Rod’s Ramble – ‘Fun, Fellowship and Family’
“Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.”
Mama Mia premiere
Last Thursday we had a great night at the Mama Mia premiere. Eighty-two people attended and by all accounts everyone had a good time. The movie was well received. Thanks to Angie and the catering team for their effort and to all those who donated to the raffle, and to Rachel and her mother-in-law for selling the tickets. We made over $700 dollars for the Polio campaign, a good result.
Planning
I emailed you all a plan for this year in which I highlighted some critical omissions:
- We could do with another Director to take on co-ordination of our Youth programs and the Duck Race.
- We still need a President Elect for 2019-20 to prepare for the next year and co-ordinate International, Foundation and ARH activities.
Both these roles can take as much or as little time as you like. No one will be judging your performance; we just need someone to step up. If you are interested let me know.
Rotary in Parliament
Trent Zimmerman is a Member of the House of Representatives and a Rotarian. He recently paid tribute in Parliament to the work of local Rotary Clubs, saying ‘Rotarians do an incredible amount for our community’. He said he had enjoyed his own involvement in his local Rotary Club over many years and encouraged others to think about becoming a member of their local Rotary Club. For more, check this link: https://www.facebook.com/TrentZimmerman/videos/2186660088233702/
This week: Our guest speaker is Julie Griffin
Julie is a Diabetes Educator and Registered Nurse. Her topic: ‘It’s complicated…. Is it possible to live well with Diabetes?’ Julie has been nursing since 1980 and trained at both Mater Misericordia and Royal North Shore Hospitals in Sydney. Since 2008 she has been working on Diabetes, and currently works full time for Eurobodalla Community Health covering Narooma, Moruya and Batemans Bay areas.
Please don’t forget to let Bob know if you are bringing guests.
Out and About
Charmaine reports on Timor Leste
After meeting up with the Week 1 Team in Dili (comprising two translators, one nurse and three dentists), we headed off to Maubara to get equipment and dental supplies. We drove through Baliabo and on to Maliana near the West Timorese border, a long bumpy drive of over six hours. We were lucky to find a nice place to stay; a seminary that had been converted into accommodation. Food was local fare – rice nasi goreng, mi Goring. We even found some pasta and pizza a few times
Week 1: We worked in three places – the local Maliana hospital, a local school and a village Cailaku that had never seen a dentist. We got to see community and school students. Examinations 838, extractions 268 and fillings 206 plus some scaling as well. Our main aim was to relieve pain. Some of the teeth would have been sore for months if not years. Betel nut chewing is still a big problem in the Maliana district.
Week 2: A dentist team swap at Dili – one flew out and one joined us. Then we spent three days in Bogoro School with 900 students. The last two days were at Maubara clinic which is a room In the Carmelites convent. The local dental nurse Nico had screened all the children so we just had to do the work mainly extractions (258) and fillings (197).
Overall we saw 1,261 children in the two weeks. We extracted 527 teeth; only three refused treatment i.e. ran away or cried. There are so many brave children in Timor Leste We filled 406 teeth, did a few scales (49) and prevention on teeth fissure seals.
It’s a worry… courtesy Peter Bull
I was at Melbourne Airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, ‘Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?’
To which I replied, ‘If it was without my knowledge, how would know?’ He smiled knowingly and nodded, ‘That’s why we ask’.