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Mike Smith our guest speaker with avid cyclists Neil Pinto and Phil McIntosh |
Members were astonished by the cycling feats of today's guest speaker Mike Smith. He was introduced by Phil McIntosh, the instigator of the Gears and Beers Festival. Phil told us that Mike had left Melbourne the previous evening at 7.30 pm on his bicycle and had arrived in Wagga in time for our meeting. That is an astonishing 450ks plus in under 15 hours! Riding on the Hume Highway! Phil said that Miles had contacted us because he admired what we do through our Gears and Beers Festival and wanted to redirect the sponsorship money he gets through our Club to Rotary Health. |
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Miles, who took up cycling in recent years and who is 58 years old, wants to break the Guiness Book World Record for the most number of kilometres ridden in a single year. This record is known as the HAMR, Highest Annual Mileage Record. With legs like tree trunks and Heart and Lungs to match, he plans to achieve his goal, by riding approximately 550 ks per day, every day for a year, commencing in August. If successful, he will achieve over 90 other records along the way.
Miles currently works with the Rotary Club of Bright which organises The Alpine, a four peak 250 k ride, regarded as one of the toughest rides in Australia. He wants to help with Polio eradication and has a number of Corporate Sponsors. He believes our Club can receive a lot of money from our work in cycling and he will donate his certificates for his various records which can be auctioned in tandem with our Gears and Beers festival.
Riding such long distances each day doesn't leave a lot of time for eating and sleeping, but Miles has simple but effective strategy. Each night before he rides he checks the weather forecast for wind direction the following day. He then sets our on the day of the ride, i.e. next morning, by taking his bike on a VicRail train against the wind for approx. 250ks. While on the train for about three hours he goes to sleep. He then rides with the wind back to Melbourne and repeats the exercise. By doing this he always rides with wind assistance which is legal under the terms of the record.
Miles' rides are constantly monitored and checked by Guiness. He carries four GPS trackers monitoring time, distance, heart rate etc. He also has a CB radio on his bike which allows him to talk to truck drivers. The latter call him the Hume Fairy, because of his hi vis clothing and not, he hopes, because they think he is a wuz.
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| Miles' trusty bike. Note the size of the drive gear sprocket. Miles averages 35ks an hour! |
The furthest distance Miles has ridden in a day is 720 ks. An engaging ex-Yorkshireman with a good sense of humour, Miles told us that, needless to say, he is not married. Members were totally blown away by his physical capacity and even more so when he responded to a question about travelling home, that he said he was jumping on his bike for the return journey immediately after our meeting! Sleep could wait!
President James presented him with a bottle of Olive Oil produced by some of our members. He jokingly said it would be very useful for oiling his chain. At least we thought he was joking.
Members, somewhat awestruck, applauded this incredible human being.
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Peter Moroney was introduced by PP Paul Milde. Paul said that Peter is retired from the Police Force and had served for 17 years and retired at the rank of a Detective Sergeant. Peter has had a long-time association with Rotary. When he was a young officer he organised a charity bike ride that was supported by Rotary. His talk was about a joint counter terrorism investigation, which was conducted by the AFP, ASIO and the Victorian Police. The investigation started in 2004. Peter wrote a book about the investigation which was referred to “Operation Pandanus” from an investigator’s point of view. He felt the beginning of the effect of terrorism on our own homelands was Sept 11, 2001. His talk, to a great extent was about Islamic terrorism but he stressed that the number of actual Islamic terrorists would not number to over 50 to 100. He spoke about the Australian born terrorists who were instrumental in recruiting young individuals to fight in foreign lands for ISIS. |
At the District Conference at Griffith, there was a Special General Meeting of the District to discuss and Resolve the issue of Merging Districts.
The History of this issue is that District 9700 has fallen below the minimum number of Rotarians required to maintain District status. This has been 1100 Rotarians, and we are presently around 1050.
We have undergone a planning process over several years to merge with District 9710, based in Canberra and including the NSW south coast. This will occur in July 2020, and has taken extensive planning, consultation and development.
Now, and at this late stage, we have been notified that another district, 9670, which is in North Western NSW is to join as well.
The meeting of club delegates of district 9700 voted, and indicated that around 85% of those voting were against the "Mega District" due to lack of consultation and distances involved. The outcome of the special meeting is required to be forwarded to RI by the 5th April. District 9710 were in the process of voting on the same proposal due to our merger with District 9710 on the 1st July 2020. This outcome may not sway the result in any way, as Rotary International will have the final say but according to RI constitution they need to seek consensus of the clubs for mergers. There are reports that RI seeks much larger districts, involving up to 120 clubs, and 4000 Rotarians, with around 10 districts in Australia.
