December 2015 Page 1

Rotary International District 9790

December 2015

December 2015 Page 2

Now is the time to ensure your club members also get first chance at these highly sought after events:

Thursday Golf & Bowls

Thursday Cricket

Ride to Conference (finishes Thursday)

Thursday Afternoon Walks

Thursday Evening Sports Dinner

Friday Morning Gold Mine Tour

Gala Dinner Saturday Night

Sunday Farewell Lunch

Next step is to hit the “Book Now” logo on the website and you are on your way to reserving your place at these highly sought after events.

District 9790 Conference 2016 in Bendigo

25 – 28 February 2016

Full details of all activities can be found on the District 9790 website and you can check the details for yourself before you actually book. Simply click on the CONFERENCE 2016 logo on the website and you will be able to view all details.

NEED ACCOMMODATION? Give the Bendigo Visitor Centre a call on 1800 813 153

Or try this link: http://www.bendigotourism.com/

Don’t forget that next year’s conference is one month earlier:

25-28 February 2016, so closing dates will be earlier than usual.

Yours in Rotary

Lynne Rodda

Conference 2016 Coordinator

lynne.eaglemont@gmail.com

December 2015 Page 3

is the official monthly publication of Rotary International District 9790 Inc.

Publisher : DG Richard Luke Editor: Greg Adams

Art Director: Greg Adams Advertising: Greg Adams Chief Bottle washer : Greg as well

Editorial: send to ferrarigreg@gmail.com (please) Closing date is by the 5th of each month.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the District or its members.

2 Conference Update

4 District Governor’s Notes

5 RI President K R Ravindran’s Speech

CHOGM 2015

6 & 7 Conference Speakers

8 Foundation number 5, About the Clubs

9 Website Tips, RYLA,

Contents On the Cover

RYLA 2015 is done and dusted. What a week with over 35 new

RYLArains. Great job by all the ‘Supporters’

Congratulations to you all.

However don’t rest there, as soon as RYLA finishes it is time to

begin again. RYLA 2016 will be returning to Doxa 20th to the 26th

November 2016. Watch this space.

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment month

Rotary’s top priority is the eradication of polio, but its members take on far greater responsibilities to fight disease. They set

up health camps and training facilities in underdeveloped countries and in communities struggling with HIV/AIDS and

malaria. They also design and build the infrastructure for doctors, nurses governments and partners to reach one in six

people in the world who cannot afford to pay for health care.

Here are some stories of Rotary’s involvement to help prevent and treat disease.

Medical Team Saves Lives

The Rotary Club of Gandevi, India had the incredible experience of hosting a series of medical camps, screening thousands

of community members for medical conditions and following up with life-saving surgeries.

A vocational training team of visiting specialists from the Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio performed 30

angiography procedures, 27 echo cardiograms, 11 angioplasty procedures, seven heart bypass surgeries, eight

chemotherapy and radiation treatments and three surgeries to remove cancerous

tumours.

They were able to undertake this work thanks to a Global Grant through the Rotary

Foundation.

The average age of the beneficiaries who underwent life saving surgery was 42, and

these were families who couldn’t have otherwise afforded surgery.

Specialists on the Vocational Training

Timor Leste Health Program

The Timor Leste Health Program was started by the Rotary Club of Sydney in 2012. Their aim is to eliminate lymphatic

filariasis and intestinal worm infections throughout Timor-Leste through a five year mass treatment program with anti-

parasitic drugs with long term sustainable outcomes.

Timor-Leste is plagued by two parasitic diseases that are treatable and can be eliminated. These are lymphatic

filariasis, a mosquito-borne parasite that causes elephantiasis; and intestinal worm infections that aggravate poor

nutrition amongst children and stunt both their physical and mental development.

They run a mass drug treatment program involving the annual administration of two drugs to at least 80% of the

population. The project is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sydney who raised over $200,000 to contribute.

