December 2019
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Tenderfoot School Sponsorship Program. RAWCS Project Number 1 / 2003-04 Tenderfoot Self Help School was founded in 1996 by Esther Wamai, a former teacher at Mama Ngina Children's Home. On moving to Kangemi on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, she was distressed to see children as young as three years old roaming the streets unsupervised. With groups of local women, she formed a self help group, organisation and registered it with the Ministry of Culture and Social Services
The Tenderfoot self help school began with eight street children being fed, clothed and taught in a corrugated iron shack. Through the sheer hard work and determination of Esther, now the school's head teacher, Tenderfoot gradually grew into a functioning primary school for the Kangemi slum children. In 2002, Ray Adams OAM, a member of the Rotary Club of Emerald and District D9810 (Australia) began a student sponsorship program. Since the humble beginnings to today, the program sponsors over 120 children each year. In 2013 Ray's son, Greg Adams, a member of the Rotary Club of Diamond Creek, D9790, took over the role of the Sponsorship Program administrator. At the end of each year, student sponsors receive letters of good wishes from their students, advising of their activities during the year. If you or you Club would like to sponsor a student for the 2020 school year or perhaps your club like to Conduct a significant local or international service project in one of Rotary’s six areas of focus ? Join a group of Clubs from Canada, England, Italy, Kenya and Australia raising funds to build the next three classrooms and supplying the class furniture. For information contact Greg. tenderfootrotary@gmail.com
Charity Fundraising Golf Day
Sunday 9 th February 2020
Sunbury Rotary invites you to organise a golf team of 4 players through your club, friends or families.
Format: 4 – PERSON TEAMS AMBROSE COMPETITION (18 HOLES ) ( MALE / FEMALE / MIXED TEAMS MOST WELCOME ) Shot Gun Start: Report 12-15pm – Hit off 1-00pm Cost: $400 Per Team Which includes – Competition Entry / Dinner / Prizes Entries Close – Friday Feb. 7th 2020
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Entry Form
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Tenderfoot School Sponsorship Program.
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DG Brian
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Conference Book NOW
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Australian Rotary Health
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RYLA 2019
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Youth Exchange
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Rotary Overseas Playground Recycling project continues for Ivanhoe Rotary Club
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The other life of Brian
Murray Connects the District 9790 is the official monthly publication of Rotary International District 9790 Inc. Publisher : Editor: Greg Adams, Art Director: Greg Adams. Advertising: Greg Adams Chief Cook and bottle washer : Greg as well Contributions are always welcome: Please contact the Editor to discuss your ideas. ferrarigreg@gmail.com All photos/images submitted for publication must include detailed captions : IE names of people, event locations etc. It is presumed that the supplier of all photography/images owns or has approval from the owner of said copywrite to reproduce the photograph/image Closing date is by the 26th of each month. (give or take a bit) Note: The views and opinions expressed in this publication represent those of the contributor/s and are not necessarily those of or shared by the District, the Committee any Club, the members or the Magazine.
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That was 20 years ago and in those 20 years over 400 children with difficult medical conditions from third world backgrounds have received medical treatment that will make a fundamental difference to their lives. This is Rotary and this is how Rotary Connects The World.
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t the time of writing this message I have visited 49 wonderful Rotary Clubs in District 9790. The experience, so far, is truly wonderful. The work that Rotary is doing across our District is amazing. You all, in different ways, make a big difference in your communities. Thank you. One Rotarian in one Club can make a difference but when you galvanise a Rotary Club who then galvanises a District that’s when Rotary starts to kick goals that really makes a difference.
A difficult topic that is attracting varying degrees of support is the 2019 Drought Appeal. This drought for some communities is just ongoing. There are communities in Queensland that have been in drought conditions for six years. In many communities small businesses are going out of business because there is simply no money. Farms have totally destocked. Currently I’m in Denilliquin and Finley and it’s evident our own District is severely impacted. Yea Rotary, Bright Rotary and Preston Rotary are all chipping in to help communities across Eastern Australia. Preston Rotary has 'adopted' the town of Trundle near Parkes, population 670 - no service clubs, children with no shoes for school, parents who can’t afford stationery for school and definitely no water.
