will be a sell out!
6.30pm for 7.30 start with canapes and drinks served from 6.30, Wednesday 13 June 2007

RC Elsternwick      
The Club has changed its meeting venue effective 24 April as follows:  

London Tavern      414 Hawthorn Road           Caulfield South 3162          7.15 for 7.30am

RC FLEMINGTON                 CONGRATULATIONS FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY ON 29 APRIL

RC Gisborne  
The Club meeting on Tuesday 1st May 2007 WILL NOT be held at the normal meeting venue  but a Vocational Services Night will be held at "M.A.M.E Engineering" in New Gisborne

RC Hoppers Crossing                  NEW
Join the Club for its big Bear Shave for Charity Evening on 23 May with all proceeds to The Gabrielle Jennings Palliative Care Centre at the Werribee Mercy Hospital.
Click here for booking details

RC Keilor      
On Sunday the 6th May the Keilor Monthly Market will include a CAR SHOW. Cars displayed 9.00am - 1.30pm
Adults admission is $5.00 (children under 16 free).
Display Car entrant fee $10.00          Contact Joe Raimondo Mob. 0418 349 465
Location: Historic Keilor Hotel, Old Calder Highway Keilor, Melways Map 14, Ref J6

RC Keilor East     
RC Keilor East is running a Gala Trivia Night on Friday 4th May at the Italian Club , Keilor Park Drive , Keilor East commencing at 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start.                      Tables of 10 are available at $10 per head
The night will include a silent auction as well as the usual trivia night games. Proceeds will go towards our Western Autistic School's playground replacement project.                                          Click here for details

RC Malvern          NEW
Forum on Mental Illness & Ageing
RC Malvern is holding a free public forum on Mental Illness & Ageing.
When:               Sunday 20th May   3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where:              Malvern Town Hall Cnr High St and Glenferrie Rd
Chair Person:      Beth Wilson               Victoria’s Health Services Commissioner
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Simon Stafrace
Director of Psychiatric Services, The Alfred Hospital
Other panel members will include a carer and consumer.  
This is a free forum open to the whole community.  Click here for details
For further details and enquiries contact Rotarian Paul Lom on 0408 586 672.

RC Prahran        NEW
Venue changed for the Club meeting on Monday 14th May, 2007 to Lago Lounge Bar, Queens Road, Melbourne at 1.00pm.
Des Jones will be the guest speaker.
Thereafter meetings will revert to Club Tivoli

RC Richmond        
The club will not be meeting at Riverwalk on Monday 30th April, as most members will be attending the evening meeting arranged by the Rotary club of Toorak when Gemma Sisia will be speaking.
Monday 14th May will be an evening meeting at Riverwalk instead of a lunchtime meeting, as this will be our annual Ern Ainger Public Speaking Final and Award Presentation evening.

RC Toorak       
DINNER with GEMMA SISIA - to launch her book "St Jude's"  
Monday 30 April 2007 6.30 for 7.00pm - Royal South Yarra Lawn Tennis Club - Williams Road North, Toorak
Ticket price $50                                 Click here for Details and registration form

RC Tullamarine       UPDATED
All are cordially invited to attend the dinner dance organised by RC Tullamarine to raise funds for the RCH heart ward. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE IS FRIDAY 18TH MARCH.
Click here for details and do make note of the incredible door prize!

RC Werribee      
The Rotary Club of Werribee is proud to present another BUSINESS BREAKFAST
"HOW THE TRADE PRACTICES ACT HELPS SMALL BUSINESS"
Wednesday 9th May 2007            Start - 7:15am for 7:30am finish - 8:45am
Members Dining Function Room, Werribee Racecourse Bulban Road, Werribee Cost $35
Speaker: Bob Weymouth - Victorian Regional Director of the ACCC
RSVP by 4th May 07, Arnie Macknamara 0417 106 432 or Ian Hovey 0409 850 956
Click here for more details

RC Woodend    
Normie Rowe concert and Dinner to fund raise for an International Water project in PNG.
Dining Hall Braemar College Woodend - Friday 11 May 2007 7pm
3 course dinner and show $75 per person.        Drinks at bar        Bookings: 54271629 Tables of 8 available

RC Yarraville           
Yarraville Rotary Club invites all Clubs, Rotarians and their Families to a special Family of Rotary screening of "SHREK the THIRD".      
To be held on Tuesday the 12th of June at the Wonderful "SUN" Theatre in Yarraville
Click here for flyer with full details
Further details from PP Gerard White - king67@optusnet.com.au or 0438 072153
 

New Members -        A big Rotary welcome to:                              
RC Hawthorn - Ken Picken [Working Capital Management] Click for picture

RI Exchange Rate
The May Rotary exchange rate for the AUD has changed to 1.20

Speakers Bank Update:  Click here

District 9800's website: http://www.rotaryd9800.org/

DISTRICT NEWS

  1. DINNER WITH BILL & LORNA BOYD      UPDATED

    Dinner to be held on 2nd June at 6.30 for 7.00pm
    Moonlight Receptions, 622 Nicholson Street, North Fitzroy
    Pre-dinner drinks and canapes followed by two course dinner (includes beer, wine, champagne and soft drinks)
    Car parking has been arranged. All this for only $60
    All Clubs should be represented for this visit by our World President.
    This dinner will cater for the five Districts in Victoria plus Tasmania and a total of 600 can be accommodated so book early to ensure a place. Tables will be allocated strictly in order of payment.
    To assist with containing of costs it would be greatly appreciated if payments could be made by cheque wherever possible.
    Click here for booking details                         

  2. PROTECTION MATTERS - WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK         NEW
    It has become apparent that there needs to be clarification around the Working with Children Check (WWC).
    District 9800 is committed to supporting clubs that are actively involved in projects with young children, young persons and vulnerable adults.
    It should be noted that with current legislation, clubs will need to arrange WWC checks for their members and any volunteers they recruit to assist them.
    Please note that those clubs leading activities involving overnight camps with children must have WWC checks prior to June 30, 2007.
    The District 9800 Protection Policy still applies if your club is organising activities relating to young persons and vulnerable adults.
    Please refer to the policy and/or contact the committee members should you require any further information. A summary presentation is available - Click here
    CONTACT
    John Walsh (DPO)         0419 637 689               
    Trevor Pang                    0413 618 883
    Athena Vass                   9345 6053 0419 573 509  
    Julie Mason                     97488688  0402 324 093
    Anthony Langley            95994380
    John Wheller                   0412 760 783

  3. TSUNAMI UPDATE        LATEST INFORMATION   
    "SHELTERBOXES FOR THE SOLOMONS"
    As at 23 April, our District has supported the appeal for the funding of ShelterBoxes and the Rotary Club of Kew (ShelterBox Agents for D9800) reports as follows on Donations received to date :
    District 9800                             $  6,000
    RC Brimbank Central                    $  2,400
    RC Sunshine                              $  1,200
    RC Kew                                    $  2,400
    RC Chadstone East Malvern          $  1,200
    RC Malvern                                $  1,200
    RC Bendigo Strathdale                 $  2,400
    RC Balwyn                                 $36,000
    Individual Donors                        $  1,900
    This translates to a total of just over 45 boxes and we understand there have been more promised.
    DG Bernie offers his thanks to all - you really know what Lead The Way means      

  4. MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & EXTENSION AWARD     NEW

    Development and Extension Award is given to clubs within a district based on their achievements from 1 July to 15 May in the following categories:

    • Overall growth - the club with the highest growth rate (percentage)
    • Recruitment - the club with the most new members inducted
    • Retention - the club with the highest retention rate (percentage)
    • New clubs - clubs that sponsored new clubs

    It's up to each governor to determine which clubs in the district have achieved these goals and to submit the clubs' names to RI headquarters in Evanston.
    If your club would like to be considered for this award, be sure your membership roster is up-to-date at RI headquarters before 15 May. Also, inform District Governor Bernie of the categories your club would like to be considered for.

