The Rotary theme for April is ‘Maternal and Child Health’. Hmmm… in our club we really are quite ho-hum in that department, aren’t we? After all, our society is pretty well organised when it comes to health: easy access to medical care, largely free of charge, access to free schooling for our children…
Come again?? When we are sending out a container load of wheelchairs for distribution in the hinterlands of South Africa for the use of disabled children, does that contribute to Maternal Health or not? Or when we build an X-Ray unit for a bush hospital in a remote island of Vanuatu, so a child with a broken leg doesn’t need to undertake a six-hour arduous journey by barge to the nearest facility: does that make a difference to ‘Maternal and Child Health’? You bet. And it costs money to do that. In the case of last Sunday’s sterling effort by our Bunnings Sausage Sizzlers, one dollar at a time was earned (that is roughly our profit from a sausage, possible only because all labour is voluntary).
Hence, may I say ‘Well done!' to all those who helped on Olsen Avenue on Sunday. I believe it was exceptionally busy and we ran out of stock twice in the day! And great to see quite a number of our Associate Members from the project shed come along to help. Thank you all!
A reminder to all Board Members of the board meeting on Wednesday 7am.
We are still progressing well with Nikki Mullen at Express Recycling and Containers for Change and hope to have a final outcome soon. Meanwhile, collect those empty drink can, stubbies and plastic bottles. If you have no facility to take them to the shed, let us know; we might be able to collect.
Fewer than half of the applicants are accepted into the annually held National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). Sophia Seumahu, a student at Kings Christian College, certainly made the grade – indeed, hearing her enthuse about anything to do with science and research: no wonder!
Last Wednesday, Sophia gave us a well prepared speech on her experiences. “While I’m not sure about living on Mars one day, I would love to be one of the engineers that help us to land humans on another planet for the first time,” she said. Talking about having set a clear career path!
COVID prevented the usual physical gathering at the CSIRO in Canberra; it was all online. The program was packed: 73 live digital sessions with 195 speakers, including two Nobel Prize winners. The experience took them all over the world: From Antarctica to ANSTO (Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) to a live cross to particle physicists at CERN laboratories (Hadron Collider) in Switzerland and back to Parkes and its huge radio telescope. There were also 15 in-person visits in Perth, with others scheduled in other states “when safe to do so”.
Sophia is one of the co-founders of a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) club at her school. “I feel more motivated to study and work hard, knowing that I’m not just doing it to get a good grade but because I love it” she summed up, expressing a sincere Thank You to our club for sponsoring her.
You are most welcome, Sophia. Enthusiastic emerging scientists like you are exactly what the NYSF has been designed for. We wish you every success in your future career.
Sophia’s full speech is in the Download section on the right.
PDG Darrell Brown, our District Youth Chairman, advised this morning that there is still a place left in the upcoming RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program for Enrichment) camp. The program, specifically designed for 14-16 year olds (Year 8-10) focuses on the development of self-concept, relationships, and is designed to develop skills that will assist them in the transition to adulthood.
It will be held from 13th - 15th May 2022 at Bornhoffen. The cost of $320.00 is fully subsidised by the club. Click on this link for more details and to access an application, or contact Darrell Brown by email
(PS: The District runs many other youth programs. Click here to access a brief summary of them all.
District Governor Jeff Egan recently wrote a letter (see Download section on the right) to all Rotarians in District 9640, advising that a dedicated Flood Appeal account has been set up for Rotarians (and anyone else, for that matter) to contribute to a flood appeal to benefit victims of the horrendous floods some regions experienced over the past two weeks. As is common for any Rotary-based appeals, there will be no administration fees, director's remunerations etc. All funds end up directly at the target, the people who were affected.
If a donor does not require the donation to have tax deductibility status, it is preferable that donations should be deposited into the following account:
Rotary International District 9640 Ltd.
BSB: 084462, Account No: 816279059
This is the account to which Rotary clubs should donate.
If tax deductibility is required, please use this account:
Keith Wilson Relief Trust Fund
BSB: 633000 Account No: 175308303
The name of the donor needs to be included on the deposit AND please send via email to PDG Sandra Doumany at srmd@bigpond.net.au (Note: the original post had a typo - this is the correct address): 1. the name of the donor 2. the amount of the deposit 3. any requirement for the donation to be spent on a specific area (if requested).
Would you believe it, those guys are hard at work actively fundraising? So why are they not wearing the 'Rotarians at Work' hi-vis vests? Great Northern Brewing is donating the proceeds of beer sales at 222 participating pubs to the Rotary Flood Appeal for the NSW northern regions. Howzat! Picture (by Charles Thomasson) shows them at Benow Tavern - from left Darrell Brown, Mitch Brown, Charles Thomasson, Paul Graham Seymour, Paul O'neill, Andy Andrew Bell.
Duty Roster - note: subject to change - please check every week. Note: Fellowship duty also is expected to be at the Project Shed on the Saturday following the meeting
I sometimes think that God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability. Oscar Wilde
Among the most sacred gifts you can give your child is the gift of health. This gift is best given by example. Dr Rand Olson - 'Children of Promise: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Healthy Kids'
Fewer than half of the applicants are accepted into the annually held National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). Sophia Seumahu, a student at Kings Christian College, certainly made the grade – indeed, hearing her enthuse about anything to do with science and research: no wonder!
PDG Darrell Brown, our District Youth Chairman, advised this morning that there is still a place left in the upcoming RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program for Enrichment) camp. The program, specifically designed for 14-16 year olds (Year 8-10) focuses on the development of self-concept, relationships, and is designed to develop skills that will assist them in the transition to adulthood.
District Governor Jeff Egan recently wrote a letter (see Download section on the right) to all Rotarians in District 9640, advising that a dedicated Flood Appeal account has been set up for Rotarians (and anyone else, for that matter) to contribute to a flood appeal to benefit victims of the horrendous floods some regions experienced over the past two weeks. As is common for any Rotary-based appeals, there will be no administration fees, director's remunerations etc. All funds end up directly at the target, the people who were affected. 
Would you believe it, those guys are hard at work actively fundraising? So why are they not wearing the 'Rotarians at Work' hi-vis vests? Great Northern Brewing is donating the proceeds of beer sales at 222 participating pubs to the Rotary Flood Appeal for the NSW northern regions. Howzat! Picture (by Charles Thomasson) shows them at Benow Tavern - from left Darrell Brown, Mitch Brown, Charles Thomasson, Paul Graham Seymour, Paul O'neill, Andy Andrew Bell.
