You may have heard that most people would rather die than give a speech. Public speaking is the number one fear for many people.

For 49 years, I too had a fear of public speaking. It was so bad, I would break out in a sweat. I'd leave the room. I'd find excuses, or ask other people to stand up and speak for me. Anything to avoid having to speak in public. A couple of bad experiences early in my life built up this fear, but I made it my goal to overcome it. Fifteen years ago at the age of 50, I was introduced to Toastmasters by a good friend, and I've been a member since.

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Like all Australians, we have been deeply impacted by the bushfires in our country.  District 9800 has established a Bushfire Response Committee to coordinate our District response to the bushfires.   We are working with the other Districts to ensure we coordinate and maximise our response to those communities in need as base it on the identified needs from those communities.

District 9800 is providing two separate ways for Rotary Clubs, Rotarians and members of the public to provide donations to our Bushfire Recovery efforts.

The first fund will provide Rotary Clubs and individuals not seeking a tax deduction and allow us more flexibility to take immediate action.

Account: Rotary International District 9800 - Australian Bushfire Appeal

BSB: 633000     Account Number: 171227895

The second fund through Bendigo Banks Community Enterprise Foundation allows tax deductibility to individual donors or businesses who require this option.

Bendigo Bank has waived their administration fees.

For tax deductible donations please use this link:

https://www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/make-a-donation/rotaryd9800bushfireappeal

If you need to discuss anything related to the bushfire efforts please contact D9800 Bushfire Response Committee chair Sue Foley (Sue.Foley@bendigoadelaide.com.au or myself.)

Thank you again for all you are doing to support the bushfire affected communities.

Message from the District Governor Grant Hocking

Hello D9800 Rotarians and friends,

Like all Australians, we have been deeply impacted by the bushfires in our country. The loss of homes, landscapes, wildlife and lives is truly devastating, and our hearts go out to all those affected. I know you join me in sending our sincere thanks to the firefighters, charities and volunteers who are tirelessly working to assist in our country's recovery.

We have been moved by the outpouring of support Rotarians and our community has shown to what will be a long and complex bushfire season.

In the last few days I have spoken directly with District Governors in both the Gippsland and Hume areas of Victoria and we will be working together in our response. We will be coordinating our efforts (financial and logistical) with these Districts to ensure that all communities are supported.

As well as this the 21 Governors across Australia are in constant communication and coordinating the National relief efforts.

The aim is to ensure we coordinate and maximise our response to those communities in need as base it on the identified needs from those communities.

Immediate response

Emergency and Disaster response agencies in Victoria do a marvelous job in the immediate care and safety of the affected communities.

I am proud that we have many Rotarians volunteering for front line agencies and responding to requests for support from agencies working in the relief centres and elsewhere including animal welfare.

Generous offers are being received from many Rotarians, and there have been many individuals and clubs working in many areas to provide materials and food to affected agencies and communities. This includes the provision of 500,000 P2 face masks which are being distributed through Rotary Club of Melbourne and Donations in Kind.

Our District Bushfire Response committee would love to have a record of all these efforts from Rotarians and clubs in our district. Please contact PDG Jim Studebaker with information about your recent efforts and any plans for or to discuss future relief efforts. Contact Jim via email jimstude@bigpond.net.au or 0413 304 864.

Please contact D9800 Bushfire Response Committee Chair Sue Foley Sue.Foley@bendigoadelaide.com.au or myself to discuss the D9800 or your club or individual bushfire response.

The ongoing support of Rotarians will be invaluable over the coming months and as always is valued and appreciated. Thanks you for all you are doing to support the bushfire affected communities.

DG Grant Hocking

Southbank Rotary Meeting - 21st January, 2020

At this week's meeting, we will have as our guest speaker Faezeh Parkes (pronounced Fye-Zeh) talk to us about a new organisation she has founded, called "Children See Children Do."

Children See Children Do is a non-profit organization which provides creative resources, education and awareness for parents, children, advocates and professionals in relation to domestic violence. Their vision is to realise the goals of the United Nations' aim of ZERO violence against children.

Venue: Belgian Beer Cafe, 5 Riverside Quay, Southbank 6.30pm, 21st Janury, 2020

But Wait, There's more

On the night, we'll also be welcoming Faezeh as a brand-new Rotarian!

And More

With the induction of one more female into our Club, we will have an EXACTLY 50-50 Male/Female ratio of members, so it will be a night to celebrate!

Faezeh isn't no ordinary creative and wants to make her induction a most memorable night for everyone in attendance!

She'll also be bringing her backup team along for the ride featuring entertainment from Sugar and Spice Music Du, ZIito Ballo Afro Rap performer and Darren McCauley (Children See Children Do Ambassador, Fitness Yoga Instructor)

Learn more about the Work of Children See, Children Do

Visit childrenseechildrendo.org

Book to Attend the meeting

To book to attend this special night, please click on the link to book and pay online 

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Central Melbourne

Melbourne Bearbrass Probus for active retirees launches at Library at the Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands at 10am-noon on Wednesday February 12, 2020.  

Have the honor of becoming a Bearbrass* foundation member, or just check us out. We'll also welcome potential office-bearers.

You'll meet like-minded friends, hear stimulating monthly speakers, and with new friends you'll enjoy

• Theatre, movies, music, arts, coffee, food & wine
• Walking, biking, bowls, golf, Pilates & fitness
• Bridge, mah-jong, books, ancestry, photography
• Victorian, national and offshore trips, and
• Discounts and attractive overseas travel cover

Regular monthly meetings will be from March, 2020 at the Dock Library from 10am on second Tuesdays of each month. Fees will be only $30 to join and $60 yearly (subject to club ratification).

Probus runs entirely for friendships and lifestyles of sociable retirees and near-retirees with lively minds. It does no charity fund-raising.

Bearbrass Probus, sponsored by Rotary Central Melbourne, caters for the city's huge growth in male and female retirees living in the CBD, Southbank and Docklands. But you can join from anywhere.

For more information, Contact:

Tony Thomas  - tthomas061@gmail.com and  0407 305 757, or

Robert Renshaw rren2422@bigpond.net.au and 03 9802 1901. facebook.com/tthomas061/  and

website probussouthpacific.org/microsites/melbournebearbrass

* "Bearbrass" was an early suggested name for the settlement that became "Melbourne".

Toastmasters International and Rotary International have announced a new partnership that will bring together the strengths of these two century old organisations, sharing what we be both value (connecting communities), with our own specialities: Rotary (Community Service) and ToastMasters (Personal Development).

Together, Rotary and Toastmasters can not only connect you with leadership skills in your career and your passions, but also share and foster thoese ideas to help make the world a better place.

Learn more:

https://www.rotary.org/en/toastmasters-and-rotary-partner-help-members-grow

https://www.toastmasters.org/about/partner

Partnership to start at grass roots level

To start the ball rolling at a local level, Rotary Club of Southbank will welcome visitors from the Dockland's ANZ 'Off the Cuff' Toastmasters Club at our club meeting on Tuesday 28th January. (Click here to book)

This is your opportunity to learn more about how membership of Rotary and/or Toastmasters can help develop your world.

Most Australians will be aware that our farmers are struggling with some of the worst drought in history, particularly in regional NSW / VIC and QLD. The Bureau of Meteorology reports that we can expect a drier than average Aug Oct 2019 so things are not going to get better for our farmers any time soon. Drought has an effect on whole communities, not just reducing output but also affecting the mental health of our farmers and their families.

In 2018 the Great Northern Brewery co, together with Rotary launched a campaign to raise funds for farmers affected by the drought. Communities came together across 960 venues to share a beer, or run events and together raised $11.2M for the Drought Relief Fund.

This year we plan to go bigger!

Rotary Southbank came together with the Great Northern Brewing Co at their club meeting on the 20th Aug, 2019 to start sharing ideas on how we can work together again to make 2019 bigger and stronger and raise even more funds for our farmers. Promotional events such as 'Parmaforafarmer' and 'wear a flanny on Friday' were discussed as well as the keg donation that was so successful last year.

This year's promotion will run from 25-27 October and we are all excited about getting involved.

Earlier this month the Rotary club of Southbank hosted Lyndon from the Youth Referral and Independent Person Program (YRIPP).

YRIPP is funded by the Victorian Government and is based at the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), YRIPP is delivered in partnership with the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, Community Legal Centres and Victoria Police.

YRIPP is the first program in Victoria to set up a state wide infrastructure for the provision of Independent Persons to young persons.

Through calling a single telephone number, police can be provided with a trained Independent Person to attend the police station usually within 30 minutes.

Through the same number Young people in custody can also receive free telephone legal advice from a rostered solictor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, provided by Victoria Legal Aid.

During the presentation we learnt that Aborignal youth are underrepresented and account for approximately 20% of young people that YRIPP supports.

