Rotary Down Under February 2013 by Rotary Down Under

February is World Understanding Month

/rotarydownunder

s r oo D n e p O ainstream m o g s e t u it t s In e Rotary Zon

Scan for RDU mobile site or text ‘magazine’ to 0427 741 911

Spice of Life

Could turmeric be the answer to Alzheimer’s Disease?

ISSUE 547 February 2013 $A5 incl. GST | $NZ5 | Post Approved PP242296/0065

www.rotarydownunder.org

Peace Please

Rotarians call for ‘Peace Without Borders’ during Berlin forum Rotary is making a difference all over the world. Like to know more? Contact_____________________________________ Ph / email___________________________________

www.peugeot.com.au

New Peugeot 508. Quality time.

There’s no substitute for a little indulgence. And the meticulously crafted 508 is proof. The perfect balance of luxury and contemporary design, it delivers an unparalleled driving experience. With an exquisitely contoured exterior and advanced Euro 5 petrol and HDi diesel engine technology, the drive is as responsive to you as it is to the environment. Our revolutionary Assured Service Plan is included, creating peace of mind by setting a refreshingly low $330 cost for each of the three services scheduled in the first 3 years or 60,000km, whichever occurs first. Finally, innovative safety features and the quality of finish – both inside and out – deliver comfort and a reassuring sense of sophistication every time you take the wheel. Schedule yourself a little quality time every day with the new Peugeot 508.

PEUGEOT

508

rotary down under.

President’s Message Rotary knows no borders

traveller.

Global Outlook

A Rotarian’s guide to advocacy for polio eradication

Life imitating art

Cape Town’s South African Jewish Museum

This Rotary World

Rotary projects and initiatives to feel good about

News Bulletin

What we’ve been up to

Rotary Stories

A fishing trip on Christmas Island leads to over $1.2 million in humanitarian aid

life & leisure.

Till Death Do Us Part

Eva Bennet looks at dealing with marriage in the face of retirement

Healthy Habits

Anti-ageing strategies For blokes

Food + Wine

Likeable Linz

Austria’s third largest city

Yabby tails with saffron sauce

Travel Bitz

The Spice of Life

Could turmeric be the answer to Alzheimer’s disease?

Cover Story

Rotary Institutes go mainstream

Gatsby-mania grips Sydney

Cover

Gone are the days when the annual Rotary Zone Institute was a private gathering for an exclusive club of “Past and current officers of RI”.

Messages from headquarters

Issue 547. February 2013

Messages from headquarters

Sakuji Tanaka President Rotary International

Service Above Self knows no borders

Dear fellow Rotarians, In December, I spoke at the first of the three Rotary Global Peace Forums we have planned for this Rotary year. This first event, with the theme “Peace Without Borders”, was held in Berlin, the home of the Berlin Peace Clock. The clock, intended as a piece of art, is three metres high and weighs over two tonnes. On its side are inscribed the words, Time bursts all walls asunder. The clock was unveiled on November 9, 1989. That was the day the Berlin Wall fell. It was a wonderful coincidence that the moment the hands on the clock began to move, the orders were given to open the border to West Berlin. The words written on the side of the clock had come true. In Rotary, we do not divide our work by nation, culture or language. It does not matter what is printed in your passport. What matters is that you believe in Service Above Self. But even in Rotary, it is easy to think in terms of countries or communities. This project may help someone in my own community, or that project may help someone from Germany, or Kenya, or South Africa. Sometimes we think of different types of borders. This project, we think, helps the young. This helps the elderly. This helps people who are hungry, poor, or sick, or who have disabilities. The truth is that Service Above Self does not know such

Wilf Wilkinson Chairman, The Rotary Foundation

borders. When we serve, the impact is not limited to our community, or the community we are helping. We are not only helping the young, or the elderly, or this school, or that orphanage. When we serve, we are helping all of humanity. The effects of what we do go on and on. When we put Service Above Self, we are making a choice. We are choosing to put other people’s needs ahead of our own desires. We are saying, “Your problems are my problems, and I care enough to help you”. Rotary brings peace by addressing the needs that cause conflict: the need for clean water, for nutrition, sanitation and health care. When these needs are met, there is opportunity. And there is hope. Hope has no borders. It is the garden from which peace can grow. Peace Through Service brings out the best in us. It makes us aware of the borders we set up around ourselves – and it helps us tear them down.

Sakuji Tanaka President, Rotary International 

Help build peace in our world

Rotary was built upon the idea of advancing goodwill and understanding – it’s in our mission, and part of everything we do. The Rotary Foundation has six areas of focus, each of which is important. But every one of them depends on peace in the world. We can’t celebrate the World Day of Social Justice on February 20 unless we have peace. We can’t really celebrate World Understanding and Peace Day on February 23, which also marks Rotary’s 108th year of existence, unless we can say that we are working for peace. There are endless ways to help build peace in our world, through our clubs and through our Foundation. The polio eradication initiative, as the largest global public

health initiative in history, is doing a tremendous amount to promote peace – by building partnerships between the public and private sectors, by improving health infrastructure and monitoring the poorest areas, and by making it clear to all that we cannot have a healthy world if even one child is forgotten. Peace comes from sharing, and as many of you know, Rotary Shares is my personal answer to what each Rotarian should be doing. This month, which we celebrate in Rotary as World Understanding Month, the efforts of every District, club and Rotarian should be directed toward doing something for peace. 

www.rotarydownunder.org

Editorial

Mark Wallace Just between us

Every now and then we find Ro ta r i a n s w i t h i m p o r ta n t and useful messages. Mark Huddleston, of the Rotary Club of Edwardstown, SA, recently presented the following to the Zone 8 Institute in Adelaide, and so we invited him to be our first Guest Editorialist.

Last year I attended a business marketing seminar run by entrepreneur and business mentor Mal Emery, where I managed to glean a few pearls of wisdom. The opening stanza involved Mal interviewing participants at random and seeing who could give a good enough reason for him to use their business. One by one, they all gave the same lame duck responses that left the rest of us in no doubt as to why they were there. It struck me that these people were in all likelihood quite good at what they did, but they were really bad at “selling” what they did. And then I got to thinking that Rotary is no different. We are undoubtedly the best in the world at what we do, but we’re really not too good at “selling” what we do. After a series of less than inspiring attempts by participants, Mal then

Issue 547. February 2013

Guest Editorialist says our marketing sucks! revealed his first “secret” of the day, “Your prospective customers will never tell you this, but I will: your marketing sucks”. For the rest of the day, I could not get this phrase out of my head. They were words that my Rotarian colleagues just had to hear, because I saw Rotary as being no different to a business that was failing to attract new customers. So, I hope Mal won’t mind me using his words, because I am firmly of the belief that Rotary’s marketing sucks! There are literally thousands of professionals in our communities who would not only make great Ro t a r i a n s , b u t w o u l d b e n e f i t enormously from their membership. Rotary is a two-way street. Sure, we all put a lot of hard work into being a Rotarian, but the main reason we remain involved is because we get so much out of it. So, if Rotary is such a great organisation to join, why aren’t these professionals beating a path to our door? What are they saying to us? Here’s what they’re saying, “Rotary – your marketing sucks!” When I think about our extraordinary efforts to rid the world of polio, I also wonder how it is possible that most people are blissfully unaware of Rotary’s involvement. The answer is simple: our marketing sucks. We’re approaching a quarter of a century of women being welcomed into Rotary, but there still exists a belief in the community that it’s an organisation of old men and their fathers. I wonder why these perceptions exist. Could it possibly be … let me think … because our marketing sucks? Of course it is. It’s pretty hard to deal with any problem before we can admit to having it. So, on behalf of all you Rotarians out there, let me admit it for you. My name is Mark, and I am

a Rotarian, and our marketing sucks! Or is it maybe our attitude to marketing that sucks? While many of us are trying desperately to drag Rotary kicking and screaming into the 21st century, there are constant battles against those who cling to our past like barnacles to a hull, forever slowing our ship’s progress. It frightens me that there still exists a belief in some circles that we must keep our light under the bushel, as it is not the “Rotary way” to tell the world of the wonderful things we are doing. Heaven forbid someone decides to join Rotar y because they are so impressed by the way we continue to make the world a better place. We cannot continue to rely on the goodwill of local newspaper editors to include our work in the tiny amount of space they reserve for good news stories. We must become proactive in getting our message out. And here’s the sticking point: it’s going to cost money. Perhaps those silly fines can be put to more productive use. It may even mean clubs working together to promote Rotary across a region. If our clubs combine resources there will be more great stories to tell, and professional printing or adver tising will be more affordable. We can, we will, we must get our light on the mountain top for all to see, and we need to do it now. Find a Rotarian, or a friend of Rotary who has the skill set to write and produce attractive promotional material. Maybe this person doesn’t exist in your club, but they may be in the club up the road. If we can turn our lemons into lemonade, maybe we can turn marketing that sucks into marketing that succeeds! 

News Bulletin

Novel idea lifts literacy levels When Harvey Alison, of the Rotary Club of Penrose, NZ, read in a Corrections Department Report that 76.6 per cent of New Zealand prison inmates were illiterate, he decided to do something about it. So Har vey, along with fellow Rotarian and then Principal of Penrose High School (later renamed One Tree Hill College) Ann Dunphy formed a group of 20 volunteers from Rotary, church, golf and school to deliver one-on-one tutorials to 10 students for two periods weekly. The Penrose Rotar y Reading Enrichment Program (REP) is now part of One Tree Hill College’s literacy curriculum delivery and is scheduled into the student’s timetable. Volunteer tutors number 67 and 50 students passed through the program last year. The students

are ASSTLE tested before and after passing through the program, and on average achieve a reading improvement of two years!

The classroom set aside for the Penrose Rotary Reading Enrichment Program.

Rotarian wins innovation award By Tim Dawe Rotary Club of West Perth, WA Steve Wilton, of the Rotary Club of West Perth, WA, and his research team have won the prestigious Mitsubishi Corporation WA Innovator of the Year Award for 2012 for the discovery of a new treatment for the incurable muscle-wasting disease Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Professor Wilton and his co-lead colleague Sue Fletcher, both from the Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute (ANRI) – a project partner of the Rotary Club of West Perth, WA, for more than 40 of its 50 years – were featured in RDU magazine, issue 527, April 2011. That

story announced the award-winning treatment to prolong and improve the quality of life for patients with DMD – a devastating disease that affects one in every 3600 boys. DMD patients are typically confined to a wheelchair by the age of 12 and do not survive beyond their thirties. ANRI’s CEO Professor Frank Mastaglia said it was fantastic this achievement had been recognised. ANRI has been working on a treatment for DMD for about 20 years. “Steve and Sue’s hard work and innovation heralds a new era in DMD, offering hope for a treatment where none existed before,” he said.

The discover y is a compound (antisense oligonucleotide) that m o d u l a t e s e x p re s s i o n of t h e dystrophin gene. Essentially the treatment changes the patient’s genetic structure, replacing faulty genes muscle-by-muscle with a patient-specific “patch”. “The drug currently is in a phasetwo clinical trial and continues to show enormous promise,” Professor Fletcher said. “Patients receiving the drug not only show increases in dystrophinpositive fibres in their muscles but also show functional improvement measured by the distance they can walk in six minutes.”

your website woes are over ... see page 10 www.rotarydownunder.org

News Bulletin

Libraries go mobile Following the devastating Christchurch earthquakes in 2010-11, five suburban libraries and half a dozen neighbourhood volunteer libraries were closed. Rotary’s solution was to partner with Christchurch City Libraries to provide two mobile library vans that can circulate on planned routes to provide services direct to earthquake affected communities that have lost their library. Led by Lindsay Crossen, the District 9970 Earthquake Project developed the “Library to Go” mobile vans initiative with City Libraries, and sought funding for the vans from The Rotary Foundation and the philanthropic sector. In a whip around the Rotary Zones 7B and 8 Institute in Brisbane, Qld, District 9810’s then Governor Juliet Riseley aligned $60,000 District Designated Fund from 12 Districts across Australia to support a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant for one van. Almost simultaneously, the Cotton On Foundation, based in Geelong, Vic, signalled their financial support for

9970 IPDG David Drake and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker dodge balloons at the launch of Libraries to Go

the second van. The project then proceeded on a triple partnership between City Libraries, Cotton On and Rotary. The total cost of the two vehicles was $230,000.

$½m boost for medical research After floating his company Cobar Consolidated Resources Ltd in 2006 little did Ian Lawrence, of the Rotary Club of Brighton North, Vic, realise his Rotary life would change forever. Ian invited George Lefroy, who had set up the Bruce Lefroy Centre to undertake genetic health research in honour of his son in 2003, to join the board of his company. George invited Ian to a fundraiser for the centre where Professor Martin Delatycki spoke about the research he was undertaking into the neurological and terminal disease of Friedreich’s Ataxia.

Following Martin’s speech, Ian convinced his club to undertake a commitment to raise $120,000 over a three year period and obtained a commitment from Australian Rotary Health of $60,000 if the club could achieve its fundraising objective. At the fundraising function in the first of the three years past RI President Royce Abbey was present to make a short, but poignant speech on behalf of his family, having lost a grandson to Friedreich’s Ataxia. That night raised in excess of $75,000 and gave the project a huge impetus.

The Rotar y Club of Brighton North subsequently delivered on its commitment to raise $120,000 by June 30, 2012 and Australian Rotary Health provided its $60,000. The icing on the cake was the recent advice to Ian from Professor Martin Delatycki that the National H e a l t h a n d M e d i c a l Re s e a rc h Council had approved fur ther funding of slightly in excess of $577,500 for the Bruce Lefroy Centre to undertake research into developing bone marrow transplant and novel therapeutic vectors to treat Friedreich’s Ataxia.

problem website? NNot any more! see page 10 8

Issue 547. February 2013

News Bulletin

Spirit of Rotary recognised The Spirit of Moonee Valley Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of people whose contribution to Moonee Valley deserves special recognition. The awards were recently presented at the Clocktower Centre in Moonee Ponds by Cr Jim Cusack, Mayor, Moonee Valley City Council. The 2012 Citizen of the Year was Peter Cribb, of the Rotary Club of Flemington, Vic. Peter is an active member of the club and has worked tirelessly for the residents of the Debneys Park housing

estate. He has been the driving force behind the club’s support for the Horn of Africa migrants and has galvanised support from the wider community for many projects. Peter was the initiator behind the club’s establishment of an Opportunity Shop in Racecourse Road and has developed strong relationships with elders in the CALD Communities at Debneys Park and with associated community organisations including the Bendigo Bank, the Australian Police Force, Victoria Police and Sports Without Borders.

In 2012, Peter saw the realisation of a dream with the fruition of the ROADStart Project providing adult learners with the necessary super vised hours of practice to obtain a driving licence. The Spirit of Moonee Valley Awards showcased three other Rotarians who received top awards: Peter Dunn, of the Rotary Club of Strathmore, Vic, Yvonne Moon, OAM, of the Rotary Club of Williamstown, Vic, Debbie Williams, of the Rotar y Club of Moonee Valley, Vic.

Charity begins at home Over the past 18 months, the Rotary Club of Bishopdale/Burnside in Christchurch, NZ, with a membership of 34, has financially supported local charities in their city with over $84,000 in fundraising. One of the club’s preferred charities is the Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust (CCHT), which was set up five years ago to provide much needed medical services to people in the community who can’t wait for medical services in the public hospital, but can’t afford medical insurance to have the procedures performed in private hospitals. The hospital is not government funded, so it is financed totally by donations, grants and support from the wider community. M a n y Ro t a r y c l u b s s u p p o r t medical treatment for people in the islands around the Pacific, but since the devastating earthquakes in September 2010 and February

2011, the old saying “charity begins at home” has become extremely poignant in Christchurch. This is one of the reasons that the Rotary Club of Bishopdale/Burnside purchased a van, medical equipment and storage shed for the hospital

Dr Phil Bagshaw receives the new hospital van from Bishopdale/ Burnside Rotary Charity Trust Chair Alistair Coleman.

and to date has donated $50,000 for car park ground preparation.

a web editor who’s always there see page 10 www.rotarydownunder.org

Editor’s mailbox

How many lives do we drink away? Have you ever stopped to ponder the impact we have as Rotarians around the world? We do find ourselves looking back on our achievements and what we collaboratively contribute to projects around the world. And that’s great. So we should ... because of our combined efforts in each of our Rotary clubs, we have achieved some fantastic results. Results like PolioPlus and the fact that through this vaccination program, our world is now 99 per cent polio free. In fact, this is one of the international projects that makes me so passionate to be a part of Rotary. But occasionally, I sometimes think that as Rotarians we lose sight of our objectives. At our club, there’s a tradition. The old heads and tails game, followed by the sharing of a shot of Penfolds Club Port. I thought about this tradition,

Issue 547. February 2013

and why we do it. Being a numbers man, I like to break things down. Consider this. In District 9750 we have 50 clubs. Let’s assume that each club has an average of 25 members and that each club partakes in the tradition of “two-up” in return for a shot of port (or something similar like a wine raffle). Assuming each club meets 35 times a year, and that 75 per cent of members partake in club port tradition, District 9750 Rotary Clubs would consume 1312.5 bottles of port a year. At an average of $10 a bottle, this means we drink away $13,125 per year. Let’s now think about what we could achieve as a District by trading tradition for a few traditional Rotary programs. Po l i o P l u s : B a s e d u p o n t h e assumptions above, if we traded por t for polio vaccinations, we

could vaccinate 87,500 children. That’s based upon the average price being $0.15 according to several polio websites. Malaria: Internet literature puts the cost of a mosquito net at $5. If we traded port for mozzie nets, we could supply 2625 nets. On the understanding that a net can cover four people, that means 10,500 people at a much lower risk of contracting Malaria while Rotary and the WHO work on an elimination solution. So, all in all, what’s this tradition really worth to us? How much do we value that weekly shot of port? Do we value it more than the tens of thousands of lives we could save if we ditched it all together and funnelled the dollars into preventative medicine? Brendon Walker Rotary Club of Engadine, NSW

Editor’s mailbox

Bust out your bling, boss Being on the younger side of the Rotary spectrum, I certainly have different views on Rotary matters than the more elderly members, as we see the world quite differently. There is one area, however, that I am quite old fashioned about, and that is the wearing of our Rotary bling. I’m not talking about our everyday Rotary pins, as that is a different story, but of the President’s chain. My husband Mike is the President of the Rotary Club of Botany East Tamaki this year, and I remember wishing him good luck for his first meeting and not to forget his Rotary bling. He laughed because it sounded so old fashioned, but for me it is part of the job. I was amazed at how many clubs during my year as District Governor made jokes of dusting off the chain when the DG was visiting, so they had to wear it. Unbelievable in my eyes! Yes, I admit it doesn’t make you

a better President by wearing it, but shouldn’t you feel proud to be President and wear it? Your club voted you into this position, so you should feel proud to represent it by wearing the chain of office. Members and non-members will then know you are President and that you are “boss” for the year. You might not like this, but honestly, if things turn to custard as they inevitably do, you are in the hot seat as President whether you like it or not. Be proud to be President for a year and be proud to wear the club’s chain, representing all those who have gone before you. It’s only a year (if you’re lucky) and won’t hurt. It’s time to be proud of our Rotary bling and not leave it in its box collecting dust. Leanne Jaggs, Rotary Club of Manukau City Sunrise, NZ Past Governor, D9920

PR push needs to come from the top As a Rotarian of a mere 26 years, I have seen my club go from 60-strong when I first joined, to a struggling 25 members, with the average age creeping into the sixties. This is the story throughout our clubs. At the same time every year I hear the same preaching about membership! Folks get used to it – it’s not working! If we really believe that the goodwill does not exist in the wider world to join something like Rotary, then it’s time to shut up shop. But we know that it does exist! So we NEED to change! Over the last few years RI has allocated substantial PR funds to Districts, which, as far as I am aware, has been spent by either using PR companies or sharing it among clubs to be spent by part-time, well-

meaning Rotarian volunteers, many of whom have been shoehorned into their club PR role, and who are totally incapable of handling the big picture. While clubs probably got some local benefit, over recent years the “big” picture has been a disaster. If PR has anything to do with membership then surely there is room for an Australian Story or a 60 Minutes good news story, or a Rotary supplement in the mainstream press, or the equivalent on radio. Perhaps folks may then be attracted to Rotary rather than “being asked” to join, which for whatever reason, is just not working. Has the time not come when RI at its Parramatta office employs FULL TIME PROFESSIONALS? An office staffed by professionals who can

Sausage sizzle spinoffs I frequently note the references made to Rotary being a “hands in pocket” group of ageing old men who seem to have a predilection for running sausage sizzles. With this in mind, it is not surprising the public gets the impression that this is our mainstay fundraising activity. There is no question many clubs, including my own, run regular sausage sizzles and it does provide a service to the community as well as being a reasonable fundraiser for many community projects. But there is another valuable spinoff of such an activity. It provides a meeting place for Rotarians to advertise their other activities in the community. It can and does attract new members to a club and it provides camaraderie and a social gathering point for club members. Could I suggest that rather than typecasting those Rotarians who enjoy cooking sausages, you focus on the positive side of what this activity does? Adrian Clifford Rotary Club of Mt Waverley, Vic

speak on behalf of Rotary, rather than what I heard from a Rotary leading light, that “if the media wants us, they know where to come”. An office that can promote the success of polio eradication, an office that can highlight any one of many thousands of successful projects. “Where’s the money coming from?” I hear. Well, I think the time is fast approaching when, if it can’t be found, Rotary will continue its downward slide to oblivion. While RI preaches change at club level, could it just be that radical change is needed further up? Please give it some thought. Theo Glockemann Rotary Club of Thornleigh, NSW

www.rotarydownunder.org

Rotary Stories

All George Maybee wanted to do was go fishing on a remote Pacific atoll … … But he got hooked on helping the islanders live healthier lives. As told to Anne Ford

Issue 547. February 2013

got into fly-fishing in high school in California, USA. A good friend taught me how to tie flies and build fly rods, and we’d catch steelhead trout in the Russian River. Since then, I’ve gone as often as I can. In 2004, my wife Sharon and I flew to Kiritimati, or Christmas Island as it’s known, the world’s largest coral atoll. This is one of the few places where you can flyfish in saltwater. The island, which is part of the Republic of Kiribati, has coral flats that are about two feet under water. You take a boat way out into the Pacific Ocean and stand on a flat, and then you wait for the bonefish to come in from the deep water. On Christmas Island, there are no minerals in the soil, no natural resources, so there aren’t many things the people can manufacture. The country’s only industry is copra, which is dried coconut meat. The government also licenses fishing rights to other nations. As much as a quarter of the country’s income comes from foreign aid, but most of it goes to the capital, Tarawa, which is 2000 miles from Kiritimati. It was astonishing to see how little the islanders have. Our fishing guide’s name was Biita Kairaoi. He was a joy to talk to. He was learning English from all the fishermen he met. My wife asked him, “How many children do you have?” He said, “Oh, I’ve got a lot. Would you like to meet them?” We went to his home, and those children – well, they just wanted to be close to you. He had six children then. And they were very, very poor. When we left Kiritimati, we hugged Biita, his wife and his children, and my wife said, “Biita, it’s like I’m leaving my family. If you ever need anything, please give us a call.” There were only five phones on the entire island. We got on the plane, and we looked at each other. “What are we going to do?” Sharon said. “I don’t know,” I said, “but we have to do something.” We consider ourselves “retired to Rotary”. We’re members of the Rotary Club of Commerce City, Colorado, and we log about 40 to 50 hours of volunteer work every week. But at that moment, we had never done an international service project. After we returned home from Christmas Island, we got a call. It was Biita. He said, “George, my church has never had an Easter candle. Could you get me a candle?” I said, “Sure, no problem”. I picked one out, and we sent it off. When we went back the following January, we got a tap on our door. It was the church’s priest. “A committee would like to meet with you,” he said. We thought we would see five or six people, but there were about 500, from four churches. “For months we prayed for a candle, and no candle arrived,” one of the oldest men said. “Many gave up, but we continued to pray, and then, from above, it was a miracle. You are our miracle.” And we were hooked. We spent the next week talking to people in the government and going to the hospital and schools, getting

Rotary Stories

an idea of their needs and what Rotarians might be able to do. We asked the nurses and doctors, “What could you use?” They said, “Maybe some aspirin and some BandAids.” I said, “No, what do you need?” The nurses actually took a step back. They didn’t know what to ask for. Finally, a doctor said, “Do you suppose you could get us some beds?” We said, “Oh, yeah.” They said, “Really?” Then we found out that the maternity area had no birthing tables. The operating room had no anaesthesia. We learned, too, that water is not safe to drink anywhere on the island. Because Christmas Island is a coral atoll – basically the top of an old volcano – there’s little fresh water. There are no rivers, no lakes. The only water they have, other than rainwater, comes from what they call “freshwater lenses”. If you take a shovel and dig about six feet down through the sand, you’ll hit a lens, which is a pocket of semi-fresh water that’s floating on top of salt water.

