DG Newsletter

DISTRICT AGM

The District AGM was scheduled to be held prior to the Foundation meeting on 9th November but unfortunately we failed to attract a quorum and the meeting has had to be reconvened . The secretary will distribute another notice. Un-fortunately this is a chronic problem in our District. We have to have delegates or their proxies from the majority of the clubs in our District to reach a quorum. That is at least 34 of our 67 clubs in the District. Our Island clubs total 15 clubs and it is not practical for them to attend but they can send proxies although we seldom attract more than a cou-ple. We really rely upon attracting at least 29 mainland club delegates or their proxies and our District secretary regu-larly has to repeatedly follow up responses from these clubs to confirm their attendance. The AGM’s are an essential requirement of governance of an incorporated body. The meeting needs to accept the past year’s audited financial report to satisfy timely reporting requirements, confirm the appointed directors. This delay will cost the district a substantial fine for failing to meet reporting deadline requirement.

CLUB VISITS

We are nearing the end of our official club visits and by the end of this month we will have only Nauru left which we will visit early next year. It has been an absolute pleasure visiting the diverse range of clubs that we are fortunate to have in our multi nation district. We have been widely welcomed wherever we have visited and made many new friends. I must congratulate the Rotary Club of Fortitude Valley on their 75th anniversary and welcoming us both twice in a week with our official visit the week after the party. Sandgate also had a successful vocational service dinner inviting other clubs along to hear our new Chief Justice explain his role and delivered a potted history of previous controversial appointments to this position. Congratulations for a wonderful evening.

In the new year we will have time to revisit clubs when invited to attend events in your club or community.

George

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

AROUND THE DISTRICT

NAURU

On 10 October we hosted "Dõbarmedañ Day". Dõbarmedañ means ‘hat’ in the Nauruan language.

We teamed up with the program by the Health Department to raise awareness on World Mental Health day. We received a lot of support including a sponsored sausage sizzle by an Australian company working on the island. The health department wasn’t expecting the day/event to be as big as it turned out to be but it all went well and our club has agreed to host Dõbarmedañ Day every year.

All funds raised will go to the Nauru Mental Health unit and caring of patients. Our proposal of setting up a ‘drop-in centre’ for the mental health patients is before the health department. They are considering space and staff to man the centre.

I’m told there will be visiting mental health specialist due on island in the next month and we hope to get some concrete ideas and decisions made for the project.

Cheers,

The Australian High Commissioner also donated $$$ - with Mrs. Alamanda Lauti posing with the High Commissioner. — at Orro Centennial Hall, Aiwo Dist, Rep of Nauru.

Our very special guests - from your left in white polo shirt - Ambassador Joseph Chow - Rep of China (Taiwan), Mr. Martin Quinn - Australian High Commissioner, The Hon Valdon Dowiyogo - Min for Health, H.E. Baron Waqa - President, Secy for Health Mr. Ryke Solomon and Dr. Samu from NG Hospital — at Orro Centennial Hall, Aiwo Dist, Rep of Nauru.

Even school children joined and support this very special cause. — at Orro Centennial Hall, Aiwo Dist, Rep of Nauru.

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

One Mile State School Earlyact 2014 GYMPIE

This year was unique in that we had two classes moving to high school at the end of the year. This meant we had two Earlyact Committees; one in Year 6 and one in Year 5.

Unfortunately at the start of 2014 our teacher librarian passed away after a long and courageous fight with cancer. The Earlyact Committees held a Pink Stumps Day to remember Mrs Lee in a happy way. Everyone dressed in pink and paid a gold coin donation as a fine. We also had a sausage sizzle. The highlight of the day was the Students vs Teachers Cricket Match. Mrs Lee’s husband and two children played on the teachers team.

From the money raised we sent $482 to The McGrath Foundation to support Breast Cancer Nurses including Sharon Shelford. She is Gympie’s Breast Cancer Nurse. Sharon came to a parade to accept our donation. That was our local community project covered.

