www.facebook.com\RotaryDistrict9640

District Governor’s Message Rotary Foundation Contributions Satellite Launches Into Orbit Days for Girls Gold Coast Welcome New Members Umoja Orphanage in Kenya Quacking Day at Kingscliff A Message from France

Gold Coast Suns Homeless Sleepout Calling all Riders ! Broadbeach Used Book Sale RI President’s Message Register Now for Seoul 2016 Rotary Global Rewards Key Dates and Events Official DG Business

www.rotary9640.org

Monthly Newsletter of Rotary District 9640 | Edition 6 | December 2015

Welcome to the District Governor’s Newsletter and in particular in this wonderful month of December. In 2015, December is “Disease Prevention and Treatment Month”. We actually have a wonderful focus on this at District level at the present time as the District has newly adopted the SOAP Project of which our District Chair is Karen Thomas from the Rotary Club of Mudgeeraba. Karen has offered to fulfil this role and to conduct the project on District’s behalf as a memorial to our late PDG Max Wortman. The SOAP Project has very much as its focus, disease prevention, a cause that was vital to Max in his last year of life. Thank you Karen for your work and support of this wonderful project. More information is available to all our members and guests on the SOAP Aid website www.soapaid.org. All Clubs and District Rotarians are urged to support the project. As we draw to the end of the calendar year we cannot help but take stock of where we are and how we are travelling. This is particularly so given that we are also nearing the midway point of our Rotary year. It is time to look back, take what we can learn from the past and draw inspiration and motivation to move forward into the next part of our journey. It is also a time to refresh and renew and all Rotary Clubs in our District will be suspending their normal weekly program at least for a short period to enable the Rotarians to focus on family, friends and the spirit of this season. I trust that you will find time to rest and refresh. Both Jeff and I wish all our Rotary family and friends a wonderful Christmas Season in whatever way you may celebrate this time of year. It is a wonderful time not only to rest and enjoy each other’s company but to reflect upon the meaning of our relationships and their purpose in our lives. Only good can come of such reflection. Please remember also that there are many in our world (and even in our own communities) who don’t have access to the basic requirements of life, let alone the festive accompaniments to which we are accustomed.

If you are travelling over the holiday period please take care and we wish you a safe journey and look forward to your return to District 9640 Yours in Rotary

Rotary's top priority is the eradication of polio, but our members take on far greater responsibilities to fight disease. They set up health camps and training facilities in undeveloped countries and in communities struggling with HIV/AIDS and malaria. They also design and build the infrastructure for doctors, nurses, governments, and partners to reach the one in six people in the world who can't afford to pay for health care. Disease prevention and treatment takes on many forms, from supporting studies to helping immunize people to improving drinking water and the sanitation infrastructure. The world relies on Rotary to tackle these global challenges, and to set an example for others to follow. Read More Polio vaccinators make significant headway in Nigeria Giving voice to those who might otherwise live in a

silent world Drug wars, financial setbacks no match for Mexico

clinic Family health days help 250,000 in Africa

Anne Egan

District Governor 2015/16 anne@egansimpson.com.au

0418 489 836

November was Foundation Month and in last month’s edition we outlined some of the significant benefits the District has already received in 2015/2016 from Foundation Programs. This month we focus on recognising the fundraising that got us there. Rotary Foundation Contributions With a deteriorating exchange rate our contribution in 2014/2015 was most commendable and the following clubs received Foundation banners for their efforts – Congratulations to each club on a job well done. Most pleasing was the increase in Every Rotarian Every Year contributors. A record 527 or 42.5% of Rotarians in District 9640 made a personal contribution to The Rotary Foundation in 2014/2015 which is almost double the 23.3% of Rotarians Australia wide. Congratulations and thank you to all concerned. Our task now is to continue to improve over the current and future years. Polio Movie Night There were five showings of the movie “Bridge of Spies” at Ballina, Gold Coast Arts Centre, Lismore, Murwillumbah and Warwick with over 400 attendees raising $4,200 for PolioPlus.

Thank you to all the Clubs and Rotarians involved. These funds will be matched 2 for 1 by the Gates Foundation so your efforts will have generated over $12,000 toward polio eradication.

