Event: Colin KavoorisLifting the Lid on Mental Health
Guests: Rowena Barbosa, Donna Cavallaro, Greg Abel and Sarah Sullivan plus Rob's assistants Eukumbeth, Joanne and Winnie
Attendance: 23 members 8 guests
Welcome
President Rhonda opened the meeting and welcomed our guests. RYPEN participant Athok Deng was unable to attend due to a vehicle breakdown.
Guest Speaker: Colin Kavooris -Lifting the lid on mental health
Haydn Baillie introduced Colin who is a volunteer guest speaker for Beyond Blue and for the last 20 years has been sponsoring good mental health, better education and awareness, and getting the necessary resources to assist.
Colin quoted clinical psychologist Carl Rogers - 'That which is most personal is often most common.' There are at least 1 milion Australians suffering serious bouts of depression and another 1 million suffering various forms of anxiety. Suicides are running at 8 per day. Poor mental health affects people of any age or socio-economic status. Colin then embarked on telling the story of his life which has been, on many occasions, traumatic.
He is 71 years of age, been married for 31 years, has a son and has experienced anxiety and deep depression for much of his life. His parents divorced when he was 2, but the parent sharing did not work. and he gained a step-mother from hell who took pleasure in meting out physical and mental punishment. By 12, he had run way from home 12 times, attended 4 primary schools, was barred from forming personal friendships with other kids, developed a profound stutter together with a range of other symptoms reflective of, and to hide, his anxiety. He entered his teens as illiterate, couldn't tell the time and was diagnosed as having 'delayed intelligence'. But he took up Judo at the age of 10 to eventually perform at the national level. A teacher helped him through high school, building on the satisfaction he enjoyed with judo. By 19 however alcohol and drugs dominated. His marriage to a pregnant 17yo was fleeting. High on canabis he ran into a parked bus, and has attempted suicide. In 1976 at 23 he joined ETSA where his bravado shone through...stick it up the bosses. He married again at 24 - this lasted 7 years. Alcohol and drugs continued. 32 years ago he met his current wife who used her nursing skills to change his bad habits and understand who and why he was. The demons did not stop there but he embarked on a learning program when he was 50. After a short unpleasant stay in Mt Gambier he returned to SA Power Networks in Adelaide. His behaviour was again the problem. Referrals to psychologists and psychiatrists followed and doses of Electro Convulsive Therapy were given......which helped him to reduce his medication to 1. During severe moments of anxiety he has found it beneficial to sit in a noiseless darkened room.
He joined Beyond Blue in 2018 through a peer group arrangement with SA Power Networks, and since 2019 has made 20 presentations. Beyond Blue offers peer community support, on-line counselling 24/7, mental health care, practitioner referrals and has a YouTube site decicated to anxiety and depression.
Oh what a journey that none of us would have liked to have taken!
Colin was applauded for his contribution.
The blue light drives the editor's rotten photography nuts - tis beyond blue!
Spots - The Prez with many:
Our Rotary Youth Sailing Challenge participant Sam Wendland returned last Thursday, having climbed the mast and put up with inclement weather....glad to be back on terra firma
Mitre 10 takings last Saturday were $580, mostly profit
Proceeds from the super car trial on 26 October will be put to buying mosquito nets for PNG
Christina needs help selling as many raffle books as possible for the " Lift the Lid' on 9 November
Our AGM is on 2 December and we need nominations for 2026/27 for most positions......starting with the Prez
Secretary Greg will mail out a hard copy of our membership list to those who requested it....treat with care
John P and Brenton will shortly produce a financial report
This coming Saturday we have the "Say No to Domestic Violence' walk down King William St from Victoria Square to the Festival Plaza. Virginia, Vivienne and Deb indicated an intention to walk - Rhonda to check on group registration.
Thrift Shop premises cleaning on Sunday worked a treat with Simon, Rowena, Patsy, David M, Ross B and Greg. David was the Zorro of pressure hosing.
Finale
Paul Duke won the filthy lucre and suggested a car pool for next week's trip to Reno's. Greg has not lost his touch with chocolates.....which finished in the grateful hands of Winnie.
Bronwyn and Brendan hosted a lunch with Jerry and Briony at their new home. Jerry was weak but cheerful and asked to be remembered to the club.
Vivienne thanked the TS clean up team and Christina volunteered to help Paul there on Friday morning.
President Rhonda closed the meeting almost on time
Rogues Gallery
Look how our ace Thrift Shop cleaning team turned up Sunday. The quiz question is - Who are they and do you like their style?
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Rotary projects around the globe - October 2025
By Brad Webber
Rotary members and their partners in service come together each World Polio Day on 24 October to recognize progress in the fight to end the disease. Here is a sample of the ways members are taking action to make history and eradicate polio.
United States
In support of polio eradication, Ralph Zuke has raised more than $57 million by pedaling his rickshaw bicycle from his Missouri home to recent Rotary International Conventions in North America: Toronto in 2018, Houston in 2022, and Calgary this year, a journey in which he braved hail, sleet, and snow, and even skirted a tornado. His next opportunity will be at the 2028 convention in Minneapolis. “If it’s needed,” Zuke adds, optimistically. “I hope we’ll be done with polio by then.” As governor of District 6060, Zuke rolls out the rickshaw for parades and on his rounds to clubs. “It allows me to tell my passengers about polio, Rotary, and what Rotary has done for polio. It’s a captive audience for a couple minutes. That’s all they need,” says Zuke. “If they donate, that’s great. If they don’t, that’s fine too, but at least they know the story of what Rotary’s done with polio.”
Canada
The annual Pub N Paint event by the Rotary Club of Edmonton Whyte Avenue raises money each November to fight polio. The Alberta club’s regular meeting venue, the Rooster Kitchen, hosts the event. “I do a little spiel about the state of polio and Rotary’s role in eradication,” says Stan Bissell, a past president of the club who inaugurated the project. It’s not unusual for visitors to remark how little they know about polio, he says. “We talk about it so much in Rotary, but people don’t know and think it’s a disease of the past.” After his presentation, an art teacher distributes blank canvases and brushes, guiding Rotarians and guests in replicating landscapes such as Edmonton’s cityscape and a mountain range. “There are some very talented people” among the club’s members, reports Bissell. “But it’s variable — mine is in the garage.”
Italy
There may be no better way to spotlight (literally!) polio awareness than through the can’t-miss illuminations of global landmarks. Those monuments have included the Sydney Opera House, London’s Houses of Parliament, Rome’s Colosseum, the Egyptian pyramids, Scottish castles, and more. For World Polio Day 2024, the Rotary and Rotaract clubs in the Pisa area teamed up with community leaders to turn the floodlights on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. “This is a commitment that we wanted to share together precisely to reach a wider audience,” the club presidents noted in a statement. They’ve showcased historic buildings for about 25 years and the city’s signature tower over the past five. The clubs also had a video about polio eradication shown on monitors at the Pisa Airport.
Ghana
In the port city of Tema, more than 300 Rotarians, Rotaractors, and partners stepped out in October 2024 for a twilight World Polio Day walk. A campaign surrounding the action included a “polio tower” lighted for the occasion, signage, and a sea of End Polio Now T-shirts donned by participants. The Rotary Club of Tema-Community 25 led the effort, which was supported by the Rotary clubs of Tema and Tema Meridian, as well as the Ghana PolioPlus Committee. The involvement of 25 Rotaract and Interact clubs contributed to the sizable turnout, says club member Elizabeth Ahiagba. “Participants distributed educational materials, engaged commuters and residents, and advocated for vigilance, particularly among families with young children,” Ahiagba says.
