Weekly wrap up with President .
The joint meeting of local Rotary Clubs held on the 5th March was well
attended by about 60 Rotarians and partners. District PE Tonie Thiel and husband Wally attended as well. There were 3 attendees from our Club.
Apologies received: Alan Bowes, Angela Wheeler, Tony Austin, Judy Ross,
Robbie Blackmore, David Brown, Svet Lineham, Brian Trenery, Janet
Blackley, Leon de Villiers
First speaker at the meeting was Jodie Hill, CEO of Women's Health and
Wellbeing Barwon South West. This charitable organisation aims to improve women's lives through best practice health promotion and to have a region where all women and girls are healthy, safe and equal.
Jodie's team of 13 work within the SW of Victoria from the SA border to
the surf coast. They adopt a capacity building approach to equip others with the skills and tools to act. They offer a range of webinars, workshops and Communities of Practice to
promote women's advancement.
Where is equality at today?
At the current rate of progress:
- 300 years to end child marriage
- 286 years to end discriminatory laws
- 140 years for equal representation in leadership roles
- 47 years for equal representation in parliaments
Family violence is the leading contributor to preventable death,
disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15to 44 years. 69 women
were murdered by a man in 2024. Still a long way to go for true equality and opportunity for women.
The second speaker was Shane Wilson from A Big Life Footsteps, a program developed locally to build confidence and resilience within our primary school children. The program was developed in response to alarming statistics:
- About 1 in 7 children aged 4-17 experience a mental disorder each year
- Nearly 1 in 5 teenagers report high psychological distress
- About half a lifetime mental conditions begin before age 14
- Schools are best equipped to help build resilience and wellbeing skills
The Big Life team have developed a series of on-line programs for schools
to use. They are a charity and have so far relied on philanthropic
organisations to develop the program. The Allen Labor Government has
recognised the importance of mental health abatement and introduced
mental health practitioners into schools and to also register organisations equipped to deliver mental health outcomes into schools. the Big Life program is going through the process of being accredited as
a provider. in the meantime Daybreak President, Ian Harper is suggesting that each Rotary Club consider funding the program to a school in our district. The cost of the program to a school is around $4,500.
The Book Sales team are conducting a sale on Saturday March 14th at the
Allen Lane Pavilion, volunteers required to pack and unpack the books for
the day.
Port Fairy Folk Festival: Rotarians and friends again volunteered for the
Folkie. Venue Manager Brian Trenary reported that an inspection by
Festival Safety Officer was pleased with our efforts.
We all wish John Hunt a quick recovery from a recent medical episode.
