Rotary District 9620 | District Newsletter 2021/22
February 2022
Attending Conference Venues
As a requirement of entering a hospitality venue in Queensland, you will be required to show and verify your vaccination status on entry. Through registration (either since you've registered, or when you register from this weekend onwards) you will be prompted to provide your vaccine status, and again on entry across the weekend (green tick).
If you are not vaccinated, you will not be admitted to the venue. For more information, please contact the Conference Registrar through the website.
We’re on for the Conference ---- the excitement is building.
Excitement: that mixture of enthusiasm, motivation, intuition and a hint of creativity
Your Conference Committee is all of that and more – and the program for our days together in Caloundra is forming well. We’re on the home stretch.
The program is confirmed, the speakers are confirmed, the venue is ready and we’re looking forward to sharing the conference with each and every one of you. We already have 250 registrations but there’s plenty of space for many more 9620 Rotarians and Rotaractors to join in and learn and celebrate the fellowship and focus that is Rotary. Please see the preview of speakers (in no particular order) to whet your appetite.
We are grateful for the unwavering support from our generous sponsors who have contributed to bring you this program of events, and especially to our Diamond Sponsor, Sun Engineering. For more information about Sun Engineering and their business ethos, please enjoy this video.
Register now – book your accommodation and plan to be in Caloundra on 18 – 20 March.
Have you invited all of your members to consider nominating for the Role of District Governor? If you haven’t yet then please get on to it. Nominations for the Selection Committee are with PDG Patrice Robinson and we’re pleased to have had more wanting to be part of the process than we have positions on the committee. Now, let’s give that Selection Committee the opportunity to hear from those interested in being a District Governor for the 2024 – 2025 year. The package that was sent to every Club included the qualifications that are required and the process to nominate….. if you’ve mis-placed it then please get in touch with Sue Mulraney or me and we’ll send along a copy.
Insurance of trailers/cars/buses that your club values at greater than $10,000 incurs an additional invoice to that covered through the Rotary blanket insurance. This is not a new section of the policy but one that has been a standard nationally for many years. If your Club records the value at less than $10k then there will not be an additional invoice. Over the years some clubs have sought quotes from other companies but to my knowledge in all instances the clubs have let us know that the Rotary quote is less. Please remember to look closely at the questions you are asked on the annual return, on receipt that information is simply passed through to the Insurance agent and that triggers the response. In this year’s Directory (hard copy and on-line) a reminder was included
Citizenship Ceremonies this year took place at a number of venues and with many clubs involved. It is a real privilege to know that Rotarians and Rotaractors have a true commitment to supporting those who make the decision to become Australian citizens. Having been along once with a member of my own family, watching as he took the pledge to become an Australian and having that personal feeling of pride in my country and in him the value of these ceremonies cannot be overestimated. I also saw a number of community picnics that clubs were able to facilitate following grants from the Australia Day Grant process. Sharing time together and being positive. Well done to each of the clubs who were busy on Australia Day.
Congratulations to the three District 9620 Rotarians who received the Order of Australia (OAM) this year. Past District Governor Des Lawson of the Port of Brisbane Club, Past President Bob Millar of the Samford Valley Rotary Club and Rotarian Dylys Bertelsen of the Brisbane High Rise Club. Three outstanding Rotarians who’ve been recognised for their commitment to making a change for the better in our communities, our support organisations and our businesses. On behalf of District 9620 we thank each of you.
Wendy
Charter District Governor (2021 - 2022)
District Leadership Team meetings:
19th - 20th February, Landsborough
28th April
Presidents-elect Training (PETS): 5th - 6th March, Toowoomba
District Conference: 18th - 20th March, Caloundra
District Tree Planting: 8th April, Stretton Wetland Reserve
The D9600 Buzz and Unlocking D9630 have been combined in format into a new weekly e-bulletin of events and announcements called "The Gist". This is sent out weekly to all active and honorary Rotarians in the district, but if you want it and aren't getting it, you can subscribe to The Gist at:
Don't forget to check out (and like and share) the new District Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RotaryDistrict9620
As the first organization to envision a polio-free world through the mass immunization of children, Rotary believes the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 is a civic and humanitarian imperative.
MAIN POINTS
Rotary is strongly encouraging all eligible people, including its members, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
In areas where the coronavirus is surging, communities are facing extreme challenges, health systems are overwhelmed, and contentious rhetoric is dividing us.
