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

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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

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• 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?  
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• Community service which best exemplifies Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self 
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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.