“There are no minerals in the soil, no natural resources, so there aren’t many things the people can manufacture. It was astonishing to see how little the islanders have.” Almost everybody has one or two pigs in the yard, and the pigs’ urine trickles down through the sand and contaminates the freshwater lenses. That makes the water phenomenally high in nitrates, which causes severe health problems in pregnant women and babies. And there’s E. coli and all kinds of other bacteria in it too, so everyone gets a lot of diarrhoea and internal infections. At the end of that week, we came away with a huge list of things the people needed. But there weren’t any Rotary clubs in Kiribati, so we couldn’t apply for a Matching Grant from The Rotary Foundation. Fortunately, we found out that our District would let us use another type of grant in a country without Rotary clubs. So we formed a group called Friends of Christmas Island, and we put together three of these grants. We got a lot of outside help from people in the fly-fishing community. Our first delivery was a load of major medical items, which we acquired from an orthopaedic clinic that had gone out of business. We put them in wooden crates, put the crates in a 20-foot container, and sent it to Hawaii. There the crates came out of the container, then went on a 110-foot ship to be transported to the island. It was a time-consuming and costly endeavour. We also shipped an 18,000-pound septic tank pumping truck on a C-17 Globemaster provided by the US military. You just have to say, “There’s nothing you can’t do,” and do it.

Sharon and I took our granddaughter, who was nine, to help out on the island. One new mother named a baby after her. For a few years, the kids would ask, “How’s Jessica?” We realised we had to figure out how to get a Rotary club in Kiribati. With Rotarians from Fiji (about 2000 miles away), we helped organise the Rotary Club of Kiritimati, which was chartered in August 2008. Biita was treasurer. Now our group is putting toilets and hand-washing stations at four schools on the island. That project, which is funded with a Matching Grant, is about three-quarters complete. One benefit is that it will help the girls finish high school; otherwise, they quit school when they start having their period, because they need privacy – they just can’t go out in the bush anymore. We put together another Matching Grant project to supply 600 ceramic water filters. Sharon and I have helped bring over $1.2 million in humanitarian aid to the island. Once other clubs hear about the work, it’s easy to get support. The Rotary Club of Kona, Hawaii, has partnered on three projects. We got assistance from the US Navy Seabees. The Mormon church has helped us get hygiene kits and school bags. We’re working with a group in Texas called Pacific Islands Medical Aid, which has done 100 cataract operations there in one week, and also brought in diabetes and heart specialists. We provided all the equipment for a dental clinic, and the island’s first dentist is visiting from Madagascar for two years. We’ve sent more than two dozen wheelchairs and 100 canes, walkers and pairs of crutches. So many of the people could not get out of their hut unless somebody carried them, but now they can. We’ve also sent 108 computers to a high school, and now, through the Internet, the kids have friends around the world. Since we began the work on Christmas Island, Sharon and I have gone fly-fishing in north-central Mongolia and in a First Nations area of British Columbia, Canada. We’ve started or helped out with humanitarian projects in those places too. People tell us, “You can’t leave the country anymore, because you’ll come back with another project.” 

Thelowdown  Remote Kiritimati Island is a haven for salt-water fly-fishing  US Rotarian’s holiday culminates in plea for a humble Easter Candle  Return visit leads to meeting with Parish council of 500 people  Rotary Foundation grants led to container loads of medical and clean water supplies  Rotary Club of Kiritimati Chartered in August 2008

www.rotarydownunder.org

! W O N G IN N N A L P T R A T S IT’S TIME TO

International Service

CELEBRATE ROTARY

FEBRUARY 23 – ROTARY’S BIRTHDAY!

108 YEARS OF SERVICE! · POLIO ERADICATION

· WORLD UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE

AY ! PY HAP HD RY T BIR ROTA

· ALLEVIATION OF POVERTY

HAPPYHDAY

BIRT OTARY! R

Y PY HAPRTHDAARY! BI

· YOUTH PROGRAMS

Y ! PY DA RY AP TH TA

H BIR RO

Y HAPPTHDAY ! BIR ARY

ROT

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY ROTARY!

ROT

Y PY HAPRTHDAARY! BI

ROT

· LITERACY AND EDUCATION · SAFE WATER AND SANITATION

Packs of 100 $33 INC GST

· VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

T-shirts

all sizes and colours

$15 INC GST

Vinyl banners with eyelets 2m x 1m $130 inc GST +postage

For apparel, banners, balloons & caps contact RDU Merchandise & Promotions Ph: +61 2 9674 6855 / NZ Callers: 0800 738 695 / E: supplies@rotarydownunder.com.au / www.rdushop.com.au

For End Polio Now pins contact Rotary Down Under Ph: +61 2 9633 4888 / Fax: +61 2 9891 5984 / E: pinitforpolio@rotarydownunder.com.au / www.rotarydownunder.org

Go to the RDU website - www.rotarydownunder.org - and click on the link to ‘100 ways to celebrate Rotary Day’. There is a smorgasbord of ideas there. Everything from Community, main street breakfasts and barbecues; walkathons and bikeathons for school children; to shopping plaza promotions; Community Awards dinners (vocational, special services, youth, citizens, etc), street carnivals and public functions featuring high profile guest speakers. Download the list and encourage a club forum. 14

Issue 547. February 2013

International Service

Safe drinking water just a LifeStraw away Lack of access to safe drinking water contributes to the staggering burden of diarrhoeal diseases worldwide, particularly affecting the young, the immuno-comprised and the poor. Nearly one in five child deaths – about 1.5 million each year – is due to diarrhoea. Diarrhoea kills more young children than AIDS, malaria and measles combined. Approximately 43 per cent of the global population, especially the lower-income populace in the remote and rural parts of the developing world, is deprived of safe, household, piped water. Thus, there is a pressing need for effective and affordable options for obtaining safe drinking water at home. Water filters have been shown to be the most effective interventions among all point-of-use water treatment methods for reducing diarrhoeal diseases. LifeStraw is an Instant Microbiological Water Purifier and complies with the US Environmental Protection Agency 1987 Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers by removing a minimum 99.9999% of bacteria, removing a minimum of 99.99% of viruses and removing a minimum of 99.99% of protozoan parasites. With this in mind, the Rotary Club of Buderim, Qld, has entered into a partnership agreement with Globalaid Warehouse, the Australian agents for LifeStraw, whereby for each LifeStraw sponsored by Rotarians, Rotary clubs or the general public, Globalaid Warehouse will match and donate an additional LifeStraw. The Rotary Club of Buderim will coordinate the distribution. Each personal LifeStraw unit costs $30, while a LifeStraw Family unit that can filter up to 18,000 litres of water (enough to supply a family of five with clean drinking water for three years) costs $90. Through the members of the Rotary Club of Buderim, Globalaid Warehouse is embarking on an Australia-wide campaign on both radio and television. “We need to get the message out that for such a small cost we can make such a big difference,” said past President Laurence O’Keeffe. While Globalaid Warehouse directors Rob Shackleford and Grahame Orpin were visiting the Rotary Club of Buderim, they were so impressed with the work carried out by the club they decided to become Rotarians as well. Both Rob and Grahame were inducted on November 16. For more information on the Rotary Club of Buderim’s LifeStraw project visit wwwbuderimrotary.com.au or www.lifestraw.com.au 

The Facts • 884 million deprived of improved sources of drinking water • 4 billion annual cases of diarrhoeal illness • 1.8 million lives lost each year due to diarrhoeal disease • 443 million school days lost each year from water-related illness • 117 million disability adjusted life years lost annually due to diarrhoea and intestinal worm infections

The Rotary Club of Buderim, Qld, celebrate their LifeStraw launch.

Thelowdown  43 per cent of world’s population deprived of safe water  LifeStraw an instant microbiological purifier  Buderim Rotary strikes matching deal with LifeStraw Distributor  National Campaign launched to provide LifeStraw to those in need  For details: www.buderimrotary.com.au or www.lifestraw.com.au

www.rotarydownunder.org

Call to action

Nz Flag Pin $600AU/$780 NZ

Smart Phone Holder $500AU/$650 NZ

Australian Flag Pin $600AU/$780 NZ

Map Rotary Pin $550AU/$715 NZ

Silver Fern Pin $075AU/$095 NZ

Rotary NZ Fern Pin $725AU/$945 NZ

A4 Table Roll Up Banner $2000AU/$2600 NZ

Tiki Pin 75cAU/95c NZ

Kiwi Pin 75cAU/95c NZ

Rotary Kangaroo Pin 90cAU/$115 NZ Rotary Kangaroo Pin 90cAU/$115 NZ

Wombat Pin 75cAU/95c NZ

Frilled Neck Lizard 75cAU/95c NZ

Koala Pin 75cAU/95c NZ Kanga/Boomerang Pin 75cAU/95c NZ

Kangaroo in Flight Pin 75cAU/95c NZ

Rotary Kiwi Pin 90cAU/$115 NZ

Ph: +61 2 9674 6855 NZ Callers: 0800 738 695 Fax: +61 2 9624 2148 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 244 Toongabbie NSW 2146 E: supplies@rotarydownunder.com.au www.rdushop.com.au 16

Issue 547. February 2013

Call to action

Disability no deterrent for two Tassie athletes Shane James and Richard Hope

Two Tasmanian disabled athletes have awe-inspiring stories and a laudable future vision. Shane James has Stiff Persons Syndrome (SPS), which the medical profession considers incurable; typically causing severe spasms from which muscle ruptures and broken bones can result. Shane was told he would be wheelchairbound, need strong drugs and die young. Not impressed, Shane now runs 160km a week, without medication. He has twice completed the Boston Marathon, coming second in 2012. His best time is almost two hours better than the Australian T36-38 disability section record for the marathon. Richard Hope collided with a guide post while on his motorbike after a car ran him off the road, wrecking his left arm, breaking vertebrae and ribs and severely damaging his left leg. After many operations and the loss of his arm, specialists said he would never walk again. Richard now rides daily for many hours. He gained two bronze medals at the 2012 Australian Para Cycling Championships, nearly qualifying for the London Paralympics. In October 2012, Shane and Richard competed in the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race; five days at up to 3600m

altitude. The only disabled athletes in the field of 67, each man completed the whole race – Shane in 17th position and Richard, despite being a cyclist, ran into 23rd spot. The pair will now run/cycle 500km from Burnie to Hobart this month to encourage everybody to undertake some form of exercise and to publicise NORD (National Organisation for Rare Diseases) and Able Sports Australia, the latter being their new non-profit organisation with the motto All actions, All abilities. Shane will run the whole way, Richard will cycle four kilometres for each one Shane runs. Already some Rotary clubs are offering assistance. Allan Jamieson Rotary Club of Burnie, Tas 

Thelowdown    

Disabled athletes’ inspiring efforts 500km run to raise awareness Rotary club support needed Contact Allan Jamieson: aoki@southcom.com.au

www.rotarydownunder.org

5)& #&45 0' -*4#0/ Xxxxxx

463306/%*/( 508/4 ANOTHER ROTARY DOWN UNDER GUIDED CONVENTION TOUR …

10-day land only package prices# TWIN: from $1800pp SINGLE supplement: from $600pp The above costings have been based on a minimum of 15 adult passengers travelling - if this number is not reached, it will be necessary to recost, which may result in increases to these prices.