Last weekend I went to DOXA near Malmsbury for the end of RYLA. if you’ve heard stories of how RYLA changes lives then you need to send a candidate from your Club next year. It’s a great program that is much more than developing leadIs there a town your Rotary Club could ‘adopt'? Maybe a ership skills...it challenges the individual and brings out a couple of Clubs join forces and lend a helping hand? People different perspective in terms of what they can achieve in life. are doing it tough in the drought affected rural areas. Please It’s a positive experience and one to be encouraged. spare a thought for them - especially as we head into the fesThe weekend before I was at Dookie. What a terrific week- tive season. end. Next year our District will have 18 Outbound Exchange students and 12 short term Outbound Exchange students heading overseas. Add 14 current Inbound Exchange students plus the input from ROTEX 9790 and I have to tell you it is one seriously inspiring weekend. Our District's Youth Exchange Committee (under the leadership of Gordon Hastie and Bruce McIntyre) are making fundamental changes to how we do things and support this wonderful programme. District 9790 is the home of Youth Exchange. Myrtleford and Wangaratta Rotary started it back in 1967. Other Districts aren’t as vibrant as we are in supporting Youth Exchange. At the end of October District 9790 was presented with the Pat Weldon Humanitarian Award from the Children First Foundation that runs the retreat that we all know as the Moira Kelly Farm. But it’s not a Farm or a Retreat...it’s a home...a home that over a 1,000 Rotarians from 60 Rotary Clubs donated over 500,000 volunteer hours into creating. It was an honour that our District was presented with this award but the credit lies with you, Rotarians, who came together when needed to give birth to this organisation that ultimately became the Children First Foundation. Page 4
As a parting comment I would like to encourage all Rotarians across District 9790 to register for the District Conference in Albury from March 19-22 (March 19 is the Sports Day). I promise you the Conference is about Vision 2020 and is all about positivity. There will be nothing about negativity at this Conference. The program is excellent, the speakers are excellent and I’m sure your input will be excellent. Come and join us. Book your accommodation now! It’s going to fill up fast. It’s going to be a terrific Conference.
DG Brian.
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CONFERENCE MARCH 2020 Registrations are open, so book your accommodation early, because it's going to be a huge weekend in Albury. For further information contact conference2020@rotary9790.org.au
This month we highlight the RIPPR for the conference and another exciting speaker, Chris Cuffe.
RIPPR - PDG Leanne Jaggs RD9920 Auckland, New Zealand:
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’m a proud third Generation Rotarian, In the 2009-2010 Rotary Year I was appointed District but ‘with a difference’ as far as my Governor (DG) for District 9920. At 38 years of age I became family’s concerned. I’m their first female Rotarian! the youngest DG in Australasia. I’d revelled in my earlier AG role – but the new experience of being a DG topped that You could even say that Rotary’s well and truly in my completely! genes, because from my late teens on, I’ve always made the most of what Rotary has to offer me. To add to the mix, and to make life a little more exciting for everyone, my husband, Mike, and I started a family. Our In 1988, as a 17 year old Rotary Youth Exchange Student, I son Brayden was born at the end of my DGN year and he lived for a year in Sweden. On my return home I joined was a ‘100% attendee’ during my DGE year! Brayden Rotaract for 6 years. During this time I had the good fortune accompanied me to all my training sessions, including the to be chosen to go on a week-long Rotary Youth Leadership International Assembly, San Diego, California; plus my Awards (RYLA) training program for young people. I was regular Club meetings. He even had his own name badge. then 20 years of age. It all helped to influence me when I decided to join Rotary. All of these experiences demonstrated to me that Rotary is changing for the better. There was a ‘waiting period’ while I looked for a Rotary Club that would suit me. Being a (then) 27 year old woman I often wonder how many can say that their Rotary District meant that the makeup of most Club memberships were too would be open to having a young female as their DG – with old for me. Good luck happened that a new Rotary Club was a baby? being chartered – the RC Manukau City Sunrise Inc – and I’m proud to report that Rotary District 9920 took it all in that proved to be just perfect! their stride, despite having some misgivings I’m sure. In my So, ‘me being me’, I fast-tracked through the ranks. At age DG year everyone was supportive and all-embracing. For me 30 I was proud to be inducted as the youngest Rotary Club it was the best year of my life and one of the most President (at that time). humbling. Being a representative on a couple of our District Committees really opened my eyes to what was possible in Rotary. I enjoyed seeing and experiencing the positive differences in the individual Rotary Clubs. When the opportunity arose to become Assistant Governor (AG) I snapped it up!
Mike also joined Rotary in the first month of my DG role, which was so special. He’d just served 25 years as a volunteer fireman and was looking for a new interest to embrace.
Mike joined a different club to mine – RC Botany East Tamaki Inc – as it suited his work commitments. (Mike really Loved every minute of that role too as I looked after some had no choice you know, as he was fast-tracked into Rotary great ClubsXincluding my Dad’s. (It was just another glorious by having to follow me, his DG, all over the place! But it did Rotary-sent excuse to ‘boss’ him around!) give him a 100% attendance record in his first year as a member!) Page 6
Mike’s was the RC Botany East Tamaki’s President for Rotary Year 2012/13.
Rotary for me has been, and always will be, a huge part of my life.
I continue to ‘rattle the cages’ and am also delighted to have second, and last child, on the way. Another fourth Generation Rotarian no doubt, with a double dose of Rotary in the genes!
It’s an organization I’ve been proud to belong to for just on 14 years…with a 100% attendance record for all of those.
Chris Cuffe AO:
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ommencing his career as a chartered accountant, Chris Cuffe entered the funds management industry in 1985. In 1988 he joined Colonial First State where he was CEO from 1990 until 2003. In 2003 he became CEO of the listed Challenger Group.
Chris now has a portfolio of activities in the investment and non-profit sectors which include:
In October 2007 Chris was inducted into the Australian Fund Manager’s RBS Hall of Fame for services to the investment industry. In 2017 he was appointed as an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia. Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of NSW and a Diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand, a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors and an Associate of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
Member of the Investment Committee of UniSuper ($80 billion), which provides superannuation services to employees of Australia's higher education and research sector Chairman of Australian Philanthropic Services
For further information contact conference2020@rotary9790.org.au
Director of various listed and unlisted companies: Global Value Fund, Antipodes Global Investment Company, Argo Investments and Hearts & Minds Investments Founder, directors and manager of Third Link Growth Fund Chris was previously a non executive director of UniSuper from 2007 to 2017, of which the last 6 years was as Chairman.
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AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH INDIGENOUS HEALTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
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he Australian Rotary Health, (ARH) Indigenous Health Scholarship program is one of the most fulfilling programs I have been associated with. These Scholarships support Indigenous students to undertake tertiary studies in medicine, nursing, dentistry, psychology and allied health. The purpose of the program is to increase the number of Indigenous health professionals and hence help to improve the health of the Indigenous community. Many of the Indigenous scholars on completion of their courses return to rural and remote areas of Australia, where access to primary health care is often lacking in their communities.
allowance. The value of each scholarship is $5,000 per year. A Rotary Club, (or individual) contributes $2,500 per year which is matched by the State or Commonwealth Government. The Commonwealth Government also provides funding for the administration of the program within the ARH office in Parramatta. The ARH Indigenous Health Scholarship program began in 2000 with the intention of training doctors to work in Indigenous communities. At that time there were approximately 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors working in Australia. The program gradually expanded to include the training of nurses and other health related professionals.
The program has grown over the years and in 2019 there were 80 Indigenous Health Scholarships allocated, with It is known that many Indigenous Australians experience District 9790 supporting five scholars. The Rotary Clubs of poorer health outcomes than other Australians and have a Bright and Ivanhoe have sponsored scholars for a number of lower life expectancy, a greater incidence of diabetes and years, as has the Ride to Conference team. This year five kidney disease and a greater hospitalisation rate. This in part clubs from the group 2 cluster have joined to sponsor a is due to the reluctance of some Indigenous Australians to student at a cost of $500 per club. This may be an option for use the services of non-Indigenous doctors and health other rotary clubs in District 9790 to consider. workers, resulting in medical conditions not being diagnosed early and chronic ill health increasing. Lack of Aboriginal To conclude, I will leave you with the thoughts of one cultural knowledge and awareness by non-Indigenous health Indigenous Health Scholar I met two years ago. professionals and a lack of trust by some in the Indigenous â€œâ€ŚOnce I finish my medical studies I will train as a rural community are two reasons for this. The Indigenous health General Practitioner. This is where my true passion lies. To scholars help to address these issues. be able to have the opportunity to work in rural and remote Aboriginal communities would be truly amazing; that is my dream. The Indigenous Health Scholars also become important role models for other young Indigenous Australians who I want to advocate for my mob and change our health may be considering career opportunities in health and outcomes by having the knowledge and resources to be education. Many of the graduates also go on to provide able to educate and implement health and healing community advocacy and leadership, helping to empower programs. I want these programs to be successful and their communities. make a real impact in improving the bio psycho social health outcomes of my people. Becoming a Rural Generalist would allow me to do this. This is how I will The program is a co-operative program between ARH, contribute to improving Indigenous health as a qualified Rotary clubs, State and Territory Governments and the medical practitioner. Commonwealth Government. It has been a challenging journey to get to where I am The object of this program is to provide a scholarship, today and I know that it is only the beginning of many which can be used to assist Indigenous students with their more challenges to come in my future career in medicine. day-to-day expenses while they are studying. The scholarship is paid in addition to the Government Abstudy Page 8
Adversity makes us stronger and my purpose as a I commend the Australian Rotary Health medical student and future Rural Generalist is to Indigenous Health Scholarship Program to Rotarians empower and strengthen the health and welland friends of Rotary for consideration. You too being of my people and help heal past and present could become inspired. traumas. Rosemary Freeman I was also privileged to get to meet some ARH District 9790 Representative Rotarians in Melbourne. This was an amazing experience and I really appreciated having the time to get to meet, listen and speak with everyone. I would also just like to thank my sponsors who not only believe in me and put their faith in me but also support me as a medical student and a mother. I would not be in the position I am today if it were not for the kindness of others‌.�
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elcome 29 more RYLArians to the Rotary Family! Coming soon - speeches at Rotary clubs and contributing to 2 club projects.
Thanks to the sponsors!!!
Albury Hume, Appin Park, Beechworth, Belvoir Wodonga, Bundoora, Deniliquin, Diamond Creek, Eltham, Gateway Rotaract, Ivanhoe, Kinglake Ranges, Kyabram, Moreland, Pascoe Vale, Rosanna, Shepparton Central, , Shepperton South, Southern Mitchell, Strathmore, Sunbury, Tatura, Yarrawonga Mulwala, Yea and Tallangatta SES Craigieburn Rotary, thank you for sponsoring the RYLArian's dinners for the Rotary Dinner Meeting on Tuesday, 26 November. Thanks to the 50 plus Rotarians, family and friends who joined RYLA 2019 for dinner and visiting/experiencing RYLA that night.
RYLArians with Cathy O'Shannessy, Digital Performance Manager, Charles Sturt University. Cathy addressed the topic of Marketing Yourself. Cathy is a 2000 RYLArian. Please note: Cathy is in the middle row - 5th person from the right or left of the photo - light pink blouse with black framed glasses and a huge smile.
