Nayline, an 11-year-old girl from Vanuatu, was born with severe kyphoscoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine occurring in two planes). In addition to having to contend with an increasingly rounded and hunched appearance, over time Nayline’s condition has begun to compromise her growth and overall health.
Nayline arrived in Sydney recently with her father Henry for life-changing medical treatment. She received specialist care at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, led by the orthopaedic team of Dr Angus Gray, who has a special interest in scoliosis.
Nayline underwent a two-stage surgical process. Stage 1involved a disc release and the application of halo-gravity traction. This stage lasted four weeks, with Nayline remaining in hospital to allow the traction to straighten up her back. The second stage of Nayline’s treatment, a posterior spinal fusion, in early March was to stabilise and support her spine, significantly improving her quality of life.
Henry stayed at Ronald McDonald House so that he was close to Nayline whilst she was in hospital. After nearly five weeks in traction at the hospital followed by successful spinal surgery, and Nayline was able to join him after being discharged. They both returned home to Vanuatu at the end of March.
Botany Randwick Rotary Club members have been involved in the care and support of Nayline and Henry during their stay in Randwick.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick has recently renewed its sponsorship of a family accommodation room at Ronald McDonald House, Randwick.
Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for families of children from rural and regional NSW who are undergoing treatment at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick.
In 2024, our room provided accommodation for 70 different families, with the longest stay being 36 days. Those families came from places like Goulburn, Wagga Wagga and Dubbo.
Our relationship with Ronald McDonald House goes back at least 20 years. The arrangement is reciprocated with the House providing accommodation for children and their guardians who are being treated under the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) program. 11 year old Nayline and her dad, Henry, from Vanuatu, are currently staying there whilst Nayline undergoes treatment for scoliosis.
As well as sponsoring Room 20, the Club also provides a family meal. Last year this took the form of a BBQ, where we catered for 80 people staying at the House. This was greatly appreciated by the many families staying there, especially after returning from a long day attending to their children up at the hospital. Not having to worry about then preparing a meal was a blessing for them. And there were enough left overs for a cook-up the following day!
The community service of two members of Botany Randwick Rotary Club was recognised on Australia Day.
Richard Woodburn was named in the Australia Day Honours List with the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for "service to the community through a range of organisations".
Richard's service includes:
a Rotarian since 1978, holding numerous executive positions
20 years as a Board Member of Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children
Past President of the Parkes and Randwick Rotary Clubs
Assistant District Governor in both Districts 9700 and 9765
Board Member of Ronald McDonald House Randwick
32 years in the Army Reserve in Senior Officer positions
Treasurer and Trustee, Kensington RSL Sub branch
Richard is seen here with recent ROMAC patient, Melenaite, together with her mother, Michelle. Melenaite, from Tonga, came to Australia as a newborn, for removal of a 2.5 tumour on her lower back/bottom. She has returned for several follow up treatments at the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick.
Christine Baramilis was recognised by the Mayor of Randwick City Council. This award recognises Christine's service as President of the former Rotary Club of Botany Bay, followed by four terms as President of Botany Randwick.
During this period, Christine successfully steered the merger of the two Clubs. This task was made all the more challenging by having to deal with the COVID pandemic, which impacted our ability to meet face to face on a regular basis, and difficulties undertaking many worthwhile community projects. Despite these challenges, Christine ensured the vibrant and successful Club that we have today with:
Increased membership
a great relationship with Sydney Airport, with the collection bins located in each of the three terminals providing our major source of income
Fostering relationships with our neighbouring Rotary Clubs, including the conducting of joint projects
Initiating and steering the inaugural Dog Fun Day in conjunction with Maroubra Rotary Club
Ensured high level support for the three Rotary Australia projects - Australian Rotary Health, ROMAC and Rotary Australia World Community Service.
Congratulations to Jesse Aldridge on being awarded the 2024 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Early Career Professional of the Year Award.
This award is given to a current IAHA (Indigenous Allied Health Australia) Full Member (Graduate) who has graduated from an allied health degree within the past 5 years, who demonstrates cultural responsiveness, dedication, and a positive contribution to their own development and to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, through their works in health or related sectors and/or their profession and/or their community.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick actively supports a wide range of very worthwhile projects, both locally and internationally. Over the last twelve months we have:
December 2024
Donation to the Rotary District 9910 Vanuatu Earthquake Appeal
Donation to The Deli Women's and Children's Centre, Matraville
Support to ROMAC Patient, 2-year-old Melenaite, from Tonga, at Sydney Children's Hospital
Provision of an Indigenous Health Scholarship through Australian Rotary Health
Support for the District 9675 Speak Out Step Out Domestic Violence Campaign
November 2024
Support to ROMAC patient Nayline, from Vanuatu, at Sydney Children's Hospital
October 2024
Lifeline Sponsorship
Family Dinner at Ronald McDonald House, catering for 80 residents, all families of children undergoing treatment at Sydney Children's Hospital
September 2024
Donations to The Rotary Foundation, Australian Rotary Health and Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC)
Complimentary 1-hour of non-motorized watersports daily
Introductory Pool Splash Dive Lesson at Reef Safari
Free WiFi
Plus dinner for two and bubbles at Sails Denarau at Port Denarau.
The prize is valid for 18 months. The prize is transferable to friends (but the transfer must be registered within one week of receiving the prize) - your receipt will have a gift certificate to share.
In Australia, Domestic and Family Violence (DV) is disturbingly common. It is one of the drivers of homelessness among women, children and men. Domestic and Family Violence crosses all boundaries, race, age, financial status, education, sex and the suburb you may live in.
Many victims of Domestic and Family Violence will never report their experience. With many incidents unreported, Domestic, and Family Violence may be much worse than we think.
10 year old Nayline from the island of Santo in Vanuatu is currently undergoing treatment at the Sydney Children's Hospital here in Randwick. As a baby, her family noticed that "things weren't right" and local doctors confirmed that she was born with scoliosis. This condition has gradually worsened as she has grown, and she now has a very defined curvature of her spine.
Nayline was referred for ROMAC's assistance about five years ago, but this was put on hold due to COVID. Fortunately, it is now all systems go, and she and her father Henry arrived in Sydney on 22 October. Since then, she has undergone a series of x-rays, CT scans and MRI to determine the extent of corrective action required. She and her dad will now return home to Santo and return in early February 2025, when she will undergo two major operations at Sydney Children's Hospital.
Whilst in Sydney, they have been staying at Ronald McDonald House, where they have been supported by members of the ROMAC Eastern Region Committee and members of our Club.
The picture shows Nayline with Dad, Henry, her superhero Batman, and Botany Randwick member, Richard. Dr Michael Plaister, who facilitated her acceptance by Sydney Children's Hospital, was masquerading as Batman as it was a dress-up party day for staff at the hospital! Dr Plaister was recently recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow for his support to ROMAC over many years.
The Blue Dragon Foundation in Vietnam is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.
From its initial concept of working with street children, in Hanoi, it has now become a leading agency in Vietnam’s fight against human trafficking. They don’t want to reduce human trafficking. We want to end it. And we believe that’s possible.
The Rotary Club of Randwick was pleased to be part of the start of this great initiative, providing a substantial donation back in 2005 to assist in its work. That support has continued ever since, with annual donations continuing in the years since.
ROMAC is a Program of the Rotary Districts of Australia and New Zealand that facilitates major surgical treatment, in Australia and New Zealand, for children of the Oceania Region that would otherwise have no access to that treatment. Since inception of the program 35 years ago, over 550 children have received life saving or dignity restoring treatment that has changed not only their lives, but also that of their families and communities.
District 9675 Governor Warwick's video this month introduces Haggai who was born in a remote village in PNG with a large facial growth. You will hear from Warwick how ROMAC and Doctors at the Children's Hospital at Westmead transformed her life. Watch this inspiring story here.
