IMAGINE your PASSION January 2023

National Flood Appeal (RARF)

Summary: National Flood Appeal - To raise funding to provide financial assistance to those affected in all communities in the impacted flood areas.

Challenge: Large numberof homes have been flooded and some owners will be needing assistance to clean and refurbish their residences.

Solution: Individuals who are adversely affected and require assistance will be identified and be given funds to help with their recovery. It is our priority to get funds quickly to those who are in need to help them with the clean up and damage caused by the floods.

Long term impact: The aim is to assist those affected to gettheir lives and businesses back to normal as soon as possible.

Sponsored by: RAWCSNational

Other details

Project number: 47 of 2021-22

Manager: PDG Adrian Froggatt (M) 0400 074 342 Email: secretary@rawcs.org.au

Deputy manager: PP James Wilson (M) 0422 696 644 Email: treasurer@rawcs.org.au

Editor’s Notes

Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2023 edition of IMAGINE your PASSION.

I have been following the National Flood Appeal and Rotary’s involvement over the past few months. Rotary in Action! The front page photo, taken 12th December 2022 is flying from Wilcannia to Bourke NSW. After working together with the NSW SES delivering food and supplies to remote stranded communities for the previous 5 weeks the pilot, Michael Barns stated “It appears that the flood waters are slowly starting move south”. What is Rotary doing ? Take a look at the video updates from Rotarians on the following page

Rotarians and their stories continue to amaze me and ‘The Spangles’ caught up with PP Jack Cooper and have written a great story. Jack is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Mordialloc. He has missed only one conference - 50 conferences in his 51 years as a Rotarian!

The Committee of theConference2023District9810Canberra have compiled a inspirational and informative list of sensational Keynote speakers who will all add content to the conference theme ‘Diversity’ I would pay money to listen to anyone of them.

The conference program has now been published and is listed on page 12 and it is posted on the conference web site. We also introduce another conference Keynote speaker Grant Godino.

In Canberra, at theGolf Day on Friday the 3rd the GOLF BALL DROP RAFFLE will be drawn. I would encourage you to please purchase ball/tickets to enter this great fundraiser

Again the generosity of Rotarians and their families to sponsor the prizes for this raffle amazes me. THANK YOU.

Buy your raffle tickets on sale now.

GregAdams

RotaryClubofEmerald&District.

Please see Rotary YouTube videos providing updates of the Central NSW floodsby sharing these videos it might give others some ideas and clarity with what they are going through. You will notice Michelle Duncan speaks about working with RAWCS and at the end of the videos the Eastern Region is aware they will be moving into projects and are encouraging / promoting donations to RAWCS

What is Rotary doing in Eugowra?with Colin Nayda

Eugowra Disaster - Rotary Responds with Michelle Duncan Presidentof Rotary Orange Daybreak

Eugowra Disaster ResponseAsh Wright (Local Woman)

Rotarian Robert ShoreEugowra Flood Update

Brad Quilliam

National Projects Supervisor Southern Region Volunteers Supervisor

RAWCS

...and are…

Barry Plant Emerald generously donated two $500 Visa Cards for the Conference early bird booking prize.

The drawwas held onthe 12th December 2022.

Rotarian Gayle Barrot, representing Barry Plant was pleased to advise and present the winner their Visa cards to.

Ralph Holmes of the Rotary Club of Glen Waverley

Bill Marsh from the Rotary Club of ForestHill

Rtn Jack Cooper

Gayle, Emma, Catherine and I (The Spangles) had the pleasure ofmeeting a lovely gentlemen, called Jack Cooper at the District Conference Launch last year – Jack was just about to celebrate his 92nd birthday, and we were all so impressed with his sparky blue eyes, his lovely smile,and his genuine interest in what was happening at Conference in Canberra next year.

You seeJack Cooperhas been to 50 conferences in his 51 years as a Rotarian. The only one he missed was in Launceston back in 1977, he had just arrived home from a skiing trip in Austria. This year will be Jack’s 51st conference -which has to be some kind of a record. Jack is a charter memberof the Rotary Club of Mordialloc, his club was chartered in 1971…and over the years Jack has chaired every club committee, and worked on every major club project. And every year he has attended the District Conference, and when I asked him – Why, he said “He really enjoyed them, the speakers the atmosphere, the gatheringof a group of like minded people with a passion for helping others” as Jack has over manyyears.

When Jack’s club of Mordialloc were chairing the Conference, back in 1992, they had it in Canberra, dinner was atthe old great hall, that year, there was also a World Conference in Melbourne. You see the similarities!

It seems thatJack’s attitude is that attending Conference is a part of being a Rotarian. You go, you support your club and Rotary in general, and along the way you learn aboutwhat is happening inyour district, and of course you have a lot of fun.

Jack Cooper is truly an inspiration to all Rotarians, and we look forward to seeing him athis 51stRotary Conference in Canberra, in March 2023, along with his lovely wife Glenys.