Simon Jeanes, Secretary, PDG Sandra Doumany and Regina Tucker

Our district's second satellite club, the Satellite Club of Southport-Griffith University, was chartered on 10 November before a packed house of around 70 Rotarians and friends. After a year's planning and work by a dedicated team, PDG Sandra Doumany presented new Club Secretary Simon Jeans with the Charter document and inducted the 14 charter members. Satellite Club President Paul Fitzmaurice was inducted about two weeks ago and the Club has several more members set to join. The Club will hold monthly e-meetings and regular breakfast meetings at an on-campus cafe. Our district has one other satellite club, the Rotary Club of Glen Innes' Satellite Club, and negotiations recently began for the formation of a third satellite club. It was a terrific launch of a stellar new club.

It all started with a trip to the Rotary International Convention in Sydney in 2014 where there were over 400 projects vying for support and yet this one was picked out by the wife of a member of the Rotary e-Club of NextGen because "there wouldn't be too many blokes that would run with it!". continued next page

Program Club

Annual Fund Contributions per capita

1st Tweed Coast (USD 436.76)

2nd Surfers Paradise (USD 290.90)

3rd Hope Island (USD 271.29)

100% Sustaining Member

Kyogle

100% Every Rotarian Every Year

Kyogle

eClub NextGen

Lismore West

Mt Warning AM

EndPolio Now (contributions of USD 1,500 or more to PolioPlus)

Ashmore

Boonah

Broadbeach

Burleigh Heads

Currumbin-Coolangatta-Tweed

eClub NextGen

Hope Island

Mt Warning AM

Murwillumbah Central

Southport

Stanthorpe

continued from previous page Days for Girls is a worldwide organisation made up of over 180 chapters and teams who produce kits that are made up of shields, liners, a face washer, soap, panties, a zip lock bag and a fabric bag for storage. These kits provide girls that are living in third world areas with sustainable sanitary hygiene products so that instead of having DAYS without school, DAYS without income, DAYS without leaving the house and instead of girls having to use leaves, mattress stuffing, newspaper, corn husks, rocks, anything they can find, they do not have to miss out on up to 2 months of school every year as they do now. This is, in itself, a surprising but instrumental key to social change for women all over the world. The Gold Coast Team that is operating as part of the e-Club was only formed this year. It is in addition to the work being completed within District 9640 already through Mt Warning Sunrise and it is great to see such support for a fantastic project that makes such a huge difference to the lives of so many young girls in third world countries. The support from the local community has also been tremendous and provides great exposure for the Club through Facebook in particular and we are continually being contacted by people who are keen to donate their time or fabric and other items to help out. The first sewing day has just been held but there are another 7 planned over the next twelve months. There are already plans for kits to go to Cambodia, Vanuatu and India but the is no limit to the girls that need these kits but there is talk of a group who will be contacting us for 500 kits to go to a rural area of Cambodia. Some very exciting news is that we have been approached by a consultant for doTERRA, a company that sells essential oils & has a strong connection with Days for Girls in the US. She recently came back from a conference in the US where she was introduced to Days for Girls and came home and approached our team offering support in many areas but she will also have her team of ladies to support us. More information can be obtained by contacting the team through the E-Club or the Days for Girls Gold Coast Team or by emailing the team on goldcoastqld@daysforgirls.org.

The RC of Coomera Valley recognised six very deserving recipients at their meeting on 16 November at the Arundel Hills Golf Club.

Mark Boothman, Member for Albert and Councillor William Owen-Jones, both Rotarians of RC Coomera Valley, handed out the Awards to community members who were nominated because of their Pride of Workmanship. This was determined by their commitment to their profession, their passion, care and concern to all. Pictured above (L-R) are Amanda Leng, President Rick McElhinney, Jan Sorrensen, Councillor William Owen-Jones, VJ Kovacic, Wendy Baker, Jen Hobbs, Don Priade and Member for Albert, Mark Boothman.

