Already we are well into the 2nd half of the Rotary Year and I take this opportunity to update you with Australian Rotary Health (ARH) progress this year.
But firstly, thank you to your members who supported the ARH Summer Wine Offer. As I mentioned in my earlier email, our wine merchant has made a donation to ARH, and based on the purchases from within your Club, $1332 has been credited as ARH fundraising by your Club.
Nationally, in August, ARH hosted our Symposium ‘HEALTHY CHILDREN – BRIGHT FUTURES’, where we launched the new Australian Rotary Health program that will support research designed to improve the mental health of Australian children (0-12 years)
Twenty-four professionals participated in this Symposium; all focused on the well- being of young children. There was shared emphasis on non-indigenous and indigenous issues.
Why the change in emphasis?
For starters, regarding Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, we heard of the effects of falling behind in reading and writing at school being long term.
- By Year 3 the child is 9 months behind in writing and 1 year behind in reading
- By year 9, the child is 4.5 years behind in writing and 2.5 years behind in reading
This set the tone for presentations and discussions of the Symposium with early intervention being a key message for the treatment of children in conjunction with the need for coaching programs including on-line platforms for parents to help them interact with their children whilst also providing easy communication for them to seek help.
In summary, Australian Rotary Health’s efforts in research in the area of Mental Health goes back to basics and starts with our children is well founded.
If we fail today’s children, we fail tomorrow’s society.
This is why we fundraise – to support our valuable research programs. It is of little wonder that we are a leader in the non-government research in this area.
Speaking of fundraising, the District ARH Committee and Clubs have been increasing their activities which include:
the Heysen Trek (with 11 trekkers walking from Waitpinga to the Barossa over 5 days) | $17192 |
The RC Eastwood and Regency Park Parklands Lift the Lid on Mental Illness | $1760 |
Our Summer Wine Offer | $4392 |
RC Campbelltown in conjunction with RC Magill Sunrise | $7850 |
| $31194.00 |
A great result from just 4 events. So I encourage all Clubs to support Australian Rotary Health - a great Australian Rotary charity, fully endorsed by Rotary International, with an enviable track record.
At this stage, I must thank the many Clubs that supported the Heysen Trek by billeting and feeding the trekkers.
Let me also bring to your attention the ARH Indigenous Health Scholarship program which provides funds to support Indigenous medical students pursue their studies.
Through this Australian Rotary Health program we have encouraged more Aboriginal people to study in fields such as nursing, midwifery, dentistry, medicine and health promotion. The program provides financial assistance of up to $5,000 a year, which can be used to assist students with day-to-day expenses, such as computers, software, and textbooks. This is an avenue where many Clubs have chosen to follow.
We are committed to improving the overall health and wellbeing of Aboriginal South Australians as well as the Aboriginal employment levels across public health services.
To learn how to connect and support this program, please contact Jane Gascoigne (Chair District 9510 ARH Indigenous Health Scholarship) - candjgascoigne@bigpond.com
In closing, I ask that you support Australian Rotary Health and remember that we can give 100% of our donations to our research programs which is achievable because of our wonderful volunteer corps (Rotary Clubs and members and friends) and interest earned on our capital.
I take this opportunity to wish you and your Club continued success in the 2022 - 23 Rotary year.
Yours in Rotary
PDG John Campbell
ARH Board Director for District 9510
