Networker - Issue 21 (2011-2012)

Rotary District 9800 Issue 21 of 20112012 December 19 2011 1

At this very special time of year I want to extend my sincere thanks to you all for the effort you have put in to your Rotary work throughout the year We should never lose sight of our mission - to provide service to others promote integrity and advance world understanding goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business professional and community leaders

I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and I hope the New Year brings much peace and joy

Both Gabrielle and I look forward to seeing you in 2012 and to continuing to work alongside you in the service of Rotary towards a better world

Yours in the spirit of the Family of Rotary

Keith RyallDistrict 9800 Governor2011-2012

RVFR High Country Weekend

Rotary in Blogosphere

District 9800 Strategic Plan

Dash To Surgery

Welcome New Members

Lubang Island Water Project

Friendships Exchange Spin-offs

How To Get Your Story Published

Notices amp Events

Readers Letters

In this IssueDG Weekly Message

So this is Christmas ldquoSo this is ChristmasAnd what have you doneAnother year overAnd a new one just begunAnd so this is ChristmasI hope you have funThe near and the dear oneThe old and the youngA very merry ChristmasAnd a happy New YearLetrsquos hope itrsquos a good oneWithout any fearAnd so this is ChristmasFor weak and for strongFor rich and the poor onesThe world is so wrongAnd so happy ChristmasFor black and for whiteFor yellow and red onesLetrsquos stop all the fightA very merry ChristmasAnd a happy New YearLetrsquos hope itrsquos a good oneWithout any fearrdquo

httpyoutube8cJOm72QDDA

When John Lennon wrote this song he really got it right What better wish could there be than to live in a world without prejudice fear or war This is the kind of world we in Rotary work towards - a world of peace

District Governor Keith Ryall and Gabrielle

Contact the Editor

Clarice Caricare

Do you have a letter for Clarice Is something on your mind

Send Clarice an email at claricerotarydistrict9800orgau

December is Family of Rotary Month

We are going to enjoy some time off and we will be away until the week of 16th January Next edition of the Networker will be out that week Have a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year Catch you in 2012 Clarice

What Fellowship weekend January 2012 Australia Day weekend Come along and join in for a weekend of Rotary fellowship fun and a bit of four wheel driving in one of the best destinations in Victoria Easy access for all four wheel drive vehicles

Where Sheepyard Flat of course in the Howqua Hills on the pristine Howqua River It is a large open area with lots of trees long drops barbecue areas (fire restrictions permitting) and dog friendly

WhenThe Australia Day weekend ndash Thursday 26th January 2012 (Australia Day) onwards

Logistics Anni and Tony Milln (RC Kyneton) (and anyone else who wants to get there early) will move in on about the Tuesday and cordon off a spot for everybody ndash so itrsquos important to know fairly early who are going to be starters Once there everyone needs to be self-sufficient

Things to do This is some of the best and most interesting four wheel driving (mostly not too hard) in Victoria there are walking trails and abundant bird life (for those who watch the avian variety) And come 5 orsquoclock it wonrsquot be hard to make our own fun This will be a fellowship weekend so there wonrsquot be a trip leader it will be as adventurous or restful as everyone would like it to be

Emergencies Mansfield (28km) has medical and hospital facilities as well as being a nice place to visit and stock up on stuff

How to get there Itrsquos easy to get to via Mansfield and Merrijig with a few km off the bitumen on the Howqua Hills Road into the camp Who to contact Tony Milln [home (03)5422-1778 mobile 0411-268-664 email millnybigpondnetau] by 13 January 2012

RVFR High Country Weekend Sheepyard FlatRotarians and friends welcome

ldquoAUSTRALIA has fast tracked money to help African countries adapt to climate change the federal government announced at climate talks in Durban ldquoClimate Change Minister Greg Combet announced $25 million towards helping African nations manage water resources boost food security and climate-proof agriculturerdquo

