President John opened the meeting, provided an invocation about wisdom and laughter, and welcomed our guests. Bunnings BBQ grossed $1000+ yesterday; special thanks to Paul Duke for running around with the big trailer.

George talked about Project Yeti which has two volunteer dental clinics in Nepal. ​The main clinic is in the Kopan Monastery, overlooking Kathmandu Valley. The second clinic is in the remote and beautiful Solukhumbu.

His love affair with Nepal began in 1990 when he undertook buddhist meditation at the Kapon monastry. At that time, in addition to the monks and nuns, there were a  number of hiippies there.....room for over 200 visitors each year. A friend, Dr Adrian Feldman had established a medical clinic at the monastry in the 1970s.

George and his wife decided to 'give back' by setting up a dental clinic to look after the oral health of the monks and nuns who numbered about 700. In 2012 they spent 3 months organising the clinic......difficulties included importing donated equipment through India, chilly weather and many of his salvaged instruments were broken. In 2013 they also began to service a small orphanage below. However constant power outages stopped the compressor from working......solved by running a long cable from the monastery.  At that stage they were doing extractions and fillings and teaching oral hygiene.

2015 was the year of the tragic earthquake which killed many and demolished much. George went back in September with 2 young dentists, one from Australia and the other from the UK. 2016 marked the establishment of their website which proved a catalyst for attracting more dental volunteers......including a group from the Hunter Valley called 'happy tooth', and they are still going. The need for dentistry is significant because much of the water is undrinkable and often substituted with soft drinks, plus there is a lot of sugar in their vegetarian diets. The prime times for visits (3 each year) are March/April and September when the weather is more benign. 

The most arduous project was establishing the Chialsu Clinic at the Mt Everest School in Solukhumbu, 12 hours east of Kathmandu and 2700masl. It often sits above the Himalayan clouds. Kopan Monastry is a sponsor of the school. It became depleted after the civil war but is now thriving with strong academic achievement. The quality of dental treatment continues to improve as does teaching of oral hygiene. Oral and hand hygiene are very poor in Nepal. The nuns have been an invaluable support for the dentistry but the young monks often just like having fun.

 

George and Helen's aim is to provide a high level of dental care to the underprivileged people of Nepal, including monks, nuns, and orphans. Government rules prevent them from servicing a wider population.

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George was applauded for his address and his contribution to the health of the Nepalese.

 

 

Paul Duke discovered at the last minute that we need to provide the quiz master for next week.....Gary Taylor has been volunteered and David Middleton will be his gopher and scribe. Edwardstown needs the names by Friday and we need a few prizes.....fabulous pre-used exotic gear from the Thrift Shop has been suggested.

 

Rhonda Hoare attended a Group 3 meeting on the weekend and it has been decided to chip in with RC Campbelltown and Magill Sunrise who have been developing a mental health strategic plan which includes a walk to raise funds for mental health research for children under 12, on Sunday 9 November. $25 entry fee....and.......walk until you drop!

 

Ross Burton entreated members to dig deep into their wine cellars for the wine wall at the club quiz on 30 August.

Deb Forbes scored the filthy lucre (subtle enticement to join us) and Bob Mills again scored with the chocolates

 

 

 

        

 

 

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1. Major Watters is the former Chair of the Australian National Council on Drugs, President of Drug Free Australia and Vice President of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board. Major Watters saved countless lives of people who were addicted to drugs.

2. What is offered by the Major Brian Watters YPI Scholarship in Oceania?

1. Financial assistance for YPI training, up to $500 as follows:

•  the first $100 being awarded at commencement of training as a YPI;
• $100 awarded upon successful completion of the training; $300 awarded upon completion of practical policies and practice to help prevent addiction to nominated community groups/ individuals.

2. Training – a 4-hour online session on the nature of addiction and current strategies being used to prevent and/or help people deal with their addiction.
3. Mentoring to encourage the development the YPI’s own strategies for drug prevention in their communities.
4. Assistance with travel to Vienna to be part of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) at the United Nations headquarters – held in mid-March each year, to join other like-minded young people who influence world governments in drug prevention.
5. An expectation to report back to the Rotary Club who supported the candidate.

3. What is the application process?

• Individuals between the ages of 16-29 can be nominated by Rotary Clubs, Educational Institutions.
• A registration of interest should be received by 30 May and include:

1. Resume with at least 2 referees including those involved in a Rotary Club or other community body.
2. A minimum 500-word statement/essay/video entitled – ‘Why and How we could stay Drug Free’
3. Email application to admin@drugfree.org.au

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CALGARY (10 April 2025) - More than 15,000 Rotary members and participants from over 120 countries will gather in Calgary from June 21 to 25, 2025, for the membership service organization’s annual international convention.

“I am thrilled to welcome my fellow Rotary members from around the world to Calgary and Alberta,” said Alberta Premier, Danielle Smith. “As changemakers who recognize the needs of their communities and then take action to address them, Rotary members are fostering positive and lasting impact – and much needed inspiration at this moment in time.”

As the largest event yet to be held at the newly expanded BMO Centre, the convention is expected to account for more than 30,000 hotel room nights, inject $81 million CAD to the local economy, and drive significant business for Calgary’s hotels, restaurants, retailers, and tourism attractions.

Held in a different city each year, Rotary’s international conventions serve as a hub for members and participants to connect and learn from each other and a range of experts on how to take action to address issues in their communities. They’re encouraged to promote health, peace, and prosperity in communities across the globe.

Often described by attendees as a “mini United Nations”, the convention will transform the BMO Centre and Scotiabank Saddledome at Stampede Park into an energized hub and cultural mosaic as the global network of volunteers gain inspiration from more than 100 humanitarian projects on exhibit and from world class speakers.

“Rotary conventions are about bringing people together to create meaningful connections and to inspire each other to help create a healthier and more peaceful world,” said Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick. “We are delighted to be hosting the convention this year in Calgary, whose ‘Blue Sky City’ brand is a symbol of belonging and unity under the same sky – something that resonates with our global network of volunteers, and our common values rooted in service. I’m excited to reconnect with so many friends from across the globe in Calgary to celebrate in the joy we bring through our work, and to learn how we can continue to help people and communities thrive in the future.”

"Rotary has long been an integral part of Calgary's culture, and we are truly honoured to welcome more than 15,000 members back to our city. Since hosting the convention over two decades ago, Calgary has grown and evolved in remarkable ways,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “Now one of Canada’s most diverse cities, with 240 ethnic communities and 165 languages, Rotary members from more than 120 countries will feel at home in our big city with smalltown appeal."

 

 

     

Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre