Rotary District 9830 Tasmania District Governor s Newsletter

Rotary District 9830 Tasmania District Governor s Newsletter September 2016 Posties Ride for Prostate Cancer Travelling Well Delivering the message about Prostate Cancer At the Radio Telescope at Parkes Volunteer riders on postie bikes setting out from Hobart on their epic 4,700 km ride to Cairns to raise awareness about prostate cancer. On the road in all weather! At the Golden Guitar in Tamworth (tbc) Head for Smithton for the District Conference 2017

2 Rotary Club of Ulverstone West Australian Rotary Health beyondblue present Gala Dinner Raising Awareness of Depression and Anxiety Services available on site will include: Guest Speaker: Fiona Coote AM Saturday 8 th October 2016 Pier 01, Ulverstone Wharf Precinct Tickets: $65.00 per person Tables of 10 - $600 (one payment) RSVP: 2 nd October 2016 Enquiries: Lindsay Morgan: 6425 2580 Free Eye Health Screening Free health checks Free Hearing tests Lungs in Poor Shape advice beyondblue mental health services and advice Kidney Health Aged care services and advice Cancer screening and control services Hospice services Carers Tasmania Corner Stone Youth Services Headspace Rural Alive and Well Delta Therapy Dogs Gnomon Pavilion, Wharf Precinct, Ulverstone Friday 7 th October, 2016 10.00am 3.00pm

3 From DG Gerard At the time of writing we have made 18 visits with the 40 th year anniversary celebration of the Rotary Club of Queenstown being a highlight. Again I thank all the clubs for the friendly and open manner in which Fiona and I have been made welcome. I know this is at the forefront of all our clubs minds, and many discussions are being held. Please keep an open mind in these discussions and consider all options. We are all privileged to be Rotarians and have a responsibility to uphold the strength of Rotary within our District. The District membership committee is available to work individually with clubs if so desired. Please take them up on this. Our organisation is too valuable to all our communities to allow a reduction in effectiveness due to a lack of numbers. Our District has punched above its weight on many issues. We again showed this after the tragic earthquakes in Nepal in April 2015. A disaster appeal was opened by then DG Ken Moore. It raised $225,000.00. The appeal through RAWCS was a Tasmanian fund initially. With interest shown nationally, this became an Australian-wide appeal with PDGs Bruce Buxton, Ken Moore and Kevin Shadbolt appointed to manage the appeal. DG Gerard and RC Queenstown President Joanne Francis cut the cake to celebrate the 40 th Anniversary of the Queenstown club. I am always aware that the clubs of Rotary Tasmania complete a huge amount of service and programs. Our theme Rotarians Serving Humanity is alive and well. It becomes more and more obvious in our travels that we never fully appreciated the amount of activity. August being membership month, it is appropriate that we reflect somewhat on the District numbers of Rotarians. There has been a steadily reducing membership base over a number of years now. The table below shows the figures for the past six years. 2011 1406 2012 1398 2013 1366 2014 1363 2015 1348 2016 1307 Whilst our membership numbers are not disastrous at this time by any means, there will come a time in the not too distant future where we will be under stress if this trend is not halted, or even better still, reversed. Suryodaya school in Nepal after the earthquake. With PDG Kevin Shadbolt visiting Nepal as part of a group in February 2016, and after a number of discussions with RC Hetauda, whom we have had a long standing and successful relationship with in many projects, it has been decided the funding will be used to rebuild three schools. These schools are in Suryodaya, Chandrodaya and Saraswati. The group in Nepal visited Suryodaya and saw at first hand the devastation in this area. RC Hetauda will be overseeing the reconstruction work and have organised the MOUs with each of these schools. The monsoon season will hold up the commencement of work at the Suryodaya School, but the others are commencing almost immediately. We will keep the District updated regularly as information flows through. DG Gerard

