Club Matters

Annual Reports

International Service Report: 2009-2010    Director: P.P. Trevor Walker

There has been much to do during this "International Year", with great enthusiasm and assistance from many members of our Rotary Club. A brief outline of the year's projects follow.

Support for "Shelter Box" to the tune of $14,400.00, which contributed 12 shelter boxes to the world wide appeal during this calamitous year of disasters. Vicki organized two Trivia nights, one at the Scout Hall and raised $1440, which when topped up with other funds, raised enough for two shelter boxes, the next, at "Peninsula Village" raised $12,000 or 10 shelter boxes - outstanding effort - thanks Vicki.

Assistance for projects in Nepal, organized by Roy Bunney -
This project goes back some 10 years for District 9680. In a remote village on the border of Tibet, two girls 8 and 6 years old were given the chance to be educated and then 4 trained to become fully qualified nurses. One girl will graduate in a few months, the other in a few years. It is an amazing gift for the village and surrounds to have health care on their doorstep. Woy woy Rotary Club has supported Roy with his endeavours in Tibet and Roy has travelled to the village on many occasions.

Nusa Penida -
A movie night (Mao's Last Dancer) plus a "District Simplified Grant" raised $3,600 for Vicki de Carle's amazing project in Nusa Penida, which also won "Photo of the Month" in Rotary Down Under. As if that was not enough, articles in Peninsula News and an interview on ABC Central Coast, highlighted the fantastic exposure the Rotary Club of Woy Woy received due to Vicki's efforts. Well done Vicki.

Polio Plus -
A movie night was arranged at Cinema Paradiso for a screening of "Amelia" (The Amelia Earhart story). The evening was very well attended, including many Central Coast Rotarians. The night started with Pizza in the Piazza, followed by the movie and then supper. Cinema Paradiso has been a wonderful supporter of the Rotary Club of Woy Woy and made their complex available for the combined Rotary Club function. The night raised in excess of $2100.

Mosquito Nets to 'Woodlark Island' -
as yet, has not come to fruition, however it is still in the pipeline and will be a wonderful project.

The "Shoe Box" drive -
supplying toys, books, pencils etc for needy children in all parts of the world (Our Club supplied 30 boxes) - organized and run by "Samaritans Purse" International Relief. The Central Coast supplied a record number of (8,200) boxes. The overall numbers from Australia and New Zealand was approx. 315,000, to be shipped to Samoa, Vietnam, Cambodia, PNG, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Thailand. Well done to all.

Italian Festival at Ettalong Resort -
Although not a fund raising project, this event created tremendous community spirit and support for Rotan not only among the volunteering club members, but also from the general public and of course, the proprietor of Ettalong Resort The event was very well attended over the two days, with many organized attractions and food events operating, it seemed, continuously. Our Club member's tasks w a many and varied, from car parking, resort tour hosting to assisting the disabled groups with their "Bocce" displays. Management was overwhelming with their praise of our assistance, suggesting that the event could not have rum as well without us. Given that was the case, I feel sure we will be involved with future events.

Uganda -
Sale of 'Gift Cards'. Although not embraced by the Club, some money was raised. Cards donated by Vicki.

Visit Australia by Maunce Gravidez from Bagong Barrio, Philippines -
The visit to the Rotary Club of Woy Woy by Maurice Gravidez has come and gone, and what a successful and gratifying couple of days they were. This visit has been a long time coming and was the brainchild of Maureen Hodge - she is a clever girl. After much organising, emailing back and forth, between James Lee, the Program Director for Australia for the Bagong Banio Education Fund, and I, the idea to bring Maurice to Australia to meet him in. person, finally came to fruition.

Maurice's documents were in order and along with Cora (Program Director, Bagong Barrio), Br. Doug Walsh (program founder), Michelle MiIler (Head of Operations) and James Lee (Program Director, Australia), all arrived at our meeting June 1st, 2010. Also in attendance were program sponsors Pilar Rodriguez and Petronella Buysson. A night of hearing about Bagong Barrio from both Maurice's perspective as well as from the program directors.

Maurice and Cora arrived in Melbourne on Saturday 29th May. After settling-in they flew to Sydney, met with sponsors and had a brief tour of Sydney's tourist highlights a d then drove up to the Central Coast on Monday afternoon.

John and Susan Garwood, Don Tee and Suzy Baldock and yours truly, met the party of James Lee, Michelle Miller, Br. Doug Walsh, Maurice and Cora for dinner at the Empire Bay Tavern and all had a most enjoyable evening, getting to know each other and observing how excited Maurice and Cora were, to be in Australia.

Maurice and Cora were picked up on Tuesday morning for a full day of touring the Central Coast and also an interview on 92.5 ABC Radio at Erina Fair with Scott Levi, arranged by Tony Cameron. I, personally, missed the live interview, but having now heard it via a copy sent through to Tony Cameron, was most impressed with Maurice, considering that would certainly be his first interview ever and also with the positive exposure the Rotary Club of Woy Woy received. Well done Tony.

Most of you, having been present on Tuesday night last, were, I am sure, as impressed with Maurice and his support group as I was. The night was a huge success and gave us an insight into just exactly what Maurice and students like him have to overcome, just to get an education.

Maurice has insisted that he will maintain contact with our Club and hopefully this will not be the last time we see him. We wish him every success and witnessing his drive and conviction first hand I am sure he will succeed.

The group left early Wednesday morning, for more touring and sightseeing, flying back to Melbourne on Thursday, then fly out to the Philippines on Friday. A lot of travel in a short space of time, but a time, I am sure, that they will never forget.

Thanks to all who assisted with this event. Perhaps we can do this again when our next student, Liane Mae Miranda graduates?

All in all, a fun year, thank you to my "Rotary Family", love and good health to all.

Regards,

Trevor Walker. PP.
International Director 2009/10.