*ODMVEFT DPTU PG USBOTGFST BDDPNNPEBUJPO BOE UXP TVQFS EBZT PG UPVSJOH

B IBSCPVS GPS QFBDF

104TH ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN LISBON, PORTUGAL

FREE OFFER

ITINERARY DAY TWO | THURSDAY, 20 JUNE Arrive at Lisbon International Airport where you will be met by a local English speaking assistant who will escort you to the coach for your private transfer to your hotel. This evening you will enjoy a Group Welcome Dinner with fellow Rotarians at a local restaurant including 3-courses with 1/2 a bottle of wine per person. ( D ) DAY THREE | FRIDAY, 21 JUNE Today you will be transferred from your hotel to Feira International by private coach where you will have time to register for the Convention and collect your Registration Pack before being transferred back to your hotel. The balance of the day is at your leisure. ( B ) DAY FOUR | SATURDAY, 22 JUNE A 1/2 day Lisbon City Sightseeing Tour by private coach with a local English speaking guide. Sights visited include Alfama district, Commerce Square (Prace do Comercio), Tagus River, Se de Lisboa Cathedral, Belem Tower, Monument to the Discoveries, and the Monestary of the Hieronymites. (B) DAYS 5-8 | SUNDAY, 23-WEDNESDAY, 26 JUNE All 2013 Convention activities (except for plenary sessions), will take place at Feira Internacional de Lisboa. A scheduled shuttle transfer service will operate between neighboring hotels to Feira Internacional de Lisboa. ( B ) DAY 9 | THURSDAY, 27 JUNE Depart Lisbon for Sintra by private coach. Upon arrival take a walking tour with a local English speaking guide to view the main sights of the city including the Royal Palace ( Palacio Nacional de Sintra ) and Pena Palace. Board the coach to Casais where you will stop for lunch at a local restaurant that includes 2-courses and drinking water. Continue to Estoril and take a walking tour with a local English speaking guide to view the main sights of the city. You will have free time to explore this fashionable cosmopolitan playground before being returned to your hotel. This evening you will enjoy a Group Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant including 3-courses with 1/2 a bottle of wine per person, drinking water, tea & coffee. ( B ,L,D ) DAY 10 | FRIDAY, 28 JUNE Check out of your hotel and transfer to Lisbon International Airport by private coach. ( B )

The rst 15 people to register and pay a deposit for a tour will receive a unique RDU Convention tour shirt & hat or shade Inclusions • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Private coach transfers Porterage of 1 bag per person Scheduled Convention Shuttle Transfer Service Local English speaking tour guides Services of a RDU Representative 8 Nights accommodation at Heritage Av Liberdade with Continental Breakfast Lisbon City Sightseeing Tour Sintra Walking Tour Estoril Walking Tour Group Welcome Dinner Group Farewell Dinner Guide / Driver Tips & Gratuities Venture Holidays Travel Wallet

Exclusions • • • • •

International and domestic airfares plus taxes Convention Registration RI-Ticketed Events or Host-Ticketed Events Early Check in and Late Check out Meals and Beverages (other than those listed as included) • Insurance, Passport & Visa Fees, Personal expenditure

Flights ex Sydney (prices are per person and do not include taxes) Emirates via Dubai

Qantas via London / Singapore

Economy

from $1932*

from $1073*

Business

from $6584*

from $14437*

To register your interest or to book, contact Adele at Venture Holidays Level 5, 41 Currie Street, Adelaide SA 5000 E: AdeleN@VentureHolidays.com.au P: 08 8238 (Adelaide) 18 4511 Issue 547. February 2013 or 1300 303 343 (all other areas)

*Airfares are subject to availability at the time of booking. Taxes are subject to change.

Xxxxxx

The Spice of Life By Tim Dawe Rotary Club of West Perth, WA West Perth Rotarian and acclaimed medical scientist Ralph Martins continues his research race to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) – this time into spice, or more particularly, curcumin found in turmeric. With nurse practitioner Kathryn Goozee as principal investigator, they have set up a Sydney-based clinical trial to determine if curcumin can prevent the onset of AD. Ms Goozee was key in establishing this world-first trial, known as KARVIAH (Kerr Anglican Retirement Village initiative in aging health), launched recently by celebrity chef Maggie Beer, whose mother succumbed to Alzheimer’s at just 69. Her enthusiasm and vision to keep independent, older people stable and free from dementia for as long as possible so impressed Robert Freedman, CEO of Anglican Retirement Villages (ARV), he offered her the trial at Kerr ARV, staffing and modest funding. One hundred independent-living residents aged 65 to 90 are taking part in the trial. Half will receive a placebo capsule. “After hearing Ralph discuss his research and his enthusiasm for prevention, I knew I wanted to conduct this extensive trial,” Ms Goozee said. “This has not been done in Australia or indeed the world and is very exciting.” Professor Martins is full of praise for the dementia consultant, now his PhD student. “I see Kathryn as a modern day Florence Nightingale.” Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammator y and antioxidant. It is thought to halt the early onset of AD and dementia by clearing the brain of the protein beta amyloid. To prove its efficacy, trial participants will undergo pre and post memory tests and MRI brain scans. Professor Martins said AD is a growing epidemic. There are currently 250,000 Australians with AD, but that is expected to explode to 1.1 million in 35 years or less as aging baby boomers seek residential care. “Previously research was directed to treating AD when the symptom appeared. We now know that clinical Alzheimer’s is the end stage of the disease. So we have about 15-20 years when the disease is ‘cooking’ in the brain before onset. It’s at this stage we need to focus our attention and interventions,” he said. There are other preventative lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, social engagement and continuous learning

(cognition). Ms Goozee said that in the face of the epidemic it is critical for our society that we emphasise prevention, not just care, for people living with dementia. “If we can slow down that slide from somebody who’s just having problems with memory to maintaining, or even improving, cognition rather than descending into dementia, that would be an amazing benefit,” she said. Overflowing with enthusiasm, Kathryn still struggles with funding to keep this important clinical trial afloat. The Rotary Club of West Perth continues to support the McCusker Alzheimer’s Research Foundation and its Research Director, Ralph Martins, as a worthy project to avert the oncoming AD epidemic and to Do Good in the World. Rotarians can support the foundation, or monitor the KARVIAH trial, or join another trial. For further information contact jenny.gill@alzheimers.com.au 

Thelowdown  West Perth Rotarian’s Alzheimer ’s disease research into preventative effects of curcumin  World’s first clinical trial established in Sydney  250,000 Australians suffer Alzheimer’s at present, 1.1 million expected within 35 years  Rotarian support is sought  Contact: jennygill@alzheimers.com.au

www.rotarydownunder.org

Cover Story

HURRY... ORDER NOW

R POLIO’ O F ‘PIN IT is on again in 2013... February 23 $32,000

YOUR EFFORTS RAISED FOR OUR ROTARY FOUNDATION AND POLIO ERADICATION IN 2012

Rotary leaders have urged Rotary Clubs and members to continue Polio fund raising efforts in 2012/13... order your pin supply now! Every pin will be sold with our relevant PIN IT FOR POLIO message –

‘PIN IT FOR

POLIO’

$300

‘Children in Australia and New Zealand have been Polio free for more than fifty years. However, the next case of this crippling disease is only a plane ride away. In 1985, there were 350,000 cases of poliomyelitis in more than 100 countries worldwide. Today, there are less than 1,500 cases annually concentrated in four endemic countries – India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. The children of our world will never be safe until Polio is eliminated forever.

Children in Australia and New Zealan free for mo d have bee re than fifty n polio years. How this cripplin ever the nex g disease is t case of In 1985 the only a plane re were 350 fare away. ,000 cases of pol than 100 cou iomyelitis in ntries worldw more ide. Today there are less 1,500 cases annually con than in four endem centrated ic countries – India, Pak and Nigeria istan, Afganis . The childre tan n of our wo safe until pol rld will never io is eliminat be Help Rotary ed forever. Internation al and finish this vita its campaign partners l challenge. DONATE NO W TO END POL IO.

each

‘Your purchase of this pin for $3 will help Rotary International and its campaign partners finish the vital eradication task. DONATE NOW TO END POLIO! Each pin sold will raise AUD$1.50 for the Australian/New Zealand Rotary Foundation Trusts, ie: a package of 100 pins will raise $150 – with the remaining $150 to cover cost of pins, printing, packaging, post and GST. See coupon below for all order details …

HURRY ORDER NOW UR IN TIME FOR YO ROTARY DAY CELEBRATION

WE’RE THIS Golfer Jack Nicklaus Please send -

CLOSE! Actor Jackie Chan

1 pack of 100 Polio Pins @ AUD $300

Singer Zeynab Abib

2 packs of 100 Polio Pins @ AUD $600

__ packs of 100 Polio Pins @ AUD $

Note: Rotary Down Under will cover cost of GST where applicable

Rotary Club of _____________________________________________________ Phone: 612 9633 4888 Fax: 612 9891 5984 Post cheques to: Rotary Down Under PO Box 779 Parramatta, NSW 2124 pinitforpolio@rotarydownunder.com.au

Order online at www.rotarydownunder.org

Name __________________________________ Ph _______________________ Email ______________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Payment details:

Visa

M/card

AMEX

Expiry _____ / _____

Card no. Card holders name _____________________ Signed ____________________

To benefit the Australian and New Zealand Rotary Foundation Trusts

Issue 547. February 2013

Cover Story

Institutes go mainstream

The Australian District Governors Elect with President Elect Ron Burton and his wife, Jetta.

By Mark Wallace Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong, NSW Editor, Rotary Down Under Rotary Institutes are becoming more mainstream. Gone, it would appear, are the days when the annual Rotary Zone Institute was seen as a private gathering for an exclusive club of “Past and current officers of Rotary International” or Past and current District Governors. Governors Elect and Nominee have traditionally been invited to Zone Institutes as observers as they are required at pre-Institute training seminars. They are considered “members in training”. But at the Combined Zone 7B and 8 Institute in Brisbane in 2011 organisers conducted a Future Leaders’ seminar at which around 300 Rotarians from all over Australia and New Zealand discovered what all the fuss was about when they were encouraged to stay on as observers. Future Leaders’ seminars were again held during the pre-Institute periods at the Zone 7B event in Invercargill, NZ, in October, and at the Zone 8 Institute in Adelaide, SA, in December. Rotary International President Elect Ron Burton was the guest of honour at both Institutes, delivering messages of encouragement to the members of his team for the 201314 Rotary year, and messages of empowerment to those who too often focus on obstacles to what is possible for Rotary clubs and Districts. Plenary sessions in Invercargill featured inspiring keynote speakers such as Sam Johnston, the 22-year-old whose Facebook page led to the establishment of the

Student Volunteer Army that did so much to help in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes in 2010-11, and Rob Pennicott, who drew widespread acclaim in Adelaide following his retelling of the epic “Yellow Boat Road” voyage around Australia, which raised more than $287,000 for conservation and polio eradication in 2011. Along the way there were the customary sessions on The Rotary Foundation and the Future Vision plan, updates on Rotary International finances, the chance for Past Governors to be reunited with the fellow Governors of their year in office, and Rotary showcases profiling dozens of Rotary projects such as ShelterBox, Disaster Aid, Australian Rotary Health, Probus, Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children and Rotary New Zealand (and Australia) World Community Service. Governor John Prendergast, of District 9980 and Adelaide Rotarian David Tunkin proved to be entertaining and efficient MCs for the Invercargill and Adelaide Institutes respectively, turning sometimes dry subjects into hilarious segues, without ever diminishing the importance of the topic – a rare and indispensable skill if ever there was one! 

