International Service Director, Rotarian Svet Lineham, coordinated a movie night at the Capitol Theatre, in conjunction with local supporters of the Highlands Foundation, a Board endorsed project for 2013-14.
This Foundation provides funds, equipment and training opportunities for health care centres in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, and has been established by a number of Australian volunteer doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to support colleagues working in the poorly resourced health system in PNG. Focus to date has been working with Goroka Base Hospital in the Eastern Highlands and Mount Hagen Hospital in the Western Highlands. Papua New Guinea is a former Australian territory, and our closest neighbour, yet tragically its five million people suffer under a third world health system.
The Foundation has no administrative costs and all volunteers fund their own trips to PNG.
Our club’s focus is on providing mothers and babies kits to help improve early childhood outcomes.
Around sixty people, including some twenty Rotarians and partners, attended a musical evening at the home of Rotarian Graeme and Margaret Ross last Saturday evening, to raise funds for Malawian orphans.
A great performance was given by long-time friend of Rotary, bass baritone Christian Bischoff and several local artists.
Malawi is a small African country of just 15 million people, with eight hundred thousand aids-related orphaned children, many of whom are cared for by grandparents, known as Gogogetters. After the death of their parents, orphans face poverty, malnutrition, stigma, exploitation and psychological trauma. This occurs when parents who are supposed to raise their children die pre-maturely due to AIDS and leave them without support or parental. These responsibilities often land on the laps of close family relatives who in most cases are grandparents and who are not financially, physically and emotionally ready for this new responsibility.
A number of grandmother groups in western countries like Canada, USA and Australia work to raise funds to support their counterparts in Africa, hence Saturday night’s fund-raiser.
Rotarian Graeme and Margaret thank all those who so kindly supported this fund-raiser, and we thank them and Christian for a great night.
Rotarian Ian Cairns thanks all Rotarians who assisted with probably the most successful Father of the Year promotion yet held. Almost 1,000 entries were received and the presentation breakfast function was a sell-out.
This year’s winner was Panmure grandfather, George Aitken, nominated by granddaughters Chelsea and Haylee Watson.
Eleven-year-old Chelsea said she nominated him because he was an amazing role model who made her feel special. He has always been there for me, no matter how bad I am at doing something, he is cheering me on. Pa supports my every step — I could not ask for anything more or better. He is wonderful, funny and one of the best dads out there.
Premier and Member for South West Coast Denis Napthine presented the award. Dr Napthine said it was clear Mr Aitken was a worthy grandfather and father.
“We all know our grandfathers play an important role as mentors and provide many of us with our fondest childhood memories, which is clearly the case for Chelsea and her sister”, he said.
The club congratulates Ian and his committee on another very successful Father of the Year.
Visit by Rotary District 9780 District Governor, Ken McInerney who is keen to know how District can better support our Club to achieve its goals and any other matters we would like to discuss with him.
President John Hunt reminds Board members that a Board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 pm next Tuesday night 10 September. Director's reports to be circulated prior.
Check out Facebook! Last week 70 people accessed the page. This week a massive jump to 212 people. Not a bad for a new page of 2 weeks, so the Rotary Club of Warrnambool is getting some broad exposure. A big thanks to Gordon Curran for helping out with the posts. If you want anything posted, just send the article (and photo) to me or Gordon Curran.
You may have noticed the new Rotary images on our Web and Bulletin headers. Its official, Rotary has a new look and for more information see http://www.rotary.org/en/logos-graphics
The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the desert. After they got their tent all set up, both men fell sound asleep.
Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and says, 'Kemo Sabe, look towards sky, what you see? '
'The Lone Ranger replies, 'I see millions of stars.'
What that tell you?' asked Tonto.
The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says, 'Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.
Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning.
Theologically, the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant.
Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What's it tell you, Tonto?'
"You dumber than buffalo shit. It means someone stole the tent."
You may have noticed the new Rotary images on our Web and Bulletin headers. Its official, Rotary has a new look and for more information see 