A comment from William Easterly Professor of Economics at New York University was addedldquoWersquove already spent as official donors $600 billion in aid to Africa over the past 45 years and after all that children are still not getting the 12-cent medicines (to fight malaria) So there were still between 1 million and 3 million deaths from malaria last year So aid would be a great thing if it worked But the sad tragedy is that - and this is really one of the scandals of our generation - money meant for the most desperate people in the world is simply not reaching them $600 billion in aid to Africa over the past 45 years and over that time period therersquos basically been zero rise in living standardsrdquo

Clarice then spotted contributions from two bloggers who must surely be RotariansldquoClimate Change Minister Greg Combet announced $25 million towards helping African nations manage water resources boost food security and climate-proof agriculturerdquoLast night I heard a report on Rotary Foundation matching grants which have installed clean water projects in the Philippines The secret of their success seems to be At no time does a government official handle the money CO Jones of Armadale Vic Thu 08 Dec 11 (1015am)

Ron of Brighton replied to CO Jones Thu 08 Dec 11 (1124am) Yes - Rotary is the ONLY charitable organisation through which 100 of funds raised gets to the designated benificiary The matching grants initiative can in fact mean that 200 of funds raised gets to the designated beneficiary

Keep spreading the news about The Rotary Foundation which enables Rotarians to advance world understanding goodwill and peace through the improvement of health the support of education and the alleviation of poverty

It is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world details to be confirmed

The GSE committee sincerely thanks the members of the selection panel DG Keith Foundation Chair John Davis DGN Ross Butterworth AG Mark Schirmer Rotarian and Alumni Koren Harvey and her team

Thank you to all who are supporting this program which holds all that Rotary aspires to in the aims and ideals

gtgt Read the full article

Rotary in the BlogosphereFrom ldquoThe Heraldrdquo - Andrew Boltrsquos Blog Thursday December 08 2011

Women carrying water from a hand pump in the village to their homes in South Sudan

BackgroundThe District 9800 Board through the vision of DG Keith Ryall appointed a new position Director Planning and Risk Management to the District Board commencing in 20112012 The three key themes of the role include Strategic Planning for both the Board and the DLT AuditingReview of existing practices and procedures and Risk Management One of the first roles of the new Director was to work with the Board and DLT to develop a strategic plan for District 9800What is a Strategic PlanStrategic Planning is a key responsibility for all Boardrsquos irrespective of the type of organization the Board is overseeinggoverning A strategic plan enables the Board to set goals and objectives and outline the way in which it is going to achieve these goals and objectives Time horizons for strategic plans usually vary according to the circumstances of the organisation or company developing it but three to five years are the most common time frames adopted by organisations In the case of District 9800 a three year time frame is most appropriate given the past DG current DG DGE and DGN are all nominated positions on the District Board This will assist in ensuring consistency and continuity of the strategic planning frameworkTo maintain a focus on strategic planning the Board is establishing a planning cycle which will take place at prearranged dates each year This will include but not be limited to the following steps

bull A systemic and detailed review of the Districtrsquos performance over the previous year in comparison with the goals and objectives set

bull An assessment of the external constraints under which the District is expected to operate during the planning horizon

bull A review of the Districtrsquos The District Strategic Plan is then developed andor reviewed setting out how the District will continue to meet its goals and objectives taking into account the outcomes of the above steps

Another important considerations in the planning process is the way in which the plan is likely to affect the Districtrsquos risk profile and hence its risk management policies and frameworkDISTRICT 9800 Strategic Plan 2011-2014In line with the above the District Board has endorsed a three year strategic plan commencing in 2011 As Rotary is a world wide organization with all clubs aspiring to achieve the Object of Rotary in all that we do the District 9800 plan is aligned to Rotary Internationalrsquos Strategic Plan It adopts the three goalsn the RI plan but adjusts the objectives under each goal as necessary to suit the istrategic requirements of District 9800 A copy of both plans can be found onthe District 9800 websiteThe District 9800 plan will provide all clubs in the District with a better understanding and overview of how the District Board intends to assist and support clubs across the District and thesteps it will take to meets its vision goals

and objectives This plan will enable the District Board to be accountable to the Clubs it overseesClub Strategic PlansTo ensure consistency in planning across all clubs the District Governor Keith Ryall and the District Board encourages all club presidents and presidents elect to review and become familiar with the District 9800 Strategic Plan and commencing in 20122013 to align your club strategic plans to the District 9800 plan This will ensure that each clubsrsquo plan is aligned not just to the District plan but to Rotary International ensuring we all achieve the Object of Rotary in our own local community This alignment will strengthen the power and work of Rotary not just in our District but worldwide Your Assistant Governor will be more than happy to assist you and your club to align your strategic plan to the Districtrsquos plan Mary Barry Director Planning amp Risk ManagementDistrict 9800 Board

DISTRICT 9800 Strategic Plan 2011-2014By Mary Barry Director Planning amp Risk ManagementTo maintain a focus on strategic planning the Board is establishing a planning cycle which will take place at prearranged dates each year This will include but not be limited to the following stepsbull A systemic and detailed review of

the Districtrsquos performance over the previous year in comparison with the goals and objectives set

bull A review of the Districtrsquos strengths and weaknesses opportunities and threats

The District Strategic Plan is then developed andor reviewed setting out how the District will continue to meet its goals and objectives taking into account the outcomes of the above stepsRead more about the District and Club Strategic Planning httpwwwrotarydistrict9800orgaudistrict_strategic_plan_2011_2014

District 9800 Strategic Plan 2011-2012

Dash to surgery from Dili reconnects Nelia with lifeKate Hagan The Age December 14 2011

MARIA de Jesus Freitas took her new daughter home hours after giving birth in a Dili hospital - but it took a couple of return trips before doctors diagnosed her life-threatening condition

Baby Nelia had been unable to feed or digest her food due to a rare birth defect that left her with a malformed oesophagusWithout surgery to correct the condition - which doctors in East Timor lack the specialist skills to perform - Nelia had little more than a week to live

But a mercy call to Rotaryrsquos medical aid organisation ROMAC has saved Neliarsquos life She had surgery at the Monash Childrenrsquos Hospital on Friday within five days of her East Timorese doctors raising the alarm and doctors are now confident the two-week-old will make a full recovery

Surgeon Peter Ferguson said about one in 4000 babies was born with oesophageal atresia which in Australia would be corrected with surgery within days

lsquorsquoIt is usually discovered when babies start feeding and they are not able to swallow so they choke and produce a lot of frothy saliva from their mouthrsquorsquo he said

By the time she arrived in Australia Neliarsquos case was a surgical emergency crucial to keep her from breathing saliva and other fluids into her tiny lungs

Doctors reconnected her lower oesophagus to the upper oesophagus and chest in a 90-minute operation

lsquorsquoShe still requires a bit of help with her breathing and thatrsquos likely to continue over the next day or tworsquorsquo Mr Ferguson said lsquorsquoShersquos receiving some feeds through a tube in her oesophagus but in a few daysrsquo time wersquoll start feeds by mouth

lsquorsquoSome babies born with this condition may have some minor issues with swallowing and feeding in future but most do well Nelia has been well for the last few days since the operation and thatrsquos certainly one of the major hurdles to get overrsquorsquo

Rotary member John Benger said Nelia was one of the youngest patients ROMAC had helped bring to Australia for treatment and meant lsquorsquothis little baby will see this Christmas and perhaps 40 or 50 Christmases beyondrsquorsquo

Mr Benger said the past 10 days had been overwhelming for Neliarsquos mother who had never seen an aircraft before flying to Australia with her critically ill baby

lsquorsquoThe first thing we did when they arrived was give them some warm clothesrsquorsquo he said lsquorsquoThe next thing we had to do was teach them how to use flush toilets and gas cooking - itrsquos a very basic existence over therersquorsquo

Mrs de Jesus Freitas said through a translator that she was lsquorsquovery very happyrsquorsquo to know she could take a healthy baby back home and would do everything she could to care for Nelia

She was scared when she landed in Australia she said but the local East Timorese community helped her and she wanted to thank Rotary and the doctors and nurses who saved her babyrsquos life

gtgt Read more athttpwwwtheagecomauvictoriadash-to-surgery-from-dili-reconnects-nelia-with-life-20111213-1ot7ohtmlixzz1gS2enPoY

Maria de Jesus Freitas with Nelia after her daughterrsquos life-saving surgery Photo Michael Clayton-Jones

Welcome New MembersDr Barbara Penson was inducted into Rotary Club of North Balwyn on 8th December Barbara runs her own business called Catalyst Management Consultants Her qualifications include Bachelor of Psychology BA (Psych) Master of Business - Human Resource Management MB (HRM) and Doctorate of Business Administration(DBA)

Pictured are Matthew Pauli President Bob Bromley Director of Membership and Barbara Penson

Members of Melbourne and Brighton Beach Rotary Clubs visited Lubang in the Philippines in

September to inspect the progress of the Water Projects These joint projects are supported by Brighton North and Lubang Island Rotary Clubs and a Rotary Foundation Future Vision Grant

Melbourne Rotary Club members Spencer Bock Trevor Nink and Garry Fowler were accompanied by Ruth Carlos-Martinez who is the project leader from the host club of Brighton Beach the SIBAT engineering team and Persie Torregoza the current President of RC Lubang Island with twelve Lubang Island Rotarians

The projects entails the construction of solar and wind-powered facilities which pump water from two existing wells to elevated storage tanks Water is then distributed to a number of faucets serving clusters of up to forty five households One well is located on Cabra Island and the other on Lubang Island Construction is being undertaken by Sibat an engineering NGO who also train and supervise a Peoplersquos Organisation who lay the pipes

The water distribution system at Cabra is basically complete The solar wind turbine and powerhouse control room are complete and the pipe distribution system virtually complete The inspection team were able to inspect and test the pumping station and pipes and faucets Construction has commenced recently at the site at Pulili Lubang Island The stand for the storage tank has been erected and work will commence soon of the pumping station and power sources and the pipe distribution It is anticipated that the project will be completed by January

There is an outstanding question about the water quality and the Mayor undertook to have samples tested If necessary a filtering system may have to be installed

The community of Lubang Island is poor per capita income of $400 pa but committed to a high quality of life with no crime and excellent schooling (they are trialling a one computer per child program) The island is an ideal environment to trial projects that can lead the way for other communities

The team support the concept of doing a further water project in this area RC Lubang Island have been asked to develop proposals to their satisfaction and then to submit them to Ruth Carlos-Martinez and RC Melbourne for further action

This worthwhile visit confirmed that we have excellent partners in the project which will deliver the objective within budget It proved to be a wonderful example of how the quality of life of people around the world can be enriched by Rotarians working in conjunction with local communities

Friendship Exchange Spin-offs By Tony Thomas RC Central Melbourne Sunrise

The District 11-member party who visited South Africa last May are continuing to get wonderful feedback from their introduction to the JBay Recycling Project at Jeffreys Bay on the south coast of South Africa The visit has now led to one boy being rescued from enrolment at a school for mentally disabled to enrolment at a trade school where he can fulfill his dream to become a motor mechanic

To recapitulate this project involves children from the poverty-stricken and AIDS-ravaged local township who earn token money called lsquoMulasrsquo by bringing in rubbish for recycling They can then spend the money at a special Mula shop on goods donated by Rotarians business and the community from biscuits to bicycles

A $500 special donation was sourced from our group to look after a delightful boy Adrian about sixteen years old To this a Jeffreys Bay sponsor added a further donation

Carina de Flamingh JBay organizer has emailed this new update ldquoMagic and more Adrian was noticed by the volunteers for his helpful and friendly attitude at the project and so began a beautiful friendship Adrian became one of the first of our recycle clients to volunteer in the swop shop by helping younger children with the exciting task of choosing how to spend their hard earned Mulas We got to know bits and pieces of his life story and also noticed that Adrian usually answered questions with one word that he never seems to read but listens carefully and remembers like an elephant The social worker dealing with Adrian then informed us that Adrianrsquos literacy skills are so poor that he will be transferred to a school for the mentally handicapped by the end of this year We all knew that that was not the place for this bright young boy With sponsorships from Margaret the wife of a Rotarian in Australia and Gerrie a friend and volunteer Adrian started a literacy training program with Melanie from Wise Eyes We were optimistic and also wondered what will happen to Adrianrsquos dream of becoming a motor mechanic Soon after starting the literacy classes Adrian started initiating conversations using sentences and making eye contact

