I often say to prospective new members that the best thing about Rotary is the number of opportunities afforded to you as a member that you would possibly not otherwise experience. This was brought home to me a couple of weeks ago when Harold and I visited Manila to attend the District 3830 Conference. Harold had been invited by Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran to represent him at the Conference and there was no way that I was going to miss out, so I rearranged my calendar to enable me to travel with him.
It was a great honour for Harold to represent President Ravi and as the RIPPR (Rotary International President’s Personal Representative) we were given the same treatment that the District would have offered Ravi if he was able to attend. We really were treated like Royalty. I now have some comprehension of what it must be like to be world President of our wonderful organisation – and NO, I don’t have any aspirations in that direction! Harold gave 5 different addresses during the 4 days we were in Manila, we had our photos taken with all 1,000 participants at the conference (both individually and in groups!), and we danced and sang along with them at every opportunity. It was fantastic to be able to experience Rotary in another country and to compare it with what we do in D9685, and I’m sure we will be able to carry out some joint projects in the near future as a result. It was a wonderful few days and will go down for me as a once in a lifetime Rotary opportunity. The Philippines was never high on my ‘to do’ list of places to visit, but now I can’t wait to go back and experience more of what this fascinating country has to offer.
I’m delighted to hear that membership remains a priority with Clubs throughout the District and many Clubs (including my own) have been successful in attracting new members in recent weeks. I am confident we will finish the year in a positive membership position even if my target of 2300 for the District on 30 June 2016 is extremely unlikely to be achieved! Congratulations must go to North Ryde who inducted 4 new members during April and, I believe, have a couple more on the horizon. Retention continues to be an issue and I encourage you all to look at ways of engaging members in meaningful projects and tasks that will keep them interested and keep them in Rotary. That being said, I don’t believe we should retain members just to keep our numbers buoyant; we need active, committed members who are going to help us make a genuine difference in the world.
Congratulations to those Clubs that have held special events or have celebrated a major milestone in recent weeks. Harold and I attended a number of Community Awards and Pride of Workmanship evenings during April which were very enjoyable and were a wonderful way of showcasing Rotary to the wider community. We also attended Ryde’s 70th Anniversary which is a fantastic achievement – it was a great night even if my speech followed the belly dancer!
I know you will all join me in congratulating Rob Wilkinson who is a Past President of the Rotary Club of North Ryde on his appointment as Chairman of ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children), a position he will hold for 3 years (2016-19). Rob has been involved in ROMAC for many years and will be an excellent Chairman of this great multi-district program. Well done, Rob, and best of luck with your new role!
Those of you who enjoy conferences, or missed out on our recent Canberra Conference, may be interested in attending sessions at the Rotary Zone Institute which will be held in Penrith from 1st – 3rd September 2016. Traditionally the Zone Institute is for past and future officers of Rotary International (ie Past & Future Governors), but this year it is being opened up to all Rotarians and partners. Details of the program etc are on the Institute website www.rotaryinstitute.org.au. Alternatively, you can give me a call (0412 128 106) as I am taking on the role of Secretary.
It is hard to believe that my year as District Governor is almost over – with only 8 weeks to go. It seems just like yesterday that I was busy preparing for the 2015 District Changeover. Now I’m preparing my reports etc for the 2016 Changeover which will be held on Saturday, 25th June at Hornsby RSL. The details will be forwarded by DGE Bruce Lakin soon, but I encourage you all to start thinking about getting a table together and coming along to celebrate the achievements of the past year and to welcome incoming Governor Bruce.
Keep up the good work!
Gina Growden
Governor RI District 9685, 2015-16
REMINDERS
Register for the Presidents' Meeting & Awards Presentation on 21 May - register here
Registrations for RLI Courses 33 & 34 are now open - register here
G’day to everyone. I have just taken the position of Chair of D9685 Australian Rotary Health Committee and, as is always the case, I am on a steep learning curve about ARH and our support of the work we do. As the second highest ” investor” in Mental Health research in Australia (after the Federal Government) ARH is pre-eminent in funding research which will help Australians who have mental health issues. Most importantly, ARH only funds research done in Australia, but the results are made available world wide. In order to maintain such important work we need funds and this is where Rotary Clubs come in. It is that time of the year when clubs are considering how to disburse their hard earned funds. My appeal to all clubs is to consider allocating some funds to ARH, in fact, if every D9685 club gave a minimum of $500 we would see the coffers of ARH swell by $36000, a monumental effort. Some clubs may give more, some less but I feel sure the district could get to this sum.
Alternatively you may like to consider making some deserving Rotarians (or community members) a “Friend” of ARH at a tiny cost of $100 each. To find out more either go to the ARH homepage, just Google Australian Rotary Health, or email me on lacol@myisp.net.au and I’ll walk you through the process.
Are you thinking of an elusive project that you want to turn into a registered project?
Would you like to get a grant to support your project?
Do you want to know more about Rotary Australia Benevolent society (RABS)?
Want to learn how to make a difference to the teenage mothers in our own community?
Do you have a project for the indigenous community, and turn this into a RABS project?
Want to learn about woman's empowerment?
Hear how one club made a difference to one of its own member and his family.
And much more............
DONT MISS the RAWCS Eastern region general meeting on Saturday 14th of May at Diggers Club at The Entrance. Our district is hosting the meeting and your RAWCS district committee has been working to educate and showcase RAWCS projects and how you can make that project you have in your mind into reality. We encourage you to attend the next RAWCS Eastern Region General Meeting at “The Entrance” on the beautiful Central Coast of New South Wales.
