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Rotary District 9570 Central Queensland

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Rotary Monthly Theme

Each month of the calendar year is celebrated in Rotary with a different theme with the exception of May.

Each club throughout the Rotary world is encouraged to concentrate on programs to

promote each of these months.

Rotary focuses on Community Service and promotes International Peace and

Understanding. By celebrating each month and using these themes as a guide, Rotarians

can ensure that all of the various programs of Rotary are administered throughout the

entire year.

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January is

Vocational Service Month

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DG News Hi Everyone, Cathy and I wish you all happy and prosperous New Year for 2019! Travelling around the District, we see the enthusiasm for implementing community-based programs in all clubs. Achievements made in the first half of the year on all levels that provide me with optimism that we will be well placed as a District at the end of the year. The cluster visits have initiated cooperation between clubs, Assistant Governor's and club Presidents meetings are occurring on a regular basis, communication is changing, we are getting increased participation in all our programs at a District level and we are active in shaping the administration of the new District. This year a conference will be held for Rotakids, We have chartered two new Rotaract clubs, a new Passport club is being developed, and while our membership is not increasing, we are have not decreased since 1 July. I am asking all clubs to accept my challenge to increase a net membership of one in January- February in every club. I would like to encourage you to keep on highlighting Rotary projects in the media, there is so many good news stories from clubs. I have set up a District Governor Facebook page where I try to post one story a day, I am encouraging you to go to this page and share the stories.

Thank you to all the Rotarians who have stepped up to lead their clubs in the 2019-20 Rotary year as pivotal leaders in clubs and District without whom Rotary would not exist. I encourage all clubs to: • Invite District Officers to their club to speak on

their program • Send a very brief email to me explaining what

will go in the time capsule in Biloela • Encourage all members to attend the District

conference in Biloela • Ensure all President Elects attend PETS in

March January is Vocational Service month. Regards,

Rod Medew

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month.

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Calendar of Events...

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JANUARY 2019 – VOCATIONAL SERVICE MONTH Early January Club Secretaries update Official Directory info on My Rotary Mid January RI emails half yearly club invoices to officers/current secretaries Mid January District emails half yearly invoices to clubs Mid January RI Presidential theme for 2019/20 year announced in San Diego 19 January YEP Debrief – Athelstane House

FEBRUARY 2019 – PEACE AND CONFLICT PREVENTION/RESOLUTION MONTH Early February YEP debrief - location tba Early February Applications for Rotary Adventure in Citizenship (RAIC) open and close early April or before if places are filled. http://www.raic.org.au/ 9 February Seven Women High Tea fundraiser – Maryborough Sunrise 15 February Rotary Peace Summit – Melbourne Exhibition and Conference Centre http://www.rotaryconference.org.au/peace-summit.html 16-22 February RYLA – The Capricorn Caves, start 11am - Sat 16th Feb 16-17 February AG & District Officer Training - Rockhampton Leagues Club 20 February RYLA Debate -Capricorn Caves $35pp, 5:30-6pm start 23 February 114th Rotary Anniversary/ World Understanding and Peace Day Thurs 28 Feb COG meeting @ 2pm, Gladstone Thurs 28 Feb COG dinner - Gladstone

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CQ Rotary Roundup

Contents 2 Rotary Monthly Theme

3 DG News

4 DG Visits

6 Meet a District Officer

7 Late Breaking News...

8 RYLA Applications

9 Frenchville RotaKids donate to Drought Relief

11 District Governor Partner Project

12 The life of Jeffrey Mark Allen

13 January is…

14 District Conference

16 Longreach School of Distance Education Presents

17 News From Around the District

18 White Ribbon Breakfast Bundaberg

Rotary Leadership Institute

19 Gladstone Sunrise

Mackay West

Mackay North

20 Valentine Trivia Night

21 Nominations for District Governor

22 Family Safety Rotarian Action Group

23 Organ Donation

24 Capture the Moment… in Hamburg 2019

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Meet A District Officer

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A new Rotaract club has been formed in Biloela. The Rotaract club of Biloela was officially charted by Rotary International on 12 December. The club has a total of 14 members, 8 males and 6 females. The President is Lillie Sermon ( LSERMON@csenergy.com.au ) and Secretary Hayley Sermon. The clubs sponsor is the Rotary club of Biloela. I am enthusiastic and confident that this Rotaract club will do be successful. Rod Medew

