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President's Message
Ben Featherston
President's Report No 15
Hi everyone,
Polio:
As we progress through the month of October, a lot of our focus has been on raising awareness of Polio and helping to raise funds to assist the fight for its eradication across the world.
Thank you to Lesley for organizing Monday’s guest speaker, Gillian Thomas (OAM), from Polio Australia. Her lived experience of the impact of Polio, and particularly the late onset effects of Polio, was very educational for us all and an inspiration for us to keep striving to reduce the negative effects of this disease. All strength to Polio Australia as they work to improve health outcomes of Australia’s polio survivors. To read about their work and if you are able to assist with donations, see: https://www.polioaustralia.org.au/
As we approach World Polio Day on October 24th, a fantastic collaborative conference is being hosted by Rotary International and the World Health Organization (WHO). This is a free special live-streamed online conference: World Polio Day, 2022 And Beyond, A Healthier Future for Mothers & Children, 21st - 22nd October. The content of this conference can be accessed by following the link: https://rotarymch.ch/
Other news:
We are now not far away from our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November. It would be great to have as many members as possible attend the AGM face-to-face. One important function at this meeting is to elect the Officers and Directors of the Rotary Club of Torquay for the 2023 – 2024 year. Please consider if you would be able to fill any of these positions, to make an important contribution and to allow the smooth and successful running of the club. Secretary Allan will send out nominations to club members in the coming days.
It was great to hear that fellow member Bruce Smith is back at home and recovering. We wish him a speedy recovery back to full health.
Our thoughts are also with anybody who has had family or friends affected by the recent flooding across many parts of the state. I’m sure I speak for everyone, that our membership is here on standby to assist in any ways that we practically can if required.
Events/Volunteer opportunities:
POP-UP BOOK FAIR: Saturday 22nd October, at Arthur Reed Photos 148-154 Marshalltown Road, Grovedale. Please volunteer any time you have on Saturday to assist with this event. Thank you to Michael for organizing this and Greg for publicizing it, as we are trying to move some books and raise extra funds to go towards great causes.
BBQ’s: Thank you to those members who volunteered over a busy BBQ weekend just gone. All members please keep an eye on the roster and volunteer when you can.
Next Club Meeting: Monday 17th October – online meeting. Kelly Taylor, Geelong Kokoda Youth Program. Followed by Board Meeting.
Polio Australia President – guest speaker on 10 October
Our meeting on Monday 10 October with Gillian Thomas as guest speaker, gave us a very personal insight into life as a polio survivor. Gillian was very generous with her time and her openness in talking about polio.
Around 40 people attended including members from other clubs. Gary Newton, President of Geelong East Rotary Club and vice president of Polio Australia was instrumental in putting me in touch with Gillian and added some of his own experience in living as a polio survivor.
Meet & Greet Mt. Everest Adventurer/Polio Campaigner/Rotarian Ken Hutt & Documentary Filmmaker Joe Carter
October is Polio Awareness Month and a GIANT month on the Rotary calendar. That’s why we’re delighted to announce on behalf of the Rotary Club of Geelong East and District 9780 a very special event to mark World Polio Day.
From 2pm on Sunday Oct. 23rd at Geelong West Town Hall join us for an exclusive first-time screening of the feature-length documentary film Fly From Everest which follows the first ever attempt to fly a paraglider from Mt Everest in May this year, raising funds for Rotary’s global End Polio Now campaign.
‘Fly From Everest’ tracks the steps of Ken Hutt - Rotarian, Paraglider pilot & former member of the NSW Police Rescue Squad as he takes on a massive task.
Journey with Ken from Berry NSW, through Geelong where he talks about polio with a friend, then see his training via the Great Ocean Road and beyond to Nepal and ‘up that bloody hill’!
See first-hand the dangers of Everest and Ken’s breathtaking toughness. Follow along as this amazing expedition unfolds, thanks to Joe Carter’s brilliant and dramatic film work.
Following the movie, we will have a live streaming Q & A session with Ken Hutt & Joe Carter introduced by polio survivor Gary Newton so come with your questions.
We will also have a special African Afternoon Supper prepared by the Somali & South Sudanese communities.
Please join us to help make this a HUGE afternoon in Geelong for Rotary’s Polio Eradication and Awareness efforts by encouraging all members of your club to book NOW for this event.
