Health and well-being are critical for all of us and in particular the ever-important category of mental health and the ability to help maintain it.
This week in lieu of our regular weekly meeting we had the opportunity to join the Mental Health “Healthy Minds” forum hosted by our friends from Rotary Greater Dandenong – Endeavour Hills and Casey Cardinia Rotaract.
We heard from Mardi Shepherd, who spoke of the great work being done by Australian Rotary Health, Matt DeGruchy who brought his authentic self and spoke of his journey with declining vision, Frida Umuhoza who survived genocide in Rwanda and rebuilt her life firstly in the US and now Australia, Jimmy Seary from Operation Newstart with 2 of alumni and then finally from Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Minds Count Director and author Greg De Moore who came down from Sydney to share some outstanding stories.
Our club had 10 members take advantage of the opportunity and, like me were spellbound by the stories told by each guest speaker that gave of their time to tell their stories of their individual backgrounds and the way that they used their positive mindsets partnered with help and support to overcome things that most people just wouldn’t have the capacity to overcome.
Overall the evening was attended by in excess of 100 Rotarians & friends and each person is better off because of the experience.
I have invited a few of the speakers to come along to our club to share their stories with us.
Our Assistant Governor, Leanne Byron wrote to each attendee sharing her thanks and appreciation for the support.
Please don’t forget that if you are keen to come along to the Bee Gees Revival at Holm Park on the 8th of September, tickets are still available for the night and can be booked using the attached link.
Please help to support Vicki & Bob who always try their best to help our club
Rotary International has done away with attendance requirements in the hope of attracting new members, but this has yet to become a reality. Since the demise of set attendance requirements, the mindset has changed from Expectation/Obligation to Choice. Do I want to watch the football/TV show/tinker in the garage or go to Rotary? The topic at Rotary tonight looks boring.
Instead, We need to change the mindset from Choice to Attendance as an opportunity, not an obligation.
Participation in activities like Rotary meetings, committee meetings and projects offers the opportunity for personal growth, meaningful connections, and the potential to make a positive impact.
Members should view their involvement as an opportunity and promote a mindset that can help attract a broader range of individuals, including younger professionals with busy schedules and family commitments.
Flexibility in Attendance acknowledges that everyone has different circumstances and responsibilities, allowing members to engage in the best way for them.
At the beginning of my Rotary journey, the weekly meeting was my opportunity to build connections and find mentorship in Rotary and life in general over dinner. Most of the time, the topic for the night was pleasant entertainment and not the main game. Because most members turned up each week in the good old days, forming genuine relationships and interactions was more straightforward, and the Club had a certain hum and a consistent rhythm. The old way of expectation to attend (even though we liked to complain about it every so often) enriched my experiences, and for that, I am grateful.
My early Mentors in their natural environment.
Rotary meetings are a platform to unwind, learn, and engage. Participation should be fulfilling, purposeful, and aligned with personal values. The potential for personal growth, connection, and positive change is not about the individual but about all of us. Collectively we contribute to our own growth, development and well being. Every member, guest and speaker is an important element to a vibrant, engaging and stimulating meeting where ideas are created, something is learned and a bad joke is spoken. Together members bring unique value to the Club and create a space for for new Rotarians to learn, feel welcomed and become involved.
Changing our mindset to seizing opportunities rather than fulfilling obligations will lead to a more inclusive, vibrant, and compelling Rotary community. It encourages members to see beyond routine and embrace the potential for personal and collective enrichment from active participation. We all have something to give. All it takes is to find someone who appreciates the gift.
Please come to our next meeting and bring a friend! Mercy Ships is a great story.
Below are our current member attendance figures as a reference to how we are tracking to deliver a "full package" experience to a new member, guest or visiting Rotarian. Every member brings something worth giving. Are you holding back?
WOW, what an incredible event we had last night! It was a fantastic opportunity to 'showcase' Rotary to the Community and show them what we do to make a difference in the lives of others.
Our speakers, Mardi Shepherd (ARH), Matt De Gruchy (VISION), Frida Umuhoza, James Seary, Brooke & Hayley - Operation Newstart Graduates (also Tess for supporting them) and our Keynote speaker Greg de Moore were all outstanding and generously gave up their time to share their inspiring stories with us.