Firstly, there were a number of new members joining clubs in our District from July – October that missed out on being published in earlier newsletters due to a data issue. Those new members are now listed below along with those who joined in November –

Club Name

Broadbeach

Peter Dimond

Andrew Mills

Bill Waller

Broadwater-Southport

Richard Barrow

Denise Dunn

Andy Mizarollis

Burleigh Heads

Philip Kreig

Trevor May

Teresa Seeney

Shobha Srinivasan

Currumbin-Coolangatta-Tweed Cheryl Hadley

Gold Coast John D’Anna

Peter Watkins

Hope Island Jo-Anne Cardosi

Mount Warning AM Lionel Cansdale

Runaway Bay Wanda Tereba

Stanthorpe Margie Davis

Summerland Sunrise Ken Arnett

Sarah Davis

Surfers Paradise Alan Guignon

Tweed Coast Robert Templeton

Late September, 11 volunteers from Australia arrived in Kenya to work at the Umoja Orphanage Kenya Project. (RAWCS Project 51/2011-12). 51 volunteers have worked at the project in the past 3 years (8 returning twice) to assist in training local Kenyans in fencing, (both electric and standard), permaculture design courses, basic construction, irrigation practices, and basic animal first aid. When Umoja Orphanage Kenya was founded 4 years ago by full time Teacher, Mother, Grandmother & Rotarian Cathy Booth (member of E-Club of NextGen), it was imperative, prior to even building the first children’s house that the firm foundations for sustainability were in place, and that there would be many projects within the project to contribute to sustainability. During this time the local community have been continually involved in the project by way of consultation, training, permanent employment and casual employment. Volunteers have also undertaken free health clinics for local the community with medical supplies donated from Australia. With the infrastructure for sustainability securely in place, the first children’s house is nearing completion, and with ‘Umoja Tours & Safari Company’ being launched in 2016 with all profits to be returned to the project, Umoja is well prepared to secure their children’s future and continue to create jobs in an abject poverty community.

Currently Umoja employs 3 full time Kenyans. Cathy returns to Kenya 2 -3 times a year. Having mentoring orphanage owners from another orphanage 2 hours away which has been open 8 years, their advice and experiences are such an asset to Cathy and the team. Local knowledge and assistance, together with dedicated Kenyans, and amazing volunteers (mostly Rotarians) has helped the project move continually forward which encompasses Umoja’s vision “Together we achieve the extraordinary.” Umoja is much more than an orphanage. If you would like to know more or your club would like to become involved with this wonderful project, please email Cathy at cathy@umojahome.com, follow us on Facebook or visit our website (www.umojahome.com).

On Sunday 15 November, the Rotary Club of Kingscliff successfully staged their 4th Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) event and Duck Race. The community was invited to Ed Parker Rotary Park on Cudgen Creek to participate in festivities from 9am which included a Stand Up Paddle race involving over 35 people from as far away as Brisbane. This was followed by the Corporate Duck Race and a new pro division where Ducks were encouraged to be motorised. Over 120 BIG ducks were sold for $50 each and many were decorated to reflect their owners personalities. The finale was the famous community duck race were over 1100 little ducks were thrown from the bridge and raced towards the ocean and finishing line where one lucky duck was declared the winner and its owner had the chance to pluck one of 50 ducks from the bath tub to possibly win a car. - continued next page -

continued from previous page Club President Courtney Challinor said, “it was our biggest event yet with hundreds of people from the area coming down to the creek to have fun with Rotary. A final balance is yet to determined but so far we have raised over $16,000 with the majority of these funds going towards our local project partnering with Tweed Shire Council to upgrade facilities in Ed Parker Rotary Park. This day wouldn’t of being possible without the help of hard working Rotarians especially the dynamic team of Maggie Ann and Baz Leybourne who coordinated the event with military precision” Courtney went on to say, “With the help of our major sponsors Twin Towns Services Club, James Frizelles Automotive and Service NSW, donations will also be made to the Cudgen Rural Fire Service, ST Johns Ambulance and Cudgen Surf Saving Club who all assisted the club to make it a Quacking good day”

As the world recently reeled from the events in Paris, Beirut and Ankara amongst others, a former YEP student from France, Solvieg Arthaud, penned a poignant note to her former host club, Hope Island.

