“The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves. The greatest danger to our future is apathy”
Jane Goodall
My Friends in Rotary,
As I was thinking about what to write in this month’s newsletter a television news story about the natural disaster in Indonesia flashed onto my TV screen. As I watched the images of whole towns that had been destroyed by the water and the valiant efforts of the rescuers this quote by Jane Goodall came to mind. How lucky are we that Rotarians around the world are generally not apathetic?
Almost at the same time as I saw the first story on my TV, Disaster Aid and Shelter box were springing into action to send aid where it is needed most. The same applies to the continuing efforts of Rotarians in District 9685 to assist the drought relief. A special drought relief update appears in this newsletter. I would like to thank you all for the wonderful efforts you have made and are continuing to make on the drought relief front.
September saw about 40 Rotarians and partners travel to Hobart to attend the Australian and New Zealand Rotary Conference and the associated preconference meetings and trainings. The conference which was previously called the Rotary Institute and was only open to past district governors is now open to any one who wishes to attend Rotarians and Non-Rotarians alike. It was a great event with many interesting presentations ranging from known rotary programmes to subjects such as Cyber Security.
The G-Trains along with the membership and Public Image Chairs attended training prior to the Conference starting. This opportunity was enhanced by the attendance of the G-Trains and chairs from the 6 Rotary districts in New Zealand. A full report on the event will soon be posted on the Conference website.
On Thursday 27 September, The Hills-Kellyville club were the guests of the doctors and staff of the Eye Clinic at the Children’s Hospital Westmead. The gathering was to thank the hardworking members of The Hills-Kellyville for the provision of a much needed and very expensive piece equipment. This OCT machine will enable the doctors to better monitor the eye health of small children, many of whom suffer from genetic eye disease and cannot use conventional eye monitoring equipment because of their size.
It was a great example of the Rotary Foundation funds being used in Australia. Districts in Australia and India contributed their District Designated funds towards the purchase.
On Friday 28 September, many Rotarians from both Sydney districts took part in the wonderful initiative of Mark and Dave Anderson from the Rotary Club of Beecroft – ‘Ride the Train to End Polio’. This mad adventure across all 187 metropolitan railway stations raised $240,000.00 towards the End Polio Now campaign. All of us who took part in any way at all had a wonderful time. Thank You Mark and Dave for your idea and for all the work that went into making it a success. Being on the platform at Emu Plains Station waiting for the train and the crew to arrive was also a fun time. Rotarians do know how to have fun.
Friday also saw The Rotary Club of Gosford City celebrate the 10th Anniversary of its charter with a Gala Dinner. A great evening of reflection, Rotary friendship and fun. John and I were honoured to be invited to join the club for this special evening.
The NSW Police Officer of the Year State finalists have been announced and District 9685 has 5 finalists this year. The winners will be announced at a Gala function in Sydney on Friday 16 November at The Hyatt Regency in Sydney please join John and I as we support those Police officers from our District who have been nominated for one of these prestigious awards.
The District has been asked to provide a silent auction item for the gala dinner, if you have a suitable item; a piece of art, a gift basket of goodies or a gift voucher that you would like to donate please contact me.
I wish you much success this month as you continue to work towards “Being the Inspiration” in your communities and around the world.
Having a consistent brand image is important to all organisations, Rotary is no exception. In 2013, a new logo & brand image pack was developed, this was to ensure every club, in every district across the world could have the same high standard of brand recognition.
Over the past few months, we have been completing health checks, and it is very noticeable that there a lot of old style graphics being used in various publications, including newsletters & flyers, and hardware items, such as banners. Could all clubs please check all of their clubs portfolio, and make the correct changes. When posting anything on social media, or submitting items to the District newsletter, please make sure they are updated.
Please click HERE to view - download the ‘Rotary On The Move’ Newsletter for October 2018. Please feel free to share and send us your great membership stories.
Rotarian Barry Edmundson, District Drought Appeal Co-ordinator gave a comprehensive report to the recent Presidents meeting regarding the district’s response to the drought appeal.
At the recent Australia and NZ Conference the District Governors from the drought affected regions were extremely grateful for the support of the rest of Australia. The support both monetary and physical is much appreciated by all those people living through this terrible time.
Many clubs around the district are still raising funds in a wide variety of ways ranging from Theatre nights to the old-fashioned bucket drops. The Channel Nine appeal has been closed off to donations after reaching just over $10 Million. The disbursement of those funds has begun. A full list of those disbursements can be found on the Channel Nine website about $4 million has been sent to the various organisations involved in drought relief including many rotary districts and projects.
While the Channel Nine RAWCS account has closed there are still RAWCS accounts open and receiving money for the drought relief. Please check the RAWCS website if you wish to donate money into one of those accounts.
Many many clubs are liaising directly with clubs and districts in the rural areas and I encourage you to continue to do that but please let Barry Edmundson know what your plans are.
At the recent President’s meeting a short YouTube clip was shown called “Adopt A Town”. This is an initiative from the Rotary Club of Caringbah, your club might like to take a look.
Thank You to all those Rotarians and clubs that are supporting the drought relief, your hard work is truly appreciated.
With 1 in 5 people experiencing a mental illness every year, it's very possible that you know someone who has had a tough time with their mental health.
It's now Mental Health Month and World Mental Health Day is 1 WEEK AWAY. That's when Australian Rotary Health will be celebrating Hat Day to #LiftTheLid on Mental Illness.
Now’s the time to start planning your World Polio Day event. Spread the word in your community about the ongoing fight to end polio. Together, we can — and will — make history by ending polio for good.
You can join our global celebration in many ways:
Hold a fundraiser. Consider making virtual reality a part of it so people can see what it’s like to vaccinate a child against polio.
Educate your neighbors. Talk with friends, family, and colleagues about Rotary’s work to end polio.
