I would like to ask members to be aware of the changing of Food Safety Standards. I believe it would beneficial if all members could try and link into the SA Health virtual session. This would give all members an understanding of what will be required of our Club by December 2023. Register to attend one of the virtual business information sessions via the links below:
District Governor’s Partner’s Project Rotary year, Kathryn has decided to support two South Australian based charities whom are not in receipt of Government funding:
Childhood Cancer Association
Since 1982, the Childhood Cancer Association have provided practical, hands-on support for children with cancer and their families. The Association has evolved over time to offer a range of professional support services led by a small team of psychologists. When a child has cancer, it affects the whole family. The aim is to assist with the funding of Hospital Support Bags, including the Rotary Luggage Tag.
Peter Nelson Leukaemia Research Fellowship Fund
Established by Marjorie Jackson-Nelson – the Lithgow Flash and former Governor of South Australia – in memory of her husband, Australian Olympic cyclist, Peter Nelson who passed away from leukaemia. The fund was established to support researchers, in an accredited research department, to undertake research into leukaemia with the goal of finding a cure for cancer. Promising progress is being made, with leukaemia survival rates increasing by as much as 20% in the past 20 years. In 2019, Dr Laura Eadie was appointed the 10th researcher funded by the Peter Nelson Leukaemia Research Fellowship Fund. Dr Eadie is currently undertaking her research at SAHMRI, investigating alternative targeted treatment options for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL).
The Murray Bridge high school is looking for host parents for their up-and-coming tour of the Australian girls choir, so if you can assist please contact Helen Peake at the school.
I would also ask members to keep the 29th August free for a movie night that Lyn is organising.
On the 15th July the West Lakes Rotary Club is having another day helping out at the Monarto Safari Park, so please watch for further information.
At our last Board meeting we decided to change our meeting night from the 6th June to the 7th to allow the members to attend a joint meeting with Mobilong. The speaker will be Dr Arjun Srivatsa.
“No one must die waiting for an Organ” This is the motto of Rotarian, Anil Srivatsa Anil is from India and is trying to Unite Rotary for Organ Donation. In 2014, he donated one of his kidneys to his brother, Dr Arjun Srivatsa His campaign started at last years Rotary Convention in Houston, Texas. So far, he has driven approx 57,000 kms through 17 countries and will end at this years Rotary Convention in Melbourne in May, but first making a stopover in Perth to compete in the World Transplant Games in April this year. Anil won 2 gold medals for India and his brother bagged a silver Anil is also the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Organ Donation.
The Rotary Club of Mobilong invites you to hear his incredible journey.
Murray Bridge RSL - Wednesday June 7th 2023 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start $ 35.00 pp 2 course alternate drop meal **Pre-pay is preferable please** Rotary Club of Mobilong BSB: 015 665 Account: 203728552 Ref: Your Surname Contact Sharon Pratt for bookings pratt@internode.on.net or 0408 808 229
I think that will be enough for this week.
RI Convention - District EXPO Centenary Celebration Dinner
The District has organised a Community Impact Expo to be held on 3rd June in Bonython Hall, North Terrace. The aim is to connect Rotarians and the community and showcase the impact we have as Rotarians across the state. During the afternoon there will be a series of keynote speakers who will highlight volunteering, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Following the Expo will be a celebration Dinner.
The program below gives you an understanding of the great range of presentations planned to be presented on the day.
Why not join us?
