Rotary District 9830 Tasmania District Governor s Newsletter July 2016 Welcome to Gerard and Fiona - our new DG couple looking forward to Rotary Serving Humanity. DG Gerard wearing his official Chain of Office after his investiture. DG John pins the District Governor s badge on incoming DG Gerard Blizzard at the District Changeover at the Riverside Golf Club. With this simple ceremony, the curtain came down on DG John s year in office and DG Gerard moved to centre stage. DG Gerard s family travelled from Karratha and Smithton to see Gerard inducted as District Governor. Fiona s mother, Dorothy Long, is on the right beside Fiona. Lesley Dare (left) is presented with flowers by Fiona Blizzard to recognise her contribution to John s year as DG. Welcome to Gerard and Fiona Blizzard Wishing you a successful year leading the District Rotary Serving Humanity
2 The Inaugural Rotary Tasmania Police Excellence Awards One of the two inaugural winners of the Rotary Tasmania Police Excellence Awards, Senior Constable Annabel Shegog, was recognised for community policing service. The Rotary Tasmania Police Excellence Awards were presented for the first time at the District Changeover on Sunday, 25 th June at the Riverside Golf Club. DG John Dare became aware of the awards when he was living in New South Wales and, in his year as District Governor, moved to introduce them in Tasmania The awards by Rotary in Tasmania were welcomed by District Commander Brett Smith who commented that it was very encouraging to see excellence in policing acknowledged when the public were more likely to hear negative media reports about policing. Senior Sergeant Rod Carrick who was also awarded the inaugural Rotary Tasmania Police Excellence Award. The Awards recognise the hard work all police officers contribute to our community. The officers nominated highlight that police work is both varied and challenging and greatly affects people from all walks of life. Senior Constable Annabel Shegog received one of the two awards presented, for excellence in community policing services. Senior Sergeant Rod Carrick was recognised for excellence in motor vehicle crash investigations, and for driver training. Rod has been involved in Rotary Youth Driver Awareness since it started in Tasmania. DG John Dare presents Senior Constable Annabel Shegog with her Rotary Tasmania Police Excellence Award.
3 Despite From evidence DG Gerard of some fatigue Welcome to all Rotarians, Partners, Rotaractors and Friends of Rotary to another exciting Rotary year. Changeover season is now behind us and we should be well into finalising our plans for the coming year under the motto of Rotary Serving Humanity. It is a great honour to be your District Governor, and I again thank the District for the trust shown in us. Fiona and I are looking forward to our visits where we will see the many projects and programs the clubs participate in, both locally and internationally. We were pleased with the happy nature of District Changeover where we had the opportunity celebrate the achievements of last year and look forward to what this year has to offer. I again thank IPDG John and Lesley for their efforts during the year. They are both remaining involved with Lesley continuing on as the Friendship Exchange chair and John (on top of IPDG duties) being involved with the RAWCS committee. I m sure he will be a great help to District RAWCS chair Jillian Freeman and District RABS Chair Becc Gibson. During the Changeover, a number of District awards were presented: District Award RI Presidential Citation Club Bulletin Award Rotary Foundation John and Shirley Thorne Perpetual Award The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service The Rotary Foundation District Service Award District 9830 Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin for service as DG s Newsletter Editor Recipient Rotaract Club of Central Coast Joint winners: RC Glenorchy, RC Huon Valley RC Sandy Bay PDG James Wilcox PDG Bruce Buxton PP Rod Oliver This year we celebrate the Rotary Foundation s centenary. We will be celebrating this milestone with our Foundation Chair, PDG James Wilcox considering options here. When you look at the time line of the Foundation and see the many humanitarian and educational achievements we can be very proud of our own charity. Our District s support of the Foundation over the years has been excellent and I sincerely hope this continues. This year, in an initiative to raise the profile of Australian Rotary Health, District Chair Biddy Fisk, with the support of ARH Board member PDG Kevin Shadbolt, is putting the finishing touches to ARH week. This will be held in the week culminating with Hat Day (Friday Oct 7 th ). This is a great Australian program which deserves our support and further information will be forthcoming shortly We are very close to an arrangement between our Rotary District and White Ribbon. This is a topic that has the potential to be traumatic to some but if we continue to ignore and pretend it is not happening it will never improve. I realise that the White Ribbon organisation is directed at violence of men against women, and fully acknowledge that there is violence by women against men. The conversations we commence can ultimately be against all domestic violence and indeed, all violence. DG Gerard For those crisis moments in the tenure of the DG, Gerard is well provisioned with a bag of Minties.