We are requesting our global membership to continue to:
Support equity in vaccine access for all people,
Combat misinformation hindering the fight against COVID-19,
Recognise the lifesaving services provided by health workers, and
Personally support the effort by getting vaccinated.
Global vaccination is the pathway to ending the coronavirus pandemic and the emergence of new variants.
We believe it is critical for the global community to contain the coronavirus through vaccination and continued prevention measures.
For FAQ and responses: https://rotary.org/en/rotary-responds-covid-19
• For more information, please contact Rotarysupportcenter@Rotary.org
We are delighted to be able to host a selection of excellent speakers who are inspirational and dynamic. Each person will share a unique story, but their messages will converge to engage and encourage us to Do More, Grow More. Don't miss out.
Born to poor and uneducated parents, Dr Rizsa Albarracin grew up in a remote and impoverished village in a tropical jungle in the Philippines. Her childhood years were filled with struggles for survival. Her village lacked basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, medical clinic, and schools. Despite these, she was determined to get an education. In her primary school days, she walked over 10 kilometres everyday through the jungle, often barefoot, to attend a school, which was significantly under-resourced. At the age of 12, she left home to attend high school in a nearby town where she supported herself by working as a maidservant. Her diligence and hard work granted the opportunity to work and study abroad (Australia and New Zealand), while continuing to provide support for her family and the wider community back in the Philippines.
Through sheer determination, faith, courage, and diligence, Rizsa trekked her way out of poverty and now devotes her time to improving the lives of many disadvantaged children and marginalised communities in the Philippines and in other parts of the world, such as India and Africa. She is actively involved in managing the Shepherd’s Arms Children’s Home, a not-for-profit charity that cares for children that are neglected, abused, orphaned, or abandoned in Bohol, Philippines. Over the years, she has also built a small medical clinic, established self-sustainable projects, libraries, scholarship programs, and community support initiatives.
Rizsa currently works for Queensland Health and is also affiliated with the University of Queensland. She also sits on the Management Committee of the Humanitarian Projects International Inc., a not-for-profit charity that exists to bring hope and a future to orphans and other underprivileged people of the world.
DV Safe Phone is an initiative to get working mobile phones to victims of domestic violence. Ashton Wood lives on the Sunshine Coast and runs a business that specialises in Consumer Advocacy, Reputation Management Solutions and IT Consulting. Ashton launched DV Safe Phone in April 2020, when he was told that victims of domestic violence desperately need working mobile phones right now. He partnered with King IT to receive and test the phones and has established over 200 drop-off locations across Australia.
The tested phones are given to domestic violence and law enforcement agencies Australia-wide, to give to victims who are in immediate danger.
DV Safe Phone has received over 5000 phones and distributed 1800 phones to victims of domestic violence already, with many more phones on their way from individuals and companies who are jumping on board to support this important project. Rotary has already been instrumental in the success of DV Safe Phone, through financial donations and assistance with collecting phones in Queensland.
Eliza has been a volunteer member of Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC since 2004 and has accumulated over 1,100 patrol hours and many more in her work behind the scenes in organising development programs for both the clubs youth and senior members. She is currently a director of the club Board as well as the club's Membership Development Officer.
This season, Eliza has taken on the role of Youth Development Officer for the Sunshine Coast Branch and am one of only two female Duty Officers in the region. In May 2021, she was named Surf Woman of the Year and later in July awarded Volunteer of the Year by Surf Life Saving Sunshine Coast.
Her passion is developing new and existing members to be better Lifesavers and people in our community.
A Director and Psychologist at The Mind and Movement Company, Krish applies psychology and brain-based research and practice to help clients - individuals, organisations and communities - to improve in the areas of Health, Well-Being and Performance. Having applied his skills to sports performance and team psychology for Team Fiji during the Commonwealth Games 2018, The Pacific Games, Samoa 2019, and the Toyko Olympics (2020/1), Krish applies his talent to his pastime passion: football. But his focus on mind and movement for better health and wellbeing is at the crux of mental health improvement for young people striving to compete and overcome today's challenges.
Jazmin is a psychologist who graduated from the University of La Plata and developed her career in public institutions. Jazmin's background is in Public Health, Community Health and in the promotion of non-violent social bonds in disadvantaged communities.
Jazmin worked at the Ministry of Health from Buenos Aires province through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), at the Ministry of National Social Development in collaboration with UBA (University of Buenos Aires), and also worked researching and as a teaching assistant at the University of La Plata (UNLP). In addition, she has been a licenced psychotherapist and counsellor in private practice, part time.
