Welcome everyone to the final edition of “STAYING CONNECTED” by DG Shia Smart.
THANK YOU EVERYONE
It has been a sensationally fun year in the role of District Governor for District 9810, challenging but rewarding, with the last 4 months being nothing I, nor anyone could have imagined 12 months ago.
This time last year I was talking about the vision for District 9810 and how it encompassed the goals which Rotary International President Mark Maloney had for Rotary International.
We achieved all those goals.
We have grown the Family of Rotary with the chartering of new Interact and
Rotaract clubs and we have welcomed new Rotarians into District 9810. We started
off the year with 1109 members and are currently at 1130, with clubs still inducting
new members right up until 30th June.
We were asked to be family friendly, flexible, and adaptable, and we have achieved
that in spades. Who would have thought 12 months ago that clubs would be
meeting via Zoom and the District Changeover would be a webinar.
Promoting ourselves and our stories is paramount, we need to get our message out
there, and the club banners you all received have been put to great use, as have
Facebook posts and articles in local media and the Rotary Down Under magazine.
Finally, and most importantly, we had FUN.I had a sensationally fun year, and for
that I have you, the Rotarians of District 9810 to thank. You all made my year a
very enjoyable year.
DG Family Project – Books for Kids
$34,000 raised supporting 1,700 childrenin our District. This figure could rise, as we are extremely fortunate that Books in Homes will keep our campaign fundraising page open until 31st December 2020 and will keep promoting it to their supporters.
Congratulations to the Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors who all connected with the DG Family Project, Books for Kids, empowering primary school children in our District literally with books.
$24,000 has been raised from club and personal donations, a fantastic effort.
An additional $10,000 was funded through a successful joint application between Books in Homes and our district for a community grant from Ansvar Insurance. We thank Ansvar Insurance for their support for the Books for Kids project and PE Bernadette Vanderwolde (RC Boronia) for telling us about the grant at the DG visit.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the book giving ceremonies are now scheduled to commence in Term 1, 2021 to provide a positive start for students in the new school year.
District Changeover
Thank you to everyone who joined the District Changeover webinar. What an amazing night and the first virtual changeover. I hope that you all had a sensationally fun time wherever you were connecting from. Thanks go to DGE Alma Reynolds and the organising committee, MC AG Kylie Knight-Brown, DGN Dr Daryl Moran for his Toast to RI and PDG John Barnes for his response, and all the AGs who were responsible for the Cluster breakout sessions.
Special mention does need to go to the Emerald & District Rotarians who followed me to each breakout session and entertained us all with their rendition of “Oh Micky your so fine”, by singing “Oh Shia your so fine”, much laughter was had by all.
District Paul Harris Fellow Recognitions – presented at Changeover
Congratulations to the following two Rotarians who due to the amazing contribution they have made this year and in previous years to the District, are recipients of Paul Harris Fellow recognitions from District 9810.
Grant Gittus from RC Chelsea. Grant created the graphics for the District Directory, my badges, the club banners which all clubs received and the Club Awards to name a few. Grant also does graphics for numerous clubs in ours and other Rotary Districts in Australia.
Neil White from RC Rowville-Lysterfield. Neil was both Russell’s and my treasurer and did an amazing job. Neil has kept the district financial, was able to clearly explain the books at each board meeting. Neil rose to the occasion when it came to the cancellation of the conference and handled the refunds to all concerned most graciously.
Congratulations to both Grant and Neil.
District Meritorious Service Awards – presented at Changeover
Congratulations to the following three Rotarians who have been recognised for their contributions to District this year.
Netania Lim from Monash Rotaract – Recognised for her year as District Rotaract Representative, for promoting the benefits of Rotaractors and Rotarians working together. Netania has encouraged Rotaractors to build relationships with clubs other than their own, to foster greater understanding of the two.
Peter Dalwood from RC Boronia – Recognised as Chair of the Technology Committee for the implementation of a new District website and the introduction of District Club Runner to D9810.
Gus Rozycki from RC Belgrave - Recognised as a member of the Technology Committee for the implementation of a new District website and the introduction of District Club Runner to D9810.
Club Recognitions – presented at Changeover
Congratulations to the following clubs which received club recognition for their achievements throughout the year.
