January / February 2020
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This photo: Can you spot the Helicopter? Right: Clarence River NSW.
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Photos: Michael Barnes Rotorwing Helicopter Services P/L.
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W
ell 2020 has arrived making a statement right across Australia. Whatever your views, what is happening is devastating for communities, large or small, across all Districts. The call to action has been nothing but amazing from the various service clubs – Rotary, Lions, Salvation Army, Red Cross, CWA, Inner Wheel and the list rolls on. It is the Emergency Services I take my hat off to; they are simply outstanding – putting themselves in danger in order to ensure the fires are ‘contained’ as best as they can be given the atrocious weather we’ve been experiencing. I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone that is involved in the disasters unfolding at the moment. The front cover summarises the enormity of what the Emergency Services are dealing with.
One particular project that has had a positive response is the ‘back to school’ packs. These are being purchased from the local newsagency and it is our aim to buy what we need from the impacted communities – whether it be fencing or anything else. Sunbury Rotary have informed me that the Rotary Club of Battambang in Cambodia (a club sponsored by Sunbury) have donated US$300 towards the school kits. In my opinion that is an outstanding contribution from a club based in Cambodia. Rotary really does Connect the World. Recovery is going to take time. This disaster is a long way from over and the ‘normal’ fire season has just begun. We need to be mindful that whilst we are dealing with immediate physical and practical things it is the psychological damage that is going to take time to heal.
It’s a strange conundrum but as I have been visiting Rotary Rotary across the District has been heavily involved. Belvoir Clubs and having discussions about membership, I have often been told that the concept of volunteering is on the Wodonga Rotary have been front and centre in terms of decline. You wouldn’t think so given the volunteers of all organising volunteers for fencing teams and arranging for them to be fed; Kinglake Ranges Rotary paying back for 2009 organisations heavily involved in this disaster at the moand organising hay runs; Bright and Albury Rotary donating ment. fencing materials and equipment; donations from Rotary It’s time to put our thinking caps on and work out how to Clubs and individuals across the District (and outside the grow Rotary. If we don’t grow, we will eventually disappear District); Fencing teams from Euroa, the Shepparton Clubs and this disaster surely demonstrates the power of Rotary and Albury West; evacuation centres manned in Wangaratta and exactly what Rotary can do – and needs to keep on doand Wodonga and the list goes on. The problem about giving ing! a general update is that you always worry about whether you have missed a contribution – and , of course, I will have We are going to have a wonderful 2020 – because we but I just wanted to give you an idea of the tireless work that achieve wonderful things and we have the best people in has been going on for the benefit of the communities in the fantastic Rotary Clubs! North East. DG Brian. Page 4
Contents 2 4 6
Spot the Helicopter DG Brian Conference Book NOW
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Bushfire Recovery Update
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Kinglake Ranges Rotary Hay Run
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Youth Exchange
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Book project plans to continue giving
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Good Neighbours make Good Fences Everyone has their reason for connecting with Rotary. Resolve to protect the Rotary brand in the new year
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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CONFERENCE MARCH 2020
Hi Fellow Rotarians
You will be aware that registrations for the District 9790 Conference are open. The Conference is being held from Thursday March 19 till Sunday March 22 in Albury.
I am organising the Conference Golf Day to be held at the Commercial Albury Golf Club with a 12pm shot gun start, on Thursday March 19. Trophies will be awarded for handicapped players as well as non-handicapped players. Lunch and post games finger food will also be provided. Registrations will commence at 11:00 am with lunch provided before tee off.
We would love to encourage more ladies to play this year too.
Below you will find the conference registration link where you can also register to play in the Conference Golf Day. I look forward to welcoming you on the day.
https://www.trybooking.com/570337 Yours in Rotary
Wayne Moriarty
wayne@moriarty.id.au
0418440687
For further information contact conference2020@rotary9790.org.au Page 6
The Rotary International theme for 2019-2020 is ‘Rotary Connects the World’.