Thelowdown  Future Leaders inclusion opens up former “private club”  Messages of encouragement and empowerment from President Elect Ron Burton  Young achievers continue to inspire.

www.rotarydownunder.org

RYDA

Theme Scarf $2500 AU $2800 NZ

Presidents Scarf $2500 AU $2800 NZ

Podium Banner $2000 AU $2200 NZ Theme Tie $2500 AU $2800

Presidents Tie $2500 AU $2800 NZ

Theme Pin $270 AU $310 NZ

Club Officers Changeover set of 10 pins

Theme Pins (boxed set) $4900 AU $5500 NZ Please send me a

Podium banner

Presidents tie

Presidents scarf

Theme pin

Theme tie

Theme scarf

Changeover theme set

Rotary Club of ______________________________________________________________________________ Name _________________________ Ph __________________ E: ____________________________________

Ph: +61 2 9674 6855 NZ Callers: 0800 738 695 Fax: +61 2 9624 2148 E: supplies@rotarydownunder.com.au www.rdushop.com.au

Address ____________________________________________________________________________________ PAYMENT DETAILS:

Visa

Issue 547. February 2013

AMEX

Expiry date ______ / _______

Card number Card holders name __________________________________________ Signed _______________________ • Postage to be added to invoice

M/card

• GST added for Australia

RYDA

RYDA champions: making our roads a safer place The outstanding contribution made by Rotarians to the RYDA road safety education program was recognised at a function recently held in Sydney. The awards luncheon was also an opportunity to celebrate another very successful year for the RYDA program with over 250,000 students now having attended this life saving program for young people in our community. The 2012 BOC RYDA Champion Award Winners were Ted Lewis OAM (Rotary Club of Newcastle, NSW), Jan and Craig Rogasch (Rotary Club of Barossa Valley, SA) and Assistant Governor Jennie Herring (Rotary Club of Otahuhu, Auckland, NZ). The award recognises Rotarians for their contribution to the RYDA program and commitment to the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self.

Students being guided to their next RYDA session by their local Rotarian.

The RYDA program is provided by Road Safety Education Limited and is conducted at 80 venues in Australia and New Zealand with annual participation from over 450 high schools. Rotary clubs provide RYDA with a greatly valued local presence and introduction to many community groups including schools and local business organisations. Rotary volunteers also play an important role at RYDA days by acting as guides for each of the student groups participating in the six program sessions and often also assist by accepting a role as Day Manager at various RYDA venues. Many Rotar y clubs also provide direct financial support for students to attend the RYDA program. This support from Rotar y clubs greatly assists to minimise operational costs and helps to ensure that the RYDA program remains accessible and affordable for all young people in the community. Road Safety Education Limited, founding sponsor B O C a n d Ro t a r y c l u b s across Australia and New Zealand are proud to be working together to help make our roads a safer place through deliver y of the RYDA program. Further information on RYDA, including a copy of the recently published Road Safety Education Limited 2012 Concise Annual Report, is available from www.rse.org.au ď Ź

YOUR GREATEST

GIFT

A BEQUEST TO AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH If you would welcome the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the health and well-being of future Australians (very possibly including your own family and loved ones), consider a bequest to Australian Rotary Health. Your legal advisor can assist you in the making of a bequest. To obtain a free Australian Rotary Health Bequest Kit, please phone Terry Davies on (02) 8837 1900 or email: terrydavies@australianrotaryhealth.org.au

Rotarian Legal Advisors Can you assist us in the making of a will? If so please phone Terry Davies on (02) 8837 1900

www.rotarydownunder.org

Peace Forum

War has displaced over 22,000 Sudanese to Australia. More than 70% are younger than 30. A program created by Rotary Peace Centers alumni uses soccer to help displaced youth make a new life. Your contributions to the Annual Fund help The Rotary Foundation strengthen local peace efforts and train peacebuilders worldwide.

Doing good in the world

Make your gift today at www.rotary.org/contribute.

Watch a video about this program 24

Issue 547. February 2013

www.rotary.org

Peace Forum

Rotarians call for ‘Peace Without Borders’ during Berlin forum By Insa Feye and Arnold R. Grahl Rotary News (5 December 2012) More than 1800 Rotarians, community leaders and students and alumni of the Rotary Peace Centers program gathered in Berlin from November 30 through to December 2 to promote peace during the first of three Rotary Global Peace Forums. The three-day forum was the largest Rotary event in Germany since the RI Convention in Munich 25 years ago.

The Berlin Peace Clock

Berlin declaration

The attendees adopted a declaration calling for “Peace Without Borders,” recognising that “all human beings have the right to live in a state of peace, free from violence, persecution, inequality, and suffering”. “Working for peace is a lifelong task,” said RI President Sakuji Tanaka. “Every day, in 34,000 clubs around the world, we work together for a more peaceful world by bringing water, health, education and hope to the people who need it most.”

Thelowdown  Biggest Rotary event in Germany in 25 years  Participants call for “Peace without Borders”  Polio campaign proves barriers can be overcome

My Rotary Moment

Every Rotarian, said Tanaka, has a story to tell. Some of those are compiled in his new book My Rotary Moment, a collection of personal essays and stories written by Rotary’s senior leaders. Copies of the book, signed by Tanaka, were sold at the forum, with proceeds going to The Rotary Foundation. Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, Chair of The Rotary Foundation, noted that building peace in the world is one of the main elements of the Foundation’s mission. He said Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio have demonstrated how Rotarians can band together to overcome barriers of culture, religion, language and conflict.

Calmer societies

RI General Secretary John Hewko explained how Rotary’s humanitarian service, even when it is not explicitly labelled peace-building, creates communities and societies that are calmer, more prosperous and less violent. “By helping to build a healthier, more literate society, you are doing the single most effective thing you can do to establish peace in the long term. A society that is educated, self-sufficient and has its citizens productively engaged in commerce and agriculture and industry, is simply more stable and less prone to conflict.” 

www.rotarydownunder.org

club projects

Going once, going twice … Club fundraiser celebrates 21 years The Rotary Club of Geraldton, WA, celebrated 21 years of its annual Rotary Radio Auction in November, which generated $36,500 for 10 local charities. The club has supported overseas and local projects for over 61 years, many of which have been funded by the radio auction. In the months leading up to the fundraiser, Rotarians collect pledges from businesses and trades. A number of larger cash donations were also received. With a tally of $67,000, items were listed in a coloured newspaper lift out in the Geraldton Guardian. With numerous on-air radio promotions and media photos in the lead up to the big day, the public were urged to select their choice of bids and have their paper ready for the phone lines to be open at 9am on auction day. Telsta Countrywide generously open their offices to Rotary each year. Row upon row of tables and phones are set up, all connected to just one number – 08 9965 4888. Giant boards noting all pledges surround the foreground with microphones plugged in and the radio DJ’s from Geraldton 98.1 Spirit Radio ready to roll! 

Jenny Beaver and Jean Murphy, of the Rotary Club of Geraldton, WA, at the club’s 21st annual Rotary Radio Auction.

Thelowdown  21st Rotary Club of Geraldton Radio Auction  $36,500 raised  Funds donated to 10 charities

HUMANITY IN MOTION … Rotary in action in Australia! ORDER FORM FOR REPRINTS OF HUMANITY IN MOTION 2 For use throughout 2013 Please supply . . . . . . copies of HUMANITY IN MOTION 2 to – District/Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. of copies @ $5.00 ……………. No. of boxes @ $200

…………….

50% deposit is required

Total cost: …………… (postage/freight will be added to this total) Please select payment option:

PAYMENT DETAILS:

Visa

Credit card or

M/card

Card number

AMEX

Invoice

Expiry date ______ / ________ cvc

Card holders name __________________________________________ Signed __________________________

Issue 547. February 2013

(40 copies per carton)

URGENT: order must be received by 28th February 2013 PO Box 779, Parramatta, NSW 2124 Australia Ph: 61 2 9633 4888 Fax: 61 2 9891 5984 Orders may be placed with Judy Drake E: judydrake@rotarydownunder.com.au

Xxxxxx

a rotary primer

globaloutlook a RotaRian’s guide to advocacy for polio eradication

C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 1 2 b y r o ta ry i n t e r n at i o n a l . a l l r i g h t s r e s e rv e d .

www.rotarydownunder.org

Xxxxxx

just add your voice

he world is 99 percent polio-free. india is no longer polio-endemic. We are closer than ever to ending the crippling disease for good, yet we are in emergency mode. We don’t have the funding to finish the job. that’s why we need you to use your network of contacts to help stop this disease. advocacy is not the job of a small group of senior rotary leaders – it’s up to everyone to make sure polio stays on the global agenda. Write to your government officials. Use your social network to spread the word. provide a link to www.endpolionow.org in your email signature. host a fundraising dinner to help fill the Us$700 million* funding gap that holds us back. in this issue, you’ll find tips to help you share your voice. More tools, such as letter templates and graphics, are available at www. endpolionow.org. together, we will cross the finish line and leave a legacy of a polio-free world. *as of october 2012 28

Issue 547. February 2013

Xxxxxx

a conversation with polioplus national advocacy adviser

judith diment

illUstrations by otto steininger

s polioplus national advocacy adviser in the United Kingdom, Judith diment has raised thousands of pounds, executed high-profile events, and rallied rotarians in her district to get the word out about polio eradication. a member of the rotary Club of Windsor st. george, england, she also runs her own public relations consultancy built on a decade of marketing, communications, and event-planning experience. When the olympic and paralympic games came to london in 2012, diment and a multidistrict team of rotarians used the occasion as an advocacy opportunity. she remains driven to close the funding gap in the fight against polio by educating government officials and spreading the word about the need to end the disease.

Did you tie any of your advocacy efforts to the main Olympic events?

How did you maximize the opportunity of the Olympic and Paralympic Games? i decided to organize an event to bring the paralympics

You have a knack for planning events and securing extraordinary venues, like when you hosted a dinner at Windsor Castle. How did you gain access?

and polio together to raise awareness for our campaign. We

it was a chance conversation, which led to an opportunity.

researched paralympians with polio. by working with the

i attended an event with the governor of Windsor Castle and

british pakistan Foundation, i was introduced to the pakistani

his wife. she asked if i had any holiday plans. i said, “i’m

paralympic committee and arranged for paralympians, some

going to new orleans for the rotary international Convention

of whom had polio, to attend our event. We held an english

because bill gates is speaking and i’d like to hear him.”

garden party, as it was the summer, and had members of three

i then explained to her husband about bill gates and the

of the paralympic teams there: one from pakistan, another from

polio eradication program and the shortfall in funding. he

niger, and the third from haiti. We wanted to raise awareness

suggested that he could perhaps help with arranging a dinner

that polio is still a problem in pakistan and elsewhere.

at Windsor Castle and asked me to follow up with a note

originally, i’d thought about doing [an advocacy event] for the olympics, but ours would have been one in a million. by tying in with the opening day of the paralympics, we stood out.

