5th Edition                                                                                 25 May 2020 
Welcome everyone to the 5th edition of “STAYING CONNECTED”.
 
Golfers are getting their handicaps back up to par, school children will be starting to make their way back at school, restaurants and cafes will soon be open, and office workers will be working out whether they are to go back to their offices. 
 
What does this mean for Rotary clubs?
 
For some people it is a chance to embrace new ideas, for others they cannot wait “to go back to the way it was” and some people want a bit of both the old and the new. 
 
All ways are right. 
 
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.
 
Going forward all members  will have the opportunity to determine how their club will function and prosper into the future. “This is a changing world: we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.” Paul Harris
 
As we look towards the future, a way of giving piece of mind to all, is to for each club to conduct a risk assessment on how to keep people safe when having face-to-face meetings, opening op shops and farmers markets etc.  This way, as a club, you can ensure that all safety measures and people’s ideas and concerns have been addressed. Rotarians can then feel comfortable in deciding whether to participate or not, as their health and wellbeing has been given serious consideration via the risk assessment.
 
District Assembly
 
For the first time ever, District Assembly is a virtual event, with different sessions being conducted all week and over the weekend. 
 
For those who were unable to attend a session, wanted to hear it again, or wanted their whole club to listen to what was being said, the sessions will be recorded and will be available on the District website, to be played at your leisure.

Save the Date - Rotary International's Free Virtual Event

“Now More than Ever, Rotary Connects the World: The 2020 Rotary Virtual Convention"
 
When: 20-26 June 2020.  On Sat 20 and Sun 21 June, there will be a general session of about 60 min each starting at, 8:00am Chicago time.
 
Mon 22 – Fri 26 June 2020. There will be 15 breakout sessions, each of them will be 1 hour in duration, with 3 on each day commencing at 8:00am, 12:00pm and 6:00pm Chicago time. 
 
Stay safe, be positive and have FUN.
 
Regards
Shia
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Morning Tea with the DGE
 
 
 
Join DGE Alma Reynolds for a cuppa and informal Rotary chat.  Be prepared to talk about your club's high points, projects and meeting ideas.  Ask your Rotary questions and chat with others from across the District. Alma's looking forward to having morning tea with you.

Topic: Morning Tea with the DGE
Time: May 26, 2020 10:30 AM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
        Every week on Tuesday
        May 26, 2020 10:30 AM
        Jun 2, 2020 10:30 AM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83275936425?pwd=S2lZdityVVhvTTd3dlRuVHM1WmFPQT09

Meeting ID: 832 7593 6425
Password: 590951
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Interplast Australia & New Zealand - ‘Making a Difference’
 
 
A little girl who lives in Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, was born with a cleft lip and palate making it very difficult for her to feed properly.  Without proper nutrition in her formative years, Patma is unable to put on weight and thrive.
 
While Patma was considered too small for surgery on this visit, the Interplast team was able to teach her mother how to feed her with a specific bottle and technique.  Hesitant at the new feeding technique at first, Patma’s mother was taught by volunteer nurse Hayley Benbow the correct way to feed Patma so that she will be a good candidate for surgery when the team returns.
 
Whilst COVID-19 is sweeping the world Interplast wishes that you, your families and your club stay safe in these trying times.  Children like Patma will need Interplast’s & Rotary’s help more than ever once COVID-19 has disappeared from her community.  Through Rotary you can have a long lasting impact on these children’s lives and their communities.
 
 
Interplast’s activities during COVID-19 are continuing by the staff and volunteers working tirelessly to develop an online platform that allows partner hospitals and medical personnel across the Asia Pacific region to connect during this period of great need.  Interplast will be launching a digital service that:
  • Allows medical professionals in developing countries to view essential training videos and resources on demand
  • Facilitates virtual conversations and case-planning between Interplast’s volunteers and its partners
  • Provides a secure forum for sharing of ideas, medical responses, mentoring and case-consultations.
The impact of COVID-19 is significant especially amongst health services within developing nations.
 
“Many thanks to the District 9810 Interplast Committee & Clubs for their incredible support over the last three years.  My term has come to an end, and Peter Lewis will be the new Interplast Chair.  Please give him and Interplast your support”, PP Liz Guiver, District Interplast Chair, 2017 – 2020.
 
