DROUGHT RELIEF FUND FOR THE FARMERS

In Australia, farmers are the lifeblood of our country and they are in crisis. Record breaking heat and lack of rain means farmers are struggling to feed sheep and cattle, and keep crops alive. Families on the land are suffering and they need our help. Channel 9 and Rotary Australia have partnered with the National Farmers’ Federation, launching an appeal to big business and everyday Australians, so we can provide some emergency relief. 100% of donations go to the farmers and are tax deductible via Rotary and RAWCS. Every dollar counts.

The link for the donation page for the project is:

https://donations.rawcs.com.au/17-2018-19

DISTRICT 9685 DROUGHT RELIEF PROGRAM

District 9685 calls on all clubs and Rotarians to get behind the urgently needed district support program for stricken farming communities.

Details below on how to support the program-

SHORT TERM APPROACH

Donations to the Australia wide RAWCS Account as seen on The Today Show on Channel Nine on Thursday 2/8/18. RAWCS Account 17-2018-19.
Clubs encouraged to make donations (generous giving please) via District 9650 RAWCS account which offers tax deduction and will be matched $ for $ up to $15,000.00. District 9650 is very, very drought affected.
Donate via RURAL AID, which operates the Buy a Bale Program.

There are two ways to support this program with Rural Aid, either by direct donations which can be directed to Feed, Groceries, Medical Assistance, Goods and Services (the donor can specify and area of support); and/or Buy a Bale, clubs can request money boxes to be placed in shops and at Rotary Functions. This approach will need a club ‘champion” to collect and replace the money boxes. Contact for these options Contact@ruralaid.org.au or www.buyabale.com.au

Clubs can also donate to Sydney Rotary clubs Hay Appeal. The club sends convoys of semi-trailers with feed to the bush. The cost of a semitrailer is approximately $14,000.

LONG TERM APPROACH

Clubs that have relationships with country communities are encouraged to continue to support via the short-term goals. The long-term plan is to provide moral and physical support to these communities.
Possible club visits to hard hit rural areas to implement working “bees” for support around the farm and home.

It is important to remember that it is not only the Farmers doing it tough but the small businesses and schools as well.

District 9685 has appointed Rotarian Barry Edmundson as our Coordinator. Barry is the “go to” person for information on where and when support is to be provided. Clubs are STRONGLY encouraged to advise Barry of their plans and actions.

We are working with other districts around the country as we strive to cover all critical situations as soon as possible.

Any and all support will be gratefully received at this time.

Other agencies providing support are CWA, Salvation Army Bush Schools education and the major Church organisations.

Goods either new or second hand are not a good idea, as we need to provide cash to support the small business in stricken area.

Our Central Coast Rotary Clubs have been meeting to form a coordinated approach with the 5 clubs in the cluster.

Barry Edmundson’s email is jbedmundson@gmail.com.

Let’s all commit to this vital program immediately!

Susan Wakefield OAM

District Governor 2018-2019

BOOK FAIR AT BEECROFT

RIDE THE TRAIN TO END POLIO

The Challenge

to raise $1 million towards Ending Polio

by visiting ALL 187 Railway Stations in Sydney

in ONE day – Friday 28th September

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE RIDE THE TRAIN TO END POLIO FLYER

ROTARY ON THE MOVE - AUGUST 2018

Please click HERE to view - download the ‘Rotary On The Move’ Newsletter for August 2018. Please feel free to share and send us your great membership stories.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2019

REGISTER AND PAY FOR THE CONFERENCE BEFORE NOVEMBER 30, FOR JUST $250

INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN'S AWARDS

When were you last inspired by a woman and what was so extraordinary about their inspiration?

How were you able to learn from their inspiration?

These and many more answers will be revealed when the NSW and ACT Rotary Districts and their clubs announce
winners of the Inspirational Women's Awards 2018

Sunday, 26 August 2018 at 11.30 am for 12 noon
The Epping Club, Rawson Street, Epping
2 course lunch with cash bar

To reserve your seat or table Book Now!

Amazing guest speakers who will share their journey as you discover more about our 2018 inspirational winners.

The guest speakers include:

Louise Azzopardi – Diesel (Heavy Vehicle) Mechanic, SALT Apprenticeship Ambassador and successful WorldSkills competitor will share - What Has My Career in Heavy Machinery Maintenance Led To?
Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace, NSW Police about - Inspirational Challenges and Making a Difference.

These awards recognise service to the community across all sectors. Directed at the non-Rotary community, it is about commitment, dedication, perseverance and proactivity in improving the lives of others across NSW and the ACT.

Often women, especially in country and regional NSW and ACT are the "quiet achievers" whose actions inspire others and make a difference in their communities.

The Awards cover 2 key categories inclusive of Rural, City Urban and Volunteer for each category:

Young Inspirational Woman of the Year for the 18-30 years
Inspirational Woman of the Year for the 30+ years

Finalists are selected from each category, resulting in 2 overall winners:

Young Inspirational Woman of the Year
Inspirational Woman of the Year

An exemplary number of applications ensured the panel of independent judges from Rotary Districts were challenged as they assessed the three key criteria:

Community service which best exemplifies Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self
Achievements
Personal attributes

* Your ticket purchase and proceeds from this event will support an Australian Rotary Health Scholarship for a young female GP by assisting with expenses during her 12 month placement in a Rural GP practice.
** Opting to incur the administration costs related to the issue of this ticket/s results in Rotary Health receiving those proceeds.

NORTH RYDE ROTARY FUN RUN

The North Ryde Fun Run for Youth Mental Health is a community event organised by the Rotary Club of North Ryde, with venue partner Macquarie University and local community groups.