We also bought a very cool chair to put in our library so we could remember Mrs Lee who had been our teacher Librarian for sev-enteen years. We had a special plaque made to put on the chair so for years to come everyone would remember Mrs Lee. That was our annual school project.

On one of the State of Origin days we had everyone come in their favourite team colours. The fine was a donation for the RSPCA; some people brought in a can of dog food. Others brought in cat food, an old towel, a blanket, we even had flea shampoo! The Gympie RSPCA was very appreciative of our donation. Another project to support our local community.

Two of our Earlyact Committee were fortunate to attend the Gympie Cooloola Rotary Changeover Dinner in July. They got to share a power point with the Rotarians of what our school Earlyact has achieved over the past twelve months. The Rotary Club was very impressed with our efforts. This makes up even more motivated to do more!

Our International Project for 2014 was Eagles Wings Orphanage in China. We had a Pyjama Free Dress Day with a gold coin dona-tion. We also sold cakes on that day to raise more funds. Linda Shum, the founder of the orphanage, is planning to come to a pa-rade to accept a cheque from us.

Throughout the year we have been selling frozy cups every Friday after school for fifty cents. This helps our fundraising efforts as well.

We were fortunate that at our Remembrance Day Parade and our Earlyact Meeting that same day we had some very special guests. Mr Stone, who is the President of the Gympie Cooloola Rotary Club, was present. Joining him was Mrs Lohse who is the Assistant Governor. Joining them were Mr Grant who is the District Governor and Mrs Grant his wife. Mrs Grant is also a Rotarian and told us about her role as a Youth Liason Worker.

One of the traditions our Earlyact Club has taken on from our Rotary Club is the game of Unders and Overs. We play it at the end of each meeting. The winner gets a frozy cup. Mrs Lohse found this very amusing at the Earlyact meeting she attended.

It has been a big year of hard work and we still have five weeks to go! Super job One Mile State School Earlyact!

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

One Mile State School Earlyact 2014 GYMPIE

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

Solomon Island Club Members visit both

Toowong and Fortitude Valley Clubs while they were in Brisbane

Gympie and Gympie Cooloola

Roadcraft.. Another Initiate of Rotary

For the past 34 years, Roadcraft has been providing industry leading education to road uses of all ages. Over this time, we have developed courses that have proven to be truly effective. Corporate clients who have fully embraced Roadcraft’s training philosophy and programs have consistently given excellent feedback on how these courses positively enhance their safe driving and risk reduction practices

http://www.roadcraft.org.au/

Ron Lawrence of the Gympie Club joined Rotary in 1969.retired ambulance superintendent

Gympie Cooloola inducts new Rotarian Tess Parker

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

Rotary Way

Rotary Noosa Daybreak has achieved an unusual but effective and everlasting reminder to their communi-ty, in the naming of a previously unnamed road to Rotary Way.

This change was effected in conjunction with the completion of a sizeable storage and work shed owned and utilised by Rotary Noosa Daybreak, with a portion now subleased to a local Lions Club.

Both projects were completed with cooperation and assistance of Council, and a measure of perseverance and dedication of key club members of Rotary Noosa Daybreak under the guidance of IPP Ian McDonald.

Communications committee member Jeff Williams has likened the new Rotary Way to the organisation itself. ‘It’s something of an allegory of the way Rotary works around the world’, said Jeff. ‘The road is in parts sealed and smooth, but then the way turns bumpy and twisty and runs alongside a sewerage treatment plant (read into that what you will), but it then ends at something built to help Rotary benefit the community of which the community can be proud’.

An extension to the shed to house another local charity is already in the planning phase.

Rotary Noosa Daybreak’s major fundraising activity for the year is its annual BOOKFEST NOOSA and the shed has already proven invaluable as a storage facility for the many thousands of books sourced and sorted for the project. It’s with no little irony that, both literally and figuratively, Rotary Way will always be there to help Rotary Noosa Daybreak help their community.

VALE…...Harold Sutcliffe.