Carlingford Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Alice Springs completed a joint project to erect a basketball ring for Watarrka Primary School, Kings Canyon, Northern Territory.
Back in 2011, Carlingford Rotary Club commenced a project with the Ulpanyali Aboriginal Community near Kings Canyon, about 450km southwest of Alice Springs.
In October 2011, 20 members and partners from Carlingford Rotary Club visited this remote community and presented them with an etching press and drying racks to assist their fledging Art Centre ( 2 prints attached). We also purchased numerous tools to assist the men and we were able to visit the nearby Lilla School (now known as Watarrka Primary School) the following day where the children from Ulpanyali attend.
As you are aware, the 12 month period for Volunteers to register their names to obtain a Working With Children Check has now ended (31st March 2016) and all Rotarians who work with children are required to have a WWC number.
Recently it was learned that each Rotary Club, mine included, needed a written Child Protection Policy, which included a policy on what to do if there was an incident during any Child Related Activity.
The Office of the Children’s Guardian, who are responsible for oversighting this important practice will now conduct a random audit of those organisations which have child related activities, including Rotary Clubs and Rotary Districts that run District events such as Youth Exchange, RYLA, RYPEN, MUNA and any similar event where the Club/District has control over a child related activity.
The Australian stock market had another strong week, with resources stocks bolstered by a surge in commodity prices. Banks also enjoyed a bounce and offshore strength added to the firm tone. The S&P/ASX 200 Index was up 1.6% in Friday afternoon trade, adding to last week’s 4.6% gain, for the strongest two-week period since September 2015. The Australian VIX hit its lowest level in six weeks and the Australian dollar maintained its strength at US$0.78. Oil prices sustained an upward trajectory. Top iron ore miners Vale, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, all trimmed production targets – a move that could help sustain the current rebound in iron ore prices. Minutes of the RBA's April decision revealed the board had paid greater attention to global headwinds in justifying its decision and current policy stance.
Key Investment Ideas
Company Recommendation Note
Telstra Hold Capital idea
NIB Buy Trending right now
Rio Tinto Hold Shipments to slide
BHP Lighten Shipments to slide
Austal Accumulate In the (Aussie) Navy
To discuss further, please contact Kieran Hailes of Ord Minnett on (02) 8216 6337 or khailes@ords.com.au.
ShelterBox Response Teams continue distributions and assessments in Fiji, following Cyclone Winston. Working in several districts, including Lomaiviti, Cakaudrove, Lau, Ba and Ra, the team have distributed 491 ShelterBoxes; 201 relief tents; 87 Shelter Kits; 283 tarps and 1003 solar lights. More distributions are planned this week and assessments are being conducted with the Red Cross. You can read the latest blog from Fiji here
Download the latest eNewsletter of Shelterbox Australia April Edition to read this and other articles.
Recognising the crucial role that not-for-profits play in addressing homelessness, Community Sector Banking has announced their 2016 Social investment Grants Program will focus on reducing homelessness, offering not-for-profits the opportunity to apply for grants totalling $200,000.
The Social Investment Grants Program is funded by Community Sector Banking and contributions from Social Investment Deposit Account holders. The program shows the power that everyday banking can have on the community.
“This program highlights our commitment to improving social outcomes, and shows that everyday banking can have a tremendously positive effect on the community” says Amanda Watt, Community Sector Banking’s Head of Marketing, Communications and act.
The 2016 Council on Legislation may well be remembered as one of the most progressive in Rotary history.
Not only did this Council grant clubs more freedom in determining their meeting schedule and membership, it also approved an increase in per capita dues of $4 a year for three years. The increase will be used to enhance Rotary’s website, improve online tools, and add programs and services to help clubs increase membership.
The Council is an essential element of Rotary’s governance. Every three years, members from around the world gather in Chicago to consider proposed changes to the policies that govern the organization and its member clubs. Measures that are adopted take effect 1 July.
The tone for this year was set early, when the RI Board put forth two proposals that increase flexibility. The first measure allows clubs to decide to vary their meeting times, whether to meet online or in person, and when to cancel a meeting, as long as they meet at least twice a month. The second allows clubs flexibility in choosing their membership rules and requirements. Both passed.
GLI is an intense leadership opportunity held in Norwalk Connecticut at the luxurious Dolce Convention Center (https://www.dolcenorwalk.com) July 26th-31st for global change makers between the ages of 19-35 years old.
During the week participants will be pushed personally and professional to become the leaders they have the potential to be.
Subaru has offered Rotarians of District 9685 fleet discount rates for the purchase of any new Subaru. Wherever you see the Subaru logo on the District website or in eNews, click on the image to follow the link to obtain a quote.
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G’day to everyone. I have just taken the position of Chair of D9685 Australian Rotary Health Committee and, as is always the case, I am on a steep learning curve about ARH and our support of the work we do. As the second highest ” investor” in Mental Health research in Australia (after the Federal Government) ARH is pre-eminent in funding research which will help Australians who have mental health issues. Most importantly, ARH only funds research done in Australia, but the results are made available world wide. In order to maintain such important work we need funds and this is where Rotary Clubs come in. It is that time of the year when clubs are considering how to disburse their hard earned funds. My appeal to all clubs is to consider allocating some funds to ARH, in fact, if every D9685 club gave a minimum of $500 we would see the coffers of ARH swell by $36000, a monumental effort. Some clubs may give more, some less but I feel sure the district could get to this sum.
ary Club and Rotary Club of Alice Springs completed a joint project to erect a basketball ring for Watarrka Primary School, Kings Canyon, Northern Territory.
