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Guest Speaker:
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Elena Jenkin
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Topic:
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Helping
with disabilities in developing countries
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Speakers Aide:
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Michelle Hart
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Desk Duties:
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Michelle Hart, Ken Rice, Lesley Bell
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Roving Reporter:
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Tony
Stokes
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President Greg’s
Report: The Week (Nov 5th) in Review
In
the lead-up to Remembrance Day on Tuesday we were privileged to have the
timely talk from Deane Limmer on the completely voluntary sacrifice of our
forefathers during the First World War. For those that enjoy reading, I can
strongly endorse Deane’s suggestion to read “The Great War” by Les Carlyon.
An easy, if sobering read.
Two
items of note came in the mail over the past week, as mentioned on Wednesday.
The first is the booklet providing full details of next year’s Rotary
International Convention in Birmingham,
England
running from 21st to 24th June. Please see me should
you have interest in attending and I can provide the details.
The
second is notice from the Group Study Exchange Committee that the GSE team
from Buenos Aries will be here from 27th February to 31st
March, 2009. The Committee is seeking to hear from individual Rotarians who
would be willing to provide accommodation for the team members and from Clubs
that would be interested in providing a day’s program for the team. Further
details are on the District web site in the Group Study Exchange section.
President
Greg
Report from Last Week’s Meeting (Nov 5th) by Roving Reporter
Michael Kirk
This
week we were fortunate to have Deane Limmer, the son of our esteemed
President Elect Geoff, talk to us about the First World War.
Deane
commenced by saying it was hard to get one’s mind around the numbers of
casualties that Australia
experienced in this conflict. To many the war is epitomised by the Gallipoli
campaign, but in reality Gallipoli was only a small but significant part of
the war for Australia.
In
1914 Australia
had a population of around 5 million people. It had strong links to Britain. It
was isolated from Europe. As a nation it was
only 13 years old. Deane then suggested that Australia
then followed Britain
blindly into war.
(Note:
at the time Australia
was a Dominion, a part of the Empire, owing fealty to George V. To have not
followed Britain
would have required some form of Act of Separation. We were not an
independent country as such. In all probability we were not financially
independent since British money had been used to construct much of our
infrastructure – railways, roads, bridges etc. and many pastoral and business
concerns were owned by British interests. Further, to the Australian
population of the time England was the “mother country” and not to have
supplied troops would have been an act of gross disloyalty.- Irrespective,
there is no doubt that many Australians rushed blindly to join the Australian
Imperial Forces and go to war. - MGK).
During
the 4 years, 1914 – 1918, some 400,000 men enlisted an almost incredible 7%
of the population! Australian troops were all volunteers, not conscripts
(although Billy Hughes had endeavoured to introduce conscription in 1917
through a referendum which failed at the ballot box.)
Gallipoli
was a complete disaster for Australia
(also British, French and New
Zealand forces) and we lost 8709 dead (14%
of all Australian deaths in WWI). The redeeming features were the courage of
Australian troops, and the incredible exit strategy in December 1915 where no
lives were lost.
The numbers
of casualties were massive all over the Western Front. At Verdun, the French
lost 1.9 million men. The British (including Australian, Canadian, New
Zealand and Indian troops) found themselves engaged in the first battle of
the Somme. On 1st July 1916 the battle commenced and there were 60,000
British casualties (21,000 dead) on that first day alone. From an Australian
perspective the battles, of Fromelles on 19/7/1916 where we sustained 5533
casualties on the first night alone, and Pozieres on 23/7/1916 where a
further 16,780 were killed, wounded or captured, were calamitous.
1917
was notable for being the coldest and wettest winter in 30 years. During this
awful period troops had to endure the mud and privations of living in the
trenches in Flanders. The battle of
Bullecourt cost Australian 7482 casualties and resulted in the destruction of
the 4th Australian Division. Later, in October, the 3rd Australian Division
were engaged in the battle of Passchendale and suffered severe losses
By 1918 the tide was turning for the AIF, approval was given to combine the
five
Australian divisions into Corps I under the leadership of Lt. General John
Monash. After years of direction by (incompetent or worse) British staff
officers we now had an Australian commander. Monash an engineer, believed in
detailed reconnaissance and meticulous planning of operations. He achieved
remarkable results by coordinating air, artillery, tanks, and ground forces –
the first co-ordinated use of these services on a large scale in the Allied
Forces. Australians distinguished themselves at the battles of Villers
Brettoneux (3rd & 25th April, Hamel (4th July) where they forced the
enemy to retreat. Finally on 31st August at Mont St.
Quentin, a heavily fortified position, in an extraordinary
feat of arms, the severely depleted 2nd and 3rd Divisions captured Mont St. Quentin. As a result of the Australian
attacks the Germans fell back twelve miles, and set in train the ultimate
victory for the Allied Forces. Six Victoria Crosses were awarded for bravery
in this action, and Monash was knighted by King George V.
Deane
then gave us some statistics which amply established the horrific toll on
those who served – 331,783 Australians saw overseas service of which 18%
(61,508) were killed, 46% (155,000) were wounded. He contrasted this with
World War II where 575,799 saw overseas services, 4% (39,767) were killed and
7% wounded. The tragedy of these losses was seen in the lost contribution
that those who were killed could have made to the country in industry or
science, the arts or sport, as well as in the genetic stock; and, in the
grief and suffering of their relatives and friends – a misery which lasts a
lifetime.
In
conclusion, Deane urged those present to pause and remember our lost
servicemen and women (102,188 since Federation) at the eleventh hour of the
eleventh day – Remembrance Day.
Major Deane Limmer reminded us of the sacrifice made by
so many (particularly in WW1) on our behalf, let’s remember them on November
11th.
Attendance Report for
Last Week’s Meeting (5th Nov) by Ken Rice:
Listed below are Apologies for and Make-ups advised for the
September 3rd meeting. Remember that to be counted towards attendance,
Make-ups may be made 14 days prior to, or following, a missed meeting date.
Notice of Apology prior to a meeting should be
made to Geoff Limmer,
email rotary@airportbus.com.au or Tel:
0419 329 218.
Likewise if you are bringing a guest, similar notice would be
appreciated beforehand if at all possible.
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Apologies: (4)
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Alison Gregory, Geoff Limmer,
Ian Port, Don Sweeney
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Leave of Absence: (6)
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Murray Baird,
Trevor Dalziel, Peter Enlund,
Vici Funnell (till 30/11/08), Jim Killeen,
John Maddock.
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Absence: (5)
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Maurice
Benington, Tony De Fazio, Paul
Evans, Craig Hoath, Owen Jenkin
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Present: 19/34
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Visiting
Rotarians:
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(nil)
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Visitors:
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Deane Limmer Guest Speaker
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Make-ups
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Malcolm Chiverton 30/10 Knox Rotaract Interest Mtg
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Date
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Speaker
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Subject
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Speakers Aide
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19
November
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Lucia
Strati, Outbound Cultural Ambassadorial Scholar
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Spanish
in Spain!
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November, Rotary
Foundation Month
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Saturday 15/11
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Eastern
Emergency Relief Roster
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9.00am
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1/10 Thornton
Cres Mitcham
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Sunday 30/11
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Club
Family Social day at Puffing Billy
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Puffing
Billy Station, Belgrave
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Thursday 4/12
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Carlton & United
Brewery Visit
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9.30am
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Cnr
Nelson & Thompson St’s Abbotsford
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Sunday 14/12
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Nunawading
Farmers Market
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7.30
to 12.30pm
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Behind
City of Whitehorse,
Nunawading Offices
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Monday 8/12
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Board
Meeting
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6.30pm
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253c
Burwood Hwy,
Burwood
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Saturday 20/12
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Eastern
Emergency Relief Roster
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9.00am
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1/10 Thornton
Cres Mitcham
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Wednesday 24/12
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Club
Christmas Meeting
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7.15
am for 7.30 am start
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Birthdays:
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2 November
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Robyn Stokes
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4 November
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Rosemary Dalziel
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7 November
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Greg Cooper
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13 November
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Jill Maddock
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13 November
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Don Sweeney
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15 November
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Brian Martin
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18 November
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Kerry Barrett
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20 November
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Malcolm Chiverton
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20 November
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Andrew Forgas
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28 November
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Barbara Mackay
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Anniversaries:
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23 November
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Greg and Penny Cooper
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Rotary
Inductions:
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3 November 1999
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Bruce McEwen
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Members Input
Corner:
From Geoff Limmer.