TinaMacInerey RotaryClubofEmeraldandDistrict

Ken’s Canter

It’s hard to believe that this Rotary year has passed the half waymark. Congratulations to the many Clubs that have made giant steps forward regarding projects and increasedmembership numbers. Thank you for your support, enthusiasm and dedication.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and we look forward to 2023. It promises to be a very busy year, where we have the opportunity to continue waving the Rotary flag, achievinggreat things locally, and doing good things throughout the world

First up, on Feb 4th & 5th, we have “Inspire Rotary”. Designed for those Rotarians who want to be inspired by our younger generation. See our District website for details and please book asap.

If you have not already booked for the Conference 2023 District 9810 Canberra March 3rd, 4th & 5th don’t delay any longer. Great keynote speakers, great fun and an great opportunity meet up with fellow Rotarians and their partners.

Full details of all things Conference are included in this newsletter and on the Conference web site.

All Rotarians have received an email from me asking for nominations for D9815 District Governor Nominee Designate (DG 2025-26). If you havebeen a past President and qualify please consider applying. This is a great opportunity to take your Rotary journey to another level, you will meet lots of fantastic people and have a chance to make a difference in so many areas. If you have any questions regarding this position I am happy to hear from you.

A number of Clubs are holding an Australia Day event this year. If your Club does not have an event, why not visit another Club and enjoy their Australia Day Breakfast.

Looking forward to catching up with as many of you as possible in the New Year.

Keep up the good work

Best regards

DG Ken

Keynote Conference Speakers

Professor Brett Sutton Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM Robb Evans Frida Umuhoza Grant Godino Peta Searle

Introducing Conference Speaker

— Grant Godino

Grant Godino (he/him) is the charter president of Gateway Rotaract, a memberof the Rotary Social Impact Network, and President of the Rotary LGBT+ Fellowship. Grant identifies as a gay cisgender male and lives with his partner Lee (he/him) (also a Rotarian) onGunaikurnai land in Morwell. Grant has been part of the Rotary family for most of his life, his best mate’s late father was a Rotarian, and Grant has fond memories of carnivals and Christmas events organised by Rotary as a child. It wasn’t until he attended the Rotary YouthLeadership Award conference in 2008 thathe got an appreciation of what Rotary was really about. Studying history and politics at university, and hearing that Rotary was involved in the establishment of the United Nations, tweaked his interest.

Since attending RYLA, some of Grant’s Rotary highlights included: chartering a Rotaract Club; facilitating RYLA for over 10 years; attending international RYLA in Sydney, Turkey and Korea; attending 5 RI conventions; and being presented with a PHF+5.

Outside of RotaryGrant supports Diversity and Inclusion at the Victorian Department of Education, managing the team responsible for diversity policies and programs for the Department’s 90,000 staff, and has lead the Whole of Victorian GovernmentPride Network.

Friday 3 March 2023.

GOLF COMPETITION Shotgun start 8:00 am

BOWLS COMPETITION start 9.00am, Presentation and Light lunch provided at12 Noon. Drinks at bar prices. Yowani Country Club, 455 Northbourne Ave, Lyneham ACT.

FRIDAY ACTIVIES

Hop On Hop off Bus. (Registration required)

Running on an hourlycircuit, from 10am till 5.30pm, Starting at theRealm Hotel the tour and returns back to the Realm.

Continental Brunch (Registration required)

Enjoy an informal continental brunch in the exclusive setting of the Dining Room of the National Gallery of Australia with fellow conference attendees. 10:30am to noon.

CLUB DINNERS

Time to meetyour fellow Members. Get a group together and dine in any one of the worldclass restaurants in and around Canberra. bon appétit

Saturday 4th March 2023

'Diversity' Conference

8:00am Registration open 8:00am Rotary Expo open

1st Plenary Session - 9:00am

Corroboree, welcometo country and traditional dance by Duncan Smith and daughter, Jakida. Welcome MCBrian Tyedin and DG Ken Miller.

DG

District/Club Video presentations.

Exercises Keynote Speaker - Frida Umohoza 11:05am MorningTea - Expo Room

Geraldine Rurenga District 9705 Geraldine is the youngest female Rotary District Governor.

2nd Plenary Session - 11:45am

Guest Speaker –RyanKilboren and Mopsy Assistance Dogs Australia District/Club Video presentation – ROMAC Rotaract – Past Present and Future – PDG Shia Smart

12:55pm Lunch - Expo Room

3rd Plenary Session - 2:10pm

PP James Glenwright: Golf Day and Bowls Day Winners announcement and the Foundation Golf Ball Drop Raffle Winners announcement. Purchase your balls/tickets to support the Rotary Foundation The award $500 for winning club to donate to their charity – this was donated by the Rotary Club of ForestHill.

Keynote Speaker - DrDinesh Palipana Exercises PRIP and Chair Trustees, Rotary Foundation - Ian Riseley OAM.

LightRelief – PDG Jonathan Usher Keynote Speaker - Grant Godino 4:00pm Session Close 5:45pmCoachtransporttotheGalaDinner,ParliamentHousefromRealm,Rydges andAlivioTouristPark. AT 7:00pm GALA DINNER

EFTPOSsalesonlyinbar

11:00pm Completion of Gala Dinner

TransfersbacktoRealm,RydgesandAlivioTouristParkfrom10:00pm10:30pmand1:00pm. Continued ->

Sunday 5 March 2023.

'Diversity' Conference

700am Enjoy an all Rotarian and Alumni breakfast with our Special Rotary Speaker (Registration required)

8:15am Rotary Expo open

1st Plenary Session -9:00am MC Tina McInerney In Memoriam

District Presentation -Disaster Aid Australia

Keynote Speaker - Professor Brett Sutton Exercises Conference 2024 - Launch 10:30am Morning Tea - Expo Room

2nd Plenary Session - 11:00am

Light Relief – PDG Jonathan Usher

Keynote Speaker - Peta Searle

Rotary traditional closing statement and Conference Banner Handover.

12:40pm Conference Sessions CLOSE Lunch to be served in Expo Room. Our CO-MCs Tina McInerney 14

14

Brian Tyedin

Spreading festive cheer

By Mikayla van Loon /Lilydale Star News

The Rotary Club of Lilydale (RCL) is continuing to spread Christmas joy to children and families in need having organised the collection of over 1000 presents to be donated to local supportservices.

Bringing together 23 businesses who each received donations from the community of varying presents andgift vouchers, RCL was able to divide the gifts between Anchor, the Proactive Policing Unit (PPU) and OzChild.

Being the second year RCL volunteers Gerry and Anne Van Horick organised the Wishing Tree project, they weren’t sure howpeople would respond but were left overwhelmed once again.

“Given the economiccircumstances we really appreciate this community support and it’s been very generous,” Mr Van Horick said.

Having only intended to give presents and vouchers to Anchor and the PPU, Mr Van Horicksaid because the

community was so kind in donating as much as they did there were left over gifts that needed to go somewhere – so they selected foster care agency OzChild.

For Anchor, these presents will bring light and happiness to the children andteenagers currently living in transitional and social housing or who are infoster care.

“It just makes such a difference. The thought of kids not having gifts at Christmas time it’s just really devastating,” Anchor’s homeless services managerPeter Dinsdale said.

“The impact that it has for the families, particularly for the parents because they feel such, I suppose shame is the word, if they can’t be giving them gifts at Christmas time.”

Mr Dinsdale said these gifts, which have each been categorised byage and likes, will be delivered to over 70 children.

Anchor'sstaff andCEO Heidi Tucker were s grateful to receive gifts from the Rotary Club of Lilydale to help support their clients this year. Pictures STEWART CHAMBERS.

“We also have families that are in hotels at the moment, and I think we have something like 16 children who are having to live in hotels, so this will also allow them to receive gifts as well,” he said.

Unable to thank RCL enough for their generosity and the individualisation of all the presents to ensure each young person received what they wanted, Mr Dinsdale said it brought a lot of happiness to the Anchor staff.

“It’s just happiness all around and for our workers too, it’s such a great thing to be doing after a really hard year to be bringing some happiness to clients.”

Yarra Ranges Crime Prevention Officer,

Leading Senior Constable LindaHancock said for the cohort of young people she works with, this will mean a lot to them to have something of their own for Christmas.

“[These vouchers] are going to go to someof our high schools to the wellbeing nurses for distribution for them to choose which students mightneed it,” she said.

“And then the presents are going to go to some other unknown groups that don’t get funding around our community centres.”

This partnership between the local Lilydale community, police and different support services MrVan Horick said was one of the main reasons people donated.

“The feedback we’vehad is that because it’s going to the local community and it’s going to other kids that may not be as well off as they are and even if they’re not all thatwell off themselves, they know other people are ina worse position,” Mr Van Horick said.

“So they’re grateful they can help out and I think it’s quite heart-warming to see that support.”

Many of the 23 businesses who signed on this year have already agreed to be a part of the initiative again next year.

“It’s a community effort… All the businesses we approached this yearwho were part of it last year didn’t hesitate and the new ones weren’t that hard to sign up either,” Mr Van Horick said.

“They were all very enthusiastic and we’ve had many who have said count us in again. Without them we couldn’t do it and they’re the people who drive it within their business.”

Another lovely aspect of the project Mrs Van Horick said was the passing on of the value of generosity to younger children who were then able to put something in the box themselves.

However big or small the contribution, Mrand Mrs Van Horick said everything makes a difference to sharing some joy and cheer at Christmas for these children and young people.

“No matter what the contribution was, because it varies, every single thing makes a difference. You were part of it and every single thing makes a difference, even if there’s only one thing,” Mr Van Horick said

“That one present is helping and that child may not have received anything at all so everything makes a difference,” Mrs Van Horick added.

An estimated 40.3 million people around theworld live in slavery involving either sexual exploitation or forced labour. A Rotarian Action Group and Freedom United are giving Rotarians a chance to do something to stop it.

Formoreinformationorifyouwouldlikeaclubpresentationplease

contact: Tony Stokes Southern Region Coordinator Rotary ActionGroup Against Slavery Rotary Club of BoxHill Central Email: tonywstokes544@gmail.com Mob: +61 419 577 886