Tim Flora’s overview of the Odyssey House programs last week highlighted that drug and alcohol addiction is commonly a symptom of underlying trauma. Treatment must recognise and address that trauma as the first step in managing the consequent addiction. We can only have the greatest respect for Tim and his team as they unravel some very complex inter-related causes and effects. It seems incredible that there are only 200 beds for drug and alcohol rehabilitation in Victoria, of which 130 are managed by Odyssey House. Maybe there is an opportunity for Rotary to play a role?
As you read this bulletin, our own Rob Kilcullen is playing in the Australian cricket team in England. Well, to be more exact, the Australian team in the ”International Fellowship of Cricket Loving Rotarians”. Pat O’Shea our frequent visitor from the Rotary Club of Bright is also in the team. This is just one of 74 Rotary international Fellowship groups which bring together Rotarians with common vocational or recreational interests from around the world. June is Rotary Fellowship month, so have a look at www.rotary.org/fellowships to see if your passion is included. You too could be sharing and learning with like-minded Rotarians around the globe.
Rotarians are indeed a diverse bunch of people, all with a common passion to do good in the world, but each with a different story to tell. This week we hear Judy’s story and an insight into her life experiences and what drives the incoming President for 2017-18. See you there!
Lastly, bookings for Club Changeover (29th June) close this Friday 16th, so hurry and book if you haven't already done so.
Cheers,
Kevin
Lower Eltham Park BBQ 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
You are responsible for finding a replacement if you are unable to do your rostered duty and notify Lyn Truran ljtruran@bigpond.com
Rotarian Behind the Badge - this week President Elect Judy Sharp will bear her soul and relate her life story. As usual this promises to be an enjoyable and informative night as we learn and understand about our incoming, ground breaking,fearless leader who will become the RC of Eltham’s first female President – don’t miss it !!
Judy Sharp reported that the annual Rotary fees are being reduced to $300 plus GST, a reduction of $30.00 on last year.
Changeover is now only three weeks away – book on Try Booking or contact Ann who will assist with your booking. There is a great band booked for the night so a good time is assured.
Ross McDonald offered his MCC ticket access for the Brazil –V- Argentinian football match to anyone willing to provide the club with a donation.
Paul Kelly reports that the BBQ trailer is missing the kettle and the shackles, any one knowing the whereabouts of these two items to contact Paul to ensure the trailer remains in a ready to go condition.
Our guest speaker was Tim Flora from Odyssey House, he spoke with care and passion about the aims of the centre and how it operates. Some key facts about the centre are:
It aims to integrate drug and alcohol suffers back into the community.
It operates a peer group counselling strategy where patients take on responsibilities within the centre that help them get back to a more normal life.
It operates 112 beds and has a maximum of 120 patients a day in the system
Victoria is well under resourced for this kind of service compared to NSW which has double the beds and greater exposure in the regional and rural communities.
The statistics on Drug and alcohol abuse are approximately as follows
Alcohol – 50% of patients
Ice – 30 %
Heroin and other drugs 20 %
Tim finished with a restatement of their Motto -If it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you.
President Kevin presented Tim with a cheque to help with Funding.
2 boxes of books have been sold and stocks have been replenished.
This may well be the last box available as stocks are limited in Melbourne so best be quick!
Help us raise funds for our club by buying an Entertainment Book. You'll receive hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and help our fundraising at the same time!
A big "Thank You" to all the Members and their Partners.
It has been decided that we will not be having a Cake Stall at this years Festival. I would like to say thank you to all those who have helped me over the past years for their support and their supply of not just cakes but books and plants as well. I have had a great deal of pleasure in being able to organise both the Cake Stalls and the Trash ‘N Treasures that we had several years ago.
Together we have been able to raise a substantial amount of money that has been directed to various deserving community groups and you should all feel proud as it has been due to your efforts throughout.
To you all, I say again, a very big THANK YOU and I look forward to catching you all at this years Festival in November.
We are incredibly grateful to Lyn for her commitment to helping out and getting other partners involved in the Eltham Festival over many years. Firstly with the Trash and Treasure and more recently with the Cake stall. Lyn, along with her trusted assistant Graeme, organised everything ahead of time and then ran everything like clockwork on festival weekend. A huge thank you to Lyn for her fantastic support and effort which resulted in many hundreds of dollars being contributed to the festival coffers.
This year on Festival weekend, we may not be having a cake stall but we will be looking to once again have the support of Lyn and as many partners as possible so stay tuned for further Festival news in the weeks ahead.
And we certainly hope you have the 2017 Festival dates etched into your brains by now and if not, then at least in big bold letters on the front of your fridge. NOVEMBER 11th and 12th.
Yet another tough round for tipsters in a tough season! The average for all tipsters was 1.9 out of 7. Impressively, Alison Cooper managed to get 5 correct.
The Lynch Mob continue to lead the tipping for the second week in a row.
There are only 6 games next week and then we return to a full round with the opportunity to compete for the weekly jackpot.
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