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ur District’s Clubs have always been very strong in District and Global Grants/Projects that connect us with our local, Australian and international communities. However, often the strong work and projects that are carried out in these communities are not as visible as we would like. We also don’t always see or recognise the work and support that is evident within our District between our Clubs. We know it happens, such as assistance dealing with the Kinglake bushfires, Rural Aid and the current drought event in eastern Australia. That’s when the District's Clubs rally around each other and are incredible in supporting our communities. Last year our Partner’s Project raised $38,000 for Rural Aid - all donations from Clubs across the District. This money has already been disbursed. In 2019-2020 ‘Rotary Connects the World’ will ensure we openly demonstrate and promote how we are connecting with our Clubs and communities across the world but, just as importantly, within Australia and our District.
To help celebrate and assist in connecting our District's Clubs with each other, the theme for the D9790 Conference is "2020 Vision". The conference is all about positivity. At the conference we will be promoting activities, events, projects and friendships that will help our city and country clubs to start conversations and build relationships. We will build on existing events or projects, share ideas and celebrate the success of Rotary in District 9790.
I would like to personally invite you to join us for an incredible three days that will be filled with uplifting speakers, project and information sharing and relationship building, all wrapped around the fun and friendship that being a Rotarian brings. Our speakers are absolutely extraordinary, and the programme will be action packed but, most of all, positive … 2020 Vision positive!
Albury Wodonga Conference-2020 Vision. We look forward to "seeing" you there.
Brian Peters District Governor 2019-2020
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District 9790 Bushfire Recovery Update January 20, 2020
Money is still required to complete this project. Please consider, if you haven’t already done so.
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Donations: DISTRICT FUND BSB 633 000 Account: 140378365. Please put your club and “Back to School Pack” on as reference.
he District 9790 Bushfire Recovery Project continues to respond to emergencies and the consequences of the bushfires in north eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales, while being mindful that we still have a long summer and fire season ahead. Late last week the Ovens and King Valleys still had uncontrolled fires threatening the towns of Bright, Myrtleford, Mount Beauty and Milawa-Oaxley, as noted by Beechworth president Jim Fiford. The Vic Emergency warning on Friday night was for the evacuation of the Buffalo Valley up to the outskirts of Myrtleford. This region of Victoria has not been directly affected by the bushfires, but have been impacted markedly by the loss of tourism to their region, during the busiest tourist season of the year. Some businesses have closed and staff put off, so income is lost for many. We need to look at ways to support these communities and visit the region, when it’s safe to do so. Perhaps the metropolitan Rotary clubs could come up with some inventive ideas of citycountry partnerships to help stimulate these economies. The fire affected regions will similarly welcome visitors in a later stage of their recovery.
For farmers whose pastures have been scorched, fodder deliveries are essential. For those who have lost fences but not stock, re-fencing their properties is paramount to prevent stock roaming. For those whose stock has died, burying/ removing them is a priority. The Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges has responded to the urgent need of hay and stock feed for the Corryong region with their Bush Fire Hay Drive. With offers of assistance, both financial and transport, along with donations of hay, they were able to transport around 600 square bales of hay in the first delivery to Sandy Creek two weeks ago, with stage two following close behind. They have mobilised their troops impressively. I encourage you to go to the Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges Facebook page for updates on their amazing work.
