On 24 Jan 2012, the club heard from Lauren Thomas about the work of the Australian Childhood Foundation. Now, PDG David Rosback tells something of our invovlement in the early years of the ACF. Personally, I am amazed at the scale, the audacity and the success of our club's work in those years. Read it - it's amazing. Editor
In the mid 1980s the
Rotary Club of Melbourne put up $5,000 to publish a report on child abuse by
the Police Surgeon, Dr John Birrell.
This became a feature article in The Age newspaper, and shocked the people of Melbourne as to how wide
spread the problem was.
In 1989 Les Perrott the
President of R.C. Melbourne, invited David
Rosback, President of R.C. Hawthorn, to combine with his Club to build a strong
financial footing for The Victorian
Society for the Prevention Child Abuse and Neglect (VICSPCAN).
Hawthorn had the
contact with the SEEKERS who agreed to dedicate their comeback concert
(featuring Julie Anthony) to the cause. However the cost to put on the concert
(including renting Hamer Hall, sound system etc) was estimated at $65,000. Les
Perrott, one of Australia’s
leading architects, leant on the Grollo Group, Podgornick and another smaller
builder to provide the $65,000 to sponsor the concert. They agreed and now it
was up to Hawthorn to advertise and promote through Rotary the “New Seekers
Concert”. This we did with great enthusiasm. Our ticket secretary was Richard Bainbridge, who did a fantastic job. Not
only did we sell all 2,800 seats in the auditorium but also the 300 choir seats
at the back of the stage. The resulting $110,000 nett, provided the foundation
for VICSPCAN to go forward with financial security.
David joined the
VICSPCAN board, chaired by Sir Peter
Derham. During Peter’s great leadership
the organization expanded nationally, became Australians Against Child Abuse, and finally Australian
Childhood Foundation. RC Hawthorn continued
its involvement and especially played a major role in the purchase of the ACF
head office, counselling rooms and lecture theatre at Mitcham. Jim Earle of RC Hawthorn provided the architectural
expertise in the new building design and Club members painted the interior.
When Jeff Kennett became Premier of Victoria,
mandatory reporting of child abuse became law, with some assistance from Sir Peter. We thought there was approx. 8,000 cases
annually, but compulsory reporting revealed the frightening statistic that the
true figure was 16,000 - and this was back in 1993. Regrettably, the Dept
of Human Services did not have the staff to handle these numbers; and I mention
this to highlight the huge job the ACF CEO Dr Joe Tucci has done in developing
services and awareness throughout Australia.
WE COULD NOT FIND A
BETTER CAUSE TO SUPPORT- CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE of a STABLE SOCIETY.
David Rosback