District 9820 Conference 24th – 26th Feb 2023 RACV Cape Schanck
Greetings to all Rotarians. Another eventfull month in Rotary 9820. Many clubs have enjoyed the February weather with outdoor activities including fundraising, markets, environmental enhancement and sustainability projects and a duck race to mention a few. Clubs are also determined and passionate to raise funds to provide much needed relief for the recent disasters in Turkiye/ Syria and New Zealand through our trusted and proven networks in Rotary.
Disaster Relief and Recovery
On 17th Feb 23, we sent out a notice to all Rotarians regarding the D9820 Disaster Relief Appeal – Turkiye / Syria / New Zealand. Since that time/ date, The Rotary Foundation has also opened a Disaster Response Fund for Turkiye & Syria. We are encouraging clubs to donate through the Rotary Foundation. Contributions to these causes through the foundation attract PHF recognition credits.
Presidents Elect Training Seminar (PETs) Traralgon Feb 23
Many of our district leaders and incoming club presidents attended a full weekend in Traralgon on the 18th – 19th February for our annual Presidents Elect Training seminar. This was an enjoyable, well organised seminar with plenty of open discussion, learning and fellowship. Congratulations to DGE Linda Humphries, PDG Tim Moore and the team for a very successful weekend. Thank you to those Presidents Elect and District Officers who attended and participated to make it a special weekend. See photos below
District 9820 Conference Feb 24th to 26th 2023 Cape Schanck.
Wow, what can I say? The District 9820 Conference last weekend, is still very much in my mind. We had 250 Rotarians representing 39 clubs who attended a memorable weekend at RACV Cape Schanck. I have since received numerous emails, FB and text from attendees complimenting the District Conference23 Planning Team and the host club RC Rosebud Rye. We all had a wonderful weekend full of Rotary at its very best. A standing ovation for one of our keynote speakers Samuel Johnson and some great humour and inspiration from others, in the beautiful RACV CS surroundings. Thank you to all who attended and a huge thank you to the Conference23 Planning Team and Rotary Rosebud Rye. Some photos below and many in next month’s newsletter.
Club Ballot at District Conference 25th Feb
I am very pleased to announce the result of our club ballot at the district conference. Our District 9820 representative who will sit on the selection panel for the next Rotary Zone 8 Director will be PDG Mark Humphries. In addition, PDG Janne Speirs will be our “alternate” representative.
Tony’s Trek
Many clubs / Rotarians in our district will be collaborating with their local Emergency Services volunteers to participate in events and welcomes during Tony’s Trek. This is a walk by Tony Pearce the CEO of the Emergency Services Foundation to raise awareness for the health and wellbeing of our emergency services personnel. Tony and his team will be travelling through our district from 10th March to 9th April. For those clubs who are participating, I encourage club members to please get involved. This will increase our connection with these local volunteers, some of whom would make terrific Rotarians.
D9815 – future District Governor 2025/26 Nominations are open for D9815 District Governor Nominee Designate who will become the DG for our merged districts in 2025-26. Nominations close 30th March 2023. This is our future leader and an important role for the future direction of rotary in our region. I would encourage all suitably qualified Rotarians to please consider nominating. Any enquiries please contact DG Paul Mee governor@rotary9820.org.au
District Newsletter Articles.
Thank you to those clubs who are sending in articles and photos for the monthly Newsletter. We are keen to see the fabulous work and activity of each club. Collectively, we are really kicking big goals in our local community involvement and support as well as some overseas projects.
D9815 Merger and the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot
Please tune in to the District newsletter next month for an update on the merger. For those Rotarians interested in the Regional Pilot, the national coordinators will provide a newsletter to all, in the month of March.
Dates for your diary –
Sat 22nd April 23 9.00am – District Assembly for all Rotarians in D9820. Nossal High School, Berwick.
Sat 29th April – District Foundation Dinner and Event (D9820 +9810)- to support The Rotary foundation. Venue TBA.
13th – 23rd May (approx.) – D9820 clubs, will be hosting a Rotary Friendship Exchange from District 7120 Washington State USA see Notice later in this Newsletter.