“Dear Rotary Club of Hope Island, I wanted to say thank you. Yes, thank you for your support with all the French flags and Eiffel Tower’s all over Facebook and the internet. Thank you to Australia for this support. I’m safe and not even in Paris but # PrayForParis is a bit like# PrayForFrance and # PrayForTheWorld. Paris was attacked but the all world is touched by the horror… I remember when I was a little kid, war was only part of history, stuck in the past. We heard about it at school and our grand-parents were sometimes talking about their memories… But it was far and over. Then I grew up a little and I learned that war still exist in some countries. I saw images on TV and my parents and teachers talked to us about it to explain to the kids we were the violence… But it was so far away to be realistic to the little girl I was. But now I am a young adult and I realise the horror going on, and now the kids I see in the streets aren’t as preserved as I was because horror is in France too, because people are scared everywhere… I am lucky. I am not in Paris and none of my friends nor family was involved. I wasn’t there and I didn’t get to see anyone getting hurt in front of me. I have the choice to watch or not the video on internet, on the news… I am still preserved from the violence, from this horror. I am lucky. France never knew such a long period of peace, I wish it had last. I am sure it could had last … but it didn’t. Thank you for supporting France. Thank you for supporting Peace, With love Solveig Arthaud Inbounder in 2010-2011”

On Friday 13 November, a number of Rotarians throughout Rotary District 9640 supported this years Suns Homeless Sleepout at Metricon Stadium. Even though it was ‘Black Friday’ it was a great night weather wise though it promptly rained the next day ! - continued next page -

continued from previous page The District Chair of the Gold Coast Suns Horizons Program, Clinton Ford joined around 200+ people who slept out under the stars. In addition there were hundreds of others who attended the early evening festivities, including movies on the big screen but who were unable to stay the night. Due to the generosity of those in attendance we managed to completely sell out of raffle tickets and had very generous bidding in our silent auction resulting in plenty of funds raised for our Horizon Program Homeless Charities. A big thank you also to Gold Coast Benji and Hope Island member, Graeme Sowter for kindly donating backpack beds to the threeHomeless Charities, YHES House, Gold Coast Youth Service and Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth.

Above: Gold Coast Suns Staff Member, Michael Gugliotta with Clinton Ford, Gold Coast Benji and Youth Exchange Program student Ilari Hauhai and two of the backpack beds.

Bookings open on 4 January 2016. Numbers are limited so get in quick ! Above: Some of the riders from last years event After the successful bike ride from Glen Innes to Goondiwindi last April, Glen Innes Rotary is again conducting a fun 4-day bike ride. From the scenic mountains of New England to the lush Tweed River Valley at Murwillumbah, funds raised will go to Australian Rotary Health for Rural Mental Health Research. The ride starts at Tenterfield on Tuesday 3 May 2016 and finishes at Murwillumbah on Friday 6 May. Riders finish in time to attend the District Conference. Overnight camping is available at Liston, Woodenbong and Kyogle or motels if preferred. All meals are fully catered while you relax round a campfire. Go to www.gtoc.com.au for details, and to register your interest.

On 22, 23 & 24 January 2016, the Rotary Club of Broadbeach is holding a used book sale at the Albert Waterways Community Centre. The Community Centre is located on the corner of Hooker Boulevard and Sunshine Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters. The sale is open from 10am to 6pm (until 4pm on Sunday 24th). Come along and grab some great holiday reading at bargain basement prices ! For more information please visit the following website – http://www.broadbeachrotary.org/booksale/index.html

When the Canadian army liberated the Netherlands in 1945, they found the country on the brink of starvation. Seeing the suffering of so many, and especially moved by the faces of the children, four Canadian privates stationed near Apeldoorn that year decided to make that Christmas special for as many Dutch children as they could. Together, they made the rounds among their fellow soldiers, collecting chocolate bars and chewing gum, candy and comic books. In their spare moments, they built toy trucks out of wood and wire, sawed scrap lumber for building blocks; one, risking the military police, sold his cigarette ration on the black market, using the money to buy rag dolls. Each thought longingly of his own family at home; each channeled his energies instead toward the children whose Christmas they knew they could brighten. By 1 December, four sacks of gifts lay ready; the soldiers eagerly looked forward to the 25th. But two days later, they learned the date they were to depart for Canada: 6 December, long before Christmas. With mixed emotions, the soldiers decided that the best plan simply would be to take their sacks over to the local orphanage and leave them there to await Christmas. The night before they were to leave the Netherlands, the four set off for the orphanage, one of them in a makeshift white beard and red cap. On their way, they were surprised to hear church bells ringing and see houses lit brightly, with Christmas still some weeks away. As they approached the orphanage, boots crunching in the snow, they saw through the windows that the children, two dozen girls and boys, were gathered at their evening meal. Only a few months after the war's end, food was still scarce; the meal was small, and the children's faces pale and thin. "Santa Claus" raised the knocker on the door and knocked three times, hard. As if by magic, the chatter of young voices inside fell silent; a priest opened the door. His polite expression gave way to one of shock, as the children behind him erupted into cheers, rushing forward and swarming the private who had dressed for Christmas three weeks early – but exactly on time. For in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas comes on St. Nicholas Eve: 5 December.