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Club Changeovers
 
What is your club panning for its changeover event? If there is an intention to go ahead with a virtual changeover, please remember that one of the G-train members (DG Shia, DGE Alma, DGN Daryl and DGND Ken) would all be delighted to receive an invitation. 
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District 9810 - Changeover Event
 
District Changeover will be going ahead on 20 June as planned but it will move to the virtual world.  An event committee has been formed and plans are being formulated.  Details on how to book will be circulated as soon as they are prepared but please save the date now and look forward something very different from the traditional changeover.
 
There WILL be a District Changeover Event.
 
It WILL be Zoomed on Saturday, June 20th.
 
It may possibly commence at 7.30pm.
 
It may even go for about an hour or so.
 
Attendees WILL need to register online.
 
Attendees may even offer a voluntary donation to EndPolio.
 
There may even be a series of “after parties” organized in Clusters.
 
The incoming and outgoing DGs may separately Zoom in to all of them.
 
However uncertain all this reads there WILL be a District Changeover Event.
 
Stay alert for more information that WILL come to you soon.
 
AND YES, SAVE THE DATE
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
IT WILL BE GREAT!
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An Opportunity to Feature Your Project in Rotary Down Under
 
Rotary Down Under have scheduled ‘International Sustainable Gastronomy Day’ as their June theme and have included a brief overview below. They realise service/projects etc. are rather challenging at present, but are asking Clubs / Rotarians to let them know if you they have anything in mind that falls into this category.
 

Sustainable Gastronomy Day

  • Sustainable Gastronomy Day emphasises the need to focus the world’s attention on the role that sustainable gastronomy can play. It also reaffirms that all cultures and civilisations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development.
  • In addition to its interlinkages with the three dimensions of sustainable development, sustainable gastronomy can play a role promoting agricultural development, food security, nutrition, sustainable food production and the conservation of biodiversity.
  • The commitment to sustainability implies responsibility for the production and consumption of food. This means that public, private, producer, business, professional and travel institutions should support the consumption of sustainable food and create links with local producers. The commitment of gastronomy towards the principles of sustainability include:
    • the protection of cultural values, heritage and diversity.
    • environmental protection; and
    • efficient use of resources;
    • poverty reduction;
    • We can all contribute to the protection of the environment and many of us have already adopted habits in our daily lives. The choices we make in our eating habits also have an impact on the environment.
For further information or to share a story you can contact Meagan Martin who is the editor at Rotary Down Under on 0413 067 717 or meaganmartin@rotarydownunder.com.au
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Australian Rotary Health COVID-19 Appeal
 
 
It has become clear during the COVID-19 pandemic that looking after our health – particularly our mental health – is more important than ever.
 
With social distancing rules in place, many of our supporters across Australia who would normally raise thousands of dollars towards mental health research, have been forced to postpone and cancel their fundraising events.
 
We can see that this virus is affecting our mental health tremendously. Therefore, continuing to support mental health research to learn how to best support our communities when unexpected events like these occur, is crucial.
 
We ask that you please consider donating to mental health research today to help Australian Rotary Health #Liftthelidonmentalillness in these uncertain times and ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
 
We have set a target to raise $200,000. Any dollars towards this will be greatly appreciated.
 
Please share this link with your family, friends and social networks.
 
Thank you for your support!
 
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Finding calmness, whilst social distancing:
  • Limiting news consumption to trusted sources like The World Health Organisation
  • Walking
  • Reading
  • Listening to quality podcasts
  • Daily gratitude, writing, sharing (start a WhatsApp group called ‘daily gratitude’ with your closest friends/fellow Rotarians)
  • Helping vulnerable people in our community
 
There are incredible resources out there for free for us all to use. Here are some free tools that have been recommended:
 
Meditation:
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And to finish off....
 
 
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Hi to all.
 
Thank you all for the positive feedback since the launch of this newsletter.
 
Just a reminder that if you or your club would like to be part of "Staying Connected", please send me your photos and articles to
highlights9810@gmail.com prior to the next edition which will sent out on the 8th June.
  
All the best
 
Michael Ellinger 
Rotary Club of Oakleigh Clayton Huntingdale
Highlights Editor