Geoff is serving on District 9810 ROMAC Committee.
TWO sisters from a remote
Indonesian island who were burned almost beyond recognition have been given
a new lease on life after groundbreaking surgery in Brisbane.
Rafika Rasmiddin, 10, and her nine-year-old sibling
Uswatun suffered life-threatening burns when fire destroyed the family's
hut on the island of Simeulue, off Aceh Province,
in November 2005. The girls' father rescued them and their younger brother
from the blaze, which was caused by a kerosene lamp falling over during an
earthquake, but not before both girls were badly burned. Their brother escaped with only minor
burns. The sisters lay in a
primitive health centre untreated for three months with burns to their
faces, hands, forearms, elbows, feet and ankles. As the burns were healing extensive scar
tissue virtually crippled the pair, binding their hands and feet and
dislocating many bones. Professor
Roy Kimble, leading pediatric surgeon and director of Brisbane's Royal Children's Hospital
(RCH) burns centre, used pioneering techniques in 15 operations to treat
the sisters. "They came here as
two very frightened little girls with almost no (previous) contact with the
medical world and, of course, suddenly they were in the media
spotlight," Prof Kimble told reporters today. Doctors grafted skin using a
revolutionary Japanese artificial product, Pelnac, which is made from pig
tendons. And 15cm-long metal pins
called k-wires, that normally slide down through the length of patients'
finger and toe bones to prevent contractures, were threaded under the skin,
which reduced the risk of infection and did not impede bone growth. "We've had to look outside the square
... to devise new techniques," Prof Kimble said. "Without
treatment, these girls would not have left their house. "Hopefully we've given them a new
life." If it wasn't for the
efforts of the Red Cross in discovering the girls and Rotary Overseas
Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC), the family would have no hope of
affording the multi-million dollar treatment.
ROMAC and a team of medical professionals volunteer
time and donate money to the cause. "They give their time to give
these kids back a life," ROMAC spokesman Ted Latta said. The Muslim
family initially had trouble adjusting to the culture in Australia. There was also some worry that doctors
would not be able to use Pelnac for skin grafts because its swine origins
went against Muslim religion. Both girls, who now speak English, put on a
brave face when asked about the 15 operations and describe the pictures of
their burns when they were first admitted to hospital as scary. "When I wake up it's real sore, then
they give me an ice block to make me feel better," Rafika told
reporters. Although they have loved
their time in Australia,
especially visiting Seaworld, the beach, and school, the girls look forward
to returning to their island home in about six months after they undergo
six more operations.
From Lindsay Mackay,
Secretary
.
Nominations
for Australia Day 2009, Citizen of The Year Awards are being requested by
the City of Whitehorse.
Nomination forms are available now; they must be submitted by November 14.
From Lindsay
Mackay, Secretary
ShelterBox News Update
Greetings to all
Rotarians and Rotary friends.
Everyone
at ShelterBox was hoping that with the end of the hurricane season in the Caribbean, there would be a lull in reported
disasters. This would enable ShelterBox to build up their reserves and ship
them to their forward bases in Dubai, Nairobi, Panama
and Melbourne. This activity had commenced but has
ceased due to the earthquake in Baluchistan province of Pakistan.
Details of this disaster and ShelterBox’s response are contained in the
ShelterBox news article which accompanies this. Many ShelterBoxes were
purchased by Rotary Clubs and Friends of Rotary as a result of the floods
in Burma and the
earthquake in China.
Some of the donations received resulted in ShelterBoxes being sent to these
areas. Other donations received their ShelterBox number but are still
awaiting deployment. I have
requested ShelterBox Australia
to enquire about ShelterBoxes numbered AUS4100 – AUS4500. The donations for
these boxes were received before 30th June 2008 but have no destination
as yet. When received, I shall communicate details to all Clubs. Details of where other ShelterBoxes have
been sent, can be obtained from the ShelterBox Australia website of www.shelterboxaustralia.com.au
Russel
Perry (RC of Manningham) and myself have a ShelterBox, brochures, DVDs,
banners etc which we use for presentations to Clubs or are available on
loan for Club promotions. Please contact us when you require our
assistance.
