District Governor s Bulletin. August 2016

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1 District Governor s Bulletin Rotary District 9675 August 2016 The District Governor Club visits started around a month ago and Judith and I are really enjoying the opportunity to meet and talk to Rotarians across our District. We are continually amazed at the amazing projects both in our local communities and overseas in which our Clubs are involved. DG Stephen & Judith At our District Changeover Kiama Rotary Club was recognised as District 9675 Club of the Year. Read a report on this great Club s achievements in the Bulletin. Don t forget our District Conference which will be held at The Novotel Wollongong from 10 th to 12 th March The Committee is working very hard to ensure that we have an exciting and informative program. Don t miss it! The recent Combined Illawarra Clubs Polio Night which was held at the Dapto Leagues Club was very well attended and without doubt a huge success. Attended by almost 200 Rotarians and friends Ken Hutt from the Rotary Club of Berry spoke about his successful paraglide from the world s sixth highest mountain Cho Oyu in Tibet in aid of Polio Eradication. An amazing man. Congratulations to all the clubs in the Illawarra for again joining together in the name of Rotary. Rotary's fourth World Polio Day celebration on 24th October will highlight the extraordinary progress in the eradication campaign and emphasize the work that remains before we wipe out the virus for good. Download the World Polio Day toolkit for information and resources on planning your own World Polio Day event. On Sunday 14 th August more than 100 Rotarians from our District acted as volunteers at the City2Surf. Congratulations to Rotarians Phillip Snider from RC Rose Bay and Russell Paine from RC Bondi Junction for their amazing organisation of the day. It was a great opportunity for Rotarians to be seen in our community as well as earn some valuable dollars for club projects. Congratulations also to the many Rotarians who also competed in the event, including our District Secretary Di North. What a fantastic result for our teams at the National MUNA last weekend. PDG Graham Wilson has provided an excellent report. I was really pleased to see the fantastic support by clubs throughout our District for DonateLife Week. From group meetings listening to amazing speakers to wide ranging print media to radio advertisements your support for this very important community awareness program was amazing. 1

2 Following on from DonateLife Week our District is supporting the upcoming Australian Transplant Games which are being held in Western Sydney from 24 th September to 1 st October. District 9675 will be sponsoring a Perpetual Shield for the Child Transplant Recipient Overall Winner. I am also aware that a number of Rotarians have volunteered to assist during the event. There is a great story about the Games in the July edition of Rotary Down Under. Speaking of Rotary Down Under this magazine is a must read for all Rotarians. Elsewhere in the newsletter is information about the NSW Police Officer of the Year Awards which is to be held on Friday 4 th November. This event which is organised by Assistant Governor John Given and his Committee is one of the major highlights of our Rotary year. As we all know Rotary has played a very significant role in Graffiti Removal Day for a number of years and that role will continue with the successful tender by Graffiti Removal Australia Inc. to run this great community benefit program. Please put Graffiti removal Day on Sunday 30 th October in your calendar. The Rotary On The Move Newsletter is always an interesting read with lots of information and ideas. Please click HERE to download the Newsletter for September Yours in Rotary Serving Humanity, Stephen AUGUST Membership & New Club Development Month A few salient points from our District Membership Chair, Stephen Knightley A Cliff Edge Looms says RI with regard to the overall decline in Rotary club membership in the western world. With declining average numbers and aging members in over 50% of clubs, many clubs are moving to a period of accelerated attrition. Within a few years this could trigger a rapid membership decline and perhaps demise of many clubs. Is your club showing the risk factors of decline? Don t let this be your club as there are actions you can take to move back into a positive membership trend. So what s the problem? In its simplest terms Rotary has lost its relative visibility and attractiveness in the new information world. Rotarians generally have a lack of understanding as to just how low our community awareness and support has become. 2