25th -26th May – Rotary Malaria Congress, Crown Casino, Melbourne.
27th – 31st May23 – Rotary International Convention Melb23- Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Convention Centre
26th June 23 – Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp. Joint event D9820 / D 9810 Venue TBA
19th Aug 23 – Model United Nations Assembly – Nossal High School Berwick.
Please join me to “Imagine Rotary” and have a fabulous month of March.
Hope the photos below, will attract you to next year’s D9820 conference in Warrnambool.
Stay safe and happy -- DG Paul.
RC Mt Eliza with President John and new member Annette
Presidents Elect with DGE Linda at PETs Traralgon
More from President Elects Training seminar, Traralgon
Keynote speakers Julia & Jordy Kay “Great Wrap”
Keynote speaker - Samuel Johnson “an inspiration to everyone”
Jessie Harman - Rotary International Director
Keynote speaker - Kevin Sheedy - the entertainment package
Congratulations to RC KooWeeRup-Lang Lang President Elect Wendy Easton who received a Community Service Award at the Lang Lang 2023 Australia Day Ceremony. Wendy was presented the award by Stan Alves for her many years of involvement with The Lang Lang Primary School Parents Club, Lang Lang Tennis Club and many hours she has volunteered to many other events and clubs throughout the years, not least of which is Rotary. Congratulations Wendy for both this recognition and for putting yourself forward to lead your club in 2023/24.
Posted by Kam Pow RC Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills
Annual Chinese New Year Celebration Fundraising Dinner, at Shangri-La Inn, Forest Hill by the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills
What a night of celebration by Rotarians and friends at the annual Chinese New Year Fundraising dinner on Wednesday, 8th February 2023. This event was organised by Rotarian Kam Pow and wife, Christine to raise funds for the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills. The event was booked out with 100 guests including Rotarians and their partners and friends of Kam and Christine. The dinner raised more than $8,000 for the Children Cancer Centre of the Monash Children’s Hospital. The Rotary club will make up the balance and will donate $10,000 to this worthy organisation.
We have organised the annual Chinese New Year Celebration dinner event for well over 20 years. Prior to joining Rotary, funds raised were donated to the Rowville CFA, Peter Mac Cancer Hospital, Oliver Newton- John Cancer and Wellness Centre, Operation Smile Cambodia and many other worthy organisations. As a Rotarian, money raised from the dinner event was donated to ROMAC, the Disaster Aid Australia (DAA) Bhutan 2020 project which provided clean water for schools throughout Bhutan and the Nepal Mother and Children hospital last year.
Glenn joined the Rotary Club of Frankston North on 13th June 1979 and was a very active Club member for 43 Years. He was Club Secretary for 2 years 1993 -1994 and 1994 -1995 President in the Rotary Year 1996 -1997. He held most director positions as well as many roles as Chairman for numerous Fellowship and Fundraising functions. As Fundraising Director, during Lockdown, Glenn organised an on-line Trivia Night. Glenn was in his element when controlling the Bunnings Sausage Sizzles and interacting with the customers.
Glenn was also involved on District 9820 Committee, and then Chairman, of the National Youth Science Forum, supporting many students to attend this program held in Canberra.
Possessing strong public speaking skills, Glenn was selected as Master of Ceremonies for PDG David Louden’s Conference in 2005 and again for PDG Tony Spring’s Conference in 2013.
He was heavily involved with the Gateway Church and had numerous roles, both Male and Female, in Theatre Productions where he enjoyed working with the youth.
Glenn was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow recognition on 13th December 2006 for his outstanding service to the community.
He was a loving Husband to Viv, proud Father to Stuart and Lisa and even prouder Grandfather to 2 Grandsons and 2 Granddaughters. He was a keen Fisherman and a mad Demons Supporter.
Posted by Richard Jones RC Frankston Peninsula 2.0
“608 ducks went out one day, over the bridge and far away”, racing down the waters of Kananook Creek Frankston in the inaugural Rotary Frankston Peninsula 2.0 Duck Derby proudly sponsored and supported by Urban DC and Harbour Frankston.
