SPOKE 'n' WORDS

Issue  23
30th November 2022
 
Join our meeting

Most Wednesdays at
The Beaconsfield Club,
Holm Park, Beaconsfield, 
Victoria, Australia

Enquire by Email:
Visitors and Rotarians are welcome.
 
Post: P.O. Box 30, Berwick 3806
Meetings & Events
Christmas Party
Jason’s Restaurant
Dec 07, 2022
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
 
Kerrie Bolch Principal and Andrew Barker Assistant Principal - Berwick Secondary College
The Beaconsfield Club
Dec 14, 2022
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
No Meeting - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Dec 21, 2022
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
View entire list
Our Sponsors
 
 

We believe good health care is everyone’s right. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care.

Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for millions of people worldwide. That’s why treating and preventing disease is so important to us. We lead efforts both large and small. We set up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access. We design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients, and governments to work together.

Our members combat diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and polio. Prevention is important, which is why we also focus on health education and bringing people routine hearing, vision, and dental care.

HOW ROTARY MAKES HELP HAPPEN

We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases. Rotary members have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time.

Find out more: HERE

 

Executives & Directors
President
 
Treasurer
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Membership and Public Image
 
Youth Protection Officer
 
Youth
 
Projects and Fundraising
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Funno Funston
December 2
 
John Rosenthal
December 3
 
Isobel Caulfield
December 10
 
Rob Wingrave
December 27
 
Spouse Birthdays
Peter Blackwood
December 4
 
Kate Gordyn
December 5
 
Isobel Caulfield
December 10
 
Debbie Giesen
December 28
 
Anniversaries
Jane Moore
Tim Moore
December 4
 
Tim Moore
Jane Moore
December 4
 
David Button
Judy Button
December 21
 
Join Date
Adrian Froggatt
December 1, 1992
30 years
 
Jack Kraan
December 1, 1983
39 years
 
Sandi Tarant
December 11, 2008
14 years
 
Garry Cooper
December 14, 2000
22 years
 

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Mexico, Germany, Italy, and India.

 

Backed by Rotary’s Programs of Scale award, Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia confronts a worldwide malady at the local level

 

A club in Washington’s wine country uses a novel approach to keep glass out of the landfill.

 
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Presidents Message
It was a great night last Wednesday night with the Rotary Club of Pakenham.  Our contingent helped add to the group from Pakenham and Cranbourne Clubs to make 55 attendees.
 
David Dippie, from Donations in Kind (a Rotary Project of the Victorian Districts), presented a project of supplying and installing dental equipment in Tonga.  The equipment sent via containers to the project was first rate, supplied by the Victorian Dental Association members.  Training was also undertaken by the members of the team.  The project was so popular in Tonga that their Queen was an avid helper too.  It is amazing what Rotary can do, we just need to promote the great work and the real differences we make to people’s lives.
 
The Rotary Club of Berwick has been involved in such projects with DIK for many years and is a financial member club of Donations in Kind Inc.
 
DIK is also involved closely with the St John of God Hospital in this Tonga project and other projects in Timor Leste. 
 

Our Rotary Donations In Kind Store is one of the best in the world.

It specializes in repurposing reusable goods, that commercial organizations no longer require and diverts them from landfill. We live in a very lucky country where we are able to upgrade equipment long before the existing items have worn out.  Often these items are perceived as having little value locally but are highly valued overseas.  

This major project is located in a 3400m2 warehouse and runs entirely by volunteers who contribute 10,000+hours annually. In the last 20 years, 37,600m3 of goods have been recycled. 
Equipment from our Hospitals and Schools has been of enormous benefit in developing countries.  
This is a project that everyone can support, encouraging donations, helping with their collection and funding the repurposing costs.
For more information www.rotarydik.org
 
 
Looking forward to catching up with everyone at our Christmas party next week at Jason’s Restaurant in Upper Beaconsfield.
A lesson in communication
At this weeks meeting, our Presenter David Dippie from Rotary Donations in Kind made the valid point that Rotary does not tell its story enough to the outside world.
 
In doing this, much of our efforts remain unrecognised by both individuals and other organisations. That in turn means that forming meaningful relationships that can multiply our project outcomes through forming partnerships and attracting dynamic new members is pretty difficult.
 