Geoff Tickner, Rotary Club of Hampton
Why we as a Club are so passionate about Operation Cleft Australia’s on-going programme in Bangladesh.
(See extract from a much fuller article written by Julie
Stein on the Operation Cleft Australia programme for the
Rotary eClub One webpage). Click on the URL below:
http://www.rotaryeclubone.org/articles/2008-Rotary/2008-07-Operation%20Cleft%20Australia.htm
Who do we help?
Morsheda
Imagine you have a daughter named Morsheda who is nine years old. You
love her very much and you worry about her as she was born with a deformity
of the mouth; a bi-lateral cleft. You live in a remote village in Bangladesh. and your family is very poor. Having the money for an operation to fix
Morsheda is something you can only dream of. It breaks your heart as you know that she
is isolated and teased by the other children and there is nothing you can
do to help her.
One day in the village you hear an announcement from a van driving
slowly down the street. The van driver gives you a flier that says “free
cleft surgery at Lamb
Hospital”. You can’t believe it and rush home to
tell Morsheda. Your family makes the long journey to the hospital and after
many hours you arrive, tired and apprehensive. Outside the hospital you see
a crowd of people waiting; many have clefts just like Morsheda.
The Doctor examines Morsheda and says with a
smile, “Yes, we will fix that for you tomorrow”.
When Morsheda comes out of surgery the next day,
you are so shocked. You can’t believe that it is the same person. Your
beautiful daughter is now truly beautiful and when you return to your
village everyone is talking about your lovely daughter and how pretty she
is.
One month after
the operation you return to Lamb hospital for a check up and to say thank
you to the team of surgeons who transformed your daughter’s face. Now she has a second chance at life; she
has new friends at school and her prospects for a happy, healthy and
fruitful life are greatly improved.
Why are we passionate about Operation Cleft?
24 hours after surgery most of our patients pedal off into the night
in a rickshaw and we never see them again. These people are some of the
poorest in the world. They know little of Australia
and even less of Rotary. But whether they know who or where we are is not
important. What really matters is
that their child has been given a great opportunity that they would never
have dared to dream possible. This is why the Rotary Club of Box Hill
Central and supporters throughout Australia
believe in it.
For just
$A200.00, we give people like Morsheda the “gift of a smile for life”
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Morsheda just prior to her Cleft Operation
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Morsheda
shortly after the Operation
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Desk Duties/Greeting
Roster 2008:
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November
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Michelle
Hart, Ken Rice, Lesley Bell
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December
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Geoff
Limmer, Alison Gregory,
Andrew Forgas
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19 November
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Geoff Limmer
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26 November
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Alison Gregory
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3 December
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Ian Port
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10 December
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Ken Clark
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Whitehorse Farmers Market Roster:
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14 December
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Shift 1 (7.30-10.00am)
Shift 2 (10.00am-2.00pm)
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Lesley Bell, Murray Baird
Michelle Hart, Alison Gregory
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Eastern Emergency Relief
Roster:
In the event that
you are unable to make the allocated date, please let Geoff
Limmer know.
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15 November:
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Maurice
Benington, Tony De Fazio, Owen
Jenkin, Peter Enlund,
(Rotaractor)
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20 December:
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Peter
Enlund, Craig Hoath, Tony Stokes, Bruce McEwen,
(Rotaractor)
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16
February:
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Don Sweeney,
Michael Kirk, Lin
Martin, Garry Randall, Rob
Collier, (Rotaractor)
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Thought for the Week:
District
9810 website
- for all the news in our Rotary district
Rotary eClub one - Rotary eClub One
Calendar of Events - check it out
regularly as it is UPDATED on a regular basis
Board of Directors - President Greg Cooper, Club Directors 2008/09 and their
Committees
Club Service List - All the other
Club duties
For contributions
and improvement ideas please email the editor, bmcewen@optusnet.com.au
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