Was this solely an awareness event? the paralympics event didn’t start as a fundraiser. but after talking to the pakistani paralympic committee, we decided to raise funds for the paralympians who have very few resources. When i learned that one athlete from niger’s team had to borrow a wheelchair to compete, i thought, “We have to do something.” We held an auction and raised about £4,500 altogether, with two-thirds of the money going to the paralympic teams and one-third to polio.

www.rotarydownunder.org

Xxxxxx

reasons to eradicate polio (1 )

it saves lives experts say if we choose to control polio rather than eradicate it, more than 10 million children under the age of five could be paralyzed by the disease in the next 40 years.

(2 )

it’s achievable We have the tools to end the disease and the means to reach all children. the new bivalent vaccine successfully targets the two remaining

The dinner at Windsor Castle was held on the heels of the February 2012 announcement that India was no longer polio-endemic. Did you time the event to coincide with this news for media attention?

(3)

How do you inspire clubs in your region to publicize and raise money for polio eradication?

an independent study published in the medical investment in a polio-free world will net an economic benefit of $40 billion to $50 billion over the next 20 years.

(4)

it strengthens the system our polio eradication efforts have established an active disease surveillance network in all countries that is supporting other health interventions, including measles vaccinations and the distribution of deworming tablets and bed nets.

(5)

it sets the stage the ability to reach all children with the polio vaccine is proof that we can succeed on our next major global health initiative.

i worked with ri director allan Jagger on planning the event. he introduced the evening, and [2011-12] ri president Kalyan banerjee spoke. We also had an after-dinner speaker from the bbC, Fergus Walsh, a medical correspondent who had been to india and nigeria and filmed the polio eradication campaign. he talked about polio in the global context and showed his footage. We invited many prominent businesspeople and the media. We raised £35,000 and another £7,500 in matched funding from the british government.

that was a lucky break. We knew the polio campaign in india was going extremely well, but sometimes you get a bit of luck.

journal Vaccine estimates that the Us$9 billion global

t he

How did it go?

strains of polio in one dose.

it’s a good investment

including all the information. he put me in touch with the dean of Windsor, and we arranged an event for 70 people at st george’s house, Windsor Castle.

r otarian | F E B R U A R Y

Issue 547. February 2013

2 0 1 3

you have to lead by example. i am also district governor this year, and for World polio day, i visited every club in the district and had a little media event. We got an ri pr grant, and i produced 25,000 copies of a 12-page newspaper for the public; the lead story was polio. i asked clubs to give out this newspaper and talk to people about polio. We did this last February and gave it out over four weeks – 25,000 is a lot to distribute. last year, we analyzed the impact it had on the district website and Facebook. there was a great peak in visitors to the website, and even more on Facebook.

How do you incorporate social media into your advocacy role? i’m not young and social media is not something i grew up with, so i had to learn it. i took professional advice that you get better results if you focus on a cause rather than general chitchat. so, i have a twitter account and use it only for the polio campaign. it’s been very effective. the people i follow and those who follow me are all connected to polio. you build a natural, global community of people who can relate to one another. Facebook is important too. i use it for my district-governor work only – nothing personal. My twitter messages go onto my Facebook page as well.

Xxxxxx

You have many high-level contacts. What would you tell a Rotarian who wants to help raise money or promote polio eradication but does not have a large network? you’d be amazed by how many people have contacts they don’t use. Use friends, family, and contacts in business to get to the top person rather than writing a letter cold. if you’re not used to pr and communications, always get someone else to read anything you’re sending off. also, use the ri staff and the ri resources. For example, every time we do an event, i always give out a packet of information on polio from ri. it’s up-to-date and looks professional. it means people are taking away something that is correct and looks good.

Do you ever find it difficult to ask for money? i don’t go to someone and say, “give me £5,000.” i think one way [to bring in money] is to organize an event to help raise the issues; let people know they have to pay to come and the money is going to polio. so you’re giving them something in return. the other way is to make people aware of the program and the need to complete it successfully. they can then help – either themselves, or by putting us in touch with someone who can give us money. the other powerful argument we have in rotary is that we have already given over Us$1 billion toward polio ourselves.

How do you make sure that meetings with potential donors go well? research. get all the background you can on them. go on their website, spend time learning about their organization. do not go into a meeting cold. have your story polished and professional and slick. i always advise clients talking to the media to have three key messages you want to get across. it’s similar when talking to potential donors. your points are: (1) i’m in rotary (2) polio and the need (3) how you can help. it’s all about preparation.

How much would it help if every Rotarian tapped into his or her network to conquer polio? i’m a great believer that every rotarian is the best ambassador for rotary and we should be using all our skills and talents toward that end. polioplus is such an important program, and we’ve put so much into it. it’s up to every rotarian to make a contribution toward eradicating polio. We should all be proud of what we’ve done, and we must make eradication happen. n

how to ask for money R

obert Hall has helped his zone raise almost Us$7 million for polio eradication since December 2007. “all I do is facilitate people’s spending money on what they are interested in,” says Hall, end Polio Now coordinator for Zone 34 and a member of the rotary club of Dunwoody, Ga., Usa. Developing personal relationships and helping others discover what they are passionate about is key to success, Hall says. He approaches fundraising in three steps:

(1) Alert.

Make the potential donor aware of the fight against polio and why you are committed to it. though it’s important to include all the relevant facts, such as how many new cases occurred this year and how much money the effort still needs, Hall says a compelling story is what appeals to people. He tells one about his wife, who as a child saw other children on the playground push a little girl who had polio and take her crutches.

(2) Ask.

“If you don’t ask, no one is going to give, no matter what,” Hall says. If you’re requesting a large amount, set up a one-on-one meeting. after asking for a specific sum, stay quiet and wait for a response from the potential donor. this is difficult, he says, but the donor must have a chance to consider. If the answer is yes, make it easy to complete the donation (for example, with a credit card or through a multiyear pledge). If the answer is no, Hall gently probes for the reason with four questions: Is it the organization? Is the project a problem? Is the amount not right? or is the timing difficult? once he identifies the reason, he knows what to do next. In some cases, it may be coming back to the donor in a few months.

(3) Acknowledge.

follow up with a handwritten thank-you note and, if appropriate, public recognition for large gifts. because large gifts are often a joint decision by a couple, be sure to thank them both. – sUsie Ma

www.rotarydownunder.org

Xxxxxx

advocacy around the world auStRalIa

in March 2011, rotarians in australia conducted a letter-writing campaign directed toward prime Minister Julia gillard. they urged the australian government to reengage in the fight against polio by contributing to the global polio eradication initiative (gpei) and encouraged the inclusion of polio on the agenda of the Commonwealth heads of government Meeting, which australia was to host that october. that august, Rotary Down Under published an open letter to the prime minister. the campaign was a success: at the meeting, gillard – joined by UK prime Minister david Cameron, nigerian president goodluck Jonathan, Canadian prime Minister stephen harper, and pakistani prime Minister yousaf raza gilani – announced that australia would provide a$50 million over four years to the gpei to help purchase vaccine, monitor outbreaks, and respond when and where needed. she said in her remarks, “i also want to acknowledge the efforts of rotary in what has been a longstanding global initiative for change, and i’d like to remind everyone in this room that change is possible.”

bENIN twelve rotarians from Cotonou reached about three million people with rotary’s this Close campaign through social media. the rotarians changed their Facebook profile pictures to one of the this Close ads so that all of their friends (ranging from 125 to more than 2,000) saw them. they also tagged some of their friends on the pictures, and left a comment explaining rotary’s polio eradication work. each tagged friend received a notification of the tag and the comment. the effort triggered conversations about polio eradication, and soon others began changing their profile pictures to this Close ads too. “it started in Cotonou and went to other cities in benin,” says boris Crestia, rotary public image coordinator for Zone 20. “people in togo

Issue 547. February 2013

started changing their profile pictures, and in gabon they did the same. in ivory Coast they changed their profile picture, then it went to Morocco, then it went to France. it was a very, very big success.”

CaNaDa Canadian rotarians have held several letter-writing campaigns to persuade members of parliament to support polio eradication. For a campaign in august, rotary Foundation trustee Chair and past ri president Wilfrid J. Wilkinson and international polioplus Committee Chair robert s. scott, both from Canada, took the lead by writing to prime Minister stephen harper. a copy of that letter went to every rotarian in the country, along with another asking them to contact their own member of parliament. Within three days, Wilkinson heard back from rotarians who had spoken with the prime minister or written friends in government positions to encourage them to spread the message. “that personal touch is what’s needed,” Wilkinson says. in september, the Canadian government announced a contribution to the polio eradication effort at a side meeting during the United nations general assembly. the Canadian international development agency and the bill & Melinda gates Foundation will each give to the gpei C$1 for every $1 raised by Canadian rotarians up to $1 million. Upon completion, the initiative will generate a total of $3 million. “the fundraising by the rotarians allows them to ask for support from the Canadian public at large,” Wilkinson says. “the fact that the government of Canada and the gates Foundation are behind rotary’s polio eradication efforts is a big plus and helps our overall awareness efforts.”

FINlaND rotarians in Finland worked with their government to contribute Us$1.04 million from 2010 to 2012 to end polio. through

Xxxxxx 60%

percentage of total contribution

50%

40%

30%

Trends in GPEI financing

20%

n g8 countries & european Commission n polio-affected countries n private sector (including rotary)

10% 0

1985-2002

2003-05

2006-09

2010-11

2012-13

suomen rotary, a nongovernmental organization of the rotary districts in Finland, rotarians applied for and received funding to support polio eradication activities in afghanistan, such as training health workers. the rotarians provide at least 15 percent of the funds, and the Finnish government contributes the rest. the money goes to the World health organization via the rotary Foundation. the current effort runs through 2013; both the Finnish government and rotarians have expressed an interest in continuing their work together and are considering a new project. in honor of World polio day, the collaboration was highlighted at a seminar organized by the national institute for health and Welfare, suomen rotary, Ministry for Foreign affairs of Finland, Ministry of social affairs and health of Finland, and the Finnish association of polio survivors.

NIgERIa president goodluck Jonathan has demonstrated his support for polio eradication: he nearly doubled the budget for the cause and launched an emergency action plan for the nation. state governors are also campaigning to end polio. now, rotarians in nigeria are working with traditional leaders to designate polio ambassadors to reach people on the local level. beyond entertainers and famous figures, rotarians hope to engage community members, such as clerics and polio victims, who can make an impact. the campaign is targeted at seven high-risk states in the northern parts of the country. “We are hoping that through this methodology, we will break resistance,” says olubusuyi a. onabolu, chair of the nigeria polioplus Committee.

