Meeting 2889 was an entertaining public lecture hosted by Adelaide University, Mount Gambier Campus.
Essential Pain Fact 1: Pain is your body's protective system
Essential Pain Fact 2: Persistent pain overprotects us and prevents recovery
Essential Pain Fact 3: Many factors influence pain
Essential Pain Fact 4: There are many ways to reduce pain and promote recovery
Pain is often thought of as something to avoid, but it actually serves an important purpose. Think of pain as your body's warning sensor, alerting you that an activity could potentially cause harm. Much like a car's safety buffer helps prevent a collision, pain creates a protective "buffer zone" that encourages us to slow down and allow injured tissues time to heal.
When we're recovering from an injury, this increased sensitivity is a normal and helpful part of the healing process. However, sometimes the body's alarm system can become a little confused. Even after healing has occurred, the pain system may continue to act as though we need extra protection, causing discomfort during everyday activities that would normally be pain-free.
Many factors can influence this pain buffer. Loneliness, poor weather, illness, stress, and even watching our beloved Tigers endure a particularly disappointing season can increase our sensitivity to pain. As a result, tasks that once seemed easy may begin to feel more challenging.
The good news is that positive experiences can help turn the volume down on our pain system. Activities that bring us joy, connection, and purpose, such as spending time with friends, exercising appropriately, or enjoying Rotary fellowship, can help reduce the body's protective buffer and encourage the pain system to return to more natural levels.
Understanding pain reminds us that our bodies are always trying to protect us. Sometimes they simply need a little reassurance that it's safe to move forward again.
It was a really interesting presentation from Professor Lorimer Moseley AO, Dr Ashley Grant and Oliver Davis. They have a lot of resources to support sufferers, friends and family of sufferers and medical professionals, to access them you can take a look at www.rethinkpain.org.au - they explain it way better than I just did.
And for anyone playing at home, no Mary did not bring home any egg sandwiches!
Until next time...
Next Week
Meeting 2890 on Tuesday will be back at Macs for SIMS and Fellowship to help reset our pain buffers.
August Sergeants
Lisa Hogan
Michael Hillstone
Upcoming projects
9 August - Four Reasons Why Walk - Cooking Egg and Bacon Rolls 2 Volunteers required
10 August (Monday) - Graeme Cox - District 9780 Youth Protection Officer, Commodore Motel hosted by Lakes
11 August - Guest Speaker Cameron Lonnie, on his STEM project, Jarvis.
21 September (Monday) - Graeme Fischer - District 9780 End Trachoma Chair, Commodore Motel hosted by Lakes
30 October-1 November 2026 - Zone 8 Conference - Melbourne
Future Minds: Creativity & Ethics in the Age of AI
Delivered by Australian AI researchers Dr Rebecca Marrone and Dr Maria Vieira, this lecture will showcase national contributions to AI research while addressing key questions:
What role should AI play in creative work?
How do we balance innovation with ethical responsibility?
What choices do we want young people and communities to make as technology develops?
The session invites audiences to reflect, discuss and engage with some of the most important questions shaping our technological future. Suitable for anyone interested in creativity, emerging technologies, education, ethics and the future of society.
Brad Webber has again published four new snippets of clubs around the globe. From a Thailand golf ball drop, Canadian book drive, to even a PolioPlus Society Kennel Club, you can read more in the link below.
This month I am highlighting the Rotary Club of Sebring ... After HGTV's Home Town Takeover put Sebring, Florida, on the tourism map, visitors flocked to experience the city's charm, but one essential amenity was missing: public restrooms. So in April, the Rotary Club of Sebring stepped up, opening a new public restroom near the town circle after a months-long community-led project. Rotarians contributed professional expertise in engineering, construction, electrical work, and painting, while city officials helped accelerate permits and reduce costs. The result is a safe, accessible facility demonstrating Rotary's commitment to practical community service.
Enjoy a casual lunchtime tour of two incredible exhibitions, with Curator Chris Clements.
'Two Laws One Big Spirit' are the words used by the late Gija artist Rusty Peters, to describe the profound connection between himself and Aotearoa/New Zealand artist Peter Adsett. The two artists shared a love of painting, and despite their disparate worlds, they had an affinity with their approach to making art.
Damien Shen's new, multifaceted installation My Cuzzy Nate and the 654 Club draws together moving image performance work and analogue photography to tell a story of Aboriginal joy and optimism.
Hopefully the weather is wonderful for this community art project at the Cave Gardens.
Simon Hay - Medium
Looking for something a bit different?
Join Simon Hay for an entertaining evening of spirit connection, mediumship readings, and healing.
Simon is a psychic medium, medical intuitive, and healer who works with clients across Australia and New Zealand through private sessions and live events. His down-to-earth style makes mediumship accessible, engaging, and surprisingly accurate—blending heartfelt moments with humour and real connection.
If you're curious about communicating to spirit and wonder if your family in spirit is with you, you'll love this event.
Date: Thursday 12 August 2026
Time: 7:30-9:30 pm
Venue: Wulanda
Cost: $55
Notes: R16, attendance does not guarantee a reading.
The Rotary South Pacific Regional Conference is the premier gathering of Rotary leaders, changemakers, and members across our region. It’s where vision meets action—where we explore the future of Rotary through the lens of People, Planet, and Peace, and connect with causes that reflect our shared values and areas of focus.
This is more than a conference—it’s a regional movement. A chance to build momentum, strengthen partnerships, and shape Rotary’s impact in the years ahead.
Date: 30 Oct - 1 Nov
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre PDG Tony Monley OAM, 2026 Zone Conference Chair
