Professor John Polesel ----Australian and international approaches to the technical and vocational training of young people Technical and vocational education and training have a long history in Victorian schools, but have also been subject to continual review and reform. Finding the balance between meeting the broader educational needs of young people and the need for a skilled technologically literate workforce has created many tensions in the design and delivery of vocational education in schools. This presentation examines the evidence for the efficacy of current approaches in an historical and international framework. -
DISTRICT 9800 BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY PROJECT
Last year District 9800 Rotarians and their friends donated over 1200 new books to the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation by participating in our first District 9800 Basic Education and Literacy Project. This was an amazing effort that was greatly appreciated by all those children and parents who benefited from our generosity and thoughtfulness.
This year we will be conducting a District 9800 Supporting Education Project at District Assembly on the 18th May. You can participate by collecting new writing materials and resources including pencils, pens, textas, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, pencil cases etc. and packets of loose leaf paper, copy paper, exercise books, Sketch Pads, Scrap Books etc. and bringing them along to Tabcorp Park on Sunday the 18th. All of your donations will go directly to DIK and then onto a broad range of settings to teach “writing”.
If our members and partners would like to participate in this important project please bring your donations along to our weekly meeting on MAY 6th OR MAY 13th. Marjorie Gerlinger will be co-ordinating the collection and delivery to the Assembly.
RC Echuca-Moama is having its Changeover Dinner on 5 July 2014. 6.30pm for 7pm at Radcliffe's, 2-10 Radcliffe St, Echuca.
Cost is $50 for a 3 course meal. Dress - after five, semi-formal. A message to President Doug Robertson has been sent as follows:
"Annually, the RC of Echuca-Moama together with friends, sponsors, supporting members of the community and partners, celebrate the appointment of its new Club President with a Chnageover Dinner.
Our Club would like to invite you to our Changeover Dinner on 5 July.
Your attendance would be much appreciated by outgoing President Chrissy Weller and incoming President Cliff Downey.
Make this a memorable night to cap off a great year for the Rotarians of Echuca-Moama."
If you plan to attend, contact Secretary, email geoff.tighe@bigpond.com
In addition, volunteers are wanted to assist the RC Echuca-Moama with their major fundraising event, the Steam Rally, on Saturday 7 June and/or Sunday 8 June 2014. Billeting with local RC members is available , however, they will require some notice. If you need further information, please email me or call on 0418 573 803.
Many thanks, Allan.
Editor Comments: The Steam Rally is not a chore but a delightful weekend absorbing the enthralling atmosphere of half a thousand steam engines puffing away and the hustle and bustle of the largest steam rally in the nation. See May 6 bulletin for the full background. The RC there is full of kind, friendly and enthusiastic fellow Rotarians.
Every year we have a Club Planning Forum to allow firm directions and budgets for our club. As you would expect, a large percentage of the work and the outcome is from our executive - committee chairs / directors and it is hoped that each of these people will attend the Forum.
However, all members are welcome! If you have some special ideas for our club's direction next year or just want to know more about others' ideas, please feel free to come along.
I will be circulating more info over the coming weeks: an agenda, times and a venue for a start but for now the starting time on 22nd June is 0830 and finishing time 1230 (sharp!)
Please let me know if you plan to attend and please give me some preliminary notice if you have special matters you would like included on the day.
Letter from last week's speaker, Nikki Mennell. Her website has her special smoothie recipes...
Dear Doug
It was great to meet you yesterday. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to your members about stroke. It was a great morning. You wanted to know more about my business. Here is my website address for you http://cheekychimpsmoothies.com/
District 9800 is seeking Expressions of Interest from Rotarians to join the newly formed D9800 Facilitation Team.
Why do we need a Facilitation Team?
# Learning/education in Rotary is crucial to the success of our clubs and District. It keeps us informed about changes and initiatives; it furthers our managing of clubs, planning, team work and leading others; it encourage us to problem solve and inspires us to do more, to make a difference.
# For the past five years a small number of Rotarians have been facilitating Visioning Events for clubs and the Rotary Leadership Institute. Now that the District Learning and Development Team has promoted new Seminars to support new members and future leaders , we need more Rotarians to help us implement the D9800 Learning and Development Curriculum.