Libby Clohessy is the manager of a unique Wagga initiative, The Leisure Company
It was formed some 29 years ago by a group of concerned parents who were looking to give their disabled children activities to fill in their time and to help them socialise. It was funded by the Department of Health and came under the auspices of Kurrajong Waratah. In recent times that has changed and the NDIS is now the funding source. Before they had certainty, knowing exactly what funding was coming . Under NDIS the activities take place, then the funds come through. Same, but different!!
The centre employs 65 staff, and provides events and experiences for some 184 children. The carer ratio has to be high as some of these people have difficulties that need close attention.
They have 14 vehicles to transport their clients. Ranging as far as Henty to Coolamon, the centre provides a range of activities which help them to become active participants in the community, and to socialise with their peers. Weekend trips away give the parents some respite, and they are just back from a trip to Wollongong.
The centre does provide for work experience. They worker will be chaperoned, and the time periods can be from an hour or so to whatever fits! The sorts of things they can do are probably limited a little, but gardening to office work were mentioned. The Men's Shed is a favourite of some, and they really enjoy the company of the men out there.
The centre also provides a great service picking up from school and caring until the parents finish work.
There are two premises, 69 and 72 Peter St.
Libby fielded several questions and was thanked by Paul Milde.
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Around sixty of our Members, Partners and Family gathered in Springvale on Sunday to socialise and catch up in different environment - away from procedure, agendas and deadlines fitting in guest speakers. The emphasis was to enjoy each others company, meet the families and dispense with the pressure of being the successful Wollundry Rotarians.
The only activity organised for the guys was the "nearest the pin" competition, and after a rethink, the tee was moved around 30 metres closer to the flag, which was still too long for many of the hackers. The benefit to the lawn though, was immeasurable.
The competition over the shorter distance resulted in a win for Peter Clucas (or Peter Crozier????) with a ball between 2 and 3 metres from the Pole - there was no hole.
The Longest shot that was able to be recovered was marked "NL" Congratulations Nick Leywood.
Organised as an afterthought, we had a Ham Carving demonstration. I hope that the crowd watching get lasting value out of this lesson, and that the Packer family do not take too seriously any guilt for deteriorating standards of Christmas carving during the second half of the twentieth century.
President's Report 13th November 2018
Meeting today includes Club’s Annual General meeting
Community Dinner at Lilier Lodge on Wednesday 14th November 2018. Volunteers needed.
Mental health First aid training course will be held this coming Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November at Romano’s. Paul Milde and John Egan are attending as club representatives. Other club members are welcome to sit in on various sessions during the training course.
Thing Tank group are meeting this Thursday at 5.30pm to progress discussions on synergies and succession planning.
Public Relations seminar will be held on the 10th February 2019 in Young for anyone interested in learning how to promote Rotary in the wider world. Please let me know if you are interested in attending.
The 7 Rotary and Rotaract presidents met last Wednesday to further progress drought relief schemes. RAWCS has set out strict conditions on how the drought appeal funds will be expended and accounted for. The clubs decided that a web site is to be developed to assist in communicating and educating for clubs and drought assistance schemes. Our club drought relief committee is to make application for funding for the development of the web site.
The club wish Norma Gray and Frank Fuller all the best for the upcoming operations and we hope and pray that all goes well and that they have a speedy recovery.
Enjoy your day serving the community and building good relations and goodwill.
President James welcomed all with Rotary Grace and sweeps for Melbourne Cup Day
were organised by chief bookie David Pyke.
President James reminded the club the AGM is next week, and we wished Frank Fuller and
Norma Gray all the best in their hospital visits.
Paul Murray on behalf of the club wished our exchange student Irene a happy 18th birthday!
Sergeant Peter Crozier
A roll call of Melbourne cup runners meant fines for most members of the club, but some connections were pretty tenuous!
David Post
David gave an update to the club on the drought relief funds for our district.
$290,000 has been organised through the national farmers federation and RAWCS and a
district drought relief committee has been formed.
The dispersal of the funds is governed by strict protocols.
A voucher system has been developed.
Clubs can "adopt" local towns and areas if they want to.
The committee is keen for the funds to be spent in the smaller towns of the area.
Application forms have been sent to all districts.
Sergeant JohnGray
Raised some dollars from the members and some laughs with the story of the dead irishman
who died with few houses but many windows to clean!
Cheque Presentation.
Gears and Beers Chairman Phil Macintosh presented Claire Lawler from Rotaract with a cheque
for $600 for their help with this years Event.
Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker Cec Noak
Introduced to the club by Rick Priest, Cec gave a first hand account of the recent fires at Tathra
and their recovery efforts. He spoke of how the fire was devastating for the region, and how some
houses were spared beside other property that was destroyed. The town is being rebuilt, with the
first houses to be finished by the end of this year.