At a base level, having 55 like minded Rotarians from three Cluster Clubs at one meeting learning about a project is a great starting point to do more by combining our skills, workforce and money. Kick it out further, the District Conference and the Rotary Convention build on diverse opportunities within Rotary.
 
As we heard at the meeting, Rotary cannot be all things to all people. The Tonga Dental project relied on a diverse field of organisations and relationships to make the project effective and sustainable. Now I am sure I will not get everyone, but lets say Rotary through the work of Dr David Goldsmith, a practicing dentist (54 years) and member of the Rotary Club of Ballarat West broke the ground with over 20 similar projects over many years.
 
Bring a relationship with the Australian Dental Association which can source fit-for-service used equipment from their membership for overseas project.  
 
Use Diplomatic and local contacts to research needs, resources, workforce, sites, planning and permits, transport and potential outcomes.
 
Find others already working in the same space, such as St John of God to find local expertise.
 
Utilise a competent organisation to assemble and ship the equipment. (DIK)
 
Build a team of experts from people both in and out of Rotary to deliver, install, train and initially operate the project to ensure its sustainability.
 
Promote the project to the local community, the media, the people in power (Goverenment, Royal Family, High Commisioner and anyone else) to create awareness of the reasons the project exists, the needs that will be met and all that were involved.
 
Rotarians do unbelievable projects and in this case Rotarian Dr David Goldsmith has shown exactly what having a vision, building the contacts, finding the resources and delivering a project is all about.
 
The missing piece in the puzzle is publicity! Bringing a focus on what Rotary does, how we do it, who we work with, and the core values we all carry as volunteers in Rotary need to see a bit more light. Publicity is not a magic bullet that suddenly brings new members, partnerships and donations. Publicity is about building a picture, establishing trust and delivering a promise. I hope that everyone who reads this will share a little Rotary story with someone soon.
 
For the record, David Dippie, apart from being dressed by the Tonga King's tailor, was also up for a test drive of the new dental facility. There is always a story to tell from an individual's point of view all the way. Our story, Rotary's story is all about individuals coming together to make the world a better place. We all bring different skills and connections which may eventually turn into a life changing project somewhere in the world. All we need to do is let the world know what Rotary can do.
 

The next goals for the Tonga Dental Project are

•To ship a mobile Dental Clinic
•Another container early next year
•Another Volunteer Visit, probably May
 
One way to spread the word about what Rotary is doing locally and worldwide is through each club's weekly newsletter. Rotary is a global organisation that works through 46,000 local branches (Rotary Clubs).
 
The Rotary Club of Berwick has an outward-facing newsletter to showcase all the things that our club is involved with to educate, inform and inspire our members, partners, guests and bulletin subscribers. There is no reason to keep the joy, accomplishments, challenges and learning a secret!  
 
ROTARY TAKES ACTION ON FLOOD RELIEF
 
                
30/11/2022
MEDIA RELEASE
  • Aussies Beating Mossies’
ROTARY TAKES ACTION ON FLOOD RELIEF
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
There is now a major mosquito danger within flood impacted communities. In order to provide some relief to affected communities, RAWCS has acquired thousands of mosquito repellent candles.
RAWCS has taken the initiative and will coordinate immediate distribution of mosquito repellent candles to various Rotary clubs in the flood impact locations. The candles will then be distributed by local Rotary Clubs directly to those most in need. Candles have now landed in Shepparton (VIC), Lismore (NSW), Parkes (NSW) and Gympie (QLD) for distribution.
Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd (RAWCS) is appealing for funds to assist communities impacted by the ongoing flood crisis. Donations can be directed to the RAWCS national flood appeal or to specific appeals covering various flooded regions.
Funds donated to the appeals are being used in the following ways:-
  • Backing the projects and immediate assistance programs undertaken by local Rotarians in the flood zones.
  • Funding cash vouchers to help with the immediate needs of flood victims as well as supporting local businesses when the vouchers are spent in the impacted towns.
  • Assisting with temporary housing initiatives.
  • Provision of new clothing and new bed linen.
  • Distribution of free mosquito repellant candles to help protect families from diseases carried by swarming mosquitos in the flood aftermath. The candles repel mosquitos for sixty hours, are odorless and normally retail for $16 each.
 
