Chair: Doug Robertson
Reporter: Tony Thomas
Guest speaker: Jeff Shaw and Christina Karvonidis – Give a Care
Jeff and Christina gave a moving account of Jeff’s trials after a stroke 11 years ago at age 38 which damaged his cerebellum and left him in aged care facilities unable to speak for nine years. He then re-learnt to speak and began crusading for a better deal for disabled and acquired-brain-injury victims. In care they are often neglected and for example, 90% of disabled women have suffered sexual abuse.
The bad care operators might leave people with nothing to do but watch the TV day-in-day-out. Other people feel awkward around such patients and avoid or ignore them, as if they were “not really alive”. Even now many clients are scared to complain in case they get payback from bad carers.
Give a Care is a networking organisation to change their fortunes, now with 900 clients, 23 core staff and 150 support workers. “We could do with another 40 helpers, there is so much need out there,” he said. Helpers carry out regular and sustained visits, sometimes to challenging cases. Clients are introduced to singing, dancing, arts, yoga, zoos, parks, sports, arts and having fun.
“What happened to me could happen to anyone, any time or anywhere,” Jeff said.
Christina said Jeff was a true hero and daily inspiration to her.
We witnessed a promotional video featuring Jeff, organised by Beaumaris RC. All-in-all, this was an unusual and affecting talk and presentation.
Announcements:
Gerard Hogan spruiked the weekend’s multi-district conference.
Anne King spruiked the Love thy Neighbour dinners with five groups and a total roll-up of about 40 attending various venues (Notre from Editor: lookout for fun-filled photos from the event, in an additional post in this bulletin).
Doug Robertson spoke about our Silk Miller Scholar Ben McWilliam (Note from Editor: please refer to an additional post in this bulletin).
Brett Jones interviewed Bernard Marchingo, with his unusual upbringing as one of four kids in an adoptive family. He got an early start in IT in the punch-card era and after 36 years’ experience now operates entrepreneurially in artificial intelligence, robots, laser-assisted care and e-commerce.
Kevin Love and President Therese spoke on board matters. Kevin reminded members that RACV has strict pre-booking rules for live meetings, which precluded half a dozen members from attending the previous meeting there. NB: The next face-to-face is May 11.
New sub-committee structures are emplaced for sustainability and equity and inclusion.
President-elect Elias is organising a kick-start meeting in early June for a club strategy discussion.
A District grant of $4000 has been confirmed for our Cambodian toilet and hygiene project, plus $6000 from World of Difference, compounding our own $2000 to $12,000.
Frank O’Brien and Peter Duras were congratulated on their sausage sizzle dedication and fundraising efforts.
Roger Thornton spruiked Garden DesignFest and said there were good gardens lined up but a need for more sponsors.
Discussion aired on a tree planting day at Philip Island now scheduled for June 19-20 with overnighting at Mick and Di Wells’ accommodation at discount rates.
Cork RC is interested in a sister-club relationship.
Marwien Ariik sought sponsors for his charity walk and, in real time, at the meeting achieved his donation target; congratulations Marwien!
Member Birthdays
Hon Member Heather Walklate 27th April
Rob Soros 27th April
Alan Seale 30th April
Therese Robinson 1st May
Partner Birthdays
Jarred Wisener, Lady Pastidio’s partner 27th April
Leonie Greenwood, Herb’s partner 30th April
Wedding Anniversaries
Trevor and Dee Dymond, 27th April 2003 18 years
Date Joined Rotary
Charter Members: 1st May 1987
Cec Ackerley, Tom Callander, Terry Cocks OAM, Herb Greenwood & Frank O’Brien
Warwick Cavell, 27th April 2015 6 years
Anne King 29th April 2001 20 years
