Don't forget the toiletries donations for the Salvos
Bring along to next week's AGM
Last Meeting
Venue: Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: Michelle Lawson
Guests: Graham Ey, Vera-Ann Stacey
Attendance: 24 members 4 guests
Announcements by President Graham
Graham welcomed our guests and urged strong attendance at next week's AGM plus the Christmas nosh up the following week.
Guest Speaker: Michelle Lawson - Dialysis on Holidays
Chair David Middleton introduced Michelle who is a member of the fundraising committee for Dialysis Escape Line Australia (DELA) and has been involved with the charity for a number of years. She was previously the State Manager of Princess Cruises. She has helped to organise and drive fundraising activities and has also hosted a Dialysis Cruise where she has seen first hand the wonderful benefit that this activity has for their clients, partners and carers.
DELA was established in 1998 by Nancy Douglas-Irving and Enzo Scipioni to provide quality of life for those who would not normally be able to travel due to need for dialysis. The only cure for acute renal failure is transplant but that option is not available to most who face a life devoid of international travel, sightseeing, foreign cuisine and cultural experiences. Cruising is the favoured means for providing these experiences. DELA raises money for:
purchase and maintenance of dialysis machines
attendance of trained medical staff who are volunteers
booking and setting up of dialysis room on the ships
medical consumables
equipment storage (most kept in a warehouse in Sydney), transportation and insurance.
Until Covid struck there were 2-3 trips per year. Passengers pay for the cruises and the rest is covered by DELA. An ideal number is 12 patients per trip with 5 dialysis machines and 6 technical staff. The equipment required is extensive, covering a number of pallets. Two machines with appropriate beds are set up in each of the dedicated dialysis rooms. It is a logistics challenge requiring months of preplanning. The cost is $15,000 to $25,000 per trip.
Effort is now being made to organise interstate getaways, linking into centres across Australia.
Michelle asked the club to assist in the fundraising of $9000 to buy a body warming blanket for Ward 2C at the RAH. During dialysis body temperature drops dramatically.
Michelle was thanked by acclamation.
Spots ....... another uncontrolled pandemic
Christina Way reminded everyone to keep collecting stamps.
Jerry Casburn once again mentioned the End Polio Now ute which we are looking after on Thursday, promoting Rotary and selling EPN raffle tickets. There will be an announcement on wine labelling shortly.
Nathan White is seeking a nominations for the positions of President Elect and Director Community Service for 2021/22.
Trevor McGuirk wants everyone to attend the book sale on Sunday at the Thrift Shop from 9am onwards to create a super sales atmosphere. The Unley Youth Have Talent quest being organised by New Generations Committee for 2021 has been launched with the delivery of posters and brochures to each of the 18 schools in the Council area.
Patsy Beckett exhorted the wearing of colourful socks to the forthcoming Christmas Dinner. Ken Haines is hot favourite, in his dreams, to win the first prize.
Stephen Baker asked all those who had been unable to provide toiletries for the Salvos this week to do so next Tuesday.
Valerie Bonython got down on her hands and knees in a effort to remind members to return raffle books and cash to her by next week.
Fay Reid explained that we would soon be filling the $10k container for the Solomon Islands project. The container needs to be packed very tightly, including all the small spaces. Members can contribute by providing much needed items like stationery, panadol, band-aids and bandages, wood tooth brushes, dental floss, iron tablets and vitamins.
Finale
President Graham attempted to illegally fine Jerry for work Brendan had helped with at McLaren Vale......the editor was totally confused. At least David was happy....turning 70 on Friday. Another illegal act was to fine Paul for failing to turn off a busted aircon at the Thrift Shop.....very little justice being displayed. On a positive note the Prez grabbed the wrong bingo ball dispenser (only 24 balls) for selecting the winner of the mega bucks...no wonder the house has been winning! But Valerie again rose to the occasion and beat the odds to grab the cash. What happened to the Fruchocs?
The meeting closed at 7.52 with the Prez again reminding of the importance of the AGM next week.
Little snippet
To All Rotary Club of Unley members,
On behalf of RAM (Rotarians Against Malaria) Australia and Central Region I wish to thank you for your recent donation of $250. With the exception of Covid-19; Malaria, year on year, is the biggest killer disease in the world.
The funds will greatly assist D9510, Central Region and Rotary’s work in the RAM Program. Our District project with a focus on assisting with the elimination of Malaria in the Solomon Islands is progressing well. Our planning is nearing completion, we’re hopeful of a start in the New Year and I would be pleased to keep members updated.
If you require further information please contact me via return email or the phone number below.
Yours in Rotary,
Cherilyn Fleming
RAM Regional Supervisor
Central Region Rotary D9510
Phone: 0417 730 607
These were the proceeds of the Annual Rotary Club of Unley Car Cruise plus 1 member donation.
Club Notices
Annual General Meeting call for nominations......get excited
The Annual General Meeting of the Rotary Club of Unley Inc. will be held Tuesday 8 December 2020 at Damien on Fisher, 123 Fisher Street, Fullarton.
The business of the meeting will include the election of the following officers to fill vacancies on the Board for the following year:
President elect (2022-2023)
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Director (International)
Director (Community)
Director (Vocational)
Director (Membership)
Director (New Generation)
Next big event at Thrift Shop is Sunday 6 December 9am - 1pm with books +
ROTARY NEWS
My miracle and ending modern slavery
By Mina Chiang, Rotary Global Grant Scholar to University of Sussex, 2017-18
Chiang’s class at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex.