PakIStaN rotary’s pakistan polioplus Committee teamed up with Coca-Cola beverages pakistan to promote the polio eradication effort. CocaCola pakistan printed messages about polio on more

than 70 million bottle labels and incorporated end polio now ringtones at its call stations across the country. in addition, the company placed permanent messages on 250,000 Coke coolers that were distributed throughout pakistan and promoted national immunization days on billboards. Coca-Cola pakistan has also agreed to provide sponsored vans as needed to transport the polio vaccine, and to help provide clean water in high-risk districts to reduce diarrhea in children. “having Coke on our side gives us a lot of mileage, and we can inspire other multinationals to join hands with us in supporting this noble and national cause,” says aziz Memon, chair of the pakistan polioplus Committee.

uSa James l. lacy figures he spent 40 days in Washington, d.C., last year, calling on the offices of government officials to raise money for polio eradication. “you can imagine how many contacts and how many people i was able to see in that number of days,” says lacy, 1998-99 ri president and chair of the polio eradication advocacy task Force for the Usa. Working with ed long, of the firm van scoyoc associates, he keeps officials and their staff members up-to-date on the status of eradication, what has been accomplished so far, and what’s expected to be accomplished in the next year. it’s worked: in fiscal year 1995, the first year of the lobbying effort, the United states appropriated $11 million to the U.s. Centers for disease Control and prevention, which rose to $111.6 million in fiscal year 2012, with an additional $39.5 million appropriation for Usaid. “i think one of the things that Congress was most impressed with was the amount of money rotarians have raised ourselves,” lacy says. each year, rotary honors members of Congress who have made contributions to ending polio, such as writing letters to the U.s. president or other congressional members, as polio eradication champions. the United states is the leading public-sector donor to the gpei, with an investment of more than $2 billion.

www.rotarydownunder.org

Xxxxxx

global polio eradication initiative budget 2012-13: us$2.18 billion*

funding gap: $700m* or

35%

getting started

T 1 2

he most important thing you can do right now is talk to your elected officials, business leaders, and friends about supporting polio eradication. not sure what to say? here are three ideas:

*as of october 2012

share articles about polio eradication, particularly those that draw attention to rotary’s role and the need for support.

illustrate the importance of ending polio with graphics available at www. endpolionow.org. graphics convey key messages simply and can be shared through social media at any time.

CuRRENt FuNDINg*

65%

gates & rotary foundations

20% 34

Issue 547. February 2013

invite an elected official to speak to your club and use the event as an opportunity to highlight rotary’s commitment to ending polio. give the speaker a polio-related gift, such as an end polio now pin or a framed photo of a child receiving vaccine. you can also provide a certificate to announce that a contribution has been made in the speaker’s name to polioplus.

This Rotary World

Help make a World of Difference After just two years A World of Difference, a District 9800 endorsed project, has translated into a powerful program that demonstrates the effective and sustainable work Rotary conducts in developing countries. World of Difference tours are different to RAWCS projects in that they: • Visit several Rotary projects while comparing and contrasting local areas that require Rotary help • Balance the activities with various tourist experiences • P ro v i d e a c c o m m o d a t i o n i n 3-4 star comfortable and wellequipped hotels • Present the opportunity to visit well-resourced and well-managed Rotary supported projects One such tour is managed by an inspirational leader – Rithy Ann from Cambodia. Five recent volunteer visits to Cambodia led by Rithy Ann and Bronwyn Stephens from the

Bronwyn Stephens of the Rotary Club of Melbourne South, Vic, with Cambodian villagers on a recent visit.

Rotary Club of Melbourne South, Vic, have enabled volunteers to immerse themselves in the rich culture of the Khmer people and in a practical way support the myriad of projects. Rithy Ann and Bronwyn have facilitated over $50,000 of

Container of knowledge lands in Samoa A container of knowledge arrived in Apia, Samoa, on October 30 following a Donation in Kind (DIK) request from Rotary Club of Apia Secretary Debra Gibbs. District 9920 World Community Service Committee Literacy champion Mary Ann France coordinated the supply of 585 cartons of books, stationery, school furniture and carpet tiles. The highlight was 80 cartons containing 2000 Rotary pictorial dictionaries totalling $18,000 in value. This will help populate the Rotary Libraries in Samoan schools and enhance schooling. Rotary Club of Apia President Douglas Creevey said, “We are extremely grateful to RNZWCS in Auckland, the Rotary clubs and all organisations involved in the collaboration effort, the months of work and fundraising that has gone into this project to provide these books and educational supplies for over 50 schools in Samoa”.

donations, all of which have been invested in Cambodian school and village projects. Contact Bronwyn on 0410 324 537 for forthcoming tour details and inspiring speakers who are happy to visit your club.

Sign writing great way to publicise Rotary Electrical contractor and Past President of the Rotary Club of Otaki, NZ, Chris Dungan recently took delivery of a new work vehicle. “I’m now on the club’s PR committee, and as I’m always banging on about getting members to wear Rotary branded gear when we’re out and about, I felt it was time to put words into actions,” Chris said. “So when I was getting the sign writing done, I got Wayne Kaye from Kaye Sign Service in the nearby town of Levin to include Rotary on half of the rear of the van”. Chris feels that more Rotarians should include Rotary signage on work vehicles. “When you think of the huge number of Rotarians who own or run businesses with vehicles, we should be encouraging them to include Rotary in with their company branding,” emphasised Chris. “At times I feel I’m a member of some arcane secret society. We should be letting people out there know that Rotarians are everywhere.” How will you get the Rotary message across?

www.rotarydownunder.org

This rotary world

City Rotarians build fences and fellowship in the outback In October, seven Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Corrimal, NSW, three youth exchange students and a Korean lady spent a week in Naradhan, NSW, 30kms from Lake Cargelligo, as part of the club’s Farmaid project. The main tasks of the trip were fencing, with almost a kilometre of fence repaired on one property, repainting the entire outside of another family’s home, and a make-over of the surrounds and gardens of this home. As in previous trips, much more than this was achieved. City dwellers were able to see and learn about farm life. Just sitting and talking with

often isolated family members was enjoyed by everyone. Strengthening t h e f r i e n d s h i p b e t w e e n L a ke Cargelligo and Corrimal Rotarians was another highlight. The entire Corrimal team was able to stay in a usually vacant house, resulting in much laughter and enjoyment of each other’s company. The Farmaid project was started by Noel Causer, of the Rotary Club of Corrimal, in 2008 and initially involved giving farming families struggling as a result of drought, floods or bushfires a week’s holiday on the coast in Wollongong. So far 17 families have enjoyed a holiday

there. Trips by Corrimal members to assist with farm work started three years ago and have been enthusiastically embraced. The exchange students, three y o u n g l a d i e s , i n b o u n d s f ro m Germany and Switzerland, and one soon to be outbound, worked tirelessly and had so many new experiences, like seeing the great expanses of rural Australia, shearing, marking lambs, catching, cooking and eating some very large yabbies, attending a bull sale and visiting the one-teacher, 12-student school at Naradhan and telling the students about their countries.

A ‘hand-up’ – NOT a ‘hand-out’ Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Bowral-Mittagong, NSW, were part of the many volunteers from Australian and New Zealand Rotary clubs, along with Habitat for Humanity team members who worked on the Rotahomes’ Koroipita Model Town Project near Lautoka, Fiji, last year. A record number of 72 homes have been built at “K2” to date. Project Manager Peter Drysdale, of the Rotary Club of Lautoka, Fiji, is accepting bookings now, but suggests early contact with him (peterhomes@connect.com.fj) if teams wish to participate in the 2013 season running from April through to September/October. For further information Australian Rotary volunteers can also contact Lew Pretorius at lewp@precons.com

Issue 547. February 2013

Smiles

Well-travelled I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognises you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore. I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often. I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older. One of my favourite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! I love travel, however, I never want to be in Continent. Rotary Club of Wetherill Park, NSW

Object of

Rotary The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

1 2

A fisherman’s tale Bundy Rum (Bundaberg Rum) ... Queensland’s famous product! Forget Jamaican or any other rubbish! I finally got around to going fishing this morning, but after a while I ran out of worms. Then I saw a King Brown (for you overseas people, a King Brown is one of the deadliest snakes on earth – out of the world’s top 10 deadliest snakes, Australia has five of them) with a frog in its mouth, and frogs are good bass bait. Knowing the snake couldn’t bite me with the frog in his mouth, I grabbed him right behind the head, took the frog out of his mouth and put it into my bait bucket. Now, the dilemma was how to release the snake without getting bitten. I grabbed my bottle of Bundaberg rum and poured a little rum in its mouth. His eyes rolled back, he went limp, and I released him into the lake without incident, and carried on with my fishing with the frog as my bait. A little while later I felt a nudge on my foot. There was that same snake with two frogs in his mouth. Rotary Club of Burwood, NSW

3 4

The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society; The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life; The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

www.rotarydownunder.org

Notices

Take your subscription

ONLINE

Become a valued digital subscriber of Rotary Down Under magazine and free up your magazi letterbox. letterb You can now receive each new edition in a portable format available to read on your desktop, availab mobile or iPad. Just contact us to your subscription transferred have yo print to digital. from p If your whole club signs up, we’ll send you 10 free hard copies even se magazine for promotional of the m each month! use eac

Email: subscriptions@rotarydownunder.org or phone: 02 9633 4888

Pride of Workmanship A Vocational Service program which provides - involvement with your local community; - membership development opportunities; - great public relations opportunity; Australasia's most popular Vocational Service program for over 30 years. Check out our website at www.pride-of-workmanship.com or contact the Rotary Club of Pennant Hills - District 9680 Phone 61 2 9484 4889 or Fax 61 2 9484 5241 (We are an official licencee of Rotary International)

BOOK THIS SPACE Contact Sam or Gay advertising@rotarydownunder.com.au or phone 02 9633 4888

Issue 547. February 2013

• Sizes available from 2.4m to 9m • Pool & Spa Gazebos • Domestic & Commercial • Kits for smaller sizes available • We build in Vic, SA, NSW & Tas. • Registered Building Practioners

See Our Displays at: 124 York Rd, Mt Evelyn Vic 3796

Ph Tom 0414 383 606 / tom@gazebos.com.au

Notices

Called to Higher Service PDG Ken Boyd – D9710

Fif ty-one years in Rotar y was re c o g n i s e d w i t h Pa s t D i s t r i c t Governor Ken Boyd joining the Paul Harris Society. In a special bedside ceremony arranged by Ken’s daughter Tricia Boyd, District 9680 Governor John Dodd presented Ken with his PHS badge and certificate. Ken was surprised and delighted by the delegation and presentation and the occasion sparked many happy reminisces of Rotary events and volunteer activities. Sadly PDG Ken was called to Higher Service 48 hours later on Saturday August 18. Past President Glanville Johansen, of the Rotar y Club of Awapuni, and formerly of the Rotary Club of Woodville, NZ. Jim Wilkinson, PHF, a 40 year member of the Rotar y Club of Cambridge, NZ. He is very much missed by the Cambridge community, his wife, daughter, three sons and 11 grandchildren. Patricia Holborow, a 17-year member of the Rotar y Club of Courtenay Place, Wellington, NZ. Pat Baker, PHF, QSO, JP, of the Rotary Club of Drury, Auckland, NZ. Andrew Macaskill, son of PDG Stuart and Trish Macaskill, member of the Rotary Club of Heretaunga, Trentham, NZ. Jack Futter, PHF, Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Kapati, NZ. Collis Blake, of the Rotary Club of Levin, and formerly of the Rotary Club of Otaki, NZ. Callum MacLean, of the Rotary Club of Levin South, NZ.

Selly Hyde, Sapphire Pin, Past P re s i d e n t of t h e Ro t a r y C l u b of Paraparaumu, and Honorar y Member of the Rotary Club of Kapiti, Paraparaumu, NZ. Past President John Cable, who became an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Petone, NZ. E i l e e n G u i s e , S ap p h ire Pin , Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Petone, NZ.

Gwen Gloag, PHF, of the Rotary Club of Roxburgh, NZ. Norrie Miller, Sapphire Pin, Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of South Wairarapa, Greytown, NZ. Jim Taylor, PHF, a 25 year member of the Rotary Club of Stratford, NZ. Past President Roy Hunt, of the Rotary Club of Western Hutt, NZ.