4 Migrant Job Club New RAWCS Chairman The first meeting of the Refugee Employment Project (aka Migrant Job Club) committee was held in Hobart on the 20 th June (above). The goal of the project is to help refugees to have the same opportunities as other unemployed to work. RC City Central Hobart has been working alongside Red Cross in Hobart to provide workshops for migrants to improve their chances of finding work. Upcoming sessions include information from Fair Work Australia, as well as networking opportunities with local employers. Men s Shed at Kings Meadows PDG Michael Perkins, the new chairman of Rotary Australia World Community Service, shown here in Nepal removing bandages from patients the day after cataract surgery. Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) has a new chairman, District 9830 s PDG Michael Perkins. Michael joined the RAWCS board in 2007 as the District Governor-Elect representative. He is looking forward to heading up the RAWCS family who have a can do attitude. In 2015-16, the RAWCS board oversaw more than $30 million for 438 projects. Michael is keen to encourage more use of RAWCS by clubs, and for clubs to realise how easy it is to do a RAWCS project. Raise the funds and see your project come to life. It s that simple said Michael. He added Clubs can use the volunteer program to get people involved with Rotary. (Source: Rotary Down Under Facebook site). Erection of the steel framework for the Rotary Community Men s Shed Project at Kings Meadows, a joint project of RC Youngtown and RC Kings Meadows. The project is partially funded by The Tasmanian Community Fund plus local Rotary and Lions Clubs and extensive donations from local suppliers and tradespeople. RC Lindisfarne ran the sausage sizzle at Shannons Car and Bike Expo at Rosny Park in April. The event attracted 3,000 people to look over 600 vehicles on display. From the funds raised, RC Lindisfarne donated $2,000 to the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation.

5 Recollections of Unforgettable Rotary Youth Exchanges Dagmara Finlayson in Wisconsin, USA Dagmara Finlayson was a Rotary Youth Exchange student in 1999 2000. She was a High School student in Horicon, Wisconsin, USA. She had three lovely host families, staying with each family for four months. She remains in contact with all her host families. All her host families kids are married, and most have little ones of their own. Best thing she ever did. Rotary is AMAZING. Dagmara is very keen to talk about her Rotary Youth Exchange experience. She lives in Baghdad and is willing to come and speak to a local Rotary club about memories of her time as an exchange student. (Source: Article by Roslyn Teirney in Rotary Tasmania Family Facebook) Success at the Federal Elections Senators Catryna Bilyk (RC D Entrecasteaux Channel) and Lisa Singh (RC Moonah) were re-elected to the Senate in the recent Federal elections. Senator Jonathon Duniam, the son of District Secretary Mary and Roy Duniam was elected to the Senate for the first time. Huw and Philippa Dunbabin and their son, Louis (centre). RC Sorell welcomed Huw and Philippa Dunbabin to a recent club meeting. Philippa was the club s German exchange student six years ago. She returned to catch up and tell us where life has taken her since her time in Australia. Huw, James Dunbabin s son, travelled to Germany a few years after Philippa returned home and they soon started a new life together. On her return to Germany, Philippa undertook studies and now works in a laboratory testing fabrics. Philippa manages full time work as well as now being a mum to Louis. Huw has undertaken studies in physiotherapy in Germany, and has had some hospital placements. He is enjoying life there. Philippa and Huw told the club of some of their life's activities, and also of life in Germany. Immigration into Germany has seen up to 20,000 people arrive per day. This has obviously brought many challenges to the country. Ross Hart MP (Source: RC Sorell Bulletin) Ross Hart, Past President of RC Launceston and District Legal Adviser, was elected as Member for Bass, defeating incumbent Andrew Nikolic. District 9830 congratulates all four politicians on their success.

6 Australian Rotary Health Week 3 rd -7 th October Australian Rotary Health (ARH) is the leading organisation supporting mental health research in Australia. Many of the tragedies and atrocities we learn about on a daily basis in the news have an underlying mental health cause. Through supporting ARH, Rotary clubs can contribute to a better understanding of mental health in our society and help prevent debilitation and tragedies that have an underlying mental health issue. ARH Week from the 3 rd - 7 th October is an ideal opportunity for District 9830 Rotary clubs to help ARH maintain its role as one of Australia s largest independent medical research funding organisations. Clubs should give serious thought to conducting a fundraising event or making a contribution to ARH. Magic Moment at Triabunna District High School An exciting Rotary moment for me today. I was doing relief teaching at Triabunna District High School (TDHS) and witnessed Mr McCarthy promoting the Windeward Bound Training Ship Excursion to the Grade 9s (Grade 10s couldn't go because of timing). It was wonderful to hear his stories about previous students from TDHS who had participated and their growth through the experience. Also to hear him reassure kids that Rotary would look after them if they made the commitment. It is rewarding to know that busy teachers are running around out of their own classes to pass on these important messages. Kids from school communities around Tassie know about the deadline and feel empowered and supported to stretch themselves through this program. Support from Rotary is matched by support from the schools and the local communities. Magic! (Roslyn Teirney on the Rotary Tasmania Family Facebook site.) Hat Day on Friday 7 th October Here s a chance for clubs to conduct a fun event and raise funds for ARH. It can be part of a normal Rotary Club meeting, or a separate social event. Whatever form it takes, seize the opportunity to help ARH support vital mental health research. For more information, contact Biddy Fisk, District ARH Chairperson. Peter Hoyle and Kathy Farr of RC Longford, celebrating Hat Day 2015. Rotary Overseas Youth Outreach Program student, Pabina Davkota, from Nepal, attending a meeting of RC Huon Valley with Gill Whitehouse (left) and Pabina s counsellor, Else Phillips.