Murray Jones, Rotarian from Holbrook is also organising hay and pellet drop offs in the area, while he is caring for 140 cattle So what’s been happening? and horses on his property from fire damaged properties at The Back to School Pack project has gained momentum from Jingellic and Mt Alfred. Murray reported that a lady in Rotary clubs and individuals, with 50% of the total being raised Jerilderie donated two semi-trailers of hay, one was sent to a in the first three days. Donations are still required to complete farmer at Maragle NSW. The other was sold and the money this project. The aim of the project is to support all children donated to the Rotary Club of Holbrook for fencing materials, a and families attending the Corryong P to 12 School and allow a fabulous gesture. The Rotary Club of Holbrook has also hassle free beginning to the school year, as well as to support organised some much needed supplies to the town of Walwa the newsagent, a local business woman who lost fencing and and Mt Alfred, which still has limited access, no power or animals at her farm and the old farmhouse. phone coverage and diminishing food stocks, as well as supporting the Rural Fire Service and the farming community The Rotary Club of Albury will work with the Corryong around Jingellic with meals. newsagent to assemble the packs. David Earle reports that the demand for horse agistment has The president of Sunbury Rotary Club Janine Reinking was decreased. Many farmers have needed to keep their stock pleased to inform us to expect a cheque for USD300 from the horses to work the cattle and some farmers elected to sell beef Rotary Club of Battambang, Cambodia. Janine reports “ ..This cattle at the current good prices for some much needed is a club we sponsored to start and we do projects with them. income. The dairy farmers are receiving good support from We are very involved in Kits of Hope, which is a school kit their milk companies. David will continue to monitor project supplying unfortunate children to go to PTD school in agistment requests. Battambang…” Another example of Rotary Connects the World. -> Page 8
The fencing teams are working well in the Corryong area with the support from the Rotary Club of Belvoir-Wodonga, who are also providing the catering for the teams and community fencing volunteers. Camp has been set up at the Corryong sportsground. The Albury North Rotary Club is planning a dinner meeting with Holbrook and will assist the club with their fencing repairs, when safe to do so. The Rotary Clubs of Euroa and Benalla will assist friends from Corryong, with their fencing repairs. Effective Rotary club partnerships are developing. A group of 4WD enthusiasts from Geelong, who are regulars at the annual Corryong Man From Snowy River Festival, will arrive soon in Corryong to assist with the fencing. They will be based at the Colac Colac Caravan Park and will help bring much needed revenue to the area. A BBQ with the Corryong locals is planned. Rotarians Rob Caddell (Tallangatta) and Bill and Wendy Gerritsen (Appin Park Wangaratta) have completed the four day Camp Coordinator training for BlazeAid and will move into the Corryong area next week, with a fencing camp to be set up shortly afterwards. BlazeAid camps will also begin at Jingellic and possibly Cobargo. Fencing volunteers are required. If anyone would like to join the BlazeAid teams, or if you would like more information, please contact Phil Clancy.
The 15,000 P2/N95 face masks donated by American charity Direct Relief are being distributed widely to communities in the region affected by the bushfires and the smoke pollution by AG Margaret Crisp. AG Dave Barrat reports that the Rotary clubs in group 6 have distributed 1,500 to people in need within their communities. The Rotary Clubs of Myrtleford, Mt Beauty and Bright are working on a project to provide air purifiers in the Myrtleford, Bright and Mt Beauty Hospitals. Background to this project has been provided by Mark Lucey, president Rotary Club of Mount Beauty. “..During the height of the bushfire emergency Alpine Health evacuated patients from Mount Beauty and Bright to either Myrtleford or other hospitals in the North East.
Patients are now returning to the hospitals and aged care facilities Medical staff are concerned about the extremely poor air quality and ongoing health of aged patients With the ongoing extreme poor air quality in the North East and especially the Ovens and Kiewa Valleys Alpine Health have an urgent requirement for portable air purifiers.
A generous donation of $15,000 was made last week to the District Bushfire Recovery Project by the Wangaratta company Alpine Truss. Alpine Truss manufacturer pre-fabricated timber roof trusses, wall frames and posi-strut flooring systems and their company is well known in the north east region of Victoria and beyond. This donation has been made to directly assist the farmers and local people who have been devastated by the bushfires. We will keep you informed of further details.
It been identified a total of 45 Dyson TP04 units (being 15 per hospital) is required @ $700 each total $31,500.
The Rotary Clubs of Appin Park, Wangaratta and Milawa Oxley have completed their wonderful 2 weeks of volunteering at the evacuation centre in Wangaratta. Rotarian volunteers worked on alternate days with the Lions club preparing and serving meals. Patti Bulluss reported that they also importantly, spent time sitting with and listening to people’s stories. The evacuation centre has now closed and most people have gone back to their communities or relocated to family or friends. Milawa Oxley Rotarians will deliver a truck load of non-perishable food and new clothing to Corryong where with the assistance of Corryong Rotarians the goods will be directed to those in need.