Members Christine and Greg recently met Kim Miller from the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation to hand over some of the foreign currencies collected through our Rotary bins located at Sydney Airport before she goes back to Vietnam next week. We could donate the Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Lao money, which amounted to approximately $500 Australian Dollars.
Kim has been with the Foundation for ten years, and she talked about the positive changes they are making for the Vietnamese people. She told us about how and why the Vietnamese people are lured into places like Cambodia to work for ‘scam factories’; they are targeted because they are taken away into locations where they do not have contact with people who speak the same language and put into areas that they do not know how to escape from or learn how to return to their own countries. These young people are held under guard, beaten and tortured (and sometimes) have their organs removed if they do not comply with what they are told to do.
Kim said that it costs about $1,000 to rescue one person. The cash we gave will be used to purchase petrol, food, drink and emergency supplies like shoes worn during rescues. (At times, people need to walk out of places like Myanmar through jungles at night and hide during the day to get back to Vietnam, and this can take up to 28 days)
The Paul Harris Fellow is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary with three business associates in Chicago in 1905. Paul Harris Fellow recognition was established in his honour to express appreciation to those who support the humanitarian and educational programs of the Rotary Foundation. Those programs include an array of projects that save and invigorate the lives of people around the world and enhance international friendship and understanding.
Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation, and to build world understanding and peace.
Dr Michael Plaister and Grant Olufson were both recognised for their support of our Club and Rotary - see details under. It is because of gifts like the one made in their honour by this Club that The Rotary Foundation can carry out an array of programs that achieve beneficial changes in our world; improved living conditions, increased food production, better education, wider availability of treatment and rehabilitation for the sick and disabled, new channels for the flow of international understanding, and bright hopes for peace.
Members of our Club, Mark Swain and Phillip Paraggio, received Paul Harris Sapphire Pins to recognise their substantial personal contributions to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
Before I start I’d like to acknowledge three past Rotarians who were members of this club. Alan Segal, who was sometimes controversial, but what lawyer isn’t? Andrew Daniels, Mark's dad, who by the time I joined was unable to make regular meetings due to his health, but was a great contributor and generous of his time to Rotary and Ray Atiken, who joined our club with the numerous ex Kings Cross members. All three were great Rotarians and are surely missed.
We all meet here today thanks to Alan, he had left it to me to decide - either continuing the Botany club or closing it? With my background in the not-for profit sector, I thought and felt “it was a moral injustice to close a “charity/club” that has a great ability raise funds for good causes. How many organisations are so lucky? It was wrong to close something that can do a lot of good and help many. So I said let’s keep going and try.
That lead to the merger of two clubs, Rotary Club of Botany and the Rotary Club of Randwick. Each brought a uniqueness. With the great expertise, commitment and the hard work of our treasurer Richard, and our Secretary Greg, who have helped me put in the groundwork, with the strong foundations and they have greatly contributed to the success of our merged club.
I have been president since 2019, as the outgoing president of Botany and the incoming president of Botany Randwick – that’s over 5 years, my achievements have been many. However, I don’t see it as an individual personal success because it has been a team effort that has made our club a great success.
Baby Melenaite from the Pacific Ocean island of Tonga, was born with a large teratoma, a 2.5kg mass of tissue and blood vessels, on her lower back.
Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) arranged for her, with mum Michelle, to fly to Canberra, where the 2.5kg tumour was removed at The Canberra Hospital. Unfortunately, some remnants remained and she was transferred to the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick for more specialised treatment. Unfortunately, the tumour resulted in other complications, impacting her kidneys, bladder and hip joints.
In March 2023 Melenaite underwent 5 hours of surgery at The Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick. Firstly, an operation by Urologist Dr Sarah Guitronich addressed the kidney issue. Then followed a 4-hour operation by Neurologist Dr Saeed Kohan to excise the remaining teratoma. Following these procedures, Melenaite was fitted with a hip brace and returned to Tonga with her Mum Michelle in April 2023.
In mid-February 2024, Melenaite and Michelle returned for reviews of her various issues at both Canberra and Sydney Children's Hospitals. This included an MRI under general anaesthetic. It was great to see the child that was here twelve months ago as a babe in arms, returning as a very lively near 2-year-old!
Following the all-clear they returned home to Tonga on 8 March 2024, farewelled at Sydney Airport by Botany Randwick and ROMAC Board Member, Richard. It is planned that they return in a few month's time for a further review.
Whilst in Sydney, they stayed at Ronald McDonald House close by the Hospital. Our Club is a major supporter of the House, and it is fantastic to see the reciprocation of this support in their assistance to ROMAC children.
These yearly scholarships are awarded through Australian Rotary Health to Indigenous tertiary students as a way to support the barriers of tertiary study and qualification in Australian Indigenous populations. They are jointly funded by a Rotary Club or District and the State or Federal Government. Each scholarship is worth $5,000 per year.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick has been funding one of these scholarships each year, for the at least the last 15 years.
Our Scholar this year is Jesse, who is studying Vision Science at Flinders University. Jesse wrote recently to update us on his progress:
"I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to you and the Botany Randwick Rotary club for the invaluable support extended to me throughout 2023. The club’s generosity through the Rotary Indigenous Health Scholarship played a pivotal role in allowing me to engage my studies at university.
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is a10 day program designed to give senior High School students a broad understanding of the diverse study and career options available to them in STEM.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is pleased to sponsor Michaella to attend this year's forum at the University of Queensland from 12 – 20 January 2024. There will be about 200 – 300 young people in the Year 11 or 12 of high schools who will graduate next year. Michaella attends Cerdon Catholic Girls School in Merrylands.
On Friday 8 December, a very successful event was held to thank those involved in the refurbishment of the Maroubra Mental Health Unit. Cheryl Wittingslow, Peer Support Worker and refurbishment coordinator, invited SESLHD Mental Health representatives, key sponsors and funding groups to be a part of the celebrations.
President of Botany Randwick Rotary Club, Christine Baramilis, Secretary Greg Lill, past member of Rotary Randwick, Alex Weiss, and Kim Millar, past relationship manager, Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation, plus representatives from the POW Hospital Mental Health facilities attended the unveiling of two plaques at the Maroubra Centre, Eastern Suburbs Mental Health.
The plaque in the reception is dedicated to Rotary and The Prince of Wales Foundation. Cheryl Wittingslow, spoke about Randwick Rotary’s important donation in 2020 which helped the Centre begin its upgrade. Rotary’s commitment assisted the Health Department to improve the original poor conditions of the building and the centre. Since then our club has assisted with the purchase of gym equipment.
On Wednesday 29 November 2023 Geoff Culbert was recognised by the award of a Paul Harris Fellow for his support of the Airport Coin Collection run by the Rotary Clubs of Botany Randwick and Marrickville.
Christine Baramilis, President of Botany Randwick, and Eddie Lakiss, from Marickville, made the presentation with the assistance of Past District Governor Garry Browne AM and the Chair of Sydney Airport Corporation, David Gonski AC.
Geoff, as Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Airport Corporation, has presided over many changes and innovative approaches to the way Airports are managed and how they participate in our changing world. Geoff’s leadership in the Airline and Tourist industry has seen him involved as a member in the ACI World Governing Board and the Second Vice President of the Asia- Pacific Regional Board of Airports Council International (ACI), the global industry association representing airports around the world. He is also the Chair of the Tourism, Transport, Freight and Logistics Group at the BCA and Chair of the NSW Fundraising Committee for the Australian Olympic Committee.
In conjunction with the Rotary Club of Marrickville, our Rotary Club is currently refurbishing the Rotary coin collection bins at Sydney Airport.
The latest of these refurbished bins, with improved security measures and display legends, was put in place last week.