India
For World Polio Day 2024, more than 1,200 young people hoisted placards as they lined up in formation to spell out “Polio Free Bharat” (India) when viewed from above. Students performed traditional dances and skits during a program at the community sports complex of Dwarka, a neighborhood of New Delhi. The day concluded with a spirited rally. “There was a huge response from the public and youths, including members of Rotaract and Interact clubs,” says Mahesh Trikha, then governor of District 3011. The district has sponsored similar gatherings for about a decade
Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre
10.30 am on the first Friday of the month is good for a chat with Rotary friends and a caffeine fix - Next one is Friday 7 November 2025
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 14 October 2025 6.30pm 83 Research Rd, Pooraka
Event: Visit to Salvation Army Emergency Hub (Dinner charge of $30pp cash or eftpos and $10 donation for non-eaters)
Welcoming team: Reno
Tuesday 21 October 2025 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice
Event:2025 Teachers Awards with Chris Davis and Kate Porter
Welcoming team: Deborah Forbes and Brenton Judge
Sunday 26 October The fabulous car trial
Tuesday 28 October 2025 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice
Event: Presentation by Club Services with Stephen Baker et al
Welcoming team: Leonie Kewen and John Kikkert
Apologies and Meeting Enquiries to: Secretary Greg McLeod on 0417 811 838 or email to secretary@unleyrotary.org.au
Venue Set-up Enquiries to: Bulletin Editor Stephen Baker on 0403 687 015
Saturday Thrift Shop Roster
Early Shift: 10.00am to 1.00pm Late Shift: 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 25 October 2025
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5:
Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews | Late: Virginia Cossid & Paul Duke
Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: Vivienne Wood 0408 819 630; e-mail: vwood@ozemail.com.au
Mitre 10 and Bunnings Barbeques
The Mitre 10 BBQs are the first and third Saturdays of each month. Morning shift 8.30am - 12 noon; afternoon shift 12.00 - 3.30pm, then clean-up.....next scheduled is Saturday 18 October 2025
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
He is 71 years of age, been married for 31 years, has a son and has experienced anxiety and deep depression for much of his life. His parents divorced when he was 2, but the parent sharing did not work. and he gained a step-mother from hell who took pleasure in meting out physical and mental punishment. By 12, he had run way from home 12 times, attended 4 primary schools, was barred from forming personal friendships with other kids, developed a profound stutter together with a range of other symptoms reflective of, and to hide, his anxiety. He entered his teens as illiterate, couldn't tell the time and was diagnosed as having 'delayed intelligence'. But he took up Judo at the age of 10 to eventually perform at the national level. A teacher helped him through high school, building on the satisfaction he enjoyed with judo. By 19 however alcohol and drugs dominated. His marriage to a pregnant 17yo was fleeting. High on canabis he ran into a parked bus, and has attempted suicide. In 1976 at 23 he joined ETSA where his bravado shone through...stick it up the bosses. He married again at 24 - this lasted 7 years. Alcohol and drugs continued. 32 years ago he met his current wife who used her nursing skills to change his bad habits and understand who and why he was. The demons did not stop there but he embarked on a learning program when he was 50. After a short unpleasant stay in Mt Gambier he returned to SA Power Networks in Adelaide. His behaviour was again the problem. Referrals to psychologists and psychiatrists followed and doses of Electro Convulsive Therapy were given......which helped him to reduce his medication to 1. During severe moments of anxiety he has found it beneficial to sit in a noiseless darkened room. 
In support of polio eradication, Ralph Zuke has raised more than $57 million by pedaling his rickshaw bicycle from his Missouri home to recent 
The annual Pub N Paint event by the Rotary Club of Edmonton Whyte Avenue raises money each November to fight polio. The Alberta club’s regular meeting venue, the Rooster Kitchen, hosts the event. “I do a little spiel about the state of polio and Rotary’s role in eradication,” says Stan Bissell, a past president of the club who inaugurated the project. It’s not unusual for visitors to remark how little they know about polio, he says. “We talk about it so much in Rotary, but people don’t know and think it’s a disease of the past.” After his presentation, an art teacher distributes blank canvases and brushes, guiding Rotarians and guests in replicating landscapes such as Edmonton’s cityscape and a mountain range. “There are some very talented people” among the club’s members, reports Bissell. “But it’s variable — mine is in the garage.”
Italy
In the port city of Tema, more than 300 Rotarians, Rotaractors, and partners stepped out in October 2024 for a twilight World Polio Day walk. A campaign surrounding the action included a “polio tower” lighted for the occasion, signage, and a sea of End Polio Now T-shirts donned by participants. The Rotary Club of Tema-Community 25 led the effort, which was supported by the Rotary clubs of Tema and Tema Meridian, as well as the Ghana PolioPlus Committee. The involvement of 25 Rotaract and Interact clubs contributed to the sizable turnout, says club member Elizabeth Ahiagba. “Participants distributed educational materials, engaged commuters and residents, and advocated for vigilance, particularly among families with young children,” Ahiagba says.
The receptionist responded warmly,
