23 July 2009

Meeting Report
21 July 2009

? Members present
? Visiting Rotarians
? Guests
 

Email all apologies to Philip Lambers or call Philip on 9499 7407 ah or 9829 1512 bh

Click here to view all rosters

For a hard copy of this newsletter please print this email.

There will be two speakers at Balwyn Rotary Club next week – Andrew Asten and Benardette Choo – to talk on the Schools 4 Schools program.  A key part of this is the is the partnership exchange program which is running for the second time in 2009. An initiative of the Oaktree Foundation, this provides Australian and South African students with the opportunity to travel to each other’s home land and explore the culture and social challenges that exist.

Oaktree’s  ``Schools 4 Schools’ is the foundations flagship initiative and works to provide increased access to quality educational opportunities for students across the developing world through bringing schools in Australia into partnership with schools in the developing world.  Oaktree has been working with Balwyn High School this year.

The Partnership Exchange Program has formed an integral part of the Schools 4 Schools program, which has already impacted the lives of over 25,000 Australian and 45,000 South Africa young people throughout 2007 and 2008.

“Undoubtedly my life has changed from this experience...I have learnt that the human spirit can overcome nearly anything in its path” (2008 Partnership Exchange Program Participant)

Although the Australian students that participate in the Partnership Exchange Program fund their own involvement, Oaktree must partner with the Australian community to provide the support necessary for the less advantaged South African students to participate in the Exchange Program.

The time that the South African students spent in Australia in 2008 had a huge impact in our Australian schools. Our students were able to meet and hear from the people whose lives were being changed by the work of the Australian schools, and to learn and understand huge amounts about South African life, culture, and the challenges that face young people there.

DR CAROLINE GARGETT: STEM CELL RESEARCH & WOMEN’S HEALTH

As Senior Scientist at Monash Institute of Medical Research, Caroline leads a team studying stem cell microbiology and women’s health.  She impressed all of us by her obvious grasp of this complex subject, and with her fluency of presentation.

There are two types of stem cells- embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Stem cells, both adult and embryonic are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods and can develop into specialised cell types.

She explained the different origin of adult and embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells being unencumbered with some of the ethical concerns that surround the study of embryonic stem cells.

Stem cell research offers a glimpse of potential therapies for various diseases and conditions previously believed to be incurable. The endometrium in the uterus is one of the most rapidly repairing parts of the body and in 2005 Dr Gargett and her team isolated adult stem cells in the endometrium.

They continue research to examine the molecular and cellular properties of these cells so they can determine how to direct and manage the cells for therapeutic purposes.

Dr Gargett spoke about several areas of potential application of these stem cells in reproductive health.  In pelvic organ prolapse, a weakness in the supports of the uterus and pelvic support ligaments  means about 10% of women require surgery to repair the prolpase and up to 30% require a repeat operation.

Artificial materials currently are used to repair the pelvic floor but are not always satisfactory. Research is looking at the possibility of using a patient’s own adult stem cells to create a bio-engineered ligament that hopefully may provide a better solution for superior support than current techniques.

Endometriosis is a condition that causes inflammation, adhesions and pelvic pain. The function of stem cells in the uterus is being researched in the hope that this will provide clues into the part these cells play in the origin and development of endometriosis.

Endometrial cancer is the commonest reproductive cancer and the role of stem cells in the development of cancer is being researched.  It is believed that cancers may be due to mutations in adult stem cells which go on to produce cancer cells instead of the normal cells of the tissue or organ where they reside.  Increased understanding of adult stem cells and the factors normally involved in the growth and self renewal of stem cells could provide a vital insight into how they might transform into cancer stem cells. Dr Gargett is working on identifying cancer stem cells in endometrial cancer to gain insights into these processes.

It was a large gathering of men and women to which Dr Gargett spoke on sensitive issues concerning women’s health and reproductive physiology.  To her credit Caroline described her subject matter with charm and pleasant aplomb.

Ian & Nelle Lees are in good spirits. Nelle is (reluctantly) receiving Physio on a regular basis and benefitting from Ian’s fine culinary skills. Yesterday he made 28 pasties – to an old recipe of Nelle’s Mother. They are always happy to hear from Rotary friends – and if you like Pasties....... perhaps call in on them around lunchtime.