3 Warm and fuzzy PR is not getting enough exposure. Keep doing the core promotions like inviting people to come along and then add one or two new strong initiatives to make the difference. If membership in your club is in a decline and you are too busy to plan and act for the future then you may soon be even busier trying to survive. Plus the longer you wait to act the harder it will be to come back. So far I have presented to about 25 of the 65 clubs in our District. Is your club discussing its future membership and/or is it at risk? Please consider inviting me along to support a discussion about your club s future opportunities in this new changing world. Rotary is one of the best community service and humanitarian organisations in the world. We need to let more non Rotarians know about it so we can keep up the great work into the long term future Call me on or on stephen.knightley@gmail.com if you are interested in discussing future opportunities and membership. Stephen Knightley IPP, Corrimal Rotary District 9675 Membership Chair And following on the subject of membership Please support the Rotary Club of St George Next Gen and help them celebrate their 1 st Anniversary and Changeover on 10 September! The Rotary Club of St George Next Gen would like to extend an open invitation to the Districts Rotarians to join them for their 1st Anniversary celebrations of their club. The Immediate Past President, Vimla Hayman, believes this is an opportunity for fellow Rotarians to support the efforts of this relatively new club. Members are also keen to develop and enhance Rotary relationships within the District. A copy of the invitation is included as a separate attachment to this Bulletin; however, the broad details of the celebrations are: WHEN: 06:30 10:00 PM on Saturday 10 September 2016 WHERE: Oatley RSL, 23 Letitia Street, Oatley NSW 2223 COST: $45pp includes two course meal, tea/coffee & cake. Drinks available at the bar BOOKINGS: Trybooking - ENQUIRIES: IPP Vilma Hayman M or Secretary Elinor Perchorowicz via on elinor.perch@gmail.com I ve learned some exciting things mostly that people really want to help each other; and that, if you can lay out a vision for them and that vision is sincere and genuine they ll get interested. Michael J Fox 3

4 Rotary Club of the Year 2015/ Kiama During the 2015/2016 the Rotary Club of Kiama introduced two new projects to support their national and local communities. One was the formation of a joint venture with Gerringong Rotary Club and Australian Rotary Health to raise a total of $11,000 per annum for three years to fund a melanoma research project. To undertake the research a PhD student from the University of Queensland was selected from a number of outstanding applicants. Proceeds from the Club's annual Car Spectacular were pledged to the research project where two local doctors also provided free melanoma skin checks. A major local project for the year was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Club's involvement in the construction of the Saddleback Mountain Lookout. In conjunction with Kiama Municipal Council and with the assistance of local State Member Gareth Ward the club was successful in obtaining a Community Building Partnership Grant of $50,000 to repair and refurbish the Saddleback Mountain Southern Lookout. It was particularly pleasing to experience the enthusiastic support of the local community. Work is well underway and is due for completion by March RC Kiama is also proud to have two of our members on the ROMAC team, Operations Director Barry Wilson and Secretary Peter Maitland; both Rotarians have shown great commitment to "Service above Self". An inspirational story from the Rotary Club of Concord Recently Concord Rotary Club was graced with the presence of Evelyn Scott and her daughter Kylie to share the story of their lives and to enhance awareness now that the National Disability Insurance Scheme offers everyone with intellectual disability the opportunity to step out into their communities. With Evelyn introducing Kylie and speaking briefly about NDIS and the opportunities it offers, members were treated to a most thoughtful, inspirational and entertaining half hour when Kylie spoke on the subject Intellectual Disability - Surviving and Celebrating. She was a revelation, telling how Down Syndrome has impacted on their lives, where their life journeys have taken them and how we can contribute to helping those with intellectual disabilities be a part of the overall community in which we live. Kylie spoke with dignity and no little humour about her travels, her attempts to join the workforce, her striving for independence, her hopes and aspirations for the future not only for her and her family but for all those in similar circumstances, and with passion about her art which surprised many with its originality, flair, colour and quality. Indeed, quite a few members purchased packs of greeting cards made from her many paintings which will eventually be dispersed far and wide. Evelyn is justifiably proud of Kylie and her achievements and the club witnessed a wonderful Rotary night. 4

