Rotary Matters

Latest Episodes:

Igniting a Passion for Science the with National Youth Science Forum Mar 14, 2021

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The media keeps reminding us that Australia faces a shortage of young people willing to pursue study and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. But to thrive we must harness our smarts, exploit our curiosity, open our minds and take nothing for granted. And that's what scientists do. Today we focus on a remarkable program the National Youth Science Forum, now running annually, nationally and originally developed as a Rotary Youth project. We meet three past graduates, their teacher and Sue Owen who coordinates the involvement of Wahroonga Rotary Club. www.nysf.edu.au

The Eyes Have It! Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

The Eye Clinic at Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney treats a range of complex conditions including cancers, glaucoma, retinal disease, vision loss and more. But they lacked a vital piece of equipment, a diagnostic eye imaging device enabling the detection of changes in children's vision including the progression and regression of tumours. Rotary came to the rescue! We meet Head Orthoptist Katie Geering and Haran Ramachandran local Grants Chair for the Rotary Foundation. Through his creativity, enterprise and enthusiasm Haran raised $168,000 to provide Katie with a Spectralis OCT machine, putting the Eye Clinic at the forefront of eye health.

A Year Like No Other with Rotary in Santiago, Chile. Zoe Evans Feb 26, 2021

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Sydney school girl Zoe Evans went to Santiago Chile in early 2020 with Rotary Youth Exchange. Within weeks Chile went into Covid lock down giving Zoe an unusual but nonetheless successful and rewarding year coping with restrictions and attending school remotely. Despite this she managed to do some local travel, learned local customs., made good friends and mastered the Spanish language. An inspirational story

Shelterbags for the Homeless Feb 20, 2021

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Shelterbags are durable, protective sleeping bags, light, waterproof and warm. A perfect solution for Australia's homeless and rough sleepers. We meet Mary Crammond President of Terrigal Rotary Club who originally planned to make them here using volunteers and donated fabrics. But that was a day dream. In South Africa where millions are unemployed they can be made for only $40. Mary tells us how the project came about, who makes them and the difference they will make. 30 have now arrived in Australia with more on the way. Another inspirational story from Rotary.

Rotary Tackles Climate and Peace Feb 15, 2021

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Sea levels rise, temperatures rise the polar ice caps recede and storms lash our coastlines. Climate change is all around us. Today we meet Jeremy Wright convenor of the Rotary Climate and Peace webinars, a creative initiative to put the spotlight onto the issues and what can be done about them. Jeremy introduces his expert panel who deal with this at a free webinar, Tuesday 16 February. We also learn of Jeremy's priorities and plans to ensure Rotary remains at the forefront of local and international issues when he becomes a District Governor later this year. www.climateandpeace.com.au

Giraffe in a Hospital? Feb 07, 2021

Show notes

Giraffe in a Hospital? Nepean Hospital on the outskirts of Sydney serving a large geographical area has a busy but under resourced emergency department. Medical equipment however can be expensive which prompted local ED nurse Carolyn Fitzpatrick to raise funds to purchase two essential items....a giraffe shaped resuscitation device and a hand held retinal camera. Total cost approx $50,000. She succeeded thanks to Rotary and in particular the support of the Lower Blue Mountains Rotary Club and Haran Ramachandran, Rotary Foundation Grants Chair. Hear how this came about and Haran's engagement with the burns unit at Concord Hospital.

Preparing for the World of Work.....thanks to Belrose Rotary Dec 19, 2020

Show notes

How do young people find a career that suits them? What do they know about the world of work? In a unique program the Rotarians from Belrose host a bunch of students from Peak Hill School, in rural New South Wales for a five day experience in Sydney, visiting the main sights but importantly they also get an inside look at commerce, manufacturing and service industries. Later in the year, Rotarians travel to Peak Hill to provide advice on resume writing, career planning and to undertake mock interviews. We meet Chris Brownlee President Belrose Rotary to tell us more.

Carols 2020...Online! Roseanna Gallo Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

How do you stage a public performance of Christmas Carols in the days of Covid 19? We meet Roseanna Gallo the Musical Director of Carols on the Common, an annual event hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Macquarie Park and North Ryde (in Sydney) who explains how they will present the event in 2020, via a curated concert, skilfully put together and accessible from 7 pm, 13 December, on Facebook. A great example of creative thinking at a time when choral singing is restricted by Health Orders. We learn who is helping put it together and the charities which will benefit.

Community Building and Empowering Women in Nepal. Before and After the Earthquake. Jan Pryor Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

Jan Pryor an Australian high school teacher was working quietly behind the scenes setting up a Learning Centre for orphaned children in Nepal. This led her to set up the Didi Foundation to empower women by providing the tools, education and encouragement towards self sufficiency. Jan was in Nepal when the earthquake struck bringing widespread devastation and loss of life. She tells us how she survived the ordeal and outlines some of the creative ways she is helping the community to rebuild. Jan is President of the Rotary Club of Northlakes Toukley and Coordinator for the Rotary Australia Worldwide Community Service. An extraordinary woman. www.didifoundation.org.au

ShelterBox in Times of Covid Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

ShelterBox an international relief agency provides shelter to communities following natural disasters in countries like the Philippines, Haiti, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cameroon, India and Syria. Aid provided includes tents, mosquito nets, cooking equipment, sleeping mats, solar lights, water filters, food and basic tools. Hard enough at the best of times but made much more difficult in over crowded places like refugee camps where personal hygiene, sanitation and social distancing call for great vigilance, education and strength. We meet ShelterBox ambassador Peita Byer who has worked at the front line of natural disasters and is tireless in her quest to raise funds to support this essential humanitarian work. www.shelterboxaustralia.com.au

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