From Diana Lorbach (recovering from Knee Surgery)

Dear Hugh,
Thank you for your enquiry regarding my health-I am indeed improving all the time.
Diana Lorbach

From Geoff Hare

Hi Hugh,
Thanks for your concern.      I am on the mend and hope to be at Rotary on 28 July.    I do not move to Rylands (Kew) until 1 October.    I returned from my trip to Cape York last week, the mornings were cold and evenings much the same but the days were reasonable.    At Lady Elliot Island Resort the weather was not good.    Thanks for your email.
Best Wish to all at Balwyn Rotary,
Geoff.   

Jim Kiley will be heading off for hip surgery soon and we all wish him well. We may  experience a slight downturn in the Real Estate market for the next month or so until Jim gets back into the saddle.

Great to see Doug McLauchlan’s smiling face back at Club Meetings. With the market ticking along well now – hopefully it will be a regular experience.

As you are no doubt aware – with Collingwood being overrun by Hawthorn last weekend – Keith Carroll has taken Joan away for some R & R up north. All Care & No Responsibility it seems.!!!!!

Have a great break, Keith – rest assured that all “We Care” items will be handled by Hugh or Hamish in your absence.

Hugh Trumble (standing in for Keith & Hamish)

David Jones - Club Services

David (pictured at right) gave us a broad brush sweep of the activities:

Carol Imison Director of Meeting and Attendance – contact Phil Lambers if unable to attend a meeting.  Hamish is to be Welcomer.  Sergeant is Henry Brockman.

Programs; Anthea Rutter: please contact Anthea if you have good ideas for a speaker.  Interesting speakers make for interesting meetings!

Communications: Hugh Trumble is Director of Website.  Chris deFraga Editor of Bulletin: Mike Rodger Wilson is Publisher.

Property and Archives:  Rob Poynter looks after Flags, Club Records.

Sunday Market Pty Ltd: Ian Jenkins Director. 

By-Laws  Ted Gillies is Director

New Horizons:  Norman T-Bay looking after the future of the Club

Fellowship & Fundraising:  David Jones Director.

Events:             Movie Night – local – Friday night; Sunday Lunch:  Club Birthday – Beau Monde – Doncaster: Fireside Chats:  Pub Night

John Keogh - RCB Sunday Market  

Our current lease on the Car Park expires Feb 2010 and are exercising our option to renew.  Hopefully negotiate a new lease of 10+years.  Our Market Team is 71 members: 13 OIC, 8 Counters, 50 Collectors.

Performance:  Our revenue is up +6% (80% Stallholders, 20% from Patrons)  $505,500 paid to the Club from Market Revenue 2008-09.  New Booking website currently being trialled & hopefully installed shortly.

Caravan is to be repainted and new signage…

Jim Kiley - New Generations

New Generations will be busy with: RYPEN, RYLA, NYSF, ROMACS,  Siemens Science Experience and will consider MUNA.  In conjunction with ARDOC, support three Early Learning Centres in Housing Commission Flats at South Melbourne, South Yarra and Fitzroy.  Also we shall be sending kids to Lord Somers Camp and helping UNYA.  Will evaluate Youth Exchange, Interact, Science and Engineering Challenge, and Project five – Melbourne Ballet.

Owen Tassicker.

WAS RICHARD PRATT THINKING OF ROTARY?

`Encourage your people to be committed to a project rather than just be involved in it’ – Richard Pratt.

We had two tipstars pick the card in Round 16 - Congratulations to Henry Sammut and Peter Blundell - they share the $30 jackpot.

The end-of-season race has seen the leader jump ahead of the peleton. Henry Sammut leads on 96 with Jim Hopper, Peter Blundell, Bill Goodwin and Murray Wilkinson on 93 with Kevin Walsh on 92.

Good luck for Round 17 - the pool is $10.

The Administrator

Meeting Program

28 Jul 09 -Schools 4 Schools program . . .    Andrew Asten & Bernadette Choo

4 Aug 09 - Build a Bridge Migrant Program . . .   Camberwell Salvos

11 Aug 09 - Kinda + (Also a General Meeting to consider Constitution & By-law chganges)

18 Aug 09 - District Governor's visit

25 Aug 09 - Air Traffic Control in Oman . . .   Michael Dobson

For details of meetings beyond the dates above, click on the READ MORE link below

NOTE
There are many other Rotary events scheduled for the year. Please refer to the calendar in the club website for details. You can click on the "Agenda" tab for a summary.

Click here http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/ridefault.aspx