The Morelander Edition 10, 2020-21

Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Moreland EDITION 10|29 SEPTEMBER 2020

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IMPROVING INDIGENOUS HEALTH

Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Scholar Lani Harris aims to use her nursing skills for the

benefit of her community

Pages 3 and 4

Award of Excellence for Club Bulletin 2018-2019

Moreland Rotary acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct our business. Moreland Rotary respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. Moreland Rotary also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

Cover photo: Australian Rotary Health THE MORELANDER

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Lani Harris - Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Scholar The speaker at last weeks club Zoom meeting, Lani Harris, gave us all an inspiring reminder of why we value the work of our Australian Rotary Health (ARH) organisation and, in particular, the Indigenous Health Scholarship programme.

In 2020, 80 Indigenous Health Scholarships have been allocated by ARH, with District 9790 supporting five scholars. Lani is a 2nd year Bachelor of Nursing student at the Institute of Koorie Education, Deakin University Waurn Ponds and is jointly supported with scholarship funding from the 5 Rotary clubs in Moreland along with Coburg, Pascoe Vale, Preston and Strathmore clubs, with club representatives present at the meeting.

The scholarship is a key ARH programme involving the support of Indigenous students to undertake tertiary training in nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, dentistry and other health related degrees at university. The scholarships fill a gap by helping Indigenous students to overcome barriers to tertiary study and qualification.

Lani was introduced by Club member Rosemary Freeman who also is a committed supporter of ARH through her role as also District 9790 Representative The audience were quickly introduced to Lani as a warm and engaging personality with a passion for her work. She is quietly spoken but confident in what she is doing and instantly connected with the delivery of her story.

As with the speaker at our previous meeting it was quickly evident that her family has provided a nurturing and supportive upbringing, particularly with a number of female members having a health services background.

Lani’s clarity of thought comes through with the following expression of her own life objectives “It has been a longterm goal of mine to work alongside my people in a way that positively impacts the health of communities. I believe it is imperative that there is a link in the community, a voice and a platform that educates my people on chronic disease management. I aspire to be that link.”

When asked what difference the scholarship has made Lani’s instant reply was to say that she could buy her very own set of books. She was openly thankful for not only the scholarship funding but also the valuable connections that she has made with representatives of ARH and the supporting clubs Lani was very complementary on the impact of the ARH scholarships with their reputation traveling widely in the Indigenous Community.

She gave us wonderful insights on not only the inspiration of her own family but also a first hand confirmation of what isfaced by indigenous communities in dealing with health issues. (continued on page 4)

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Text::Trevor Moyle | Image: Australian Rotary Health

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Lani Harris - Australian Rotary Health Indigenous Scholar (cont.)

One clear message for us was that we should realise that the multiplicity of languages and poor education contributes significantly to problems in healthcare. This has been particularly evident with the COVID-19 pandemic where the need to ensure clear and appropriate communication and education was required. Thankfully the early and diligent intervention has avoided the feared prospect of widespread transmission of the Covid virus in remote communities.

Lani has had to experience many challenges during her studies including difficult relocations and the COVID crisis, but she is resolute in planning to successfully continue with he studies, and is looking forward to attending clinical placements which she regards as important to be able to put the theoretical learning into practice and to further develop my clinical skills.

There was no doubt that Lani made a very big and positive impact on all of us, leaving us both inspired by her story and satisfied of our collective decision to fund her Scholarship.

The following transcript is a very insightful and inspiring response

by Lani to the question of how she will contribute to improving Indigenous health as a qualified medical practitioner or health worker?

“I am a full time Bachelor of Nursing student through the Deakin University, Institute of Koorie Education and I strongly believe that this scholarship will greatly enhance my experience and allow me to achieve my goals in the strongest way possible.

As I have grown older, I have gained a deeper understanding of the health issues and challenges and Indigenous people are faced with.

This knowledge combined with my passion in caring for people have sparked an interest in having a career in the health sector. I have been actively involved in several health initiatives in my community including volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Perth, participating in several ‘Relay for Life’ fundraiser and more recently engaging in the Aboriginal Nursing Cadetship program at East Health – Box Hill Hospital.

By furthering my education, the knowledge that I will encompass and the clinical skills that I will gain through work experience will place

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Deakin University Institute of Koori Education (deakin.edu.au)

me in a position that will enable me to impact on the health status of, not only Australia as a country but in particular I hope to contribute to bettering the health of Indigenous Australia.

It is a long-term goal of mine to work along side my people in a way that positively impacts the health of communities. I aim to utilise my Bachelor of Nursing (and any post-graduate studies) to allow me to work on identifying gaps in health literacy and knowledge. Once I have completed the Bachelor of Nursing, I wish to further my studies by undertaking the Master of Nursing. This scholarship will assist me financially and enable me to undertake additional study that will provide with the skills and knowledge required to work in rural and remote environments and focus on the prevention and education of diabetes within the Indigenous Australia.

I believe it is imperative that there is a link in the community, a voice and a platform that educates my people on chronic disease management; I aspire to be that link. I am heavily invested in diabetes management because it not only affects several members of my family but also myself directly as a type II Diabetes.” https://australianrotaryhealth.org.au/lani-harris/

Text: Trevor Moyle and Australian Rotary Health | Image: Deakin Universioty

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Backyard Farmers Project 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.

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Text: Elly Gardner | Image: Elly Gardner and David Redfearn

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Call us on 0448 852 747 or email us: moreland@rotary9790.org.au

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Images and Text: RI and David Redfearn|

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About Rotary District Governor's Newsletter "Bruce's Bulletin" is the monthly newsletter of District Governor Bruce Anderson. There is a lot of information about the many Rotary projects and events across our District.

Simply click here to read the latest edition Members of Rotary are part of a diverse group of community and professional leaders working to address community and international service needs and to promote peace and understanding throughout the world.

Rotary districts are a way of grouping a number of clubs in a particular geographic area. The area covered quite often crosses state and even international boundaries.

Rotary District 9790 encompasses the northern Rotary clubs receive a charter suburbs of Melbourne and from the worldwide organisation - stretches north and north east of Rotary International.

Victoria to the Murray River and up into parts of NSW. A Rotarian belongs to a particular Rotary Club often near his/her For more information about home or work or sometimes Rotary District 9790, click here because of the club meeting time.

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Upcoming events and meetings A standing invitation exists for all readers of The Morelander to attend Moreland Rotary Club meetings and some of our other events. Please let us know if you intend to join us by ringing David Redfearn on 0448 852 747 or emailing on dredfearn@vtown.com.au (click on email address).

Upcoming speakers/events 30 September: Rosemary Freeman: the life of a health professional during Covid (via Zoom) Chair: Brian Bennett 7 October: Grant Godino, a new type of Rotary Club (via Zoom) Chair: Russell Stuckey 14 October: Monthly Board meeting (via Zoom) Chair: President David Redfearn 21 October: World Polio Day event (via Zoom) Chair: Brian Bennett

Our Guest Speakers Moreland Rotary Club invites speakers to our club both from our local community and further afield. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and are invited because they hopefully inform and stimulate our members and guests. We feel that this is of value in fostering a deeper understanding of our diverse community and even providing guidance as to the types of activites and projects our club may engage in.

However the opinions expressed by our speakers do not necessarily reflect any official viewpoint of Moreland Rotary nor those of individual club members. Irrespective of this we always offer a warm Rotary welcome to all of our speakers.

click here @RotaryMoreland THE MORELANDER

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Rotary Leadership 2020-21

Rotary International: President: Holger Knaack (Susanne) , Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenberg-Mölln (Germany) District Governor: Bruce Anderson (Marilyn), Rotary Club of Strathmore Assistant Governor Group 2: Emma Davis, Rotary Club of Strathmore Rotary Club of Moreland President: David Redfearn (Deanna)

Club Service Roles 2020-21

President Secretary Treasurer Club Service Community Service Vocational Services International Service and Assistant Bulletin Editor Membership and Rotary Foundation Local Environment Youth and Assistant Secretary Club Administration Bulletin Editor Australian Rotary Health Public Relations Club History Valued members Honorary Members

David Redfearn OAM Rosemary Freeman John Hoffmann Brian Bennett David Redfearn OAM Brian Bennett Trevor Moyle Trevor Moyle Jo Connellan Silvana De Pretto Nino Galgano David Redfearn OAM Rosemary Freeman Russell Stuckey Nino Galgano Richard McCarthy, Elly Gardner, Lee Garwood. Emma Davis The Hon. Kelvin Thomson, Helen Bailey, John Awler

District 9790 /Multi District Roles 2020-21

Assistant Governor, Group 2 District Community Service Chair and Australian Rotary Health District Legal Officer District Bulletin Editor and Peter Toomey Community Police Award Shine On Awards

Emma Davis Rosemary Freeman Nino Galgano David Redfearn OAM Brian Bennett

WHEN AND WHERE WE MEET: Moreland Rotary Club meets most Wednesdays at 7.30 for a 7.40 am start.

Breakfast meetings tem pora We meet at the Sorrento Bar, 801 Sydney Road, rilyBrunswick, suspen3056 ded

HOW TO GET A COPY OF THE MORELANDER: If you would like to receive our bulletin via email each week, email our editor at: dredfearn@vtown.com.au WHERE TO SEND FORMAL CORRESPONDENCE: Attention: The Secretary, Moreland Rotary Club, PO Box 219, Coburg, Victoria, 3058

Chartered 14 August 1996 - Sponsor Club Coburg Rotary Club | Incorporated 13 August 2019 Designed using Canva - www.canva.com

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Images by David Redfearn and logos from rotary.org unless otherwise specified.

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During the pandemic we are meeting via Zoom on Wednesday mornings from 7.30-8.30 am and we have some great guest speakers.

Why not join us one morning? Simply ring David on 0448 852 747 the day before to RSVP and then go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87077765173 just before the meeting to join in.