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Vice President
Tom Callander stood in for President Roy, who was in Perth.
Chairman
Gerard Hogan.
Guests
Tony Fritsche, guest of Neville Taylor.
Michael Doery, guest of Rob Hines.
Toast
Gerard Hogan gave the toast to Rotary International.
Announcements
- Justine Murphy, with a big smile on her face, informed us about her magnificent 100km Surf Coast century ultra marathon run last Saturday at Anglesea. Despite some health issues on the day, she completed the 100 km course, starting at 6 am in the dark and finishing at 9.01 pm in the dark! Just over 15 hours! The course took her along the magnificent beaches under the cliffs between Anglesea and Torquay, then back through the hills to Anglesea, then up into the hills again behind Anglesea, Airie's Inlet, Fairhaven and Moggs Creek, then down to the beaches and back to the finish. She then gave a finish line interview and got in a great plug for Rotary and her fundraising. Her sponsors from our club and her District committee have sponsored her to a total amount exceeding $3000--well done Justine! (This note from Tom Callander, who was there to encourage and photograph Justine at the 50 km mark and at the finish).
- Neville Taylor reported that last weekend, in his capacity as Victoria Police Legacy Board member; he joined 250 serving and retired Victorian Police Officers, families and friends on their motorbikes riding from the Police Memorial Wall Melbourne, to the National Police Memorial Wall Canberra. Here they were joined by 2000 colleagues and supporters who rode their motorbikes from all states & territories in Australia. Neville accompanied Police Legatees Odelle and Jack Bartlett in memory of the late Detective Senior Constable Robin Bartlett.
The Wall to Wall Ride for Remembrance is a tribute that honours the service and sacrifices of the many law enforcement officers killed on duty. During the national memorial service in Canberra, a wooden baton from each jurisdiction containing the names of their fallen officers is laid at the wall. 15 yr old Jack had the honour to carry the VPL Baton of Remembrance on the ride to lay at the wall . This was an emotional and life changing experience for young Jack in memory of his father and other Victoria Police Legatees. Read more about Wall to Wall ride and Victoria Police Legacy at www.policelegacyvic.org.au and www.walltowallride.com.
- Greg Cuthbert announced that he is now seeking volunteers to assist at each of the four gardens to be opened around Euroa on Sunday November 16, as part of the Garden Design Fest (GDF) 2014. Rotarians, partners, friends and family are all welcome to assist and training will be made available to volunteers before the event. All four of the RCCMS gardens will be open from 10am to 4pm on the Sunday only (other gardens in GDF are open all weekend). It is anticipated that volunteers will be required from 9am to 5pm; however there should be an opportunity for volunteers to visit other gardens during the day.
- Kevin Love said that he is organising a table at the upcoming Blue Ribbon Ball on October 24. Tickets are $200 per head. Contact Kevin please. [Ed See flyer in this BULLETIN].
Foundation Report
Doug Robertson reported on planned activities for the year. Good progress is being made, preparing for this year’s Paul Harris breakfast, which will be held on Tuesday, November 18.
The guest speaker will be Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.
Doug commented that his committee of two is being helped by Herb, Marjorie and Dick. Mercedes Benz Brighton will be the major sponsor and contributor to two auction prizes.
Doug also reported that nominations for the GSE team to visit Louisiana next year (both leader and participants) must be lodged by October 10. Foundation Committee already has identified one candidate to support.
Sergeant’s session
Sergeant Bernie invited Neville Taylor to give his elevator speech. Neville started in on an impassioned explanation of the significance of Rotary to him but was cut off by the Sergeant at the 57th Floor.
Guest Speaker
Gerard Hogan introduced guest speaker, David Perrin, the CEO of the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation ('ALF'), who spoke on Literacy Support Through Partnerships.
ALF is based in Victoria but its work has national impact. It’s programs and partnerships extend across more than 150 locations throughout Australia, many of which are regional or rural.
David stressed that ALF is 100% privately funded and all its services are free of charge. Some of its staff are paid but many are volunteers. It’s partners include Rotary, Red Dust and other indigenous community volunteers. He emphasised that working collaboratively ensures better relationships with the community and improved sustainability. Particularly important are its partnerships with book publishers and printers.
ALF distributes 10,000-12,000 books per month. Some of its books are bilingual and many provide a strong message to children and families about healthy living and wellbeing.
ALF differs from other literacy foundations in that most of its work involves direct face-to-face tutorials. It focuses on sit down tutorials either in person, or on line, with indigenous children in the 0-14 age group. It is essential to develop literacy and numeracy skills. Unless these basics are ticked off, higher education and employment opportunities are unattainable. So, ALF works to keep children in school (ironically some families resist their children attending school – they fear that if a student gains an education they will escape the community).
Students are selected for face-to-face training by referral from those who’ve gone before, from schools or elders and key leaders in the community. Occasionally, parents with problem children approach ALF directly.
ALF also tries to engage with 12-18 year olds, especially boys, to stop them from running off the rails. Even if they’re illiterate it is important to provide training that will allow young men to transition to employment. HR departments resist the employment of illiterates, who are unable to read operating instructions and safety messages.
Whether with the younger children or teenagers, follow up to the training is very important and that follow-up needs to be as fun and engaging as possible. ALF looks to involve mothers and, particularly, grandmothers. For teenagers, literacy camps once a month and homework clubs are effective. It’s all about involving community, families and role models.
David said that despite Australia being extraordinarily wealthy, 3% of the population live in appalling conditions of illiteracy leading to an inability to find employment. ALF doesn’t do politics, religion or political correctness. Its aim is to get the basics right, creating an environment which will allow individuals to worry about such things later.
Meeting Closed
VP Tom closed the meeting at 8:45am, inviting everyone to “Light Up Rotary”.
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Our Guest Speaker:
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