Meeting Report, October 22 2019
Chair - John Ilott; Reporter Tony Thomas
Visiting Rotarians, John Wall (President Melb. South RC); Justine Murphy (via-Blue Mountains). Guests – Jemima Streader, NYSF ; Maria Artusa wife of Francesco Fedele; Gabriella Ammendola; Robyn Seale, Nethmi Jayakody (sister-in-law of speaker Gihan).
Announcements:
# Doug Robertson thanked members for their support for Pam in past six months illness. She has made a clear recovery after chemo.
# Peter Duras thanked members for tips on charity groups as recipients of the large donation of childrens’ footwear. Further tips are sought.
National Youth Science Forum: Elias Lebbos introduced Jemima Streader from Year 11, University High, National Youth Science Forum candidate. She is studying English, two maths, Latin and extended investigations (choose your own research). She seeks a chemistry/science career and would love to get to NYSF to learn more about how the world works and new career paths.
Induction: Francesco Fedele was inducted to acclamation, and his wife Maria welcomed. They have 5 adult children between them and have begun enjoying empty nesting and touring Victoria’s farmers’ markets. His Italian heritage leans him to food, cooking, wine and Alfa Romeos. In late summer the family gathers to bottle San Marzano tomatoes for Passata sauce for the rest of the year. They also hunt down the best Swan Hill grapes for wine pressing with his father-in-law Tony. His career began as an Encyclopaedia Britannica salesman but he lacked aptitude and the sets were heavy to carry door to door. He rose to electronics engineering (RMIT) and then IT and investigations into IT misuse, where he won the nickname Inspector Gadget. He’s now an executive coach for emerging leaders as individuals or teams. His volunteering work led to his interest in Rotary. Welcome, Francisco.
Guest Speaker – Dr Gihan Jayaweera, “Health Ninja Challenges”
Gihan began with his upbringing in war-torn Sri Lanka. His mother and father would travel in separate buses with some kids each, lest a bomb destroy the whole family. He’s now a Frankston GP of one month’s duration so far, and gets up early to work on his project to bring healthier living to Australia’s schoolkids. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes and strokes will claim many kids when they age but healthy practices cut the risk. For example, only 2.5% of kids eat proper amounts of fruit and veges, and 10% meet targets for 60 minutes vigorous activity and 2 hours max. screen time daily. 26% of kids are obese or overweight. Kids as a whole may even have shorter life expectancy than their parents as a result.
Gihan’s big point is that 4gm of sugar content in processed foods equals 1 teaspoon so everyone should do the conversion from food labels. One can of Coke = 10 teaspoons of sugar and one large McDonalds choc milkshake is 17 teaspoons of sugar.
His Ninja Health Licence lets kids tally points for good daily health habits, with individual and class challenges. Kids enjoy the contest, including Pillar 5 – happiness – which Gihan says can be learned rather than just received. He has reached 880 Ninjas so far and aims for 2.2m by his 50th birthday in 21 years. Neville 1 suggested he create an app to speed dissemination.
A great talk thanks Gihan.
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Robyn Seale & granddaughter
Allan D, Justine Murphy & Nev 
