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Rotary District 9570 Central Queensland

Mount Morgan Rotary Club Vocational Visit

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Rotary Monthly Theme

Each month of the calendar year is celebrated in Rotary with a different theme with the exception of May.

Each club throughout the Rotary world is encouraged to concentrate on programs to

promote each of these months.

Rotary focuses on Community Service and promotes International Peace and

Understanding. By celebrating each month and using these themes as a guide, Rotarians

can ensure that all of the various programs of Rotary are administered throughout the

entire year.

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February is

Conflict Prevention and Resolution Month

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DG News Hi Everyone, The first half of our Rotary year has come and gone, and we prepare for new club Presidents, new District Officers and a new District Governor. It is that time of year that allows us to look back on our past accomplishments, think about our challenges, and focus on training the next round of leaders in clubs and the District. As Cathy and I have travelled the clubs, we have seen clubs and Rotarian’s all over our District being Inspirational. We have witnessed clubs focused on helping the local community, helping the homeless, helping the disabled, assisting young people in areas where they would not normally have the opportunities. Regardless of the focus that the club has, there is one thing in common that I have seen, which is the true desire to serve others, and selfless acts . This month we have two charter nights, one in Biloela for our new Rotaract club and the other in Gladstone for the new Passport club, the first one in Australia. This is an exciting time for our District as we provide more membership options to potential Rotarians. February is Conflict Prevention and Resolution Month, an area both Cathy and I are passionate about. Rotary's goal of worldwide peace is recognised around the world: conducting global forums, hosting international peace symposiums, advancing peace through its collaboration with the United Nations, as well as grassroots initiatives such as the Rotarian Action Group for Peace. I am pleased to see the incoming Rotary International President is highlighting the collabaration of the UN and Rotary, it is a very important component of our efforts to promote peace in the world.

But Rotary's most significant effort to wage peace is the Rotary Peace Centres program, established in 2002. Each year, the program trains young dedicated people, preparing them to promote national and international cooperation and to resolve conflict. They include graduates of a two-year master's degree program and a three-month professional certificate program at Rotary's partner universities. We hear the word peace every day. Peace means that you are not in danger of hunger, or persecution, or the suffering of poverty and no conflict to gain access to basic resources such as water. The question is what we can do as Rotarians for Peace? . The answer is, we do a lot already. All the key areas of focus relate to Peace, through clean water we can improve the lives of individuals but also go some way in removing conflicts over water. Education is a pathway out for poverty and this can lead to more peaceful community. Peace can mean freedom of religion, freedom of movements and self-determination, but these things are difficult to achieve without the basics, food, shelter, education, disease prevention. It is these areas where Rotary contributes to building a peaceful world. Regards,

Rod Medew

February is Conflict Prevention and Resolution Month.

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Calendar of Events...

FEBRUARY 2019 PEACE AND CONFLICT PREVENTION/RESOLUTION MONTH Early February Applications for Rotary Adventure in Citizenship (RAIC) open and close early April, or before if places are filled. www.raic.org.au/ 9 February Valentine Trivia Night - Rockhampton Fitzroy Club 9 February Seven Women High Tea fundraiser – Maryborough Sunrise 15 February Rotary Peace Summit – Melbourne Exhibition and Conference Centre www.rotaryconference.org.au/peace-summit.html 16-22 February RYLA – The Capricorn Caves, start 11am - Sat 16th Feb 16-17 February AG & District Officer Training - Rockhampton Leagues Club 20 February RYLA Debate -Capricorn Caves $35pp, 5:30-6pm start 22 February Charter night Biloela Rotaract 23 February 114th Rotary Anniversary/ World Understanding and Peace Day 23 February Charter night Passport Club, Gladstone Thurs 28 February COG meeting @ 2pm, Gladstone Thurs 28 February COG dinner - Gladstone

MARCH 2019 WATER AND SANITATION MONTH Friday 1 March Board meeting at PETS –Oaks Grand Gladstone 1-3 March Presidents-Elect Training Seminar – Oaks Grand Gladstone 1 March – 31 May Applications for NYSF January 2019 intake – Student EOIs open 9 March Biloela Rotary Beer & Wine Night 9 March 53rd RotaryAnnes/InnerWheel/Rotarian Ladies combined luncheon, Rockhampton (see page 23 for more details) 11-17 March World Rotaract Week 31 March Second registration deadline for Rotary Convention in Hamburg

