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President's Message
Ben Featherston
President's Report No 14
Well, we had a wonderful club meeting on Monday night.
Gail Chrisfield regaled us with a terrific talk about her overseas visit to Hungary and the Rotary Club of Budapest-Taban, in Rotary District 1911. It is always interesting to hear how international clubs function, projects they are involved with and how they conduct their meetings. Thank you to Gail for her talk and for organizing a swap of club mini-Banners, we will cherish the one we received from RC Budapest-Taban. I will send an acknowledgement and thank you to their club President on behalf of our club. Another great reminder of the opportunity and importance that Rotary provides to enhance international relations. Please see Gail’s reports later in this bulletin.
On Monday we also heard from Jack Pearson, who is the team leader for Youth Development, at the Surf Coast Shire. His thoughtfulness and passion for this important area of work was clearly evident in his presentation. It was great to hear that the Shire are actively surveying and seeking feedback from shire residents and in particular from our youth. This helps the shire to create opportunities and tailor shire funds towards activities and programs that they feel will make a positive difference. Thank you, Jack, for your work and your presentation to the club, fabulous. Please read Gail’s detailed report later in this bulletin.
Members may have seen in correspondence this week that the results of the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot Project ballot have been announced. More than 89% of clubs across the Zone expressed a YES vote, indicating that there is strong support for a pilot. 20 out of 21 Districts achieved the required threshold of two thirds majority of clubs voting Yes. The club vote was also endorsed by District Governors in their role as Rotary International Officers. The Rotary International Board will be informed of the outcome as well as seek guidance on the path forward. Thank-you club members for participating in this process.
This Monday we have the honour of our club member Lesley Shedden chairing our online meeting, hosting a very special guest speaker in Gillian Thomas, President of Polio Australia. Please make every effort to be online for this meeting as we continue our efforts to eradicate Polio globally (wear your Red Polio shirts if you have one!)
Thank-you to members for your fundraising efforts, which have allowed our club to allocate financial support to the following:
National Youth Science Forum (NYSF): I am delighted to inform members that our sponsored candidate, Isabelle Mendoza, has been accepted into the program. In a combined sponsorship effort with RC clubs of Highton and Grovedale-Waurn Ponds, Isabelle will now be able to complete the program. We wish Isabelle every success with the program and look forward to hearing from her in the second half of the Rotary year.
ShelterBox Australia: https://www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au/pakistan-flooding/ Our club has made a $1000 donation for emergency response to assist those affected from the devastating effects of the floods from the monsoons in Pakistan. This allows for one complete ShelterBox.
Please continue to assist in service activities and project opportunities whenever you can, both for our club and our neighboring clubs in the Geelong region, as we continue to strive to make a difference.
What a personable and passionate guest speaker Jack Pearson proved to be last Monday night. Members hung on to his every word and asked heaps of questions about his work as Surf Coast Shire Council’s Youth Development Team Leader for the past six years.
Raised in Horsham, Jack first worked in education and witnessed first hand the impacts of the introduction of iPads into schools. Over five years, he observed students becoming increasingly obsessed with devices at the expense of physical activity and engagement with others and the world around them. By the time he left the sector, his students were spending every recess and lunchtime on their devices rather than playing and interacting with their classmates outside.
Jack spoke at length about how the evolution of smartphones and similar devices has made everyone, adults included, crave instant gratification. Is it any wonder, given such devices are designed to mimic the effects of poker machines?
The amount of data we now consume via these devices is truly overwhelming compared to the days when we relied on newspapers, books, encyclopaedias and snail mail for information and the answers to our questions. No wonder many of us often feel stressed and exhausted!
In his current role with Surf Coast Shire Council, Jack and his small team seek to listen to and understand young people (i.e. aged between 12 and 24 years) across the shire. One of the ways they achieve this is by undertaking a youth census. Jack provided members with an overview of the findings of the most recent one conducted last year.
In a nutshell, this found:
the majority of our young people describe living on or near the Surf Coast as great or amazing
they are excited about the future
they rely most on their friends, parents/guardians, and boyfriends/girlfriends/partners for advice and help when needed
the issues they are most concerned about are COVID-19, mental health, anxiety and coping with stress
recreation, youth spaces/groups/activities, entertainment/shops/retail/eateries, and the environment rated highest as the things that would make Surf Coast better for young people.
Informed by these findings, Jack and his team are now finalising Council’s next youth development strategy, which will be released for public comment soon.
Jack also outlined his team’s focus on prevention and building young people’s resilience. The team doesn’t deliver counselling and other direct services provided by agencies such as Barwon Health. It does however work with these agencies to ensure young people and their parents are aware of the range of local services available if needed.