4 More District Changeover Photos DG Gerard is presented with a pair of black socks by District Trainer PDG Ken Moore to ensure he is suitably attired at VIP functions. White socks are a faux pas on such occasions. Freshly minted DGE Tony Colman proposing a toast to Rotary International at the District Changeover. DGE Tony Colman pins the DGN badge on DGN Ross Carlyle. Fiona Blizzard is presented with some necessities for long driving spells and filling in the time at Rotary meetings where DG Gerard is speaking. RC Deloraine s Michael Plunkett (left) presents The Home of the District Governor Banner to President Nigel Pedley of RC Smithton. Who am I? Answer on page 6
5 RC Huon Valley s Youth Outreach Program kicks off Pabina (second left) with her parents (right) and the Secretary of RC Rasuwa (left) in their home village. The arrival of Pabina Devkota, a Year 11 student from Nepal has launched RC Huon Valley s Youth Outreach program. Despite delays with flights from Nepal, Pabina could still manage a smile on arrival at Hobart Airport. Among the welcoming party were her hosts, Peter and Linda Collins and Robert and Anne Thompson. Pabina will be hosted by each couple for three months during her six months tour. The Youth Outreach Program is similar to the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Pabina will be attending the Youth Exchange weekend camp at The Lea in Hobart, and also participating in the Tassie Tour with Youth exchange students in November. Pabina will attend the last half of Year 10 at Huonville High School. Principal of Huonville High School, Alison Grant, is very excited about Pabina joining in the Year 10 class, and will be making sure she is welcomed and settles into local school life for the duration of her stay. Pabina s father is a member of RC Rasuwa. Pabina and her brother are members of the Rasuwa Youth Club, an initiative of RC Rasuwa. Having an international experience rarely afforded to Nepalese students Using her English language skills in an English speaking environment Engaging with another culture Observing what continued education can bring in terms of lifting people out of poverty, and being inspired to continue her own education Building friendships with youth of the same age from another country Experiencing and comparing the education systems and improving her literacy and numeracy skills Taking back ideas with her on how she may be of further help to her community in Khalikasthan, and be an ambassador both for and to her people. RC Huon Valley sees reciprocal benefits from the Outreach Program for the students in the Huon Valley. These include: The opportunity to meet, befriend and learn from a Nepalese student about conditions in a third world country Students in other schools in the Huon Valley hearing Pabina talk about life in Nepal Learning from Pabina about the Rotary Youth Club, its achievements and value to community Realising, after listening to Pabina, that despite the difficulties experienced in Nepal, the people are resilient, cheerful and optimistic. The cost of the program will be covered by RC Huon Valley s fundraising efforts. Pabina is an outgoing confident young lady who has a good command of English. She has excellent public speaking skills and appears to be a very high achiever with natural leadership ability. Expected benefits to Pabina of this Outreach Program are expected to include: Nepal
6 INVOCATION It seems to me and maybe to you That often it takes but just a few To make an effort on behalf of RI So many can share a piece of the pie Can you imagine you ve dug a deep well Or built a spot where the sick can get well A world where children are seen as a gift And you re the one that s given them lift To be fed with books and even some rice In doing so little you may be called nice Without lofty visions where would we be? Would we be stuck with Imperial Me? None of us want to go it alone We ve all joined Rotary and call it home So open your hearts, and join in the ranks And double your efforts, and bask in the thanks DGE Joe Mc Bride - District 5390 (Presented to Ross Carlyle during the Professional Development Tour to Montana, 2016) Who am I Welcome to new Rotary Club members. Member Club Youssef Mohamad Murray Coates Bruce House Leigh