As mentioned last week the key activity this month is to put in a request for a District Grant. We need to identify a project which we do in the next financial year (i.e. starting July). If approved the district will match every $ we spend on the project. We have recently completed this year’s project, which was putting in an IT Lab for Phoenix house. Please put your mind to any worthy local project our club could tackle in the next 12 months. I have a couple of potential projects from the Crows Nest Community centre, Angelo is chasing Naremburn School, and Kate is talking to the Cancer council. The D_Cafe project will hopefully be funded from a Trent Zimmerman grant we have applied for. I look forward to member’s input next Monday.
Bunnings has advised that there will be no BBQ's until further notice due to the outcome of the Corona Virus.We will advise as soon as this policy has been changed.
Our Next Meeting, via Zoom, will be on Monday, the 18th May 2020 when our own member, Kate Riddle, presents her story.
Kate is a relatively new member to our Club. But, do you know how many countries Kate has lived in? So join us all on Zoom, next Monday at 12.30pm, and find out. I'm sure we'll all be intrigued.
At our Meeting on the 18th of May, our Guest Speaker was Speech Therapist, Dijana Dragicevich.
Dijana is a Speech Pathologist with over 20 years experience. She works with adults with communication and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) in stroke patients to better help Speech Pathologists treat people who can’t eat and drink following a stroke. Dijana took us through the art of swallowing and breathing studying the throat and its mechanisums. She is currently completing her PhD in dysphagia following stroke. Dijana also teaches, trains and mentors other Speech Pathologists and students.
She is currently having some trouble recruiting older people for a healthy participant study. Dijana needs healthy people to come in to RNSH for a study to establish norms so that they can be compared to people who have swallowing difficulties following stroke. Dijana would like volunteers to join in the study. Email Dijana if you would like to volunteer; dijana.dragicevich@health.nsw.gov.au
On 10th February 2020 our Speaker was Ashleigh Bower-Events Coordinator at Arthritis NSW
Arthritis Awareness, Managing the Symptoms;
Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW is a charity, non-for profit organisation who recognise and advocate for those in our community suffering from Arthritis and similar musculoskeletal conditions. There are several strategies that can be used to mitigate symptoms of arthritis, including exercise, strength training, and weight management, among others. The challenge lies in effective implementation of these strategies among community-dwelling older adults. Arthritis and Osteoporosis NSW would like to educate community populations about these strategies thus empowering them to take control of their Arthritis. Read on for 'How to Manage Arthritis, and Strength Training Classes.
Club members and families attended this one important night of the year, when funds raised throughout the year 2018-19 of $50,000 is handed back to worthwhile organisations.
Past President Sue Raveane, handed over Cheques totalling $50,000 to seven non-profit organisations, four who look after our local Community, and three who benefit communities in other countries.
Taudumande
Pheonix House
Canteen
Orange Sky
Shelterbox
School for Life
Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children
Past President Sue said "this is what Rotary is all about! Rotarians in our Community giving back to their Community."
A very pleasant evening was had by all who attended.
However one organisation was absent on our Giving Night and on 3 Feb 2020, the Club presented a cheque to Mr Sean Mura from the Kenyian organisation 'So They Can'.
There is now a single Rotary National Bushfires Appeal entry on the RAWCS Home Page, allowing you to share this in all your newsletters, or Facebook or Instagram platforms as a potential opportunity for the many members of the public who are keen to make a contribution to the devastation.
For the direct link to the Rotary National Bushfires Appeal page use: Bushfire Donations
Funds from this account are channelled directly to the Districts affected to enable their support and rebuilding in the future.
I know some of you have already received enquiries internationally for donations, which is just amazing. These must take a slightly different path, and here are the instructions:
International bushfire donors to RAWCS can only donate by bank transfer to RARF.
SWIFT Code CTBAAU2S [all alpha except second last digit which is a two [2]
Any efforts from Rotary will be once the first responders – RFS/SES/Red Cross/Salvos/etc – have completed their good work, and we can start to help residents and communities to rebuild themselves and their communities. Some affected Districts have formed local work groups or been talking to Blazeaid – all good solutions when the time is appropriate.
ROTARY: 2019-20
Dijana is a Speech Pathologist with over 20 years experience. She works with adults with communication and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) in stroke patients to better help Speech Pathologists treat people who can’t eat and drink following a stroke. Dijana took us through the art of swallowing and breathing studying the throat and its mechanisums. She is currently completing her PhD in dysphagia following stroke. Dijana also teaches, trains and mentors other Speech Pathologists and students.
Please see below website link for the ”The Rotary Clubs of Australia 2019 National Drought Appeal” GNBC "Let It Pour" Fundraiser website - now LIVE!