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Fabienne Nichola "Rotary End Trachoma 2020 Project"  Fabienne is from the Camberwell Rotary Club and is currently the District 9800 representative for driving awareness of the End Trachoma 2020 Project to clubs in the District. As noted, she hails from Camberwell Rotary club which has existed for over 60 years.
Fabienne played a video as an introduction to the End Trachoma Project – trachoma is a contagious bacterial eye infection, hence treatable and preventable. The video proposes eliminating trachoma in Australia as a significant milestone to mark the centenary of Rotary in Australia (which is 2021). And this links nicely with a WHO goal to eliminate it globally by 2020-2021. In Australia, health services are available to provide antibiotics and surgery, but facial cleanliness and environmental improvement need additional help to lead to prevention as well as cure. This needs a sensitive non-threatening approach relevant to the at-risk communities, many of which are in varied environments across northern Australia. Therefore partnering with the communities is a key. – eg, linking with schools and community groups. Hygiene actions that might suit include supplying mirrors, using chamois rather than towels, attractive and interesting soaps, simpler clothes washing tools (rather than industrial communal washing machines). Fabienne requested our club to factor this project into our plans and thinking, and keep up to date with the website. The Q and A session saw the following discussion: Roger Thornton – noted that Garden Design Fest will be a partner Brett Jones -- How many sufferers in Australia? – serious cases number in the thousands Tony Thomas - noted cross-contamination between communities can be a problem; - Fabienne suggested a concerted attack can help, and then some ongoing work Frank O’Brien – any cases in Victoria? - Not well quantified, but lower than in the north of Australia Alan Seale – what is happening on other continents -- similar programs underway linked to WHO goal Roy Garrett - education is also a key, and can this be wider than schools, eg police, sports groups, etc. -- Fabienne noted there are many small things that can be done. |
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Neville and Rob gave an update on the concept of “value proposition” for attracting and retaining members. This also involves exploring the pathway of new members in the club. Rob described the results of the survey, where 60% of members completed the survey. Service activities, fellowship/flexibility were important to members.