We were so fortunate to have these incredibly inspirational and passionate people accept our invitation, they were all so willing to support Rotary and make this event possible.
I'm really pleased that they have all been approached by members from our club and other clubs for future engagements as Guest Speakers.
I will be encouraging our cluster clubs to invite Mardi Shepherd along to their meetings to present and educate members on what Australian Rotary Health is all about, I'm sure many of you are aware of the amazing work they do but there will be many others who aren't aware of the benefits of fundraising for ARH.
Greg de Moore came down from Sydney for our event and was ever so generous, dedicating his time, donating 200 books (sold as a 2 pack) for $20 and personally signing them. We still have books available for sale, so if anyone would like to purchase them please let me know, they make great gifts and ALL proceeds will be donated to Australian Rotary Health.
Frida was very pleased to give her time for the opportunity to join us to share the story of her journey and to make her books available and to personally sign them.
Matt De Gruchy, only 26 years of age didn't hesitate to dedicate his time to us, please support Matt by checking out his merchandise online and making a purchase @
I'm sure that all of you who purchased books from Greg and Frida enjoyed a few moments having a chat with them, I also hope you had an opportunity to catch up with Mardi, Jimmy, Tess, the graduates from Operation Newstart and Hanish & his colleague from headspace.
Lyndale Secondary College allowed us to use the Auditorium and have been fabulous to work with, their partnership is proving to be a great asset and will be of benefit to both the school and Rotary.
Assistant Principal - Diana Kennedy and Michelle Lewis (Director of Inclusion and Wellbeing) were in attendance and offered endless support last night and throughout the lead up to this event. Thank you also to Steve who was there early to help with setting up the auditorium and worked with Ben & John to ensure everything would run smoothly.
Diana has said that they will support future Community events we plan and we will be able to use the Auditorium & facilities if required.
Thank Tanya Faulkner from the Star News Group for attending the event (and for Matt's article in the newspaper), thank you also to Cameron Lucadou-Wells for organising the newspaper articles in the lead up to our Mental Health Forum.
It was very exciting to have a Dandenong Councillor at the event, Cr Lana Formoso is the Deputy Mayor and is very keen to work with Rotary moving forward, she is also willing to visit our club as a Guest Speaker. The Greater Dandenong Mayor sent an apology for the event.
To all of you who attended, I extend my sincere thanks. Our team of volunteers did an amazing job, arriving early to set up, greet attendees, direct them to the Auditorium and check-in our guests, not forgetting our 'cooks' who provided cookies, slices and sandwiches.
Thank you to our wonderful MC Phillip Thurgood and to John Peck for printing & laminating documents and for printing the Certificates of Appreciation for the Guest Speakers.
A very big THANK YOU goes to Christine Pow, who worked tirelessly in the kitchen getting the food warmed and set up.
I am ever so grateful to Ben Plunkett (Casey) and John Ternel for their assistance in making this event possible and taking the lead in the Control Room and on the Powerpoint presentations.
A huge thank you for the endless support of my amazing husband Colin (and my family), who are always there to encourage me, especially throughout times of frustration, self doubt and a crazy busy personal schedule.
I would also like to thank those of you who were unable to attend the event but were generous with donations which will support Australian Rotary Health, in particular 'Mental Health Research'.
I hope I haven't left anyone out.
For me personally, last night was a very PROUD Rotary moment. Everyone gave their utmost to make the night a success. This is what makes Rotary so special.
It was amazing to have so many other clubs supporting our event: Casey, Berwick, Rowville-Lysterfield, Noble Park-Dingley, Nunawading, Langwarrin and Casey-Cardinia Rotaract. Together we achieve great things.
I hope you all enjoyed the evening as much as I did. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong & Endeavour Hills, please pass on our sincere thanks to your club members, friends, family and colleagues who have supported the event. As soon as we know how much money this event raised for ARH, I will let you all know.
Together we are 'Creating Hope in the World'.
Kind regards,
Leanne Byron
Secretary 2023-2024
Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong & Endeavour Hills