Harold’s first introduction to Rotary was when his son Colin became the Charter President of the Interact Club at Dalby High School. This began a friendship with PDG Jack Stephenson who was the Rotary mentor to the Interact Club. After being transferred to Townsville, Harold was invited to join the Rotary Club of Port of Townsville, which he did in 1971. He continued in Rotary in Maura and later Toowoomba.

In 1978, on his appointment to Ascot State School, he joined the RC of Hamilton, where he:

 Served as Club President in 1982-83, and held various board positions;

 For at least 23 years, Harold was the Club Historian and also took on the role of Rotary Information Officer, keeping club members up to date with information from the wider world of Rotary.

 He and Noela were actively involved in many club activities, including Hamilton’s Citizenship Ceremony on Australia Day. Harold wrote a lead article for the Rotary Down Under magazine about the Rotary Clubs of Hamilton and Balmoral joining together for the opening of the Gateway Bridge, this included a cover photo of the crowds walking over the bridge.

 Most years Harold and Noela attended the District Conference where they loved to meet other Rotarians and also they attended many International Conventions.

　

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

Rotary’s fabulous Cooroy Mountain Walk Festival a huge success

The Rotary Club of Cooroy, with the kind permission of the management Cooroy Mountain Spring Water, held the very popular Cooroy Mountain Spring Festival on Sunday 19th October.

On a beautiful sunny day more than 1000 people attended and over 730 people took the rare opportunity to climb our iconic Cooroy Mountain and enjoy the fabulous views then come back to all the other attractions on the day.

The event was a truly family event day with attractions such as helicopter rides, Billy tea and damper, BBQ lunch, bush poetry, the fabulous SCUD Ukulele band, stall holders, face painting, hay rides to the mountain "base camp" which were very popular, and much, much more – including an opportunity to safely look at the sun through a special telescope and to let the kids pat some very special llamas.

A great attraction on the day was the helicopter rides which sold out in 30 minutes. A special thanks to McDermott helicopters and crew for the professionalism of their operation. This was a major contribution to the Cooroy community from McDermott’s who provided the helicopter and all the staff for free for the event - so well done to our local innovative employer.

The event was held by the members of our local Cooroy Rotary Club and President Chris Durie would like to publicly thank all the members for their hard work and dedication leading up to the festival but especially on the day,

The Cooroy Rotary club is deeply indebted to Rotarian Carol Johnston who spent many tireless months getting the event and the helpers organised. She really deserves a medal.

A very special thanks also goes to our tireless volunteers from the SES. Without their support there would be no event. They were in the car park and up on the mountain to ensure the safety of our guests. The Rural Fire Brigade volunteers were also on hand to render assistance. ATV Mowers of Cooroy kindly provided the tractor for the hay rides and the ATV for emergencies free of charge.

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

RYDA 2014 – Caloundra Venue

The Joint Rotary Clubs’ RYDA Organising Committee for the Rotary Clubs of Caloundra Pacific, Caloundra, Glasshouse Mountains and Kawana Waters co-ordinates Rotary Young Driver Awareness (RYDA) road safety education programs at Corbould Park Racecourse, Caloundra. Over seven days, 1141 year 11 students from ten schools/ colleges attended RYDA programs at the Caloundra Venue in 2014.

Representatives from the Queensland Government, Sunshine Coast Council, University of the Sunshine Coast Accident Research (USCAR), media, Rotary District and other Rotary Clubs attended various programs during the year.

The Committee has coordinated twenty seven RYDA programs over six years and has received a Department of Transport and Main Roads Community Road Safety Education Grant to conduct eight RYDA programs for 1300 year 11 students, at no cost to students, from 11 schools/ colleges in 2015.

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

Rotary Marks World Polio Day 2014 With $44.7 Million in Grants to Fight Polio

With the world very close to eliminating polio from the planet, the effort is receiving an additional $44.7 million boost from Rotary International to support immunization activities, surveillance, and research spearheaded by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which aims to end the disabling viral disease worldwide by 2018.

