We wish to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional owners of this land
– the Aboriginal people past and present.
It is upon their ancestral lands where we are today.
As we share our knowledge, Rotary practices and ideas, through this newsletter and all of our activities, may we also pay respect to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country.
This year, we celebrate Earth Day on 22 April with a new sense of purpose. The environment is now an area of focus for Rotary. Solutions for all great tasks always start with you and me, and there is much we as individuals can do simply by changing our behavior: Cutting down on our use of plastic and using energy wisely are just two examples. But now we have the opportunity to do more together.
Supporting the environment is not new to Rotary; clubs have long worked on environmental issues based on local needs. Now climate change — a problem that affects us all, rich and poor — requires us to work together more closely than ever. Alberto Palombo, a Venezuelan engineer living in Brazil and a member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, shares his view.
We want to share with you these very short and impactful videos from Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Leader of the Opposition Jodi Mackay and Sydney Living Museums Exec Director Adam Lindsay. The videos were created to acknowledge all Rotarians across Australia and NSW as a tribute during this Centenary year. Enjoy and thank you for spreading the word. The links are here:
Following the District Governor interviews held on Sunday, 11th April, the DG Nominating Committee has selected Christine Owen of the Rotary Club of Kincumber to be the District Governor 2023/24.
After a 14 day period, if there are no written objections received by the District Governor, Christine will take office as the District Governor Designate and, as of the 1st of July, the District Governor Nominee.
Our congratulations go to Christine, who is a busy, committed Rotarian. Currently, Christine simultaneously holds the positions of Assistant Governor, Rotary Leadership Institute Director, and President of her own Club of Kincumber.
2. Reminder.
If you have any District Awards presented for the 2019-2020 year, could you please send them to DG David Clark, or District Secretary, Pamela Noal.
3. District Assembly
The first two parts of the District Assembly, Part A and Part B, are being held this Sunday, 18th April
Part A is for all members of Clubs' Incoming Boards, 8.30 am to 10.20 am.
Part B is for all 2021-2022 Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers and Club Administration/Service Directors. 10.45 am to 1.00 pm.
The link for the Seminars is being sent out to all concerned on Friday 16th April.
4. Australian Geographic Magazines.
Thank you to Gerry Wagemans of Carlingford Rotary who has organised a, hopefully on-going, collection of Australian Geographic magazines. They will form part of the distribution to children in some 11 remote Aboriginal communities as part of the Aboriginal Literacy Project run by "Jews for Social Action" (https://www.nste.org.au/jsa) at North Shore Temple Emanuel. The children use the magazines for reading, for projects and for information on science and nature. This project has been running for over five years. If your Club would like to become involved in this Aboriginal program, you might be prepared to subsidise/cover the costs of delivery: $15 per mailout, three times a year to each of 11 communities - $495. Please let Bob Selinger (Aboriginal Support Programs Coordinator) know.
5. Two Important RAWCS Flood Appeals
a) Assistance to those impacted on the East Coast of Australia will get them back into accommodation and some normality of life quickly. Click the image below to donate.
b) East Timor (Timor Leste) Flood Appeal
Also see article below.
Rotary Australia World Community Service Limited (RAWCS) in response to the flooding in Timor, has sought advice on the most appropriate means of responding to this disaster.
Timor Leste is in COVID lockdown and so the provision of any physical help at this time is not practical. As services are stretched it is important for all aid to be delivered in the most efficient and effective manner – to this end RAWCS is recommending that Clubs and Districts utilise the Rotary Australia Relief Fund Appeal which not only provides tax deductibility but more importantly is able to consolidate donations and direct them through Rotary Clubs on the ground in Timor.
Immediate needs for food, clothing and shelter can largely be met through local sources if funding is made available.
Clubs and Districts are urged to put their donations through this national appeal as this coordination will simplify how Clubs in Timor can distribute the funds to where they are needed most.
In the longer term RAWCS is examining a collaborative assistance project with East Timor Roofing for the development of steel framed housing to assist families relocate out of flood prone areas where the Government will now not allow them to build or rebuild.
As the situation on the ground is still in the assessment phase RAWCS will continue to monitor what is needed where and if appropriate look at further assistance.
I am also in contact with DFAT to determine if there are any additional ways that we can assist in the area under these difficult COVID conditions.
