On Tuesday 34 Rotarians attended out of a possible 48 = 70.83%. Guests included Graham Bedford, guest speaker, Stephen Edge, FOTY Committee, Renee Miller, FOTY Committee, Fabio Gomes, Exchange Student, Peter Walsgott, inductee.
Sergeant Andrea Sampson introduced President John Hunt who welcomed Rotarians and guests Stephen Edge and speaker Graham Bedford, Renee Miller, Fabio Gomes and Peter Walsgott.
President John mentioned that he had just returned from a good week at Noosa, where he swan across the Bay. He also presented one of the lovely girls who serve our meals with an apron to thank her for looking after us while he was away.
Camp Quality - the cabin at the Surfside Holiday Park will be open for inspection at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, so Rotarians can see the plans for the new cabin.
Father of the Year - breakfast Friday morning (30 August) at 7:00 am at the Timor Street Bowls Club. Cost $20. A good representation is expected from Rotarians as all tickets have been sold.
Rotary Club Meeting Next Week - Tuesday 9 September to be at the Capitol Theatre. This is a fund raising film night for the Papua New Guinea Highlands Foundation. Cost $20 which includes sweets. And there will be DOOR PRIZES! All encouraged to come along.
Eisteddfod - the following letter of appreciation from the City of Warrnambool Eisteddfod Society was received by President John this week.
Margaret and Graeme extend an invitation to attend a musical evening featuring Christian Bischoff from Sydney. The event will be held at Margaret and Graeme's home at 12 Hermitage Drive, Allansford next Saturday night 31 August at 7:30 pm. The evening is organised as a fund raiser for the orphans of Malawee.
Finger food will be provided for those attending to hear Christian Bischoff who was the Guest Artist at a Rotary Dinner at Margaret and Graeme's home in 2011. Other artists and family will also be performing. Your support would be appreciated. Please let Margaret or Graeme know if you are able to attend by phoning 5565 1212 or 0408 676 384.
John Reid
Tony Austin reported that John is back in Warrnambool and medicos are pleased with his progress. Daughter Robbie is coming back to stay for two weeks.
Pippea Rea
Andrea Sampson reported that the fund raiser for Pippa on Saturday night raised $30,000. A great outcome.
A fund raising film night for the Papua New Guinea Highlands Foundation mother and baby kits will take place on Tuesday September 3 at the Capitol Theatre at 6:30 pm, cost $20. Sweets will be served.
Rotarians, don't forget to check out our new Facebook page and "like" it and comment. If you wish to post any news, send it to either myself or Gordon Curran and we will make sure it is published. So far over 70 people have accessed the page, so this is a great medium to use for promoting our club and events to the wider community.
Malcom Price introduced Peter Walsgott, a past member of our club. Peter was born at Beulah in the Mallee. While living and farming in the Beulah and Hopetoun area, he became very involved in community activies - Scouts, sports, Young Farmers, 20 years a steward for the sheep section at the Hopetoun Show, Meals on Wheels, Greening Australia Bio Link - Yarriambiack Project, CFA volunteer and Apex. Education included Diploma of Agricultural Science & Agricultural Services (Longerenong College), Diploma of Financial Planning and Degree in Agricultural Science/Commerce (Melbourne University). Peter's interests are travel, history, bushwalking and hiking, camping and fishing.
Peter is now Regional Manager South West and West Wimmera and Warrnambool Victorian Farmers Federation. President John Hunt inducted Peter and presented him with his Rotary Club badge and plaque.
Beter has been appointed to Vocational Services of which Gordon Curran is the Director.
A warm welcome is extended to Peter by all Rotarians.
The Chair, Ian Cairns introduced guest speaker Graeme Bedford from Brophy Family and Youth Services. Graham was born in Greensborough, attended Watsonia Tech. and started working life as a cabinet maker. He then moved into management roles before moving to Horsham in 1986. Around 1995 Graham started working with young people and as a result, returned to University to acquire Social Welfare qualifications. His next move was to Nirranda in 2005 with his wife Georgie who originally came from that area. Graham worked in Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation before coming to Brophy in 2008. Five years ago Graham was the instigator of Father of the Year. He said he felt it needed a service club and was pleased to find that one of his fellow workers, Ian Cairns, was a Rotarian. Our club has been involved ever since. Graham is coordinator of the Mens and Family Relationships Program and Co-facilitator of the Men's Behaviour Change Program at Brophy. His powerpoint presentation highlighted the following areas.
Child Abuse: Childhood trauma, abuse and neglect is one of the most significant factors impacting on child health, wellbeing and development. Abuse in childhood can result in a wide range of long and short term consequences. In addition to physical harm, abused children can develop ongoing mental health and behavioural issues. The rate of child abuse for Warrnambool in young children aged 0-8 years is nearly double the state average.
Family Violence: During 2011-2012 there were 12.2 incidents of family violence per 1000 people in Warrnambool compared with the state average of 9.1 per 1000. 35,720 family violence incidents were recorded in Victoria during 2009-2010. In 40% of cases children under 16 witnessed the violence. 64,000 children accompanied a parent or guardian to a SAAP agency in 2006-2007. These children were either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Family violence has a traumatic affect on the developing child. Children exposed to neglectful, chaotic and terrorizing environments have an increased risk of disadvantage in regard to capabilities for health, happiness, productivity and creativity.
What's most important about having an active father in the picture? Infants who have time alone with their father show richer social and exploratory behaviour than children not exposed to such experiences. One of the mot critical roles that a father plays in the life of his child is during the toddler years age 1½ - 3½ helping the child safely and securely separate from the intense maternal dependency of infancy. Children with involved, responsible fathers tend to have fewer behavioural problems and are much more successful academically and have a higher likelihood of going to university.
Father figure: "A man to whom a person looks up to and whom he treats like a father". He is usually an older man with power and authority. He may be an uncle, grandfather, elder brother or family friend.
President John Hunt thanked Graham for his interesting speech and presented him with a certificate for a mosquito net to be presented to a needy family in Papua New Guinea.
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