I will never forget the miracle that changed my life. I call it a miracle because the sheer chance of it happening is close to zero.
I was living in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, at the time supporting the establishment of a new science university for a local Catholic church. There was a small museum next to the university that tells the story of the town’s role as a major port and central hub during the slave trade centuries ago. I have always had a passion for helping the vulnerable and deprived, and had secured master’s degree offers from some of the best International Development programs in the world. But my family and I lacked the resources for me to pursue an advanced degree.
Some 10,000 kilometers away, a Rotarian in Taiwan replied to my email seeking help obtaining a scholarship. It had been forwarded several times. He said that he was impressed by my experience and dream, and would assist me in finding a potential scholarship. Tears were in my eyes when I read his words.
Within a few weeks of receiving the email, I received a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship, covering not only tuition fee but also cost of living. Grateful is not enough to describe my feeling at the time. I thanked every Rotarian who made my Master’s degree possible, and I thank God for the miracle.
I started my master’s degree in Development Studies in the world’s best-ranked program, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex. With classmates from more than 50 countries, this diverse and inclusive environment constantly blew my mind and widened my horizons. The experience transformed me, and gave me global skills that I am confident will help me contribute to making the world a better place.
While I was pursuing my degree, my knowledge about Rotary grew. I met the kindest and most inspiring individuals in my sponsor and host club. They are able to balance their career and home life all while living life to the fullest. After volunteering on several service projects, I saw how they dedicate their time to the community and good cause and knew I wanted to be a Rotarian one day.
Ending modern slavery
After graduation, I started working as an independent consultant for organizations like the International Labor Organization and Seafood Slavery Risk Tool, specialising on ending modern slavery. Modern slavery is an atrocity that I believe the world has the moral duty to fight against. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get the attention it needs. There are a whopping 40 million people today in modern slavery, including situations like human trafficking, forced labor, and forced marriage. I worked with government agencies, NGOs, and academia, contributing to the investigation of human slavery and helping shape policy. I also founded a consultancy company that is a social enterprise, Humanity Research Consultancy, aiming to train and bring more consultants from developing countries to work on this issue.
Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS) was the natural place for me to connect with others passionate about this issue. When I first learned about the group, I thought about the verse in the Bible (Romans 8:28) that says God works all things for good. Rotary not only provided the scholarship to empower me with skills and knowledge that I use, but it’s also one of the pioneers on fighting against modern slavery. How amazing.
In 2020, I started to serve as a coordinator and board member for RAGAS, and it has allowed me to stand with a group of beautiful human beings who are also passionate about this cause. Collaboration is what makes us stronger, and I believe that ending slavery is a milestone that Rotary can help achieve, together.
Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre
Twice monthly, 10.30 am on a Friday, is good for a chat with Rotary friends and a caffeine fix! Next one 11 December.
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 8 December 2020 6 for 6.30pm at Damien on Fisher
Event: AGM and Club Assembly
Set-up and Welcome - Bob Mills and Bob Mullins
Still collecting toiletries for the Salvos for those in need at Christmas time
December 13th - Prostate Raffle Draw 4pm at Damien's
Tuesday 15 December 2020 6pm at La Tombola - 61 Unley Rd, Parkside
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Pam Trimmer & Ken Haines
Week 4: 26 December 2020 - Shop closed
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Rhonda Hoare & Jason Booth
Week 5:
Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews | Late: Jerry Casburn & Reno Elms
Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: Pam Trimmer (T) 8293 2612; (M) 0415 238 333; e-mail: pamela.trimmer@bigpond.com
Bunnings Mile End Barbeque
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
The Mitre 10 BBQ now first and third Saturday of each month.....next one 5 December
The Tale End
This segment is dedicated to all the engineers in the club including those trying to engineer something
Measurement accuracy
Two engineers were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking at its top. A woman walked by and asked what they were doing.
"We're supposed to find the height of this flagpole," said Steven, "but we don't have a ladder."
The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a couple of bolts, and laid the pole down on the
ground. Then she took a tape measure from her pocketbook, took a measurement, announced, "Twenty one feet, six inches," and walked away.
One engineer shook his head and laughed, "A lot of good that does us. We ask for the height and she gives us the length!"
Both engineers have since quit their engineering jobs and are currently serving as members of Parliament.
Body accuracy
Three engineering students were gathered together discussing who must have designed the human body.
One said, "It was a mechanical engineer. Just look at all the joints."
Another said, "No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections."
The last one said, "No, actually it had to have been a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?"
Dream accuracy
Two engineering students were biking across a university campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?"
The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business, when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike, threw it to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want."
The first engineer nodded approvingly and said, "Good choice: The clothes probably wouldn't have fitted you anyway."
DELA was established in 1998 by Nancy Douglas-Irving and Enzo Scipioni to provide quality of life for those who would not normally be able to travel due to need for dialysis. The only cure for acute renal failure is transplant but that option is not available to most who face a life devoid of international travel, sightseeing, foreign cuisine and cultural experiences. Cruising is the favoured means for providing these experiences. DELA raises money for:
Until Covid struck there were 2-3 trips per year. Passengers pay for the cruises and the rest is covered by DELA. An ideal number is 12 patients per trip with 5 dialysis machines and 6 technical staff. The equipment required is extensive, covering a number of pallets. Two machines with appropriate beds are set up in each of the dedicated dialysis rooms. It is a logistics challenge requiring months of preplanning. The cost is $15,000 to $25,000 per trip. 
Christina Way reminded everyone to keep collecting stamps.
