"The Australian Challenge in Health Education for Indigenous people"
Australian universities have been working for over 10 years to increase the number of Indigenous students in the health professions. Some progress has been made but there is much more to do.
There is a large deficit in Australians’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. First year medical courses for example need to start from zero in educating students about Indigenous peoples and their health.
This presentation will enunciate clearer definitions and models of Aboriginal health and cultural safety, and consider whose responsibility it is to teach and deliver better health courses and services.
Gregory Phillips is from the Waanyi and Jaru peoples and comes from Cloncurry and Mount Isa. He is a medical anthropologist, has a PhD in psychology and a research master’s degree in medical science.
Gregory has 20 years’ work experience in healing, alcohol and other drugs, youth empowerment and medical education. He developed an accredited Indigenous health curriculum for all medical schools in Australia and New Zealand, founded the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education Network and established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation in the wake of the federal apology.
Gregory is currently an Associate Professor and Research Fellow at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute.
We have a need for one member to assist with the planning of the Garden DesignFest - much has been done already but our two principal organisers will both be away from Melbourne for a few weeks during the lead up to the November event.
Are you able to help out and 'hold the fort' while Roger and Rob are out of town please?
Director International, Rob Hines, reported to club meeting last Tuesday on the recent visit to the schools projects in Laos.
In March, Annie and Roy led a group of 16 including the Hines’ and Jones’ members plus 10 non Rotarians to Laos and Cambodia. Two days were taken to look at schools that had been previously funded by RCCMS, namely the primary schools at Ban Houai Yen and Ban Houai Thao and the Hue Khang High School.
The village of Ban Houai Yen has no vehicular access and can only be reached on foot or by boat. It has two school buildings, one renovated by Rotary and one by Rod Fraser. [2012] Both are fenced and based on the design specified by the Laos Government. The Rotary funded building is of very good quality with good facilities. The other building however needs some renovation, as it lacks a solid partition between classes and is very hot in summer.
The village of Ban Houai Thao has a primary school similar to that of Ban Houai Yen, the renovation of which was funded by RCCMS [2014]. This year a new toilet block was funded by an individual member of RCCMS.
The Hue Khang High School has 10 classrooms, 3 of which were funded by the RCCMS in 2013. However, it still needs more classrooms.
Following the first two days, Ban Buam Aor was visited for a school opening ceremony attended by the District Governor and the village chief and elders.
The visitors were entertained by delightful performances of traditional dancing by the children. After the ceremony, books and pencils were given out to the children, who were very polite and pleased with their gifts.
Our most successful fund raising event - the biennial GARDEN DESIGNFEST will require 40 volunteers over the weekend of 19-20th November.
We would be pleased if all members will note their diaries now.
Members will recall a delightful weekend in Euroa for the 2014 Garden DESIGNFEST, it did not seem like work and we were raising funds from the public - an excellent combination! Family members and friends - maybe your gardening friends - are all able to assist.
For more details contact Roger Thornton or Rob Hines.
Marjorie Gerlinger announced that it is only 7 weeks until the changeover. The changeover dinner will be held at the Amora Riverwalk Hotel in Richmond on Friday, 1 July.
Peter Duras stressed the need for blankets or sleeping bags for the homeless. A lot of the requirements for warm clothing have been met, but only about half a dozen blankets received. Donations of blankets can be brought to the Club, or, if emailed, Peter will arrange a pick-up.
Frank O’Brien reminded members of the District Assembly on Sunday, 15 May at Melton.
Rob Hines made two announcements regarding upcoming International Committee events:
the DIK activity on Saturday 28 May
the Echuca Steam Rally on the Queen’s Birthday weekend. Frank is still attempting to arrange for accommodation in conjunction with the Echuca Rotary Club. For further information contact Frank O’Brien.
Frank O’Brien announced that Brian Downey has been undergoing knee reconstruction in Cabrini Hospital, Malvern.
President George paid tribute to the late Richard Stone. Around 15 Rotarians attended Richard’s funeral and listened to details of the rich and varied life he led. He has left his footprint in the sand of life. Vale Richard Stone
Brighton North will be holding their President Breakfast this Sunday
Tony Thomas is selling his newly published book to members at a discount price. The official book launch will be at Il Gambero Restaurant in Carlton at 6.30 p.m. on 19 May. Congratulations, Tony.
The Swindle
The Swindle pot having been carried away at the last meeting, those who drew cards this week and failed to win were not deeply disappointed.
Director’s Report: Rob Hines, International Team
The $1,000 worth of clothing sent to Fitzroy Crossing was well received and everything sold very quickly. Thanks to Marjorie and Tess who magically turned $500 into $1000.
Two family survival kits were sent to Fiji immediately after the recent cyclone. [PHOTO Disaster Aid Australia]
$1,000 has been donated to Interplast.
$3,000 was raised at the recent wine auction – sufficient to cover the funding gap for the latest school renovation in Laos. Special thanks are due to Kevin and Herb for their efforts in making the auction a successful, entertaining night.
Laos Trip.
In March, Annie and Roy led a group of 16 including the Hines’ and Jones’ members plus 10 non Rotarians to Laos and Cambodia.
Two days were taken to look at schools that had been previously funded by Rotary, namely the primary schools at Ban Houai Yen and Ban Houai Thao and the Hue Khang High School.
This report is continued in a separate item in the Bulletin
Guest Speaker Presentation:
Rob Hines and Roger Thornton
"The 7th Biennial Garden DesignFest – Nov.2016"
The objectives of GardenFest are:
to raise as much money as possible for charity;
to further enhance the public image of Rotary;
to promote our partners – landscape designers, sponsors, charities, and
to just enjoy a weekend of open gardens
Over the last 14 years, it has become an iconic event, with 70,000 garden visits. Over $400k has been raised for Rotary Projects, the average over the last 3 years being $100k p.a.
Three Rotary clubs are partners to the GardenFest: Kew, Brighton North, and Central Melbourne – Sunrise. The Committee for 2016 is chaired by North Brighton and has been working for 6 months already, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
The 2016 GardenFest will take place as follows;
12th and 13th in Metro and Mornington Peninsula (Bayside S.E. Suburbs, Mornington Peninsula, Eastern Suburbs and North Eastern Suburbs) and esigners on-site. It is anticipated that there will be 14,000 garden visits.
19th and 20th in Rural Victoria (Euroa, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo).
There will be 30+ hand-picked, professionally designed gardens open from 10am to 5 pm each day, with high profile landscape designers on-site. It is anticipated that there will be 14,000 garden visits.
Australian universities have been working for over 10 years to increase the number of Indigenous students in the health professions. Some progress has been made but there is much more to do.
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Two family survival kits were sent to Fiji immediately after the recent cyclone. 
Laos Trip.
The objectives of GardenFest are:
