THE RANGE Vol 66 No18
MEETING
Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for a Business Meeting.
APOLOGIES
Apologies please to Bernice by noon on Tuesday.
DUTY ROSTER
16Apr 07May 21May
DO Chris B Jim A Ric T
ADO Su C Greg W Michael G
Registration Laurelle O Brian A Fran T
Fellowship Malcolm B Bruce K Craig S
WOOLWORTH SAUSAGE SIZZLE
26Apr 0830 - 1100 Sherryl G John & Bernice McL
1100 - 1330 Neil A Paulette S Scott W
24May 0830 - 1100 Bruce K Fran T Chris B
1100 - 1330 Jim A Greg W Lionel T
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
April in Rotary is Environment Month so receiving an Enviro Award from the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) for Neil Andison's Platypus Education and Conservation efforts started us off with a bang, But, it isn’t stopping there because on Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22nd) our Club and Neil are treating the first thirty (30) people who call to one of his guided tours. As a bonus, they will receive a gift bag full of goodies relating to the platypus and Maleny Rotary. The walk starts at 6.30 and lasts for about 2 hours. Neil is looking for at least three Volunteers to assist him. Please talk to him next Wednesday if you’re interested.
Talking about next Wednesdays’ meeting, I’m confident we will all leave having greater confidence the world is going to be in safe hands. We are bombarded regularly by negative stories about our youth. These individual stories are true, but they are far from being the only narrative. Our member, Cougar Lutze will be updating us on his work in Tanzania before he heads off again at the end of the month, and a young lady from Montville, Eloise Donaghue, will be speaking to us about her efforts to participate in the Windward Bound sailing expedition. Fran Tickle and I have spoken with Eloise in recent days, and both agree she is impressively ‘together’ and someone we believe is going to make their mark in the future.
MINUTES OF MEETING OF 2ND APRIL
President Scott opened the meeting and introduced our guests and visitors. He reported that about 400 people registered for the Distract Conference held in Toowoomba the previous weekend. The most pleasant surprise from the conference was that the Maleny Rotary Club has been recognised with an Enviro Award for our environmental projects and the work on platypus. Neil has put a lot of work into these activities and was made custodian of the Award Certificate. Bernice McL gave a brief outline of the events over the two days commenting on the high calibre speakers with the theme “never underestimate the power of a personal story”.
The devastating floods in western Queensland were very much on the agenda and the District 9620 Disaster Fund has been activated with a call for donations. Maleny Rotary will be making a $1000 donation. Brian A gave a brief update on the impact of the floods on his family at Adavale.
Greg W reported on the successful bowel scan stand in the House of Friendship and the walk against Domestic Violence with 340 people participating in the teeming rain. He also noted the address by the Mayor of Toowoomba on the Value of Volunteers.
Sergeant at Arms: As is his usual style Chris managed to fine everyone in the room but took pity on our guests.
Our Duty Officer for the meeting Paulette S introduced our guest speaker John Wagner to talk about Mercy Ships. John has been involved with Mercy Ships for over 15 years and is currently a Director. He spoke to the Club about 7 years ago when he was a member of the Caloundra Club.
Rotary has been very much involved in Mercy Ships since its inception, funding much of the setup and operations. The first ship was an old rail ferry until being refurbished as a hospital ship, with five theatres which often run 24 hours a day. There are now two ships with over 1000 medical staff and crew. Over 95% are volunteers. Finding enough surgeons to run the theatres is getting to be a problem. The new ship was built in China. Modules were designed in Europe and reproduced in China. The ships are serviced in the Canary Islands in between visiting different countries.
Some of the volunteers have been with Mercy Ships for many years; Dr Gary Parker joined as a young doctor 30 years ago, has married and had a family while being dedicated to the life on board the ship. Most volunteer surgeons stay for 4-6 months.
John advised that over 70% of the world population does not have access to surgical procedures, most of which we take for granted. Most are in poor countries where a disabled and disfigured person is seen as been possessed by evil spirits and shunned by family and the community. Some of the simplest of surgical procedures such as repair of a cleft lip or palate can change a child’s life.
John showed a series of photos of the type of operations performed on board the Marcy Ships and the after care provided to the most needy of patients; maxilla-facial surgery; general surgery; reconstructive plastic surgery; and VFF repairs. The services now include medical, clinical and dental training of the local doctors to provide better healthcare to the communities.
The work of Mercy Ships is very much a team effort with Rotary very involved financially. Any donation is gratefully received and John asked Rotarians to be on the lookout for people who may be interested in volunteering.
Roly N gave the vote of thanks.
FUTURE MEETINGS AND EVENTS
07May Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for a Dinner Meeting with Guest Speakers Jenni Harmoney and Ernie Marcum from WAM (Waste Action Maleny)
14May Board Meeting
21May Maleny Hotel at 6:30 for 7:00pm for a Business Meeting.
13/14 Jun Bike Swap at the Showgrounds.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT
SOME ADVICE FOR THE COMING WEEKS
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