Hold a viewing party. Watch the livestream of Rotary’s World Polio Day event as a club or with another Rotary or Rotaract club.
Light up your city. Illuminate a local landmark with the End Polio Now logo.
No event is too big or too small. Whatever you’re planning for World Polio Day, be sure to tell us about it.
Find resources to help you plan or promote your event at endpolio.org.
KIDS IN NEED, NEED OUR HELP! EXTEND A HAND TO HELP SYDNEY KIDS IN CRISIS!
The Rotary Club of Beecroft are collecting toiletries to form “Starter Kits’ for homeless children/youth as they enter into the services of Taldumande Youth Services and we are hoping you, our wonderful community will help us once again!
Please have a look to see if you have anything around the house for these toiletry “Starter Kits” for girls and boys and if not, maybe you could pop an item into your shopping trolley next time you’re out.
Useful items for each pack –
Roll on deodorant (female and male) Shampoo Conditioner Face Wipes Razors Shaving Cream Body Wash Body Lotion Toothbrush Toothpaste Tampons Bars of Soap New and unused sample/travel-size items that you may have collected from hotels are perfect
We will be collecting toiletries from Saturday 29th September until Saturday 3rd November.
We have Sydney drop off addresses at Wahroonga, Normanhurst, Castle Hill, Beecroft, Warrawee, North Rocks, East Ryde and Epping
DID YOU KNOW THAT ON ANY ONE NIGHT IN AUSTRALIA, OVER 25,000 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 12-24 ARE HOMELESS?
Taldumande are a registered charity who provide support to vulnerable and homeless children, young people aged 12-21, and their families across Northern Sydney, an area that extends from Sydney Harbour to the Hawkesbury River, into the Northern Beaches, out to Ryde, Denistone and Pennant Hills.
Please if you can SHARE this post so others can join in and help too, it would be appreciated.
We are trying to negotiate a few opportunities for friendship exchanges between our district and other districts in the world.
Our first exchange will take place in District 3141In Mumbai India. The district has 5,000 Rotarians. We are looking up to12 participants, including partners who would like to visit for 7-10 days in late February. This is a time of many polio immunisation initiatives as well as their district conference on 23-24 February which is generally attended by 1,000 Rotarians. If the group would prefer, we can arrange any time between December and March. The district hosts can also arrange a visit to popular Indian destinations like Goa, New Delhi, Agra- Taj Mahal and Rajasthan, or elsewhere.
Rotarians - can you please contact me ASAP if you are interested in participating in this great opportunity.
Tickets are now on sale for the next of Lower Blue Mountains Rotary’ popular charity movie nights – Ladies in Black - at the Glenbrook Cinema.
Just $20 for tasty finger food, beverages and a movie ticket represents great value
Set in one of Sydney’s major Department stores in the 1950s, Ladies in Black has been acclaimed as the latest movie hit for Australia’s premier movie Director Bruce Beresford.
Driving Miss Daisy and Breaker Morant are among the Director’s biggest hits.
All recent Rotary charity movie nights at Glenbrook Cinema have been ‘sold out’ and Ladies in Black will be no exception.
A ‘black business attire’ theme has been adopted for the night – Sunday, October 14 – and another light hearted evening of great entertainment is certain. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed ‘Ladies in Black’ and their male escorts.
Bookings are with Rotarian Pamela Noal on 0447 778 870.
Doors to the Glenbrook Cinema Hall will open at 6 pm for finger food and refreshments, best dressed prizes will be presented at 7 pm and seating will commence at 7.15 pm.
Proceeds from the charity night will benefit Rotary’s youth programs in the Lower Mountains – Books for Schools, Primary School citizenship awards, mentoring youth, Rotary Youth Leadership awards, and maternal and child care in developing nations.
Locals across NSW are being encouraged to Love Where We Live by getting involved in Graffiti Removal Day on Sunday 21 October 2018.
Graffiti Removal Day is an annual state-wide volunteer day supported by the NSW Government.
The day draws attention to the fight against graffiti vandalism, and encourages the removal and prevention of graffiti in our local communities.
Graffiti vandalism costs our community millions each year. This is money that could be invested into improving our roads, schools and hospitals.
According to The Department of Justice, in NSW residential dwellings are the largest target for graffiti vandals, closely followed by public transport and commercial properties.
“Graffiti Removal Day is a day where locals come together to join in the fight against graffiti, restore community pride, and to show we can all Love Where We Live,” said Graffiti Removal Day Chairman, Bob Aitken.
“Rotary clubs throughout NSW are committed to combating graffiti alongside the NSW Government, Graffiti Removal Australian and sponsors such as Dulux, and Selleys.”
Last year across NSW, more than 1,800 volunteers removed 30,050m2 of graffiti from nearly 500 sites, and gained the support of close to 70 local councils, saving our community $2.1 million in clean-up costs.
“This year, become a local hero in the fight against graffiti by volunteering on the day or nominating a clean-up site at www.graffitiremovalday.org.au,” Aitken stated.
“Those who cannot make it on the day can still show their support by promoting the day on social media using the hashtags #GRD18 and #LoveWhereWeLive,” concluded Aitken.
You are receiving this email as a member or friend of one of the Rotary Clubs within Rotary International District 9685. If, for any reason, you do not want to receive communications of this nature, please unsubscribe by un-checking the box in the 'Privacy' tab of your member profile on the District website, or by selecting the 'unsubscribe' link at the foot of this newsletter.
District eNews is reviewed weekly for publication on Thursday at least every two weeks. Content provided and all rights reserved by Rotary International District 9685 Inc
Co-ordinator gave a comprehensive report to the recent Presidents meeting regarding the district’s response to the drought appeal.
entertainment is certain. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed ‘Ladies in Black’ and their male escorts.