Meeting Review
Darren Willis from the Landscape SA Murraylands & Riverland gave Rotarians an insight into Wetlands management along the SA section of the River Murray. Rotarian Jim Mason introduced him at the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge weekly meeting to talk about "After the Flood". Darren is the Team Leader Wetlands Natural Resource Management leading a team of "operational ecologists" with Landscape SA. There are 250 wetland complexes along the SA part of the River Murray and the Landscape Board is involved in 87 "managed" wetland complexes. Some are pool connected and others ephemeral floodplain. The pool connected are managed by structures with a process of drying and refilling. Floods like the one we have just had change the landscape and provide connectivity and regeneration of fish, birds, animals and plants creating ecological opportunities. The Southern Bell Frog, the vulnerable Murray Hardyhead, flathead Galaxia and Southern Pygmy Perch are a part of the management Program. The nationally threatened Murray Crayfish has not been found in SA waters for around 40 years. Some 200 crays a few weeks ago were rescued from blackwater affected areas during the flood and are being released in the Riverland. They are a protected species. Tolderal Reserve a Ramsar Wetlands proclaimed in 1970, is a protected area of 428 ha on the NW side of Lake Alexandrina is probably the most productive food source within the Coorong Lower Lake system. It contains 25 species of international migratory wader species. John Scarvelis
CALENDAR WINNERS 16th May
Draw Date
Value
No.
Winner
Location
Sold By
16/05/23
100
900
Caitlin Schubert
Tailem Bend
Rotary
30
720
Wayne Leonard
Murray Bridge
Rotary
20
647
Chris & Pam Walters
Blakeview
R Walters
Click image to register
ROMAC Newsletter Extract
Things are really moving again on the ROMAC front. We are currently treating 7 children in New Zealand and Australia and we have at least another 20 under consideration. We are updating our systems and processes. We have recently completely revised our By Laws which, in line with Rotary practice, now clearly limits the time our office bearers can hold a particular position to 4 years.
In this regard, two of our long-serving Regional Chairs, Jill Oliver (Southern) and Wayne Litherland (Northern) have recently been replaced by Minh Nguyen and Adele Hughes respectively. Our sincere thanks go to Jill and Wayne for their outstanding contributions to ROMAC over the last five years and we welcome Minh and Adele. We also thank Jim Prokhovnik, who after five years, is standing down as our Meeting Secretary.
We have recently been advertising another 6 Zone 8 positions, some new roles and some filling casual vacancies. It is very pleasing to see the level of interest in these roles, and to announce the following appointments:
Medical Director - Dr Nigel Stewart (South Australian Paediatrician and former Central Region Medical Adviser)
Meeting Secretary - Brendan Kenny (former Central Region Secretary)
HR, Recruitment & Training Coordinator (new position) - Jim Prokhovnik (former Meeting Secretary)
Australian Operations Manager (new position) - Jill Oliver (former Southern Region Chair)
We thank and congratulate these 4 people and welcome them in their new roles. We are currently working though the selection processes for the remaining 2 vacancies.
I want to point out that most Regional Committees are still looking for volunteers with a variety of skills in areas like fundraising, communications and media, hospital liaison, club involvement, patient care and hosting, and any other roles like Secretary and Treasurer. Please contact your Regional Chair if you would like to volunteer and help ROMAC continue to provide life saving and/or dignity restoring surgery to children from our Oceania neighbours.
As we get even closer to the end of this Rotary year, I make one last plea for donations to ROMAC if any Rotary club has any surplus funds. They will be well used to help mothers and children in need.
Yours in Rotary
Ian D'Arcy Walsh
Kim from Vietnam
Born in Vietnam with a Tessier Cleft in 1995, Kim was a ROMAC patient of Plastic Surgeon Prof. Tony Holmes at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne in 2001. Prof. Holmes reconstructed her face, reducing her brain deformity, rebuilding her forehead and moving her eye sockets together over several operations.
In December 2021, Kim graduated from college with a major in Tourism and Travel Management, aged 25. She has a job at the College, recruiting students to the school. She says she really enjoys the job and has a good life with the love of friends and family. Photos: Kim age 6. Kim at her graduation ceremony in 2022 age 25.
Melenaite Update
It was a very early 4am check in on 8 April at Mascot Airport for baby Melenaite and her mum Michelle. But it was well worth the effort as they were flying home after 9 months of treatment at the Canberra Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital to be reunited with father Sione, whose only contact has been by phone and Zoom.
Melenaite underwent two major surgeries to remove a 2.5kg teratoma (growth) on her lower back, first in Canberra and then in Sydney when regrowth of the teratoma occurred. As a result of the teratoma, she also has lost bladder control and has been receiving treatment for that as well.