The two Clubs undertake monthly collections with members committing to regular sorting and counting of coins and notes deposited into the bins, located in both the Domestic and International Terminals.
We are very grateful to Sydney Airport Corporation for providing access to both "airside" and "landside" areas of the airport.
By arrangement with Sydney Airport Corporation the funds collected are largely directed towards charitable projects and services in the vicinity of the airport.
Recent counting resulted in some 130 currencies being found in the bins. Whilst some currencies are readily negotiable for Australian currency, others are virtually worthless outside their own country. The two Clubs are currently exploring ways of engaging with Rotary Clubs in those countries to utilise these funds. Donations have also been made to needy causes in other countries, taking advantage of local contacts travelling to those countries.
Bookings are now open for the District Conference 8 - 10 March 2024.
The Conference is being held at the Novotel Hotel, Cliff Road, North Wollongong, a wonderful location overlooking North Beach. Watch the Conference Page for progressive updates on the program for the weekend.
There will be speakers covering topical subjects and important Rotary projects. So come and join us for a weekend of learning and fun. Catch up with friends and make new ones - meet fellow Rotarians who care about creating a better world. It's a great opportunity for members new and old to get together and hear more about Rotary and what we do in our district and across the world.
District Governor Tonia Barnes has secured five accommodation options to assist Rotarians wishing to attend her Rotary District 9675 Conference from Friday 8 March to Sunday 11 March 2024. But they will not last long and you must book soon if you want to secure one of these hotels.
The hotels are the Novotel Northbeach, where the Conference will be held, the Sage Hotel, the Adina Apartment Hotel, Wollongong, Hotel Totto which opened last year, and the Mantra Wollongong.
Important to note is the Rotary Room Block unsold rooms release date – this is the date the hotels will take back their rooms, and they will no longer be available to book under this agreement. – see details on Conference Page
RYPEN, The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment, is for young people aged 14 to 16 years, and caters for teenagers who have shown qualities and application in everyday life which deserve further development.
RYPEN uses the common bonds of learning, co-operation, and friendship to design activities which facilitate trust and self-esteem. RYPEN seeks to broaden each participant’s horizons culturally, socially, and academically, providing the inner foundations for a strong future.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick was pleased to sponsor Oliver, Luke and Omar to a recent RYPEN weekend run by the District 9675 RYPEN Committee.
Our members Paul and Greg drove Oliver and Luke to the Telford Camp in the Royal National Park, just south of Sydney. They were the first to arrive, so everything was being established for the weekend, which was great as the boys had first 'dibs' on their choice of room. Haydn, on his 2nd secondment as a RYPEN Peer Support representing University of Wollongong Rotaract Club showed the boys around the facilities. All the leaders had participated in RYLA earlier in the year. Our third Randwick Boys HS participant, Omar, was driven to the camp by his father.
The boys were excellent candidates - they joined in all the varied activities with enthusiasm and made great connections with other the other participants from all over Southern and South Western Sydney and the Illawarra. Omar had a leading role in the “photo scavenger hunt” as one of the challenges was to obtain a photo with him.
All parents joined the camp for the Sunday BBQ lunch and awards presentation, which concluded the camp activities.
We have been contacted by the Rotary Club of Grangemouth in Scotland to advise our Club of their remembrance of Sgt Robert Ricketts, originally from Mascot, but who was killed when his Spitfire crashed during World War 2.
Dr Tom McMorrow writes:
I write on behalf of the President of Grangemouth Rotary Club, of Central Scotland. The purpose of writing is to bring to your attention an event of some significance in the eyes of Grangemouth people: in WW2, many Australians, as you know, made their way to Britain to help save this country when it was under Nazi attack.
One of those Australians was Sgt Robert Joseph Prior Ricketts of Mascot, NSW. Sergeant Ricketts trained as a Spitfire pilot, of 58 Operational Training Unit, here at RAF Grangemouth, in the middle of WW2. He was about to be sent to a frontline Squadron but his Spitfire got into difficulties over the aerodrome and he was fatally injured in the resultant crash. Sgt Ricketts was just 19. His death occurred on 10th June 1943.
He was the son of Frederick Ernest Ricketts and Mrs Florence Ricketts. He had a brother but we do not know identifying details of his sibling.
I am writing to let you know that yesterday, on the 80th anniversary of the boy’s death, Grangemouth Rotary Club and the Air Cadets (aged 12-18) of 1333 (Grangemouth Spitfire) Squadron, planted young flowers on his War Grave. On Armistice Sunday, the Air Cadets will attend his graveside again and place a cross there (as they do for the 71 Spitfire pilots of Australia and other nations) every year.
This year was a special one for Sgt Ricketts whose Commonwealth War Grave is well tended by the CWG Commission, by we local people, and by the young Air Cadets.
We do not know whether young Sgt Ricketts has surviving kin in Mascot but we do want you to know that his final resting-place is cared for here, 80 years on.
With kindest regards, and with the best wishes of our Club President, Alison Meikle,
We have not been able to identify any of Sgt Ricketts Next of Kin but brought this to the attention of the RSL and RAAF. If any member has further knowledge of the Ricketts family, please let Christine or Richard know.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is very pleased to have the opportunity to support the Maroubra Centre, a Community Mental Health facility and part of the South East Sydney Local Health Service. The Centre has a client base, that extends throughout the Eastern Suburbs, of over 800 people and has a dedicated team of professional and caring staff to support their needs.
Community Mental Health Services are distinct from inpatient mental health services and play a vital role in supporting people between 18 to 65 years old with a severe mental illness and psychiatric disability throughout the recovery process.
Community Mental Health Services support people with psychiatric disability to manage their self-care, improve social and relationship skills and achieve broader quality of life via physical health, social connectedness, housing, education and employment.
We were able to donate a range of much needed gym equipment to assist the Exercise Physiology team.
They have already received some really positive feedback from the participants. We look forward to representatives attending one of our meetings in August to further elaborate on the role of the Centre.
To give a very brief history about our club – Botany and Randwick merged in June 2020. Both clubs have a very long history in the community being formed in the 1940’s.
After our merger we were affected by Covid, and like everyone we had two very difficult years. However we kept it together and here we are today a growing club which attracted 5 new members in the previous year, 7 members this Rotary year and an additional five being inducted tonight. We have more leads to follow up on.
Achievements and changes
Apart from growing a stronger membership base there have also been changes to the committee structure. Ken has taken on the membership portfolio and also the guest speaker roll from Aya, our Rotary Foundation Global Scholar. Phillip Paraggio has become our Club Services person. Peter Hamer and Warwick have taken on International and David Woodward Youth.
Our emblem has been completed during this year, and we now have two banners which look fantastic symbolising the area of the Eastern Suburbs and Botany Bay that we represent.
The major source of funds required to support projects undertaken by our Club comes from donation collection bins placed at Sydney Airport. For this we are grateful to the ongoing support of the Sydney Airport Corporation.
Following the last airport collection, a small team separated the notes from the coins, and using a "mechanical" sorter separated the foreign and Australian coins. The notes presented another challenge, as identifying the originating countries often involved painstaking research, with great support from Google.
Another team then came together to sort the foreign notes. It was an involved process but a great result and a wonderful team building exercise. The members got to learn different currencies and worked together to sort the majority of the back log. 84 different currencies were sorted in piles on the day. The team worked tirelessly from 12.30 to 4.00 pm being feed tea, coffee and mint slices to keep their energies up. A big thank you to Mark’s mother and past member Andrew's wife Georgina, for donating the working space and sustenance. Thank you to the working team President Christine, Treasurer Richard, Secretary Greg, June, Julie, Paul, Phillip and Laura together with Emmanual from Marrickville Club for your wonderful effort. Apologies from Mark for his poor jokes on the day but they got a few laughs (or moans) to break the monotony.