For an hour, joyful chaos reigned as packages were opened and exclaimed over, sweets were tasted, dolls caressed. The last wooden truck, the last bar of chocolate, went into the hands of a little boy who had been waiting patiently all the while. After thanking the men, he turned to the priest and said something to him in Dutch, his face alight with happiness. The priest smiled and nodded. "What did he say?" one of the soldiers asked. The priest looked at them with eyes full of tears. "He said, 'We told you he would come.'" By sending joy out into the world, we do not sacrifice it for ourselves – we only multiply it. As we enter this season of giving, let us multiply the gifts we have been given by sharing them with others. Through acts of caring, kindness, and generosity, in our clubs and through our Foundation, we become and remain a gift to the world. K.R. (Ravi) Ravindran President 2015/16

“Touch the World in Korea” from 29 May to 1 June 2016. Book your trip to Seoul by clicking on the register link on the image above, visit www.riconvention.org or simply contact PDG Brian Heaton at val.22@bigpond.com or by calling 0409 007 848.

Rotary Global Rewards is a new member benefit program that offers discounts on products and services like travel, hotels, dining and entertainment You can learn more and redeem Rotary Global Rewards at rotary.org/globalrewards

CONNECT WITH KOREA – TOUCH THE WORLD

Mark your diary for the following key dates, including training dates. Don’t forget you can get more details on these events as well as what else is going on, via the District Website.

Date Details (Location)

28 Nov – 04 Dec Rotary Youth Transition Seminar (RYTS) Camp (Tyalgum Ridge)

05 Dec – 06 Dec Youth Exchange Program – 2016 Outbounders Camp 2 (Lake Ainsworth)

13 Dec College of Governor’s Christmas Luncheon (Greenhills Reception Lounge)

07 Jan – 10 Jan 16 Rotary Palm Beach Antiques Fair (Jupiters Casino, Broadbeach)

22 Jan – 24 Jan 16 Broadbeach Rotary Used Book Sale (Albert Waterways Community Centre, Broadbeach) For more information visit http://www.broadbeachrotary.org/booksale/index.html

31 Jan 16 Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) - Part 1 (Italo-Australian Club, Clear Island Waters)

01 Feb 16 Youth Exchange Program - deadline for 2017 outbound applications

07 Feb 16 Quarterly Leadership Meeting (Ocean Shores)

27 Feb 16 Inaugural Alumni Dinner (Southport Golf Club)

28 Feb 16 Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) - Part 2 (Italo-Australian Club, Clear Island Waters)

05 Mar 16 President Elect (PETS) Training (Saint Stephens College, Coomera)

06 Mar 16 District Assembly (Saint Stephens College, Coomera)

13 Mar 16 Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) - Part 3 (Italo-Australian Club, Clear Island Waters)

17 Apr – 15 May 16 Inbound Group Study Exchange from Pennsylvania

23 Apr – 21 May 16 Outbound Group Study Exchange to Pennsylvania

03 May – 06 May 16 Bike Ride for Mental Health (Tenterfield to Murwillumbah) For more information visit www.gtoc.com.au

06 May 16 College of Governor’s Luncheon (Greenhills Reception Lounge)

06 May - 09 May 16 District Conference (Murwillumbah)

10 May 16 Youth Exchange Program – District interviews

Listed below are the dates for upcoming official DG visits to clubs around the District. Dates are correct at the time of publishing.

Date Club

08 Dec 15 e-Club Next Gen

14 Dec 15 Lismore

17 Dec 15 Burleigh Heads

25 Dec 15 The DG will be having Christmas Lunch !