Vol: 37 No: 4

Theme: Rotary Fellowship Month

“ BE THE INSPIRATION”

Report of Meeting:17/7/2018 

President:- Welcome to visitors, Heidi Waterson and Louise Tracey.

Coogs represented the Club at an awards dinner at the Fire Brigade.

Announcements: The club website has been updated to reflect member roles and information for the 2018/9 year. Additionally, in the club member area, members are now able to view a club calendar listing all major events, as well as meeting role allocations and guest speaker information.  Access is available using the club member password.

Treasurer: Subs are due please. $230.00.

Secretary: The lesson on computers and setting them up at the Bowling Club was most informative and hopefully these new techs will solve all the problems.

Health/Family of Rotary: John Calnin has had a Cholecystectomy (removal of gall bladder) and hopes to be home soon.

Membership: There will be another membership drive in August. Contact Rod Bush or John Calnin if you have any likely prospects.

Foundation: Gordon King reported that the Club members have donated $12,273.00. Centurian donation boxes are available for $2.00 per week.

Social: John Calnin has circulated the list of proposed social activities for the next Rotary year. Please add the dates to your diary.

Community: Lists will be circulated next week for those who may be able to help with the gates at the Geelong District Football Finals.

Noel Emselle announced that the Club would be involved in planting on National Tree day on 29/7/18 from 10am to 12pm. This will involve BBQ duties as well as planting. Volunteers are needed. See Noel if you can help.

International: Rod Greer reported that the project of an amenities block for a village school in Kaleba in the Congo is progressing satisfactorily. The Club joined with other clubs in the district. Our Club donated $2000.

Footy Tipping: Rod Bush won this week and Bill Walton continues to lead the competition.

Program: Janet would welcome speakers for the weekly meetings.

Guest Speakers: Heidi Waterson and Louise Tracey. 

Heidi Waterson

Heidi has qualifications in public health and experience in primary prevention of family violence and sexual assault. She has fourteen years experience in local government across diverse portfolios. Heidi oversees the training in primary prevention work at The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre on the Geelong Gender Equality Coalition, Respectful Relationships Expert Group and the Ministerial Taskforce, which is based in Geelong in association with Barwon Health. She works from the principles of social justice and human rights and values the collaborations and partnerships with external stakeholders to strengthen the community as a whole. The service covers the continuum of response and development of strategies and initiatives to prevent family violence from occurring. There is a twenty-four hour crisis referral service that extends as far North as the Wimmera. The centre offers support in housing, court appearances, and recognition of signs of abuse, counseling and advocacy.

Resources have grown to 100 plus well qualified and experienced staff that supports 2000 people, mostly female and deals with over 3000 referrals. (237 per month.) The Centre has a multidisciplinary approach with the many specialized service-aiming foe a timely response. It is also an aim to have the victim tell their story once only and to enable them to decide how deep they wish to go and at their own pace. Outcomes are usually positive as all services can be accessed in a coordinated fashion. Where police are involved their presence is understated, as signs of their authority are not present.

Those affected range in age from teenage to 45 yrs plus. 1 in 3 suffer physical violence, 1in 4 suffer emotional violence and 1 in 5 suffer sexual violence. The family home is usually the venue involved. Men also experience violence but this is usually away from home. Children are often present when the violence occurs and it is not confined to any one class. The disabled, disadvantaged and Aboriginal women are more likely to be involved in this dreadful area of our society.

Heidi addressed the tool called “Change the Story” which included the need to correct gender inequality, develop respect, ongoing support and genuine co-operation with all involved. Many settings are included to deal with the situation including Schools, workplaces and homes.

Louise Tracey is the Communications Officer at the Centre. She showed the video “Change the Story.” She also spoke about how the organization may be supported. Donations and fundraising activities are the most practical, particularly for those areas not supported by the government. 

Ed. Note: This may be the way in which the RC of Ocean Grove may become involved.

APOLOGIES ARE NECESSARY!  IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND A MEETING. THOSE WHO DO NOT CONFORM WILL BE SENT A BILL, AS THE CLUB HAS TO PAY IF NO APOLOGY IS REGISTERED

Thank you: A George.