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CQ Rotary Roundup

Contents 2 Rotary Monthly Theme

3 DG News

4 Calendar of Events

6 Meet a District Officer

7 Discovery Coast Bushfire Response

8 District Governor Partner Project

9 A Word from Cathy

10 District Conference

12 January is…

13 News From Around the District

14 Biloela Rotaract first meeting

Gladstone Midday welcomes a new member

15 Gladstone Sunrise - Hannah Ready for Denmark

Bundaberg Sunrise - Rotary Exchange

16 YEP Students Return

17 What is a Passport Club

18 Rotarian Action Groups

20 Rotarians for Hearing (RAG)

22 Why and How to Host a Rotary Day

23 Invitation to...

24 Capture the Moment… in Hamburg 2019

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Meet A District Officer

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Discovery Coast Rotary responds to the recent devastating bushfires.

THE EVENT The blazes, which took hold on the Discovery Coast, burnt through tens of thousands of hectares of bushland in Deepwater, Rules Beach, Oyster Creek and Baffle Creek, leaving many people evacuated for two weeks to return to devasted landscapes and businesses, and a few without houses. Discovery Coast Rotary was asked to partner with the Gladstone Regional Council and its bushfire charity of choice, Givit, to help those locals requesting help for material items in a prompt and efficient way officially it was stated that two properties were destroyed. But the locals say that figure is much higher, and many required support from the various community groups to help locals re-establish themselves and their businesses. What We Delivered

• 10 x $100 food vouchers through The Shop in Miriamvale, distributed through the Recovery Hub

• 30 x $100 food vouchers through Foodworks,

• 19 x $50 Coles Vouchers – though the Salvos and Hub

• 17 x $50 Woolworths vouchers – through Salvos and the Hub

• 1x $200 Coles voucher for an elderly couple from Winfield who were finding the evacuation financially difficult – distributed through Rotarian Ian and Jean Mylrea at their business, Canelanders Auto

• 1 x $200 Foodworks voucher to a family of 5 – distributed by Pam Mackie

• 10 x $50 Fuel vouchers The Big Crab – distributed through the Hub

• 10 x fuel vouchers from Fingerboard – half distributed though Sandcastle reception to recipients who requested help directly and the other half left by Pam with Deb Sanderson and Bill Fisher, Lifeline, at the Baffle Creek Hub

• 1 x Queen size mattress and 1x Single bed mattress purchased by donor through Amart in Bundaberg, and delivered to a family in Deepwater, whose mattresses smelled strongly of smoke and affected their asthma

• 10 x generators donated by Rotarian David’s group in Cannonvale to Givit, and transported generously by Toll, as arranged amazingly by Adele. Two of these filled direct requests to us, and the others were left with Lifeline in Baffle Creek to distribute as they were much sought after.

• 1 x $500 Bunnings voucher to replace items used in a small plant nursery business, which were lost when their shed and shade sheds burnt down.

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I knew innately that by boarding the DG train with Rod I’d be in for a hair raising ride! It has definitely been a hectic full on 6 months since Rod’s Changeover in July last year! He is incredible to watch but exhausting to keep up with! But what a fulfilling time it has been so far! We have met some wonderful people and been accepted so kindly around the district. Everyone is doing such great work in their communities, in the state, and globally. The impact you make cannot be overstated. A HUGE thank you to the Clubs that have responded very generously to supporting my partner project - End Trachoma 2020. So far, we have raised over $8000, and I have been presented with hundreds of stamps! Some clubs have pledged donations and I will contact all Presidents soon for further support. It’s important to note though, that End Trachoma is not merely my partner project for this year, but it is an ongoing Rotary project for all Australian districts to support. So, with the help of our District Champion, I hope clubs will think about activities they can organise to keep raising funds for this very worthwhile cause beyond 2019. One of the wonderful – and easy - things about this project is that individuals can contribute small amounts of money which will actually make a significant difference. For instance, you know as little as $15 will provide a mirror for a bathroom, or $5 will provide a wash cloth etc. So can I encourage each member to consider a small personal donation?