After running 4 units for 5 hours the 2.5 micron level was at 33 – Very good.
Main issue with smoke is 2.5 micron particles which is hazardous to humans especially the frail and those with lung conditions Dr Mark Zagorski (Mt Beauty) recently conducted a test with the above units at Kiewa Valley House 2.5 micron level was 271 – extremely hazardous.
Rotary Club of Mount Beauty has taken the lead on this project and is collaboratively working with Rotary Clubs of Bright and Myrtleford..”
They need your help and donations to the DISTRICT FUND would be appreciated. For further information contact Mark Lucey. marklucey@bigpond.com The Rotary Club of Wodonga West has partnered with Amy's Hairdressing and raised thousands of dollars for IGA vouchers to be distributed in Corryong. -> Page 9
Rotary Club of Tallangatta have been organising hay runs, working at the evacuation centre and supporting Corryong Rotarian friends. They plan to visit as a club as soon as Corryong Rotary is functioning again. Rotary Club of Belvoir-Wodonga have been doing a great job with the catering for the volunteers who are assisting the fencing teams, as well as supporting the coordination of the fencing teams. The Rotary Club of Wodonga Central have been supporting their President who is a Salvation Army first responder and they have been very active in distributing the face masks. Please check the Wodonga Central Facebook page.
The Rotary Club of Bellbridge-Lake Hume has supported the district fundraising and the 'Back to School Packs'. Di Hand from the Rotary Club of Deniliquin is making pouches for injured wildlife. We’re currently working on - if and where they can be used in our district. If there is a demand Di may need helpers. The Rotary Club of Yarrawonga Mulwala’s District 9790 Bushfire Appeal Sunday Market was a huge success, raising in excess of $7,000. There were many tired Rotarians at the end of the day. For further information regarding volunteering please email: firevolunteer@rotary9790.org.au
Rosemary Freeman Secretary, Rotary Club of Moreland District 9790 Community Service Chair
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https://www.trybooking.com/BHTMD
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STAGE ONE
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ur Rotary Club is overwhelmed by the response to our call for help. Mid last week Jason McFadyen from Cheeky Fox Resort in conjunction with Bob Burns and a small team of helpers from the Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges made a call to arms and sought support for our BUSH FIRE HAY DRIVE. We identified the region of Corryong as our target response area. Within what seemed only hours we were receiving offers of assistance & support for hay donations, offers of transport and financial support. Resulting from this interest we culminated a busy couple of days by delivering on Sunday 5th January to the Sandy Creek Recreation Reserve, some 600 square bales of hay. Sandy Creek is approximately 100ks west of Corryong. We employed two tip trucks, four utilities, complete with tandem trailers and one “historic” tray truck.
You will have seen on the media, images of trucks loading “rounds” of hay for delivery to various badly effected areas within our state. As a result of our strategic connection with the Corryong district and close connection with local farmers, we were able to quickly identify an immediate need for “square” hay bales. Squares were readily available, easy to handle, simple to transport, effective in distribution and only need manpower to get to the places of most need. Suffice to say the consignment was welcomed by the helpers at Sandy Creek, a mixture of local farmers, football club members and community spirited helpers.
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STAGE TWO Our team is currently preparing for stage 2 and are actively sourcing more feed, both hay and pellets. Of course, importantly we will need transport resources. We have established Monday 13th January as the next “drop off” day. Our preference is for the bales, both rounds & squares, to be delivered to the Marshalling Area at 215 Extons Road, Kinglake at about 5.00pm. The entrance will be identified by yellow & blue Bali flags. If you can’t make this day/time, please contact Bob Burns on 0428 300 357 directly to arrange an alternative time. Alternatively Ken Wearne 0439 081421, or email Ken cloudmist@live.com.au
We intend to deliver the donations to the Corryong area on Sunday 19th January. departing at 7.00am, with final local pickups and transport to the Marshalling Yard on the Saturday. If you can donate transport, please reply to this email with availability. Due to the requirement of Occupational Health & Safety we will require all persons entering the site to be attired in appropriate work wear suitable for the tasks to be undertaken. Further we will have a brief Induction prior to work start to ensure we have a safe & incident free experience. Please ensure that you sign in arrival. We would expect that all persons providing vehicles to carry all statutory insurances & that all vehicles are registered & road worthy. We are pleased to advise that our onground contacts at Corryong/Sandy Creek have been receiving many truck loads of hay, which is reassuring. The immediate pressure has somewhat reduced, however the farmers are desperate for feed pallets for sheep, dairy cows and beef cattle, in that order. It seems that the sheep farmers have been forgotten in the rush to support the cattle industry. We are now, as well as seeking hay bales, actively sourcing feed pellets as above. You will all be aware that this need for stock feed is going to extend over a lengthy period until the effected farmers can re establish normal feed arrangements. So please keep your eye on the Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges
Facebook page for updates. Furthermore, we will keep our newsletters coming.