RC Box Hill Burwood – Club PR and Communications
RC Box Hill Central – Outstanding Rotary Club Award; Club Building, Club Projects and Club PR and Communications
RC Fern Tree Gully – Club Building and Club Projects
RC Lilydale - Outstanding Rotary Club Award; Club Building, Club Projects and Club PR and Communications
RC Monash – Club Projects and Club PR and Communications
RC Mont Albert & Surrey Hills – Club PR and Communications
RC Mount Waverley - Outstanding Rotary Club Award; Club Building, Club Projects and Club PR and Communications
NewGen Rotary – Club Projects and Club PR and Communications
RC Nunawading – Club Building
RC Rowville-Lysterfield – Club Projects and Club PR and Communications
RC Templestowe – Club Projects and Club PR and Communications
RI Citation
Congratulations to the following clubs which have updated their Goals and Achievements on the Goal Centre in My Rotary and obtained a RI Citation.
RC Bayswater
RC Beaumaris
RC Box Hill Burwood
RC Box Hill Central
RC Cheltenham
RC Croydon and Montrose
RC Dingley Village
RC Doncaster
RC Emerald & District
RC Fern Tree Gully
RC Forest Hill
RC Glen Waverley
RC Healesville
RC Monash
RC Mont Albert & Surrey Hills
RC Mordialloc
RC Mount Waverley
RC Noble Park-Keysborough
RC Nunawading
RC Rowville-Lysterfield
RC Templestowe
RC Wandin
RC Warrandyte-Donvale
RC Waverley
RC Wheelers Hill
Those clubs who have yet to update their Goals and Achievements on the Goal Centre in My Rotary, have until 30th June to do so.
Thank you
Being District Governor is a co-operative role and there are a lot of people who I need to thank for making the year as sensationally fun year for me.
District Support Team
District Board
Assistant Governors
Duncan and Flynn, who got involved more than they thought, due to you, the Rotarians of D9810 being so family friendly.
COVID-19
Finally, we need to remember that everyone has been impacted by the COVID 19 restrictions differently. Most importantly people’s health and safety, both physical and mental, is paramount and we need to always adhere to the Victorian Government regulations when determining what our decisions will be based on.
Even though restrictions have eased, social/physical distancing and all the sanitising and hand washing precautions remain. Victoria is still seeing cases of COVID-19 so we cannot get too complacent as we start to resume various activities.
District Governor 2020-21
Alma Reynolds, on behalf of the District, I would like to wish you a sensationally fun year as District Governor for District 9810. Your year will be a different opportunity than you first thought, but no less fulfilling, enjoyable and rewarding as you lead District 9810 in 2020-21.
Stay safe, be positive and have FUN.
Regards
Shia
PS😊 Thank you to Michael Ellinger for editing this newsletter for us. It has enabled us to remain connected to each other during these uncertain times.
Join in every Tuesday in June for a casual chat and catch up with a wide-ranging discussion about Rotary in our District and beyond.
No need to RSVP, no need to send apologies - be part of it if you want to and can. See you there.
Topic: Morning Tea with the DGE
Time: Jun 23, 2020 10:30 AM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Every week on Tue, until Jun 30, 2020, 2 occurrence(s)
Jun 23, 2020 10:30 AM
Jun 30, 2020 10:30 AM
Due to Covid restrictions numbers of attendees are limited and we must adhere to these rules. The family of our Late Past Rotary International President have graciously allowed for live streaming of the event
You are welcome to join the live stream
The best address for written condolences is care of his son Noel:
Interplast Australia & New Zealand - ‘Brings Hope’
Anan is an enthusiastic two-year old boy from Vientiane, Laos. Sadly, at seven-months old, he suffered significant life-changing injuries when he was burned because of a terrible accident in an open fire at his home. Without medical attention, Anan’s crippling injuries became worse as time went on.
Earlier this year, Anan was introduced to Dr. Cameron Keating and Dr. James Savundra, two incredibly skilled Interplast surgeons. Working alongside local surgeons from Laos, Doctors Keating and Savundra were able to perform highly complex reconstructive
surgery.
Since 1983, Interplast and Rotary have been Repairing Bodies and Rebuilding Lives, together, across the Asia Pacific. Now, the region needs us more than ever. Donate today to restore hope.
In order to help support the continual efforts of Rotary in our fight against Polio, Whitehorse Rotaract will be conducting a fundraising event with a difference. A virtual marathon conducted completely online.
Rotary has been working since 1979 to combat Polio, Since then 123 countries have been freed from Polio.
Our virtual marathon is 123km and follows the route of an amazing Rotaractor as she travels with a polio vaccination team to a remote village in Uganda. If you want to read more of her story clickhere.
The virtual marathon can take however long you want at your own pace but remember there is a leaderboard so everyone can see who is working hardest.
By adding your distance-based activity you will progress along the trail. You can use any distance-based activity to contribute your distance such as Running, Walking, Hiking, Cycling, Swimming, Rowing, Elliptical and skiing.
Their is registration cost of $18 and all profits will be going to EndPolio to help eradicate polio.