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Applications for RYLA 2019 have been extended until Wednesday, 16th January 2019. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me. Stevie Tucker District 9570 RYLA Chair 2018-19 1819ryla@district9570.org 0427486950

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Be the inspiration

‘Rotaryaction’ in Rocky

Frenchville RotaKids donate to drought relief

District Governor 9570, Rod Medew accepts a donation of $330 raised by the Frenchville State School Rotakids (all Grade4) for drought relief

Frenchville Sate School (Rockhampton) RotaKids have raised $330 from a RotaKids ‘Pop-Up’ stall to be donated to drought relief. The RotaKids Club which was established in 2018 was inspired by Rotarian and School Principal Leisa Neaton’s Vocational Training Team Exchange to the UK. “During my six week Rotary Vocational Training Team Exchange (VTT) last year to the United Kingdom, I saw the real value of the Rotakids approach in enhancing educational prospects for primary school children,” she said. Mrs Neaton, (Rockhampton Rotary Club), regards the Rotakids Club as a step to building local leaders and supporting young people to grow and take action on sustainable projects.

“Rotakids is a great way of introducing kids to how to make a difference in the community, whilst having fun and working collaboratively with fellow students and adults,” she said. “It is never too early to support our local community values by backing our parents in their efforts to give their children the best educational experience we can,” said Frenchville State School Principal, Leisa Neaton. “Experience nationally and internationally shows that engaging younger learners to nurture inclusive community values increases their happiness and also builds community resilience. The Rotary Club of Rockhampton and Rotary Club of Rockhampton South supported the establishment of the Rotakids Club at Frenchville.

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RotaKids badges were arranged by Mrs Sampson and purchased by South Rockhampton Rotary Club for each Rotakid and were awarded by the Rotary District Governor Rod Medew earlier in the year. “Frenchville Rotakids conduct meetings every Tuesday in their lunch and play time, with the Club consisting of year four students only. The Club has about twenty active members who have really taken to the Rotakids structure and there are more students interested in joining each week” said Rachel Samson, an Experienced Senior Teacher at Frenchville School who is also the President of the South Rockhampton Rotary Club. “The students run the meetings, establish projects, plan out the steps to work towards their goals and build general awareness about how the student population can take local action. “Rotakids are also building confidence through speaking on the school assemblies to promote projects.

“One of the current projects promoted by the Frenchville School Rotakids is an active campaign to reduce the incidence of single use plastics. The group visited the Rockhampton Landfill site late last term and members were astounded at the amount of waste going into the landfill site, despite significant recycling campaigns,” she said After an informative presentation by the team on site, Rotakids launched into action at Frenchville State School, educating the student body about how they can reduce single use plastics in lunch boxes. They then invited Environmental Artist Amber Countryman to be a guest speaker at their weekly meeting. Amber shared how she uses art as a medium to educate the community and provoke thought about environmental issues. The Rotakids were so inspired by Amber’s presentation they instigated a mural for the school which utilised plastic bottle tops. All students were invited to collect the plastic tops over a six week

period and the end result, a mural entitled “We All Belong” now hangs in the school as a reminder about how we can work together to create change. Students across the school were excited to be part of the project which was undertaken on the school’s multi-cultural day recently. The Rotakids made this project happen and the sense of satisfaction they derived from its completion will hopefully transfer to future projects.

Frenchville School Rotakids with Amber Countryman inspired mural created to support their ‘Single Use Plastics project

Contacts for follow up for this story.

Leisa Neaton – 0407 139 831

Rachel Samson – 0419 724 803

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Biloela Rotary Club would like to honour the life of Jeffrey Mark Allen, a valued member and friend who departed this life on 27 September 2018. Jeff first started working in Biloela in October 2015. It wasn’t long after that when he was first introduced to Rotary by long time friends from Broken Hill days, Noel and Bronwynne Bates. Jeff was on contract and living in Biloela on his own and thoroughly enjoyed coming along to Rotary meetings and events. He was pretty lucky with the raffle prizes he won most weeks too. He was a better Rotarian than most of us even before he became a Rotarian offering his time and expertise whenever required. Rotary in turn embraced Jeff and became his family while he was away from home. He wasn’t sure how long his stay in Biloela would be and so it was quite a while before we finally inducted Jeff into Rotary in May 2017. We were so pleased when Christine decided to join Jeff here in Biloela and we discovered Christine was just as much fun to be around as Jeff. Christine quickly became part of our Rotary family and has been a great support and help to our Club, and great company too. Soon after joining, Jeff enthusiastically stepped into the role of Rotavale Editor. He took pride in producing a high quality Rotavale each week and was never far from his camera, always including photos in each weekly edition. Jeff was also part of the Community Service team and was always willing to lend a hand. On one occasion, at the Thangool Races in 2017, Rotary held a BBQ. We were a bit light-handed and both Jeff and Murray Davis cooked the BBQ all day long. It was a hot September day, too hot to be standing behind a BBQ, but Jeff didn’t complain, he just rolled up his sleeves and got the job done with a smile and a joke, plenty of conversation and maybe a drink or two. This year Jeff accepted the Public Relations role as part of the Club Administration team. He even joined Facebook especially for the role. Jeff and Christine embraced our little community and supported many of the local functions, from trivia nights to gala dinners and machinery rallies, usually in aid of some charity or another with a good measure of fun thrown in. Jeff was looking forward to being “Santa” at the Christmas Festival in November. Yet another example of the selfless person he was. Jeff was a genuine person that gave not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

We have all struggled to accept and comprehend the sudden loss of Jeff in our lives. Jeff would be so very proud of the way that everyone has been there for each other, united in their support. It just goes to show that we all carry a little bit of Jeff inside us all, that deeply entrenched natural instinct to care for one another. Jeff epitomised the values of Rotary and “Service Above Self” and has been called to Higher Service- a true gentleman, his wonderful humour, genuine friendship and commitment to Rotary service will be sadly missed. Jeff’s wife Christine and son Chris were honoured to receive a posthumous Paul Harris Fellow Award on behalf of Jeff.

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Vocational Service focuses on:

• Adherence to and promotion of the highest ethical standards in all occupations, including fair treatment of employers, employees, associates, competitors, and the public.

• The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, not just those that are pursued by Rotarians.

• The contribution of your vocational talents to solving the problems of society and meeting the needs of the community.

During January, Rotarians are encouraged to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service. Discussions on vocational service can lead to projects that not only develop the ethical consciousness and vocational skills of Rotarians but also the talents within their communities. Vocational Service Month is an opportunity to begin year-long vocational service activities, ranging from Rotary discussions to awards to community projects. Following are some suggested activities to undertake during Vocational Service Month:

• Devote a meeting in January to examine the second Avenue of Service, including The Four-Way Test and The Declaration of Rotarians in Business and Professions. After expanding members' awareness, solicit their input in planning projects for the remainder of the year.

• Introduce a "mini-classifications talk" series in which each member gives a five-minute talk on his or her vocation. Schedule one speaker for the beginning of each meeting until everyone has made a presentation. The purpose of these talks is to promote vocational awareness among Rotarians and help them recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations.

• Present a vocational award to someone in the community who has exemplified outstanding professional achievement while maintaining very high ethical standards.

• Invite experts to give a presentation on the vocational needs of the community and develop a project in response to those needs. Possible projects could focus on developing character, providing career information to youth, mentoring small businesses, or organizing workshops that provide employees with new skills.

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Longreach School of Distance Education Presents… The Longreach School of Distance Education (LSODE) formally the school of the air hosts a production at Longreach every two years. In December 2018 Cathy and I were privileged to attend the musical production – The Amazing Adventures of SuperStan. What is amazing is these students practice on their properties and use video links to practice dance, song and are choreographed by video. They come together as a group very rarely. It is a professional performance and credit to the teachers, students for bringing it all together. Prior to the performance a letter was read from Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Scott Morrison followed by a welcoming video from ‘the greatest showman’ Hugh Jackman who had a message to the students, the staff and families of LSODE. Rotary was thanked for their support in the production, and Longreach club manned the bar prior to and after the performance. I encourage anybody who can attend to do so in two years’ time, it’s an incredible and unique experience to see these young people come together and perform. Well done Longreach!!

