The Morelander - Edition 8 2022-23

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 : Walkers in the Lift the Lid Walk (image: David Redfearn)

THE MORELANDER

Australia's youth: Mental health (some background)

Key findings:

In 2013–14, 1 in 5 (20%) young people aged 11–17 had either high or very high levels of psychological distress (13% and 6.6%, respectively).

In 2017–18, an estimated 339,000 young people aged 18–24 (15%) experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress.

In 2013 14, an estimated 245,000 young people aged 12 17 (14%) experienced a mental disorder, with males more commonly affected than females (16% compared with 13%).

In 2019, there were 461 deaths by suicide among young people aged 15 24, a rate of 14 per 100,000 young people.

Most young people in Australia are happy, feel positive about the future and are satisfied with their lives overall. However, some young people suffer poor mental health.

Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual realises their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and can contribute to their community. Poor mental health can impact on the potential of young people to live fulfilling and productive lives (WHO 2018).

Psychological distress is an individual’s overall level of psychological strain or pain. It is evidenced by psychological states such as depression and anxiety (AIHW 2011). The Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale (K10) has been shown to be highly correlated with the presence of depressive or anxiety disorders (Lawrence et al. 2015).

Mental illnesses (also referred to as mental health disorders) are diagnosable health conditions. They are health problems that affect how a person feels, thinks, behaves and interacts with others (DoH 2007). Mental illness can vary in severity and duration and may be episodic (AIHW 2018). However, most mental disorders can be effectively treated, and earlier treatment leads to better outcomes (DoH 2007).

The National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy is being developed to ensure that mental illnesses are diagnosed and treated early to prevent

lifelong disability (NMHC 2019). A range of mental health services are available in Australia; for detailed information, CLICK HERE

Poor mental health can be associated with suicidality (that is, suicidal ideation, suicide plans and suicide attempts). However, while suicidality is common in people with mental disorders, it is not confined to this group (Slade et al. 2009 in AIHW 2018). In 2015, suicide and self-inflicted injury was the leading cause of the total burden of disease for young people aged 15 24, followed by anxiety disorders and depressive disorders. Alcohol use disorders was the fifth leading cause (AIHW 2019)

Mental health concerns and rates of deaths by suicide among young people were raised as key challenges by young people during consultations by the Youth Taskforce in 2019 to assist in the development of the National Youth Policy Framework (the Framework) (DoH 2020).

Adapted from an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare web article, 25 Jun 2021

Lift the Lid Walk for Mental Health

It was a cool spring morning with a hint of rain but it mostly stayed fine. That didn’t deter members of our club rising early and making their way down to the Coburg Lake to set up for our annual Lift the Lid Walk to raise funds for Australian Rotary Health and research into youth mental health. This was all part of Mental Health Week where across the nation, there is an emphasis building a wider public recognition of the issues mental health in our community. Globally Mental Health is given focus in World Mental Health Day on 10 October

There was added excitement this year as this was our first group Lift the Lid walk. Last year’s was done differently due to COVID restrictions. Then we had to be creative with people doing individual walks or in small groups in their own locality and sending in photos however this year we were able to gather as a group for a walk along the Merri Creek in Coburg.

After setting up the Lift the Lid archway, walkers of all ages gathered there to set out on a leisurely walk along the scenic Merri Creek Trail from the lake to Queens Parade in Fawkner and back again, 4.8 km in all wearing their distinctive Lift the Lid T shirts to promote our cause to all we encountered. Some even did the walk twice and one did it the easy way in his pusher!

The Merri was running high but we thankfully had avoided the flooding of the day before which was very evident on parts of the pathway.

Prior to our departure the event was launched by Moreland Rotary President Trevor Moyle and District Australian Rotary Health representative Rosemary Freeman.

We were really pleased with the day as it highlighted a most important issue, youth mental health and we have now developed a good framework over recent years for future events where we hope support and numbers will grow to raise the profile of mental health in our community.

This, of course, doesn’t just happen There is meticulous organisation behind the scenes meticulously led over several months by Moreland Rotarian Rosemary Freeman ably assisted by Emma Davis who herself is an experienced event manager.

Michael addressing our meeting

TEXT: AND IMAGES: DAVID REDFEARN

Lift the Lid Walk for Mental Health :

Club members pulled together behind Rosemary right up to and including the day of the event taking on tasks and contributing in a variety of ways from planning the route, contributing items for the day, testing and setting up equipment and the stage and much more.

A huge thanks to our sponsors, Merri Health, the Inner North Community Foundation and Coburg Football Club. A huge thanks as well to the Coburg Harriers who provided volunteer marshals for our walk and to Pascoe Vale Rotary for running their barbecue on the day. Above all, thanks to members of the public who joined us along with Rotarians from other clubs including Past District Governor Bernie Bott and Assistant Governor Pat Solebakke.

Club President Trevor Moyle thanked all of those in organising such a terrific event, especially the event sponsors and Moreland Council. He noted that Moreland Rotary has made a significant commitment to the Youth Mental Health in Moreland and surrounding which has included close working partnerships with Morlenad Council and organisations such as Merri Health, Youth Projects and many local Schools.

Trevor expected that the ckubs commitment would continue into the future with further Lift the Lid Walks, along with other initiatives conducted with its growing list of partners

TEXT: AND IMAGES: DAVID REDFEARN

Rotary

:

Rotary International President

Jennifer Jones

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 clubs receive a charter from the worldwide organisation Rotary International

A Rotarian belongs to a particular Rotary Club often near his/her home or work or sometimes because of the club meeting time.

About Rotary

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 suburbs of Melbourne and stretches north and north east of Victoria to the Murray River and up into parts of NSW.

For more information about Rotary District 9790, click here

District Governor's Newsletter

"IMAGINE What your Rotary can be" is the monthly newsletter of our late District Governor David McPherson in 2022-23. There is a lot of information about the many Rotary projects and events across our District. Simply click here to read the last edition

Rotary Leadership 2022-23

Rotary International: President: Jennifer Jones (Nick Krayacich), Windsor Roselands Rotary, Canada

District Governor: David McPherson, Deniliquin Rotary Assistant Governor Group 2: TBA

Moreland Rotary President: Trevor Moyle

Moreland Rotary Service Roles 2022-23

President President Elect Secretary Treasurer Community Service Vocational Services

Membership, International Service and Assistant Bulletin Editor Rotary Foundation Youth Club Administration and Governance Environment Bulletin Editor and Public Image Australian Rotary Health Club History Social Valued members Honorary Members

Trevor Moyle

Jo Connellan Silvana De Pretto

Nino Galgano Rosemary Freeman Brian Bennett

Trevor Moyle Rosemary Freeman Silvana De Pretto Nino Galgano Jo Connellan David Redfearn OAM Rosemary Freeman Nino Galgano Russell Stuckey

John Hoffmann, , Lee Garwood, Emma Davis

The Hon. Kelvin Thomson, Helen Bailey, John Awler, Richard McCarthy

District 9790 /Multi District Roles 2021-22

Director, 2023 Convention Host Organising Committee

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. We meet at the Sorrento Bar, 801 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 3056

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

14 August 1996 Sponsor Club Coburg Rotary Club

13 August 2019

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

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

Our Guest Speakers

Moreland Rotary 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.

Upcoming events and meetings click here

@RotaryMoreland