7 District Conference News Keynote Speaker Profile fter a year of immense change. TH, Marcus Akuhata-Brown Marcus Akuhata-Brown grew up on the East Coast of New Zealand. His father is Ngati Porou (Tuwhakairiora) from Te Araroa on the East Cape and his mother has English and Welsh ancestry. A qualified teacher and gifted communicator; Marcus has led a number of innovative alternative education programs addressing the learning needs of youth at risk and young offenders. Since 1996 Marcus has travelled all over the world as both a national and international representative and delegate. Marcus was a Director on the international board of Civicus, as well as being Head of the Commonwealth Youth Caucus, an organization dedicated to increasing young people participation in social and economic development. Marcus will capture your hearts and you will laugh, cry and be totally inspired by his story. RC Deloraine put on a Little Italy dinner for their friends affected by recent floods. Club members provided the food for the dinner organised by Rotarians Gayle and Michael Plunkett. New Rotary members Member Club Murray Coates Kristie Johnston Stephen Bender Leah and Nick Muir Stacey Walker Fiona McDougal Craig Stringer North Hobart Claremont Claremont Brighton Ulverstone West Tamar Sunrise George Town (Transfer from Claremont) New Paul Harris Fellows. Wendy Summers* Central Launceston Geraldine Perkins Latrobe Heather Ryan Latrobe Dorothy Jones Latrobe Diana Butler South Launceston Tim Biggs Deloraine Ian Knight Deloraine Michael Bennett Deloraine (Sapphire Pin) Eric Marshall Smithton (Sapphire Pin) Jim Young Queenstown (Sapphire Pin) John Scoles Ulverstone *incorrectly reported in last issue, we apologise. RC Deloraine s Michael Bennett (left) was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin for contribution to the community. Tim Biggs (centre), the immediate Past District Secretary was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by the District. They are photographed with RC Deloraine President, Bill Muldoon. Michael Bennett was also presented with a letter signed by RI President John Germ for Michael s 50 years as a Rotarian. Global Grant funds gamma probe The Rotary Foundation has announced that a Global Grant application by Rotary Districts 9830 and 9980 to purchase a gamma probe has been successful. The probe will be used at the Northwest Regional Hospital in surgeries associated with the treatment of cancer patients. The amount of the award is US$42,857.

8 Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student, Jona Bader (centre) from Switzerland is welcomed on arrival at Devonport Airport by (from left), RC Smithton President Nigel Pedley, Meredith Gracie, Lorraine Charles and DG Gerard. Leanne and David Morrison (in front) appeared on Give Me 5 for Kids Appeal on Southern Cross TV to present $500 from RC Youngtown. RYE student Erik Holm from Sweden (centre, black jacket) is greeted by a strong turnout of family members of RC Central Launceston, Erik s host club for this year. The District Professional Development team recently returned from Montana (from left): Leader Ross Carlyle, Simone Hackett, Zac Morgan, Allira Bartush and Sarah Lillico. The team reported on their tour of Montana at RC Deloraine s Little Italy function. Dr Chris Hughes from the Saunders Street Clinic in Wynyard has been announced as the Tasmanian Registrar of the Year by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Dr Hughes has been one of RC Wynyard s Music Hall stars, seen here as the Irish Jockey with Margaret Trousdale. Congratulations from Rotary District 9830 to Chris. (Photo supplied by Ken Spalding)