Adrian was evaluated last week at his present school and he has improved so much that he is able to attend the Bergsig Trade school in Uitenhage next year and do his training to become a mechanicrdquo

Carina in another briefing mentions how big the recycling project has become On the Friday pick-up day of December 5 260 kids arrived with 3 tonnes of glass paper plastics and other junk As a thank-you for their hard work through the year they got Xmas bonuses of 700 packets of biscuits 250 books 300 gingerbread men 250 T-shirts loads of Thom shoes and other desirables

The total rubbish pickups for 2011 involving 39 Monday collections was 625 tonnes brought in by 1657 children

OesophagealAtresia The digestive tract begins at the mouth and ends at the anus The oesophagus is the muscular tube that connects the back of the mouth to the stomach During foetal development the digestive tract may fail to develop properly

Oesophageal atresia is a group of Birth defects or malformations that block the oesophagus Instead of attaching to the stomach the oesophagus may end in a closed sac or join with the trachea (windpipe) leading to the lungs Around one third of affected babies will also have other birth defects including congenital heart disorders and imperforate anus Symptoms of oesophageal atresia include excessive dribbling the inability to feed properly and vomiting The causes of these malformations are unknown so prevention is not possible Too much amniotic fluid surrounding the baby during pregnancy (polyhydramnios) may indicate the presence of these defects

The incidence of oesophageal atresia or stenosis (abnormally narrow oesophagus) in Victoria is around one in every 1800 births

How to Get Your Story PublishedBy Colin Robinson Rotary Club of St Johns NZ Rotary Down

Scam Phone CallBy Peter W Lamping D9800 District Secretary

WITH A BIT OF HARD WORK AND GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY YOU TOO COULD END UP ON THE COVER OF ROTARY DOWN UNDER OR ROTARIAN LIFE amp LEISURE

Every Rotary club project is a chance to gain new members and support for the success of all your club activities

By telling the story of your club and its service successes you are in effect pre-selling your future projects by showing you are active in your community with well-run successful projects

Every time you write a good article with a quality photo it can be widely used in your club bulletin The Networker Rotary Down Under your local newspaper sponsor and beneficiary newsletters on your clubrsquos website community noticeboards in club promotional material and in blogs

Getting publishedTip the scales in your favour it is quality of words written not the quantityThe specification for articles to Rotary Down Under or The Networker is similar to most print media requirementsbull No more that 300 words in MS Word format bull Attach the text file and the photo file separately to the same email ndash do not embed a

photo in an MS Word documentbull Give us your two best pictures only If we want more wersquoll ask for thembull Pictures must be at least 300 pixels per inch and in jpeg format If you set your camera

to its finest quality setting the file size should look after itself If in sending the image by email your server asks if you want to reduce the file to make it easier to email say NO

bull Include a caption for the photo in the email and name all the people featured Make sure you include a contact for further information if required

Some tipsbull Get compelling action photos ndash show the sweat not the cheque presentationbull Do not be afraid to pose photos for best effectbull The first sentence should establish the topic and set the tone ndash tell the most important

facts ndash who what where when why bull Include lots of quotes bull Everyone holds fundraisers and some programs are quite run-of-the-mill so take care

to point out what makes the project unusual unique or innovativebull Consider how you would view the article as a reader Does it inspire you give you

new ideas

Rotary Down Under and The Networker have a practical application in all aspects of Rotary and can be easily used to support club and District objectives ndash membership ndash public image ndash member education and moreIt is a superb reference resource that on a day-to-day basis will provide ideas and inspiration for projects and events Give copies to all who have contact with your club as many know little about Rotary ndash then ask them to join if you think they would make good members

gtgt Go to httpwwwrotarydownundercomau or httpwwwrdurotarysouthpacificorg for lots more useful information

Last week I received a call from the Philippines and the person indicated he was Mr Kalyan Banerjee he asked to speak to the District Governor and then requested me to call him back on 0011-6390-6184-6758 to provide emergency assistance with an urgent visit to Bendigo Australia to see a relative

