Kylie Doherty from Delta Therapy Dogs spoke about Our world class program is the largest of its kind in Australia with over 1000+ volunteers and their special dogs making regular visits to health care facilities to offer the wonderful benefits of pet therapy, spend time with patients and offer a chat, a floppy ear to listen and a paw to shake.There are currently over 850 facilities involved nationally ranging from aged care through to acute care hospitals for children and adults as well mental health, prisons and dementia specific facilities.
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Youth
Youth Exchange: Our inbound exchange student (Katrine Lundsgaard) has now been in Australia for 3 months and has settled in very well to Australian life. She has been well looked after by her first host family, the Cranage family (Peter and Karen). She is now at Mittagundi for a week long camp with other inbound students. This is always a highlight of the youth exchange calendar. On her return on 5th November, Katrine will move to her 2nd host family (Alice Glachan and Nicholas Little). Our current outbound (Lauren Murphy) continues to have a wonderful year which is fast coming to an end. She will return to Australia in January when Tess Kadaoui will depart for her exchange year in Denmark.
Fiji Schoolies Project: We have 10 confirmed students (7 girls and 3 boys). These comprise 5 local students and 5 inbound Rotary exchange students. We initially had more local applicants, but some withdrew putting the program at risk for this year. We were given permission by the district youth exchange committee to offer the program to inbounds, subject to usual club and parent permissions. This resulted in 5 inbounds applying. Kellie and I will chaperone together with 1 Rotex (ex Rotary exchange student). Flights and accommodation all booked. We depart on 26th November and return on 6th December.
Guest Speaker
Rotary Foundation District Chair, PDG David Cooke, spoke 0n The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s own charitable fund and is operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes throughout the world. The purpose of The Rotary Foundation can be found in it’s motto: “Doing good in the world”. Rotary is working to improve the lives of children, by providing access to health care, education, adequate food, shelter and clean water. Rotarians are saving and changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of children. The mission of the Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty.
Guest Speaker
James Jenkins is the Director of the Community and Recreation at AlburyCity. His responsibilities include community development and services, children’s services, cultural services, parks, recreation and leisure facilities. James has qualifications in horticulture and arboriculture and has significant local government and governance experience.He has also been a Director of Parks & Leisure Australia for over ten years; four of those as Finance Director. He is currently the Chairperson of the Wonga Wetlands Conservation Association Board; and Public Officer and Director of the Albury Conservation Company. James is passionate about integrating the social and cultural aspects of our lives, with the natural and built environment. James has overseen the development and implementation of the Murray River Experience Master Plan and believes this key Council project is core to achieving the community’s vision for its relationship to the Murray River environment. Delivering Experiences on the Murray River and Lake Hume. The community and Council’s vision is to create better connections between the community and its greatest natural resources, the Murray River and Lake Hume. James will outline how better connections can be achieved including the Wagirra Trail and associated works which are being built and managed under AlburyCity’s Aboriginal Employment and Training Program. The Wagirra Trail crew is working on construction and land conservation tasks and has completed significant projects including the Kremur Street Boat Ramp and Oddies Creek Adventure Playground. Unlike many short-term employment initiatives, the Wagirra Trail traineeships are three years in duration and aim to develop future leaders and mentors in the Aboriginal community. The presence of an Aboriginal workforce within Albury City Council has far reaching benefits for the whole community and is a tangible step towards Reconciliation.
Rotary Friendship Exchange
What a wonderful 6 days given to our Danish Friendship Exchange friends. From Milwaukee to Rutherglen – a packed Itinerary. Roger Snell and Dennis Hickey had put together a very full but informative program … they will put in a full report next week (after a little rest) but our club should be very proud of these two boys and their family. My favourite had a to be a tour of the Beechworth Prison but I’m sure others will say playing golf in the rain was a unique experience. Thank you Roger and Dennis for being true Rotarians.
Julie Frauenfelder – Administration