What a fascinating talk we had about how Victoria Scouts have re-invented themselves, and how they’ve put young scouts into very responsible positions. At age 9 would you have been comfortable hosting the King of Sweden around a tour of the Melbourne Zoo? Were there any lessons for how Rotary might re-invent itself?
After lunch on Tuesday, I went with Jill Weeks to the studios of 96.5 Inner FM radio studios, where she hosted a one hour Rotary in Action segment. We had a nice chat about my time in Rotary, and Ginia’s and my ‘Kombi Kid & Khyber Pass‘ journey in 1972. She’s very skilled in handling all the equipment, and the interviewee. This was edition 1087 of Rotary in Action.
Now I’m preparing to go to Warsaw to present a paper at a Fire Safety Engineeringconference, and then to UK. Back 2 June.
Chairman Stephen Bowtell introduced Daniel Kuzeff as guest speaker on the broad topic of youth suicide and Daniel's personal efforts to help ease the problem.
First, his address demonstrated his passionate and selfless activity over a wide range of initiatives aimed an improving the plight of the poor and the mentally troubled in our society. We learned of his connection and long time support to the homeless in The Philippines, including successful fund raising (started by his contribution of wages from part time work while at university) and later from efforts canvassing donors. Ongoing this now links into an Australian School Program (APS) whereby eligible senior school students spend time in the Philippines helping with the construction of homes in poor villages.
However now his other major focus is the social issue of youth depression and suicide. He related alarming statistics about the prevalence of both, and considered some of the reasons why.
Summed up by the phrase "dysfunction and disengagement" he listed a few more prominent causes as likely contributors, e.g. stress in the household, early year communication problems, even eating habits (too much refined sugar?), broken families, the onset of technology and its isolating impact, a lack of empathy in children and a general "more please" mentality which has arisen in advanced well resourced countries.
He noted the dominant cause of death amongst youth aged between 15-24 in Australia is suicide. He has developed a speaking program and workshops for schools around the State to combat these underlying mental and social health issues of the youth.
The thrust of it is characterized in the group named "Our Connection", founded in 2013. They seek to empower students to discover more of whom they are, appreciate what they have and realize the difference they are able to make to others...a simple and perhaps self evident message that in "helping others one helps oneself".
Daniels enthusiasm and style came through in the address , as did his obvious choice to pursue a career apart from the conventional ambition and wealth path. Doubtless it would touch and be relevant to many of the young and hence one suspects that his efforts are very positively received and effective in his sphere of influence. One hopes that his example (and others like him) expands to broader policy outcomes in our society.
For the eleventh successive year Hawthorn Rotary will be a significant participant at the local Relay for Life event at John Gardiner Reserve in Auburn Road. Typically it has been a wonderful and moving event (all in aid of cancer sufferers) even for those just attending on the sidelines to observe the candles in the evening. Friends and children too are welcome to come along.
Remember our club will have a sit down meal (BBQ style) this Saturday 19th March at the site. This will kick off at 7.00pm. Cost is $15 for the meal. Registering as a formal track player invokes aseperate $25 donation.
Please advise Noel Halford ASAP if you wish to register. Similarly he needs to know of meal takers for catering purposes.
You’ll never ever know, if you never Bendigo . . . but we can tell you all about it. That's President Lawrence and Ginia in the mood.
It was a busy weekend in Bendigo, with the Olympic Cycling trials and the Marilyn Monroe exhibition as well as the D9800 Conference all going ahead. The staff at the All Seasons Hotel were fully stretched serving hundreds of hungry Rotarians.
At the Rotary Foundation Breakfast, RIPR PDG Virgilio "Jun" Farcon recognised PDG Bernie Walsh as a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation. Well done, Bernie!
We walked back to our hotel on Friday evening with the VTT Team, and had a narrow escape when the dragons invaded the auditorium.
Team Leader David Pisterman once again did a marvellous job: Cheryl’s impromptu parties are the best, although some members were a bit anxious about being in the old Bendigo Gaol. Fortunately, we all got out safely.
Which speaker at District Assembly dared to include a couple of jokes? The Shadow has heard that our very own Henry Drury did that, and thereby received a popular vote award! Congratulations to Henry; and to our Dennis Shore who organised the whole show – described by a critic (rather than a sycophant) as “the best, shortest and sharpest for years”.
Apparently all was good except for the lunch. The Shadow understands that someRotary Hawthorn members skipped the lunch provided (by Tabcorp Stadium Management) and settled for a couple of TimTams at that well known eatery “Chez Cheyne”.
Pure pride. President Lawrence showed off his new badge earned by having now given blood (or plasma) 250 times. The Shadow reckons that may well have saved hundreds of lives. Good for him. Good for us all.
President Anne Murphy of Camberwell RC extended this invitation to our Club members.
Special Eastside Cluster RotaryFoundation 'End Polio Now Film Night "
Sun 3rd April at 6.30pm , new release movie “My Big FatGreek Wedding 2 –to be held in a private theatre at the new Lido Cinema , Glenferrie Road Hawthorn
The cost of $17.50 per head includes a donation to The Rotary Foundation – End Polio Now – and the contribution to EPN will be in the name of the donor Club.
Please note that payment is by online / credit card booking only. Visit Camberwell Rotary.org.au / Events and book.
The clubs next BBQ fund raising opportunity comes on Sunday 24 April at Bunnings in Hawthorn. Long weekends bring out all those handymen getting last minutes hardware items and so we expect a bumper day to raise funds for our Charity Account.
As usual its a 9 to 5 presence and so we will need lots of volunteers to fill the various 2 hour slots. Friends and family are very welcome to take a stint and ease the load of our regular BBQers.
Sheridan Brown and Ian Macfarlane are keen to fill that roster sheet as early as possible and avoid that often present last minute stress which we seem to give our rostermen, please let them know soon if you can help.
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My gosh how could member spouse Lorraine McInnes cleverly fabricate this photo? 