Follow the link below to join the virtual marathon
NewGen Rotary – the youthful satellite club of Rotary Club of Nunawading - was excited to launch its Street Library community project at Vermont’s Rise & Grind 3133 café on June 20 – just in time for the end of the Rotary year!
The project was originally set to launch in April until it was put on hold due to COVID-19. But a silver lining came in between, with the club starting its hugely successful Free Coffees For Nurses initiative at the cafe until the restrictions were finally lifted. The initiative raised $600 for the café and provided 132 free coffees for essential workers during April and May.
Club members, RC Nunawading members and special guests – including Governor Shia, Rotary Club of Boronia’s Lance and Traffic Lights For Kinders’ Ryan Purdie – filled up the library and enjoyed afternoon tea, coffees and champagne to celebrate. The bookshelf was donated by RC Nunawading’s Ian Armstrong and the team at Eastern Emergency Relief and more than 100 books have been donated by members, friends and supporters to kickstart the collection. It includes a few bestsellers which the club bought from a bookshop in President Kiel’s old hometown in Colac, which is owned by his friends from the Otway Rotaract club.
NewGen’s library comes after Rotary Club of Boronia established three street libraries around Knox earlier this year. The club is looking to expand its library by potentially adding a second shelf or bookcase in the 2020-21 Rotary year.
Please feel free to take a book or donate one to our collection by visiting the café at 605 Canterbury Rd in Vermont. Or if you or your club want to make a bulk donation, please PM the club on the NewGen Rotary Facebook page or email us at newgensrn@gmail.com.
Christian De Boer is the Hotel owner of Jay House River Park Hotel in Siem Reap Cambodia. When the COVID 19 virus hit it was devastating to Siem Reap noted for being a tourist town and the home of Angkor Wat Temple. The virus itself did not do damage but the loss of hospitality jobs made life very difficult for those out of work. Christian along with two other hotels commenced a meals program engaging with local restaurants to provide a meal consisting of Protein, Rice and a sauce wrapped in sugar palms or Lotus leaves. 400 meals per day were handed out by the Jaya House Staff to the poor ill people at the Provincial Hospital in Siem Reap. This meal was the only meal that many had for the day.
We had Christian speak at our Mount Waverley Rotary Club recently and the feedback was that he was Raw and authentic telling the story….No presentation just the story.
If you would like to have Christian to speak at your ZOOM meting then please contact him directly on christian@jayahousehotels.com
Should you want to know more before contacting him; please feel free to get in touch rhonda@rpm2604.com
Thank you to all who have supported Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) since the 1990s.
As the Rotary Year draws to a close, we call on you to take action - help us "End Malaria for Good" in our partner countries: Papua New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Vanuatu and West Timor (Indonesia).
RAM Australia plays a critical role in coordinating malaria elimination efforts from Australia for our partners. We work with governments in partner countries, to direct your donations to areas of greatest needs. Great progress was achieved in Timor Leste with 223,000 malaria cases in 2006 to zero malaria and 9 imported malaria cases in 2019. RAM has contributed to this phenomenal success with long-term investments in Timor Leste since 2006. Our partners Vanuatu and West Timor are working hard towards malaria elimination by 2026.
We need your help to continue our humanitarian work, to reduce human suffering and prevent economic losses due to malaria.
I’m so very proud to share this video with you. Our partner in India, RC Delhi Ashoka submitted their video to the WASRAG video competition and was awarded the first prize at the WASRAG AGM last week. As you will see, some of it was filmed last year, however, the message is as true today as it was then (except that the project has more than tripled in size in that time).
This film explains the work that the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central has been involved in with the Rotary Club of Delhi Ashoka for the past few years. Here you will learn about the first Global Grant. Two more have since been approved by TRF. The total value of these projects is close to A$600,000 with funds for the three projects coming from more than 30 clubs in around 10 districts in 5 countries with DDF from many of these districts.
The lives of many thousands of children, their families and their communities are changing as a result. While India is suffering dreadfully under COVID-19, these communities will emerge stronger than many others in India as a result of Rotary’s work in these schools.
This wonderful work and the many friendships built around it would not be possible without Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation.
Centenary of Rotary Australia Launch - Save the Date
Rotary’s Centenary is a time of celebration! It Is a time to reflect on our past, and take pride in all that has been achieved. It is a time we play our part in the history of Rotary.
Our centenary is also the time to lay the foundations for our future, as we still have much to do. The key project in our centenary year will focus on stopping the one in 16 children who die in 9 Pacific nations before the age of five.
We invite you to join Rotarians across Australia on 10th July for virtual fellowship, as well as meet our R100 Centenary Ambassadors, the Governor General and Mrs Hurley, as they launch our national centenary campaign. By joining us, you will witness the “Passing the Baton” ceremony. The baton that will carry the symbols of our centenary and will travel far and wide across Rotary clubs and Districts.