Should you have any questions about our response and how you can assist, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Anything we can do to help those in need would be greatly appreciated by those affected, whether close by, or further afield.
6. World Immunization Week is 24-30 April
Join with Rotary to promote the power of vaccines.
During World Immunization Week, 24-30 April, join with Rotary to combat vaccine hesitancy and misinformation by spreading the facts about why vaccines work.
With decades of experience fighting polio, Rotary plays a key role in informing people about the power and effectiveness of vaccines. As COVID-19 vaccines become more available, Rotary members are using our experience in fighting polio to help communities with their vaccination education and organization efforts. And today, because we and our partners have worked so hard, wild poliovirus remains endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. But to eradicate it there and to prevent a resurgence in other parts of the world, we must continue to build trust in vaccines and raise funds for polio eradication, including vaccine delivery.
This year, you can take action for World Immunization Week in three easy ways:
Download and share our new two-minute video, “Rotary Inspires Leaders in Global Health,” and show it to your clubs. In it, global health leaders like U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Co-Chair Bill Gates, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore, and World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus talk about what Rotary has achieved in the fight to end polio.
Post graphics and other content from Rotary’s World Immunization Week Toolkit on social media with the hashtags #EndPolio and #VaccinesWork.
Donate to Rotary’s PolioPlus Fund to help us and our partners deliver polio vaccines to vulnerable children. Your contribution will be tripled, thanks to the Gates Foundation.
7. The Titanic Dinner - The Rotary Club of Brisbane Water
It is with great pride and some real relief, that I thank you all for your part in our success, especially the members of the Titanic Organising Committee for such hard work and dedication that made our Titanic Dinner such a fabulous success.
Our wonderful crew of volunteers deserve a thousand thanks for such a great effort and great customer service.
Our thanks to our fantastic chefs the "Two Turkeys" for a plethora of wonderful food and presentation.
We must not forget the Pearl Beach Progress Association for giving us such a good rate for hiring their wonderful hall, and the people of this great little village for their interest in the clubs activities.
Of course the most important people, our Passengers and Captain Smith - Michael Booth for his filling the hall with the spirit of the ship of dreams and telling its story so well.
A special thank you to Greta for our Titanic Cake and to our great Sponsors for their helping hand to the Rotary club of Brisbane Water and our activities.
President - Peter Mote
8. Rotary Club of Terrigal Invites us to Hear PRIP Ravi Ravindran
President Mary Crammond (the Rotary Club of Terrigal) is exceedingly thrilled to announce that she has arranged for Ravi Ravindran (her hero from his articles in a Rotary Down Under) to speak on Zoom during Terrigal’s meeting on the 20th May. "We believe that we are really privileged to have Ravi talking to us. It would be sensational to have members from each club in our district to attend" Mary said.
The meeting is on Thursday, 20th May 2021. The Club meets at 6 for 6.30 dinner and Mary will be asking local Clubs Erina and Kincumber to join the meeting in person. The Zoom meeting will start at 7.00 when Ravi will join us and Mary has invited every Rotarian in our district to attend. More details will follow with information about the link, and any other final details about this evening.
Please RSVP to President Mary ASAP at marycrammond@gmail.com ASAP so that broadcasting or Zoom Meeting details can be prepared.
An aerial view of the flooding in Dili, Timor Leste on Sunday, 4th April, 2021
Timor-Leste has been hit by devastating flooding and landslides, claiming the lives of at least 27 people, destroying roads, bridges, over 1,000 houses and leaving the capital Dili under water. Dili’s population of 220,000 was ordered into lockdown last month along with the cities of Baucau and Viqueque, following a concerning surge in community transmission.
The country had previously withstood the pandemic well but had their first COVID death today. In previous weeks there has been a spike in cases and along with the floods it now creates another major challenge - a health and humanitarian crisis. Last month Timor-Leste had just over 100 cases of COVID-19 and now there are over 700 cases, adding further complications to the crisis.
Just a reminder that the North Ryde eFun Run for Mental Health will be held from Sunday 18 April until Sunday 25 April inclusive.
Entrants can walk, jog or run 2km, 5kms or set their own distance challenge over the week. This can be done anywhere, anytime during the eFun Run week.
