Message from Pres John

From our last Club Meeting 16th March  2026

Meeting opened  By Pres John  at 620 

Present: Pres John Kane, PP Peter Moore, PP Hugo Robinson,  PP Sana Kamalesan, PP Walter Bock,  Anna-Marie Sanni, James Boggs, Rob Whitney, PDG Paul Sarks 

Apologies:John Mansour,Fred Walker, Patricia Abraham, Marilie Bomediano, Alf Dimarco ( sick) Irene Giardino ( sick)  PP Dennise Herrick (LOA)  Fuad Jaafar 

Visitors:  Rae-Anne Medforth, Lynn 

Presidents  report: 

The District Conference was excellent with many good speakers. I attended with Lorraine, Walter and Lynn and PDG Paul. 2027 District Conference will be held in Ulladulla 5-7th March 2027  

Eurella Fundraiser this Friday Night and I encourage all to attend. 

Parramatta 100 year Anniversary Luncheon Sunday 7th June ( We are their Daughter Club) 

Bunning BBQ- Mothers Day/ PP Keith reported we cannot get that date but was offered Monday of June Long weekend. Decided to seek another Saturday date as many may  be away on the long weekend. 

Blacktown Rotary “ Roots of Heaven” Transfer meeting Tuesday 5th May. No meeting Monday 4th.  

District bullying, harassment and violence Prevention Policy. 

District AKUNA group social Meeting 

Secretary:                PP Peter Moore

Correspondence:

Interplast Donation $671.00 sent from PRISCA raffle 

St George Bank: Executive  Board to Confirm all details and send certified proof of of identity. It is a 15 page document 

Old Trailer Disposal. Scrap metal.   

Strathfield RYLA meeting on 18th 

50th Anniversary Trust Zoom meeting on 9th February, suggest another on 9th March. 

Rotary International President's Citation years of Active Service   John kane 30  1st June 1996  and Rob Whitney 40 1st Feb 1986 

Request for Help from Mali Joseph, a NZ citizen working and living in Burwood  re: support to attend and study at  Harvard - Burwood cannot help and he  may not qualify for District support. Secretary to advise. 

Treasurer:                PP Fred Walker 

All Account Balances were circulated. Please pay membership  Dues  

PDG Paul introduced our Guest Speaker Rae-Anne Medforth, District Chair from Australian Rotary Health. There was a PowerPoint presentation.   

Australian Rotary Health is a Rotary-founded organisation dedicated to funding life-changing health research. It remains the only Rotary initiative of its kind in the world. 100% of donated funds go directly to research, ensuring every contribution has maximum impact.

Since its establishment in 1985, Australian Rotary Health has invested over $50 million into medical research, supporting projects, PhD scholarships, and postdoctoral fellowships across the country. Research proposals are independently assessed by leading academics, ensuring funding is directed to high-impact and evidence-based initiatives.

A major focus of the organisation today is mental health, an area where the need continues to grow. While mental health accounts for a significant proportion of Australia’s health challenges, it remains underfunded. Australian Rotary Health has stepped up to become the largest non-government funder of mental health research in Australia, with a particular emphasis on early intervention in children and young people.

Rae- Anne high lighted several examples of research outcomes:

• Work into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has contributed to a dramatic reduction in infant deaths through improved sleep safety awareness.

• Research into pancreatic cancer has identified proteins that may slow disease progression and improve treatment approaches.

• Studies have revealed important links between sleep patterns and youth depression, as well as the impact of diet on mental health.

• Innovative programs, including online tools for youth anxiety and Mental Health First Aid training, are now being used not only in Australia but in countries around the world.

Beyond research, Australian Rotary Health also supports Indigenous health scholarships and rural medical and nursing placements, helping address critical healthcare shortages in regional communities.

Rae-Anne answered questions and was thanked  by PP Keith. 

Directors Reports

Community:                PP Sana Kamalesan

New Generations:            Anna-Marie Sanni

Rob Whitney - RYPEN applications now open, fees increased to $520.00 Try and encourage BGHS, Secretary to write to Principal for a Teacher contact Consider other schools may need to consider increasing our Subsidy 

Public Image:            Marilie Bomediano

Membership:            PP Hugo Robinson

 Two links from Clurunner. had coffee with one prospective member 

Vocation:                Patricia Abraham

Anna-Marie looking at dates and location  for Vocational Excellence Awards 

Foundation:                PP John Mansour

International:            PP Walter Bock

PP Walter reported on Roots of Heaven meeting and Global Grant -   Amina and Sophie from Roots of Health, who  are running the Rotary Foundation Global Grant for Burwood Rotary, are coming to Australia. After their speaking engagement at a World Convention in Melbourne, Blacktown Rotary will be organising a five club combined meeting on Tuesday 5th of May.  Burwood is one of the clubs invited.  This is the first opportunity to debate the matter for Burwood Rotary. Many Filipinos living in Sydney will be invited, especially many that live in Blacktown.

General Business

PP Keith wants us  to consider other fund raising options for the Club. 

Next Board Meeting:  TBA

There being no further business the meeting closed at:7.50

Raffle raised $60.00 and won by   Lynn 

Transfer Meeting May 5th Global Grants 

There will be no meeting on Monday 4th May. We  have a transfer meeting  to Blacktown Workers Club with the Rotary Club of Blacktown City.

Rotary Club of Blacktown City is honoured to welcome Amina Evangelista Swanepoel, Executive Director of Roots of Health. Amina will present powerful insights into the challenges faced in remote communities and the transformative impact of Roots of Health’s services. This is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from a leader creating real, measurable change on the ground.

We warmly invite you and your Club on 5 May 2026 to meet and listen to Amina.  Roots of Health is a recent recipient of a Rotary District Foundation Grant.  Advancing the advocacy is essential, as the need is great, and ongoing support and shared commitment truly matter.

Please feel free to come at 6.00PM to eat at the Club prior to the meeting. 

Strathfield Mens Kitchen

Email from Jason Yat-Sen Li  Dear Paul, Next week, I'm launching the Strathfield Men’s Kitchen – a relaxed, hands-on evening bringing local men together to cook, share a meal and connect. Right now, more men across our community are experiencing loneliness and social isolation. One in three men aged 55-64 report experiencing loneliness, and one in three feel there is no one they can turn to for help. If this sounds like you or someone you know, I'd highly encourage coming along this event. We know that putting yourself out there and meeting new people isn’t always easy. But often, the hardest step is simply showing up. No cooking experience required! Just come along to have a go, learn something new and make some new friends.  Tuesday 31 March  5-7pm  Cornerstone Bread & Brew, 41 Rochester St, Homebush Hands-on participation is limited, so I encourage you to register early to secure your place.       RSVP I hope you can join us for what will be a really enjoyable and welcoming evening! Warm regards, Jason Yat-Sen Li MP Member for Strathfield

Days for Girls Fundraiser 

 

Feel free to invite friends, family, business colleagues to help over 2000 girls to attend school every day, and achieve improved health, education and livelihood outcomes.

 

Bookings are now open:

 https://galabid.com/dfggalalunch2026
or via the QR code.

New Post Office Box 

Meeting Apologies