The opening of the new AC Care units was officially opened on Tuesday morning, thanks to the Rotarians who attended. Meetings to arrange the 70th Birthday are going along steadily thanks to a mountain of work by Jenny Phillips and Robin Le Gallez should be a good night.
What a great outcome with our Buy A Smile project, it just goes to show what can be done to change people’s lives with so little effort. Thanks to all concerned with making it happen with a great outcome.
Following our meeting Tuesday night, ‘Vision of Islands’ project (via video) by Dr John Willoughby, an ophthalmologist, it had people talking, this maybe another project our club could be involved with helping to change people's lives, something we can do with very little effort.
We look forward to our meeting Tuesday night with Rotarian Jack Reddin speaking about the ‘Mallee Hall of Fame’.
Check your email from President Gordon and book now
RSVP is required to Jenny Phillips
“You have changed two lives for the good, and forever.” Neil Silver
Writing this article I could not go past using the above quote as a header. As a Club we can be proud to have been part of this amazing act of kindness, through providing the financial means for two operations removing the disfiguring deformity of cleft lip/palate for two bright eyed young ladies, Nani and Sabrina.
When I reported this project to you last November, I indicated there was good promise of a great outcome for Nani, an outcome we can now share with a lovely photo.
Through an act of good fortune, of God or an amazing coincidence, the surgical operation for Nani was fully prepared, at the same time as Nani and Sabrina were ready to go, so both were admitted to the surgical theatre for the cost of one which we had provided! Wow already!
You might notice that Nani has a protruding tooth, which will be straightened in the near future.
Neil Silver is the contact person for the “Buy a Smile” project.
Story by Sam Cozens on behalf of the Murray Bridge International Committee
School Of St Jude
Dear All at Rotary Club of Murray Bridge,
We are happy to have you back for another exciting year!
Name: Philip Mlay Position: Community Relations Manager
2024 is already looking great! I am especially happy for the newly enrolled students at St Jude’s. They have worked so hard to get here and now they have a chance to change their future. My team and I coordinate the entire scholarship application process and this is a proud moment for all of us!
You may notice a few changes with our newsletters this year, but rest assured, our stories and updates are more thrilling than ever.
Whether you’d like to read, listen, or watch, we invite you to catch up about what’s happening at St Jude’s this month!
New Year, Starting Secondary
This January, 144 students joined St Jude’s secondary schools. Learn how newly enrolled students are adjusting to life at their new school
I would like to share the below photo to show where we placed the playgrounds on the map of Mongolia.
We have transported all the playgrounds to the respective locations, but two of the locations, we weren't able to put up in time before the land froze. So, we are planning to put up the playgrounds as soon as the land thaws which is estimated around early May.
I will send more photos early next week for the ones we have built up.
Kind regards,
Miriam
Veloo Foundation
Swap Meet 2024
The Rotary Swap Meet at the Murray Bridge Showgrounds Eastside was an absolute cracker event today. The crowd of over 1600 paying entrants ate 50 dozen eggs 40kg of bacon 15kg of sausages plus hamburgers, iced coffees and drinks on a near perfect day. Lots of goods including antiques, classic cars / motor bikes complete with spare parts, fishing nets, plants, paintings and much more. Led by Rotarian John Whimpress it was a whole of club and supporters effort with gates open to the public at 6am and didn't letup till after midday. We were divided into three shifts with gate entrance duties, cooks, and front of house a well oiled machine with over 20 swap meets under our belt. Many sellers from around the State and across the border set up and stayed overnight to get their preferred positions. Thanks for your support. There must be a few sheds around that received a clean out too!
Proceeds will go to local and international Rotary Projects of the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge. John Scarvelis
Another RARE Opportunity
Meet Yuliana, a 6 year old student with achondroplasia (dwarfism). Yuliana attends a local Primary School and a wheelchair would be useful for her to be able to travel from the classroom to the oval for sports activities, or to be able to go on class excursions locally or further afield.
Family members had spent time trying to locate a wheelchair that was not overly expensive, but had not been able to find anything that not only met their budget, but more importantly was small enough to meet Yuliana's needs. Her Aunt put a message on one of the local Facebook help pages and the post was viewed by a Rotarian.
Making contact with the family, outlined the situation and described the need. A phone call or two with RARE (Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment) committee members and I was able to visit the warehouse and select, what I believed, a chair that would meet Yuliana's needs from the vast array of wheelchairs in storage.
Yuliana was so excited to have her own chair, that she would take to school on the first day of the term. Mum and extended family members were also appreciative of the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge in responding to their need. Story Roxanne Rowland
Regionalisation Community Groups
As part of the regionalisation of Rotary in Zone 8, our current group structure of 7 Clubs and an Area Governor is to change.
The new structure will begin on 1st July 2024.
Our group of clubs is to be expanded and will include the following clubs:
Group 7
Barossa Valley
Barossa District
Gawler
Gawler Light
Strathalbyn
Mount Barker
Stirling
Blakiston Nairne
Onkaparinga
Murray Bridge
Mobilong
Tailem Bend
The position of Area Governor is to be replaced by a Community Leader. This will be an elected role unlike the current AG role. All Clubs have been invited to provide a nominee and once nominations close, Clubs will vote to select their leader.
This change is going to allow our Club to be exposed to a greater diversity of ideas and is one of the most noticeable for our members as we move into regionalisation trial
Trip Of A Lifetime!
Hamlin Fistula Foundation
Excitement is building as our March Hamlin Ethiopian Adventurers are about to embark on their trip of a lifetime in just under 4 weeks’ time!
Everyone is so excited to see firsthand the life-changing work of Dr Catherine Hamlin and to see the direct impact of their support on women with devastating childbirth injuries.
With just a few places left on our next Adventure in November, don’t miss your chance to do something extraordinary.
Hamlin Adventurers begin with an insider’s tour of Hamlin’s iconic Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, where the staff share their stories and provide an insight into their work.
The highlight for many Adventurers is meeting some of the brave and beautiful fistula patients, whose resilience is truly inspiring to them and everyone at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia who work so hard to help them recover from their injuries.
Other stops include the Hamlin College of Midwives, where Adventurers meet teachers and midwifery students and Desta Mender rehabilitation centre, where patients with complex and long-term fistula injuries continue to heal and learn new skills.
Of course, there is ample time to enjoy the cultural and scenic highlights of southern Ethiopia, including the traditional lifestyles of various tribal groups in the Omo Valley and spectacular Ethiopian scenery and wildlife at Mago National Park.
Plus much, much more…
Register Secure your place and register for the trip of a lifetime to Ethiopia
Fundraise Create your fundraising page and ask friends and family to donate
Trip of a lifetime Pack your bags and set off on your AMAZING Ethiopian Adventure!
As an Adventurer, the vital funds you raise support the life-changing work of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, which makes a positive impact on women and their communities.
This trip will have a profound impact on you and the brave fistula patients you meet.
I hope you will join us in November! Register your place today or learn more at visitethiopia.hamlin.org.au.
CALENDAR WINNERS
20th February
Draw Date
Value
Winning No.
Winner
Location
Sold by
20.2.24
100
709
P. & S. Willoughby
Murray Bridge
Mobilong Rotary
30
125
Susan White
Highgate
J. Best
20
875
Jill Pfeiffer
Murray Bridge
Bridge P & Quilters
Food Business Notification Number Rural City Of Murray Bridge
Trading Business Name: Rotary Club of Murray Bridge Food Business Notification Number: RCMB118 This business is now notified with the Rural City of Murray Bridge. If there are any changes to the food business notification details, such as a change in address or ownership, please ensure Council is notified with the appropriate form. While Council has a responsibility for the administration of the Food Act 2001 to ensure compliance with standards and food safety requirements, we consider our primary role is to provide support. We can provide advice and guidance on all Food Standards Code matters.
Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Rotary Work Shirts
Darryl Webb has arranged with Grandisons to supply Bisley Rotary work shirts in various configurations.
Please visit Grandisons and select your shirt which will then be embroided with our Club logo.
Pay for the shirt and retain your receipt.
Upon presentation of the receipt to Sam Cozens, you will be reimbursed $20 as a subsidy
What's happening on our Facebook page
John Scarvelis has been posting up a storm with some great content.