Bruce's Bulletin October 2020

OCTOBER 2020

BRU E S BULLETIN C

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The Official Newsletter of Rotary District 9790 Inc www.rotary9790.org.au

WHAT THIS ISSUE CONTAINS :(AMONG LOTS OF OTHER THINGS)

2021 RI Conference in Taipei Lift the Lid on Mental Health World Polio Day Playground for the elderly Backyard Gardens Fencing at Sugarloaf

BRUCE'S COLUMN Written by District Governor Bruce Anderson

Welcome to the fourth DG’s Newsletter for the 2020 – 2021 Rotary Year, the year when “Rotary Opens Opportunities”. At the time of writing (October 3rd) we are still in our Stage 4 COVID-19 lockdown and curfew in Melbourne so we are even more restricted than we were at the start of the Rotary year and may be living with restrictions for months into the future. For those of you in rural areas that have more flexibility to travel and meet face to face – enjoy! Those of us in lockdown will be doing visits and activities by Zoom for some time to come. In terms of District Governor visits to clubs Marilyn and I are past the half-way mark (45 clubs by Zoom) but hope there will be opportunities later in the Rotary Year for us to visit at least some of the clubs in person. I have been enjoying our Zoom visits and learning how clubs are surviving the COVID-19 crisis, finding new ways to engage with fellow members and the communities they support, and finding novel ways to raise funds. It is certainly true that “every club is different”!

ontents

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Item

Page

Calendar of Events/ District/Club Deadlines

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District Governor's message

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2021 District Conference

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A Word from the Editor

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Lift the Lid on Mental Health - Mental Health Month

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Rotary Builds a playground in Aged Care

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Fencing at Sugarloaf Station with the Alexandra Rotary Team

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"The Long Arm of Rotary"

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Rotary Delivering to Seymour's Most Vulnerable

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Rotary Club of Eltham Wine Offer

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'I Am Woman" Polio Movie Event 2020

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Supporting the Environment

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Backyard Farming in the City

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Youth News

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Rotary Youth Exchange

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Annual Calendar

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RI 2021 Conference in Taipei

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World Polio Day

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Photo credits: Cover: Phil Lusher and Rotary International, Page 4: Phil Lusher, Page 6: Joanne Redfearn, Page 7 courtesy of Rosemary Freeman, Page 8 courtesy of David Earle, Page 9 courtesy of Kathy Mills, Page 11 courtesy of Tom Farrell, Page 12: Laurie Fagan, Page 15: Phil Clancy, Page 16: Elly Gardner, Growing Farmers and David Redfearn

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alendar of events

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Event

Location

Date(s)

Contact

Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre,

18-21 March 2021

www.rotary9790.org.au

RYPEN (Rotary Youth Lake Nillahcootie Camp, 3937 Program of Enrichment) 2021 Midland Highway, Barjarg between Benalla and Mansfield about 15 km south of Swanpool.

26-28 March 2021

Contact Malcolm Watt, M 0439 158 274 E: watt.malc@gmail.com

Rotary Youth Leasership award TBA (RYLA)

21-27 November 2021 E: info@ryla9790.org.au

District Conference

Peter Toomey Police Officer of the Year

District/club deadlines

Annual award for NSW and/or Victorian police officer(s) for service to their community

Friday 15 January 2021 David Redfearn on 0448 852 747 or for nominations dredfearn@vtown.com.au

Grant applications for ‘Supporting the Environment’

Projects will be accepted from 1 July 2021 (see page 15)

Phil Clancy on philip.clancy1@gmail.com or 0428 834 162

Rotary Citation for Rotary Clubs Award nominations

30 June 2021

2020-21 Club Presidents

October 2020 Economic and ommunity Development Month C

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District Governor s page '

In the beginning Marilyn and I decided against a formal “Partner’s Project” this Rotary year as we were mindful of fundraising difficulties caused by COVID-19. More recently Marilyn has decided to launch a “Partner’s Project” after all in association with the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University (OTARC).