We are planning another sorting day in 4 weeks. Date and venue to be advised. Jokes are being planned.
Our Club has supported our local Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) in Daceyville through their Fit-for-Life program. This program is designed to engage youth aged 12 to 17 who have been identified as high risk of offending by our local police.
We have donated boxing gloves and padders for up to 40 persons who can participate in a class.
The PCYC is an organisation that encourages young individuals to use physical activity as an alternative to offending behaviour by offering them a safe and supportive environment.
Through this program the PCYC staff, NSW police force and volunteers put on a breakfast for all the students and then drive them to school to ensure 100% attendance on the days they are involved in the program.
Aya, our very recent Global Scholar from Japan, has written to update us on her life since she completed her studies at the University of NSW, where she received the degree of Master of Laws (specialisation in Human Rights Law and Policy) and was awarded Dean's List for "outstanding achievement in course", a fantastic achievement. She writes:
"It has been two months since I returned to Japan, and I am thrilled to share that I have begun working for Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). I started in March to assist their International General Assembly, which will be held in Tokyo in June/July. Recently, they offered me the position of Association Coordinator, which I will start in July. I am excited about this opportunity to be involved in strategy and policy-making, work in the field, and communicate with international associations and movements. Though it will be challenging, I am thrilled to embrace the role.
"I understand that MSF Japan has a close relationship with MSF Australia, and I hope that I will have the chance to visit your country sometime in the future! hehe
"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Rotary Club of Botany Randwick for the invaluable support and opportunities you provided me during my scholarship. It was truly an amazing experience, and I could not have done it without your help. Please keep in touch and let me know how things are on your side.
Thank you again for everything, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is very pleased to be sponsoring three students from Alexandria Community School to sail on the Windeward Bound from Sydney to Brisbane, departing on 7 May for 7 days. This program aims to encourage youth development by supporting efforts towards international friendship and understanding. We will look forward to hearing from them on their return.
The brigantine "Windeward Bound" is a 33 metre symbol of enterprise and commitment to provide youth with an opportunity to enjoy and learn skills otherwise out of their reach. The future of the Trust is tied to the development and training of youth with particular emphasis on those in dire need; made to feel helpless by financial, social, lifestyle or family circumstances.
The Windeward Bound Trust also aims to foster good character and a spirit of enterprise in the youth of Tasmania and Australia generally, including youth disadvantaged or hampered by circumstances who could not otherwise participate.
It is the principal philosophy of the Trust that no young person should ever miss out on the Windeward Bound opportunity because of personal circumstances or lack of funds.
Since launch day in 1996, Windeward Bound has covered more than 100,000 nautical miles, has circumnavigated the Australian continent, sailed to New Zealand and back, circumnavigated Tasmania, crossed Bass Strait more than 30 times and sailed the Australian East Coast many times. Almost always, we have carried Australia's youth, proving time and time again, the value of a structured Sail Training Program on a traditional square rigged vessel. She proudly flies the flag of many sponsors, and of Rotary International with whom she works closely, and is supported proudly by her Patron, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AC, the Governor of Tasmania.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick again commemorated Anzac Day, with members attending and laying wreaths at several Dawn Services.
At Coogee, Richard and Simon attended a very memorable service, in perfect weather. Richard is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and a former Commanding Officer of the 21st Construction Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers whilst Simon served as an officer in the South African Defence Force.
It was somewhat of a family affair, with Simon's wife Linda and Grandson Harley also attending. Richard was supported by his grandsons Kyle and Logan, his daughter Louise and son-in-law Grant, both serving Air Force officers and Middle East Veterans.
At Brighton Le Sands Greg and Mark placed a wreath on behalf of the Club.
Aunty Barb gave the Welcome to Country at a very special Anzac Day Service at Redfern, attended by many dignitaries, with
As we start to resume some sort of normality after years of COVID, ROMAC is slowly getting back into the provision of much needed surgeries for children in our Pacific neighbours.
ROMAC recently farewelled baby Melenaite after 9 months of treatment at both The Canberra Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital at ROMAC. There are now three more children in Sydney:
Senri, a 13 year old boy from the Solomon Islands being treated at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick for burns suffered when he picked up a World War 2 phosphorus grenade. He was successfully operated on in a nearly 8 hour operation, with a second procedure in several week's time.
Isileli, a 9 year old boy from Tonga being treated at The Children's Hospital at Westmead for a respiratory issue, seen in the photo being welcomed at Mascot airport by one of our Club members, Richard, and a member of the Solomon's community. He had successful surgery at Westmead to remove part of his lung, which had been very badly infected.
Ephraim, an 8 year old boy from the Solomon Islands, also being treated at the Children's Hospital at Westmead for vision issues.
Our Club is a strong supporter of ROMAC, both in terms of financial donations and the work of a number of members who both assist the management of the Program and support the families whilst they are undergoing treatment at our local hospital.
Baby Melenaite was born with a large teratoma, a mass of tissue and blood vessels, on her lower back.
Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) arranged for her and her mum Michelle to fly to Canberra, where the 2.5kg tumour was removed. Unfortunately, some remnants remained and she was transferred to the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick for further treatment. They have been living at Ronald McDonald House and members of our Club have been supporting them during their stay.
On 2 March Melenaite underwent 5 hours of surgery. Firstly an operation by Urologist Dr Sarah Guitronich to address the kidney issue. Then followed a 4-hour operation by Neurologist Dr Saeed Kohan to excise the remaining teratoma.
The very good news is that, after 9 months of treatment at The Canberra Hospital and Sydney Children's Hospital, Melenaite has been cleared to return home to her family in Tonga in time for Easter.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick recently renewed its long-standing arrangement with Australian Rotary Health to provide an Indigenous Health Scholarship in 2023.
Through the Indigenous Health Scholarships, Australian Rotary Health is supporting the next generation of Indigenous health care providers to achieve an education that will help them assist their communities.
Each student enrolled in the program is provided with a $5,000 scholarship. The Indigenous Health Scholarship program is a collaborative project between Australian Rotary Health, participating Rotary Clubs, and the State and Commonwealth Governments.
For the past two years our Club has supported Tracie Lane, who has now completed a Bachelor of Nursing at Deakin University. To read Tracie's story, see https://australianrotaryhealth.org.au/tracie-lane/
Our 2023 Scholar is Jesse Aldridge. Jesse is studying a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry at the University of New South Wales.
It is with deep regret that we advise of the passing of our member Past President Ray Atkin.
Ray is remembered as a successful and respected business and family man whose career spanned the automotive, property and investment industries and, for the past 30 years, art dealership and galleries. He joined the Rotary Club of Kings Cross in 1997, before transferring to Botany-Randwick in 2022, during which he served as President for multiple terms and as Director for many more. Ray embraced Rotary's ideals and values, especially the commitment to service. As was his nature, he was always prepared to provide help where needed and never shied from life's challenges.
We send our deepest condolences to Maria and the family. Vale Ray Aitken, a true gentleman.
Sadly, the time has come to say farewell to Aya, our Global Scholar from Japan, who has been with us for the past year.
Aya has been studying a Master of Laws at the University of NSW under the Rotary Foundation's Global Scholar Program.
She had a very successful year of studies, receiving the degree of Master of Laws (specialisation in Human Rights Law and Policy) with Excellence (WAM 80+). She was also awarded Dean's List for "outstanding achievement in course, a fantastic achievement - congratulations Aya!
Somehow Aya found time away from her studies to become very active in our Club's activities. She attended most of our fortnightly meetings, as well as District Conference and Rotary Foundation Dinners. She fully involved herself in our Club activities, looking after our guest speaker program. Outside of Rotary and her studies, she also volunteered for a number of NGO's in Sydney.
We all wish Aya the very best for her future - you will be missed, and we are sure you will do very well!
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick has been a long-term supporter of Ronald McDonald House at the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick. The House provides accommodation and support for the families of children from regional areas undergoing treatment at the Hospital. This is a mutually supportive arrangement as we are often able to have children from the Pacific Islands being treated under the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) program also stay at the House.
One element of our support is sponsorship of one of the family accommodation rooms. Last year:
47 families called our room home
Average stay was 6.5 days
The longest stay was a family whose child was being treated for cardiac issues and stayed for 50 days. They usually live 1,385 kms away from Sydney in South Australia, where the necessary cardiac facilities were not available.
The most common diagnoses of patients using this room include oncology, gastrointestinal and neurological.
When the Rotary world arrives in Australia for the 2023 Rotary International Convention, between 27-31 May, our vibrant country will be in the spotlight. This is a rare chance to be an ambassador for Rotary in Australia and for the warm, welcoming host city of Melbourne, so register today!
The convention promises to be an inspirational event, with distinguished speakers, energizing breakout sessions, and abundant opportunities to brainstorm ideas for ‘Doing Good in the World’ with Rotary and Rotaract members from around the globe.
Join us in Melbourne to Imagine What’s Next as we form and strengthen connections and learn from one another.
Register now and encourage your friends to do the same.
Our late member Alan Segal's daughter-in-law, Ngaire, is performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on 10 November, on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House.
Ngaire is a talented neo-soul R&B artist and featured in the pre-game entertainment at the recent AFL Grandfinal in Melbourne.
Ngaire will be coming to our meeting on 23 November, with Alan's son Dan, to talk about a project that they have in mind in Papua New Guinea, where she hales from. Ngaire has kindly reserved 6 spots at the concert for members of our Club.
New member Simon Van Wyk decided that he would support the Club's fundraising activities by volunteering as a marshal at the recent Blackmore's sponsored City of Sydney Marathon - here is his story ...
I volunteered for the City of Sydney Marathon. I did it mainly because the sponsor Blackmores was paying $70 per volunteer and I thought that was money for jam. For those that might be interested it’s easy. Apart from having to turn up early, which meant I had a nice early morning bike ride I had a good time. You get fed and watered and sent to your zone. There are very few instructions apart from "don’t be stupid". There are few instructions because there is very little to do. You stand around and basically make sure members of the public don’t ride their bikes across the path of the runners. You get to see the leading runners hurtle past you so fast you get to feel the wind off their bodies. You get to see that twice and it’s spectacular. You get to talk to all manner of interesting people. I had a great time talking to a teacher from Western Australia about the biggest nightmare in teaching - it’s the modern day parent. Anyway, as a way to earn money easily it’s definitely worthwhile.
This delightful story was submitted by Aya Murakami. Aya, from Japan, is undertaking studies for a Masters in Law at the University of NSW under the Rotary International Global Scholars Program. The focus of her studies is peace and conflict resolution, and she is jointly sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Nara, in Japan, and our Club, Botany Randwick.
About 3 to 4 hours drive from Sydney, after beautiful scenery of the Blue Mountains, there is a small but delightful town called Cowra. I came to know about the town before coming to Sydney, when a person, a chief priest of a temple and a member of Rotary Club of Nara, told me about the town. He suggested that I should make a visit to the Japanese War Cemetery during my stay, saying that it is a very special place. I was not aware of the details of the history and its significance until I made the visit over the weekend in September, 2022.
Cowra symbolizes peace and friendship between Australia and Japan, but there is also a bitter history behind it. There were prison camps in Cowra during the Second World War in which over 2,000 Japanese were held among other prisoners from different countries.
On 5 August 1944, 231 Japanese died after attempting to escape. They rest at the Japanese War Cemetery which lies next to the cemetery of Australians who lost their lives in the town during the War. The Cemetery is simple, yet tells us a lot about the history. Each grave has their name, age, sometimes a short description of how the person died. Mostly young men, some were kids, some were old. As we walked through the Cemetery, we imagined the faces of those who lived and died during that time.
William Bishop, known to former members as Bill, passed away on 2nd September, after having celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year, on 9 January.
Bill was a long time member of the Rotary Club of Randwick, serving as President in 1978/79. He was a regular attender at our meetings until several years ago.
Born in Randwick, he contracted Polio when aged 10 and spent the next 18 months in a full-body plaster cast. He was fortunate to recover well after intensive rehabilitation. His resultant enthusiasm for life has since been appreciated by his many friends and family.
It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Alan Segal, a passionate Rotarian since 1985 – 37 years.
Alan first joined Rotary with the Kensington club and later transferred to the Botany club after Kensington Club was closed. In 2001 he became the president of the Rotary Club of Botany Bay and increased membership to 30 plus within 12 months. His passion is best described as youthful and enthusiastic.
Alan always thought big, delivered on many projects and was passionate and committed to many avenues of service. President, Secretary, International Director - he held many posts but none more dearly than his involvement in youth exchange and the post graduate Ambassadorial scholarships. He hosted many students and was a fierce supporter of our club.
We are delighted to be able to bring you another great wine offer from Tyrrell's Wines. Once again, long-term generous supporter of ROMAC, Managing Director of Tyrrell's Wines, Bruce Tyrrell AM has released some more of his popular DRINK NOW VATSwines especially for us. As in the past, a generous percentage of all sales will be donated to ROMAC so, by purchasing these wines not only will you be able to enjoy a fabulous drink, but you will also be helping improve the lives of sick children from our neighbouring islands in the Oceania region.
These wines are currently available at a very attractive price of just $115 per dozen - delivered direct to your door.
The offer closes on Friday, 26th August 2022 so we urge you to order now to avoid disappointment.
UNFORTUNATELY, TYRRELLS ARE UNABLE TO DELIVER WINE TO LOCATIONS OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA, SO THIS OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO CLUBS AND INDIVIDUALS WITHIN AUSTRALIA.
Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children ROMAC is a project of Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand. It is an approved Rotary International project.
ROMAC provides medical treatment for children from developing countries in the Oceania region in the form of lifesaving and dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country.
RYPEN, The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment, is for young people aged 14 to 16 years and caters for teenagers who have shown qualities and application in everyday life which deserve further development.
RYPEN uses the common bonds of learning, co-operation, and friendship to design activities which facilitate trust and self-esteem. RYPEN seeks to broaden each participant’s horizons culturally, socially, and academically, providing the inner foundations for a strong future.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick was pleased to sponsor Isabella to a recent RYPEN weekend. Here is her report:
Hi my name is Isabella Daniels, I am 14 and went to RYPEN weekend 5th August at the Royal National Park. I would like to share my experience and what I got out of the camp. Getting there on Friday afternoon I was a little nervous. I didn't know anyone and didn't really know what to expect. I met others the same age as me from different schools.
We did activities over the three days, including talks about the land from elder Uncle Mark and on the Saturday night we had a campfire and told stories. By Sunday, I had a new amazing group of friends, I learned how to become more confident about myself and around others.
I learnt that not everyone is perfect and everyone has their downfalls in life. Thank you to the members of Rotary Club of Botany Randwick for choosing me to experience this camp. I would recommend it to anyone.
After several years of inactivity due to COVID restrictions, ROMAC - Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children, is now back doing what it does best - facilitating much needed major surgery for children of the Oceania Region that they don't have available in their own country.
Baby Melenaite, from Tonga, was born with a massive teratoma, larger than a football, on her lower back/posteria - it weighed almost as much as the baby herself. Whilst benign, without urgent surgery her future looked very bleak indeed. The ROMAC Team, all Rotary volunteers, worked with the Ministry of Health in Tonga to arrange for this urgently needed surgery to be undertaken at The Canberra Hospital. Passports, visas and travel were all arranged in record time, and the baby with her Mum Michelleanne, together with a nurse escort, Hulita, arriving at Mascot on 7 July.