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RYLArians attending the Dollars and Sense Session with David Palermo, Financial Planner, Diamond Creek Rotary, and Yashodhan Lonkar, Management Accountant. David and Yash are RYLA Supporters.
DG Brian Peters presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Winston Marsh. For 20 years , Winston has given service to District 9790 Rotary Youth Leadership Award.
RYLArians being challenged. Learning to ignore the negative messages we say to ourselves and overriding with positive messages.
DG Brian presenting a Rotary Youth Leadership Award to RYLArian, Kane Matheson. (one of 29 that received the Award)
The 2019 RYLA Supporters with DG Brian Peters. Standing: Sally West, Darcy Williams, Grant Godino, Mitch Brown, Linda Gidlund, R-J Lister-Fitzpatrick, Emma Davis, Michael Horridge, David Palermo. Kneeling: Skye Lacy, Sunny Campbell and Yash Lachlar.
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The weekend of 24 and 25 of November saw the last orientation weekend where the District Youth Exchange Committee and Rotex prepared the 18 outbound long term students for the most amazing life changing adventure, a 12 month exchange to another country learning a new language and experiencing different cultures and to become the future leaders of the world. They were accompanied by 14 short term exchange students departing in early December for a 6 week exchange to various countries.
The outbounds were joined by the 13 inbounds we are currently hosting. They enjoyed a fun day windsurfing in Yarrawonga before all students put on a concert for everyone on Saturday night. It is great to see Rotary Clubs supporting the Youth Exchange Program. District 9790 has one of the most successful exchange programs in Australia and is leading the way. It would be great to double these numbers and get more Rotary Clubs in our district to support the program. Rotary clubs get an amazing experience hosting an exchange student and outbound parents make great Rotarians and are a great source for new membership.
Sarah Ford Youth Exchange Committee
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The Rotary Overseas Playground Recycling project continues for Ivanhoe Rotary Club, with two more playgrounds dismantled this week and transported to the Rotary warehouse in Footscray for eventual despatch to Sri Lanka (or elsewhere). This week’s playgrounds were from Fotini Gardens in Bundoora (Tuesday), and then a larger one from Fell Reserve in Greensborough (Wednesday). The Fell Reserve playground dismantling was a very good joint activity involving several Rotarians from Heidelberg and Rosanna clubs, as well as our Ivanhoe crew. Page 14
A good job by all concerned, with a final bit of heavy lifting still to be completed by the contractors. Thanks are due again to Banyule City Council for their continued enthusiasm and support for this project.
Fell Reserve playground before dismantling Fotini Gardens playground before dismantling
Subject: Playgrounds Recycling project message from Diana Gomes Dear Rotarians, Every once in a while I receive a really nice email that makes me feel proud to be a Rotarian. This email from Diana Gomes, the City of Banyule’s landscape architect responsible for playground upgrades and soon to move on to another role, is one such email. I would like to share it with you all. Regards, Carl -----------------------------------------------------
Hi Carl and Peter, Thank you so much for your kind words. It was a pleasure to be involved in this project! Your work is absolutely fantastic! I come from a third world country, I know how poor countries struggle to provide facilities/equipment for the population‌ Richer countries have no idea how hard things can be. Being able to make kids happy with something that would go to the rubbish here is just amazing! I really admire this project and was an absolute pleasure to help creating this partnership between Banyule and the RORP Project. I really appreciate your effort and all your hard work to make this project real and I wish you all the very best in the future. Kindest regards, Diana Diana Gomes Landscape Architect Banyule City Council Page 15
The other
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n May 2013 I went to India on a photography trip. To say India surprises is an understatement. The architecture is superb and on display at places like the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Agra. The various English language signs can be humorous and there are people literally everywhere! However the purpose of my trip was to photograph tigers. Tigers can be elusive so we went during the hot and dry season so we could photograph them near water holes if necessary. We were extremely fortunate to find several tigers in several locations. The key find was a mother and six cubs. She came out of the jungle, checked her surrounds and then called her cubs out into the open.
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ay out to sea.
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