5 Here s another good news story on one of Rotary s own: Cathy Mason It s never too late in life to lift weights says 60 year old grandma, Cathy Mason who happens to be a member of Caringbah Club. Take a look at Cathy as she lifts her two grandchildren Juliet (5) and Caleb (3), both of whom weigh about 17 kgs each! Cathy s record is lifting 34kgs in a complex clean and jerk movement and her grandchildren could not be more proud of their super-fit Nan. For the past seven years Cathy has been working out at the gym to improve her fitness and she s now more toned and has muscles she never thought existed. Cathy is pictured here with her family and trainer on the set of Channel 7 s Weekend Sunrise show. Video links to the segments shown can be found here: Cathy competed in the 60 to 64 age group at the Oceania & Australian Masters Championships in Tasmania in June last and won two silver medals and one bronze. She hopes to go on and compete in the World Masters Games in New Zealand next year. Congratulations, well done and best wishes for your future endeavours Cathy. Hat Day is fast approaching 7 October 2016 Host a special function to raise funds for and promote mental health awareness! 100% of the money raised during this year s Hat Day campaign goes directly to research helping the one in five Australians affected by mental illness. More Hat Day details and ideas for your club can be sourced from 5

6 MUNA What a Great Result of our District By Immediate Past District Governor Graham Wilson Helen and I were privileged and very excited by the results our teams achieved to represent our District at the National Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) held in Canberra recently. National MUNA was conducted at Old Parliament House in the former chamber of The House of Representatives. Our District had three teams representing us and overall we came first and third with the third team being mentioned in the head adjudicators summing up. Our results from National MUNA: 1st - St Andrews Cathedral representing Indonesia and sponsored to District MUNA by the Rotary Club of Sydney 3rd Sydney Boys High School representing the USA and sponsored to District MUNA by the Rotary Club of Sydney Inner West Adjudicators mention - SCEGGS Darlinghurst representing Ukraine and sponsored the District MUNA by the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove St Andrews Cathedral School Sydney Boys High School SCEGGS Darlinghurst Our teams here in Canberra with D9710 District Governor Steve Hill and the President of the host Rotary Club, Canberra Sunrise Rosemary Everett. The teams to represent our District were selected at our District MUNA held in the Legislative Assembly at Parliament House in Sydney back in May. This venue for our own MUNA certainly proved to be a good grounding for the teams that would go on to Canberra. Some of the students did comment to Helen and/or I how participating in Parliament House in Sydney gave them a sense for what it would be like to compete in National MUNA at the Old Parliament House. With District MUNA on again in May let s go one better at National MUNA with first, second and third! 6

7 Unfortunately, some sad news to report Vale: Glenda Philpott 19 November June 2016 Glenda joined Sylvania Rotary Club on 1 September 1992 and served as President of Sylvania Rotary twice in the years 1997/1998 and 2004/2005. Glenda s classification was Aviation Counselling and flying was her great passion. She once flew a plane across the Pacific with another Australian pilot. Glenda was a tireless worker for the Fearless Flyers Inc. Together with Nancy Bird Walton, Aminta Hennessy, Nancy Wells and Jean McPhee, the flying clinic was introduced and backed by Qantas in August The course has been running for over 36 years in Sydney. Glenda helped over 1500 people face their fear of flying. Glenda received the Medal of the Order of Australia. Glenda s husband Albert (deceased) was in Caringbah Rotary and they were both recognised in 2008 as Paul Harris Fellows from their respective Rotary Clubs. Glenda achieved so much in her life. Service Above Self. She was always smiling and had a very happy disposition and outlook on life. She will be missed very much. Vale: David Cumming (Photographer & Rotarian) David Cumming was initially a member of the Rotary Club of Balmain and later the Rotary Club of Leichhardt. He was President of Balmain in and received a Paul Harris Fellow in For perhaps 10 to 15 years David was the little bloke running around with the camera at all District events. David started his working career as a cadet newspaper photographer at the Sydney Morning Herald in the early 1950 s. To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity. Douglas Adams 7