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News From Around

the District

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Over 60 Australian women have died from violence in 2018. This staggering statistic was pondered by a range of Bundaberg community members including local police at the White Ribbon Breakfast hosted by Bundaberg East Rotary on Wednesday, November 21 at the Bundaberg Services Club. White Ribbon breakfasts were been held around Queensland throughout November as a means to bring communities together to focus much needed attention on the issue of domestic and family violence. The Bundaberg White Ribbon Breakfast attendees heard from guest speaker ABC’s Scott Lamond who discussed the

media’s responsibility in shining a light into the dim corners of domestic and family violence. Scott also reminded the audience that whilst media reporting in this area had significantly improved over the years due to some high profile cases and enhanced community awareness that there was still some way to go for all of us to continue to spread the good work of White Ribbon. Local Bundaberg Police were particularly impressed with several High Schools represented

by their student leaders. “The youth are our future and it is so important that they understand that domestic and family violence has devastating effects on all communities,” Senior Sergeant McGarry said.

Kepnock High School with DG Rod at White Ribbon Breakfast

White Ribbon Breakfast Bundaberg

The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a series of fast-paced, interactive, one-day course offered to refine a Rotarian's leadership skills and increase their base of knowledge in Rotary. Courses are fun, topical, interactive, and geared toward busy business, professional and community leaders who want to be more effective leaders in their vocation and Rotary club and more knowledgeable Rotarians. Rotary Clubs are encouraged to select at least two candidates for RLI annually. Students return to their club with enthusiasm, new contacts, fresh ideas, an increased understanding of their potential as Rotarians, and valuable skills impacting their potential leadership in the club. In 2018 three courses were conducted in Mackay, Gladstone and Hervey Bay. Gladstone Midday had five attendees at the Gladstone course: Dave Manttan, Gail Sellers, Rob Gibb, Rod Kamholtz and Kathy Andrew.

Rotary Leadership Institute

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Mackay North Christmas for Kids Mackay North held a Sunday at the Kids Christmas Party in December. There’s nothing better to see than kids smiling and having a great time. Santa did a terrific job handing out presents to many little eager beavers.

A special thanks goes to the following, Kent and Ruth Lyons for organising this special event, Steve and Debbie Caruana for delivering Santa in a spectacular style, Tom and Rowena Marshall for their superb hospitality, the BBQ Boys and of course Santa.

Gladstone Sunrise and Central Queensland University Gladstone Sunrise's Graeme Bartlett lead a team who coordinated 90 students across four workshops where they assembled a wheelchair in teams of 4. At the end of the conference the wheelchairs were presented back to Rotary. Students at the conference came from all over Gladstone and a number of them commented that the wheelchair workshop was their highlight. The CQU Vice Chancellor Scott Bowman spoke at the end of the conference and he spoke highly about Rotary. CQU engaged with Rotary after the earthquakes in Nepal to send a number of Shelter Boxes. Sunrise also cooked breakfast for the students on a couple of days of the conference

Shelterbox information:

Brant Duff 1819shelterbox@rotary9570.org

Mackay West Len Hansen Bursary There were two joint winners of the Len Hanson Bursary this year. Paige Keeler and Lilliya Lwoy from 6B at Victoria Park State School.

The Rotary club of Mackay West presented the two $750 bursaries at the year 6 Graduation Both students will be attending Mackay State High in 2019. Not only did Paige and Lilliya win the bursaries but received awards over a wide range of disciplines including sport, music, academic and citizenship. I’m sure they will go on to achieve highly through secondary school.

Congratulations Paige and Lilliya

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Nominations for District Governor 2021-22

Who will be the First District Governor for Rotary District 9560 (formally Districts 9550 and 9570)? Will it be a member of your Club? Will it be someone you know? Will it be you? Rotary District D9550 and D9570 are now accepting nominations for District Governor 2021-22. Nominations require the support of the Rotary Club by Board Resolution.

