|
Vol 36 No.19
19 November 2009
Meeting Report
17 November 2009
Email all apologies to Philip Lambers or call Philip on 9499 7407 ah or 9829 1512 bh
|
|
|
Mini Market Roster
| Mini Roster |
29/11/2009 |
6/12/2009 |
13/12/2009 |
| OIC: 6.30 - 1.30 |
Peter Thomas |
Mark Caldwell |
David Hattam |
| 6:30 - 12:30 |
Lewis Stephens |
David Harris |
Stephen Lambert |
| 6:30 - 12:30 |
Mike R-W |
Mike Dobson |
Hugh Rutter |
| 7:00 - Clear |
John Keogh |
Michael Hennessy |
Anthea Rutter |
| 7:00 - Clear |
Paul Mulqueen |
Chris De Fraga |
David Rhodes |
| 7:00 - Clear |
Allen Pretty |
|
SG Lai |
| Counter: 11.00 - |
Keith Carroll |
Jim Hopper |
Carol Imison |
|
|
This Week
Four speakers at the meeting showed the breadth of help Rotary has developed in helping the needy.
News from South Africa
Newly nominated President Elect for 2010-11, Peter Frueh said Olivia Brian, one of four speakers at the meeting, had been working for two years in South Africa in a program called Gold which sought new leaders for the future among the youth of South Africa.
Olivia, who has been supported by the RCB, explained to the meeting that when she returns to her social work in South Africa she was going to a paid position that "made a change from being for two years self-funded volunteer with help from the RCB."
She now works out of the McCord Hospital in Duban, Kwa Zulu Natal and up into Botswana, Zambia and Namibia in a paid position responsible for fund raising.
She described living and working at the top of the Valey of a Thousand Hills in an area once known for apartheid enforcement and not a lot had changed.
"We cannot look at all the youth problems but we are working with some of them, encouraging them to follow the right path," she said. Her organisation was encouraging them in improving themselves and living a life of health and happiness.
She had immersed herself in her work so that now she sang in a Zulu choir.
"Public health is in huge trouble in Durban," she warned.
Rotary Foundation
Garth Symington who was part of the Rotary foundation said that programs such as Polio Plus in future would be able to look after its own money in a few years and continue its work on education and humanitarian work.
"Bill and Melinda Gates had given another $200m and if rotary clubs gave $1000, in three years Rotary can make $200m."
Bushfire recovery in Gippsland
The way the dollars were given from the Rotary Club of Balwyn in direct bushfire relief had meant that the jobs required for bushfire recovery could be leveraged according to the president of the Mirboo North Rotary Club, Mark Uren. The third of four speakers at the meeting, he gave a fascinating account as the bushfire recovery as chairman of the south Gippsland Land Care agency.
Money that had been given directly to him from the RCB meant that those involved in the recovery could begin jobs. And when those jobs received other funding for these tasks, that money could be used to further the recovery.
Direct funding without strings from the RCB meant that the money could be used more efficiently, he said.
"If the bushfire recovery money was to go to fencing to help a farmer, then it could not be public money from the shire because it was going to an individual. But getting no-strings funding meant more could be achieved because the shire funds could be re-allocated. Shires did not want to get into disputes involving public money being used on private properties," he explained.
"So instead of spending the money on private fencing, we could spend it coordinating the fencing and using it to best effect,’’ he said, "perhaps on non-fencing projects. The way the money was allocated directly meant we could re-cycle Balwyn’s money, and it meant we could say `yes’ right away on projects and get them under way."
More than 10,000 hectares of land needed work and 99 per cent of the recovery work was the responsibility of the shires.
"We should be mindful victims of bushfires would expect (more help) next time," he said adding that one aspect of the recovery was the strengthening of communities in the areas affected.
Some pictures he showed illustrated the severity of the fires – and the rapid way the Australian bush could recover.
Mark Uren & President Bill discuss the possible fate of a gift of wine
|
|
Guest Speaker
Bushfires in our State & National Parks
Our guest speaker this week was Ross Williams, a botanist with Parks Victoria who is now responsible for fire recovery management in all parks in Victoria.
He told us that the Feburary fires burnt 120,000 hectares of parkland, 180,000 hectares of crown land and 100,000 hectares of private land. Of the parks the followings suffered most: King Lake (98% burnt), Yarra Ranges (31%), Wilsons Prom (50%), Bunyip (46%) and Cathedral (95%).
Initial demands on Parks Victoria include rehabilitation of suppression works (repairing damage done by fire prevention activities), restoring basic services & assets, Staff welfare (many staff have been badly affected by their experienced during and after the fires) and repairing or preventing subsequent water damage to burnt areas.
He assured us that in the long run, fires do not destroy environments & result in environmental catastrophy. Generally, most species have the capacity to recover sooner or later. However, there are exceptions and some species have been very badly affected and do need special attention.
He also told us about the fact that these fires have exposed previously unknown sites with cultural significance. A number of aboriginal sites have been discovered which will now be studied and preserved. Similarly, significant sites from early days of European settlement have also been discovered and will also be studied and preserved.