Finally, thank you to the many community spirited people who unhesitatingly stepped up when your country neighbours were in need. We are proud to be an Australian, for when the chips are down and our brothers and sisters need our help, we are always there for them. Well done to you all.
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Rotary Youth Exchange On Friday 17 January I travelled to Melbourne Airport to farewell District 9790’s Youth Exchange students. They left in three batches – early in the morning heading to Brazil, afternoon heading to Europe and then early evening heading to Japan and Taiwan.
Our Youth Exchange Committee, headed up by Bruce McIntyre, do a fantastic job organising the students and get them ready to head overseas. A significant amount of work goes into making this programme a success and having 18 long term Youth Exchange students overseas this year is a fantastic outcome. Thank you to all clubs who support this programme and to ROTEX who support us.
I’m delighted to report that they all arrived safely!
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Book project plans to continue giving
Members from the Rotary Club of Surin and president Joe Weemaes . The Rotary Club is helping to distribute the books to the different provincial schools in their area.
DISTRIBUTION: Rotary Club of Wodonga West president Joe Weemaes helps present donated books to primary school in Thailand through Albury-Wodonga appeal that supports the children’s English language development. Article published in the Border Mail ( Albury/Wodonga and district 30/01/2020)
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Good Neighbours make Good Fences A glimpse of the Corryong fire recovery
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’m with the Rotary Club of Belvoir-Wodonga”, I told the police officer at the Bullioh roadblock. “It’s all good”, was the beaming reply, as she waved me through on the road to Corryong. For as long as I can remember, that end of the Murray Valley Highway has been my favourite driving road. I’ve known it for its gorgeous greens of all kinds, laid out in folds as far as an eye can see in the clean air under a spotless sky. On the morning of Friday 17 January, however, I saw a different place entirely. The vast valley had become a vast bowl of smoke, and I mean the kind of smoke where you turn your fog lights on. It was the kind of smoke where, when the sun rises dead in front of you, it’s the colour of a red traffic light, and scarcely any brighter; and where you can’t tell whether the scenery is green or black. It was fifty kilometres of that kind of smoke. It was the smoke from the Corryong fires. Still the town of Corryong is standing, and a sign in the main street explains why, in three hand-written words: “CFA thank you”. For the town and its surrounding farmland, the moment of crisis has passed, and the long recovery has begun. But volunteers are still the heart of it, and that heart is what I had come to see. The Australian Army was setting up camp, with heavy machinery for clearing debris and opening roads; and it was behind them, in the recreational reserve, that I found the second army -- the army of civilian volunteers. For them, camp consists of tents and caravans in all shapes and sizes, HQ is a shelter by the football oval, and the attire is various: there are some Rotary shirts and some Lions shirts, but mostly it’s just whatever clothes are okay to get dirty, because the task is to pull down and rebuild kilometre after kilometre of boundary fences that the fire has ruined. There I was greeted by an ebullient Graeme Sayer (my club’s vice-president), and also by freshly cooked bacon and eggs with a side serving of bright banter between the volunteers. Graeme, along with Barry Membrey from our club and Peter Elias from the Rotary Club of Albury, has been a driving force in the logistical support, which can only be described as a virtuoso performance. For consider this:
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On one hand, a mixture of skilled and unskilled fencers arrive to donate their time on any given day. Some are organized by the Lions Club of Kiewa-Tallangatta and some by Benalla Uniting Church, there are posses of local police who volunteer at the end of a shift, the Army has committed eight soldiers to join the teams, and then there is everyone who arrives ad hoc from as far as Brisbane and Bourke to pitch in. Total numbers are unknowable until the day, and all of these good people need to be fed and watered. On the other hand, supplies roll in from a wide range of incredibly generous local organizations that donate what they can. There’s Scots School Albury, making sandwiches and dinner every second day while the parents make and package biscuits and slices. Westmont Aged Care prepares dinner every second day. Inner Wheel Wodonga makes sandwiches every fourth day. St Stephen’s Uniting Church lent a bain marie and prepares sandwiches every fourth day. The family and friends of St Stephen’s congregation make slices and cakes. The Rotary Club of Benalla and Pinner’s Refrigeration of Albury each lent a portable cool room. Wodonga Foodshare provided three pallets of basic provisions to get started. There are slices, scones, and sausage rolls from Rutherglen’s “The Other Place”; meals, milk and juice from Coon’s Dairy; and hams from Butt’s Smallgoods. Corryong Campdraft Club, which owns the venue, provides daily cleaning. Members of RC BelvoirWodonga ferry supplies to Corryong each day in their own vehicles and distribute lunches each day to fencing teams in the field. So many aspects of the operation are unpredictable, and what is the result? There is always the right amount of everything, right when it’s needed. It all runs like clockwork. The scale is large and growing. I have figures of 110 volunteers in a day, and of $40,000 worth of donated material and equipment for catering; but, by the time you read this, both will have been surpassed. “Rebuild Upper Murray” has donated $25,000 in fencing material. Police and ambulance services are in regular contact to offer support.
Fencing operations come under the coordination of a human dynamo named Ken Jones, from the KiewaTangambalanga Lions Club. I had the privilege to ride with him and Peter, his club’s secretary, as they visited farms up and down the valley. The official business was to assess fencing needs and to allocate resources, but of course this was also about pastoral care. We were visiting people who needed a talk or a hug or to share a cup of tea, and the Lions men were helpful in every situation. Equally impressive were the farmers. Though they acknowledged the plain fact that they need help, many insisted that priority should go to others in greater need.
But back to my time on the road with Ken and Peter. En route we saw fallen fences in a blackened landscape, and thick piles of soft grey ash that once were precious hay. Worst of all, we saw the remains of buildings, including houses, where nothing was left but bits of roofing iron, tossed around roughly and randomly like a packet of chips poured onto the floor. Mercifully there was no loss of life, but how terrifying must it have been? One unflappable farmer described the flames this way: “This f???ing tumbler thing has come up the hill, then it just went black, like you’d switched off a light. So I thought that was a bit ordinary.”
We stopped by some of the fencing crews, including one group of agriculture students who had travelled from Horsham to help out. They were young women, and not the only ones, putting in the hard yards under the 35? sun.
There is nothing ordinary in any of this. In the end, as I passed back through the Bullioh roadblock, I realised how much I had learnt since I came in. Yes, I’m with the Rotary Club of Belvoir-Wodonga, and yes, that’s all good; but the whole story is so much bigger and better. “Service above self” is all around. You can find I suppose each contributing organisation has its story; it with badges that say “Rotary” or “Lions”, “Police” its connection to the affected area that somehow or “Ambulance”, “Army” or “Uniting Church”, and spurred it to action. For RC Belvoir-Wodonga, it you can find it with no badge at all. There are so began with hay. Very soon after the fires passed many people contributing so much, and it’s all all through, one member heard on the radio that cattle good. were about to starve, so he called another member who could donate his own hay, another who could organise transport, and another who could raise Michael Shepanski donations of more. So, by the time trucks were Secretary, Rotary Club of Belvoir-Wodonga allowed in, we had five semi-trailer loads rolling. In the process connections were made, and we got a handle on what was needed most next. Barry Membrey got fired up, and when that happens you can bet that action follows.
