Following the success of our Skype meeting last week, Ambassadorial Scholar Dr Pyae Phyo Aung told us about how he is realising his dreams, coming from Myanmar to study at Melbourne University. Those who missed his presentation at the District conference were certainly impressed by his dedication to his career, and his appreciation of the Rotary Scholarship.
We enjoyed the presence of visiting Rotarians Jim Clements (Canterbury) Dr Aurelia Alzola (Rizal West, Philippines) and our AG Bob Slater. Bill Troedel introduced his guests, brother Andrew Troedel and Nigel Porteus, and Noel Halford returning visitor Dr Tilak Dissanayake. Surprise visitor Gerald Swinnerton looked healthy and tanned, as he described his retirement to Kyneton. He still has a love of fine cars: we later spotted him leaving the car-park in a new Porsche.
Sheridan Brown gave us a brief description of his experience at the Rotary Leadership Institute, and Dr John Carre-Riddell told how he returned from a trip with Achilles Tendonitis, saying he wished he had left it behind. My only advice is : Physician, heal thyself! ”
On Saturday Sheila and I enjoyed the food, fellowship and entertainment provided by the students at International House, in the company of Bernie and Margaret Walsheand Richard Logan. The polished performers made us forget that they are really developing doctors, scientists and economists, as they led us on a fun trip on "The Orient Express”, with profits going to Rotary’s Polio Plus Program.
Next week we look forward to more yarns and photographs from Bruce Postle, the renowned photographer from "The Age", whose previous exposure to us met with much acclaim and requests for more.
As today we had the second address by an Ambassdorial Scholar in as many weeks, I close the meeting with the words of Mohammed : "The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.
In Burmese, Pyae Phyo Aung the name of our recent guest speaker, we heard might be translated (?) to English as Full-Developed-Success.
Whether such literal conversion is so or not, does not belie the fact that after hearing about Pyae's story, he is a Myanmar trained medical doctor studying in Melbourne , that yet again here was an example of the wonderful long term impact which Rotary International scholarships can have. These are designed to support committed, energetic people to develop and gain world wide experience in their pursuit to provide selfless service to their country.
Chairman PDG Dennis Shore explained that although Myanmar has not yet any formal Rotary clubs, at the initiative of Essendon Rotarians, and with financial support arranged through local clubs, including the Melbourne and Camberwell Rotary Clubs, together with Foundation funds sourced from the Baker Foundation the District was able to create a Rotary Scholarship for Dr Pyae Phyo Aung to undertake post graduate study in Public Health at Melbourne University. This is a two year course.
With an address titled Dream Comes True/The Journey Realised, Pyae relayed some facts about Myanmar as a background to the challenges faced in his country by medical people like himself. Combined with major threats from Malaria, TB and HIV there is limited education, one key focus is medical education for maternal and child health care. Further there is the remoteness of many villages and the diversity of races and cultures, there are 135 minority groups, several languages, Kachin, Kayah, Kagin,Chin,Mon, Bana, Rakhui and Shan for instance! Burmese is the base language but not universal.
His recent medical work experience in international NGO's and UN Agency(s), and cyclone relief efforts will doubtless continue but with additional training in Melbourne and that maturity and development which one gains from international exposure (Australia is the first external place which he has lived), and the support of a new wife, Pyae has plans to return home and help his fellow citizens in Myanmar.
According to Pyae, Rotary has had a massive influence on his recent life and seen by him as a wonderful enabler for change in undeveloped countries. He has plans and hopes to see it flourish in Myanmar. Recalling the opportunity which has come his way with the Napoleonic quote " Ability is nothing without opportunity" one can have no doubt that he will contribute much to his country probably in Public Health Management, and policy development related to that. Indeed with such passion, energy and commitment he will make his own opportunities.
The audience thanked him for a great and inspiring address and wished him well, in addition to gaining some thoughts for tourism to see the golden pagodas, the ancient city of Bagan and other little known delights of Myanmar.
Tuesdays meeting of the 13th May might be held as another land mark this time for the number of visitors. As President Gordon Cheyne mentioned there were many, however the most extensively traveled was Dr Aurelia "Lea" Alzola here from the Philippines and the West Rizal Rotary Club. She is in Australia among other things for the International Conference in early June in Sydney. That's her above, and with Nigel Porteus a guest of Bill Troedel.
It was great also to welcome back another international Dr Tilak Dissanayake who came first last week. Tilak's involvement in the audience discussion with our speaker had all the attributes of a regular.
Before the Chinatsu Endo presentation from Nepal, Robert Ball arranged for a trial run on the Saturday before our meeting. He recorded that run as a fallback to show just in case the infrastructure failed on the Tuesday. Now, he has made that available over the internet.
Quite a few people asked if they could look at the video. Here are the details to do that.
Rotary Club of Glenferrie started the Combined Probus Club of Auburn for retired and semi-retired professional and business people some 10 years ago.
That club has been so successful that it now has some 150 members and many interest groups such as golf, mah jong, travel, theatre, dining out etc.
Rotary Club of Glenferrie has now decided to start a new Probus club to be called initially the Provisional Deepdene Combined Probus Club.
Men and women are invited to join.
An "interest" meeting is to be held at the club’s meeting venue, St David’s Church, corner Burke and Mont Albert Roads Canterbury at 10am on Monday June 23.
Potential members are warmly welcomed to attend.
Please indicate your interest to Jill Groom rgroom@iinet.net.au or phone 9836 2516 as she is the contact for any enquiries.
The Donations in Kind program with its warehouse of collected goods for use as donations to needy organizations both overseas and here is always on the look out for manual support from District 9800 Rotary Clubs.
Folks,
In the last minutes and at our meeting I undertook to advice particular tasks where we need to have additional assistance as a matter of urgency.
The list is attached.
These jobs are very straight forward and I have had some expressions of interest following the meeting in a couple of them.
But can I ask that you talk to your Club members to see if there is a body or bodies who could be a candidate to take some responsibility for these tasks.
Your assistance in this regard is greatly appreciated.
We still have heaps of desks to collect and some of the schools have been waiting quite a while so some activity there will be greatly appreciated.
Laurie has the list of those schools where we need to do something rather swiftly.
In absence of nothing to report John Carre-Ridell dredged up his own mishap to gain sympathy. Supposedly while kneeling in Church some worshipper knocked a seat onto his Achilles tendon.
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