December 2015 Page 4

DG’s notes

I n an earlier life I was involved with research

into causes and treatment of diarrhoea in

children and young animals. At the time, death-rates world

-wide were estimated to be (a not very precise!) 5– 18

million children per year! I clearly remember having more

than one conversation with a colleague whose attitude was

(to me) heartless and obnoxious: “it is just as well, what

would the world’s population be like if they were all to

live?” At the same time there were other people who were

highlighting a much more positive message: that as

standards of living improve, and child mortality rates

decrease, so do birth rates. Some of my work involved

collaboration with clinicians and others, who were focusing

on the “miracle” practice of oral rehydration therapy or

ORT. This was dramatically reducing the need for sterile

infusions to combat dehydration (difficult in village and war

-zone situations!); and was found to be effective treatment

in a wide range of conditions including infections by both

bacteria and viruses!

I have two reasons for focusing on this. First, December is

Disease Prevention and Treatment month, and second,

much of Rotary’s work, including polio eradication, is

centred on disease prevention and the related Areas of

Focus Water and Sanitation; Maternal and Child Health;

and Economic and Community Development. The miracle of

ORT came directly from application of findings made during

basic research into the mode of action of the toxin

produced by the cholera bacterium. The key was inclusion

of glucose and sodium (sugar and salt!) at appropriate

concentrations, in the ingested water! Applications of

insights obtained during fundamental (basic) research are

all around us, and it can be expected there will be similar

spin-off from basic research into brain function and mental

health.

This is the fundamental underpinning of our District’s

involvement with Australian Rotary Health, and in

particular its focus on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(PTSD).

While the initial focus of our “pilot study” is on returned

Services personnel and their families, there is strong

interest from leaders and sufferers in the emergency

services; and every likelihood that benefits will flow in the

form of more effective first-aid measures and treatments,

for many in our communities who are suffering mental

health issues. I encourage all who are able, to get behind

our fundraising for PTSD-research scholarships; and to

attend our District Conference in late February, at which

one of our keynote speakers will have stories to tell from

the front line, literally!

As I write, Lorna and I have almost completed our

schedule of official club visits. The process has been very

demanding but we have learned a great deal and have

many happy memories. We are very grateful for the

courtesy and friendly welcomes that have been extended

to us. We look forward to many return visits, in more

relaxed circumstances, during the second half of Rotary

year.

Thank you.

Seasons Greetings to you all!

Richard

December 2015 Page 5

Two years ago, CHOGM was held in my own country of Sri Lanka, in my home city of Colombo. I never suspected then, that I would be here in Malta for CHOGM 2015! But indeed, I am here today, at this People’s Forum, representing Rotary. And I have come to talk to you about the broader context of today’s question: which is what we, as non-government actors, can do to enable more resilient societies—to strengthen the systems we all rely on, for health at every age. For when we talk about resilience, we are talking about the capacity to withstand shocks: to survive them and to recover from them. And Rotary is incredibly well placed, in fact uniquely well placed, to foster this kind of resilience. Rotary stands at the intersection of commerce and cause, at the crossroads of our private citizenship and our shared responsibility. We are both completely local, in our 34,000 clubs; and completely global, with 1.2 million members serving in virtually every country of the Commonwealth, and most of the countries of the world. When the great tsunami hit Sri Lanka, Rotary was able to respond in a way that no one else could do. We didn’t have to fly in staff, hire translators, or set up a local office. We simply identified the needs and organized ourselves to meet them. There was a great need for drinkable water. The wells were contaminated all along the coast. Foreign NGOs flew in bottled water. We flew in sludge pumps, found jeeps and drivers, and put hundreds of wells back into use. When the crisis was past, we built 25 new schools to replace the ones destroyed. The $12m required came from Rotarians and partners abroad, and we at home did the work. Today, those schools serve more than 14,000 students, they receive no Rotary funding, and they are absolutely best in class.