Watched on by crowds on the banks and bridges at the Waterfront Festival, the 608 ducks calmly drifted down the Creek. First duck home was “owned” by 8 year old Mack who won a $1,000 shopping voucher at Karingal Hub Shopping Centre donated by Urban DC, second place winner Lily, a terrier, won $200 Village Cinema voucher and third place prize a $100 Village Cinema voucher was won by Pippa. Nine other lucky “owners” received vouchers donated by local cafes and restaurants.
Enthusiastically supported by members of Frankston High’s Interactors, the “Sweaty Ducks” Frankston Peninsula 2.0 raised over $6,000 to be distributed to local groups involved in the environment and activities around the Waterfront and Bay including Aware Animal Rescue, Dolphin Research Centre, Beach Patrol 3199, Mornington Peninsula Triathletics Club, Frankston Scouts – who provided support on the Creek on the day – and Frankston Life Saving Club.
Thank you to everybody who supported this event, buying tickets for ducks and supporting local groups and businesses. Thank you also to RC Ocean Grove for their advice on how to run a duck race and for organizing the hire of 1,200 mercenary ducks from Barwon Heads.
Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds (RORP) in D9820 has now shipped twenty five full playgrounds to various overseas locations under our D9820 framework and participated in a further twenty plus undertaken by other Districts.
The attached playgrounds were harvested in 2022 by the Berwick, Dandenong and Mount Martha RORP groups and are now being reinstalled in various impoverished areas of outer Cape Town, specifically Shiloh Klipheuwel and Masiphumelele.
There were thirteen playgrounds in the Cape Town shipping container which arrived just prior to our festive period.
These were harvested from:
Cardinia Council
Dandenong Council
Casey Council
Bass Coast Council
Private donation.
If you have an overseas project that could benefit with the inclusion of either a single playground or a full container load of playgrounds.....please make contact with the D9820 RORP Coordinator at: rorp.9820@gmail.com
RORP has the capacity to significantly support the financial cost of transporting playgrounds across the globe.
There is now a major mosquito danger within flood impacted communities. In order to provide some relief to affected communities, RAWCS has acquired thousands of mosquito repellent candles.
RAWCS has taken the initiative and distributed over 16,000 candles in Shepparton (VIC), Lismore (NSW), Parkes (NSW) and Gympie (QLD) with great effect. There are plans to distribute up to a further 25,000 candles in coming weeks.
Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd (RAWCS) is also working to distribute brand new bed linen into the flood areas, which has been secured from a correction facility in the Northern Territory that was never opened.
And we are also supporting locals with Rotary volunteers who are assisting Government with distribution of donated goods, requests for support and information distribution.
Our National and State based fund raising continues to provide the necessary support for victims as the damage is determined and real needs identified.
Funds donated to the appeals are being used in the following ways:
Backing the projects and immediate assistance programs undertaken by local Rotarians in the flood zones.
Funding cash vouchers to help with the immediate needs of flood victims as well as supporting local businesses when the vouchers are spent in the impacted towns.
Assisting with temporary housing initiatives – already 16 housing pods have been supplied with a further 12 on their way.
Provision of new clothing and new bed linen.
Distribution of free mosquito repellent candles to help protect families from diseases carried by swarming mosquitos in the flood aftermath. The candles repel mosquitos for sixty hours, are odorless and normally retail for $16 each.
Donations can be made to our national fund, or can be directed to a number of regional appeals:
An evening of reflection and Rotary fellowship was enjoyed recently, when past and current Rotarians, together with members of Inner Wheel Club of Moe and other invited guests, attended a social event at the Moe Library Meeting Rooms.
Two meeting rooms were converted into a small cinema and a very entertaining video, produced by club President Robin Noakes, and captured Rotarians in action in the Moe community over the past seventy-four years, was viewed by an appreciative audience.