They were met at Sydney's International Terminal by Botany Randwick member Richard, accompanied by Tasimani Telefoni from the Tongan High Commission. Richard arranged overnight accommodation for the family and their medical escort before putting them on a flight to Canberra early the next morning.
Immediately on arrival in Canberra, baby Melenaite was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Canberra Hospital and underwent a series of scans and tests. In an 8-hour operation by large team, that included two senior Paediatric Surgeons and a Neurologist, the 2.5kg tumour was successfully removed several days later.
Melenaite is now out of intensive care and can look forward to a bright future - thanks to ROMAC and Rotary. The Botany Randwick Rotary Club is pleased to have played a small, but important, part in the success to date of her treatment.
Wonderful to see the Club recognised in the Annual District 9675 Awards at the recent District Changeover, held at the Strathfield Golf Club.
The very well attended function, attended by members of Rotary Clubs across southern Sydney down to the Illawarra and Southern Highlands, marked the handover over District Governor responsibilities from Jeremy Wright AM to Janice Hall. It was a great opportunity for Rotarians to come together and celebrate the wins we have had over the last 12 months as a District and look forward to the year to come.
A number of awards were presented, with Botany Randwick recognised for its membership growth over the past six months.
Long standing Rotarian and member of our Club, Andrew Daniels, passed away on 10 June 2022. Andrew is the father of fellow member, Mark Daniels.
Andrew was born on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus in 1944. Andrew and his family left Cyprus by ship in 1950 and arrived in Sydney 6 weeks later at the beginning of 1951. Living in Kingsford and later Maroubra, he attended Daceyville Public School, South Sydney Junior and Maroubra Bay High Schools, completing his Leaving Certificate in 1963.
School life was difficult at first, with having no English and, in the 1950's, being from a foreign culture, it was difficult to fit in. With an inner toughness and resilience, Andrew was a quick learner. This stoicism is something he kept all his life. With a fascination for history and technical subjects, he began his pursuit of knowledge, a trait that would continue for the rest of his life. Andrew excelled at sport, and with his size and speed played rugby league all through high school, playing full back from first year to second row in his final year. He also played cricket, rugby and soccer, but rugby league was his first love. It was the toughness of sport that encapsulated his disposition. In his final years of school, he made Sydney and NSW representative sides, was a school prefect and made fierce friendships that he held and cherished throughout his life.
The refurbishment of the Maroubra Center, part of the Prince of Wales Hospital, has now been completed, with significant funding support from the former Rotary Club of Randwick, just prior to its merger with the Rotary Club of Botany, to form the new Botany Randwick Club.
The Maroubra Centre ‘Inspiring Recovery’ refurbishment project was created by lived experienced mental health Peer Support Worker - Cheryl Wittingslow. The vision was to transform The Maroubra Centre, a community mental health centre which is part of Prince of Wales Hospital, into a trauma informed, calming, safe and empowering space for the clients of the service, staff and all who visit the centre
Members of the Rotary Club of Botany Randwick were proud to participate in two very moving ANZAC Day Dawn Services at Bondi and Coogee beaches, to commemorate the 107th Anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and to remember the sacrifice of members of our armed forces in subsequent conflicts.
In a very moving service at Coogee Beach, attended by a capacity crowd of over 6000, members Richard Woodburn and Alan Segal, with Rotary Foundation Global Scholar Aya Murakami, laid the wreath on behalf of the Club. Alan was wearing the WW1 medals of his grandfather, who was decorated for bravery in the field, with the award of the Military Medal, presented by General Sir John Monash. Richard is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and a former Commanding Officer of the 21st Construction Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers.
Our Honorary Member Aunty Barb also gave a very moving Welcome to Country at the very well attended commemoration at Bondi Beach.
The annual Rotary District Conference was very well attended by members of the Club. This major event on the Rotary calendar was held at The Warwick, Cabramatta over the weekend 18th to 20th March 2022.
It featured a fantastic array of guest speakers covering Rotary and general interest topics, with plenty of time to mingle and meet with likeminded Rotarians from across the District over morning and afternoon teas, lunches and evening dinners.
The Conference was a reminder that Rotary is a lot more than activities and projects at Club level. The combined resources of Rotary Clubs achieve incredible results at District and International levels, many of which were showcased at the Conference.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is very pleased to welcome Aya Murakami to Sydney.
Aya, from Japan, will study a Master of Laws at the University of NSW, sponsored by the Rotary Foundation's Global Scholar Program. The focus of her studies with be on peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Our Club has joined with the Rotary Club of Nara, in Japan, in sponsoring Aya.
The purpose of the Rotary Global Scholarship program is to further international understanding and peaceful relations among people of different races, nationalities, ethnicities, and religions while pursuing an approved program of graduate study at an institution of higher education in a foreign country.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick has donated $1000 the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) project to to provide funds for humanitarian programs to assist the people in Tonga recover from the volcano and tsunami disaster.
Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) will be working with Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS) and Rotary Club of Nuku'alofa (Tonga) in providing aid and assistance to the affected communities and restoring their livelihoods. The aim is to get Tonga back to normality as soon as possible so that they can look after their own communities again.
The Club will also continue its association with the Its Time Raffle, with tickets selling at $10 a ticket for 1, with a generous discount for purchase of multiple tickets and use the funds raised to further support the people of Tonga.
Our Club retains 50% of the sale of the tickets, with all these funds being further donated to the RAWCS Tonga Appeal. 40% of the funds raised will go to Its Time Foundation in Fiji (Solar Schools Project) and 10% to Plastic Free Oceans, an Its Time Foundation initiative.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick Inc is very pleased to award a number of fantastic local Community Service Organisations with Grants to help them serve those in need. Congratulations to
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort. The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick has actively supported this effort with regular donations over many years.
Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) is a leadership program for young people aged 18 to 25. Participants are chosen for their leadership potential with their expenses covered by the Club. The event takes the form of a camp to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. RYLA is a life-changing program, providing an incredible opportunity to develop yourself as a leader alongside 75 participants.
This will be a week of your life that you’ll never forget, and we’d love you to be involved!
The next RYLA Program will be conducted by District 9675 from 3 to 9 January 2022 at Stanwell Tops.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick was invited by the Rotary Club of Corrimal in Wollongong to participate in a fund raising raffle at $20 a ticket for 1, with a generous discount for purchase of multiple tickets.
Our Club retains 50% of the sale of the tickets, with 40% going to Its Time Foundation in Fiji (Solar Schools Project) and 10% to Plastic Free Oceans, an Its Time Foundation initiative.
The $1103 proceeds of this raffle will support the Club's local and international projects. Refer to the "Our Projects" pages on our website for more information.
The aim of Graffiti Removal Day is to highlight the problem of graffiti across NSW and encourage people to volunteer their time to remove and prevent graffiti. Since Graffiti Removal Day was established in 2012, volunteers have removed 141,000sqm of graffiti, saving our community about $10.40 million.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is pleased to have been part of this important service to our community.
After initial preparation works completed, the paint out was completed in just over an hour. The scope of works accomplished by seven volunteers was a warehouse roller door, adjoining brickwork wall, a galvanised fence, the adjacent walls and stairwell leading to a walkway to Hale Street, Botany.
At our meeting on 29 April we were honoured to have as our guests the Consul General, Timor Leste, His Excellency Luciano Valentim da Conceico and Judy Charnaud OAM, OZ Green Program Manager Timor Leste. They provided us with an overview of the political and community situation of the region.
Judy also spoke of the the work she is doing in Oecussi Province, an enclave sitting remote from the rest of Timor Leste, within Indonesian West Timor. Our Club has been supporting her endeavours with donations for water supply projects and the Green Games.