This is how Rotary fosters resilience, locally, and on a national level. But today I want to tell you about our global project: the eradication of polio. Thirty years ago, we saw about 350,000 cases of polio worldwide every year. With polio, “cases” generally means “children”—children healthy one day, paralysed or dead the next. This was happening even though a vaccine existed that was safe, cheap, and easy to administer. Not only that, but the vaccine had the capacity to stop transmission of the disease: meaning that if enough children in a population were vaccinated, the disease would simply die out. Yet no international body had taken this on. The wealthier countries vaccinated their own children, the poorer countries could not, and so it remained, until in the late 1980s, when Rotary made the commitment to step up to the challenge, and stop the disease. The work Rotary began with that commitment, is known today as The Global Polio Eradication Initiative. It is a partnership involving the WHO, the CDC, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and governments and health agencies throughout the Commonwealth, and across the world. Together, we have vaccinated over 2.5 billion children. As a result, the number of children paralysed by wild poliovirus this year, stands at 56. We have every reason to be optimistic that, with the continued strong support of Commonwealth nations, zero children will be paralysed in 2017. And it is incredibly important that we do reach zero. For only by reaching zero, and remaining at zero, can we stop routine immunization against polio: releasing one billion dollars per year, back into local health systems. But the legacy of polio eradication will go far beyond these cost savings, or the elimination of one disease.

This effort has transformed the resilience of health systems around the world: by establishing capacity to address emerging needs. This is something we have already seen very vividly, throughout the Ebola crisis last year. One of the most terrifying scenarios to be modelled was one in which the virus reached Nigeria. Because Nigeria is a trade hub for all of Africa, with a dense population, poor sanitation, and very high mobility. But when Ebola did reach Lagos, on a flight from Liberia, it spread no further—because of the resources that were already in place, to fight polio. The emergency operations centres, the disease surveillance officers, the lines of communications between local and international health authorities, the capacity for real-time data analysis and modelling: all of this was ready and waiting, when it was needed most. Because this infrastructure was already in place, Ebola was stopped. Today, we stand at a crossroads. It is with us to ensure that polio is fully eradicated, and that the resources developed along the way are fully and effectively transitioned. Neither of these goals will be reached without a conscious, deliberate effort, and the full engagement of governments and civil society. So to answer my original question, which is, how do we build resilience—I would say, we start where we are, with what we have. We accept our shared responsibility, for our shared future. We capitalize on our investments, we learn from our experiences, and we finish what we start. Thank you.

RI President K R Ravindran’s Speech

at CHOGM 2015, Malta

December 2015 Page 6

Gregory Ross - MC

Greg Ross, star of stage ,screen and radio, including shows

such as Cop Shop, Bellbird, Prisoner, Ocean Girl, Neighbours,

City Homicide and Blue Heelers. In music theatre he has had roles

in Godspell, Man of La Mancha, The Sound of Music, and

Les Miserables and appeared on stage in One Day Of The Year

and Don's Party.

As a Rotarian, Past District Governor and a current

Director of Australian Rotary Health, what better

qualifications could Greg have to be the MC for our Conference ?

Doug Aiton

Doug Aiton, currently host of 3AK’s “Drive Time” programme

is one of the best-known and most respected interviewers in

Melbourne, both on radio and in print. For 10 years he was the

popular and high-rating host of 3LO’s “Drive Time”

programme, during which he developed “Favourites”, a one-

hour interview with local and international celebrities

Susan McLean

Susan McLean is Australia’s foremost expert in the area of

cyber safety and young people and was a member of

Victoria Police for 27 years. Widely known as the ‘cyber

cop’, she was the first Victoria Police Officer appointed to

a position involving cyber safety and young people. In

2003 she was the Victoria Police Region Four Youth

Officer of the Year. She has also been awarded The

National Medal and the Victoria Police Service Medal and

2nd Clasp.

