January is Vocational Service Month 
Does Your Rotary Club have Vocational Service projects that are relevant in your community ?
January is Vocational Service Month on the Rotary calendar. Vocational Service is at the heart of Rotary, which was founded on the classification system of membership. Business and professional life are the bedrock of Rotary, and Vocational Service is a major force in promoting honour, integrity, and trustworthiness in business.
District Conference
Time is running out! I want to remind you that our highly anticipated district conference is just around the corner, and the early bird ticket offer will expire on the 31st of January 2024. Trust me, you don't want to miss this exciting event!
Remember, to secure your spot at the conference and to take advantage of the early bird discount, be sure to purchase your tickets before January 31st, 2024. It's a fantastic opportunity to receive all the benefits of the conference at a significantly reduced rate.
Not only will you have the chance to hear from renowned experts, but the conference is also designed to foster networking and collaboration. You'll connect with like-minded members, potentially forge new partnerships, and build relationships that can enhance your career.
Here are the key event details:
- Clary Castrission - CEO of the 40K Company - Social entrepreneur who believes business is the way to improving poor people’s lives in a sustainable and on-going way.
- Roanne Monte - Innovating for Impact: Harnessing Technology for Societal Change
- PDG Jennifer Scott AM: Peace & Conflict resolution
- Lyn Worsley – The Resilience Centre
- Costa Georgiadis – The Environment
- Dr Josh Francis – How do we eliminate rheumatic heart disease in indigenous children’?
- DG David Harmon – Say No to family violence
- RI President’s Personal Representative (RIPPR) – Trichar (Raju) Subramanium
- PDG Stephen Humphreys - ARH Global
- Ken Hutt – Mountaineer for Polio
- Mitchell St Clair-Glover –Biotech printing of human skin and nerve connectors
- Patrick Lindsay – Journalist/ Film maker ‘Homefront’ – supporting Afghan war veterans
- Date: 8 – 10 March 2024
- Location: - Novatel North Beach, Wollongong, NSW
- Ticket Cost:
- Early Bird Rate until January 31st, 2024 - Rotarian $285 and Rotaractors $265. {Price includes welcome drinks on Friday night and Gala Dinner on Saturday Night}
- Regular Rate (after January 31st, 2024): Rotarian $325 and Rotaractors $305.00 {Price includes welcome drinks on Friday night and Gala Dinner on Saturday Night}
If you can’t make the entire Conference, join us on Saturday and/or Sunday for just the speaker sessions.
- Saturday Conference day only - $120
- Sunday conference half day only - $60
Don't Forget
New members who have joined Rotary District 9675 since 1 July 2023 may register at the Rotaract price.
To reserve your place, simply visit our conference website and follow the easy registration process. Act fast before the early bird tickets fly away!
Don't let this opportunity slip away! Join us for what promises to be an extraordinary conference filled with knowledge, excitement, and inspiration. We look forward to welcoming you to the event.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the accommodation options negotiated by DG Tonia Barnes. – see conference website These rooms will gradually go back into the general pool.
Australian Rotary Health and Mental Health
Mental Illness is a major health concern for all Australians, affecting one in two Australians in their lifetime, with the majority being young people. It's the third biggest health burden behind cancers and cardiovascular disease in this country. Australian Rotary Health (ARH) works very hard to create awareness and raise funds for critical research in this area.
October is Mental Health Month and now is the time to think about how we can further support ARH in its crucial role in this area. I'd love to come to one of your club meetings to talk about ARH and what you can do to support this important cause. Please reach out to Rick Vosila District Chair, Australian Rotary Health- rvosila@gmail.com to make contact and arrange a time. He looks forward to hearing from you.
Blankets for Türkiye Earthquake Victims
MediShare, a national project of RAWCS has been fortunate to have a considerable quantity of hospital blankets donated by HealthShare NSW.
The majority of the blankets are to be shipped to Türkiye for distribution to families who suffered loss of their homes in the February 2023 earthquake and are still living in extreme sub-standard conditions.
We are working with Rotary Clubs and Tϋrk Kizilay in Türkiye, who will distribute the blankets and we have funding to ship 10 x 40ft container loads.
But we need help to fold and palletise the blankets ready for shipment. We are scheduling the first container to leave by end of February.
The work is not strenuous and best if volunteers work in pairs.
Commencing on 1 February through to June the folding days are;
Tuesdays; 9:30am – 12:30pm (morning tea provided)
Thursdays; 9:30am – 2:00pm (morning tea provided, please bring own lunch)
The 2nd Saturday of each month commencing 10 February through to June. 9:30am – 2:30pm (morning tea provided, please bring own lunch. BBQ available).
MediShare’s address is Unit #3, Bldg.14, 12 – 16 Anella Avenue, Castle Hill
Please contact PDG Keith Roffey to discuss when your club can assist us. M: 0419 0046 688 E: medishare.national@rawcs.org.au as we need to schedule volunteers and provide morning tea.
We will greatly appreciate your club members volunteering their time to assist us with this project. The alternative for these blankets was to go to landfill.
A Personal Invitation from the President of Rotary consort, Heather to join a Poetry Competition
For the new year we announce the International Rotary Poetry Awards - will one of the winners come from your very own district?
The award winners will be announced at the Singapore Rotary Convention in May by President of Rotary consort Heather McInally but the actual awards will be handed over locally (unless the winner is in Singapore) and if the winner is in our District we will host for such a presentation at an event in our district.
This could even be presented at the DG handover which takes place in June/July inviting the winner to attend.
There are 5 category prizes plus the main Rotary Poet of the Year Award plaque. www.rotarypoetry.org
To ensure every Rotarian, Rotaractor friends and relatives have an opportunity to enter, we have been asked to distribute the invitation below with competition information to every club and member in our district.
Aussie Peace Walk 2024 – The March Mingle - 23-24 March 2024
The 4th annual Aussie Peace Walk will take place in Canberra over the weekend of March 23-24. It is a great way to spend the weekend in the nation’s capital, walk whatever distance you feel capable of (7km, 12km, 21km or marathon), and mingle with Rotarians and others. It’s not a race but it is also an opportunity to raise some money for several very good causes. So, get involved and bring your friends. For more information and to register go to https://aussiepeacewalk.com.au/ or https://marchmingle.au/
Around the Clubs
Rotary Club of Gregory Hills Next Gen Charity Golf Day - 10 April 2024