Paul Harris Fellows Joy Crampton (Sapphire Pin), Arthur Grubb, David Warr y, David Sullivan, Hillary Ellis, Eric Thornton and Vin Ross, of the Rotary Club of Preston, Vic. David Winkelmann AFC (Three Ruby Pins) and Karen Scott, of the Rotary Club of Waratah, NSW. Alf Armstrong (Ruby Pin), of the Rotary Club of Albury North, NSW, presented by the Rotary Club of Preston, Vic. Ian Johnston (Sapphire Pin), of the Rotary Club of Kiama, NSW. Barbara Masters, Henare Gabel and Denis Raines, of the Rotary Club of Kaitaia, NZ. Assistant Governor Alison Waugh, of the Rotary Club of Milford, Auckland, NZ presented by District 9910. President David Whitley, of the Rotary Club of New Lynn, Auckland, NZ presented by District 9910. Past President Dave McCluggage (Sapphire Pin), of the Rotary Club of Whangarei South, NZ presented by District 9910. David Dransfield (Sapphire P i n ) , of t h e Rot ar y Clu b of G r e e n m e a d o w s , N a p i e r, N Z presented by District 9930.

Jim Thomson (Sapphire Pin), of the Rotary Club of Tauranga, NZ presented by District 9930. Past Assistant Governor Karen Purdue (Sapphire Pin), of the Rotary Club of Invercargill Sunrise, NZ presented by District 9980. Michael Darracott, of the Rotary Club of Dunedin South, NZ. Lex Cade, of the Rotary Club of Invercargill South, NZ. Assistant Governor Chris Burrows, of the Rotary Club of Kerikeri, NZ. Ross Bay, of the Rotary Club of Matamata, NZ. Assistant Governor Noel Buttin, of the Rotary Club of Noumea Ouen Toro, Noumea. Alistair Seel (third Sapphire Pin) and Jim Nicholls (Sapphire Pin), of the Rotary Club of Pukekohe, NZ.

Change of venue

The Rotary Club of Waratah, NSW, now meets at their new venue, Memories Function Centre, 4-6 Charles Street, Wallsend, NSW, on Mondays at 6.00pm for 6.15pm. Telephone: 02 4955 5611.

www.rotarydownunder.org

Rotary at a Glance

ROTARY international zones 7B & 8 ROTARY AT A GLANCE

KIRIBATI PAP UA NEW GUINEA

NA URU

Rotarians: 1,228,788 in 34,336 clubs in 530 Districts in 215 countries.

S OLOMON ISL ANDS

TIMOR LESTE

VANUATU 9550

FIJI

NEW CALEDONIA 9570

9455

9500

Rotaractors: 210,979 in 9173 clubs in 171 countries.

S AMOA

TONG A

AMERICAN S AMOA COOK ISL ANDS

FRENCH POLYNESIA

9600

9630 9520

9465

A USTR ALIA

9780

ROTAR Y INTERNATIONAL ZONE 8

9640 NORFOLK ISL AND 9650 9670 9910 9680 9700 9690 9750 9710 9920 9820 9790 9800 9930 9810 9940 9830 NEW ZEAL AND 9970 ROTAR Y INTERNATIONAL ZONE 7B

9980

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL WORLD HEADQUARTERS One Rotary Centre, 1560 Sherman Ave, Evanston, Illinois, 60201, US. Telephone; 847 866 3000. Fax; 847 328 8554. General officers of Rotary International 2012-2013 President: Sakuji Tanaka, Rotary Club of Yashio, Japan; President-elect: Ron D. Burton, Rotary Club of Norman, USA; Directors: José Antonio F. Antiório, Rotary Club of Osasco, Brazil; Kenneth R. Boyd, Rotary Club of Kerman, USA; Yash Pal Das, Rotary Club of Ambala, India; Elizabeth S. Demaray , Rotary Club of Sault Ste Marie, USA; Allan O. Jagger, Rotary Club of Elland, England; Paul Knyff, Rotary Club of Weesp (Vechtstreek-Noord), The Netherlands; Shekhar Mehta, Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, India; Juin Park, Rotary Club of Suncheon, Jeonranam, Korea; Kenneth M. Schuppert Jr, Rotary Club of Decatur, USA; Ann-Britt Åsebol, Rotary Club of Falun-Kopparvågen, Sweden; John B. Boag, Rotary Club of Tamworth North, Australia; Takeshi Matsumiya, Rotary Club of Chigasaki-Shonan, Japan; Anne L. Matthews, Rotary Club of Columbia East, USA; Gideon Peiper, Rotary Club of Ramat Hasharon, Israel; Andy Smallwood, Rotary Club of Gulfway-Hobby Airport, USA; Bryn Styles, Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia, Canada; John Hewko, Rotary Club of Kiev, Ukraine (General Secretary). The Rotary Foundation Trustees Chair: Wilfred J Wilkinson, Rotary Club of Trenton, Canada; Chair-Elect: Dong Kurn Lee, Rotary Club of Seoul Hangang, Korea; Stephen R. Brown, Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, USA; Antonia

Hallage, Rotary Club of Curitiba-Leste, Brazil; Lynn A. Hammond, Rotary Club of Loveland, USA; Jackson San-Lien Hsieh, Rotary Club of Taipei Sunrise, Taiwan; John Kenny, Rotary Club of Grangemouth, Scotland; Ray Klinginsmith, Rotary Club of Kirksville, USA; Ashok M. Mahajan, Rotary Club of Mulund, India; Michael K. McGovern, Rotary Club of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, USA; Samuel F. Owori, Rotary Club of Kampala, Uganda; Kazuhiko Ozawa, Rotary Club of Yokosuka, Japan; Ian H.S. Riseley, Rotary Club of Sandringham, Australia; Julie Sorjus, Rotary Club of Barcelona Condal, Spain; John Hewko, Rotary Club of Kiev, Ukraine (General-Secretary). Rotary International Regional Office Level 2, 60 Phillip Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150 or PO Box 1415, Parramatta, NSW 2124. Telephone; 61 2 8894 9800. Fax 61 2 8894 9899. Office hours; Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm (Closed public holidays). Regional Head; Frank Pezzimenti (Frank.Pezzimenti@ rotary.org); Administration Coordinator/Literature Clerk; Michelle Fuller (Michelle.Fuller@rotary.org); Reception; Amanda Kahlon (Amanda.Kahlon@rotary.org); Club and District support Supervisor; Joy Walker Joy. Walker@rotary.org; Coordinator; Barbara Mifsud (Barbara.Mifsud@rotary.org); Correspondent; Mary Jayne Desmond (MaryJayne.Desmond@rotary.org); Regional Financial Controller; Grace Ramirez (Grace. Ramirez@rotary.org); Coordinator; John Jiang (Aust & NZ) (Xiang.Jiang@rotary.org); Coordinator; Rachel Hernandez (Philippines) (Rachel.Hernandez@rotary. org); Finance Corespondent; Melissa Asanza (Melissa. Asanza@rotary.org)”; The Rotary Foundation, Manager; Bruce Allen (Bruce.Allen@rotary.org); The Rotary

Interactors: 329,015 in 14,305 clubs Down Under there are 32,243 Rotarians in 1136 Clubs in 22 Districts in Australia and 9331 Rotarians in 265 Clubs in 6 Districts in NZ and the Pacific. Australian and New Zealand Districts include Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, where there are 776 Rotarians in 41 clubs. (As at May 2, 2012).

Foundation Assistant; Krissy Aure-Canson (Kristenne. AureCanson@rotary.org). Rotary Down Under – The Council RI Director John Boag; Phillip Skelton (D9455); Bob Cooper (D9465); Marie Dorrington (D9500); Roy Armstrong (D9520); Ian Lomas (D9550); Ken Kelly (D9570); Dai Mason (D9600); Annette Richards (D9630); Sandra Doumany (D9640); Brian Beesley (D9650); Peter Raynor (D9670); John Dodd (D9680); Keith Roffey (D9690); Greg Brown (D9700); Phil Armstrong (D9710); Bill Salter (D9750); Helen Trigg (D9780); John Gatt (D9790); Dennis Shore (D9800); Brian Martin (D9810); Tony Spring (D9820); James Wilcox (D9830); Lindsay Ford (D9910); Ron Seeto (D9920); Roger Miller (D9930); Graeme Blick (D9940); Gordon Hooper (D9970); John Prendergast (D9980). Rotary Down Under – The Board of Directors Past District Governor Des Lawson, (chairman), Past District Governor Peter Sandercock (vice-chairman), RI Director John Boag, Past District Governors Don Cox (treasurer), Jennifer Scott, John Kevan, David Watt, Bob Aitken (secretary). New Zealand Rotary Down Under Promotion Committee Past District Governor Fergus Cumming (chairman, D9930), Past President Felicity Anderson (D9910), Past Governors Leanne Jaggs (D9920), David Watt (D9940), Rex Morris (D9970), Trish Boyle (D9980).

Rotary Down Under Staff & Associates Editor: Mark Wallace Associate Editor: Meagan Jones Digital Production & Marketing: Ellissa Nolan Executive Director: Bob Aitken Finance Manager: Barry Antees Third Floor, 43 Hunter Street, Parramatta, NSW, 2150, Australia PO Box 779, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia Phone. +61 2 9633 4888 Fax. +61 2 9891 5984 editorial@rotarydownunder.com.au www.rotarydownunder.org Subscription/Admin enquiries Phone. +61 2 9633 4888 subscriptions@rotarydownunder.com.au enquiries@rotarydownunder.com.au Advertising (Australia) RDU Web Hosting Gay Kiddle & Samantha Ausburn Phone. +61 2 9633 4888 advertising@rotarydownunder.com.au

Issue 547. February 2013

Marc Wilson Gypsy Media Services Phone. +61 3 8523 2278 Fax. +61 3 9580 4997 Mobile. +61 419 107 143 marc@gypsymedia.com.au Advertising (New Zealand) Colin Gestro Affinity Ads Phone. +64 9 444 9158 colin@affinityads.com Special Advertising Projects Lex Laidlaw Phone. +61 2 4329 4203 lexlaidlaw@bigpond.com Speakers Corner Rotarians Doing Business Gay Kiddle & Samantha Ausburn speakerscorner@rotarydownunder.com.au rotariansdoingbusiness@rotarydownunder.com.au Phone. +61 2 9633 4888

RDU Merchandise & Promotions Rotary and Probus General Manager: Barry Antees Corporate Sales Manager: Paul Reid Unit 16, 45 Powers Rd, Seven Hills, NSW, 2147, Australia PO Box 244, Toongabbie, NSW, 2146, Australia PO Box 91772, Victoria Street West, Auckland, 1142, NZ Phone. +61 2 9674 6855 (AU) or 0800 738 695 (NZ) supplies@rotarydownunder.com.au www.rotarydownunder.org RDU supplies, travel insurance Phone. +61 2 9674 6855 (AU) or 0800 738 695 (NZ) New Zealand & Pacific Islands Office Editorial & Promotions Manager: Beryl Robinson PO Box 87328, Meadowbank, Auckland, 1742, NZ Phone. +64 9 273 2061 berylrobinson@rotarydownunder.co.nz www.rdu.rotarysouthpacific.org Published by: Rotary Down Under Inc ABN: 6211348579 | ACN: 001408377 Design & Layout: iMedia Corp Printed by: Rotary Offset Press

Approved by the Board of Directors of Rotary International and prescribed for the members of the Rotary clubs within RI Districts 9455, 9465, 9500, 9520, 9550, 9570, 9600, 9630, 9640, 9650, 9670, 9680, 9690, 9700, 9710, 9750, 9780, 9790, 9800, 9810, 9820, 9830, 9910, 9920, 9930, 9940, 9970 and 9980 and published by the Committee by direction of the Council. Disclaimer: All expressions of opinion are published on the basis that they are not to be regarded as expressing the official opinion of the publisher unless expressly stated. The publisher accepts no responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy of any of the opinions or information or advertisements contained in this publication and readers should rely on their own enquiries in making decisions concerning their own interests. In particular, no responsibility is accepted for the quality of goods or services supplied by advertisers or for the accuracy of materials submitted for reproduction. To the extent permitted by law, the publishers, their employees, agents and contractors exclude all liability (including liability and negligence) to any person for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising as a result of material appearing in this publication. The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Rotary International or The Rotary Foundation.