Members of the Rotary Club of Botany Randwick were proud to participate in two very moving Dawn Services, at Botany and Coogee, to commemorate the 106th Anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and to remember the sacrifice of members of our armed forces.
In a very moving service at Coogee Beach, President Christine, supported by members Alan and Richard, laid the wreath. Alan was wearing the WW1 medals of his grandfather, who was decorated for bravery in the field, with the award of the Military Medal, presented by General Sir John Monash. Richard is a retired Lieutenant Colonel and a former Commanding Officer of the 21st Construction Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers.
At Booralee Park, Botany, the club was represented by members Rohan and "Aunty" Barb. Barb also gave the Welcome to Country at the ceremony and later at the breakfast at the Botany Golf Club.
Earlier this year the Rotary Club of Botany Randwick was pleased to provide a donation to the Rotary Club of Norwich in the UK, to further their project in support of the Kekeli Foundation in Ho, Ghana.
The two Clubs have a close connection through Rita Douglas, a member of the Norwich Club who has family in Sydney and regularly visits (at least pre-COVID) the Botany Randwick Club.
Good progress is being made as this photo of the new preschool/ kindergarten building shows. It's coming along well.
In recognition of the massive challenges that have faced our front line workers over the past twelve months, members of Rotary Clubs across District 9675 are distributing lamingtons to our hardworking hospital staff on Australia Day.
Members of the Rotary Club of Botany Randwick distributed some 1300 lamingtons to staff at Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney Children's Hospital and Sydney Women’s Hospital.
Here are some of the grateful staff from the Delivery Ward of the Royal Hospital for Women receiving their lamingtons from Rotary members Christine, June and Greg.
Five local Rotarians were recognised for their service to Rotary and the Community on the occasion of ou recent Inaugural Dinner.
Recognised as Paul Harris Fellows were:
Rotarian Rohan Calvert, for his dedicated service to the former Rotary Club of Randwick over many years.
Past Assistant Governor Hilary Lloyd, of the Rotary Club of Iron Cove. As Assistant Governor for clubs in the Eastern Suburbs Group, Hilary had the challenging task of co-ordinating the eight Clubs in the Group, to ensure the ongoing viability of Rotary in our part of Sydney. Her enthusiasm dedication and wise counsel resulted in the amalgamation of the Randwick and Botany Bay Clubs.
President Christine Baramilis for her leadership of the Rotary Club of Botany Bay over the past two years and her support and drive of the amalgamation with the Randwick Club.
As they are already Paul Harris Fellows, the following were recognised with Sapphire Pins to their existing awards:
Past President Greg Lill, for his leadership and dedication to projects undertaken by the Rotary Club of Randwick.
Past President Richard Woodburn for his leadership and involvement in a range of projects undertaken by the Rotary Club of Randwick.
Due to COVID restrictions on interstate travel, it now appears very unlikely that our two Peace Scholars, Rachel and Molly, will be able to travel from Brisbane to Sydney, so unfortunately we have had to cancel this function. Hopefully alternative arrangements can be made at a later date. Refunds will be made to those who have already made their payment.
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The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick Inc. is delighted to announce that a very special dinner will be held in Randwick on the evening of 3 February 2021. Two Rotary Peace Fellows, as well as a Youth Exchange student currently studying in Brisbane, will be our guests.
Rachel and Molly are two Rotary Peace Fellows from the US who are currently undertaking a Master of Peace and Conflict course at the University of Queensland. This is one of five Rotary International sponsored courses conducted across the globe.
Members of Rotary and interested community members are all very welcome to come along and hear their inspirational talks. For further information and details, read on ...
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is delighted to support the Little Heroes Swim Academy with a donation of $4,940 for filtration equipment for their new swimming pool. The Grant was provided in conjunction with The Rotary Foundation, which also provided $4,560. The joint donation was presented to Little Heroes CEO Tracey Ayton by Rotary District Governor Warwick Richardson on the occasion of the Club's Inaugural Dinner.
This Rotary Grant will provide the cleanest and most sanitized water for the health and wellbeing of the students and staff. This is paramount at all times but with the introduction of COVID to the world it is even more relevant. Whilst it is important for the chemical composition of the water to be correct, it is equally as important to make sure that the water is not too harsh on skin and also the airways of the students. The system chosen for the centre allows this to be managed and to find the perfect balance for both. It is also a system that is constantly monitored and alerts sent out if there is a wrong reading in the pool.
The Inaugural Dinner of the Rotary Club of Botany Randwick Inc. was held on 27 November 2020.
Inaugural President Christine Baramilis was pleased to welcome official guests Rotary District Governor Warwick Richardson, Matt Thistlethwaite, Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Ron Hoenig, State Member for Heffron, and representatives from a range of community organisations, neighbouring Rotary Clubs, as well as our own members and their guests, to the Inaugural Dinner held at The Randwick Club.
The new Rotary Club resulted from the amalgamation of the Rotary Clubs of Randwick and Botany Bay, both of whom have been active in their local communities for many, many years. With the Randwick Club formed in 1949 and Botany Bay in 1960, those present heard about the wonderful support that these former clubs have provided to both their local and wider communities. They have laid an impressive foundation on which the new Club can build into the future.
The Sydney Childrens' Hospital School came to the attention of the Rotary Club of Botany Randwick when it provided significant support to a long term Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) patient from the Solomon Islands who was undergoing long-term treatment at Sydney Children’s Hospital.
Over many years, numerous ROMAC children have benefited from attendance at the School at no cost to ROMAC or Rotary. It is a great example of mutual support between Rotary and the School.
The School provides education for children undergoing long term treatment at the Sydney Children’s Hospital. The school enrols inpatients, outpatients (unable to attend their census school) and siblings of patients where the whole family have either temporarily relocated to Sydney for their child’s treatments.
14-Year-old Mourine Kikisia from the remote Solomon Island of Vella Lavella has spent nearly twelve months in Randwick undergoing life saving medical treatment. Mourine had developed a large mass on her neck, the size of a small football and doctors in the Solomon Islands were unable to treat her. With the support of Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) and local Rotarians she was successfully treated at the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick.
Whilst the tumour was found to be benign, it was "strangling" other vital organs, and could well have proved fatal without treatment. It posed a significant challenge for the medical staff who liaised with international colleagues in search of a cure. With a maze of blood vessels and nerves throughout, there was a major risk of Mourine being permanently disabled or disfigured. After nearly six months of chemotheraphy to stop the growth of the mass, it was finally removed in a very successful nine-hour operation. Then followed several months of radiotheraphy to ensure removal of any remnants.
Nayline, an 11-year-old girl from Vanuatu, was born with severe kyphoscoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine occurring in two planes). In addition to having to contend with an increasingly rounded and hunched appearance, over time Nayline’s condition has begun to compromise her growth and overall health.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick has recently renewed its sponsorship of a family accommodation room at Ronald McDonald House, Randwick.
Richard Woodburn was named in the Australia Day Honours List with the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for "service to the community through a range of organisations". 
Congratulations to Jesse Aldridge on being awarded the 2024 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Early Career Professional of the Year Award.
s weren't right" and local doctors confirmed that she was born with scoliosis. This condition has gradually worsened as she has grown, and she now has a very defined curvature of her spine.
Members Christine and Greg recently met Kim Miller from the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation to hand over some of the foreign currencies collected through our Rotary bins located at Sydney Airport before she goes back to Vietnam next week. We could donate the Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Lao money, which amounted to approximately $500 Australian Dollars. 
The Paul Harris Fellow is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary with three business associates in Chicago in 1905. Paul Harris Fellow recognition was established in his honour to express appreciation to those who support the humanitarian and educational programs of the Rotary Foundation. Those programs include an array of projects that save and invigorate the lives of people around the world and enhance international friendship and understanding. 
