Prof Renata Kokanović: Learning from the lived experience

Professor Renata Kokanović will reflect on the importance of a resource such as Healthtalk Australia to support people experiencing mental health concerns, their families, but also to raise awareness of mental health and the importance of empathy in the community. The collection of health and illness narratives on Healthtalk Australia is a particularly powerful mechanism for doing this. The use of individual, personal narratives allow people to share their health and illness experiences in their own words, which provides a rich context and in-depth understanding that is unavailable from other sources.

Healthtalk Australia (http://healthtalkaustralia.org) is a unique audio-visual database that offers resources that can be accessed by many people who may face serious challenges to their health, and who want to understand what they’re likely to go through from others who have been similarly affected. Hearing the experience of others can reduce the anxiety and isolation that people experiencing ill health and their families often feel when faced with significant ill health. Hearing how others have addressed the challenges they face can give practical insights that support self-management and make it easier to engage with professionals and often confusing health and social care systems. The insight our research can give clinicians and policy makers also supports their capacity for effective interaction with people experiencing ill health and in particular their ability to engage with supported decision making.

Renata will also briefly talk about The Big Anxiety https://www.thebiganxiety.org mental health festival she co-directed with Jill Bennet (University of New South Wales) that ran in Melbourne from the 21^st September to 15th October 2022. The Big Anxiety focused on the lived experience of mental health and trauma, and explored the diverse ways in which creative approaches to mental health concerns can provide valuable psychosocial supports in the community.

• Darren PARK, 24 Feb
• Steve HALLIS, 27 Feb

• Maria Fragomeni, partner of Ignacio INCHAUSTI, 24 Feb

• Russell & Heather ROLLS, together for 55 years, since 24 Feb 1968
• Roger & Pippa THORNTON, together for 52 years, since 26 Feb 1971

• Allan DRIVER, Rotarian for 27 years, since 28 Feb 1996

• Conventions have been part of Rotary since 1910, and we held in USA until June 1924 when a convention was held in Canada. The first convention held outside mainland America was in Belgium in in 1927. The largest convention was held in Osaka, Japan om 2004 with 43,381attendees.
   
• Melbourne last hosted a convention in May 1993 and Sydney held one in 2014. Australia has also hosted conventions in Sydney in 1971 and in Brisbane in 2003.
   
• Melbourne beat London in the bid for the convention in 2016 – 2017, Neville John was Governor, however the event is a collaboration between all 5 District in Victoria.
   
• There are currently 20 members of the convention team in Melbourne, fine tuning the event.
   
• The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at Rod Laver Arena, as will the plenary sessions. The Melbourne Convention Centre will host the House of Friendship and Break sessions as well as various luncheons. The house of friendship is an exciting place to be as it will be a gathering place for Rotarian from around the world and there will be plenty of entertainment to keep everyone occupied.
   
• A shuttlebus will be available from hotels and there will be extra shuttle trams between the two major venues. Public transport will also be free for convention attendees.
   
• There are a number of people involved in the Host Organising Committee (HOC) from all 5 districts, with Mary Barry from RC Melbourne being the Chair of the committee.
   
• Sponsorship opportunities are still available through Murray Verso, who can be contacted via the following link: verson@netspace.net.au

• Campbell announced that the Port Melbourne Bunnings BBQ raised a record $2,300, which in part was thanks to some drinks stocks being used and the donation of 30 loaves of Bread. He also thanked the volunteers on the day.
   
• He also announced the next raffle, which will be drawn at our meeting on 28 March and proceeds will go to Medical Aid for Ukraine, an organisation which supplies much needed medical supplies via Germany.

• On Saturday 25th February there was a working bee at RIMEN and he thanked the volunteers Nev and Bec, Ignacio and Allan Driver. The next opportunity to volunteer will be Saturday March 25th. If any club members has goods to donate contact him and he will give information on collection or delivery of those goods.
   
• There is also an opportunity for members to volunteer at the Melbourne Flower Show to help Travellers Aid to assist people with mobility issues. The Show will be held between 29th March and 1st April.
   
• A raffle will be held for 5 tickets for the Rotary convention (if you have already registered you will get a refund) Entry to the raffle will be via donating amounts to the Rotary Foundation over the next month – one raffle ticket for every $20 donated.
   
• Similarly, there will be a competition for anyone under 40 who would like to attend the convention (can be a non-Rotarian) To enter the person needs to submit an essay and details are on the following link 
  https://rotarydistrict9800.org.au/Stories/district-9800-sponsoring-five-rotarians-rotaractors-aged-under-40-to-attend-international-convention