In the final meeting for the 2016-2017 Rotary Year, we commenced the meeting with a presentation to CAVE (Community and Volunteers of Eltham) of a cheque for $3,000 providing 5 – 6 scholarships for local students. Our budgeted donation of $1500 to CAVE was doubled through a Rotary District Grant of $1500. In thanking the Club, CAVE President Diana presented the Club with a Certificate of Appreciation and introduced Katharine Kingsbury who was instrumental in the formation of CAVE.
Reports from the Floor
Ann Lynch passed on Kaye’s thanks for messages of support during her recent hospitalisation with a broken arm.
Ian Toohil reported that Interact had a bumper BBQ some weeks ago. Other recent fund raisers have included an Out of Uniform Day for Orange Sky Laundry and Shave for Cure. The next event will be the Wheelchairs for Kids event on 15 September. Montmorency Secondary School is also looking for a Rotarian to assist on 26 July in the selection of 2018 School Captains. Please see Ian if you can help.
David McFarlane has one Entertainment Book left. Get in quick if you want one
Brett Linsell reminded all that the Rotaract changeover will take place at the Ian Riseley dinner on 22 July.
Alan McCleary reminded BBQ Team Captains to email Paul Kelly or Mike Wetzler at the end of their Sunday shift or fill out the form in shed to let Paul and Mike know of any supplies running low (including gas, sauce, napkins, cleaning products etc) Please let the Community Committee know if you have any ideas to improve the BBQ
Kevin reported that we have made donations of $70K this financial year
Guest Speaker – Dr Andrew Wise Senior Research Fellow, Bionics Institute
In a most interesting presentation, Andrew outlined the three key research areas of the Institute: Hearing, Vision and Neurobionics and demonstrated some of the electronic devices used to stimulate and record what is happening in the brain and change patients lives. He showed a video to demonstrate progress in the development of a bionic eye. Another fascinating video showed how deep brain stimulation could change the lives of Parkinson’s Disease sufferers. Andrew explained how hearing is damaged and showed how a cochlea implant works. Andrew’s particular research interest is the development of drugs to treat hearing loss, prevent neurons from dying and restore lost hearing by regrowing tiny sensory hair cells.
Andrew was presented with a cheque for $1,000 to assist in further research in the important field.
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