Accompanied by a contemporary soundtrack and featuring photos of past Rotarians in service and having fun, the video invoked happy memories. The recording also included snapshots of Moe and Newborough through an historical lens and provided a context for the various Rotary projects and activities undertaken in the district.
A light supper and refreshments were enjoyed after the screening.
President Robin Noakes was thrilled with the response and said, “So enthusiastic was the audience that a second showing was requested by quite a few guests."
Pictured below are photos with current Moe Rotarians, invited guests and partners of Rotarians enjoying fellowship.
Recently we asked all members and clubs for their thoughts regarding the resumption of Youth Exchange for our district. Thank you to everyone who completed the online questionnaire.
There are a reasonable number of clubs that are interested in resuming Youth Exchange and several have also indicated they cannot support the program. We think there is enough support across the district to begin planning for a return to Youth Exchange. Our next step is to recruit committee members.
As you know we and District 9810 will be merging in the relatively near future; and some Youth Programs (MUNA, RYLA) are already working together. We are liaising with District 9810 YEP and anticipate the formation of a joint Youth Exchange committee.
So, if you want to be a part of the new Youth Exchange committee, please feel free to contact Barry Rogers – barry.rogers@rotary9820.org.au
For those clubs and individuals who showed an interest in hosting or sponsoring Youth Exchange students - we will come back to these once a committee is set up. Thanks again for your support.
International Convention is just around the corner. As a lead-up, we are hosting a Rotary Friendship Exchange with District 7120, upper New York State. They would like to spend some time in our District meeting with people, clubs and be involved with a community project along the way.
How does it work?
They will arrive in our District about two weeks before Convention and spend about four nights in each location. We will host them in our homes, show them around our District, and some of the great sites, take them to the occasional meeting, do a community project, and then move them to the next part of the District. Rotary Friendship Exchange works both ways, and after we host District 7120, they will invite us to their District in return. (some images below from District 7120)
We are looking at starting them in East Gippsland, they hosted Linda and I as part of the International Assembly Governors hosting program. East Gippsland was in the clutches of the fires. I am often asked how things are progressing and they would like to see the impact first hand and doing a project in the community. Move to Central and South Gippsland, again see the sites, be involved with a project at Centenary house. Last stop, Peninsula, Frankston, Melbourne South East, has plenty to do, golf, wineries, scenery, a project on the Bay Trail, and a farewell dinner, everyone welcome.
What are we looking for:
People to host. There will be 6 – 8 couples coming. Therefore 6 – 8 people in each area, about 4 nights.
Ability to drive people to sites and activities.
Clusters to help organize the community project
Assist with transportation from Melbourne to East Gippsland
Peter Sindery in East Gippsland, Janne Speirs in Central/South Gippsland and Linda Morris on the Peninsula will coordinate hosting and activities in their areas. District 7120 has been doing friendship exchanges for a long time. Check out Friendship Exchange History | District 7120 (rotary7120.org) to learn more.
Please let me know how you can be involved with this great opportunity.
A solo walk covering 1440 kilometres across Victoria will promote mental health care in Victoria’s emergency management community – one step at a time.
Tony’s Trek will travel through many of the areas affected by Victoria’s 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires acknowledging the mental health impacts that those fires had – and continue to have – on emergency personnel and community members alike.
Tony’s Trek aims to raise awareness and support for building collaborative sector-wide mental health initiatives led by the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF).
Victoria’s emergency management sector includes more than 139,000 paid and volunteer members in frontline and support roles devoted to helping Victorian communities before, during and after emergencies like fire, flood, storm, and pandemic.
A study by Beyond Blue has revealed first responders and emergency service workers are more likely than others in the community to suffer serious and debilitating mental illness because of the accumulated trauma they often face while working. This is reflected in escalating mental injury claims.
“We are seeing larger and longer duration emergencies affecting our communities, and it is increasingly evident that members of our emergency services community – who give so much to Victorians before during and after these emergencies – are at increasing risk of suffering a mental injury due to the type of work that they do to keep us safe”, says Tony Pearce
Despite considerable investment in mental health treatment programs and services, there is still much work required to help prevent mental injury.