We all meet here today thanks to Alan, he had left it to me to decide - either continuing the Botany club or closing it? With my background in the not-for profit sector, I thought and felt “it was a moral injustice to close a “charity/club” that has a great ability raise funds for good causes. How many organisations are so lucky? It was wrong to close something that can do a lot of good and help many. So I said let’s keep going and try.
Baby Melenaite from the Pacific Ocean island of Tonga, was born with a large teratoma, a 2.5kg mass of tissue and blood vessels, on her lower back. 
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is a10 day program designed to give senior High School students a broad understanding of the diverse study and career options available to them in STEM.
On Friday 8 December, a very successful event was held to thank those involved in the refurbishment of the Maroubra Mental Health Unit. Cheryl Wittingslow, Peer Support Worker and refurbishment coordinator, invited SESLHD Mental Health representatives, key sponsors and funding groups to be a part of the celebrations.
On Wednesday 29 November 2023 Geoff Culbert was recognised by the award of a Paul Harris Fellow for his support of the Airport Coin Collection run by the Rotary Clubs of Botany Randwick and Marrickville. 
In conjunction with the Rotary Club of Marrickville, our Rotary Club is currently refurbishing the Rotary coin collection bins at Sydney Airport. 
Bookings are now open for the District Conference 8 - 10 March 2024. 
Club of Botany Randwick was pleased to sponsor Oliver, Luke and Omar to a recent RYPEN weekend run by the District 9675 RYPEN Committee.
Dr Tom McMorrow writes:
Community Mental Health Services are distinct from inpatient mental health services and play a vital role in supporting people between 18 to 65 years old with a severe mental illness and psychiatric disability throughout the recovery process. 
The major source of funds required to support projects undertaken by our Club comes from donation collection bins placed at Sydney Airport. For this we are grateful to the ongoing support of the Sydney Airport Corporation.
Our Club has supported our local Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) in Daceyville through their Fit-for-Life program. This program is designed to engage youth aged 12 to 17 who have been identified as high risk of offending by our local police. 
Aya, our very recent Global Scholar from Japan, has written to update us on her life since she completed her studies at the University of NSW, where she received the degree of Master of Laws (specialisation in Human Rights Law and Policy) and was awarded Dean's List for "outstanding achievement in course", a fantastic achievement. She writes:
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is very pleased to be sponsoring three students from Alexandria Community School to sail on the Windeward Bound from Sydney to Brisbane, departing on 7 May for 7 days. This program aims to encourage youth development by supporting efforts towards international friendship and understanding. We will look forward to hearing from them on their return.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick again commemorated Anzac Day, with members attending and laying wreaths at several Dawn Services.
s we start to resume some sort of normality after years of COVID, ROMAC is slowly getting back into the provision of much needed surgeries for children in our Pacific neighbours.
Baby Melenaite was born with a large teratoma, a mass of tissue and blood vessels, on her lower back. 
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick recently renewed its long-standing arrangement with Australian Rotary Health to provide an Indigenous Health Scholarship in 2023.
When the Rotary world arrives in Australia for the 2023 Rotary International Convention, between 27-31 May, our vibrant country will be in the spotlight. This is a rare chance to be an ambassador for Rotary in Australia and for the warm, welcoming host city of Melbourne, so register today!
Our late member Alan Segal's daughter-in-law, Ngaire, is performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on 10 November, on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House. 
About 3 to 4 hours drive from Sydney, after beautiful scenery of the Blue Mountains, there is a small but delightful town called Cowra. I came to know about the town before coming to Sydney, when a person, a chief priest of a temple and a member of Rotary Club of Nara, told me about the town. He suggested that I should make a visit to the Japanese War Cemetery during my stay, saying that it is a very special place. I was not aware of the details of the history and its significance until I made the visit over the weekend in September, 2022.
William Bishop, known to former members as Bill, passed away on 2nd September, after having celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year, on 9 January.
It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Alan Segal, a passionate Rotarian since 1985 – 37 years. 
al Park. I would like to share my experience and what I got out of the camp. Getting there on Friday afternoon I was a little nervous. I didn't know anyone and didn't really know what to expect. I met others the same age as me from different schools. 
After several years of inactivity due to COVID restrictions, ROMAC - Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children, is now back doing what it does best - facilitating much needed major surgery for children of the Oceania Region that they don't have available in their own country.
Wonderful to see the Club recognised in the Annual District 9675 Awards at the recent District Changeover, held at the Strathfield Golf Club.
The refurbishment of the Maroubra Center, part of the Prince of Wales Hospital, has now been completed, with significant funding support from the former Rotary Club of Randwick, just prior to its merger with the Rotary Club of Botany, to form the new Botany Randwick Club.
Members of the Rotary Club of Botany Randwick were proud to participate in two very moving ANZAC Day Dawn Services at Bondi and Coogee beaches, to commemorate the 107th Anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and to remember the sacrifice of members of our armed forces in subsequent conflicts.
The annual Rotary District Conference was very well attended by members of the Club. This major event on the Rotary calendar was held at The Warwick, Cabramatta over the weekend 18th to 20th March 2022.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is very pleased to welcome Aya Murakami to Sydney. 
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick has donated $1000 the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) project to to provide funds for humanitarian programs to assist the people in Tonga recover from the volcano and tsunami disaster.
$10 a ticket for 1, with a generous discount for purchase of multiple tickets and use the funds raised to further support the people of Tonga.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick Inc is very pleased to award a number of fantastic local Community Service Organisations with Grants to help them serve those in need. Congratulations to
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and encourage people to volunteer their time to remove and prevent graffiti. Since Graffiti Removal Day was established in 2012, volunteers have removed 141,000sqm of graffiti, saving our community about $10.40 million. 
At our meeting on 29 April we were honoured to have as our guests the Consul General, Timor Leste, His Excellency Luciano Valentim da Conceico and Judy Charnaud OAM, OZ Green Program Manager Timor Leste. They provided us with an overview of the political and community situation of the region. 
Rotary Club of Botany Randwick was pleased to provide a donation to the Rotary Club of Norwich in the UK, to further their project in support of the Kekeli Foundation in Ho, Ghana. 
past twelve months, members of Rotary Clubs across District 9675 are distributing lamingtons to our hardworking hospital staff on Australia Day. 
Due to COVID restrictions on interstate travel, it now appears very unlikely that our two Peace Scholars, Rachel and Molly, will be able to travel from Brisbane to Sydney, so unfortunately we have had to cancel this function. Hopefully alternative arrangements can be made at a later date. Refunds will be made to those who have already made their payment.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick is delighted to support the Little Heroes Swim Academy with a donation of $4,940 for filtration equipment for their new swimming pool. The Grant was provided in conjunction with The Rotary Foundation, which also provided $4,560. The joint donation was presented to Little Heroes CEO Tracey Ayton by Rotary District Governor Warwick Richardson on the occasion of the Club's Inaugural Dinner.
ramilis was pleased to welcome official guests Rotary District Governor Warwick Richardson, Matt Thistlethwaite, Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Ron Hoenig, State Member for Heffron, and representatives from a range of community organisations, neighbouring Rotary Clubs, as well as our own members and their guests, to the Inaugural Dinner held at The Randwick Club. 
The Sydney Childrens' Hospital School came to the attention of the Rotary Club of Botany Randwick when it provided significant support to a long term Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) patient from the Solomon Islands who was undergoing long-term treatment at Sydney Children’s Hospital.
14-Year-old Mourine Kikisia from the remote Solomon Island of Vella Lavella has spent nearly twelve months in Randwick undergoing life saving medical treatment. Mourine had developed a large mass on her neck, the size of a small football and doctors in the Solomon Islands were unable to treat her. With the support of Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) and local Rotarians she was successfully treated at the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick.