Posted by Paul Mee District Governor on Nov 02, 2022
Meeting Rotary International President Elect Gordon McInally at the Rotary Zone 8 Conference in Canberra Oct 22
Greetings to all Rotarians and Rotaractors in District 9820. October was a particularly busy and most enjoyable month for Adele & I. There is plenty of Rotary news and information to keep you posted. We had the opportunity to join many clubs and talk to lots of Rotarians at my DG club visits and club events, about their fabulous Rotary involvement and community volunteer work. Can I suggest to all Rotarians and Rotaractors, if you have not visited another Rotary Club in the past 12 months, please take the time to do this. You will be made very welcome and you will see first-hand, what your Rotary colleagues are doing and planning at other clubs.
Victorian Floods- District Wide Appeal-- Earlier this month, we sent out a communication to all clubs in the district about this appeal. Many clubs and individual Rotarians would like to assist and support flood effected communities in Victoria. We have established a District wide appeal, to which Clubs and individual Rotarians can contribute. Please consider at both Club level and individually, if you would like to donate. The account details for donations are below. All funds collected will be directed to the RAWCS National appeal for victims of the Victorian floods. A huge thank you, to several clubs who have already contributed. We will announce details from the appeal, in our next monthly newsletter. Donate to District 9820 Victoria Flood Appeal (D9820 Disaster Relief Fund acc) BSB- 633 000,Acc- 137 927 174.
Direct Assistance – Victorian Floods - We can also connect clubs and Rotarians from District 9820 directly with Rotary Clubs in the impacted locations in Victoria. Clubs or Rotarians who would like to assist directly or provide hands-on help and support, can register with our District 9820 Emergency Management Team. Please contact or text -- PDG Janne Speirs M: 0409 356 469 or District Chairperson - Pearl Findlay-James M: 0408 891 246
East Gippsland Timber Milling Project- (Joint venture by the 5 Rotary clubs in East Gippsland, with Lions and other community organisations). Joined PP Bernie Farquhar, President Debbie Brient and Assistant Governor Peter Sindrey in October for the launch of the Timber Milling project at a farm property in Nowa Nowa. EGTMP has now funded 3 x Portable Lucas Timber Sawmills and 3 x 4WD vehicles. This is a fabulous example of recycling timber which would have gone to waste, into farm fencing and stock yards lost by the fires. The project also plants a new tree for all trees recycled. Please see the detailed article later in this newsletter.
Gippsland Rotary Centenary House, Traralgon - Adele & I attended a retirement lunch in Traralgon for Operations Manager Carol Crewe on 22nd October. On behalf of all Rotarians in our district we wish Carol all the best and a huge thank you for her professional service over 16 years in this role. We look forward to catching up will Carol as she continues her Rotary volunteer service as a member of the District Team and with the Rotary Club of Hazelwood. Later that evening we joined many Rotarians and friends who attended a fabulous jazz dinner organised by the Rotary Club of Traralgon at Traralgon Vineyard, to raise funds to support Gippsland Rotary Centenary House. Well done, to members of the RC Traralgon for a wonderful evening and particularly for their continuing support to GRCH.
Zone 8 Conference (Institute) Canberra 28th – 30th Oct - A team of 19 Rotarians, Rotaractors and partners from our district attended this years Zone 8 Conference in Canberra last weekend. This is the first F2F Zone conference for 3 years, (the past 2 years on-line / affected by COVID) so we all enjoyed a fabulous weekend of passionate speakers, great fellowship, delicious food, entertainment and Rotary at its best. The Rotary walk for End Polio Now was held at the conclusion of the conference to raise awareness for our Rotary program. Please see a report later in the newsletter, thanks to PDG Mark Humphries .
District 9820 Annual Conference – 24th -26th February 23, Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula – Planning is progressing very well for the District Conference 23. (See flyer later in this newsletter) It’s going to be a weekend for all Rotarians and Rotaractors and friends to relax and enjoy. Online registrations are now open. Please register early to book your place via this link. https://rotary9820.org.au/page/district-9820-conference-2023/
Regionalisation Pilot— Earlier this month all Rotarians received an email from our Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot team announcing the results of the club vote in October. Our District 9820 voted 97% in-favour of proceeding with the pilot. The total Zone 8 (Aust, NZ & Pacific Islands) vote was 90% in-favour. This means the pilot to examine all aspects of Rotary administration and functioning in our region will proceed for the coming 4 years. I will keep you posted on progress with this. On behalf of all Rotarians in our District, I would like to congratulate PDG Tim Moore who will head-up, the Zone 8 Planning Committee for the pilot as Chairperson.