For you appreciators of fine wine, you also have the opportunity to help while enjoying a glass or two of some quality vino! While not cheap, you could encourage a group of fellow connoisseurs to purchase a dozen fine Australian wines and $50 to $100 will be donated to the project. www.thewateryard.com Heather Sugget from Hervey Bay Sunrise has come up with an easy way for Rotarians to donate to the cause. Members – and Clubs - can order Rotary “keep cups” at $16 each. $4 from that will go to End Trachoma. The cups are perfect as speaker gifts, and also a great way to start a conversation with work mates etc about Rotary over a coffee! Contact Heather for more information. Rockhampton Fitzroy Club have made EndTrachoma badges that your club can sell for $2. If every member in the district bought one, there’s $2000 right there! It’s a perfect way for your Rotakids or InterAct Clubs to raise some money too. Contact me or Bernadette Cross from Rockhampton Fitzroy for more information. For more information on the project, or if you’d like someone to come and speak to your club, you can contact me at romed1@ozemail.com.au, or our District Trachoma Champion, Russell Cooper from Rockhampton Rotary Club. Let’s help Rotary Australia make medical history and eliminate Trachoma from Australia once and for all!

A Word from Cathy

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February is

Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month

By Azka Asif, RI Programs Staff Millions of people all over the world are currently

displaced by armed conflict or persecution. In

fact, 90% of casualties in armed conflicts are

civilians, half of which are children.

Through service projects and Rotary

programs, the Rotary family is

committed to pursuing projects that

address the structural causes of

conflict, including poverty, inequality,

ethnic tension, lack of access to

education, and unequal distribution of

resources.

Rotarians train adults and young

leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and aid

refugees who have fled dangerous areas. During

February, Rotary Peace and Conflict Prevention/

Resolution Month, we’re celebrating our

commitment to build peace and mitigate

conflict. Here are just

a few examples of

how Rotary members

are working to create

a peaceful world:

• Each year

Rotarians from District

5100 are involved with

the Cyprus Friendship

Program (CFP) which

brings together

Turkish-speaking Muslims and Greek-

speaking Christians in Cyprus. Historically

these communities have been divided by a

United Nations buffer zone since 1974. CFP

is a year-long peace-building

and leadership training program with a four

week cultural exchange component in the

United States. By developing cross-cultural

friendships, participants build mutual

respect for each other, breaking down

historical stereotypes and mistrust. Upon

returning to Cyprus, these young leaders

encourage their communities to embrace

the idea of Greek-speaking and Turkish-

speaking Cypriots living together peacefully.

• In an effort to create a welcoming

environment for refugees fleeing to

Germany, the Rotary Club of Altenburg’s

Weltcafé (World Café) project aims to unite

the local community with refugees. The cafe

offers a space for Rotarians, Rotaractors

and community members to get to know

refugees while knitting,singing, dancing or

helping them find a job. A lawyer and

social worker also offer free services

to participating refugees.

• The Rotary Club of Abuja

Kubwa in Nigeria aimed to raise

awareness in their community about

violence before, during and after

general elections. During the

campaign, fliers were distributed

promoting the importance of peace during

elections and calling on residents to follow

the rules when trying to win votes.

• Rotaract MUNA is an annual international

Model United Nations conference for youth

participants from all over the world.

Originally founded by the Rotaract Club of

Baia Mare in Romania, the conference is

held in a different city and hosted by a

different Rotaract club each year.

The conference aims to promote and

encourage awareness, understanding,

tolerance and acceptance of different

people, cultures, beliefs and attitudes.

Throughout the month of February, encourage

fellow Rotary members to check back here for

tips, resources, and inspirational success stories

to help plan club and district peace and conflict

resolution projects. Add your voice to the

conversation by using the blog’s commenting

feature and share how your club peace and

conflict resolution initiatives on Rotary Showcase.

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News From Around

the District

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Biloela Rotaract On Friday the 18 January the Biloela

Rotaract club held its first meeting, it

currently has 14 members and already

has another four interested in joining. At

the meeting Lillie Sermon was elected

President, Cody Webb Vice President ,

Haley Sauer as Secretary and the

Treasurer is Emma Campbell.

There is incredible energy in the club and

the young members want to make a

difference in the community. After the

formalities we met with the Biloela Rotract club and had dinner and lots of fun. The charter night

will be held on 22 February in Biloela.

If you want to attend, please contact the Biloela Rotary club at 1819biloela@rotary9570.org

Rod Medew

Gladstone Midday welcomes a new member in December – Kenia Vieira Schmitt.

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Hannah Ready for Denmark Gladstone Sunrise outbound YEP student Hannah Clifford is ready to head to Denmark after completing the final orientation session in Childers on 17 December. Hannah and the other students were presented with their YEP blazers by District Governor Rod Medew. Thanks to YEP District Chair Larry Slattery and all his team for all their hard work in getting the District 9570 outbound students ready to go. All the students will be departing Australia on 19 January. Hannah will be going to the municipality of Ballerup which is just outside Copenhagen and will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Ballerup.

ROTARY EXCHANGE: Lina Storbacka from Finland with exchange student Chloe Elliott who is off to Switzerland and exchange student Madison Hard who has just returned from Italy.

Click on the image to see their video

From Bundaberg Sunrise

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YEP Students Return

Recently a debrief of YEP returning students was held in Rockhampton. The debrief is an important part of the YEP process enabling students to adjust back into the family, school and community. It is also important for us to take advice from the students and families on how we can continually improve the program. In Rockhampton each student gave a 15-minute presentation on their experiences. We heard about the saunas in Finland which was hilarious, to the precision of the Swiss, the culinary delights of the Italians and the German festivals. Each student remarked what an incredible experience it has been and how it has changed their life.

The four YEP retuned students with District YEP Chair, Larry Slattery, DG Rod Medew and DGN Adele Hughes

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Our District has been approved to launch Australia’s first passport club. The charter night has been scheduled in Gladstone on February 23. For more information please contact Bevan Rose. The Rotary Passport Club members are the same as other Rotarians who want to make a difference in their community in a way that fits within their time, talent and finances, as well as with their family, work and life commitments. It is designed to be flexible, affordable and accessible. To do this, Passport Club only holds a few "in-person" meetings each year. Instead of weekly meetings, members are encouraged to engage in service, assisting other clubs in delivering their community projects. - however, that works best for them. The founding principle of the Passport Clubs is to make Rotary fit your life. The emphasis is on community work, the club members come from all around the District and even outside our District. Passport Club members are full Rotary members, with the same privileges and rights as Rotarians in traditional clubs. Membership in the club provides you with a physical passport to visit and work with any other Rotary Club in the world and to take part in activities, programs and projects that interest and engage you. It is not for everyone, but it provides options for people thinking about joining Rotary.

What is a Passport Club?

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We are members of the Rotary Family - Rotarians, their spouses, Rotaractors, Interactors, Rotary Kids, Rotary Scholars and others connected to Rotary who are passionate about helping children and adults with hearing loss in our communities and around the world. Rotarians for Hearing RAG is a resource for Rotarians to provide information, expertise and encouragement to Rotary Clubs, Rotary Districts and Multi-Districts to help them participate in cooperative projects and large scale humanitarian projects to help children and adults with hearing loss. Rotarians for Hearing RAG is a RESOURCE for Rotarians and others connected to the Rotary Network to provide information, expertise and encouragements to Rotary Clubs, Rotary Districts and Multi-Districts to help them participate in cooperative projects and large scale humanitarian projects to help children and adults with hearing loss. To increase awareness of the extent of hearing loss around the world and to be a resource for sustainable solutions. There are 360 million children and adults with hearing loss worldwide and the causes are a mixture where much could be medically remedied or avoided. Two thirds live in developing countries. Many could be given the gift of sound with hearing aids, cochlear implants or surgery but there is a shortage of all resoureces in the chain. Only about 10 million hearing aids are manufactured every year with costs varying

greatly between countries and with varying quality. More often than not good hearing aids are beyond the reach of people who need them. Sustaining these hearing aids with supplies of batteries and appropriate ear pieces is another

challenge. To provide affordable hearing aids by partnering with appropriate foundations who supply them, creating projects using affordable solar powered hearing aids and other affordable hearing aids. To support hearing aid banks worldwide by collecting used hearing aids to refurbish and donate to children and adults with hearing loss who cannot afford them. To reduce the extent and impact of hearing loss through Rotary Future Vision goals of Disease Prevention and Treatment by supporting Primary Ear Care Programs and antenatal care and education, especially in developing countries.

Many cases of hearing loss are preventable or treatable. For example, as little as $1 a day for antibiotics is needed to treat persistent ear infections. Ear infections from poor water, poor sanitation and poor hygiene are so rampant that hearing loss in some communities in the developing world is considered normal loss. To teach the importance of hearing health care

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to avoid future hearing loss. To support Schools of Audiology and Primary Ear Care to increase the human resources to treat children and adults with hearing loss especially in developing countries where there is only 1 Audiologist for 3 million hearing impaired individuals. To increase the number of audio techs available in low resource areas to supplement the work of audiologists. To finds ways to provide hearing health and hearing programs through sustainable educational models. To support Early Childhood Screening for hearing loss and appropriate follow up with hearing aids, cochlear implants or medical intervention so that prelingual children can learn to speak and/or sign and postlingual children can gain an education. Many children with hearing loss in developing countries are denied access to school because

they cannot hear the teacher and keep up with their schoolwork. Many children with hearing loss are believed to be completely deaf when they only have moderate or severe hearing and can be helped with hearing aids. To inform Rotarians about ways that can help them hear better in their own clubs. This may involve better information about Assistive Listening Devices, hearing aids, Amplification Systems and Captioning Services, better acoustic environments and better communication strategies. This could help many get more out of Rotary Club Meetings, District and Multi-District Conferences and the Rotary International Conventions and help with member retention and attract new members. A majority of Rotarians 60 years of age and older have some degree of hearing loss. To financially support Hearing Regeneration Research aimed at restoring hearing loss through regenerating hair cells in the ear For more information: http://www.ifrahl.org/

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In an effort to increase membership and highlight Rotary’s inspiring work, RI President Barry Rassin is urging clubs and districts to organize fun, informal community events called Rotary Days.

"Rotary Days events will offer you the chance to have an impact in your community, build long-term partnerships, increase interest in membership, and improve Rotary’s image," Rassin said.

Any club, big or small, can host a Rotary Day. Neighboring clubs can pool their resources and co-host an event, and entire districts can come together for a large-scale Rotary Day.

Tips for planning a Rotary Day: • Consider including a

hands-on service project as part of the event to let visitors see for themselves how Rotary benefits the community.

• Feature guests that appeal to a non-Rotary audience. Consider young leaders, inspirational speakers, celebrities, musicians, or other public figures.

• If the event will offer food, keep it simple — for example, a self-service buffet rather than a formal, sit-down meal.

• Advocate on local issues related to Rotary’s areas of focus by calling attention to challenges that affect people in your area.

• If you charge admission, keep prices low. Ask local businesses to sponsor your event.

• Welcome families and make the event enjoyable for them.

• Present Rotary as an appealing opportunity for potential members to make

new friends, exchange ideas, and take action to improve their community and the world. Avoid using Rotary jargon or referring to club traditions.

• Highlight the work of local Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, Rotary Community Corps members, and other community members who do extraordinary humanitarian work.

• Recognize non-Rotary community members who demonstrate Rotary’s service ideals.

• Sponsor an event with a partner organization to show that, by working

together, we make a deeper and more lasting impact on communities.

• Ask local news media to cover the event.

• Collect participants’ contact information, and invite them to future club events.

• Partner with local civic groups, service organizations or local businesses.

During and after your event, post photos and videos with the hashtag #RotaryDay to social media. We’ll collect photos of Rotary Day events around the world and show them at the 2019 Rotary International Convention in

Hamburg, Germany. Some may also appear in Rotary media throughout the year.

"Imagine the collective impact we can have if all 35,000 Rotary, 10,000 Rotaract, and 22,000 Interact clubs engage their neighbors, friends, young people, and organizations," Rassin said.

Why and how to host a Rotary Day

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Published by District 9570 Central Queensland

Please submit all articles for consideration to the

District Editor—1819editor@rotary9570.org