CEO Siusan MacKenzie says, “ESF seeks to get ahead of the mental harm and injury threat that currently pervades the sector – that’s why our focus is on prevention and early intervention.
“We must make sure we have the best possible programs to help support those who are always ready to support our community”, says Siusan.
Funds raised from Tony’s Trek will be used to enable ESF to deliver pioneering - prevention-focused mental health initiatives – a Lived Experience Program and Pilot Residential Wellbeing Program.
ESF is entirely dedicated to the prevention of mental health injury for Victoria’s emergency workers. It works with the support of 14 member agencies.
To find out more, donate or get involved go to www.esf.com.au.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic a child died of Malaria every 2 minutes. Now it is EVERY MINUTE. There has never been more urgency to Finish the Fight and eliminate Malaria in the Western Pacific Rim. PDG Dai Mason (D9600), PDG Bruce Anderson (D9780) and PDG Tony Spring (D9820) are organising a Two Day Congress on Finish-The-Fight Against Malaria. This is the two days immediately prior to the RI Melbourne Convention next year.
Those invited to speak include:
Sir Peter Cosgrove (Past Governor General of Australia)
Lady Roslyn Morauta (Vice-Chair of the Global Fund)
Professor Michael Good (Institute for Glycomics – Griffith University - Gold Coast Campus)
Philip Welkhoff (Director of Malaria - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)
Adriana Lanting (Chair of Malaria Partners International)
This is a once in 30-year event that should not be missed. If you haven’t been to a Rotary International Convention, then this is your opportunity to hear and see from Rotarians from all corners of the world. If you have enjoyed Rotary International Conventions previously, then you know how fantastic they are, and Melbourne will be fantastic! It is here on your doorstep with no international travel expenses. It will never be more affordable!
Book now to get the best registration rate and importantly to secure your place at Signature and Hospitality events, which have capacity limits to ensure a comfortable and rewarding experience.
Imagine the opportunity to meet and mix with 25,000 people of action from around the globe.
Imagine the possibilities flowing from inspirational speakers, break-outs with Rotary leaders and from opportunities at the House of Friendship
Imagine the opportunity to attend and/or volunteer to be an Ambassador for Australasia and the Pacific Islands.
Volunteers are still required to assist in the running of the Convention.
A vital part of the Convention is to have an engaged and friendly volunteer workforce. We as Rotarians volunteer our time, energy and skills all the time. It is part of our DNA and makes us who we are - we are a people organisation.
It is an opportunity to witness Rotary at an International level and by volunteering, to be part of its success.
It is an opportunity to volunteer and be an Ambassador for Rotary and our country.
Giving up four hours for a single shift is not a big ask - the more volunteers we have, the greater the load is shared.
This Convention is an opportunity to see what Rotarians around the world do, speak to people from different countries about common projects or new projects, and hear world class speakers from within Rotary and from leaders in their fields outside Rotary.
Register now for the best prices. Don’t leave it to the last minute as the registration fees increase significantly as the Convention gets closer.
I look forward to seeing you at the Melbourne Convention in May 2023
With the conclusion of the 2022 Council on Resolutions (COR), I am pleased to provide you with the Report of Action. In this report, you will find: • A letter from Council Services • Resolutions that were adopted • Vote tallies for the adopted items
Voting results for all 2022 resolutions can be found on My Rotary.
Please note that the deadline for submitting resolutions to the 2023 COR is 30 June 2023. A link to the submission form, plus helpful resources, can be found on the Councils page of My Rotary.
If you have any questions about the report or the COR, please let me know. Many thanks
Congratulations to Peter Rawlingswho was the first person to answer last month's question and is, therefore, a Diligent Reader!
I am offering a "Diligent Reader Award" to the first person who emails me with the answer to the question below. Your prize will be your name in the next month's newsletter as a Diligent Reader!
This month's question is: How many playgrounds were in the shipping container?
Your contributions are what makes this newsletter valuable, so keep sending them to me at newsletter@rotary9820.org.au.
