With bloody conflicts raging in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and parts of Central Africa, the message of nonviolence and reconciliation that nations worldwide will observe on 21 September demands more urgent and collective attention.
In 2001 the United Nations designated the September date as an annual International Day of World Peace "to be observed as a day of global ceasefire and nonviolence" according to a General Assembly resolution.
The day's devotion to peace connects closely with what Rotary members have been fostering since The Rotary Foundation's mission to advance world...
When a life-threatening illness stripped away many of her professional ambitions, Amanda Wirtz, a former U.S. Navy code breaker and professional violinist, turned to humanitarian service and Facebook to give her life new purpose.
Wirtz was in her twenties and pursuing a career as a fitness trainer when a sharp pain in her abdomen sent her to the emergency room. Expecting something manageable like appendicitis, she instead found herself facing a rare tumor disorder that required her to undergo 30 surgeries over the next several years.
Forced to rethink her life plans, Wirtz began focusing on...
With 12 children -- six girls and six boys -- the Labordes hardly needed to add another member to their family. But they did: Over 40 years ago, Julia Mullikin, a Rotary Youth Exchange student from the United States, became like another daughter to this large family in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.
"She's been a blessing for us," says Maria Victoria Hallal de Laborde who was 18 when Mullikin arrived in 1973. Like many exchange students, Mullikin remains close to her host family. So close that when one of Laborde's sisters was diagnosed with a rare, fatal disease, Mullikin arranged to send the...
Imagine a community where the residents are all free to plant, grow, harvest, and eat healthy food whenever they want without having to pay for it.
Sound too good to be true?
That's exactly what residents of more than 20 cities and towns in France are doing through a project called Potalib. Launched by the Rotaract Club of Versailles, Potalib was inspired by the Incredible Edible project, an international food-sharing movement founded by Nick Green in England. The Rotaract members obtained Green's permission to apply the concept in France, changing the name to "Potalib," a contraction of "...
Supporters of the anti-vaccine movement question the safety, efficacy and necessity of the very medicines that have so greatly reduced our children's risk of catching a host of once-common but potentially very serious infectious diseases, such as mumps, measles and whooping cough.
And then there's polio, the disabling, sometimes fatal virus that was every American parent's worst nightmare until effective vaccines were developed in the 1950s — and which still infects children in the developing world.
Some who oppose vaccines are well-meaning parents who have come to believe — wrongly in the...
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Service Above Self
We meet Tuesdays at 6:15 PM
Warrnambool Football Club
Cramer Street
Warrnambool,
Victoria 3280 Australia
President Marie welcomed visitors; John Stuckey, Trevor Blackley, Samual Rauert, Rachel guest of Astrid and the guest speaker Senior Constable Greg Kew his partner Nicole. President Marie presented Astrid Sorensen with her dinner badge.
Tony Austin advised that we were requested by Glenelg Auctions to do a BBQ and provide tea, coffee and soft drinks at the Swinton’s estate auction.
Unfortunately the Swinton family thought it was inappropriate to have a BBQ on their site hence we could only do the teas and coffees etc. Despite this, thanks to Judy Ross, Phillip Ross, Andrea Sampson, Marie Bennett, Ian Cairns, Joan Austin and Roy Slater we had a most successful day. We raised just over $300; this included a most appreciated donation of $150 from the auctioneers, Brian O'Halloran & Co (Glenelg Auctions).
Warrnambool Organ Festival - 3 concerts, 3 venues, 3 organs
An announcement was made on behalf of Eric Williams regarding the upcoming Warrnambool Organ Festival to be held over two days and at three locations – Christ Church Anglican; St Joseph’s Roman Catholic; St Johns Presbyterian – on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October. For more information call Laurel Myers on 0411 136 850. Visit www.facebook.com/warrnamboolorganfestival/info
Visit to Warrnambool Hospital
Brian Trenery advised that following on from Dr Barry Morphett's address at the last week, Rotarians have been invited to visit the Warrnambool Hospital on Tuesday the 18 November between 5 and 6 pm – further details are yet to be arranged closer to the date.
Lights Project - Tuesday 7 October
Brian also spoke about the Lights Project practice run and training in two weeks time at SW TAFE’s Sherwood Campus at Deakin University. To reach the location take the Deakin turn off, cross the rail line and then take the first turn to the left. This will be a bit of a trial run to check the external lights of Rotary members vehicles. The CFA have loaned TAFE a sight board to assist with proper head light adjustments. A BBQ dinner will follow and Tony Austin is proposing everyone will have a hamburger with the lot and will provide a form at the next meeting for people to note special dietary requirements or if they want anything different to "the lot". Parking details to be advised at the next meeting.
Show Gates - Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October
Doug Maclean is working on the roster for this event and asked Rotarians to contact him about their availability to help, including what time and what days. If you are unable to help, let Doug know so he doesn't place you on the roster.
Hat Day - Tuesday 28 October at 6:00 pm
Wear your favourite hat! is coming up on Tuesday 28 October at 6 pm. Guest speaker will be Isabelle Collins who will talk about the Rotary Health Research Fund and speak about the issue of mental health. There will be prizes for the best hat and largest hat, finger food and lots of fun on the night. RSVP to David Brown 0438 647 536 or david@swcredit.com.au no later than 2pm on 27 October
Astrid's Fund Raiser for Homeless People - Sunday 5 October
Anne Adams explained Astrid is required to raise some money to purchase swags for homeless people (each swag costs approx $100). Astrid our lovely Danish Exchange student has a fund raiser planned for Sunday 5 October to be held at Anne’s house. Astrid will be cooking some Danish food and Anne said she would welcome any contributions of food on the day. The men are welcome to watch Bathurst Car races on Anne’s TV. The cost for the lunch will be $5 a head and Anne would welcome some help on the day.