Polio is set to become the second human disease ever to be eliminated from the world (smallpox is the first). To date, Rotary has helped 193 countries stop the transmission of polio through the mass immunization of children. Rotary’s new funding commit-ment, announced in advance of the Oct. 24, 2014 observance of World Polio Day 2014, targets countries where children remain at risk of contracting this incurable, but totally vaccine-preventable, disease.

"It is fitting that this round of Rotary grants coincides with World Polio Day, which we use to raise awareness of -- and support for – the global campaign to end this terrible disease once and for all," says Rotary International general secretary John Hewko. "Rotary is committed to relegating polio to the history books, and we welcome everyone’s support as we move ever closer to our goal of a polio-free world."

He noted that the end-game strategy against polio includes the introduction of inactivated, injectable polio vaccine to supplement the progress achieved through the immunization of 2.5 billion children with the oral polio vaccine. Leading that effort is Sanofi Pasteur, the largest manufacturer of polio vaccine and co-sponsor with Rotary of a special program in Chicago on World Polio Day.

"As more than 120 countries in the world are introducing the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), we are beginning the last chapter on polio eradication," says Olivier Charmeil, Sanofi Pasteur chief executive officer. "At Sanofi Pasteur, we have had a long-term vision of IPV as the ultimate public health tool able to finish the job started with Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). Today we are honored to stand alongside Rotary, the historical partner in the battle against polio."

About $18.5 million will go to the three remaining polio-endemic countries: Afghanistan ($7.4 million) Nigeria ($8.4 million), and Pakistan ($2.7 million). An endemic country is one where the wild poliovirus has never been stopped.

Another $9.5 million is marked for previously polio-free countries currently reporting cases "imported" from the endemic countries: Cameroon ($3.5 million), Ethiopia ($2 million), and Somalia ($4 million).

And $10.4 million will go to polio-free countries that remain at risk of reinfection: Democratic Republic of Congo ($1.5 million), India ($4.9 million), Niger ($1 million), South Sudan ($2 million), and Sudan ($1 million).

The remaining $6.3 million will go toward polio eradication research.

Rotary provides grant funding to polio eradication initiative partners UNICEF and the World Health Organization, which work with the governments and Rotary club members of polio-affected countries to plan and carry out immunization activities. Mass immunizations of children via the oral polio vaccine must continue until global eradication is achieved.

To date, Rotary has contributed more than $1.3 billion to fight polio. Through 2018, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match two-to-one every dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication (up to $35 million a year). As of 2013, there were only 416 confirmed polio cases in the world, down from about 350,000 a year when the initiative launched in 1988.

All Clubs in District 9600 are encouraged to promote

The End Polio Now Campaign by participating in

The World’s Greatest Meal to End Polio

The Movie Night in February

"The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"

Other Activities

Many thanks to those Clubs who participated in the swimarathon

Kind regards

Gary Lillicrap

District Chair Polio Plus 9600

November 2014 District Conference http://www.rotarydistrict9600conference2015.info/ Number 5

MEMBERSHIP The membership of our district stood at 1608 on 30th June and we customarily lose members who do not renew in the new Rotary year and fell to 1596 on 1st July. Latest figures as at 31st of October show an increase of 2% to 1627 but I must congratulate the following clubs which have shown the way: Kavieng 50%, Buderim 20% Honiara 19% Newfarm 18% Kenmore 17% Eumundi 13% and Brisbane Highrise 9% Well done! However our new PNG club at Nondugl is struggling to raise its required membership fees to support its recorded 36 members included in the count. Because this club was chartered after the 15th May its R.I. fees do not commence till 1st January 2015 but must be paid by 28th February or the club will be terminated. We have asked the president to review his membership numbers before the end of November and only register financially sustainable members who will be able to afford Rotary and transfer the others to Rotary Community Corp which incurs no fees. Ironically its members have obtained Provincial Government financial support of K10,000 to assist with meeting DIK container costs. If any club or cluster is prepared to assist this club, please let me know