Here is a description of the proposed Partner’s Project:

As noted last month our Conference Committee is pushing ahead hoping for a big, live party in Wangaratta in March next year but contingency plans are being developed to deal with challenges from the COVID-19 crisis. In recent days we have received advice from the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre on how many people can be accommodated “live” under various scenarios: 85% capacity, 4 square metres per person and 2 square OTARC has expertise in very early autism detection; metres per person. Based on those figures we are it’s important to detect early so that children are getting quietly confident that we will be able to have a diagnosed early and can receive early intervention; conference “live” as planned, and possibly with early brain malleability means that the impact of early supplementary video streaming, Of course, if we fall into intervention is enhanced. Based on this expertise OTARC has trained all Victorian MCH nurses on how to a third COVID phase and the organising committee gets locked down in Melbourne again we will have to revisit monitor early signs of autism and refer them for an contingency plans. early diagnosis. We have also developed an app for

parents to monitor their children between 11 - 30 months - which with the help of Google has been translated into Spanish and Mandarin. However, there is still both limited expertise and capacity, particularly in rural areas, to undertake early diagnosis, with children aging while on waiting lists. Hence Rotary can assist by helping to raise funds for early diagnosis. We can do this in a number of ways: 1. undertake these ourselves at OTARC (Bundoora) (and perhaps funds can also be used to support families to travel to Bundoora); 2. build capacity by training those within the rural areas to do so; 3. Have a Mobile Early Assessment Clinic for Autism.

The election of Past Presidents from each of our District Zones to serve on the District Governor Nominating Committee has been completed: Congratulations to George Kapouleas (RC Coburg, Zone 1) , Jennifer Hill (RC Shepparton, Zone 2) and Marg Crisp (RC Wodonga Central, Zone 3). The Nominating Committee will convene this month and begin the task of identifying suitable candidates for the role. Meanwhile I would love to hear from you if you are interested in being DG or have someone else in mind for the job!

Stay home, stay safe!

Contributions can be sent to the District Fund Account BSB 633 000 Account 140 378 365. Please make sure you specify the funds are for the Partner’s Project.

DG Bruce, October 3, 2020

As DG I get a weekly report from RI on progress across the district with completion of on-line training modules in the My Rotary Learning Centre. At last count we have had 278 modules completed including multiple modules by some members, 236 modules are partially completed, and a massive 669 modules have enrolments from members but no further progress. Last month’s figures were 240, 154 and 632, respectively, so progress has been made! Given the continuing COVID restrictions we might be able to get more modules completed by next month.

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A Word from the Editor

Where's the money coming from?

We cannot fail to be aware of the disruption caused

by COVID-19 and many of us in Victoria and Melbourne in particular have seen our activities curtailed considerably. Not our meetings as my sense is that a lot of club meetings are as vibrant as ever on line but many of us do miss the fragrant aroma of cooked sausages and onions wafting across the forecourt of our local Bunnings, the more so because it means money for our club to do good things (and create great stories for this bulletin!). Sausage sizzles are of course not the only way clubs raise funds but there is no doubt that fundraising activities of all descriptions have been considerably disrupted.

What a great month for our bulletin!

I admit that a couple of weeks a go, I was starting to wonder if I would receive much at all for October but then the emails started to trickle in from everywhere and we now have a bumper edition so thank you to those clubs and Rotarians who stepped up to share their stories. It is a real delight to present them as they show us all what great work Rotary does in so many different ways and at so many levels. I know all you others out there have some fabulous things to share with us so please don’t be modest and send in some great pics and stories next month!

Where am I going with this? Well, I am aware of some quite creative ways that some clubs are continuing to fundraise and there are no doubt many I haven’t heard of. The other day, for example, I learned that Ivanhoe is doing a virtual Bunnings Sausage Sizzle and there must be many other wonderful ideas out there so I am putting a call out for any club which has a great fundraising idea to please share it with us in our November edition.

In the meantime, everyone stay safe and well.

