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President's Message
Ben Featherston
President's Report No 24
Hi everyone,
It has been a busy week of fabulous Rotary activities and service to others.
On Monday evening the club was honored to have Jeanette Etherington discussing the wonderful work of Interplast. Please see Dr John
Oswald’s report later in the bulletin. The work being conducted is so inspiring, as they expand their reach in the Asia Pacific and dramatically change lives in the process. Support for their work from Rotary Club’s is therefore more needed than ever.
Also on Monday evening, was Winchelsea Primary School’s Grade 6 Graduation Dinner, which Amanda Hough and I attended. The evening was very well attended, and the Grade 6 graduating kids had a great time. It was their first proper graduation night since the beginning of the pandemic, so it was quite a celebration. We were delighted to present awards to 3 deserving graduates, to acknowledge their achievement and help them with their upcoming transition to Secondary school education.
On Friday, the Bellbrae Primary School also has their Grade 6 Graduation function, where Margaret McPherson presented awards on behalf of our club to 2 more deserving students. It really is great that our club can assist local children in this way.
This week our Community Service lead, Bruce Turner, and I delivered Christmas Puddings, Milo Tins and some other food and toiletries to the local Food Aid Program, on behalf of our club members. Thank you to all who contributed to this cause, which will assist ~70 families in need over the Christmas period.
Members, please see the article later in this bulletin regarding Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine. Veronica is fundraising for medical equipment for a Children’s Hospital in war affected Ukraine. She will have a stall at the Cowrie Market on 18th December, so please spread the word regarding her cause and assist in any way that you can.
Unfortunately, we have had notice from President Jo White from Bayside RC, that the planned Drone Expo for May 2023 has had to be cancelled. Jo wants to thank everyone for their support and interest in the Drone Expo and hopes that this possible combined club event can proceed further into the future.
This Monday evening is our annual Christmas Dinner Celebration at the Torquay Hotel. It will be a great social opportunity for everyone to enjoy each other’s company, reflect on the year that has been, and see in the festive season for 2022. See you then!
Janette Etherington, the Rotary Engagement Coordinator, spoke at our Club meeting on Monday the 12th of December, informing us about how Interplast has coped with the Covid Pandemic. Janette is a member of the Rotary Club of Nunawading in District 9810. She brought two vistors from her club along: DGE Ian Ballantyne and Helen Parker
Interplast started in 1983 as a partnership between Rotary 9780 and Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. After nearly 40 years it now works in 17 countries in Asia Pacific and has performed over 26,500 surgeries
The Aim of Interplast is to provide plastic and surgical services for countries in our area which are still developing. However, it also has provided an enormous number of learning opportunities for medical staff in those countries, by way of mentoring, assisting, and providing online/actual support to those surgical, anaesthetic, nursing and allied health staff (physios, rehab clinicians etc.).
Just 6% of surgical procedures undertaken throughout the world are undertaken in the world’s poorest countries.
Janette showed some case examples of patients’ lives being reversed by the Interplast teams. Glady, Rockson, James, Patma, Dil. Moceiwai. See Latest News (interplast.org.au)
These cases are undertaken for functional, not for cosmetic reasons. The children may be unable to feed. Or to reduce the social impact of those deformities on those children now and in their future, making employment more possible.
The Pandemic years (2020-2022) meant that all the borders were closed, with Interplast shifting to support with online training, mentoring and supervision. As Interplast teams provided support directly pre-covid 19, they were ideally situated to expand their training during those very trying years, as they were already known to many of the training clinicians.
An enormous amount of teaching has been done over the last two-three years. There has been a total of nearly 16,000 mentoring hours, and nearly 91,000 webinar hours provided throughout those years.
Interplast was also able to provide surgical tools and equipment to these impoverished countries, and the finance to support the health services run their own programs without the actual presence of Interplast clinicians.
The effect overall of the Pandemic was to increase the numbers of countries serviced by Interplast from the 17 countries pre-pandemic to 38 post-pandemic, as many health services throughout the developing world sought support from the webinars and teaching sessions provided by Interplast. Those 21 non partner countries will almost certainly be looking for on-going hands-on support from Interplast.
Interplast’s goals post pandemic includes working to create systemic change in health systems. They will treat an extra 10,000 patients before the end of this decade. And they will work with the Ministries of Health to support 20 countries to strengthen their health policies.
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The good news now is that Interplast is travelling again. Post pandemic they have just undertaken their 145th program in Fiji, where it all started.
Interplast has over the last months incorporated Motivation Australia. Their goals and approaches (clinical training, mentoring, support with equipment etc) are aligned so it has been a straightforward fusion. Our program to send Voluntary Training Teams to Tonga will be undertaken now under Interplast’s umbrella. Motivation Australia’s role in the management of diabetic foot disease will be valuable as Interplast intends to concentrate especially on the consequences of diabetes in the near future.
Burns management in the Pacific will be expanded in Suva next year as the hub of emergency management of Burns training for the entire region.
Interplast appreciates the support it receives from the Rotary Club of Torquay and other Rotary Clubs in this District. These future directions of Interplast can only continue with that support.
The Rotary Club of Torquay has donated 70 Christmas Puddings to Torquay Food Aid which, along with a donation of “limited edition” Milo tins will be included in the Christmas Hampers provided to the 70 families currently supported by Torquay Food Aid. It has been our pleasure to make this donation to an organisation that does so much fantastic work in our community. This donation has been made possible through the many donations and purchases of Rotary Christmas Puddings by our club members.
President Ben's Key Take Home Points from the Board Meeting held 12th Dec
. 2022
# A successful Board Meeting was held on Monday 12th December. Some of the key topics discussed were - # The draft minutes of the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) have been sent to members. These will be submitted for approval at the 2023 AGM.
# The Board supported the membership applications of Garth Symington and Lionel Skinner, and these applications will be forwarded to the Club’s members # It was agreed to sponsor five financial scholarships of $100 Officeworks vouchers to students of Winchelsea and Bellbrae Primary Schools.
# Rotary Club of Torquay (RCOT) will donate $1,000 to the RAWCS Escalating Fund Crisis Fund.
# Greg Plumridge has resigned from the RCOT Board (and will remain as a member of the club). The Board formally thanked Greg for his large and important contributions to the Board over many years. Kelly Binyon will expand her Board responsibilities to include Greg’s Public Image portfolio
. # A successful Pets on Parade event has just closed, with approximately $1,000 being raised. The Board thanked Bruce Turner for his efforts coordinating this project
. # Michael Reed will soon be calling for orders for RCOT Club clothing.
Entries are now closed, winners to be announced shortly!
This year we are raising funds to assist with Hearing Screening for Primary School Year 1 and 2 Children in Tonga. This project has been selected by our Club President Ben Featherston. Ben's background as a Clinical Audiologist meant that this project was a logical choice, but there are a number reasons why Ben made this selection. If you get a chance to chat with him it is worthwhile hearing the background to his choice.
As there is currently no routine screening or monitoring of hearing or ear health of young children in Tonga, the objective of this project is to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health through focused training and provision of specialist equipment, to enable them to undertake screening the hearing of the young population in Tonga on a regular basis.
Within a sample of 500 Primary 1 and 2 children, 30% have been found to have some hearing/ear problems. Community Nursing staff, supported by staff at the ENT clinic will conduct regular periodic screening of the hearing of young children within the school environment. Children with identified problems will be directed to representatives from the ENT clinic at Vaiola Hospital Nuku'alofa, for further evaluation and remediation.
Regional Trails As part of the development process for the Strategy, stakeholders are being invited to complete a survey outlining their use of the trail network and opportunities for improvement. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and is located at https://trc.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/great-ocean-road-regional-trail-management-strategy. The survey is open to 18 December 2022. For any questions or enquiries concerning the development of this Strategy, please contact me on the details provided below. Warm regards Matt Matt Aquilina Trail Coordinator Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority P: 1300 736 533 | M: 0493 061 556
Working Bee I believe the W/Bee went well but I have no photos.
Weekly newsletter The next newsletter will be about the middle of January 2023, and the next Working Bee. Sunday. February 5th, 2023! Lets all have a break and a safe and enjoyable festive season. See you in the new year! Geoff, Luke & Committee
I am excited to let you know that our 2023 District 9780 Conference website and Try-booking is now open so please share with your members and encourage them to come along.
you can reserve your booking for our weekend of fun.
We even have a special prize draw for early bird booking prior to the 31 January 2023 so get in early to be in the draw.
We have some fantastic speakers lined up for our conference -
Jelena Dokic - Tennis legend, TV commentator, refugee, author,
John Marsden - multi award winning author, educator and founder of two schools,
Professor Anthony Holmes AO - reconstructive surgeon who separated co-joined twins Krishna and Trishna,
Lyndon Galea - CEO and founder of the 'Eat-up' program,
Rosie Lotawa - ROMAC's 5th patient and Ambassador,
Jessica Trijsburg - Peace scholar and leader in strategic diversity
and
Mark O'Toole - legend in Lismore for not only his own helicopter rescue, but also his on-going support and assistance for flood displaced locals.
We are also giving you the opportunity of choosing a song for your club to be played at our dinner dance on Saturday evening. The list to choose from is attached so let me know which song represents your club's fun side.
Don't forget there are prizes for individuals and groups who embrace the conference theme of 'We are the World' so dress to impress and come along as a group to ensure we all have a fun night to remember.
I look forward to catching up with you all again as we join together for a fun weekend of celebrating Rotary and our District - working together to make a difference in the World.
The festive season is almost upon us and there is so much to look forward to as a time of celebration and cheer. However, we know that for many in our community, it is a stressful period, especially when it comes to being able to afford gifts for little ones and a special meal to share.
The wonderful thing about the Geelong community is that we are known to band together and show compassion and generosity to those who need it most.
This is why I am writing to ask you to consider supporting the Geelong Giving Tree Appeal 2022, which is running from 12 November – 6 December.
BCYF is once again a collaborative partner with Bethany Community Support and the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre to raise money for children, young people and families to be able to have some extra funds this festive season, so they can enjoy some much-needed cheer.
Last year the Geelong Giving Tree Appeal raised almost $90,000 allowing us to provide 2239 gift cards to 852 families and individuals being supported by local agencies.
We know it has been a challenging few years, and with the cost of living on the rise, we know our most vulnerable will again feel the strain this festive season. By making even a small donation you can contribute to parents buying a present for a child they have on their Santa list or being able to create an extra special meal over the festive season to share with loved ones.
These seemingly small acts of kindness make for a brighter Christmas for all.
Being able to work collaboratively to make Christmas a happier time for children, young people and families across our region supports BCYF’s Christmas wish, which is a community where people are safe, connected and empowered to live well. If you are able, I ask you to consider donating to this fundraising appeal.
Further to the question posed at dinner on Monday night, I have booked the Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park for Thursday, 16th to Sunday 19th of February 2023 for a muster of the Recreational Vehicle Fellowship of Rotarians. This is the week after the Motor show.
Usual bookings are for 30 powered caravan sites and 10 cabins. Cut-off date for bookings is mid-November, so we will have a good idea of the numbers that will come by then.
Kelly, Sue (Currie) and one other have very kindly offered to help with the planning of the social side of the muster. I hope we can meet up later in this week.
For any further information regarding the Recreational Vehicle Fellowship of Rotarians and their planned trips please contact John Oswald.
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.
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 November 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.