Murphy Shaun Johnston Ian Allingham Wayne Newitt Derwent Valley Lindisfarne Devonport North Devonport North Sullivans Cove Sorell Congratulations to new Paul Harris Fellows. John Phillips Anne Thompson Adrian Kok Corey Hogarth Jenny Kerrison Jeff Hockley Sue Scott Ainslie Wagner Ross Carlyle Dale Grant Laurie Gray Ann Ralph Athol Johnson Brian and Lyn Muir June Reynolds Stephen Large Eric Marshall David Moore Barrie Crawford David McCarthy Michelle Pears Devonport North Huon Valley Launceston Longford North Hobart Launceston West Salamanca Salamanca Sandy Bay Somerset Glenorchy Scottsdale Devonport Tasman Peninsula Smithton Burnie Burnie Sorell Congratulations to new Paul Harris Sapphire Pin Awardees Charles Black Ian Geard George Lockwood Ian Smith Ray Shires John Bloomfield Paul Jack Don Dickenson Mel Holman Clyde Eastaugh Launceston North Hobart Youngtown Youngtown Wynyard Ulverstone Scottsdale Devonport South East Devonport South East Rod Oliver District 9830 Special Award Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation Heather Chong Hobart DG Gerard There s a big bear hug waiting for you at District Conference 2017 at Smithton!
7 Rotary Comes to the Rescue fter a year of immense change. TH, On Monday morning 6 th June flood waters rose to an historical high in the village of Westbury. Some of the first homes built in Westbury are around the Village Green and these had never been flooded before. Inner Wheel District A80 Changeover When the residents rang the Meander Valley Council to ask for assistance with sand bags, the assistance was so slow and too late. The water rose so fast that the homes were flooded. When the residents asked for Council assistance to help with the removal of furniture etc. so that the wet carpet could be taken out, they were told to ring Rotary. Ring Rotary they did and within no time, the Rotary Club of Westbury organised a working bee, a container was brought and delivered within hours to store furniture etc. until the house dried out, which due to the thickness of the walls of the house could be weeks and weeks. Wrest Point Casino donates 1,900 chairs to community organisations From left: Incoming District Chairman, Christine Stevens, outgoing District Chairman, Colleen Richey, Sue Smith, Social Convenor A80 and Pam Watkins, International Officer, A80 Wrest Point Casino has upgraded its conference facilities and replaced 1,900 chairs, all less than 10 years old. The chairs had been re-upholstered twice, and all were structurally sound. Rotary has taken delivery of 1,000 chairs. RC Hobart has provided chairs to a number of deserving organisations around Hobart. Chairs have also been donated to RC Deloraine to furnish the Deloraine Rotary Pavilion. All Rotary clubs are encouraged to consider making use of the Deloraine Rotary Pavilion for meetings and conferences. Unusual Gift Disaster Aid Australia s (DAA) Tasmanian representative, Ted Burton has been visiting Tasmanian Rotary clubs. Here Ted (left) is shown demonstrating a DAA Sky Hydrant water purification system to RC Glenorchy s Kerry Bowerman. RC Sorell came into possession of eight large logs which the club organised to be cut and split by a Trades Training class. The club then had to decide whether to donate or raffle the firewood. Ted (right) was recently presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from DAA Chairman, Bob Powell for his work in promoting DAA to Rotary clubs in Tasmania.
8 Awards presented at District Changeover President Marion Cooper (second left) of RC Sandy Bay receives the Rotary Foundation John and Shirley Thorne (on right) Perpetual Award for contributions to the Rotary Foundation. President Samara Lillico of the Rotaract Club of Central Coast is presented with a Presidential Citation by PDG John for the club meeting all criteria for the award. PDG James Wilcox (left) is presented with The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service by DG John Dare. District Governor s Newsletter Editor Rod Oliver (left) is presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin by DG John. PDG Bruce Buxton (right) is presented with the Rotary Foundation District Service Award by DG John. District Bulletin Award jointly won by RC Huon Valley (above) and RC Glenorchy (below).