The 15th Meeting of the Rotary Year and our 5052nd all time Club meeting was launched by Past President Bob Glindemann. Robert Fisher presented the week’s reflection and can be read later in this bulletin.
After the loyal toast, and adjourning for meal service at #35, the meeting continued with President Catherine welcoming members, visitors and guests. A full list of visitors and guest is published at the conclusion of this bulletin.
It was pleasing for President Catherine then to proceed to the induction of new members Shiren Anwar and Stanley Ho. Shiren was introduced by sponsor Amit Gill, and Stanley was introduced by Yidan Xi. You can read more about Shiren and Stanley in this week's Bulletin.
David Hayes was then invited to the podium to introduce Synoeun Nov in providing an informative update on an Empowering Youth in Cambodia high school scholarship program to which Rotary Melbourne has contributed,supporting kids from the slum districts of Phnom Penh for some 4 years. Synoeun has been the program director at Empowering Youth Cambodia during that time and has recently relocated to Sydney to pursue a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education at Macquarie University under an Australian Government Scholarship.
Past President Reg Smith then came to the podium to update members on the Smith Family Around the Bay Raffle,which is again a $2,000 voucher donated by the My Ride Collingwood Bicycle Shop. Reg highlighted the importance of supporting the Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program which supports vulnerable young people in continuing the high school education. Tickets are $5.00 each, or by the book of tickets for $45.00 (not for resale). The raffle will be drawn at noon on Wednesday 30 October in the Club Office. You can get paper tickets at our weekly meetings during October, and tickets can be purchased on line by clicking Get Tickets.
After drawing the Wine/Whisky Raffle (congratulations Stuart Stribling) President Catherine invited to the podium, Chair of the Day, Rosemary Nixon, to introduce Guest Speaker Mark Brooke, Chief Executive Officer of the Lung Foundation Australia which is Australia’s leading lung cancer charity and which has been appointed by the Australian Government as a Health Peak Advisory Body.
Mark spoke about the fact that lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths, although there are 26 different types. Many are not related to smoking, and there has been unfortunate stigmatisation of cancer sufferers as smokers who brought it on themselves.
A National Targeted Lung Cancer Screening Program is to be implemented next year which will hopefully lead to earlier diagnosis and save 12,000 deaths a year. The lungs are an amazing filter, but the importance of good air quality cannot be underestimated. He cited a 4 year old in the UK whose death had been attributed to pollution. He also spoke about the scourge of fatal silicosis in young stonemasons from exposure to engineered stone. Finally he spoke about the rapacious tobacco companies who are now promoting vaping, and sadly this has led to an increase in smoking rates in adolescents and young adults in Australia.
Time permitted just one question and this related to the addictive nature of nicotine (the most addictive drug known, is added to tobacco). Corporate tactics are now being used to bypass regulations, and includes misleading promotion of e-cigarettes as a safe alternative to smoking.
Thanks were extended to Mark for a most impressive address on lung function, lung cancer and the role of the Lung Foundation.
Many Rotarians have commented positively on his engaging style and very informative presentation. We congratulate Mark and his organisation on many achievements including becoming a Health Peak Advisory Body, the National Targeted Lung Cancer Screening Program and most importantly their campaign against the use of engineered stone and how important it is to wear correct PPE when handling substances that include silica.
After presenting the customary gift of appreciation for his address, Chair of the Day Rosemary Nixon reminded members of the Club’s next meeting which will be delivered on Zoom at 6:00pm on Wednesday 9th October, with Guest speaker Dr Karim Moussa, author and Emergency Physician at John Fawkner Private Hospital. His topic will be “From Defeats to Defining Moments: unleashing mindset powers”.
We recommend you take a look at Mark’s outstanding address either by viewing [speaker series #15] or viewing the full meeting recording by clicking here
You can view the images from the 2 October 24 meeting HERE