Additional information is below. Questions and nominations forms are to be directed to DG’s Greg Marlow and Rod Medew. We are asking you to consider nominating for our District Governor for the 2021-22 Rotary year. This position is critical to the success of our new District and to RI. The individual serving in this capacity certainly will have some demands and challenges, but they will also receive incredible training, travel to some great destinations and make life-long friends from across the country and the world. To qualify for this role an individual must have completed a term as a club president and be a paid financial member of Rotary. Additionally, some sort of involvement at the District level is helpful but not necessary. To be a valid nominee, a club needs generate a board resolution placing the person's name in contention. The nomination form then needs to be completed and signed by the club secretary and president. We would ask that all forms be forwarded to Greg Marlow and Rod Medew by email so that we can present them to the Nominating Committee. The deadline for submitting nominations will be the 14th of February 2019 with the Committee conducting interviews on 2 March 2019. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about the process Thanks in advance for your assistance in this process that is so critical to our long-term success. Contact: Greg Marlow D9550 greg@marlowcanete.com.au 0419 033 637 Rod Medew D9570 romed22@iinet.net.au 0432 583 972

Greg & Rod

District Governor’s 9550 and 9570 Download the Nomination Form here: https://rotary9570.org/district-governor-nomination/

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History The Rotarian Action Group for Family Safety is a 2014 initiative by Rotarians of several clubs in Rotary District 9800 in Victoria, Australia. We were officially recognised by Rotary International at the RI Board Meeting in Atlanta in June 2017. This RAG exists to help you find ideas, resources and partners for projects you may undertake in the area of Family Safety. We will also rely on you to provide us information about potential partners in your own area, state and country, which may be relevant to other clubs who are also searching.

Membership Membership is open to all Rotarians, family members of Rotarians, Rotaractors, program participants and alumni.

what can we do? The pathways towards better understanding, and effective action, are not obvious or well understood. Major inquiries now under way demonstrate that in spite of great efforts and significant spending by governments and not-for-profits, a safe society remains elusive - and community attitudes are still rooted in paradigms of the past. By sharing ideas and initiatives that appear to be making a positive difference, Rotarians, governments and community organisations can perhaps find a better way forward than we could each do alone. And we may avoid repeating mistakes that have been recognised already.

A global conversation Each Rotary Club is linked to our global network, and to many organisations in their own country. We can all learn from each other's experience in this area. We wish to encourage champions in each Club, who can inspire their fellow members to take part in our global conversation. We are aiming for a Global Summit in 2017. To bring Rotary to that point it would be helpful to do preparatory work in the form of:

• Club think-tanks

• District think-tanks • National think-tanks

Family Safety Rotarian Action Group

www.ragfamsafe.org/

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Organ and tissue donation can save and transform the lives of those Australians who receive a transplant. Organ and tissue donation involves removing organs and tissue from someone who has died (a donor) and transplanting them into someone who, in many cases, is very ill or dying (a recipient). The decision to donate organs and tissue is an act of extraordinary generosity. Facts and statistics One organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of many people. Australia is a world leader for successful transplants. Our donation rate has more than doubled in recent years, but there is much more we can do. Did you know?

• Around 1,400 Australians are currently waitlisted for a transplant. A further 11,000 are on dialysis, many of whom would benefit from a kidney transplant.

• In 2017, 1,675 lives were transformed by 510 deceased and 273 living organ donors and their families.

• In 2017, more than 9,600 Australians benefited from eye and tissue donation. • The majority of Australians (69%) are willing to donate their organs and/or tissue when they die. • In Australia, 90% of families say yes to donation when their loved one is a registered donor. This

compares to the national consent rate of 59%. • If our national consent rate reaches 70%, Australia would be in the top 10 performing

countries. • One in three Australians are registered donors despite the majority (69%) believing that

registering is important. • While the majority of Australians (71%) think it's important to talk a with their family/partner,

only half (51%) of Australians have discussed whether they want to be a donor. • Of the 36% of Australians who feel confident they know if their loved ones are willing to be a

donor, 93% say they would uphold their wishes. To find out what you need to know before registering, visit the department's website. If you would like to discover more about organ and tissue donation, visit donatelife.gov.au

Organ Donation

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Published by District 9570 Central Queensland

Please submit all articles for consideration to the

District Editor—1819editor@rotary9570.org