RYLA
It's time to start thinking about someone aged between 18-5 to send to RYLA this year. For further information, see Rachel or Terry. Information documents can also be found in the "Download Files" on the left hand side of this Bulletin.
This Rotary Year's District Conference will be 20-22 March 2015 in Maryborough. Members are encouraged to attend and it is recommended to start thinking now about seeking accommodation in Maryborough if you plan on attending the conference. If you need any help with registration, please see Rachel.
The Chair Janet Blackley introduced guest speaker, Senior Constable Greg Kew, who is a Warrnambool boy returned to his home town four years ago as a highway patrol policeman. He now heads up the South Coast Family Violence Unit of the police, which was formed two and half years ago. Greg has been in the role since July 2014 and he spoke with passion and pride about the contribution he feels the police are making to help address and stem a serious community issue. Greg said while it is recognised that more police are needed, there are not the people in the community to fill the positions and police hierarchy now recognise that police need to work in smarter and different ways to tackle some social issues and this had led to the formation of the South Coast Family Violence Unit. In 2013 the Blue Paper recognised that many of the family violence offenders were repeat offenders and so Family Violence units have been set up across the state. The policing of family violence is now seen as a community issue and as such a multi agency approach is now taken to work with victims and offenders and their children. The Police Family Violence Unit works closely, and in conjunction with outside agencies such as DHS, Brophy, Bethany, CASA, Emma House, counselling services and men's groups. The aim is to break down some of the barriers which allow family violence to continue unchecked and unreported in many households.
Family violence knows no socio-economic boundaries and Greg stressed it is an issue much broader than men and women being physically abusive. Family violence also encompasses psychological, sexual, financial, physical and social isolation. In Victoria in 2013 family violence was the direct cause of 44 deaths – 29 women, 8 children and 7 men. These figures are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to suffering.
Victims are frequently too scared to seek help because they fear further victimisation. Of particular concern to the police and other agencies are the children who are subjected to family violence. The police now do extensive risk assessments of children and recognise that if they don’t engage with children in family violence situations and assist them to live in safer environments the inter generational cycle will continue.
Police take a proactive approach assisting victims to take out IVOs and getting counselling for victims and making referrals to relevant agencies. Victims are generally female but not always. In the past police family violence work was reactive and the focus has now turned around to being proactive. Generally police are called to the same families and now they make a point of not waiting until there is an incident instead visiting regularly and checking on the welfare of the victims. In this way slowly they are building trust and helping victims to recognise that help is available and this in turn is leading to more arrests and convictions. Greg said so far the police are very pleased with the results and one day recently in Warrnambool Court five perpetrators were locked up – either with prison sentences or further remand. Greg said it is very rewarding work but admitted that realistically family violence will never be completely eradicated – but good policing does make a difference. Police aim to stop the cycle, get kids away from family violence situations, get Mum and Dad support so police can prevent future perpetrators.
A banker stops his brand new Porsche in front of the office to show it off to his colleagues.
As he starts getting out of the car, a lorry comes speeding along too close and takes off the door before zooming off.
More than a little distraught, the banker grabs his mobile and calls the police.
Five minutes later, the police arrive. Before the policeman has a chance to ask any questions, the man starts screaming hysterically: 'My Porsche, my beautiful silver Porsche is ruined. No matter how long it's at the panel beaters it'll simply never be the same again!'
After the man finally finishes his rant, the policeman shakes his head in disgust. 'I can't believe how materialistic you bloody bankers are,' he says. 'You lot are so focused on your possessions that you don't notice anything else in your life.'
'How can you say such a thing at a time like this?' sobs the Porsche owner.
The policeman replies, 'Didn't you realise that your arm was torn off when the truck hit you.'
The Banker looks down in horror.
'@#%#! HELL!' he screams........,'Where's my Rolex?!!... '
The Chair Janet Blackley introduced guest speaker, Senior Constable Greg Kew, who is a Warrnambool boy returned to his home town four years ago as a highway patrol policeman. He now heads up the South Coast Family Violence Unit of the police, which was formed two and half years ago. Greg has been in the role since July 2014 and he spoke with passion and pride about the contribution he feels the police are making to help address and stem a serious community issue. Greg said while it is recognised that more police are needed, there are not the people in the community to fill the positions and police hierarchy now recognise that police need to work in smarter and different ways to tackle some social issues and this had led to the formation of the South Coast Family Violence Unit. In 2013 the Blue Paper recognised that many of the family violence offenders were repeat offenders and so Family Violence units have been set up across the state. The policing of family violence is now seen as a community issue and as such a multi agency approach is now taken to work with victims and offenders and their children. The Police Family Violence Unit works closely, and in conjunction with outside agencies such as DHS, Brophy, Bethany, CASA, Emma House, counselling services and men's groups. The aim is to break down some of the barriers which allow family violence to continue unchecked and unreported in many households.
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