District 9820 - 9810 merger (D9815) – Not a great deal to report on the merger, this month. The Transition Management Team will be meeting again in November to review progress. There is however, plenty of action behind the scenes with meetings and planning by our 7 Focus Teams, preparing their Action Plans for the 7 District functions. (Admin/Governance, Finance, Foundation, Membership, Public Image, Services in Community-Vocational- International service, Youth Programs). Our District is represented on each of these Focus Teams with a Co-Chair who is working with other Rotarians to plan and progress. More details will be provided in the months ahead.
Rotary Convention Melb23 – Peace Bells – We are one of five, Rotary Districts in Victoria who are hosting the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne 27th to 31st May 2023. The 5 Districts are looking to jointly fund one of 4 Peace Bells at Rotary Park in the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne at a cost of $6K each district. I will be sending a note to all clubs in our district in the coming few days, encouraging the first 12 clubs to contribute $500 each. Please keep an eye out for this email which will provide full details on this fantastic initiative that will provide a lasting legacy for Rotary after the Convention. Please book your place for the Melb23 RI Convention via the flyer later in this Newsletter. We have already, 52 registered to attend from our district and we expect this figure to double.
District Newsletter Editor Janet Pugh’s quiz – I hope you are joining the fun by entering the quiz each month in the newsletter. Please see the results from last month, later in this newsletter and your chance to be named as winner next month.
Dates for your Diary:
Tues 8th Nov – Peninsula Cluster - Interplast Dinner (hosted by RC Mt Eliza)
Sun 13th Nov 10am Zoom- District AGM. (all clubs to be represented)
Sat 26th Nov 9.00am Zoom – Presidents Elect Training -1 (PETS-1)
Sun 4th Dec 5-00pm Zoom - Child Safety Standards training for all Club Presidents & Club Protection Officers. (for those who can not attend on 13th Nov)
Sat 18th -19th Feb23 9.00am – Presidents Elect Training -2 (PETS-2) Century Inn, Traralgon.
Fri 24th Feb to Sun 26th Feb 23 – D9820 Annual District Conference, Cape Schanck, Mornington Peninsula.
Sat 22nd + Sun 23rd April 23 9.00am – PETS -3 and District Assembly. Nossal High School, Berwick.
Sat 29th April – Joint District Foundation Lunch and Event (D9815)- to support The Rotary foundation. Venue TBA.
25th -26th May – Rotary Malaria Congress, Crown Casino, Melbourne.
27th – 31st May23 – Rotary International Convention Melb23- Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Convention Centre.
We have added several photos (below) featuring our fabulous club DG visits and some district events during October. Hope you enjoy them and please “Imagine Rotary” to plan the future, of your club.
DG Paul.
RC of Foster
RC Inverloch
RC Traralgon Central
RC Cranbourne
RC Bunyip Garfield
RC Wonthaggi
RC Philip Island San Remo
RC Traralgon
RC Berwick
East Gippsland Timber Milling Project Launch
End Polio Walk -Sun 30th Oct – National Convention Centre, Canberra.
RI Director Jessie, Conference MC Gary & DG David.
This article is written, to say thank you to all those Rotarians who have assisted East Gippsland during, and since, the Black Summer Bushfires.
Readers will recall that the East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid (EGRFA) Committee was formed on 1 January 2020 with representatives from each of the 5 Rotary Clubs in East Gippsland – Mitchell River, Bairnsdale Sunrise, Orbost, Bairnsdale, and Lakes Entrance.
For the past 2 years and 9 months this Committee of representatives has been the focal point of Rotary’s efforts to help East Gippslanders who were victims of the fires – individuals, families, and local/remote communities.
The Committee did not work alone. Apart from all Rotarians in the Cluster, there has been a myriad of others from Rotary Clubs throughout our District and beyond. Their help has often been in the form of cash donations. But, also there has been countless ‘in kind’ contributions such as shipping containers, caravans, rural fencing materials, livestock fodder to name just a few.
