President Hugh Stowell opened the meeting at 6.30 pm.
Welcome to our speaker, Digby Cullen, and guest Susie Cullen.
The meeting was opened by singing the National Anthem to the melodious accompaniment of Ann Bray.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Who is credited with taking the first camera photograph and when? What is the title of this photograph?
Answers: Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826, titled View from the Window at Le Gras.
Correctly answered by Geoff Cahif.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
Neil Wilkie announced that his youngest daughter, Vicki, her husband and their child have recently moved back to Perth to live.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: The following birthdays were announced by Susan Watson:
Members’ birthdays:
Nigel Johnson 88 years old, on 26 August 2024.
Peter Smith 62 years old, on 30 August 2024.
CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
John Bolto gave a wrap-up of the footy tipping. At the end of the rounds, David Ellis won the competition with 135 points (674 margin), with Bob Davis’ son-in-law second and Pek Goh third.
ROTARY MOMENTS:
Gary Dienhoff—We remember our former member, Gary Dienhoff, who died last Wednesday, with gratitude for his service to Rotary and our Club and for his friendship with many members.
• Homeless Healthcare—We received this letter of appreciation. Many thanks to Anita Bourke for organizing this opportunity.
Dear Hugh,
Please convey our heartfelt thanks to your members for the fantastic donation of medications made by the club several weeks ago. Many of these medications are regularly used by our clinicians, saving us a significant amount by not having to purchase them. Our street outreach nurses and mobile clinics often dispense small quantities of medications to assist people experiencing homelessness or those who face barriers to accessing them. While we receive many wonderful donations from the community, medications are precious and greatly appreciated. They play a crucial role in helping us provide essential primary health care to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Perth.
Kindest regards,
Alison Sayer
Homeless Healthcare
Volunteer hours for August—41.75 hours were spent volunteering for Club activities in August. The hours reflect only manual labour, not travelling time or organisation of the activity. 30.25 hours were provided by Club members and 11.5 hours by friends and family of the Club at the two Daffodil Days on behalf of the Cancer Council WA.
Craig and Colette James – A hamper of food was sent to the Jameses from the Club, and a message was received from Colette, which, in summary, states that she is so thankful for the Club’s generosity. Colette asks that their thanks be passed on to everyone with enormous gratitude. The card was a wonderful idea. It added a personal touch. Thanks to President Hugh for its suggestion.
SERGEANT SESSION. The following members were fined:
A tithe of prize money was required from all footy-tipping winners;
An arrivals tax was imposed on Ann Bray and Peter Panek;
Jill Elias for being lucky to be at the meeting because a kind member slowed down and let her cross the road and did not run her over;
Jonas Edner for winning the footy tipping last week;
Kevin Jackson for his amusing letter in The West;
Peter Panek for his rhinoceros, Peter the Great, in Zimbabwe being named after him.
GUEST SPEAKER: Digby Cullen – introduced by Anita Bourke
Australian Doctors for Africa is run in five countries: Somaliland, Comoros, Madagascar, and Ethiopia. Recently, it started in South Sudan. It aims to equip, train, and treat.
Madagascar has a population of 29 million and an average GDP of US$517 per person, making it one of the poorest countries in the world.
Gastrointestinal disease is the second most common cause of hospital admission in Madagascar.
The ADFA Gastroenterology team in Madagascar has successfully established seven endoscopy units. The team trains doctors, nurses, and technicians and restocks surgical equipment and supplies. It also conducts consultations and complex surgical procedures to support local medical staff.
Setting up each unit is difficult. Other problems include the country's tyranny of distance, the island's poverty, politics and government, and the variable skill levels of trainees.
The unit's benefits include 18 endoscopists and 20 endoscopy nurses trained or in training since Digby first went to Madagascar in 2005. About six thousand procedures are performed yearly, and 20,000 to 30,000 patients are treated annually.
An endoscopy unit is being established at the University Hospital at Antananarivo to train the trainer.
Thanks to Digby for his work with Australian Doctors for Africa, particularly in Madagascar, which has positively impacted the population's health and assisted them in helping themselves.
REMINDER OF NEXT ROSTER:
Monday 2 September 2024
Graeme Sansom Welcoming members and guests.
Peter Panek Table duty.
John Murdoch Registrar 1.
Win Jones Registrar 2.
Anthony McGrath Introduction of guest speaker.
Pek Goh Pass the microphone.
REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS:
Monday 2 September Luke Hallam, Ocean Heroes
Monday 9 September Wesley Sim, ShelterBox
Monday 16 September David Tucker, Bicycles for Humanity
THANKS:
Thank you to the Staff of the Nedlands Golf Club, Claire and Anton, for their service tonight, especially under trying circumstances and Chef Zamry for dinner.
WE RECOGNISE OUR VERY GENEROUS SPONSORS:
Lizzi Bee - supplier of flowers
Dry Kirkness Chartered Accountants (Butler Settineri) – Honorary Club Auditors
Accura Accounting & Advisory Services for providing Xero Accounting software and
Sharesight Portfolio reporting software to the Charitable Trust.
Dirk Vanderstruyf from Euroz Hartleys.
MEETING CLOSE:
President Hugh closed the meeting recognising the new Rotary International presidential theme for 2024-2025 THE MAGIC OF ROTARY.