Yours in Rotary, David Redfearn, Bulletin Editor

Bruce's Bulletin is the official newsletter of Rotary District 9790 Inc. www.rotary9790.org.au Publisher/Editor: David Redfearn Art Director: David Redfearn Advertising: David Redfearn Other duties as required: David Redfearn NOTE: All photographs/images submitted must include detailed captions i.e. names of people, event locations etc. It is presumed that the supplier of the photograph/image has approval of the owner of said copyright to reproduce the photograph/image Closing date is by 20 October 2020 Note: The views expressed in this publication represent those of the contributor/s and are not necessarily those of or shared by the District, the Committee, any Club, the Members or the magazine This bulletin is designed on Canva (www.canva.com)

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LIFT THE LID ON MENTAL ILLNESS O TOBER - MENTAL HEALTH MONTH C

Lift the Lid on Mental Illness is a national mental health fundraising and awareness initiative of Australian Rotary Health (ARH), that aims to raise much needed funds for mental health research and thereby improve the health and well-being of all Australians.

ARH is one of the largest non-government funders of mental health research in Australia and in 2020 over 2 million dollars has been committed by ARH to mental health research.

“Almost one in five Australians will experience a mental illness in a 12-month period and almost half the population will experience a mental illness at some stage in their lives.”

"At least one third of young people have had an episode of mental illness by the time they are 25 years old."

“Anyone can develop a mental illness and no one is immune to mental health problems.”

By continuing to create public awareness to break down the stigma of mental illness and to raise funds for mental health research, we can make a positive step to improving these outcomes.

During the month of October Rotarians and Rotary clubs throughout Australia are encouraged to get involved to create awareness and raise funds for mental health research. This year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed, Rotary clubs particularly in Victoria will be thinking creatively of ways to be involved in October.

Some may wait until later in the Rotary year when clubs will be able to freely engage with their communities.

If your club is yet to plan a Lift the Lid activity, it is not too late to do so.

Let’s all make an effort to ensure that Lift the Lid on Mental Illness is a great success for Australian Rotary Health this year.

For more information about Australian Rotary Health visit: www.australianrotaryhealth.org.au or contact Rosemary Freeman, Rotary Club of Moreland on 0418 104 964 or freemanrl32@gmail.com

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Rotary Builds A Playground in Aged Care Loneliness is one of the most disturbing trends in aged care with up to 40% of residents never having a visitor. An aged care facility is not the most exciting place to visit and there is generally not an outdoor play area for children. For that reason, some families do not bring their children to visit and this is a great pity because of the benefits of young people interacting with seniors.

The Rotary Club of Shepparton South has donated $10,000 cash and $5,000 in-kind to help build a multi-generational playground at Shepparton Retirement Villages, which is home to 300 residents.

The playground design will utilise natural features like rocks, logs, sand, and sensory gardens, and cater for all ages including teenagers, adults, and seniors.

The club has involved VCAL students from the nearby Secondary College to plan and design elements of the playground with Rotary offering prizes for outstanding work.

The Shepparton South club has embraced this project as part of their Gen Connection youth program and members are looking forward to some hands-on work once COVID restrictions are lifted.

Any Rotarians who want to be involved in this project or have some ideas that could assist in any way should contact David Earle at: davide124@gmail.com

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Rotary delivering to Seymour's most vulnerable When the corona virus first received attention and restrictions on movement were imposed, it became apparent that some of the more vulnerable members of the community would have difficulty in satisfying their day to day needs.

The Rotary Club of Seymour considered how it may be able to help. The area of concern was in South and East Seymour, where much of the population is elderly.

The club spoke to the O’Keefe family which operates the local IGA store, looking for ways to assist. The business has been a great supporter of Rotary over the years, and the club saw this opportunity as not only being of benefit to the community, but also doing something to acknowledge the help received from IGA. The club used a dedicated mobile phone for customers to use for initial orders and enquiries. This removed the need for store staff to take telephone orders, which could be time-consuming. Within a few days, a printed order form was developed, which was delivered to customers on request or with each order. When customers had an order for collection, a call to the duty Rotarian led to its collection.

