['Hokko Yacht Club Australian representative and a past competitor.]
"Melbourne to Osaka Double-Handed Yacht Race, 2018 – The Osaka Cup”
The Osaka Cup is a 5,500 nautical mile two handed yacht race and is one of the only South-North long distance ocean races in the world. The route passes through multiple weather systems and seasons as it crosses the Pacific Ocean.
This race is held every four years and is organised through the collaborative effort of three yacht clubs:
Sandringham Yacht Club (‘SYC’) in Melbourne, Australia
Hokko Yacht Club (‘OHYC’) in Osaka, Japan
The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (‘ORCV’) in Melbourne, Australia
The race, first held in 1987 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Osaka, is now held to celebrate the City of Melbourne and the City of Osaka Sister City and Sister Port relationship.
Objectives of the race are to promote a challenging long-distance, short-handed racing event traversing the Pacific Ocean. In so doing to provide a proving ground for true seamanship and also to encourage the development of suitable seaworthy yachts and of appropriate gear, supplies and techniques for short-handed crossing under sail.
The 2018 Osaka Cup race will start in late March. It is Australia’s longest Category I yacht race, the equivalent of eight back-to-back Sydney to Hobart’s with only two people on board.
Many members, past members, and friends of the club attended a memorial service for John at Mt Martha on Friday 23rd February.
Photo; Approximately half of the RCM members and friends present at John's memorial service.
We are pleased to publish the obituary complied by Tony Thomas that was available to those attending John's memorial service yesterday.
The passing of John Meehan -- a true Rotarian
Rotary suffered a huge loss with the death of John Meehan OAM on February 14, aged 79.
His services to District 9800 were recognised in 2001 with a Rotary International “Service Above Self” award. These go to only 150 Rotarians annually worldwide.
John retired from banking and insurance with Westpac in 1993, when he was 55. He spent most of his long retirement on high-level Rotary work, including meticulous attention to reforms in governance.
David Rosback, D9800 Governor 1994-95, says, “We could never persuade John to become a District Governor. He wouldn’t give a reason – I think he wanted the time for Lorraine.” Even Royce Abbey, then RI president, couldn’t persuade him. Lorraine says, “John just thought being governor was not his cup of tea. He liked to work behind the scenes.”
This is an update on a few members, partners and ex-members:
Dick Mitchell: Going well and improving, still in exercise mode and monitored by various doctors. Does not feel comfortable walking without a walking frame outside the house;
Kevin Walklate: Still undergoing chemo treatment and doing reasonably well [as you can tell by him attending RCM breakfasts when he can];
Annie Garrett: Progressing well after surgery. Still undergoing chemo. Sometimes nauseous but reasonably fit;
Brian Downie: Going well and reasonably fit;
Terry Cox: Doing well. 92 next birthday in May. Has his ups and downs;
Barry Tassell: Has been shifted to care due to his rapid decline into dementia. Helen is going ok. Not sure of where he is located as yet;
Bruce McBain during the week, has had a knee replacement and is now in rehab at St John of God in Berwick.
Sarah is on the 2017-18 Leadership Mentoring Program, coached by Marjorie Gerlinger. She is stationed with the Road Policing Command Strategy Unit.
She has a family tradition of service, with grandfathers, father (Viet Major) and brother (two tours, Afghanistan) all with armed forces service. Her husband Nick was with VicPol and now is a financial planner. They have three boys under 12.
Sarah as a teen competed for four years in national athletics and state swimming. Later, she was also accepted from among 8000 as a contestant on the second series of Master Chef in 2010. She pulled out half-way because her absence was hurting her boys. She’s now training for the Melbourne Marathon this year.
She worked four years as Detective with the Dandenong Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Unit. “It exposed me to both the best and worst of those in our community, exposed me to some horrific crimes committed against children, exposed me to trauma and abuse which no one should have to endure,” she said.
“It taught me resilience and determination – reinforcing why I became a VicPol member. I learnt the unfairness of our justice system at times and also the importance of supporting victims – some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Her present role includes VicPol strategies on driverless vehicles (which could make big gains to road safety), digital drivers’ licences, hoon driving offences, low-level speeding and safety education.
Her community initiative involves helping disadvantaged people in Greater Dandenong on child restraints and safety in vehicles.
Sarah’s presentation was well received by all present.
