Rotary Matters

The Tree of Joy ensures a gift at Christmas for hundreds of elderly residents of nursing homes and aged care facilities. Collection of gifts and their distribution is handled by enthusiastic members of St Ives Rotary Club on Sydney's upper north shore. Harold Morgan explains.

What is it really like to spend a year overseas on the Rotary Youth Exchange program? 15 year old Tilly Colville spent 2023 in Brazil, learning the language, the culture, the cuisine and the customs. She travelled widely in Brazil and beyond packing in experiences and making friends which will remain with her forever. www.ryea.org.au

Here is how to thank, to recognise and salute women known to you who are doing something exceptional in the community. Sue Hayward, Chair of the Rotary Inspirational Womens Awards explains why it matters and how it all works. Stacy Jane a RIWA winner in 2023 explains how following dreadful abuse and violence she founded Escabags a practical solution to assist and support those fleeing abusive and dangerous situations. www.riwa.com.au www.escabags.org

The Bikers Hand is a group of motor bike enthusiasts who share a passion for charity rides and have a deep commitment to helping the homeless and individuals in need. Donations of food, drink, clothing and other everyday items are gathered and distributed to over 35 charities, support groups and school breakfast groups. Founder Tony Davies explains. www.thebikershand.com.au

Dr Marthe Kondemo is visiting Australia from the Democratic Republic of Congo to learn about innovative women's health and livelihood initiatives to see what may be replicable in the DRC. While here she will meet a wide range of organisations dealing with such issues as domestic violence prevention, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, disability services and youth engagement. Despite vast natural resources the DRC has suffered from political instability, a lack of infrastructure, corruption and centuries of commercial extraction and exploitation. Her visit is facilitated by Lucy Hobgood-Brown from the Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney.

Jemma Wlasichuk transforms old furniture, saves useful items from landfill and turns them into items of beauty. Using trauma inspired design principles she devotes skill, time and inspiration to improve conditions at the Hornsby Kuring gai Womens Shelter. No surprise that Jemma won a Pride of Workmanship Award from St Ives Rotary Club. www.shedeleven.com.au

The Rotary Club of Sydney Cove actively supports the Early Bird Cafe located opposite State Parliament House. Over 20,000 breakfasts are served each year along with clothes, toiletries and books. As the homeless crisis gets worse it is clear that this service totally managed by volunteers is needed more than ever. Marilyn Smith explains. www.earlybirdcafe.org.au

Jade Dunne a student at Barker College Sydney attended the National Youth Science Forum held in Brisbane. Held over nine days the NYSF immerses students in all aspects of STEM. Meetings are held with science researchers, business and community leaders during an intensive program designed to sharpen the students' focus on further study and careers in science. www,nysf.edu.au

Strength training is shown to have an impact on our quality of life and reduces the risk of chronic conditions and injuries. Hamish McConnell, Area Manager for Kieser and a Partner in the Bobbin Head Cycle Classic explains. www.kieser.com.au

The Rotary Club of Sydney Cove provides resources to ease the plight of Ukrainians displaced within their country and those who settle in Australia. Another fine example of putting service above self. Guy Glenny also explains their long standing Sailing Regatta which raises funds to support families of sailors lost at sea on the Sydney Hobart yacht race.

More today from the Corrimal Rotary Environmental Group. A thriving community garden, a Sustainability Expo, Green Connect Farm, the Imagination Library and Wildlife Rescue. Dilys Hoser and Gerri Wood explain.

Cycling and e-scooters are growing in popularity, with measurable impacts on our health, the economy and the environment. Peak body, We Ride commissioned EY to probe this and to quantify the results. Matt Colston, Associate Partner, Sports, Events and Venues Advisory, explains.

Environmental issues are a major concern for Rotary all over the world, but none more so than at Corrimal on the NSW South Coast which has established the Corrimal Rotary Environmental Group, tackling a wide range of problems like cleaning up the waterways, plant propagation and monitoring micro plastics in the soil. Dilys Hoser and Gerri Wood explain.

Anita Robinson Chair Eastern Region Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children - ROMAC ROMAC is a project of the Rotary districts in Australia and New Zealand. Mobile:    0417457055 eastern@romac.org.au www.romac.org.au   ROMAC - Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children “To provide medical treatment for children from developing countries  in the form of life-saving and/or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country”   Anita Robinson Chair Eastern Region Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children - ROMAC ROMAC is a project of the Rotary districts in Australia and New Zealand. Mobile:    0417457055 eastern@romac.org.au www.romac.org.au   ROMAC - Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children “To provide medical treatment for children from developing countries  in the form of life-saving and/or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country”   For the first five minutes we join the train ride to end polio...189 stations all in one day! We then discuss ROMAC providing surgical treatment in Australia for Pacific Island children unable to receive the appropriate levels of surgery, treatment and rehabilitation in their home countries. Again...Rotarians putting service above self. www.romac.org.au/donate

Brilliant Sydney researcher Mikaela Coleman won a Rotary Global Grant to investigate the scale of TB and Leprosy in the Pacific Islands. She meets community leaders, politicians and donors who all want to eradicate these diseases. But they don't always see eye to eye where the solutions are often frustrated by rising sea levels inundating some of the health facilities. Listen to this passionate and eloquent young Australian.   Brilliant Sydney researcher Mikaela Coleman won a Rotary Global Grant to investigate the scale of TB and Leprosy in the Pacific Islands. She meets community leaders, politicians and donors who all want to eradicate these diseases. But they don't always see eye to eye where the solutions are often frustrated by rising sea levels inundating some of the health facilities. Listen to this passionate and eloquent young Australian.   Brilliant Sydney researcher Mikaela Coleman won a Rotary Global Grant to investigate the scale of TB and Leprosy in the Pacific Islands. She meets community leaders, politicians and donors who all want to eradicate these diseases. But they don't always see eye to eye where the solutions are often frustrated by rising sea levels inundating some of the health facilities. Listen to this passionate and eloquent young Australian.   Brilliant Sydney researcher Mikaela Coleman won a Rotary Global Grant to investigate the scale of TB and Leprosy in the Pacific Islands. She meets community leaders, politicians and donors who all want to eradicate these diseases. But they don't always see eye to eye where the solutions are often frustrated by rising sea levels inundating some of the health facilities. Listen to this passionate and eloquent young Australian.

Highly talented artist from the Lower Blue Mountains, Michael Harriden explains his passion for painting, how it has taken him around the world and the impact that his generosity as an artist (and as a long distance cyclist) has had in enabling the construction of schools in Cambodia and Papua New Guinea. A truly generous Rotarian. His exhibition Art for a Cause is at Glenbrook Cinema Hall, 27, 28 October.

Thanks to volunteers from the Sydney ophthalmology profession, supported by Rotary, eyesight problems in Santiago City, Philippines were substantially reduced. This same dedication applied when the program was introduced with great success to Griffith and neighbouring towns in New South Wales. Mark Hedges, International Director, Turramurra Rotary Club explains.   Thanks to volunteers from the Sydney ophthalmology profession, supported by Rotary, eyesight problems in Santiago City, Philippines were substantially reduced. This same dedication applied when the program was introduced with great success to Griffith and neighbouring towns in New South Wales. Mark Hedges, International Director, Turramurra Rotary Club explains.   Thanks to volunteers from the Sydney ophthalmology profession, supported by Rotary, eyesight problems in Santiago City, Philippines were substantially reduced. This same dedication applied whenthe program was introduced with great success to Griffith and neighbouring towns in New South Wales. Mark Hedges, International Director, TurramurraRotary Club explains. Santiago City, Philippines were substantially reduced. This same dedication applied when the program was introduced with great success to Griffith and neighbouring towns in New South Wales. Mark Hedges, International Director, Turramurra Rotary Club explains

Kirsten Veldhuis of the Lower Blue Mountains Rotary Club is determined to improve the Club's sustainability footprint. She patiently tracks the output of the Rotary Recycles Op Shop and is about to do the same at Glenbrook Markets. These initiatives have helped grow the Club's membership who share the sustainability values and raise community awareness of Rotary's environmental goals. www.lowerbluemountains.org.au

PR powerhouse Di Barnes foreshadows the huge array of delicious food, wine, attractions and entertainment to be enjoyed at the famous St Ives Food and Wine Festival, Sunday 17 September. Not only will there be the popular Rotary Dress Up Booth but a new feature is the Paw Parade where families are encouraged to bring their dog along and dress up in a fancy outfit. www.stivesfoodandwine.com

The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment enables teenagers to develop life skills and motivation to help them cope with the challenges of a very competitive future. RYPEN convenor Amanda Barnes explains what it is all about and we learn what it meant to two graduates from the Winter RYPEN, Celeste and Grace.