Matthew Ryan

Matthew Ryan, is the sole superintendent in the Victoria Police Family

Violence Command, a position he took up when the Command commenced

in March 2015. In this role he assists the Family Violence Assistant

Commissioner to lead and manage five teams that own Victoria Police

research, policy and training for sexual offences, child exploitation and

abuse, and family violence. He also leads a taskforce targeting the highest risk

recidivist family violence perpetrators in Victoria

Nick Papas

Nicholas Papas QC Former Victorian

Chief Magistrate, Crown Prosecutor

and General Manager of Victoria

Legal Aid Criminal Law Division.

Experienced in both appellate

advocacy and criminal trials.

District 9790 Conference 2016

Bendigo 25

Conference Speakers

December 2015 Page 7

Nicholas Papas QC Former Victorian

Chief Magistrate, Crown Prosecutor

Robert Walls

Robert Walls is a former Australian Rules footballer and

legendary coach. He played in three premierships with

Carlton (1968,70,72) and was also the Blues captain

(1977/78) and premiership coach (1987). Robert also

coached Fitzroy, Brisbane and Richmond. Inducted into the

AFL hall of Fame in 2006, Robert is also in Carlton’s Hall of

Fame and elevated to Legend status in 2011. Robert

remains active in football journalism and in the media.

Recently returned, Robert spent 14 months taking “time

out” to live in the south of France with his partner Julie and boxer dog Gus and has

written a book about their experience, “Through the eyes of the dog”. Robert

speaks on his life after sport.

Lieutenant General Ash Power, AO, CSC

Ash Power assumed command of the 4th Field Regiment of the Royal Regiment of

Australian Artillery in 1996. He has also commanded the 1st Brigade, the 1st Division and

Training Command – Army. Ash was Chief of Staff on Operation BELISI in Bougainville

in 1998 and later served in a similar role for INTERFET in East Timor. In 1998 he

was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross. Ash was promoted to Lieutenant

General on 20 May 2011 and assumed the appointment as the Chief of Joint

Operations, Kabul, Afghanistan. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of

Australia in the Australia Day Honours 2012. After a distinguished career,

Lieutenant General Power retired from the Army on 19 July 2014.

closing dates are earlier than

usual - Register NOW

District 9790 Conference 2016

Bendigo 25 – 28 February 2016

Conference Speakers

December 2015 Page 8

T he Rotary Foundation has been ranked as number 5 in “The Top 10

Charities Changing the World in 2015” by Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator is an independent American nonprofit corporation that evaluates charities in the United States. Its stated goal is "to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace in which givers and the charities they support work in tandem to overcome our nation’s and the world’s most persistent challenges”.

Charity Navigator has announced plans to evaluate 10,000 charities in the United States by 2016, along with organisations with international operations. These figures make it even more impressive that The Rotary Foundation ranks as number 5. Charities are ranked according to their Financial Health, their Accountability & Transparency and Their Results.

This ranking and assessment methodology can give all donors the highest amount of confidence that their donation to The Rotary Foundation is used wisely and widely to achieved the greatest good. Our foundation was outranked by the United Nations Foundation, Catholic Medical Mission Board, MAP International and Direct Relief. Please take this opportunity to bring this news to the attention of all of your friends - Rotary and non-Rotary - to let them know that they can have the upmost trust and confidence that their donation will do so much good in the world. On behalf of all the needy in the world I say thank you for everything you do. Every dollar you give makes a huge difference. PDG Peter Gilbert Chair - The D9790 Rotary Foundation Committee

BREAKING NEWS

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION RANKED NO 5

Preston Rotary

5th Annual Community

Police Award -

Congratulations to winner Steve Evans

with President Paul Smarrelli

December 2015 Page 9

DG Richard presented our Outgoing students with their Blazer, Polo Shirt, Rugby Top and Scarf/tie.

We wish all our students a fantastic time as they embark of a life change 12 month exchange to a

different country.

RLI Graduation Euroa 6 December 2015

Alexandra Rotary’s Australian Welsh Choir Concert Over 400 people spent the afternoon listening to the

music, dancing and catching up with friends at the

Cobram Rotary’s Big Band Concert on Thompson’s

Beach.

Strathmore Rotary celebrated the festive season early on

Wednesday 2 December with nearly 200 members of our aged

community who gathered for a Christmas meal. Since 1997,

they have provided Christmas lunch to over nearly 2,000

elderly and unsupported members of the community .

December 2015 Page

ADDING IMAGES OR VIDEOS

A short article on website tips this month. Do you want to add a video or photo to either an event or a story on the District website? To learn how, go to the following URL for a video on how to accomplish this task.

http://clubrunner.helpserve.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/755/751/video-how-to-add-photos-and-videos-to-stories-or-site-pages

Or; Do you want to add a UTube video to a story you have written. Again go to the following URL to watch a video on how to do this.

http://clubrunner.helpserve.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/531/750/video-how-do-i-post-a-video-on-my-home-page More next month, in the meantime from all of us who help with the website have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Talk to you again in 2016

Tips OF THE MONTH

Robert Iles, Youth Service Chair, partakes in the Hunger

Games. Thanks Robert for visiting again this year.

Very grateful for the support!

“A great learning experience on life skills and an awesome place the develop those skills, and meet new people.” “It challenges you.” “Intense and life changing”

RYLA Bus stop at Kilmore with a crowd of young people wondering why they agreed to attend this conference!

Who’s idea was this ?

Inspiring RYLArian Quotes

PDG John and PP Eileen Gatt on vacation.

With RI President K R Ravindran.

December 2015 Page 11

“You’re given the tools you need to become the person you need to be.” “A great experience and opportunity to learn about yourself.” “An amazing, challenging experience for the mind, body and soul.”

“A challenge and an opportunity for incredible personal growth.” “An opportunity to switch off from what’s familiar and comfortable for you, and push and expand on your attributes and comfort zones.” “Great life skills and knowledge.” “A place where you can learn about yourself and the type of leader you are, or the type of leader you CAN be.”

Thankyou to all of our Clubs who sponsored and supported your RYLAians for 2015.

Getting there in style …... the Supporters Walking LIMO

December 2015 Page

T he Rotary Club of Appin Park

Wangaratta’s recent 42nd Art Show

has been held on Jazz Festival

weekend and was again an outstanding success.

The Opening Night on Thursday 29th October, was well

attended with 85 people joining in to gain first viewing of

almost 300 entries in the various categories, whilst

enjoying a selection of finger foods and local wines. The judge

was well renowned Artist Ross Paterson who was very

impressed with the high standard of the entries. He was on

hand on the Opening Night and addressed the audience,

announcing his winning selections.

Despite inclement weather over the weekend, Rotarians

welcomed around 400 consisting of both locals and visitors,

into the Art Exhibition. Many reported how much they

enjoyed the opportunity to view an amazing standard of Art

work in a variety of different medium.

This year we also had a new section – The People’s Choice.

Rotarians were very pleased with the public response to this

with most visitors happy to nominate their favourite piece of

Art.

Winner of the People’s Choice with a clear majority was-

Joan Denner with “Composition of Grapes”

Joan was born in Melbourne, and lived and painted for some 8

years in the UK. She is a tonal realist painter in oil, pastel, and

recently, water colour.

‘Still life is my forte, I am interested in chasing the light in a

painting and making it come to life and glow’……‘I have been

painting for 40 years…and still going!!’

Joan has won over 150 First Prizes and many Honourable

Mentions and Highly Commended awards. She belongs to the

Peninsula Arts Society and the Mentone/ Mordialloc Art

Group.

Appin Park Wangaratta Rotary wish to thank all Artists who

contributed this year and to all those who came along to

enjoy.

Equally so, a big thanks to all who helped out in any way with

special mention to our major sponsors- A & J Judd & family,

Wangaratta Motor Group, Garry Nash First National Real

Estate, The Regional Development Company, Dinning’s Diary,

Outlook Alternatives, Mrs Dorothy McCall and R & M Gibb.

Appin Park Wangaratta Rotary Art Show