We want members of the Facilitation Team to
bring their professional skills to help Rotarians work together and collaborate
advocate the sharing of ideas and opinions
engage Rotarians in discussions that challenge traditions
be supportive and remain neutral and
happily and co-operatively work in Mini Facilitation Teams of two or three.
Inquiries: Phone Bronwen Scarffe, 9800 Club Service Chair on 0418 109 104. bronwenscarffe@harboursat.com.au.. Deadline May 20th.
We would like to let you know that the World Health Organisation has just declared the situation with the fight against polio an international public health emergency. This reflects the dramatic increase in the number of cases of polio in the first quarter of 2014, compared to Q1 of 2013, particularly in Pakistan (up from 6 to 54 YTD).
The virus has been jumping from country to country — Pakistan to Afghanistan, Syria to Iraq, and Cameroon to Equatorial Guinea — and the WHO has recommended that travellers from these countries should carry an internationally recognised document certifying that they have been vaccinated. Dramatic increases in vaccination programs in several countries, including Pakistan, Syria and Cameroon, have also been recommended. However in the northern provinces of Pakistan some hundreds of thousands of children remain not vaccinated because of the military situations.
While the situation is very volatile, we need to remember that the number of cases in early 2013 (before the outbreak in Somalia) was extraordinarily low. Also, the systems that the GPEI has put in place to respond to emergencies have been extremely impressive. However factors such as the war in Syria and the bans on vaccination in parts of Pakistan make the situation dangerous and unpredictable.
We hope and expect that the declaration of the international public health emergency will see the application of additional resources to the vaccination programs in these areas. The situation underscores the importance of Rotary continuing our fundraising efforts and our advocacy. Rotary has 1.2 million voices and it would make a real difference if members in your club were to continue to use their influence in your community and highlight this new and dangerous situation.
You can find early news stories in the international press at:
This week’s meeting was one of “amazing variety and spice”, according to Mary Voice, chair for the day..
In an extended series of announcements
PP Richard Stone noted the death of Ray Hornsby and informed the club that Ray convened an initial meeting that led to the formation of our club.
PP Richard also spoke on the services of Travellers’ Aid, including the involvement of Rotary Clubs and the need for support to carry on its activities.
PE Roy Garrett reminded members of the Horizon’s meeting on June 22 at 100 Montague Street, South Melbourne.
He also advised of a fundraising dinner at his home on 26 July. ( only limited spots remain)
Mik Wells sought members support for a raffle in aid of Shine for Kids
Frank O’Brien promoted the DIK working bee on 14 June
Neville Taylor reminded members of the June 17 graduation breakfast for the Police Mentoring Program and of the need to register well in advance.
Tony Thomas promoted his daughter’s book “Was it Something I Said” and presented a signed copy to Marjorie and Bernie Gerlinger.
President Doug thanked Gillian Kavanagh and Stuart Ellis for organizing the vocational visit to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.
Greg Cuthbert, Director of Fundraising presented his director’s report. He identified that a number of fundraising opportunities had been followed up including a photographic exhibition ( not promising), a “murder mystery dinner” planned for August and a farmers market which showed promise.
The Sergeant’s session included a tale from Bruce McBain that was implausible to many, although Neville Taylor remarked that in his world it all made sense. Tony Thomas continued the poem which, to paraphrase Sergeant Michael, has yet to reach a climax.
The meeting was rounded out by short presentations by Neville Taylor and Kevin Love.
Neville spoke on the work of Road Trauma Support Services which is having a “Shine a Light on the Road Toll” event over the weekend, including a 3 km walk at Jells Park and promotion of road safety by asking people to turn on their headlights in daytime over the weekend.
Kevin gave a brief glimpse on what goes on in preparing a government budget.
Professor John Polesel ----Australian and international approaches to the technical and vocational training of young people Technical and vocational education and training have a long history in Victorian schools, but have also been subject to continual review and reform. Finding the balance between meeting the broader educational needs of young people and the need for a skilled technologically literate workforce has created many tensions in the design and delivery of vocational education in schools. This presentation examines the evidence for the efficacy of current approaches in an historical and international framework. - 