8 A few events for your diary! Supplies, supplies from Rotary Down Under! 8

9 Here are some more important dates for your diaries: Date Event 29 August 4 Sept 2016 National Skills Week (Monday to Sunday) 31 August 2016 (Wed) District Grant Applications Close 1 3 Sept 2016 Rotary Zone Institute at Penrith Panthers (Thursday-Saturday) 9 11 Sept 2016 RYPEN at Sydney Olympic Park Lodge (Friday-Sunday) 22 September 2016 (Thurs) Committee of Association Meeting 24 Sept 1 Oct 2016 Australian Transplant Games 7 October 2016 (Fri) Australian Rotary Health Hat Day 9 October 2016 (Sun) Australian Rotary Health Race Day at Hawkesbury Race Club October 2016 Australian Rotaract Conference (Saturday-Sunday) 4 November 2016 (Fri) The Rotary Clubs of NSW Police Officer of the Year Awards 18 November 2016 (Fri) Presidents Meeting 24 November 2016 (Thurs) Committee of Association Meeting 28 November 2016 (Mon) Rotary Foundation Million Dollar Dinner 8 December 2016 (Thurs) Australian Rotary Health Christmas Dinner 8 14 January 2016 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Rotarians, partners, friends and guests are invited to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of The Rotary Foundation at the Million Dollar Dinner Enquiries: District 9675 PDG Paul Reid District 9675 DG Stephen Humphreys District 9685 PDG David Rands District 9685 PDG Monica Saville WHY A MILLION DOLLAR DINNER? Keynote Speaker: Kalyan Banerjee, Past RI President and Chairman of Trustees of the Rotary Foundation Dress: Business attire Cost: Table of 10 - $700 or $75 per person Bookings and payment: or by cheque to: Rotary Club of Epping, PO Box 77, Epping NSW 1710 with attendees names, club and dietary requirements The Rotary Foundation has set a fundraising goal of US$300 million for the Centennial year. The Million Dollar Dinner has become a popular event worldwide, including Australia and New Zealand, in encouraging Rotarians, clubs and districts to meet this challenge. Districts 9675 and 9685 are joining together to raise US$1 million in this Centennial year. 9

10 We are particularly encouraging Rotarians to consider a legacy in their estate planning through a bequest to The Rotary Foundation. (See the levels below.) HOW CAN DISTRICT 9675 and DISTRICT 9685 ROTARIANS DO THIS? Encourage your fellow Rotarians, partners, friends and guests to attend the Million Dollar dinner table of 10 - $700 or $75 per person. Suggest that your club could transfer your meeting to that night. Encourage your club to donate to the Rotary Foundation as its contribution to the Million Dollar challenge. Make a personal donation to the Rotary Foundation (tax deductible) Contribute to the Rotary Foundation by: Becoming a Major Donor US$10,000 level 1 US$25,000 level 2 US$50,000 level 3 US$100,000 level 4 (or move to a higher level) Making a Bequest in your Will (suggested wording is available) US$10,000 level 1 US$25,000 level 2 US$50,000 level 3 US$100,000 level 4 (or move to a higher level) Contact PDG Bruce Allen (Ph ) or Mark Anderson (Ph ) at the Parramatta Office of the Rotary Foundation regarding higher amounts. A reminder that SEPTEMBER is Basic Education and Literacy Month Basic education and literacy is one of the Foundation s six areas of focus. Everyone has the right to learn to read, write and enjoy the power, pleasures and independence of being literate. For some the journey will be easy, for others it will take much hard work and unfortunately for approximately 16 percent of today s world population it will never happen. How can each club help to reduce this statistic? Plan a project that focuses on, and rekindles a passion for literacy and numeracy, and promotes the ideal of a basic education for all during the month of September; Contribute funds to support existing literacy programs and projects; Encourage members, or join the Club, to the Rotary International approved Literacy Rotarian Action Group ( LitRAG ) a working group that increases the awareness of Rotary clubs and Rotarians, in finding and forming a truly sustainable contribution to basic education and literacy or Read at local schools and events or participate in literacy fundraisers. These are just a few ideas to help get started. Please report any education and literacy developments/projects your club is undertaking so they can be added to the District database. 10