Sr Trish Franklin, IBVM, AO has been CEO of the Loreto Vietnam-Australia Program in Vietnam. She will present with images of the work of Loreto in Vietnam – explaining the regions and the numerous projects that have been undertaken: constructing and equipping kindergartens and schools and also explaining how Loreto in Vietnam embellishes curriculum areas in many schools. Particular emphasis will display how Loreto in Vietnam now works only in very poor, remote and far-flung rural areas, and she will explain about the poverty of families, children, hamlets and villages.
Trish will be accompanied by two Vietnamese team members: Pham Doan Ha My – Deputy CEO and Le Le Trang– Finance and Communications Manager.
In 2005 Trish was invested with the Order of Australia (AO) “for service in the field of humanitarian relief and to the children of South East Asia, particularly in Vietnam, through the establishment and administration of education and welfare programs”.
Honorary Medals were also awarded to Trish by the Vietnamese Government in 2000, 2004 and 2007. In 2010 she was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellow recognition. In March 2013 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Australian Catholic University.
Melbourne Park Rotary looks like the youngest-profile club in D9800, and maybe in Victoria. President-elect Jason Reynolds says that the average age of the 35 members is about 30. “Only a few are elderly, i.e. over 30,” he says (he’s 31).
The club started five years ago with 25 members, including some from Rotaract and former beneficiaries of Rotary youth and study exchanges. They meet Tuesdays at 6.45pm at the Olsen Pub, South Yarra, but for wine and canapés, not dinner.
President Nicole Lake and Jason say the club has been a keen supporter for three years of the Ainger Public Speaking Award for secondary students. It helps inspire schools to put contestants forward, provides a judge, and helps with the three evenings of the contest with at least ten speakers a night during the week in May. “The kids come up with their own topic,” Jason says. “Last year the winner talked on “The definition of ‘Cool’”. A lot of kids tackle heavy sociology like ‘Impact of feminism on female students’ futures’. “We back the program because kids learn to think critically and talk logically.”
PHOTO: Jason Reynolds, President Elect, getting involved at our Royal Talbot hospital working bee on April 18.
Chris Egger, D9800 Membership Director and Tony Thomas have produced a report on Rotary membership trends, starting with global figures and then drilling down to Australasia, Australia, D9800 and RCCMS.
The report is attracting interest so far at top levels in Zone 7B and 8, D9800, D9810, and across in WA’s D9465. The report will be disseminated en masse as soon as Tony has completed a Part 2 report in (hopefully) a few days. This 5000-word report is a very detailed analysis of the success of Rotary of Crawley as a 21st century model of how Rotary ought to be operating.
The membership report defies the Rotary convention of not making useful management-style data and time series publicly available, in contrast to some comparable bodies. It involved authors in considerable frustration in accessing data, as bits and pieces can be found here and there, but never in a logical format. The report, for the first time to the authors’ knowledge, provides a detailed comparison of Rotary and Lions membership trends.
Members are aware of Tony's fascination with the rapid progress of the Crawley WA club. The 'Crawley Report' is available to all directly at tthomas061.wordpress.com The Executive Summary is reproduced here:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - 'THE CRAWLEY REPORT'
Rotary in the Anglosphere including Australia is shrinking and ageing in membership. Membership growth plans and targets almost invariably are failures. This is documented in the March 2015 report by author and D9800 Membership Coordinator Chris Egger. [Also available at tthomas061.wordpress.com.]
However, Rotary of Crawley ('ROC') stands out as a club with a winning formula in all dimensions, becoming the largest club in WA within a year or two of its recent foundation. It demonstrates:
Membership strength and growth since inception:
High female membership:
Ethnic membership:
Youthful membership:
Fund-raising (enormous success):
Fostering future community leaders:
Energy:
Networking with business elites:
Community recognition.
2. This report is an effort to understand the club and its success, in terms of both structure and the individuals driving it.
"Dear Roy Garrett, President of Rotary Club of Central Melbourne Sunrise.
International House and the student community cordially invites you to attend
Café International 2015 "Festivals of the World"
Join us as we explore the cultural wealth and diversity of human festivities from all around the
world. Let your spirit run wild as we adventure across cultures to experience some of the most
intriguing traditions. Embrace the night to inspire and rekindle a love for culture, dance, and
celebrations.
As with previous years, our resident students provide an evening of high quality dining and
performance! In accordance with tradition, a percentage of the profits (50%) will be donated
to The World Wildlife Fund for Nature WWF. The remaining goes into running
International House Student Club.
Café International is on Saturday, 9th May at International House, 241 Royal Parade, Melbourne.
Dress Code: Formal, cultural clothing encouraged!
Doors will open at 6:30pm for pre-dinner drinks and refreshments. Dinner and the show
begin at 7:15 sharp.
Ticket cost is $85 AUD per person and includes all beverages for the night, a three-course
meal and spectacular entertainment.
RCCMS members are asked to register direct with RUSSELL ROLLS, by 26thApril.
The meeting commenced with a report on the Men's Shed by Alan Seale. Alan outlined the history of the establishment and funding of the shed and gave an overview of the various activities performed.
Announcements
Wolfgang Jacobs reminded members that there are 4 slots left for the TarraWarra Wine tasting luncheon in two weeks time
Russell Rolls advised members to contact him asap if they wish to attend the Cafe International dinner on May 9
Kevin Walklate requested a few more volunteers for the Camp Getaway working bee over the weekend of May 1
Alan Seale reminded members of the Iftar Dinner to be held on July 2 and the Police Mentoring closing breakfast on June 16
Rob Hines advised that entries for the Rotary Golf Day on May 8 were disappointing and that the event would need to be postponed unless another 10 golfers signed up before the end of this week
.
President's Announcements
President Roy advised the members of the outcomes of the Board meeting:
Warwick Cavell's application for membership was approved.
Greg's Farmer's Market plan was approved. [Editor -Greg challenged the name attributed to the market].
A donation of $1500 to Kampuchea House was approved.
A donation of $500 for the Rotarians Against Maleria program was approved.
The District Assembly will be on Sunday May 19 at Tabcorp Park, Melton.
[Photo: Warwick with proposer Tony].
Directors Report - Frank O'Brien, International Service Committee
Frank likened the international service program to the Melbourne Cup including various disparaging remarks about the weight of certain jockeys
The Laos school renovation project was proceeding and Kevin Love had completed the application for a District Grant
The Fitzroy Crossing project is on track for the members visit in June
The DIK working bee was a great success
Planning is underway for the Echuca Steam Rally and the Cafe International dinner
Due to time constraints there was no Sergeant's session
Guest Speaker: Dr Janet Butler - Kitty's War
Dr Janet Butler is an Honorary Research Associate in the History Program at La Trobe University. Her research explores the personal accounts of Australians at war to shine new light on – and ask different questions about - this aspect of our nation’s history. Her book Kitty’s War, based on the diaries of First World War army nurse Kitty McNaughton, was published by the University of Queensland Press in 2013.
Kitty’s War is based upon the previously unpublished war diaries of Great War army nurse Sister Kit McNaughton.
Through Kitty’s diaries and Janet’s thoughtful narration, we see the war through the eyes of a young Australian nurse as she is transformed by what she witnesses. Kitty’s War is an intimate and rare story of one woman’s remarkable experience of war.
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Dr Janet Butler is an Honorary Research Associate in the History Program at La Trobe University. Her research explores the personal accounts of Australians at war to shine new light on – and ask different questions about - this aspect of our nation’s history. Her book Kitty’s War, based on the diaries of First World War army nurse Kitty McNaughton, was published by the University of Queensland Press in 2013.