Around 170 police stations utilise YRIPP's services and that YRIPPs takes a strengths based approach to supporting young people, with a large number of youths having cognitive and or mental health issues.

YRIPP also links young people in with local health and welfare support services, aiming to reduce the risk factors and increase the protective factors associated with youth offending. 

YRIPP is always looking for dedicated and diligent volunteers. If you have a passion to help young people and important part of a youths life in their time of need, you can contact YRIPP on 03 9340 3777 or visit their website at www.yripp.org.au.

If your volunteer application is successful, you will undertake extensive training and will need to commit to rostered call out (based on your availability) and make a 12 month commitment

In the Rotary world most positions have a term of one year. Some other positions such as Foundation roles have a three year term and it is time for the current team to move on. Some will be continuing on as part of the new team who will be capably led by PDG Murray Verso, who I know will fill that role with distinction.

Please enjoy this Newsletter (click here) and celebrate three years of success, prancing, celebration and inspiration whilst our dedicated Rotarians continued to Do Good in the World.

It seems a long time ago now..... perhaps 3 or 4 years, since my first lady of Rotary, Joan Daniels, invited me to a Christmas Party. Never would I refuse Joan anything.

She is my mentor.

When we arrived at the building there was an enormous Rotary wheel above us and the building was named "Rotary House". I was amazed.

I had never heard of this building.

The Managing Director, Eric Wright greeted us warmly. He calls Joan "Rotary Royalty".

Inside, each apartment door was named for a donor. Most of them Rotari- ans or Rotary Clubs. I learned the history of the place and why it was built. I learnt that one person's idea started it all off; John Oppie as his child had leukaemia. Bernie Lamers (Rotary Club Preston) co-founded the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry then planned, project managed and fundraised tirelessly for BMDI/Rotary House. For that and his other humanitarian service he has been named this year as the first Zone 8 Rotarian Of The Year.

Then the District Governor of that year 1992-93 made it his focus.

He appointed a committee chaired by John Martyres. In that year Clubs raised over $1 million towards what was then knows as the Bone Marrow Research Institute associated with Rotary Melbourne Hospital.

Then 1993-1994 District Governor from my own Club Rob Dunn said it was the most important project he had undertaken in his Governor year, and that he and Past District Governor Gordon McKern continued to encourage Clubs to raise $2 million to earn naming rights of Rotary House.

Gordon's monthly newsletters are full of Club reports of fundraisers each month, pulling together with this District wide initiative.

So that was the beginning of it all.

Now, the Fight Cancer Foundation keeps it running, largely with proceeds from the Red Ball and a few Rotary Clubs stay helping.

Rotary has an opportunity to be part of the future too, as District 9800 has signed a collaboration deed to assist with the redevelopment of a new building.

BMDI Rotary House is located at 4-12 Blackwood St, North Melbourne

Rotary House Appeal Help Families Fight Cancer Together

Rotary, in partnership with Fight Cancer Foundation, has made an enormous difference to the lives of people living with cancer since 1990. District 9800 helped fundraise $4M to create a world-class Cancer Research Centre in Melbourne, which continues to produce results that improve the outcomes of cancer patients around the world.

Again in 2003 Rotary took up the cause of families fighting against cancer by throwing its considerable weight behind BMDI Rotary House in North Melbourne.

The centre comprises 13 self-contained apartments for regional, rural and interstate families who must travel to Melbourne to access specialist cancer treatment.

Close to three major treating hospitals, more than 70 families find a home away from home at BMDI Rotary House each year, helping to alleviate some of the financial and emotional stress and uncertainty brought by a diagnosis of cancer. Most importantly, it keeps these families together during the toughest battle of their lives.

The need for comfortable, affordable accommodation for rural and interstate families requiring treatment for cancer is high. BMDI Rotary House is always at capacity and the waiting list of families desperate for a safe place to stay for up to six months is long. What happens to these families if they can't access accommodation like that of BMDI Rotary House? They might spend their life savings on motel rooms, couch surf or decide to skip the treatment they need all due to the prohibitive cost of accommodation.

Rotary House, Rotary and Fight Cancer Foundation's ambitious new project, aims to provide more families going through cancer with a home away from home. With 30 custom-built apartments that cater to the specialised needs of people recovering from a bone marrow transplant, each year the new facility will provide almost 11,000 nights' accommodation to families who need it most.

Your support and that of your clubs will make a real difference in the lives of families fighting against cancer and help them face it together.

You can donate to the Rotary House Appeal by visiting www.fightcancer.org.au/donate and all donations are tax deductible.