  5. THE PAUL HARRIS SOCIETY OF DISTRICT 9800        NEW
    We have already received a pleasing number of pledge applications for our PHS of D9800.
    At this stage we plan to Charter the Society, late afternoon on Saturday June 2nd 2007, prior to the Bill Boyd Dinner. More details to follow.
    Information and Pledge Applications are available from Chris Don Foundation Chairman.
    M 0413434503    BH 93126933     AH 95685675
    PLEASE NOTE THAT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PHS ARE FULLY TAX DEDUCTIBLE

  6. INVITATION FOR HOST COUNSELORS          NEW
    FOR OUR VISITING 2008/2009 AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARS
    Prospective Host Counselors are now being invited to apply for our next group of visiting Ambassadorial Scholars.
    Interested Rotarians should make initial contact with Chris Don, District Foundation Chairman for general information or application forms.
    M 0413434503   BH 93126933   AH 95685675

  7. GSE TEAM UPDATE      UPDATED
    The team departed for the Netherlands on Saturday 28 April. Make sure you add http://d9800gse.blogspot.com/ to your Favourites so that you can keep track of what the team is doing now and when they start their exchange in District 1580 in The Netherlands. It includes profiles of the team, events they have spoken at & attendance at the District Conference.

  8. MENTAL HEALTH FORUM               
    Every day somewhere in Australia a number of young people will attempt to take their own lives. Some will be "successful". For each of those tragic cases, many others are deeply troubled & in urgent need of help.
    The Rotary Club of Camberwell is moving to address this "national mental health epidemic" and will mount its first free Youth Mental Health Forum on 9th May at Camberwell High School. The organisers aim to help parents, carers, grandparents and siblings to understand youth mental health issues and how to support troubled young people.
    The forum is a joint venture between the Rotary Club of Camberwell, Australian Rotary Health Research Fund and Orygen Research Centre supported by Camberwell High School
    The Youth Mental Health Awareness Forum will take place from 7.20 PM on Wednesday 9 May, 2007 at the Assembly Hall, Camberwell High School, Prospect Hill Road, Canterbury. For further information email to mhmunro@netspace.net.au or     phone 9889 4322
    Click here for a press release and Click here for further details

  9. APPLICATIONS FOR AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARS, WORLD PEACE FELLOWSHIPS & UNIVERSITY TEACHERS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2008 / 2010 ROTARY YEAR
    Application process & eligibility: www.rotary.org/foundation/educational            
    Please contact District Foundation Chairman Chris Don     for additional information  

  10.  APPLICATIONS FOR ROTARY WORLD PEACE SCHOLARS        
    Click here for details of how Rotary Clubs may nominate a suitable candidate to apply for a Rotary World Peace Scholarship

  11. COMPUTERS FOR KIDS PROJECT   
    Computers for Kids Project is still seeking some steel shelving for the warehouse. Height say 1800mm and up to 30 bays would be very helpful.      Please speak with Jeffrey Bird or Dawn Watson

  12. CAFE INTERNATIONAL     LAST OPPORTUNITY
    Cafe International 2007: The Golden Globe" promises to be an exciting night of fine dining and sparkling performances inspired by film and television classics over the last 50 years. 2007 also marks the 50th anniversary of International House. In celebration, the student residents have decided to donate 100% of profits from Cafe 2007 to Interplast Australia.            
    Keep 5th May 2007 free to attend this event.
    Click here for essential details about Cafe 2007 and please indelibly mark Saturday night 5 May 2007 in your diary for "Cafe 2007: The Golden Globe".
    If you have further questions about Cafe 2007, please contact Cafe07@gmail.com        


FOLLOW THE D9800 GSE TEAM ON THEIR TRAVELS AROUND THE NETHERLANDS:     
http://d9800gse.blogspot.com/

You can always check the back issues of Weekly News if you missed something:
2005-2006 Issue  01  02  03  04  05  06  07  08   09  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23 24   
25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37   38   39  40  41  42  43  44  45  46  47  48  49  50
2006-2007: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13 14 15  16  17  18  19 20  21  22  23  24 25  26  27  28  29  
30   31  32  33  34  35  36  37  38  39