Goods were picked in the store after normal hours, and delivered the next day by Rotarians. Payment was either in cash (in an envelope) or by credit card using a portable EFTPOS machine.

This system was gradually refined, with specified days for order collection and delivery adopted to minimise labour and waste.

In the 7 weeks in which Rotary was involved, led by Community Service Chair Ewan McDonald assisted by Tony Watson, there were some 30 regular customers whose needs were met.

After a surge in activity in the second and third weeks, use became consistent, and with the community becoming better adjusted to the restrictions, IGA was able to organise for its staff to take over the task, which continues.

The club was pleased to be able to quickly respond to a community need which was urgent and could easily have overwhelmed the capacity of the retail world to respond.

Kathy Mills, Rotary Club of Seymour

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Fencing at Sugarloaf Station with the Alexandra Rotary team Dandongadale is in North East Victoria’s high country, south of Myrtleford, about as remote as you can get! Sugarloaf Station is just below Mt Sugarloaf on the Buffalo River, in a beautiful setting in the wild country of the Buffalo Valley. Mal and Di Taylor own the property.

The call to help the Taylor’s came through Rotary District 9790.

BlazeAid had been contacted but were not able to provide helpers.

BlazeAid provided some donated fencing materials, which were transported to the Taylor’s and two neighbouring farms by DELWP. It was a good team effort with Rotary taking a leading role.

Rotarians Ian Gibb from Rotary Club of Alexandra and Bruce Walker from Rotary Club of Benalla visited the station for a ‘reccy’. Ian and Bruce had been part of fencing teams working around Corryong earlier in the year. Sugarloaf Station’s boundary fencing was destroyed in last summer’s bushfires, but this property had not been able to be assisted by any teams since then.

Their cattle had scattered into the high country, fending for themselves. Malcolm and Di had managed to fence some parts of the property by themselves but with only the two of them it was very slow progress.

Ian and Bruce proposed a fencing team to visit Sugarloaf Station over four days to assist with boundary fencing. A small pilot team from Rotary Club of Alexandra was organized. Ross Thompson and John Cannon volunteered to join Ian and it was set up as a Rotary Club of Alexandra project.

The countryside is now green, a far cry from the devastation of the bushfires which raged through the heavily forested property in January!

Their fences were damaged and the cattle wandered off into the bush to fend for themselves for the last six months.

Recently their cattle began returning home. About fifty cattle had returned by the time we arrived and Mal and Di were concerned about Indi, their favourite cow, who was due to calve at any moment but was not to be found. It was a real worry as she was a very special cow they had hand-raised – and she was usually boss cow of the herd.

Big Red, a venerable Toyota troop carrier, is amazing! She has done over one and a half million kilometers and still going strong!

We hopped in Big Red with Kya the labrador. Di drove. Mal drove ahead on the tractor. We forded the Buffalo River then loaded the trailer with wire and fencing gear. Mal picked up concrete posts plus a couple of gates on the forklift of his tractor and led the way up into the hills.

We bounced and jerked our way over uneven terrain, through boggy stretches, along fence-lines, up and down steep inclines, through a

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difficult creek crossing, climbing ever higher till we reached the back of the property, the trailer bouncing along behind.

It was evident that Mal and Di had done a huge amount of fencing themselves over the last six months, but they really needed help to have secure boundary fencing around the entire property to keep their cattle home. Our task was to tackle long stretches of heavily damaged boundary fencing.

There were burnt trees wherever you looked! Mal had moved many of the fallen trees into piles for later burning; ‘pick-up-sticks’, he called it.

For the first couple of days we worked high up at the back of the property adjacent to the National Park. On the first day the weather was cold but fine and progress was good. We worked as a team straightening posts, replacing a smashed corner strainer post stay, replacing electric fence wires and some insulators and adding three strands of barbed wire. We also installed posts and braces for two new gates.

Overnight it snowed on the hills around us. It was difficult to get back to our work site.

