Chair – Tom Callander
Guests: Suzette Taylor and Peter Jankowski
Announcements – (Watch out for the name “Rebecca”)
- Neville John – Advised of a fundraising Film night for End Trachoma in 2 days time, Thursday 4 December.
- Gerard Hogan – Sought volunteer Choristers for the forthcoming Annual Christmas Breakfast on Tuesday 17 December.
- Rebecca John – Requested nominations for the Rotary Shine on Awards which close on 1 January 2020. The Awards focus on the abilities of those with disabilities. Further information available from Rebecca or District9800 website.
- Alison Chan – Promoted our Annual Christmas Hamper project. Collect Red or Green bags from Alison each Tuesday, to be returned (with goods included) on 17 December, our Christmas Breakfast morning. Beneficiaries are Steps Ministry and Lentara.
Pres Warwick:
- Thanked Neville and Rebecca John for the very successful BBQ at their home on Saturday 30 November.
- Mentioned firstly that it was Rana Ebrahini’s birthday today and that Rebecca John had baked a cake to celebrate. Candles were lit and all members sang Happy Birthday whilst Rana proceeded to blow out 10 candles. Secondly that it was Rana and Peter’s 2nd Wedding Anniversary.
- Birthdays: Rebecca John on 6 December and Des Benjamin on 8 December.
- Club Anniversary: 3 years up for Rohan Williams.
Tom then decided that it was time to highlight those who Lifted the Lid on Mental Illness by wearing “Funny Hats” and thereby saved themselves $2 over those who came empty handed and “donated” $7. An amount of $200 was raised towards Australian Rotary’s Support of Mental Health Research programme. [Photos in Gallery below]
Guest Speaker – Detective Snr Constable Michael Beilken
“Adverse health effects for youth exposed to family violence”.
It was fitting that Chairman of the day, Tom Callander, introduced our Guest Speaker, Detective Snr Constable Michael Beilken who is currently with the Family Violence Command Taskforce. For many years, Tom has been our Club representative on a Committee which selects suitable candidates from Victoria Police to undertake the 2 years Graduate Diploma of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne. Michael is our Silk Miller Scholar for 2019.
Our Club provides half the funding for the student, known as the Silk Miller Scholarship. This year, members will recall that the funds raised by our Club at the Sunday Camberwell Market went towards funding the Scholarship named in honour of officers Sergeant Gary Silk and Snr Constable Rodney Miller who lost their lives in the line of duty in 1998.
In a wide-ranging talk, Michael highlighted that family violence can have a devastating effect on child development. It leads to numerous problems including emotional adverse child experiences, household dysfunction, stress and anxiety and even suicide. Alcohol and drug use affects cognitive development and lowers perceptions and risks. The linking of domestic violence with alcohol/drug use leads to ongoing health and psychological issues which becomes a merry-go-round of health and wellbeing issues.
The police response to this growing problem covers prevention measures and support programs. The Course objectives of the Graduate Diploma are most relevant e.g. encouraging behavioural change, family reunification etc
The Children’s Court Youth Diversion Services also gives hope, particularly to youths who are positive about it. Not all diversions work out for the better.
In closing, Michael thanked the Club for its support. As one listened to Michael, it was easy to understand why he was selected as a Silk Miller Scholar, especially as he demonstrated his great connection between learning and application.
Raffle Winners – Martin Langton & David Jones (alias Davey Crockett for the day).
Gabe Denemark is part of the NBN local Community Affairs team in Melbourne. His role is to meet with local community and residential groups to help educate them about NBN and what it means for them.
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