Currently, the team runs a youth drop-in centre in Torquay three nights a week where young people can just hang out with each other in a safe space. Jack and his team are on hand to provide advice if asked, which happens from time-to-time. The centre has been proving such a big hit, Jack outlined his vision of a bigger, dedicated space for young people to one day hang out in.
He described the range of other programs the team currently coordinates, which include the FReeZA music program, holiday program, parent education and the like. One focus is on finding alternatives to surfing, football and netball, which are important but not for everyone. Less mainstream sports such as volleyball and soccer, music, theatre and other arts activities are growing in popularity among many Surf Coast young people.
Finally, Jack outlined how we as adults can best help young people by listening to them, being there for them when needed or asked, and by being aware of how our own behaviour influences them. He suggested weaning ourselves off our smartphones and other devices for a start.
Controversially, since Surf Coast apparently has the second highest alcohol consumption per capita in Victoria, he also highlighted that we can’t expect young people to adopt more healthy approaches to life if we don’t role model positive behaviours ourselves.
Ending on that note provided members present with much food for thought with the biggest question for some being how we can get to number one in alcohol consumption. A joke but one with a serious message for us all.
During my recent visit to Budapest, I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the Rotary Club of Budapest-Tabán, the club’s first meeting for the new Rotary year after the long summer break. It was a fascinating experience for many reasons.
My first impression, upon entering the meeting room at the Budapest Marriott Hotel overlooking the River Danube, was the high degree of formality compared to our own informal club meetings. President Tibor Darab, who greeted me at the door, wore a suit, tie and very impressive Rotary president’s chain.
Members were seated around a single large rectangular dining table. For the meal, they had three different options to choose from, which they had pre-ordered a day or two before. Since none of these were vegetarian, upon sitting down I was offered a menu, which had several vegie options.
I ordered a traditional dish called Lescó, Hungary’s version of ratatouille, seasoned with paprika – of course! It was very delicious, but I suspect some Torquay Rotarians might be shocked about no dessert or alcohol being served! Water was the beverage of choice for all.
Throughout the two-hour meeting, President Tibor encouraged robust discussions between all members on a range of topics for the year ahead. As most of the meeting was conducted in Hungarian, it was impossible for me to understand much of what was being said.
I was therefore very grateful to have Club Secretary, Miklós Vörös, sitting beside me. He did an excellent job translating the main points into English for me while at the same time taking the meeting minutes (in Hungarian). How’s that for multi-tasking? Köszönöm Miklós!
In addition to the 18 or so members sitting at the table (and one on-screen dialling in from Malaga, Spain who, unlike online attendees at our hybrid meetings, had plenty to contribute to the discussion), there were two exchange students present who introduced themselves. The first was from Colorado. The second from Annecy, France, where I had lived during the 1980s (I had a good chat with her after the meeting).
Then it was my turn. I provided a very brief overview of our “no tie required” club and presented President Tibor with our banner, receiving the Rotary Club Budapest-Tabán banner to present to President Ben on my return to Australia.
Members asked why I was in Budapest and told me about the Rotary Literary Award in which I had expressed an interest when I first emailed the club about my impending visit. I am very grateful to Rotarian Péter Sterk who provided me with written information about this initiative, which was a major project for Rotary District 1911 for three years between 2008 and 2011. The awards ceremony was even televised!
President Tibor outlined his vision for the club for the year ahead with two key challenges being the need to expand the club’s membership and to make meetings more interesting for members. Sound familiar?
The club has a strong focus on supporting children in state care through various means including the Letter-Eaters literacy program, which aims to inspire and maintain these youngsters’ desire to read. Members firmly believe reading is a vital tool to empowering young people to stand on their own two feet once they leave state care to make their way in life. More information about this important program, which President Tibor is committed to expanding during his presidential year, can be found here.
Among the other items discussed was the upcoming visit of one of the club’s three sister clubs, Rotary Club Trieste-Nord, which will coincide with Hungarian Republic Day on 23 October. This nationally significant day commemorates the uprising in 1956 and the creation of Hungary in 1989 (following more than 40 years of Soviet occupation). What to do with the Italian Rotarians during their visit was the source of much debate.
I was shocked to learn how COVID has impacted the club’s fundraising efforts over the past few years. Previously, regular charity concerts were organised to help raise funds and there are hopes of one occurring this year. For the moment however, the club is sourcing its funds from members’ donations (on top of their annual dues) and other donors – and looking at how it can improve fundraising in future.
Unfortunately, due to the tight meeting agenda combined with the language differences, I didn’t get a chance to tell them about our barbecue program and how it’s starting to ramp up again after also being impacted by COVID.
My encounter with Rotary Club Budapest-Tabán highlighted many similarities with Rotary Club Torquay but also many differences.
Hungary’s first Rotary club was founded in 1925 and the first district (82) was created 10 years later. In 1941, Rotary in Hungary was prohibited and remained so for the next 48 years before being reborn in 1989. Since then, Rotary District 1911 has worked tirelessly to build Rotary’s profile and relevance in modern-day Hungary.
In all, it was a privilege and very humbling to join these committed Rotarians for their first meeting for the year. Here’s to the Rotary Club Budapest-Tabán.
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.
Friday 30th Sept we cooked a BBQ Lunch for the Landcare group.
They were planting trees etc in Fernbach Rd off Duffields Rd....
Volunteers who assisted were Myself, Lesley, John Oswald and Rhonda.
Organised by Rhonda!
Michael Reed
Thank you received from the Torquay District Landcare Group
Last Thursday was a beautiful day, and there was hope that Friday would follow the same pattern of, low wind and clearing skies.
The day through had other plans and the wind blew and the clouds looked like they threatened rain. Fortunately, we did not have to contend with rain, but the wind kept the air temperature cool.
The team was out at the VACSAL (Victoria Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd) out at Fernbachs Lane west off Duffields Road. The site is challenging as it drops down to Duffields Road and Spring Creek, but oh those views across Torquay and Jan Juc to the ocean!
Being off public land the preparation for the site really relies on TDLG and others being organised, and the start of any planting is a little haphazard as equipment is laid out and tasks distributed.
On this occasion TDLG was working with Graeme Stockton, and a few members from SANE, and Jan Juc Coast action, alongside the staff from Boardriders.
This by the way is the 15th year TDLG (TLG) and Boardriders (Quiksilver) have worked together on local revegetation projects and in that time, we have planted over 12,00 seedlings, along the Spring Creek corridor.
The project this year was more varied
Re-planting any trees that have gone missing (the vast majority of these due to grazing pressure)
Planting some understorey species and guarding
Double guarding all plants. At present they are all single-guarded with either a core flute tree guard or a wire-mesh tree guard.
Locating and marking all visible rabbit warrens with a flagged stake to assist with fumigation in the following weeks.
Cutting and painting stumps of invasive woody weeds (namely Boneseed, Italian Buckthorn). Most of these things are in flower now so easy identification.
One of the species to be planted was the Bellarine Yellow Gum (first described in the 1990’s) which is endemic to Spring Creek, and the Bellarine peninsula. This is a particularly important tree in that it is the only local eucalyptus to flower in winter, making it a vital food source for nectar feeding birds and insects.
The plan is to eventually revegetate this upper section of the Spring Creek and create a wildlife corridor, that might encourage the return of not often seen fauna in particular the koala.
Working with the team at Boardriders is always inspiring as they are keen to get their hands dirty and contribute.
This was succinctly put by one staff member
“I especially loved that there is different task for different people, no one being locked into one task and loved that everyone there is doing it for the greater good. I loved the vibe, chat, and most of all getting into the dirt with the weeds and poison. While the hill was not a highlight of the day the view was breathtaking and if you forgot why, you were here the view reminded you why”
With the groups in action there would be plenty of chatter, but that climb up the hill for morning tea certainly tested the muscles/endurance. Then there was carrying up all the equipment when the time came to finish and gather for lunch.
TDLG has been very fortunate this year to work with Torquay Rotary and once again we had the advantage of a very well-equipped catering trailer, and some very enthusiastic and capable Rotary members. This was certainly appreciated as the base site was exposed, and not having to juggle all the aspects of the catering took the pressure of TDLG members. Thank you Rotary in particular Rhonda, Lesley, Mike and John.
Events like this require the contribution from many, and this goes beyond the volunteers.
Thank you to Bakers Delight, Bells Bakery, Coles, and Peach’s for your support in providing supplies for the morning tea and lunch. Having well fed participants, is an important component of the day, and provides the opportunity to celebrate our achievements.
Thank you to Graeme for your organisation and planning for the day.
Thank you to Boardriders in particular Eve for your continued dedication and enthusiasm in ensuring these projects are an annual event.
Another successful project, and this concludes our 2022 schedule under the theme, ’The small things within the big picture’ part of the CCMA, Victorian Government grant scheme.
Our year concludes with our AGM on Thursday 17th November at the Moriac Community Centre. More details on this event to be announced.
Last working bee: Revegetation of Coast Beard Heath at end of Domain.
This working bee: Planting out of more Leucopogon – approx. 120-150.
AGM - Early notice
Please put November 2 in your diary for the combined SCEG/JJCA AGM at Bird Rock. Details to come.
Rip Curl Planet Days
Also, is anyone available to assist with the Rip Curl Planet Days working bees on 13 and 14 October? We have 2 groups each day and need people to help lead the Rip Curl staff. They are always fun days and the rip curl staff are great to work with. Thanks in advance.
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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