Tuesday evening we heard from the two students who sailed with the One and All. Yes they were nervous giving their presentations but both students got something out of their trip. And it is an experience they will remember. I wish all the best to them and every success in their studies and future careers.

Wednesday’s performances in the Winter Sounds were really great.  It was so nice to see previous Music Bursary winners doing their thing whether it was performing or helping behind the scenes.  There were some outstanding solo performances and I am sure that we saw a future Music Bursary winner amongst them.  I have passed on our congratulations to the staff in the Music Department.  Thank you to John Whimpress for organising and cooking the bbq. Hot food was very welcome on such a cold night.

A Committee has been formed to oversee the Vision of Islands project.  We have received more information from District of do’s and dont’s and Board will make the decision as to whether this becomes a Club Project this week.

As I am typing this the rain is taking a push and the sun is shining.  It is so good to see the ground wet. The retention dam beside us is 3/4 full and the ducks are back swimming on it. I hope our farmers in the north and the south east of our State have received good amounts of rain.

Thought for the week:

“The most worthwhile thing we can do is try to put happiness into the lives of others.” 

                                                                      Paul Harris

Changeover Dinner Booking

Dont forget to book for the upcoming Club Changeover Dinner.

Book by clicking this red link    https://www.trybooking.com/DBNMC

YOU MUST BOOK TO ATTEND

Rotary Youth Sailing Challenge

On Tuesday 6th June, Cameron and Lucas presented their reflections on their 5-day voyage with the Rotary One and All Sailing Challenge

As a Year 10 student at Unity College, living at Bow Hill, Cameron reflected on

• The wide range of learning he experienced from gaining knowledge and experience in tying knots for the marine journey, to being able to identify all the parts of the ship and sails in nautical terms
• Outlining the history of the One and All from built to present day
• His nervousness at the commencement of the journey - well outside his comfort zone - to the incredible time spent getting to know the rest of his team and having to trust them implicitly in certain situations
• The need to undertake rotational (and often repeated) routine activities to keep the ship fully functioning
• While not getting seasick on the voyage, he did miss friends, IT and regular at-home activities
• New friendships grew over the 5 days, but these will take a special commitment to continue beyond the journey

Lucas is a Year 10 student at Murray Bridge High School and was sponsored and supported by SAPOL’s Blue Light Boxing Programme. 

• He outlined the process he undertook from writing his letter of application and ensuring all aspects of the application process were completed accurately
• He, too, was nervous and apprehensive as he arrived at the docks at Port Adelaide and saw the enormity of the sailing vessel which was to be his home for the next 5 days
• Lucas outlined the importance of all the briefings for emergencies, even though they did not experience any of these during the journey - being prepared was so important
• He shared the fun activities including Movie Night, time on the beach, experiencing the dolphins in the open seas and meeting new people
• Laus was not sure if he would undertake the sea voyage again, but would like to consider more leadership opportunities should they be available for him to experience

The One and All voyage puts a unique group of people, never together before the event, in an out-of-comfort situation, and allows them to grow, both personally and in their nautical knowledge, while experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity that both Cameron and Lucas thanked the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge for sponsoring.

Kai Martin raises more than $50,000 for local domestic violence services

Can we give a Big Thanks and Community Recognition to this young man, Kai Martin.

On the 23rd of May Kai Martin gave an amazing gift to his Murray Bridge Community.

He ran the Lavender Federation Trail, a 325 km ( approximately 202 miles ) trek  from Clare to Murray Bridge - All to raise funds for Domestic Violence. 

Kai is an inspiring young man who works with underprivileged kids and their families and has always been aware of Domestic Violence with a need to do something about it.  His gift was running and setting a goal of raising $25,000.

Incredibly, Kai pushed himself so hard over 3 days - he was delirious when he arrived back at his home town in the early hours at 3am on Monday morning. But he had smashed his fundraising goal, netting more than $50,000 – and possibly much more – for local domestic violence support services.

Senior Community Constable Derek Mattner joined Kai at the 150km mark, running 130km through freezing conditions and challenging terrain. Kai expressed his gratitude, stating Derek’s support was crucial to the run’s success.

Despite the pain and exhaustion he was suffering, he broke into a run for the final stretch along the riverfront, cheered on by about 100 people and a phalanx of police cars with flashing lights.

Past the head of the Lavender Federation Trail,  Kai went down to the Place of Courage – a memorial to abuse victims and survivors – where he broke through a banner before circling back to hug his mum.

Kai had run more than 100km before, but completing the Lavender Federation Trail on virtually no sleep was another beast entirely.

Friends supported him to the Murray Bridge hospital’s emergency department after his arrival.

When Murray Bridge News caught up with him on Wednesday, his legs were still swollen and bandaged, his feet blistered, his mouth full of ulcers and his body aching.

Kai Says “It was pretty cool, running that far, but the reason I did it was for domestic violence,” he whispered hoarsely to the crowd moments later.

“Just because the run’s done doesn’t mean this conversation stops”.

“We’ve gotta keep this going, keep fighting against domestic violence, okay?”

Kai has spent years raising awareness of the issue in his home community, speaking out at public events and changing attitudes among classmates and footy club mates since the age of 15.

The public fundraising page for Kai’s run for DV shows a tally of more than $50,000, but Mr Martin estimated the final total would be much higher. The 30 donation tins he had left around Murray Bridge were all full, some with up to $1000 in them; supporters had transferred thousands more into a private bank account; and T-shirts promoting the run were still available for sale.

On June 15 he will appear alongside other speakers at a Murraylands Women’s Health Summit, with all proceeds from the $50-a-ticket event going to his campaign.

The funds he has raised will benefit the Murray Bridge Regional Collaboration on Violence Against Women and Children.

The group’s volunteers will take the next few months deciding how to spend the money: perhaps on temporary accommodation for people escaping abuse, or a short-term contract for a support worker, or educating the next generation about respectful relationships.

Donate: www.mycause.com.au

Buy a T-shirt at vansonvisuals.com.au

Tickets for the Murraylands Women’s Health Summit: $50 at Murraylands Women's Health Summit.

Report courtesy Facebook #StandUp #SpeakOut
Photos are courtesy  South Australian Police and James Dawson @ Create with Jim

Support Our Farmers

Rotary Australia World Community Service is assisting affected communities of the Western Victoria and South Australian Drought region through the network of local Rotary Clubs and in collaboration with local support agencies 

Western Victoria & South Ausralia has been severely impacted by drought with farming land dry and barren and livestock feed and water running out fast.

Beyond livestock feed, the impact of the drought with the heartbreaking hardships the farming families themselves are facing as they watch their animals deteriorate. Mental health issues are often paramount. Some families themselves go without to ensure their livestock survive. This RAWCS project intends to raise funds to support humanitarian relief projects for those impacted in the drought affected regions.

RAWCS Drought Relief for South Australia Farmers & Livestock Fund

This fund was established in late February and has already provided a significant number of hay bales /livestock feed to farmers in the Mid North and West Coast of SA.   Continued support for SA farmers and their livestock is desperately needed. 

Click on this link to donate directly to the South Australian Drought Fund  https://donations.rawcs.com.au/42-2024-25

RAWCS Western Victoria Drought Emergency Relief Fund  

Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) is assisting affected communities of the Western Victoria Drought region through the network of local Rotary Clubs and in collaboration with local support agencies. 

Click on this link to donate directly to the Victorian Drought Fund https://directory.rawcs.com.au/54-2024-25

Flood Relief

As communities across New South Wales face one of the most devastating flood emergencies in recent memory, we are once again called to act with compassion and urgency.
In just two days, parts of the state have received four months’ worth of rain, triggering flash floods that have inundated homes, cut off entire towns, and tragically claimed lives. Over 50,000 residents have been warned to evacuate or prepare for isolation, with major flooding affecting areas such as Taree, Wingham, Dungog, and the Mid North Coast.
Emergency services are stretched thin, conducting hundreds of rescues while many residents remain stranded. The full scale of the disaster is still unfolding, and the need for coordinated support is growing by the hour.
Rotary District 9660 is mobilising to assist affected communities. Disaster coordinators are being appointed, and collaboration with local authorities is underway. As with the Queensland response, mental health support will be a critical focus in the recovery phase.

How You Can Help:
There are two trusted ways to contribute:
  District 9660 Disaster Fund Account
(For immediate use by clubs and districts – not tax deductible)  

            Account Name: Rotary District 9660
            BSB: 082798
            Account Number: 599 583 002
                                          and/or
  Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund 
(Tax-deductible in Australia – ideal for individual donations, in support of the Disaster Response Grant application that is being prepared by the district)
DONATE HERE 

CALENDAR WINNERS 

3^rd June

Draw Date	Value	Winning No.	Winner	Location	Sold by
3.6.25	$100	935	M.B. Golf Club	Murray Bridge	Sponsor
	$50	728	Anne Kesting	Murray Bridge	Meals on Wheels

 

Dorcas - School of St Jude
Vocational Visit

We are pleased to share a photo from Dorcas's recent excursion to the Leather International Industry. Please find the attached photo taken on the day of the visit.

Our Form 3 science students travelled to the Leather International Industry in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. The aim of the trip was to learn about the importance of the leather sector, how the machines operate, the challenges faced, and the job opportunities available. Students also explored the environmental impact of industrial activities and how local materials are used to produce leather goods such as shoes and other products.

Excursions like this are a vital part of our students’ educational journey. Gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of their environment helps them make the most of the opportunities a St Jude’s education offers.

It’s always a pleasure to keep you updated on Dorcas’s progress here at St Jude’s.

Object of Rotary