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How can you help? District has now established a Bushfire Recovery Fund with the Bendigo Bank. The account details are as follows: District 9790 Bushfire Recovery Fund BSB 633-000 Account 171612534
After the 2009 Bushfires we had a separate account that had tax deduction status but the ATO ended the tax deduction status in 2012. All donations that we have received so far will be transferred to the Bushfire Recovery Fund. We are seeking approval from the ATO to have tax deduction status with this account.
Every cent donated to this fund will be spent in the Bushfire affected areas. If you wish to donate as an individual or as a Club and have a specific request then simply add that into the Reference area when you make the transfer – ie ‘Back to School packs’ or ‘Fencing’ etc. There are other ways to donate if that is your wish and some of them are
2019-20 Bushfires Appeal We have all seen the disastrous fires that have erupted, taking lives as well as destroying hundreds of homes and properties across Australia. Rotary is once again taking the lead and looking to provide support for families in need. To this end several Rotary Districts and Clubs have established projects which are ready and able to accept donations from you. All of those projects can apply for funds from this appeal. Please donate to: Rotary National Bushfires Appeal
at https://rawcs.org.au/
Donate to Firefighters Fire Brigades with the Rural Fire Service in NSW and the Country Fire Authority in Victoria are crying out for supplies and donations so you might want to consider donating or even joining up as a volunteer with your local volunteer brigade. Salvation Army The Salvos have launched a Disaster Appeal to support communities affected by the devastating Bushfires across the Australia. To donate to the Salvation Army Disaster Appeal, go to ‘salvationarmy.org.au’ or call 13 SALVOS or donate at any Woolworths checkout. Red Cross The Australian Red Cross is supporting communities affected by the Bushfires. Support includes psychological first aid, support at evacuation centres, longer-term recovery programs, assisting families and communities and supporting volunteers. To donate go to ‘redcross.org.au’. WIRES WIRES (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service) is accepting donations to help their efforts in supporting displaced and injured wildlife affected by the fires and also by drought. To donate go to ‘wires.org.au’ But be aware of scams – even in times like this there are people wanting to capitalise on the misfortunes of others.
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Everyone has their reason for connecting with Rotary.
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ome enjoy their club and community service, others International projects or take a specific field such as Youth. We seem to do all five avenues of service really well and what is important to remember is that Rotary originated as an opportunity for vocational service.
That’s 1.22 million special people in this world doing something for someone else every day; the service above self ethos. At Strathmore Rotary’s Annual Combined night on 8 January, we acknowledged Lee Garwood, CEO at Brunswick Private Hospital. Lee was inducted to Strathmore Rotary in July 2019, however long before that time he has had an association to the club and members. Lee showcases high ethical standards professionally and as a Rotarian, has been able to use his occupation as an opportunity to serve society. Lee has a strong commitment to community engagement, patient safety and quality healthcare delivery.
The contribution is a way that Rotarians contribute $US1000 to The Rotary Foundation. Director, Rotary International LGBT Fellowship and Strathmore’s Youth Services Chair Grant Godino and District 9790 Assistant Governor Emma Davis presented the Paul Harris to Lee. Congratulations Lee Garwood, Paul Harris Fellow.
Emma Davis Assistant Governor (Group 2) District 9790 Past President, Paul Harris Fellow, Royce Abbey Awardee Rotary Club of Strathmore Project Coordination and Event Management Phone: +61 407 628 388
Donations in Kind is a recycling and reuse program involving the collection, sorting, packing, dispatch and distribution of donated items to countries in need. Through two very generous donations, Lee has made significant contributions to Donations in Kind. The donation Lee and Brunswick Private Hospital has made is remarkable. We appreciate the use of Lee’s skills and expertise to serve our community. The donation will directly positively impact on communities through disease prevention and treatment, and economic and community development. As Rotarians, we and the team at Brunswick Private Hospital are proud of Lee’s professional integrity. Lee inspires others by undertaking these contributions, bringing vocational service to life. On behalf of the Donations in Kind Team we presented Lee with a certificate of appreciation and another little surprise. A Paul Harris Fellow, named after our Rotary Founder, is recognised as making an outstanding commitment to the Club or the community. A Paul Harris Fellow recognition allows our Rotary Foundation another opportunity to do even more good in the world. People can receive a Paul Harris by either personal contributions or when a club purchase one on their behalf.