Melenaite will be closely monitored over the coming months by her Tongan paediatrician, Dr Toa. A MRI scan, most likely in Auckland, will also be required in a few months.
In all, a great effort by the Medical Teams at the Canberra Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital, supported by the ROMAC teams in both cities. A very big thank you to Sandra Goldstraw and Debbie Whitfield in Canberra who shouldered most of the support effort, and to Richard Woodburn, Bob Richards and Anita Robinson in Sydney. Photo (l to r): Richard Woodburn, Michelle, Melenaite & Anita Robinson.
Senri Update
Thirteen-year-old Senri, from the Solomon Islands, is our latest patient at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick. Senri was badly burned in 2021 when an old WW2 phosphorous grenade exploded as he was playing with it. He suffered full-thickness burns to his left hand, leaving it dysfunctional, and partial-thickness burns to his right hand.
Dr Sarah Tolerton, a Plastic Surgeon who specialises in hand and reconstructive surgery, and Registrar Dr Phaethon Karagiannis successfully operated on both his hands in a nearly 8-hour operation in April.
In a further blow to Senri and his family, his mother, who was to accompany him to Sydney, sadly passed away. Then his older sister agreed to step in but found she was pregnant and unable to travel. Rotarian and Past District Governor Ros Kelly stepped into their shoes and agreed to act as Senri's guardian for the trip to Australia.
The surgeons are very happy with Senri's progress to date. He will have a lot of physiotherapy over the next few weeks, with more surgery in about a month to "tidy up" his wounds. Photo (l to r): Anita Robinson & Semri.
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition
Drakes Tags
Our Club has received another "gift card" from Dakes in the amount of $125.00 through their Community Dollars programme. Thank you to all members who have shopped at Drakes and registered their barcode. Please keep on doing this as it helps pay for groceries bought for bbqs etc. Any members who havn't a Drakes tag please see me. The tags are not just for members, you can give them to friends and family. You can use them at any Drakes store in South Australia.
Jenny Alexander-Walters
Food Business Notification Number Rural City Of Murray Bridge
Trading Business Name: Rotary Club of Murray Bridge Food Business Notification Number: RCMB118 This business is now notified with the Rural City of Murray Bridge. If there are any changes to the food business notification details, such as a change in address or ownership, please ensure Council is notified with the appropriate form. While Council has a responsibility for the administration of the Food Act 2001 to ensure compliance with standards and food safety requirements, we consider our primary role is to provide support. We can provide advice and guidance on all Food Standards Code matters.
Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Rotary Work Shirts
Darryl Webb has arranged with Grandisons to supply Bisley Rotary work shirts in various configurations.
Please visit Grandisons and select your shirt which will then be embroided with our Club logo.
Pay for the shirt and retain your receipt.
Upon presentation of the receipt to Sam Cozens, you will be reimbursed $20 as a subsidy
What's happening on our Facebook page
John Scarvelis has been posting up a storm with some great content.
Born in Vietnam with a Tessier Cleft in 1995, Kim was a ROMAC patient of Plastic Surgeon Prof. Tony Holmes at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne in 2001. Prof. Holmes reconstructed her face, reducing her brain deformity, rebuilding her forehead and moving her eye sockets together over several operations.
In December 2021, Kim graduated from college with a major in Tourism and Travel Management, aged 25. She has a job at the College, recruiting students to the school. She says she really enjoys the job and has a good life with the love of friends and family. 
It was a very early 4am check in on 8 April at Mascot Airport for baby Melenaite and her mum Michelle. But it was well worth the effort as they were flying home after 9 months of treatment at the Canberra Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital to be reunited with father Sione, whose only contact has been by phone and Zoom.
Thirteen-year-old Senri, from the Solomon Islands, is our latest patient at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick. Senri was badly burned in 2021 when an old WW2 phosphorous grenade exploded as he was playing with it. He suffered full-thickness burns to his left hand, leaving it dysfunctional, and partial-thickness burns to his right hand.
ged with Grandisons to supply Bisley Rotary work shirts in various configurations.