Friends, relatives and work colleagues can sponsor entrants and help raise funds for Australian Rotary Health and the Centre for Emotional Health's Cool Kids Program at Macquarie University.
Please find attached the flyer and poster for the eFun Run with the QRCode and website link for registrations and more information.
With only a few days to go before the eFun Run commences, it would be greatly appreciated if this reminder could be passed on to members and friends of your club.
The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville
NEW Community Garden in Baulkham Hills
After nearly 2 years of planning, The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville has proudly established a Community Garden at Conie Avenue Reserve, Baulkham Hills with the support of The Hills Shire Council, a Federal grant along with members of the community and local businesses. Community gardens have shown to contribute to a better and healthier lifestyle by:
providing fresh, safe, affordable herbs, fruits and vegetables
helping to relieve stress and increase sense of wellness
getting people active to help improve overall physical health
providing social opportunities that build a sense of community and belonging
giving people an opportunity to learn and share knowledge on gardening, nature, and cooking
providing an inclusive meeting area where all interested people of all ages and cultural backgrounds can come together to share experience
Further information regarding this project, enquiries can be made to Keith Stapley, Community Garden Chairman on 0412 079 014
Larapinta Trek for ShelterBox
District Governor Nominee Mina Howard is undertaking the Larapinta Trek in July this year.
On this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, she will trek through the Australian outback on one of the most spectacular walking tracks in the world—the Larapinta Trail.
From the old Alice Springs Telegraph Station to the peak of Mount Sonder, the trail stretches 223 kilometres.The track will follow Aboriginal Dreaming tracks and explore the beautiful mountains, valleys, rivers and the dramatic desert landscapes of the Red Centre. By day, the group will trek through the ochre-landscapes of the outback, witnessing the sacred sites of the Arrernte people and by night the group will camp under the stars, falling asleep to the sounds of native wildlife.
Come enjoy the spectacular Autumn colours and the sounds of talented musicians from local high schools at
a family friendly event on Sunday 2nd May – proudly supported by The Rotary Club of Springwood and hosted by Robin Ingram at The Old Farm.
Winmalee High, Blaxland High, St Columba’s and Blue Mountains Grammar are sending some of their best performers to
delight the audience in the picturesque grounds of The Old Farm on Purvines.
Spread the word and bring friends and family along for the afternoon –
it always proves a very enjoyable day.
You can bring a picnic, wine and cheese and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Entry is $5pp and all proceeds from the day will be shared between the school music departments to further support the students in their learning. A coffee van will also be on hand for hot drinks.
We hope to see as many of you there as possible – with your friends and family to support this special event.
Recycling is a major contributor to Rotary’s environmental sustainability initiative. Donations in Kind projects comply with the goals of
Australian hospitals and medical institutions regularly replace equipment when changes in medical procedures occur or a better option is available, not when it has worn out. This results in many surplus items.
There is a very large need for Hospital Beds in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka to provide better care and outcomes.
Thank you to Rotarians from:
Rotary District 9705 led by Rtn. Frederick Fawke of the Rotary Club of Belconnen
Members of Canberra Tamil Association - CTA, and Liberian community members came together to load 2 X 40F HC Containers with Hospital beds for Jaffna Teaching Hospital
While at Castle Hill, Rotarian. Oscar Akparanta of Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney coordinated the loading of one 40HC Container with Hospital Beds for RDHS Office, Batticaloa
Thank you all for your time and effort on Saturday 10th of April this will benefit the communities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.
Radio is a powerful way to spread your Club stories. If your Club has a project, local or overseas, which would interest the wider general public, discuss it with Rotary Matters presenter Ian Stuart who will be glad to help spread the word. Ian.stuart@optusnet.com.au 0416 138 860
As Ian is having a well deserved holiday, there are no new episodes this week, but here are the last couple of episodes if you missed them in the last eNews.
to let us know of any bereavements you would like published.
You may also inform your Assistant Governor, the District Secretary, or the Governor. Remember to also update your club's member database on the District website.
Monthly Theme for April
Click on the image above for further information as it becomes available
THE ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE COURSE 62
14th to 16th May, 2021
Face to Face
There is still time to register
for this Learning Opportunity. RLI60
recently concluded with great success and rave reviews. Don't miss out .
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