Ross Williams is thanked by CFD David Harris after a very interesting & illuminating talk.
|
|
Next Week
Our guest speaker next week
Our own member, Geoff Bond who will be talking about his experiences working in Afghanistan. Here's a preview of what he will be talking about.
Probably the most difficult and stressful challenge I have ever undertaken venturing into the unknown fronts of Afghanistan. Communications & coordination of tasks were extremely challenging, mostly working 14 - 16 hr days 7 days / week. It goes something like this;
- Ex airline pilot - Qantas, Virgin Europe, Australian Airlines, Air Pacific, Rex, and general aviation.
- Went to Afghanistan March 2009, & returned October 2009.
- My role in Afg was to assist in the establishment of an 'Air Operations Cell' for the U.N in support of the 2009 'Presidential Elections'.
- Based in Kabul, living in a joint U.N. / Security forces compound.
- Security was taken very seriously. All road missions required travel in armored vehicles accompanied by two body guards and an escort.
- Met many interesting people including Afghan ministers, Chief of Electoral Commission, senior Generals from coalition forces and Afghan military.
The best part was my final trip home with Emirates and being upgraded to 1st class on the new Airbus A380. I Slept !!!
Also addressing us next week
Tom Bamforth who is Rotary Club of Balwyn’s Rotary World Peace and Conflict Resolution Fellowship Candidate for 2010
At the age of only 32, Tom has very successfully completed graduate and post graduate degrees in both Australia and London ( all with 1st Class Honours) which have focused on understanding conflict and conflict resolution as well as concentrating on practical subjects in public policy and administration and becoming proficient in a second language.
This combination of study and academic attainment in conjunction with his extensive hands- on practical experiences in very challenges contexts with significant professional and moral responsibility and ongoing demonstrated predilection for humanitarian endeavour makes, Tom a very valuable addition to the world’s resources in the quest for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Some of Tom’s work experience has included
- Protection Officer ( Darfur – Sudan) responsible for logistics and the protection ,verification and movement of “Displaced Persons” as a result of conflict in Sudan.
- Program Manager ( Earthquake Response) - North West Frontier- Pakistan, overall responsibility for co ordinating and delivering the shelter relief, health , education ,protection tribal area community mobilization and shelter reconstruction programs in conjunction with NGO’s, United Nations, military and Pakistan Govt. organisations.
- Program Officer (Pacific Region Disaster Management) responsible for design and implementation of capacity building and disaster preparedness program in the Pacific focussing specifically on Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu.
Tom somehow also finds time to share his experience by tutoring at Melbourne University in development studies involving global politics, philosophy and economics.
I addition Tom is an strong advocate for and designer of improved policies for facilitating the practical delivery of humanitarian relief in contexts of emergency / crisis.
|
|
Care Report
To top off a very busy interesting night we celebrated the 95th birthday of Ben Bradbury. Julie Goodwin made a special birthday cake with appropriate decorations. (Thank you Julie). This topped of a very busy day for Ben and he was pleased to head home at 9PM.
Wednesday was to be another busy day as he was moving into Eva Tilley Home in Burke road. He is remarkable positive about his change circumstances and we all wish him well.
Geoff. Hare is back home in his apartment but the Doctors still have some concern about hid health. hopes to be back with us soon.
Two of our overseas travellers are back with us. Lindsay and Bev Jones have been visiting daughter in New York and hire a vehicle to cross USA and enjoy the sights on way home. Gavin and Mary Wayland have been visiting their son in London and took the opportunity to explore the surrounding country.
Keith
|
|
Xmas Dinner
STOP PRESS
The date has changed folks!
It's on at:
- Royal South Yarra Tennis Club
- on Tuesday, Dec 8
- Cost $65 per person.
This is a great venue & it's always a wonderful event. So . . . please reserve the date and come along to enjoy a great night.
|
|
New member
This week it was good to be able to welcome to the club, Eric and Pam Davey's friends David & Elena Rhodes.
David's category is Software Engineering
|
|
Rotary Foundation
Mission – History – Polio Eradication Challenge - Education Programs
The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
read more
|
|
Spread the RELISH
We have already raised almost $2,000 for FareShare through our sales of RELISH.
A special thank you to the 45 members who have helped “Spread the RELISH” to-date. It is a small but significant step to reaching our target figure of raising over $10,000.
Well done Balwyn
RELISH was very favourably reviewed in the Sunday Herald Sun on Nov 8th.
RELISH will also be sold at the Camberwell Sunday market on Nov 22nd, 29th and Dec 6th.
Cheers
Kevin W. Walsh
Ph : 03 98368738
Mob : 0407 354588
|
|
Thought for the week
When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
|
|
Diary Dates
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.
24 Nov 09 - Afganistan . . . Geoff Bond
1 Dec 09 - Mechatronics . . . Clarke Ballard/Swinburne Uni
8 Dec 09 - Christmas Dinner
15 Dec 09 - A judge's perspective - Children's Book Council Awards - Suzanne Thwaites
22 Dec 09 - Christmas Breakfast . . . Rev. John Bodycomb
29 Dec 09 - No meeting
5 Jan 10 - No meeting
For details of meetings beyond the dates above, click on the READ MORE link below
read more
|
|