Continued page 12

National Park on left

Mal and Ian straining

Wild country

Kangaroo Hill boundary

Sugarloaf

Ross and Di packed up

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Setting up at Fern Gully

Fencing at Sugarloaf Station (continued) From page 10 The road to the top was slippery. We installed the gates and continued working on the next stretch until lunchtime. As we worked snow drifted down on us.

We completed that stretch of fence but the track had become too wet and dangerous to continue at that location, so we moved to a different section of the boundary.

Kangaroo Hill fence was somewhat easier to access, winding in and out the trees, many dead, most struggling to recover with green epicormic fuzz growing along their trunks, to a long stretch of badly damaged boundary.

It was straight-line fencing through up and down steep country. Much of

the wire was re-useable when it was there, much of it fire affected but untangled. Ross was brilliant at that. still useable and some had to be replaced. Lots of wire needed A couple of large trees had fallen untangling, then rethreading through across the fence. Mal manned the the insulators, rejoining and chainsaw to cut and remove enough straining up. to clear the fence. Some strands of wire were able to be joined with a We continued working on this figure 8 knot’, some were replaced boundary on our final day. with new wire. Three strands of new barbed wire were run out and “The job isn’t complete though.” Ian attached. We worked section to said. “We have contacted other section, from strainer post to farmers in the same area who also strainer post. need help. This area appears to be a pocket that has been missed by the For most sections the posts were bushfire effort elsewhere.” still there.

A Phase 2 Rotary expedition is being planned for October depending on Many posts needed straightening. A Covid 19 restrictions. few were broken and needed a new post driven in alongside to support John Cannon them. Most of the wire was still Rotary Club of Alexandra

“The Long Arm of Rotary” We are all aware of the long arm of the law, but Rotary’s reach is also quite long.

Recently when the call went out from the Rotary Club of Tatura to help a single mum with three small boys who was facing 6 weeks lock down without a freezer in Balnarring, the call was picked up by the Rotary clubs on the Mornington Peninsula.

Within 24 hours a freezer was not only sourced, but delivered and installed, much to her surprise. She was totally unaware of what was being done to help her in her s during this Covid 19 Pandemic, there are still things that we can do.

It’s great to see the cooperation, not only between clubs but also districts. There is one mum in Mornington who is very grateful to Rotary.

P.P. Bill Purcell Tatura Rotary Club

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‘I Am Woman’ Polio Movie Event 2020 Back in 1966, Melbourne born singing sensation, Helen Reddy, won the Bandstand Talent Contest and was given a ticket to New York including a recording session with Mercury Records.

This single mother and young daughter left Australia with high expectations – but things didn’t work out as promised. However, she stayed in the USA and rose to global stardom – her defining song being ‘I am Woman’ which she wrote. It became the anthem for women in the 1970s.

Though the movie has been shown on TV’s Stan, Rotary has been given exclusive rights to screen it in cinemas during October and November - nationwide.

The movie is this year’s fundraiser for PolioPlus and is being run as a tribute to Sir Clem Renouf who began the fight to end polio in 1979.

Rotary, with its partners, is SO close to eradicating Polio in the world that we need to make this final push to get the job done!

Wherever restrictions allow, get together with a glass of bubbles at a local cinema reacquainting with people you may not have seen for a while.

It’s just a matter of contacting your local cinema and asking them to get in touch with Transmission Films, the distributor, then rounding up a bunch of Rotarians and friends and choosing a date.

So let’s have some FUN and raise lots of funds for Polio!

More information can be accessed from Rob Byrne at Robert.Byrne@rotary.org / 0403 238 852 or Maria Pantling at eandm@iprimus.com.au or 0402 821 319.

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SUPPORTING THE ENVIRONMENT In response to Rotary International announcing the inclusion of ‘Supporting the Environment’ as the 7th Area of Focus our District 9790 has now established a Task Force to work with our Clubs.

The Task Force will engage Clubs via our Assistant Governor clusters to develop a framework in order that we are well prepared to meet the challenge and ready to prepare Foundation Grant Applications later this Rotary year. Our aim is to have high quality projects ready to start by July.