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Education is the gift of life.
A Sri Lankan Buffet Luncheon Venue - The Marlhes Restaurant, Assumption College, KILMORE. Date -
Sunday 16th February 2020. 12md for 12.30pm start.
Menu Hoppers and Egg Hoppers.
Curries Beef curry in Sri Lankan spices (medium hot). Pork curry in fiery dark roasted spices (hot). Chicken curry in coconut and turmeric (mild).
Vegetables
Accompaniments
Beetroot curry.
Cardamon scented Turmeric rice
Cabbage Mallum.
Steamed rice.
Potato in coconut broth.
Coconut Sambol.
Red lentils and spinach curry.
Lunu Miris.
Eggplant Pahi.
Mango Chutney. Papadum
Dessert Watalappam –spiced coconut and jaggery custard. Fresh Fruit. Price per head including GST - $45.00
Bookings – 0419365609 or psiebel@westnet.com.au All proceeds from this function will be used to provide water, sanitation and educational needs via our Foundation Grant to an indigenous school in Sri Lanka.
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For more information on Sri Lankas indigenous people and the Dambana school please visit www.petestravellingpans.com
Resolve to protect the Rotary brand in the new year Posted on December 26, 2019
you apply our brand correctly and consistently across all channels you ensure: your projects are recognised as Rotary at a glance you are able to instantly tap into the hard-won goodwill and credibility of an international 115-year-old movement
By Amanda Wendt, vice chair of the RI Communications Committee and a member of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
you look professional and worthy of the time and resources of supporters
I
How can your club benefit from the Rotary brand?
recently saw a story on television about a West Papuan woman who received life-changing facial surgery to fix a a deformity which had caused her a lifetime of struggling to eat, drink and speak. Members of the Rotary Club of Liverpool West and Bendigo Strathdale flew the woman to Australia for the surgery. I was instinctively moved to share the story immediately with my network, congratulating the team involved and expressing how truly proud I was at that moment to be a Rotarian.
I’m sure many of my fellow Rotary members can relate to this feeling. We’ve all experienced pride when our Rotarian friends locally or abroad have helped change the world. But this instance made me realize that we have something else that communicates that sense of pride and it is valuable to preserve and promote.
We all have an important role to play in being custodians of the Rotary brand. The great news is it’s very easy to ensure your club or district is using the correct logo. Through the Rotary Brand Center you can create a free, professional and on-brand logo within minutes! You can then update all of your existing collateral with your new logo. To assist you, here is a checklist of some of the places where you can resolve in the new year to place your new logo: Online platforms such as websites and social media
Email signatures Slideshow presentations Flyers Brochures Posters Since Rotary’s inception 115 years ago, our Master Advertising and editorial Brand signature, the Rotary wheel, has generated an untold amount of goodwill from people who have seen Banners it displayed in connection with Rotary projects that have Signs Merchandise brought clean drinking water to a village, prevented diseases, improved local economies, or otherwise changed communities for the better. The wheel is the purest, simplest visual representation of all that we have achieved and all that we are yet to accomplish. The opportunity to represent my club and its efforts under the same icon is my way of honouring my fellow Rotarians for their amazing achievements. How do we preserve and promote the Rotary wheel? In today’s world, individuals are constantly bombarded by thousands of advertising messages. It’s vital that we have a consistent, high-quality visual representation of our brand to cut through all that noise.
As a Rotary club or district, when
Digital platforms are always a great place to start and if you need budget for new banners or merchandise, as an example, make a plan with your club’s leadership to assign budget for these items as soon as you practically can.
As diverse as we are, collectively, we are all connected. With all of us displaying the same wheel, we can ensure every Rotary project benefit from the achievements of every other. Rotarians not only serving the community but helping other Rotarians serve the community as well! By taking pride in the way we display our brand, we know there are other Rotarians taking pride in what we have delivered, as we look forward to our next 115 years of service. Page 23
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