Tickets $30 per person (includes an African Afternoon Supper) BOOK TICKETS HERE
At the recent joint meeting with Grovedale/Waurn Ponds we were treated to a captivating presentation by Ken Hutt on his attempt to paraglide from the summit of Mt Everest to raise funds for End Polio.
Many thanks to Warwick Brown and James Taylor from the Surf Coast Times for publishing the stories below in recent editions for us on very short notice.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we’ve reduced polio cases by 99.9% since our first project in the Philippines in 1979.
Today polio remains endemic in only Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyse as many as 200,000 children per year.
Walk With Us To End Polio
This is an invitation for you to join Team Torquay Rotary as we raise funds to End Polio by walking throughout the month of October.
This October, we are challenging you to walk, run or roll 10, 20 or 50km throughout the month and raise vital funds that will help eradicate and prepare us for a Polio free world.
2. Get a team together – Getting on the journey with friends, family or colleagues will be more fun.
3. Walk with Us! Track your journey goal and aim to get yourself on our leader board.
When and where is Rotary Walk With Us 2022?
Rotary Walk With Us 2022 is an online fitness challenge which runs for one month from 1st October 2021 to 31st October 2022. You decide where and when to complete your challenge.
What do I have to do?
Walk, run or roll 10, 20 or 50km throughout the month and raise vital funds that will help eradicate and prepare us for a Polio free world. Wherever you live, whatever your fitness level, you can decide where, when and how you Walk With Us to end Polio. Setting a challenging personal goal will make it more likely others will sponsor you.
148-154 Marshalltown Rd, Grovedale VIC 3216, Australia
Everyone is Welcome
Join us for a special one-off fundraising event on Saturday 22nd October
1,000’s of all types of books, including many ‘hard covers’, are available from $1.00
Details This 'pop-up' event is being held at Arthur Reed Photos – 148-154 Marshall Town Rd, Grovedale 3216 Saturday 22nd October …. Between 9am and 3pm
Books will be set up at the rear of the building – enter via the driveway near the IGA Supermarket. Lots of parking available behind the building.
Entry – Gold Coin Donation
Rotary supports many Local, Community and International organisations. We look forward to welcoming you along – to have a look through more than 450 boxes of books available and consider ‘stocking up’ for your summer reading. With your assistance …. it will help us support some of those less fortunate.
Our next chapter meeting will be held on Tuesday 18th October at 6.30pm. We will be joined by Sarah Moran from the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia. Please register at Humanitix
Sarah Moran is the Head of Engagement at the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia. The Electric Vehicle Council is the national body for the electric vehicle industry in Australia. By representing businesses involved in producing, powering and supporting EVs, they aim to accelerate the electrification of road transport for a more sustainable and prosperous Australia. They have a number of research reports, publications, calculators and costs, vehicle range etc. EVC-State-of-EVs-2022.pdf (electricvehiclecouncil.com.au)
The Australia and New Zealand Chapter of Women of EVs is excited to announce today, on World EV Day, the launch of our Speakers Guide. A regional showcase of professional women+ committed to vehicle #electrification in the Southern Hemisphere, the guide is a free digital tool for journalists and conference organisers to encourage greater female presence on panels, noting fewer than 25% of professional #stem roles are held by women+. You can access the guide at www.wevspeakersanz.org
This is relevant to all clubs and districts keen to extend their work on the environment.
Please share with your fellow Rotarians and friends who may be interested.
In May 2023, Rotary in Geelong is mounting the Geelong Drone Expo (the week before the International Conference in Melbourne). The Expo brings together business, the arts and community into an inspirational family day.
The attached brochure outlines the promotional opportunitites, with the Supporter category being developed particularly with Rotarians in mind. Contact details are in the brochure.
If you could add this to your facebook or website we would be mighty grateful!! The Expo will have a Rotary display area where visitors can see the great work we do. We hope also to attract some of the international Rotarians coming early to visit our great state.
Following the wonderful reception from Orange Sky for the Coats and winter clothing donated by Rotarians last year, and the chilly winter that we are experiencing we have been asked to continue collecting for them again this winter.
Please note that all the people receiving the coats are currently homeless and many have asked if there are any thermal pants or skivvies.
So please check your wardrobes and donate any warm skivvies or pants as well as coats which are always in demand.
I will do regular pickups from our central collection point in Torquay which the Birchalls have kindly agreed to do.
Please click on the above image to read the article from the latest edition of Rotary Down Under for details of how you can assist the citizens of Ukraine through the Rotary network.
Delegate registration cost for RICON23 in Melbourne changes depending on when you register. The earlier you register the more economical the price.
During Houston Convention timing (June 4th -8th ) if you register and pay for attending RICON23 you shall receive the maximum discount. From June 9th , the cost increases by $50. There is also a further increase after December 15th and then greater increases after March and April 2023.
Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends can obtain the maximum discount to attend RICON23. Registration and Accommodation Bookings are now available through the RI website on this link
The Rotary Australia World Community Service website at https://directory.rawcs.com.au/41-2021-22 is our donor page, still being worked on, but with the completion of the business case, we will start our fundraising from March 1.
As an aside, Lucy received the following message re our project from the Governor of the Gulf Province Chris Haiveta
Thank you, Sis, for your tireless efforts to Assist our village over the years through the foundation.
I am committed to supporting you and the foundation as you prepare to widen your coverage on critical issues.
We are working with a couple NGOs in the Province already and can provide you the letter of support.
I suggest that we formalize the support and collaboration through an MOU.
In the meantime it would be much better to send a profile and EOI from the foundation to me aa head of the Provincial Government so that we can commence to formalize the relationship.
WHAT WE ARE COLLECTING AND WHERE TO DROP OFF ITEMS
Bottle Top Lids
Cause:- Lids4Kids is a nationwide 100% volunteer project to rescue plastic bottle lids
from landfill to benefit the environment and kids. Lids4Kids hopes to rescue eligible lids from landfill for projects that benefit all Australian kids in need.
So if you could collect milk bottle tops for recycling to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill., you will contribute to Torquay Rotary’s Environment Project
Just remove the yellow, blue or red plastic top from milk bottles, wash clean & pop into a container .
Maggie Isom will let us know when we can drop off to a bin at Coles Supermarket 41 Bristol Rd Torquay
Cause :- Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs, who collect them, sell them to recyclers and turn the cash into wheelchairs for people who can’t afford them.
Cause :- Recycle for Sight Australia a joint effort with Torquay Lions Club to send old prescription glasses to overseas communities where people cannot afford them.
Cause :- A Rotary "Donations in Kind" joint exercise with the Rotary Club of Boroko to disperse to needing schools in PNG. They need books that are used in Australian schools from Grades Prep to 8. Plus story books for younger children for grades Prep to 3.
2022-23 President Jennifer Jones is eager to advance Rotary’s narrative. To learn more of our RI President's vision and listen to her podcast follow this link RI President Jennifer Jones LINK
District 9780 Governor for 2021-22 is Kathy Rivett from RC of Alfredton
Kathy currently works in the travel industry and previously held positions in the Federal public service.
Kathy is married to David Rivett.
Kathy served as President of the Rotary Club of Wendouree in 2007-08 and worked with PDG Ken Broadbent in 2010 to set up the then Alfredton Satellite Club. With Kathy's support, Alfredton went on to charter in 2013, the first one to convert to a full Club. Kathy is a proud member of the Alfredton Rotary Club.
Kathy has been involved in a wide range of Rotary activities over the years including:
as a Youth Exchange Counsellor
serving on two District Conference Committees
as an RLI Trainer
working on FAIM Projects in Samoa, Cook Islands and Bali.
Kathy's particular love is Event Co-ordination, being a key player in organising Rotary activities including competitions, community events, concerts, expos etc.
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
To read the DG Kathy's latest District 9780 July 22 eNewsletter CLICK HERE
Rotary Down Under 2022 October Edition 654 CLICK HERE
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2023
Melbourne has been announced as the host city for the 2023 Rotary International Convention, the largest conference secured this century for Victoria.
Melbourne is a Big Events City! Set to deliver over $88 million to the Victorian economy, the Convention is the most valuable conference ever won for the state, with the four-day event anticipated to attract more than 20,000 Rotarians from around the world. The global spotlight will be on Melbourne and how we present ourselves to the world.
The Convention will take place 27-31 May 2023 using Rod Laver Arena and the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre for functions.
Watch this Space for further news as it comes to hand.
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