Our Task Force members are Marie Gerrard, David Redfearn, Kathryn Chivers with me as manager. All members are Rotarians with much Rotary knowledge and most importantly significant awareness of Environmental issues facing us, as well as extensive personal involvement in Environmental projects.

Initially we will be requesting Clubs to inform us of the expertise that exists within their membership regarding the Environment and learn of past and present experience with Environmental projects.

It is important that we become aware of significant Environmental issues needing attention within our District and that we assist with the drawing together of the resources available to address these matters.

Clubs will be encouraged to support a Rotarian's involvement as a member of ESRAG (Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group) in order that the Club will grow in its awareness of broader problems confronting our Planet.

The United Nations lists 17 Sustainable Development Goals, of these four of these relate to our new Focus Area ‘Supporting the Environment’, these will concentrate on: ‘CLIMATE ACTION’ ‘LIFE BELOW WATER’ ‘LIFE ON LAND’ and ‘PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS’ All Rotarians can make a contribution towards a Sustainable Environment.

Yours in Rotary Phil Clancy D9790 Supporting the Environment Task Force Manager .

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Backyard Farming in the city Moreland Rotary Club is excited to be supporting Growing Farmers, a new community-led organisation based in Moreland (www.growingfarmers.org.au).

Growing Farmers connects urban growers with land, mentoring and networking opportunities. The organisation also focuses on building stronger social connections and more affordable, healthy food systems in our local communities.

Rotary is collaborating with Growing Farmers on their first pilot project called Backyard Farmers Project. This pilot project is based in Fawkner and aims to match aspiring local urban farmers with elders and other residents who have underused backyard spaces and are seeking greater social connection.

Growing Farmers has recently been successful in obtaining a Thrive grant from Moreland Council to deliver the pilot project and is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from community members to be farmers or backyard owners (learn more here).

The EOIs close on Sunday 11 October, and the pilot project will kick off in early-November (as restrictions allow).

Moreland Rotary members are looking forward to getting their hands dirty in November, helping out with construction of the backyard gardens.

To find out more about this project visit: www.growingfarmers.org.au/backyard-farmers-project or get in touch with Moreland Rotarian Elly Gardner on 0405 830 690.

Police Awards The Peter Toomey Memorial Community Police Officer of the Year Award goes to an outstanding Victorian or NSW Police Officer in District 9790 who has demonstrated service above self in his or her community.

 It is a way of encouraging local police officers to become more greatly involved in their local community..Do you know a police officer who has done an outstanding job in your local community? Have you ever recognised the work of this officer? If so, please put them forward for an award (see page 3 for the deadline for nominations).

For further information, please give Coordinator David Redfearn a call on 0448 852 747 or by email: dredfearn@vtown.com.au

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Youth News above. Get ahead and begin involving prospective RYLArians in club activities beginning with inviting them to online meetings. Build on involvement over the next 14 months.

Stay tuned to all things RYLA - email messages, Facebook, and website for the up-to-date information.

Contact the team on Email info@ryla9790.org.au W

Youth Program Contacts The good news…the new dates for the next Rotary Youth Leadership Award Sunday, 21 November to Saturday, 27 November 2021.

Place these in your diary and your club’s schedule.

Yes, the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) is in hibernation or postponed or pushed back; use the description you prefer.

The RYLA Team met recently and assessed the probability of RYLA being offered in the unpredictable environment of the 2020-21 Rotary year. The final decision was that the unpredictable environment would not support the program going ahead.

The RYLA Team and Supporters are turning to developing the RYLA Alumni and are already developing resources and a strategic plan for marketing and communications. New testimonials, videos and documents will be on offer as part of the new marketing strategy.

Thank you to the ongoing RYLA passion of District 9790 clubs! We encourage clubs to continue seeking young people for sponsorship. The new dates are

International University Student Rotary Home Hosting – Philip Clancy, M 0428 834 162, Email – philip.clancy1@gmail.com Interact – Linda Gidlund, M 0418 173 279, Email – lleegidlund@gmail.com District Rotaract Committee – Chris White, M 0420574978, Email chris-white77@hotmail.com National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) – Nigel Liggins, M 0400 694 618, nigelliggins@bigpond.com Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) – Bruce McIntyre, M 0427 623 142, Email – bruce.mcintyre1@bigpond.com Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) – Kerry Jones, Secretary M 0414 861 557, Email info@ryla9790.org.au Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment – Contact Malcolm Watt, M 0439 158 274, Email watt.malc@gmail.com Rotex – Contact Rotex by email rotex9790@gmail.com Rotary Builds a Play Ground – David Earle, Email – davide124@gmail.com

If you would like further information please contact Linda Gidlund on 0418 173 279 or lleegidlund@gmail.com

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If you would like further information please contact Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) - Bruce McIntyre on 0427 623 142 or by email bruce.mcintyre1@bigpond.com

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Annual

Calendar

Visit this calendar throughout the year to find award nomination due dates and convention and event information. Develop meeting agendas, projects, or public image campaigns based on these special occasions. All dates are subject to change.

October 2020 Economic and Community Development Month 5-11 October — Rotary Alumni Reconnect Week 24 October — World Polio Day November 2020 Rotary Foundation Month 2-8 November — World Interact Week December 2020 Disease Prevention and Treatment Month 15 December — Last day for early registration discount for the 2021 Rotary Convention January 2021 Vocational Service Month February 2021 Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month 7-11 February— International Assembly, Orlando, Florida, USA 23 February —Rotary's anniversary March 2021 Water and Sanitation Month 8-14 March — World Rotaract Week 31 March — Preregistration discount ends for the Rotary International Convention April 2021 Maternal and Child Health Month 30 April — Rotary International Convention registrations and ticket cancellations are due May 2021 Youth Service Month June 2021 Rotary Fellowships Month 11-12 June — Rotaract Preconvention, Taipei, Taiwan 11-12 June — Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention, Taipei, Taiwan 12-16 June — Rotary International Convention, Taipei, Taiwan Source: https://my.rotary.org/en/news-media/calendar

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Special Invitation to the RI 2021

Conference - Taipei

Dear Rotarians and Partners in District 9790,

On behalf of DG Bruce and Marilyn, I invite you to Feel the Energy in Taipei, Taiwan, at the 2021 Rotary International Convention, 12-16 June, 2021.

The convention is the perfect place to discover new opportunities for service and friendship. You’ll have the chance to collaborate, to learn from other Rotarians, and explore new ways to make a lasting impact in communities around the world. Whether you’re new to your club or a longtime member, the convention will energize you and create memories that last a lifetime.

Visit convention.rotary.org to see what is planned for you.

Here are just some of the reasons not to miss it: You’ll discover new ideas and gain skills at a variety of informative breakout sessions.

You’ll hear from renowned speakers, including philanthropists, world leaders, celebrities, and local heroes, during general sessions.

You’ll experience the blend of innovation and tradition that makes Taipei such a dynamic place.

You’ll learn about issues that affect communities globally and be inspired by the work being done to improve people’s lives.

You’ll explore innovative Rotary projects from all over the world in the House of Friendship.

You’ll see the Internationality of Rotary and leave with renewed pride in being a part of it.

I guarantee, you will return from the convention with great ideas, enthused and ready to expand your Rotary service. Joan and I attended our first Convention in Melbourne in 1993 and we were “hooked”. We have now attended 24 conventions and have Rotary friends around the world, who we look forward to meeting each year.

Each convention is unique and a fabulous experience, that you will long remember.

Plan now to be part of the District 9790 Team attending this unique event and together, we can make this convention Rotary’s most successful.

Be sure to register by 15 December for the best rates! Go to convention.rotary.org I look forward to seeing you in Taipei!

Warm regards, Don Cox D9790 On To Convention Champion Taipei 2021 Email: don@coxpartners.com.au Phone: 0407 094 220

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