Rotarians have also assisted ‘on the ground’ with property clearance, tree planting, BBQs, etc, and by providing that encouragement and advice so necessary during this extended task. There are many other ways Rotary has assisted, but one most important avenue of service has been to provide a point of contact for fire victims. This may have been to direct them to an appropriate authority or, often, just to provide a Rotarian prepared to listen to them as they tell their personal story.
In addition, much needed help has also come from Rotary International in the form of Grants, along with contributions from private companies and individuals. Our thanks go to all.
In total, the EGRFA Committee has received over $1.3m in cash and Grants, with every cent being used to directly help to those in need. We also estimate the value of ‘in kind’ donations has exceeded $1m.
The work of the EGRFA Committee is now drawing to a close and further tasks will continue to be coordinated through the five Clubs of the East Gippsland Cluster.
To those who have helped our cause in a multitude of ways, we offer a simple thank you from all the members of the East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid Committee and the Rotary Clubs of East Gippsland.
Fiji School Rebuild – East Gippsland Cluster Gives A Helping Hand
Many readers would be aware of the loss of the Dreketi School on Qamea Island in Fiji. The school was subjected to a category 5 Cyclone Winston, and a series of landslides which resulted in the destruction of the whole facility. The Fijian economy had been hit with the impact of Covid on the nation and financial support was scarce to fund a rebuild of the school. The result was that three (3) years later, the island’s 50 students continue to be educated in a temporary building, resembling a ‘chook shed’ more than a classroom.
Rotarians Peter & Helene Brown, from the Rotary Club of Taveuni Island, have embarked on a mission to help in two important ways. Firstly Peter, a professional builder, has postponed retirement to provide hands-on management support for the project using local experienced labour and contractors (also a boost for the local economy). And, importantly, Peter & Helene have embarked on a mission to raise the funds needed to construct a new facility capable of meeting student needs, and also suitable to provide shelter for the village during future cyclones. Costs have been accurately determined to be $A150,000 (equivalent of $225,000 FJD) and amazing donations have already been received from lots of organisations, mainly Rotary Clubs in Victoria. The financial situation is that the project is $10,000 short of reaching the target to complete the project. I am delighted to confirm that the six (6) Rotary Clubs in the East Gippsland Cluster have now jointly donated $5,200, making the final target even closer to reaching the goal of having the new facility a reality. There has been many Rotary Clubs in Victoria and other Districts which have made substantial donations to this very worthy cause – 25 Clubs at last count, including the latest donation from the East Gippsland Cluster.
Just image how great it would be to see the final target reached so that building works can commence. A fantastic example of Rotary In Action.
Peter Sindrey, Assistant Governor, East Gippsland Cluster
30th October 2022 approximately 100 people walked for ‘End Polio Now’. Zone 8 convention in Canberra was in full swing when Foundation Vice Chair Larry Lunsford got to his feet and proceeded to the podium. Larry proceeded to tell us some interesting statistics about Polio fundraising. As we all know, Rotary target $50,000,000.00 and then Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation top up with $100,000,000.00, making a total of $150,000,000.00 towards the eradication of Polio. Fact, so far this year, 391,000,000 yes 391 Million doses of the vaccine has been distributed from last years $150M.
Did you know the cost of a single dose is approximately $0.20?
After the conference was over, about 100 people walked and rolled for Polio! The walk for Polio campaign this year has raised $48,000.00. How many polio vaccinations is that? You do the maths. You will remember District Governor Elect Linda’s centennial baton project, Linda took a baton to Canberra specifically for the walk. President Elect Gordon McInally launched the walk by passing the baton onto Past District Governor Grant Hocking. It was a great sight to see 100 people walking the streets of Canberra. Dressed in bright red End Polio Now tee shirts All passionate people wanting to eradicate Polio. It was exciting to think, I was a part of that. I have made a difference. I have changed someone’s life!
We have heard several time this year about out breaks, we have heard thanks polio fragments have been found in sewerage waste way in several countries this year. These countries include, United Kingdom and the United States. Did you know what that in some area of Australia they are also testing waste water?
Polio is only one plane ride away! We must and we will finish what we have started!
Has your club donated to the Polio fund this year? Do you know about the Sir Clemm Renouff club?
Do you want to eradicate polio? YES well how much are you going to donate and how much will your club donate to the eradication of polio?
Claire Richards, Paynesville Gardens Community Care, Sue Roberts and Luke Smeaton from Rotary Bairnsdale Sunrise.
Paynesville Gardens Community Care were they latest aged care recipients to receive wireless headsets as a part of the Music for Dementia Program. The program supports a range of dementia sufferers by bringing back music memories. Familiar music is loaded into the headsets’ program and given to suitably selected dementia residents. Sue Roberts and Luke Smeaton from Bairnsdale Rotary Sunrise presented the headsets last Friday. The program was made possible through finding support by East Gippsland Shire. Claire Richards, Lifestyle Coordinator at the centre said the Music for Dementia Program was an amazing way of calming many who are suffering dementia. “It is such a wonderful thing to see dementia sufferers smiling and tapping their toes to music they enjoyed throughout their life”, Ms Richards said.
CWA, Lions and Rotarians unpicking and removing badges.
A two-day working bee was held in the Ambulance Victoria Drouin Branch facility over 19th and 20th October to prepare clothing for ‘Life Saving Services Victoria’ volunteers heading into flood recovery efforts in northern Victoria. Volunteers from a number of local organisations joined off-duty ambulance officers to de-badge and box around 500 pairs of overalls, 50 jumpers, 300 shirts, 30 raincoats and 15 helmets. And added to these were 250 pairs of cargo pants, 3 pairs of boots and had 20 pairs of donated gumboots.
Drouin Paramedic & Team Leader Jo Algie said “All have been distributed to a number of organisations who are helping out in the flood affected areas, but predominantly Life Saving Victoria who already have volunteers on the ground but will now be able to clothe them all in the same attire”.
“Massive shoutout to Neerim South ACO Gill Carter and the amazing volunteers from Rotary Club of Drouin, Drouin Lions, Country Women's Association-Drouin Branch and the Drouin Cemetery Trust” Jo added.
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
We have Pearl Finlay-James in East Gippsland, Janne Speirs in Central/South Gippsland and Linda Morris on the Peninsula who will be coordinating the 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.
For many years, the Polio Movie Event has been a very popular way for clubs to raise funds for Rotary’s number one priority, Ending Polio. It’s also an opportunity for Rotary members and people in our communities to have some fun together.
This year’s movie is The Lost King, the story of the rediscovery, by an amateur historian, of the five centuries old remains of Richard III… in a Leicester carpark. Critics describe it as “an incredible and inspiring true story about perseverance and not taking no for an answer”.
The movie will be released to the Australia and New Zealand public on Boxing Day, but the great news is that a pre-release of the movie is available for Rotary clubs during the week of Thursday 1st to Wednesday 7th December.
To arrange an event, talk to the group booking person at your cinema and make sure they plan to offer this movie to the public once it’s released. The cinema can then make all the arrangements to source the movie from the distributor, Transmission Films — clubs don’t need to get involved in that. The amount paid to the cinema is usually about $10 per seat (that’s up to the cinema) and a typical ticket price might be $20 — and that’s up to you. Please see the Movie Conditions below.
Simply insert your club name and event details. You may then want to:
save it as a PDF and arrange for your local printer to produce posters and handouts
save it as a graphics file and post it to your social media, website, newsletter, etc.
Let’s make this year’s Polio Movie Event a blockbuster — and End Polio Now!
Movie Conditions:
All Rotary screenings must take place between 1st and 7th December.
You’ll need to book your screening directly with your cinema.
Your cinema must seek approval from the movie distributor, Transmission Films, and tickets are not to be sold prior to approval.
Tickets can only be sold between Tuesday 1st November and Monday 21st November — this is to ensure that the distributor has sufficient time to ship the film to your cinema.
If a session sells out, another can be added.
Only cinemas that have accounts with Transmission Films can participate.
The movie is distributed in Digital Cinema Package (DCP) format and this format can only be played at cinemas.
In order to participate, your cinema must have booked the film for a season of public screenings.
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
Congratulations to Peter Faulknerwho was the first person to answer last month's question! ... an amazing effort Peter - 20 minutes after publication!
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 helmets were donated?
Your contributions are what makes this newsletter valuable, so keep sending them to me at newsletter@rotary9820.org.au.