Please pass this invitation on to as many Rotary clubs as possible so that they too can join this event. We ask too for your support in helping us raise funds for our R100 Centenary project, "Rotary Give Every Child a Future"; saving young lives in Pacific nations.
Please expect registration details on how you can join within the next week.
We look forward to you joining in and making your mark on history!
The Company Secretary, Hank de Smit, has indicated his desire to retire. In light of this and in recognition that the company secretary’s role has increased over the years, the Board has reviewed the role and function of this key position.
Please find attached a Position Description for the Company Secretary together with a useful paper form the Australian Institute of Company Directors which emphasises the increased focus on the company secretary’s role in the company’s governance and organisation.
The Board is seeking applications from Rotarians for this position with a closing date of Friday, 26 June 2020. Applicants are asked to submit CV in accordance with the attached Position Description to reach me by Friday 26th June 2020 at Lmperkins@bigpond.com. This advice has been forwarded to all DGs, DGE & DGN and Regional Supervisor’s for onforwarding to any interested Rotarians.
Broadcast from studios at the Box Hill Town Hall, The Rotary & Community Service Radio Show helps promote Rotary by showcasing inspirational and uplifting Rotary and community stories.
Be inspired by those who have made a difference, those triumphing over adversity, and those creating new horizons.
The show features superb music and is broadcast live every Friday night between 6pm and 8pm from the studios of 94.1FM 3WBC.
The program can be heard on the airwaves, via the TuneIn app, or streamed from the 3WBC website www.3wbc.org.au. Podcasts can be also be found at www.canterburyrotary.org and via iTunes podcasts - search for "Doing good in Victoria".
Regular Broadcasters include our own PDG Russell Gurney, and a team of D9800 Rotarians consisting Ian Salek, Jonathan Sheppard, Suzi Cole and many others.
Rotarians, and community partners, interested in promoting their Club activities, sharing their inspirational stories, or even becoming involved in community radio, can contact Russell on 0407 212 406 or rjgurney9810@gmail.com.
“Rotary in Action” (RiA) can be heard on north-eastern community radio station 96.5 InnerFM and goes to air live every Tuesday afternoon between 3 o’clock and 4 o’clock.
RiA has been broadcast every week of the year since July 4, 1995, and has amassed over 1250 programs. The “Rotary in Action” broadcast team claims their program is “the world’s longest running weekly hour-long radio program totally dedicated to Rotary news and information!” This statement has the approval of the Rotary International Media Department.
RiA is a truly multi-District endeavour with Rotarians from D9810, D9800 and D9790 continuing the long standing tradition, with the continuing support of 96.5 InnerFM. The presenters from our District are Brian Tyedin, Russell Gurney and Greg King.
“Rotary in Action” is a vibrant, magazine style format, aimed specifically at the general listening audience, with studio guests and Rotary community announcements, mixed in with some great music. Listeners enjoy the interaction between presenter and guest (effectively the program’s co-host) as they share the wonderful story of Rotary, via the FM radio band, on the internet and via social media and smartphone.
The website reference is www.innerfm.org.au and click on “listen live” or you can download the “TuneIn” app on your smartphone (just ensure you select the correct 96.5 InnerFM – we’re in Heidelberg). A Facebook page and a Twitter feed are planned to be in operation in the next few months.
Expressions of interest in becoming a guest on the show, or providing announcements to share with listeners, can be directed to Greg King on mobile 0416 045 157 or via email on gregking.rotary@gmail.com
Using the platform of its Community Connections program on Wednesday at 12 noon, 99.1 Yarra Valley FM provides three Rotary clubs in the region an opportunity to discuss their projects, fundraisers and other items of interest.
Host, Alan Collier, is a Rotarian himself and is adept at ensuring the guest Rotarians cover all the aspects of each topic and show Rotary to its best advantage.
A range of D99810 Rotarians appear on the show from the Rotary Clubs of Lilydale, Healesville and Wandin.
Rotarians talks about local clubs' current projects and those coming up in the near future. The show also gives clubs the opportunity to promote their fundraisers and promote the advantages of joining Rotary to potential members.
Thank you all for the positive feedback, articles and stories you have provided since the launch of this newsletter.
This has been the last edition of "Staying Connected" for this Rotary year, but do not worry as the fortnightly newsletter is not going away and will continue in 2020/21 under the new name of "Open Doors".
If you would like to see previous versions of "Staying Connected" click here.
So please send me your photos and articles to highlights9810@gmail.comprior to the next edition which will sent out on the 6th July.