 
Donations can be made to our national fund, or can be directed to a number of regional appeals:
National Flood Appeal                                   https://lnkd.in/g2PAMBgc\
NE NSW & SE Qld                                             https://lnkd.in/gvfgsA3b
Sydney & Surrounding Areas                       https://lnkd.in/g9pd3hdH
Victoria & border Areas                                 https://lnkd.in/gWj863GV
Central West NSW                                           https://lnkd.in/g5vScbjs
 
---Ends---
 
Andrew Woodward is available for interviews and photographs.
Media Contact: Andrew Woodward 0411 075 107, andrew.woodward@rawcs.org.au
 
RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Services Ltd)
Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd. (RAWCS) was formed to enable Australian Rotarians, Rotary Districts and Rotary Clubs to assist disadvantaged communities and individuals through humanitarian aid projects.
RAWCS has a financial infrastructure system that facilitates fundraising for projects that deliver humanitarian aid and charitable support in Australia and overseas. Projects are registered through Rotary Australia Overseas Aid Fund (RAOAF), Rotary Australia Benevolent Society (RABS) incorporating Rotary Australia Compassionate Grants (RACG), Rotary Australia Relief Fund (RARF), Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) and Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment (RARE).
Funds raised over 2021/2022 include
  • Ukraine humanitarian assistance Projects:            $6,337,414
  • Australian Flood relief Projects:                            $1,157,182
  • Cambodia based humanitarian Projects:                $988,317
  • Top 14 other large humanitarian Projects:             $6,513,781 
RI President Jennifer Jones on the venue
 
District Conference 2023
The District Conference starts off on Friday, 24th of February, with captivating choices to explore the local area. Take a delicious winery OR garden bus tour with lunch, or try your luck on breaking your handicap in a round of golf on the delightful RACV Cape Schanck course. There are also eight self-drive tours for those who like to explore. For more information, CLICK HERE
 
On Friday night, arrange your Club dinner in any of the multitudes of cafes and restaurants which abound in the local area. 
 
On Saturday, settle in to enjoy an impressive array of presentations by the following Keynote speakers:
 
 
 
ACCOMMODATION: The RACV Cape Schanck Resort has just released its Conference offers for the Conference!    CLICK HERE to view offers
  • Kate Roffey, President of the Melbourne Football Club,
  • Warren Tate, Communications expert,
  • Julia Kay, 2022 Young Victorian of the Year and co-Director of Great Wrap,
  • Samuel Johnson, 2018 Victorian of the Year, actor and founder of Love Your sister,
Rotary projects and discussions will also be made by:
  • Jennifer Jones, Rotary International President and Ian Riseley, Rotary Foundation Chair and Past Rotary International President will share a virtual conversation with us
  • Jessie Harman, Zone 8 representative.
  • Bernie Farquhar, Rotary Club of Mitchell River
  • Ross Kilborn, Rotary Club of Mornington.
After enjoying a day of learning and connection-building, it is time to kick up your heels at the Saturday night-themed Beach Party dinner. Accompanying the gourmet event, the Baker Boy Band will treat you to fabulous music. The Baker Boy Band have played at a number of District Conference dinners and they are always on point with their entertainment.
 
Sunday morning starts with a breakfast session and a presentation by Kevin Sheedy, 2022 Victorian of the Year and Libby Wilson, Rotary Club of Rosebud Rye (RCRR). A tour of the Rotary Rosebud Warehouse: https://www.facebook.com/rosebudwarehouse/ will be offered to interested Conference participants as they leave from breakfast and head home. This is a major project of the Rotary Club of Rosebud-Rye and well worth a visit if you are interested in how a Rotary Club can run a very big and ongoing project that requires a lot of capital investment.
 
This conference has a lot to offer every Rotarian. Have a squizz at https://rotary9820.org.au/page/district-9820-conference-2023/. to learn more.
 
Registrations update: So far, 115 people have registered to attend the 2023 District Conference. Five of those are from Berwick and four of the Berwick crew are booked for the winery tour! Berwick Rotarians know how to socialise!
 
There is no one from Casey, Pakenham or Cranbourne yet, but there are four from Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills and two from Narre Warren (Our Cluster Club friends). I am an RACV member and got a great deal on accommodation at the Cape Schanck Resort using the above link. If you want something different to do that is reasonably priced, the District Conference could be for you.
 
 
 
Saturday Coffee Catch Up
Saturday Coffee Catch Up over Zoom, and all members are welcome to drop in for a chat.
 
Password: Rotaryzoom
 
Every Saturday morning, 10.00am
ALL club members are welcome.