The 2018 Fun Run will be held on Sunday 26th August from 9am to 12pm at the Macquarie University Sport Fields, corner of Culloden and Talavera Roads, Macquarie Park.

The proceeds raised go towards funding research into youth mental health through the Australian Rotary Health organisation and to treatment programs through the Centre for Emotional Health.

Check out the details and register to attend: northrydefunrun.com.au

ST IVES FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

PCYC CHARITY GOLF DAY - 14 SEPTEMBER

CHARITY GOLF DAY - 14 SEPTEMBER

RESPONSE TO DROUGHT RELIEF IN COUNTRY NSW

District 9685 has responded to the drought crisis in the rural areas of our state by appointing Rotarian Barry EDMUNDSON of the Rotary Club of Wahroonga to be the District Coordinator for Drought Relief.

Barry has been and will continue to be in touch with the Districts most affected by the drought in NSW. Barry will be able to advise clubs that don’t have rural contacts just where their relief can be sent.

There are many ways we can support the rural communities and Barry will also have that information. We must remember that along with the farmers and their families, the businesses and schools in the drought affected regions also need support and relief.

I have been in contact with the District Governors in country NSW and 2 have responded with information and suggestions on how we can help.

It is important to remember that often times money is the best sort of assistance that we can send. The money can be converted into grocery cards administered by agencies such as The Salvation Army or local Councils.

The Rotary Club of Sydney is coordinating the sending of semitrailer loads of stock feed to areas of need.

Rotary District 9650 has set up a RAWCS project. That project will be matched dollar for dollar up to $15,000.00.

The project is listed on the RAWCS website as “Drought Relief NSW” project number 2-2018-19.

Barry Edmundson is contactable via email jbedmundson@gmail.com

Please think about how you and your club or cluster of clubs can help our country communities.

DG Susan

IMPORTAN DATES FOR 2018-19

Here are some important dates to add to your Club Calendar NOW. Please don't schedule Club Projects or Events on any of these dates, as they are all important District Events (Conference & Changeover) or Training for 2019/20 Club Leaders.

IMPORTANT 2018-19 DATES TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDARS

16 March 2019 - President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) - COMPULSORY Training for 2019/20 Presidents

29-31 March 2019 - District Conference, Newcastle. Register at conference.rotarydistrict9685.org.au

14 April 2019 - District Assembly - Training for all 2019/20 Club Board members and executives

29 June 2019 - District Changeover

INVICTUS GAMES

Tickets are now on sale for Invictus Games Sydney 2018

From 10am 12 July, to coincide with 100 days to go to the Games, tickets went on sale for the Closing Ceremony, archery, powerlifting and wheelchair tennis.

There are also still some tickets available for our first release of sports including athletics, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. Further sessions will be released in the coming weeks.

Spectators will enjoy free entry for the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge, road cycling and sailing events.

Our Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Ticketing Guide has all the details you need.

Ticketing guide

Contact: Rotary District 9685 Liaison

PDG Marilyn Mercer 0416 026 848 mmm@myisp.net.au

SCIENCE EXPERIENCE

Application Form - https://www.scienceexperience.com.au/documents/item/3

DINNER WITH DR NICHOLSON - VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARDEE

TRIVIA NIGHT

UNWANTED EYE GLASSES? WE MAKE USE OF THEM

The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville in partnership with Lions Club of Dehiwela North, Sri Lanka has conducted two successful Eye Camps. At the first Eye Camp approximately 280 needy recipients were tested and provided with the eye glass. The recent camp on 14 July was conducted at Al- Musthapa College, Waduwegama, Biyagama. A team of optometrists screened well over 250 patients & 219 of them received spectacles, which were collected by. The recipients, mostly from low income group from this sub-urban area were overjoyed. We also had Eye Specialist to provide further assistance to the patients who identified as high risk.

Rotarians from our district and Districts which make up the RAWCS Eastern Region collected well over 1,000 eye glasses from their local optometrists. These were sent to Sri Lanka to be distributed among the Deedy. The eye glasses were tested and graded by professionals, and unusable ones discarded in environmentally safe method. Eye camps were then published among the local community where a need was identified.

In response to requests made, The Hills-Kellyville Club are planning to conduct two more Eye Camp projects are planned in Ramboda in the Central province and the other in the North Central province.

More information on The Hills-Kellyville's International Projects visit their Facebook page or contact their International and Foundation Director – Pathmanthan Rama.

GRAFFITI REMOVAL DAY- 21 OCTOBER 2018

ROTARIANS INVITED FOR AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE

The Conference (formerly the Institute) will be held in Hobart on 14 – 16 September 2018 and Rotary International Director Noel Trevaskis invites all Rotarians to join us for this event. There will be a number of interesting presenters covering Rotary projects and issues of interest together with a variety of breakout sessions. What better way to keep up-to-date and enjoy mixing with Rotarians from all Australian states and the North and South Islands of New Zealand as well as visiting some of the many attractions on offer.

Further details can be found on the Conference website http://www.rotaryinstitute.org.au/ and additional information is available from the contacts listed on the site.

And there is more! Rotaractors can attend the conference at a reduced fee and participants in the Youth Exchange Program in 2018-19 or in the past 5 years can attend with no fee to pay. We know of several Rotarians who intend to holiday in Tasmania in conjunction with the Conference – why not you? Why not assist Rotaractors and Youth Exchange participants/alumni to join you?

Regards

Peter Murfett

Co-Chair

Australia and New Zealand Rotary Conference 2018

TOP 5 REASONS TO END TRACHOMA

Top 5 Reasons to support EndTrachoma by 2020

Clubs around Australia support many worthwhile charities and projects. But EndTrachoma by 2020 is something particularly special for Rotary Australia.

Learn More >>