President Janet had family commitments in Melbourne and, unfortunately, contracted a bad case of the dreaded Covid so couldn’t be with us to chair our National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) celebration meeting this week.
As well as President Janet apologies were received from Judy Ross, John Hunt, Lola Lee, Ann and Andrew Body, John Hunt, Peter Smid, Cathy Bligh, Robbie Blackmore, John Beks & Trevor Williams.
Our guests included representatives from 5 Rotary clubs (Warrnambool, Warrnambool Daybreak, Warrnambool Central and Warrnambool East and Port Fairy), Paul Brathwaite and Rhonda Simmons from Warrnambool College, Mary Holmes, Christa and Thomas Yannakoudis, Jane Scroggie, Kylie Waller, Shelly Murrell and Paul Graesser.
Vice president Tony welcomed the Rotarians and guests to our National Youth Science Forum meeting. Special acknowledgements were directed to our 2023 NYSF representatives Lexie Twitt, Rahni Cooper, Nyasha Lervasi, Brigitte Graesser, Mary Bowman (the late Ian Cairns partner) and Glen Brotchie who has returned from the sick list.
Tony then spoke about:
the NYSF’s residential programs to encourage young people in their passion for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
that the NYSF was established in 1983 (albeit it was called the National Science Summer School then), initially it had 200 participants.
since then, more than 15,000 students have participated.
Rotary being the Founding Partner of NYSF and today the 18 local Rotary districts across Australia conduct selections for the NYSF.
Rotarian Brooke chaired our NYSF activity and introduced Lexie, Rahni, Nyasha and Brigitte who spoke of their experiences at the forum and what they had derived from it.
It was apparent that the young ladies enjoyed themselves, had become more aware of what was happening in the science, engineering, mathematical and technological world and had gained personally through the experience. Clearly the experience had inspired thought about what directions they might take in their futures.
The group made it very clear and acknowledged that they appreciated the support that had been provided by their parents, schools, Rotary and especially Brooke.
The presentation demonstrated that our commitment to the NYSF program was well justified.
Tony concluded the meeting by:
thanking Lexie, Rahni, Nyasha, Brigitte, Brooke and all who came to support and acknowledge our NYSF representatives.
thanking Robert King (the caterer) and his staff on a beautiful meal and for looking after us.
reminding Rotarians that our program for next week will be Alistair Rouse from the King's College speaking about the Uganda Project.
advising duties next week are: Sergeant: Leon, Fellowship: Alan & Tony, Invocation: Brian.
There is a board meeting next week.
Alistair Rouse from the King's College Uganda Project 6pm for a 6:15pm start at the Warrnambool Bowls Club 75 Timor Street, Warrnambool
A reminder, if you cannot attend the meeting; please contact David Brown via 0438 647 536 or dljb3280@gmail.com If you are on sargeant, fellowship or invocation and cannot make the meeting, please contact Kelly Curran via 0431 746 478 or kellycurran001@hotmail.com
I have been delivering your donations of milk bottle tops to the City Council offices. They are no longer accepting them, as the Lids for Kids project in Warrnambool is not operating at present. Instead, Wil, our guest speaker from the WCC, suggested you put the washed tops back on the washed milk bottles and place them in your yellow recycling bin. We will update you if the Lids for Kids project is restarted.
The bread tags have been going to Bakers Delight in the Coles carpark at the rear of Target. Feel free to drop them in if you are in the area, however if you still want to bring them to Rotary, I'm happy to deliver them on your behalf. Judy.
Robbie
Empty Medicine Packets
Robbie will be collecting empty medicine packets from now on to be recycled. If you would like to know how 'blister packs' get recycled, you can watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4IOv58Y4Xg
Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, “I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me!”
Don’t regret what might have been. Accept what is and rejoice in what is yet to be.
Let old dreams fade into the night, so new ones can rise with the dawn.
In life, as in ball sports, a free kick can be just as important as a goal.
Remember, if you don’t want to be with yourself, why should anyone else?
Don’t forget the three Rs: Rest, Replenishment, and Reflection.
What ultimately holds true is that the better a woman’s self-esteem, the more likely she is to find a satisfactory relationship, and the more she likes her looks, no matter how close or far they are from the beauty ideal, the better her self-esteem is likely to be.
Don’t wait for the world to change. CHANGE IT YOURSELF!
Australian volunteers, who have been stranded in Vanuatu since an airline's collapse, have been offered a lift home on a luxury cruise ship. Sixteen students and their chaperones with the Hive Rotary Club in Albury were on the Pacific island of Tanna when Air Vanuatu unexpectedly declared insolvency last week.
Their club, whose travel insurance policy did not cover insolvency, has been left with $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses and has been desperately searching for a way to bring the team home. Today, however, their luck turned around. The group have got themselves on charter planes from Tanna back to Port Villa, where a P&O cruise has docked. The company has offered them a ride back to Australia on the six-day Pacific Adventure cruise.
The team were "thrilled" for the "opportunity of a lifetime", Hive Rotary Club president Kellie Kadaoui said in a social media post.
BOWEL SCREENING
In past years around April/May I have been promoting ROTARY BOWELSCAN, with the result that a number of our members have taken up this method of testing one’s risk of Bowel Cancer. Those who have partaken in previous years will have received a reminder for an annual follow-up. The only difference is that the procedure is now performed by ENTERIX ColoVantage Bowel Screening.
Those of you interested and not yet having received a notice, please use the website where you can order direct: www.colovantage.com.au/BSC2024
BOWEL CANCER affects about 1 in 20 people, but can be curable, if caught early. Tragically, it claims the lives of around 100 Australians every week! If you or one of your loved ones is aged 50 or over, you are at a higher risk of bowel cancer. The good news is that if found early, 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated. So, if you are above the 50-year age bracket, you can avail yourself of the BOWELSCAN Project, available during the months of April and May.
Note the early unsavoury warning signs: Blood in or on the stool / A recent change in bowel habits / General stomach discomfort / Weight Loss / Unexplained tiredness etc. See your Doctor! For a number of years I have not hesitated to participate. The test is completed at home, it is non-invasive and required no food nor medication restrictions. Simply collect a brushing of the sample in the reply-paid envelope included with the kit. Testing is approved by pathologists, and a letter of results will be sent to your GP. And this applied to both males and females!
Personally, I cannot consider myself immune to cancer. My family gene is in no doubt responsible for FOUR consecutive male generations of this rotten disease!
Last year, once more, I received a notice, with a NEGATIVE result in response to my annual Scan. Goes to prove that NEGATIVE news can be good news! I therefore don’t hesitate to participate once more this year, looking forward to a similar result.
Reminder about the Container Deposit Scheme raising money towards our Early loss memorial project.
If you are able to use the app, you will be able to find our cause under charities. If the app is being too difficult, you can use the barcode below. Simply scan the barcode at any of the return depots, then start inserting your bottles.
If technology is not your friend, feel free to drop bottles at Brooke and George's place which can be taken out to the depots (Kelp street).
Chair Yoga can be found at the Warrnambool Neighbourhood Community Centre at 17 Fleetwood Court, Warrnambool. Phone number is 5561 4624.