Guest Speaker
Guest Speaker Michael Milston - End Trachoma Project 2020
Michael is a Past President of Orange Daybreak Rotary club, and is promoting a project identified
by Rotary President Ian Risely to eradicate Trachoma by 2020.
Trachoma is the leading cause of blindness, and is an infection of the eyes. The disease is spread by contact, and appears in remote communities with limited health services.
Trachoma is preventable with treatment by antibiotics and teaching and implementing simple
hygiene routines of face and hand washing in clean water. These simple procedures can be difficult
to implement in communities without the help of local leaders, education and facilities for keeping
hands and faces clean and laundry disinfected.
Rotary is funding many projects to eradicate Trachoma including use of simple washing machines,
water saving, sanitation, and community education.
John Ferguson's sister Barbara has worked in The Democratic Republic of Congo for many years. Our club has been a supporter of her very worthwhile projects.
Barbara was influenced and inspired to go to the Congo Dr Denis Mukwege, and forwarded the following letter to brother John:
> Dr Denis Mukwege, an obstetrician in The Democratic Republic of Congo is joint winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize announced today. 
>
> In 1999 he set up the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu to help some of the estimated 48,000 women in the country who had been violently raped in a 12 month period - many required surgery to repair internal damage and/or treatment for HIV infection.
> I first read about him and his work in a report in the SMH on 24 November, 2007 that changed my life and sent me to Congo to try to help at The HEAL Africa Hospital in Goma.
>
> In 2018, 70 armed groups continue to roam the country and rape women with relative impunity.
>
> In 1999 he set up the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu to help some of the estimated 48,000 women in the country who had been violently raped in a 12 month period - many required surgery to repair internal damage and/or treatment for HIV infection.
> I first read about him and his work in a report in the SMH on 24 November, 2007 that changed my life and sent me to Congo to try to help at The HEAL Africa Hospital in Goma.
>
> In 2018, 70 armed groups continue to roam the country and rape women with relative impunity.
> Barbara
Dr Alok Sharma was our first speaker of the meeting as it was his first time attending Wollundry and he had to leave early for surgery.
He wanted to announce to members a Fundraising Dinner for 'Darkness to Light'. Darkness to Light is a project of the Rotary Club of Wagga Wagga and has been able to look after the eye care needs of about 20,000 patients in India, East Timor and in the Riverina area over the last 13 years. Darkness to Light in India is a RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Services) project.and donations are tax deductible.
The Fundraiser will be held 3rd November 2018 at ACTA The Range Function Centre 6 Tasman Rd Wagga Wagga. The evening includes a first class two course meal costing $100 per head / tables of 10. Tickets are available from the Commercial Club or online or waggarsl.com.au/ commercial-club/live-shows/The Keynote speaker will be Alicia Quirk, the Gold-medal winner at the Rio Olympic Games 2016 Women's 7s Rugby.
Alek also recognised that members are busy and may not be able to attend the evening but would like to support the project. He provided a donation form that members can use to make a donation to the project. Click here to download the form.
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| Our Guest Speaker Dr. Tony McMullen with President James Hamilton |
Dr. Tony was introduced by his brother Tim, a member of our club. Tim told us that his brother is married to Veronica and has two children and has a resume that reads:
•Born and Educated in Wagga, Married with 2 children
•Medical Education at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland 1984
•Member of the RACGP & Australasian College of Tropical Medicine
•Master of Public Health & Tropical Medicine James Cook University 2001
•Work:
–Royal Flying Doctor Service & Aboriginal Medical Services in WA, NT & Qld
–Ireland, France, Botswana, Vietnam
–Indonesia since 1997, mainly as health advisor with large resource construction projects
•Newmont (Copper/Gold, USD2Billion), BP (LNG, USD5Billion)
–Medical Director BP South-East Asia
–Founded Persada Children’s Health in 2005
–Returned to live and work as GP in Sydney 2009
Tony came to talk about his work in West Papua where he founded Persada Children's Health also known as ASP which is an acronym for the Papuan translation of Persada Children's Health.
West Papua has been a passion for Tony since 1997 when he came across a boy named Ronaldo who had a congenital heart defect. Tony was working for a large company at the time and was able to raise funds to send Ronaldo to Singapore for life saving and life changing surgery.
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| Ronaldo on his grandfather's knee, a sick little boy and right Ronaldo as a healthy young teenager |
After Ronaldo's surgery, there was an amount of money left over, so Tony decided to start a foundation and since then numerous children have been sent to other countries for life saving surgery.