"On behalf of the clients, staff and board of Youth Projects, I would like to pass on my appreciation and deep thanks to Rotary for their additional funding and support of our After Hours Primary Care program it truly has made a difference for people." CEO of Youth Projects Inc
This is an abridged version of the project report lodged with District 9800 accounting for the District Grant received recently.
1.Briefly describe the project. What was done, when and where did project activities take place, and who were the beneficiaries?
The Christmas and New Year period is incredibly challenging for people who are sleeping rough and experiencing terrible disadvantage, isolation and vulnerability at a time in which most of us are celebrating with family and friends.
This period also represents a time in which most services are closed or provide limited / reduced services to Melbourne’s most vulnerable. Each year Youth Projects Inc experience an increase in episodes of care over this time and are very appreciative that with the support of Rotary Central Melbourne they were able to deliver critical health and wellbeing support to those most in need.
The additional funding provided by Rotary Central Melbourne enabled Youth Projects to have a team of 2 qualified and skilled Night Nurses on patrol in the Melbourne CBD for 7 additional nights; 26th, 27th, 28th of December and 01st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th of January. The additional services again highlighted the significant need for a weekday service and a major gap within the sector. They were pleased to be able to demonstrate this need and use the support from Rotary Central Melbourne to advocate to their funding bodies for extended services.
Jill Forsyth RC Kew; Peter Jankowski (Rana’s husband), Daniel Braide from Nigeria, Nick Clift (incoming member), our exchange student Flavia, and police contingent Inspector Stuart Bailey, Superintendent Frank Sells and Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer. Plus Carla Murray, former youth exchange student.
The meeting began with a one-minute silence for the passing of club stalwart John Meehan OAM.
Announcements:
President Frank thanked Elias Lebbos and team for their sterling work with White Night, and Peter Duras and team for the Collingwood Bunnings sausage sizzle, arranged at short notice.
Frank reminded about:
the evening meeting International House March 6
lunch meeting with Melbourne Rotary 14 March, at which RI President Ian Riseley is speaker.
Cam Chambers described his impending 1000km Rocan fundraising ride looping to Wangaratta next month, with 30 riders and eight support staff. The goal is $100,000 towards a Western Suburbs cancer wellness centre and funds for ovarian cancer. [‘Rocan’ Rotary Ovarian Cancer Research.]
For show and tell he produced his state of the art bike ($12,000 retail).
The raffle to support the RoCan ride was won by Jill Forsyth (a ticket to River Opera), Marj Gerlinger and John Hinrichs (wines) and raised $508 including $320 donations. His team at NAB meanwhile raised $466 from a morning tea. He banked more than $1000 for the day, for a total of $4307 to date towards his $5000 target.
Peter Duras said total proceeds from the Bunnings sausages now stand at $3700 after the latest $955 at Collingwood, which resulted from a late cancellation.
Rob Hines: International Team report:
Construction of a Primary School and toilets in the village of Ban Heuthan, Luang Prabang, Laos
We have been awarded a grant of $8,000 from the Direct Aid Program of the Australian Government in Laos towards the project
Support of scholarship program for 25 disadvantaged children in India in conjunction with Rotary Club of Rabindra Sarobar
Proposed Sister Club agreement with the RC of Rabindra Sarobar, Calcutta
Meningoencephalocele (MEC) project. In conjunction with other Rotary clubs, RCM has volunteered to assist in a project to extend the program to Laos following the success of Nonh’s treatment.
International House – Evening meeting on March 6. Come and hear the PDG Uttam Ganguli speak.
Please note a report of the guest speakers presentation is in a separate item of the BULLETIN.
['Hokko Yacht Club Australian representative and a past competitor.]
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Sarah is on the 2017-18 Leadership Mentoring Program, coached by Marjorie Gerlinger. She is stationed with the Road Policing Command Strategy Unit..png)
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President Frank thanked Elias Lebbos and team for their sterling work with White Night, and Peter Duras and team for the Collingwood Bunnings sausage sizzle, arranged at short notice.
Cam Chambers described his impending 1000km Rocan fundraising ride looping to Wangaratta next month, with 30 riders and eight support staff. The goal is $100,000 towards a Western Suburbs cancer wellness centre and funds for ovarian cancer. [‘Rocan’ Rotary Ovarian Cancer Research.] .JPG)
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