Jazmin's intercultural experiences (Rotary Youth Exchange student in Austria, Rotary New Generation student in India, and WEUSA Program worker in the United States) helped to shape her social commitment.
As a Rotary Peace Fellow at UQ I am currently studying the Master in Peace and Conflict studies.
Focused strongly on positive social impact, Sarah is a Communications and Project Management Specialist with more than 13 years experience in Global Outreach, Education, Sustainable Community Development & Human Resources. Sarah has worked in the commercial, government and not for profit sectors and her international portfolio has seen her lead teams & projects in Australia, Asia, North and Central America, including leading COVID-19 Emergency Response at ISI GROUP in Cambodia and directing the Peace Crane Project, the world's largest peace education program for children. Sarah was a guest speaker at the United Nations HQ in New York (2017) and was awarded Young Woman of the Year by Soroptimist International (2018) for her work in global peace-building. Sarah currently works at UNICEF Australia and also sits on the Board of the Sherry-Hogan Foundation, whose work empowers community organisations throughout Australia. She is a Rotary Global Grant Scholar, attaining her MA International Law & Human Rights from the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica as well as holding a BA Social Science from the University of Queensland.
I am the proud owner and Managing Director of Kuluin Mufflers. A specialist exhaust centre that caters to unique and custom automotive builds. KM manufactures and distributes our own line of KM systems throughout Australia and New Zealand. I am also the Charity Director of Driven by KM, a not for profit charity that supports the families of chronically ill children on the Sunshine Coast. I design and produce my own line of KM clothing and merchandise and I also have proudly created my own line of KM cold press coffee and recipes. I organise and host large scale charity events and am proud mother of 4 sons. I am a proud active fundraiser for Wishlist and Give Me 5 For Kids and Love Your Sister cancer research. I am a committee member for the annual Ryno Downunder Beachfest car event and am a proud supportive member of the car community and member of the Just 8's Car Club Sunshine Coast. In 2017 I was awarded SCBWN Young Business Woman of the Year and later that year was awarded the Sunshine Coast Business Award in Excellence for Social Responsibility. In 2019 I proudly received the Telstra QLD Small Business Woman of the Year award. I am a public motivation speaker who works alongside community organizations such as Rotary Club, Lions Club and Apex. I am passionate and driven in my business career and believe in making a difference in the community around me.
RACQ LifeFlight Rescue has been Queensland’s leading community helicopter rescue service for more than 40 years. Every day, RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crews provide emergency lifesaving aeromedical treatment to seriously ill and injured people. Operating with an advanced fleet of helicopters and Air Ambulance jets, this vital rescue service provides the people of Queensland with the assurance that emergency medical care is available 24/7, 365 days a year, no matter where you live. As a charity organisation, LifeFlight relies on support from the community to raise vital funds and help to meet the operating costs of the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue service.
Alisha Clarkson Community Engagement and Activities Coordinator for the North Coast region based at the Sunshine Coast Airport, LifeFlight Hangar. Alisha conducts awareness and fundraising activities (events, third party activities, and presentations) throughout Queensland Sunshine Coast and wider South Burnett region, and plays a key role in the region, actively engaging with individuals and groups from a range of community organisations and businesses to support RACQ LifeFlight rescue.
Our featured sponsors (below) are among an array of supporters to this year's event, allowing us to bring an exceptional program to you for this Inaugural Conference. With great thanks, we recognise their significant contributions, and proudly stand the Rotary brand beside theirs.
The Australia Day Awards 2022 has recognised three Rotarians from Rotary Club of Roma in the Maranoa Regional Council Roma area:
Citizen of the Year: Baden Waldron
Young Achiever Award: Emma English
Community Contribution Award: Scott McDonell
Community Organisation Award: Rotary Club of Roma
Congratulations to all from everyone in 9620.
The first ESRAG Oceania meeting for 2022 is Tuesday 15 February at 7.25pm AEDT.
ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5598376225
Guest Speaker: Dr Zoe Squires
Zoe works in the Science Impact and Collaboration Team at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Environment and Climate Change. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Currently, she is working on the Victorians Valuing Nature (VVN) goal of the Biodiversity 2037 Strategy. Zoe will speak to us about Biodiversity, one of ESRAG's focus areas; and how we can all make a difference in this area.
District Office: Bostock House, Ellerton Road, Wacol. QLD. 4069
https://rotary9620.org Webmaster: Mark Williams: webmaster@rotary9620.org