The foundation is situated in Sorong, the largest city in West Papua with a population of 220,000. It targets Malaria reduction and the treatment of Rotavirus, a diarrhea causing virus responsible for the deaths of many young children and infants. ASP deals with Malaria by treating the patients as vectors of the disease and effecting a cure in the individual patients. The reduction in Malaria cases has been dramatic.
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Malaria prevalence surveys in BP Tangguh villages Teluk Bintuni, Papua, from 2003-2008 |
These are the health statistics that Dr Tony gave us regarding health in West Papua.
•Children:
–Deaths of children in the first year of life almost 2 times the Indonesian average
–The Under-5 death rate is more than twice the national average
–4 out of 10 children of children are stunted
–One quarter are under-weight
•Health Equity:
–Just over 1/3 children receive their complete basic immunization
–Only 4/10 health centres are able to provide sufficient numbers of doctors
–Only 1/8 health centres are able to provide sufficient numbers of midwives
–Only 4/10 of health centres are able to provide sufficient numbers of nurses
•Water, Sanitation & Hygiene:
–4/10 people don’t have access to safe drinking water
–More than ½ don’t have access to improved sanitation
•Infectious Disease:
–1/10 people still suffer from Malaria
–Just over half of the population are immunized against Polio (*****)
–3/10 people do not receive immunization against TB
Tony feels that the best approach to tackling these issues is through a business model rather than a charity model.
The aim is obviously to reduce poverty, access to clean water and sanitation and provide the very basics for a decent safe life.
What can we as Rotarians do to help?
"A strategic, well-managed collaboration between Rotary Against Malaria, ASP, local government & the private sector could make a very significant impact on Malaria transmission in West Papua"
1.Collaboration of Rotary Against Malaria, ASP, local government, private sector
2.Improve surveillance systems
–Identify ‘hot spots’ of Malaria in Papua Barat
–Prevalence surveys, develop strategic plan, pilot program
–Training of health staff on detection and reporting of new cases
3.Train EDAT Malaria Workers
–To ensure early detection and treatment as the most effective method of reducing malaria
–Train Microscopists
4.Employ a ‘gold standard’ Microscopist for cross-checking
5.Mid-term goal: Demonstrate success of pilot program, build local government capacity, influence government policy & eventual ‘ownership’ of the program.
What would this cost?
1.Improve surveillance systems
•Cost of expert to train local health workers and Microscopists (AUD4,000)
2.Employ a local ‘gold standard’ Microscopist for a year (AUD10,000 pa)
3.Adopt a village
•Increase coverage with LLINs (?)
•Funding: Approximately AUD15,000 for first year
Could this be an opportunity for another Global Grant?
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| Perhaps we could help to put more smiles on the faces of our near neighbours. |
I attended the announcement of funding of $1.2 million to the Wagga Women's Health Centre last Tuesday by Minister Pru Goward.
Following is quote from Gail Meyers, Manager of the Wagga Women's Health Centre to me. Photo shows Gail Meyers with Pru Goward at the announcement.
John, Thank you for your attendance today at the announcement of a little over $1.2 million for the next stage of the DVproject:2650 by the Hon. Pru Goward.
Please pass on our thanks and gratitude to all the members of the Rotary Club of Wollundry for their support of this project. Without Wollundry's initial funding of a grant of $40,000 from the 2015 Food & Wine Festival for research into domestic violence in Wagga Wagga, this larger grant from the government would not have been possible.
TheDVproject:2650 has three phases:
1. RESEARCH
To understand what domestic violence looks like in Wagga Wagga and to establish evidence base for future interventions.
2. STRATEGIC PLANNING
Work with the community to develop prevention activities across multiple settings, based on best practice and local research.
3. ROLL OUT OF INTERVENTIONS
Such as prevention activities in multiple settings.
Brent Pickard hasn't been in Australia for a few years, but many members of Wollundry Rotary would be keen to keep in touch, and older members can remember that Brent brought his mother to a meeting as guest. Brent's mum is still in great shape, living in what he calls a "landlocked cruise ship" in Canmore.
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Cousin John McBride finally came down from Riverbend Farms (where the best purebred black Angus are raised) to Canmore and it was just great to see him. Of course - this was due to a steadily decreasing number of requests from Mother to have a ride on his Harley Davidson. Well here are the before and after photos - a video of the actual ride has been been deleted and will soon be released as a Disney Movie - with the video and their state of the art animation - in time for the Christmas season - just before her 99th birthday - Brent
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| Monday afternoon July 30th , Irene Chung, our new exchange student from Taiwan, arrived at the airport and was greeted by Darren Wallace, Paul and Carolyn Murray, Neil Pinto and Wollundry President James Hamilton. Also at the airport to greet Irene were Sally and Andrew Puckeridge her first host parents. |