I immediately contacted DG Keith who sent an email to President Kalyan and he received this reply back

Dear DG KeithDefinitely a scam The President is currently in Bali at a Rotary Institute and we are in regular contact with him Thanks for letting us know about thisSincerelyPatricia GroenewoldManager Presidential Services

Frank Pezzimenti International Office Manager South Pacific amp Philippines writesBarbara Mifsud from my office reported that a person has been making calls to random club presidents and secretaries in Australia saying that they are RIP Kalyan Banerjee and that he is stranded in ChicagoPhilippines and needs money to get to Tasmania urgently as his sister has diedis ill It appears that these calls are coming from the Philippines but at least one recipient has managed to write down the incoming number while they received the call The person is pretending to have an Indian accent Seems it started last week and the person does not seem to be slowing down We urge you not to send money as this is definitely a hoax It could be that this person has access to the official directory and could be working their way through it Please make your Club Presidents aware Unfortunately it appears that they have already been successful from a good Rotarian willing to help The address they gave was in Angles City Philippines I have the address they have given out for Western Union payments Please contact our office if there are any questions or concerns Ph +61288949800

Beware of this SCAM you could receive a call

Notices amp Upcoming Events

January

December

GSE TEam To IndIa FarEwEll dInnEr

rVFr HIGH CoUnTrY wEEKEnd SHEEPYard FlaTRotarians amp friends welcome

RotaRy DistRict 9800 E v e n t s c a l e n d a r For a full Notices amp Events calendar visit the following link httpwwwrotarydistrict9800orgaunotices_and_events

To submit Notices amp Events please send Clarice all the details atclaricerotarydistrict9800orgau

NoticesSITUaTIonS VaCanTDedicated and experienced Rotarians are needed to assist in the management of the District affairs for 2013-2014

InTErnaTIonal rYla RYLA in India

FebruarywHISKY TaSTInGRotary Club of Glen Eira

2012 Jalna BIG BaY SwImRotary Club of Point Gellibrand

Do you have a letter for Clarice

Contact the EditorDo you have a letter for Clarice Is something on on your mind

Send your thoughts to her email address at claricerotarydistrict9800orgau

Dear Clarice

It was heartwarming to read in DG Keithrsquos message in last weekrsquos Networker about

the great work that ROMAC does I trust that the attention that Nelia receives

from these talented people sees her well again soonOne interesting fact not mentioned in the article is that this is the second such

event in the last couple of months when on 129 tiny Santa Mandalena Rebelo

Encorpe was born with serious medical complications and on 149 was on her

way to Canberra for life saving treatmentIn both these cases the speed with which passports visas and plane flights were

arranged was remarkable and all were organised in record time by our Rotary

Liaison Officer in East Timor ndash Daryl MillsDaryl is a Rotary volunteer who has been in Timor Leste for over 7 years now and

these cases are just two of many that Daryl has facilitated since he has been there

Daryl was a D9800 Rotarian now a Rotary Club of Dili member and has been

supported all of that time by contributions from many Rotary Clubs including

Balwyn Eaglehawk and Melbourne This support continues today

Daryl really does give life to this yearrsquos International theme of ldquoReach within to

embrace Humanityrdquo and his efforts deserve recognition

SincerelyPP Bob Glindemann Rotary Club of Melbourne

Dear Clarice

Thanks for your messages through the year - best wishes for Christmas

Thought you might like to see the results of one of our gardening projects this one

for an institution in Hawthorn for disabled women Five schools and about 15

Rotarians from North Balwyn have been involved over the last couple of months

We have completed major clean-ups for elderly and disabled residents at over 25

properties since March

RegardsRowan McCleanRotary Club of North Balwyn

Clarice replies Thanks Rowan lovely photo We love when readers keep us updated about their various and worderful activities Irsquom hoping for some nice Christmas Party shotsWersquove had no solutions yet for the ethical

question we posed last week on ldquoThe Office Party Kissrdquo How about it folks

Readerrsquos Letters

Button 1