This Week at Rotary - 3rd September

0419  008 759, BY MIDDAY WEDS 2ND. SEPTEMBER, 2015
 
This week we turn our attention to the Rotary International work of those engaged in the exacting service of ROMAC ( Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children). Our guest speaker is Katherine Baverstock, Lecturer in Pharmacy at the School of Medical Sciences, RMIT UNIVERSITY.  ROMAC commenced in 1984 with the plan to bring children living in underdeveloped countries to Australia for medical operations to save lives, restore bodies & make a long term difference. Katherine has been vitally involved in this brilliant program for several years. In District 9790 she reports to the ROMAC chair, Peter Lee of RC Albury Hume, who may also attend.
 
 

Melbourne Marathon 2015

The Week That Was Report on meeting 27th August

• Max Lee reminded us of the need to get moving on the upcoming Marathon in terms of sponsorship, participation and ordering of shirts as well as signing up for the luncheon afterwards at The Pavilion in the Botanical Gardens. Less than 8 weeks to go!
• Mike Wetzler reported on the recent interviews at Montomorency S.C. with which he was involved and of how impressed he was with the students there as they elected a School Captain
• Brett Linsell notified us that Alan White from R.C. Diamond Valley is moving to Qld and recently attended his last meeting at D.V.
• John Skinner noted that his report can be read in the Bulletin
• Graham Miles spoke of the Toy Library BBQ for which volunteers are needed and also ofprogress in regard to shirt sponsorship of the Marathon. To date Mike Ramsay, Mediplex, Dillon Partners and The Common have signed up and Tenby is also expected to do so
• Alan McCleary reported that the D.V. Learning Centre BBQ took over $1,100 with more than $800 going toward resources for students. The event was also important in terms of work experience for these young people and provides a sense of belonging and purpose – so critical in terms of their mental health and wellbeing

Guest speaker:   This week’s speaker was Warwick Duncan who provided an inspirational story of his experiences as a long term transplant recipient.  In 1989 Warwich received a liver transplant, without which he would not have survived a rare hepatic virus. This proved to be life changing as he set out to achieve promises made to himself in memory of his donor – a young woman called Samantha.  His feats so far include walking the Kokoda Trail, climbing the world’s highest free standing mountain  (Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania), and representing Australia four times at the World Transplant Games, winning no less than 5 gold medals. Warwick stressed that until Australia has an Opt-Out approach in regard to organ donation, rather than the current Opt-In model, we will remain in a very poor position in comparison to other countries in terms of the viability of this crucial program. 

Marjorie Beecham – Producer of our Eltham Pottery

Pottering about in Warrandyte  Our living treasure

(Extract from Warrandyte Diary August 2015)

Marjorie Beecham has been running the Warrandyte Arts Association Pottery School for over 55 years. “I can’t believe it’s been that long” she says with a youthful grin that belies her 88 years. Her face lights up with passion and enthusiasm as she talks about the finer points of modelling clay, kilns and glazes.

Marjorie and Pi (Henry) moved to Warrandyte in 1972, they purchased the house previously owned by Pi’s father. Pi was a well known timber merchant running his own company H Beecham and Co.

It was by chance that Marjorie became involved in pottery. In 1946 Marjorie left school and studied to become an occupational therapy assistant. She scored a job at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital to work helping rehabilitate soldiers from WWII. Here she was put in charge of the pottery shop which started her love of pottery and creativity.

She became involved in the Warrandyte pottery school in 1957 and two years later was asked to run it.

 Pi died in 2000, he had leukemia. Fortunately Marjorie has had fantastic support from their 3 daughters.

Some Rotary History

In 1973 when the Rotary Club of Eltham was chartered, Pi was president of the Rotary Club of Altona. He and Marjorie attended our charter dinner at Glen College, La Trobe University. In 1979 Pi transferred to Eltham Rotary.

In 1980 the incoming President had to withdraw, the incoming secretary John Smibert became President and Pi club secretary. The club was having difficulty with a suitable gift for our speakers, Pi volunteered Marjorie to provide pieces of pottery and this tradition has continued.

Marjorie was the foundation president of the North Eltham Probus Club.

Lords Taverners Raffle

President David has gained us access to sell tickets in the Lord's Taverner Raffle.