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Beyond the media spotlight, the drought is continuing…
The severity of the drought in inland eastern parts of Australia is undeniable and continuing, despite the rainfall experienced by our coastal communities. Australia’s drought-affected communities are experiencing extreme long-term rainfall deficits, intensely hot temperatures and severe water shortages. The media has reported regularly on the enormous pressure facing farmers and their families.
All indications are suggesting this natural disaster will continue for the foreseeable future. What is less known, and discussed, are the specific ways in which children and young people are being impacted by the drought. UNICEF Australia initiated this important project as part of our mandate to be a voice for children – to focus on their wellbeing, healthy development and rights. Our decision to talk with primary and high school students and their communities was driven by UNICEF’s global approach, anchored in the Convention in the Rights of the Child. As part of our ongoing work consulting with children across the country, it is key to UNICEF Australia’s efforts to listen to children and involve them in problem solving – to help ensure a fair chance for every child.
It is clear, from our discussions in these drought-affected communities, that children and young people are making reasoned, informed, adult decisions – based on real lived experience - on a daily basis. They have been forced to grow up prematurely. Among other things, these decisions concern the running of the farms, the lives of their families, their own education and management of their relationships with others. Their insights are therefore informed and valuable.
The chief purpose of this report is to encourage government stakeholders to listen to and consult with these children and young people who are living with drought, and in doing so, to protect them and take action to strengthen the broader drought response. Since our consultations for this report were completed, media and government attention has naturally been drawn to new emergencies, such as flooding across northern Australia and acute fires across southern Tasmania.
Yet, while national attention and media reporting on the drought has waned, children and families are continuing to experience the significant stressors and hardship that flow from it. We encourage government stakeholders at all levels to adequately consider and prioritise the wellbeing of children and young people affected by natural disasters in Australia. The onset of natural disasters inevitably creates circumstances of disrupted education, displacement from their homes and multiple economic and social stressors.
During natural disasters such as drought, risk factors that already exist for children in rural and remote areas - such as mental health and suicidality, family violence, social isolation and poor education outcomes - can become exacerbated. Coordinated and whole-of-government approaches are, therefore, required to ensure that this does not take place.
To read more, download the full article here
In January 2017, RABS announced its Compassionate Grants program to help Australians in need.
As a result of a second $1,000,000 donation to Rotary by Dick Smith, grants will be assessed by the Rotary Australia Benevolent Society (RABS) and funds distributed to disadvantaged Australians identified by local Rotary Clubs or Rotary Districts as being in need within their local or wider community.
Projects granted funding must meet RABS criteria for registration. They must provide direct relief to people in need. If the intended recipients are disadvantaged, the relief should target that disadvantage. The concept of disadvantage is unlimited and could have arisen from sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, disability, destitution, helplessness or poverty, any aspect of the negative side of the human condition. The criteria are not prescriptive but are to be used as a guide to determine the disadvantage.
To read more visit: https://rawcs.org.au/projects-2/rotary-australia-benevolent-society/dick-smith-matched-funding-grant/
Why not join our District Governor Graeme and Sue as they Paint it Red for Polio
Join them on the 3rd carriage from the front of the train or the first carriage on the Dungog excursion.
Our DG's travel plans are as follows
7:42am leave Fassifern
8:29am leave Newcastle Interchange
9:00 am leave Maitland
10:02am leave Dungog Station
10:56am leave Maitland Station For those leaving Singleton catch 10:39 train
11::12am leave maitland Station
11:30am Newcastle Interchange Coffee time
12:35pm leave Newcastle Interchange
14:42pm Arrive Berowra catch up with Sydney Rotarians
14:56 pm leave Berowra for Newcastle Interchange
Please wear An End Polio T-shirt or a Red T-Shirt
He looks forward to an enthusiastic bunch of Rotarians being onboard
Saturday 26th October Paint it Red for Polio Walk
Join us for a Morning stroll to celebrate Rotary involvement to End Polio
Meeting at Scratchley's at 9am to proceed to Nobbys beach.
We will return to Queen's Wharf Hotel to quench our thirst and support the drought appeal.
Look forward to you all joining us.
It is said that a dog is man’s best friend. Welcome to Isda, Sue’s best friend for her partner’s project. Isda will be travelling around with DG Graeme and Sue on their adventures around the District and beyond over the next 12 months.
Isda represents Integra Service Dogs Australia, a registered charitable organisation providing fully trained service dogs for veterans and first responders suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, or more commonly known as, PTSD.
Integra dogs are young, reclassified Labrador dogs sourced from established partnerships with organisation such as Guide Dogs
Victoria, Australian Border Force Detection Dog Program, Seeing Eye Dogs Vision Australia, and private registered breeders. They are not pets. They are working dogs and each dog is carefully matched to their new owner.
Watch this space to read about Isda’s travels and what she gets up to, and having fun along the way.
Isda’s guardian is Sue, and she is seeking your support in being able to fund a canine guardian to transform and enrich the life of a
veteran/and family, residing in our Rotary District.
veteran/and family, residing in our Rotary District.
You can learn more about Isda’s friends at: https://isda.com.au/
Delivering Your Message, is a hands on day workshop running through how to use various tools to amplify and refine your club's message to the wider public. With a particular focus on online tools primarily Facebook and your clubs Website you will be shown how to deliver high impact solutions to generate buzz about your club amongst the community as well as prospective members.
Not only will there be a focus on Facebook, but how to generate content for Facebook as well as promotional materials for any projects and events you may have coming up! With plenty of time to workshop as a group any current Marketing / Public Image challenges your club may currently face.
We are also excited to say that PDG Gina Growden the Zone Rotary Public Image Coordinator 2018-2021 will also be in attendance from Sydney.
The day itself will be 9am - 2pm at Club Maitland City, Rutherford on September 7th with tickets available to be booked via www.trybooking.com/
Tickets are $20 per head, please RSVP by September 1st for catering purposes.
Expressions of interest are now open for Rotary District 9670 Area Governors!
Nominations for these positions will close at 5:00pm, 31st August 2019, and interviews will be held in October.
The application form allows you to nominate for more than one Zone. Please prioritise your preferences.
For more information, a full suite of documents are available in the Members Only dropdown menu on this website!
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A rare opportunity for an intimate dinner with Mark Moloney the current Rotary International President. Be inspired by his message, and encouraged by his conviction whilst enjoying the location, hospitality and catering of one of Sydney’s premier venues.
VENUE: The Deckhouse, The Dock, End of Clarke Road, Woolwich (A 5-Star venue on beautiful Sydney harbour which is part of the Dedes Group of Venues)
DATE: Monday, 23rd September 2019
TIME: 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm
COST: $70 pp - two course meal & welcome drink on arrival
DRESS: Business Attire
REGISTRATION: www.trybooking.com/523543 Registrations close 15 September Seating is Limited—book early!
