"I'd rather regret what I did than what I didn't do!" Leading on the Edge by keynote speaker, Rachael Robertson CSP MBA, and I concur! I am glad I said YES to being District Governor for 2021-2022

As this May 2022 Rotary District 9560 Newsletter gets published, a couple of days later than normal, our first ever Rotary District 9560 Conference was commenced and successfully wrapped up. History was made, as folk from Hervey Bay City and Hervey Bay Sunrise sat in the room with Rotarians from Mossman in the north, west to Longreach and Mt Isa, over to the contingent from Tennent Creek and Darwin. Woohoo!! A proud moment for me, indeed. Most satisfying of all was seeing people mingling and sharing laughter, ideas and stories.

What an incredible district conference it was! It was everything we had planned it to be and more, except for a small hiccup at the Cocktail Party night.The Conference kicked off with a cocktail party which was so well attended and a lovely way to meet each other. 

At the District Conference dinner on Sunday night the roll up was also impressive and the band Hot Hot Hot, a 4 piece bluesy band, got big numbers up and dancing.  

Our daughter, Jamie and her partner Kara were also in attendance that night supporting us, which meant a lot.

 The raffle run by our Discovery Coast Rotary friend, Noni Smith, was very successful. We thank everyone attending and clubs who sent sold books back, for your support. Noni will finalise the result of what we raised for the Manatuto Schools Water project (proposed and lead by the Rotaractors of Manatuto in Timor-Leste) on her return to Agnes Water, and we will let you know. The winners came from far and wide, from NT, Mackay, Agnes Water, Gayndah and even Logan, south of Brisbane.

A warm Welcome to Country was given by elder Philip Kemp to all delegates. Then Cr Greg Wiiliamson, Mayor of Mackay Regional Council, thanked all Rotarians for working at serving their Communities. "We need Rotary in our communities today more than ever. A more peaceful world is as far removed as ever, but Rotary has had peace as one of its core values since inception. The impetus for Peace is MORE needed so keep this as your clubs' continued understanding".

Our Rotary International Personal Representative and frend, Ian Scott reminded us of Shekhar Mehta's key messages of Each One Bring One, empowering girls, and the importance of Inclusivity Diversity and Equality.  He told us that well functioning clubs are essential because "Build and they will come". Well functioning clubs are:

Continuslly developing and empowering active and engaged members, because WE are ROTARY

People who use the knowledge of their communities, their brain trust, to serve and improve lives in their towns

Developing friendships and working on happy relationships

Non-judgemental in discussions

Empowering members 

Not sweating the small stuff.

To say that Speaker 1, Professor John Skerritt, was interesting does not do his talk justice. He has had a national profile dealing with the Covid 19 pandemic and even faced death threats. John is the head of the Therapeutic Goods Administration and Office of Drug Control. He reminded us that in 2022 Australia can say we have been very successful in tackling the pandemic but reminded us that it is not over yet. Yes, we have had 7000 deaths but compared to the same population in the USA, we would have faced 80,000 deaths. 

Speakers 2 Professor Betty Kitchener and Emeritus Professor Tony Jorm reminded us that 1 in 5 Aussies will experience some form of mental unwellness or anxiety. "It is the biggest disabler in Australia because it predominantly starts in youth and sets them up for lifetime habits, and is grossly underfunded". 

Betty and Tony received funding to develop a Mental First Aid Courses through AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH.

Area Governor 1, Northern Territory and Timor Leste, Ray Fauntleroy presented one of the great projects from his region on Suicide Prevention Awareness and Education by the Rotary Club of Litchfield/Palmerston.  Matthew Hull accepted the Australia Day Award for a Community Initiative for his Club and also received his Australian of the Year Award.

Rachael Robertson Station Leader on Davies Base in Antarctica amazed us with her "I'd rather regret what I do, rather than what I didn't do" attitude.The takeaway points for our Rotary team are:

1. Find something to celebrate and inspire even in mundane times

2. Ask each member to identify their WHY?

3. Develop resilience as a team

4. NQR - Allow people to acknowledge their "Not Quite Right" moments

5. Integrity is key and NO Triangles must be agreed to- " you don't speak to her about him". Speak directly to the facts to the person. A barrier to this can be members' inability to have that conversation. We used a LADAR tool and watched for the "ping" words in a conversation such as Always, Never and instead ask team members to only stick to facts.

6. Collaboration "Protect the tribe so the individual thrives"

7. Peer Support- " Leadership is setting things that need to be done and doing it, without a title".

8. RESPECT : " Respect trumps harmony every time. A team striving for harmony will crack under pressure, and it will stifle innovation, diversity and inclusivity"

9. Bacon Wars : whether the bacon is soft or crispy is actually not the issue, it is the manifestation of a feeling of feeling disrespected in the team. Leadership is looking after the little things and after all you can cook the bacon both ways.

Mark Anderson, a Senior Coordinator for the Rotary Foundation at the South Pacific and Phillipines Office, shared his story of how Foundation changed his club for the better. He reminded us that clubs need to map assets and needs in their community, and regularly assess if they are meeting them. It is in our constitutional obligation to annually support "our" charity the Rotary Foundation.

AG 2 David Kirchner shared the Rotary Spirit through a very entertaining video, accompanied by a huge array of prop changes, to illustrate the Cairns and hinterland projects. These include Palm Cove markets, NQ Field Days, Rotary Spirit Coast guard boat, Sailability program and the Cardiac Challenge bike ride.

Dorothy Hoddinott AO is a passionate advocate for the human rights of children and youth who are refugees, asylum seekers, or displaced persons (internally and externally). Currently 1/4 of the population of Ukraine is displaced. Half of all displaced people are children. "We need to devote our time to giving people ideas above their station. Station is not fixed".

Area Governor 3 Trevor Hyatt : "After a lot of money changed hands, we decided to highlight Townsville Sunrise's Red Sox For Prostate Cancer to act as a trigger to mobilise men to get tested".

 Brian Richardson explained the inspiration for RED Socks and how the initial consultation saw 14 of their club test positive for prostate. They then took the sox and info out to other clubs and small communities like Quilipie to create awareness and education. "We put 500 socks into every house in Quilpie and it rattled a few cages, and men went to the only doctor. He could check their PSA levels but also check on how they were travelling physically and mentally. We also posted out a survey card with Who is Rotary on one side", and a Prostate Cancer check in on the other. Another great project by us.

RIPPR Ian Scott and PDG Jennifer Scott then spoke on a multi Rotary, cross national and Pursat Community (Pursat Rotary) Sustainable Cambodia project. It covers everything from food security, water projects to educational opportunities and better yet it is sustainable. They extended an INVITE to YOU to attend a Rotarian-guided two week tour 26th January to 5th February 2023. At only US$950 per person, it is so affordabe! Contact: jennifer@scottadr.com

The Area 4 Mackay and surrounds highlighted project was their beneficial Great Community Fundraiser Model.  Neil Wallace explained the benefits of the Community Raffle model and Mackay North's impact through this process, empowering the community to identify and service their own needs. 

The next session highlighted our Youth Service Programs and that is appropriate as this is Youth Service Month. Ryla presented by Stevie Tucker taught us that a " A comfort zone is a psychological state and you will never change your life within this zone"

Youth Exchange- by Heather Sugget used the analogy of "The Rotary blazer Is a heavy article of clothing, but it is heavy with honour, sentiment and experiences". She asks us to seek solutions on how we can keep this program continuing into the future.

RYPEN presented by Daniel Roussounis told us of 15 students' lives changed by fun and resilience building activities at  last weekend's camp. 

Professor Pierre Viljoen was from the North Queensland University campuses and spoke on Is the changes 4.0 in industry and technology. He asked us to consider whether it was an Event Horizon or Horizon of opportunity? Boy, did he make us realise the pace of change! "The landing of Apollo 13 on the moon waa driven by a computer with a capacity NO bigger that the mobile device we each hold today in our hand". 

The Area 5 presentation was by Rocky Fitzroy club member, Barry Tennent. He was inspiring. He highlighted the last RAWCs trip he organised to build a clinic project and toilet in the remote village of Oliveretti in the Solomon Islands, which took 4 days each way to get there and then a 5 hour gruelling hIke in.

WANT TO JOIN THE NEXT TRIP?

Barry will be organising more teams to go to Cambodia or Solomon Islands. Want to volunteer and help??? Contact Barry: bmtennent@gmail.com

The opportunities of Rotary are there for those wanting to take them! 

Nick Beveridge spoke on facing a huge disruption in his 17 year old life, as his immunity system attacked his spinal system. 

Nine years later he was "stuck wanting" to be the old Nick, but when watching the Paralympics he suddenly was inspired to become a triathlon and "embrace the changes he hadn't sought". Start where you are; Use what you've got; Do what you can. Something for all of us to learn in that.

The Area 6 presentation introduced by AG Rob Gibb and led by Alexandra Heron, highlighted a wide ranging collaboration between all 4 Gladstone Rotary clubs, 4 Rotakid clubs, Rotary Foundation, Days for Girls, CWA, and two District Grants, to support 4 remote communities schools in our D9560 remote Indigenous communities in the NT, through the END TRACHOMA program of hygiene kits. What a clever, multifaceted and engaging project at all levels, as well as educational and inclusive.

Thanks to Rotarian and Toastmaster, Mike Storkey, who asked us to embrace and grow the alliance between the two groups, and look to make it a true collaboration.

Area 7s Michael Finn from Maryborough City spoke about developing, running, obtaining funding and engaging members in the ROTARY YOUTH DRIVER AWARENESS Program. Their next course has 1550 students confirmed, with all schools involved over 5 days. A true collaboration of Rotary, State Government, local Community and education facilities. This is definitely following Shekhar's "Dream Big" entreaty.

Bill Peacock and Mark Anderson from Sydney shared their passion and stories on the END Polio Program. Mark says to remember "Polio is but ONE flight away" as it traveled from Pakistan to Malawi last year, and every club is constitutionally obliged to donate $1500 annually to ensure Rotary reaches its 50 Million per year in order for us to qualify for the Gates Foundation grant. Bill reminded us of the human impact of this debilitating disease:

"As a child I asked to live with the Angels, as children in beds beside me left at night".

"I was 7 years in hospital and during that time I saw my mother only once".

" I suddenly get the shivers when I see an iron lung. To me it is a confining space. It is the inability to do things. "

" The Rotary Crippled Children’s Association EDUCATED me free of charge. Mrs Craddock, a Rotaryanne, took us through our correspondence lessons weekly."

And our final, amazing, funny, inspiring speaker was Mary O' Brien talking about men's mental wellbeing, rural men's challenges and suitable analogies to start conversations. 

ARE YOU BOGGED MATE? 

What can we say, she had us laughing, crying and determined to do more on this issue.

DGE John Hall and the amazing Margaret Windsor from Longreach invited us all to the next Conference in Longreach on the May Day weekend, in what was an entertaining and magical presentation.

 The theme will be "Share the Magic of Rotary" and it will be a true country experience, the Rodeo is on and it is a road well worth travelling.

A concise and positive wrap up was given by our Rotary International President’s Personal Representative, Ian Scott. Thank you to Ian and Jennifer Scott for your time, positive personalities, drive, great speeches and friendship..... and also because you summarised everything so well that I didn't need to.

I want to give a huge shout out to the Rotary District 9560 Conference 2021-2022 committee of Ross Walker Larry Slattery,  Karolyn Huxhagen, Mark Lean, Col Meng, Chris Beckley, Dave Perkins (MC) and helpers. Without your dedication and work over the part 18 months, this would not have happened.

Thanks to the efforts of our seven Area Governors. We were fortunate enough to have some of the outstanding, instrumental individuals and projects showcased from our wide and diverse District. 

Very important! The mandatory Conference Resolutions was held to five minutes, thanks to Trevor Hyatt, standing in for Secretary Ernie Landy.. I wish to acknowledge Ernie's unfailing support of me during the last 10 months and wish him a speedy recovery. And also I send my thanks and best wishes to District Finance Officer, Glenn Gough. Boys, I missed celebrating this with you both. 

In 2021-2022, we have to be very proud of our clubs, their presidents, and their members for their embracing of the newly merged District, for their patience with some communication issues in the new system, for their amazing service and projects. The success of the year rests in their hands. 

Further thanks go to our little Discovery Coast Rotary club. Two DGs in a row is a big ask and there they all were over the weekend. Love you guys! That is truly #OneTeamOneGoal right there!

Thanks also to my District Leadership team. You folk are my back bone, my support, my mentors and my friends. As are the Rotary Governors of years past and emerging. 

Thanks especially to my wife, Karen. I couldn't have done this without her. Her memory for people, places and events floor me. She has loved how you have all shared your time, your clubs, your projects and communities with us, and she thanks you for supporting the Manatuto Water Project. And the two of us are surrounded by our beautiful girls and family friends.

We are one team.

 Teams face challenges together with respect and understanding.... with kindness. We laughed together. We cried together. We told jokes. We hugged. We had fun. We talked about our families. We talked about our clubs. We said good-bye at the end of the conference knowing that our paths would cross again.

Good bye to all Conference attendees and friends. See you in Longreach in 2023.

DG Martti