Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin News Notes 1st October 2026.
Last Week
A full dining room of members and guests made for a noisy lunch last week. District Governor Judy Ford presented on her vision for a new project this year which touch us all - managing Dementia. Her report appears below. We also welcomed Bruce Timbs, our Charter President from 1987 who now lives with his wife Lia at Mermaid Waters, Queensland. Their collective memories of our old times were fresh and inspirational. We also discussed the coming visit to Hay War Memorial High School and preparations for the Candle Festival.
Ed
District Governor Judy was welcomed by President Neil.
Judy's presentation focussed on her vision for a new District-wide project focussed on meeting the needs of Dementia sufferers. She also introduced details of the forthcoming joint District conference at Ulladulla and the Bring your Pelican campaign to raise some interest.
A part of the Dementia campaign is a novel project sponsored by RC of Weston Creek - a drop in cafe for dementia sufferers to mingle, socialise and be stimulated by a fresh environment.
Bring your Pelican! campaign for the Conference is a unique approach!
District Governor Judy Ford - address on tackling Dementia
Dementia is now the number 1 cause of death in Australia, with estimates that there are 30,413 sufferers in our region alone. Carers are an undervalued resource in our society. Their commitment to assisting dementia sufferers means that they basically have no other life. There have been a number of projects in the past established by Rotarians to assist the sufferers, including the walk in cafe described above , audio files in headphones with music relevant to the sufferers years of experience, and companionship programmes to assist carers. There is some co-operation with overseas clubs in sharing the results of projects.
Judy's vision encompasses a number of aspects:
1.Become a Dementia friendly club. Welcome them into the club.
2.develop a programme to provide Music for Dementia sufferers.
3. Look at the Memory cafe project.
4.Become a volunteer companion carer.
5. consider awarding community awards for dementia workers.
6. establish Memory gardens.
7. look at projects like Reminiscence Boxes individualised for sufferers.
8. A transport programme.
9. walking groups including Dementia sufferers.
10. Support the forthcoming ACT Dementia Navigator Summit which will be held in Canberra.
Our club will actively look into what we can do, including support for the Summit in the short term.
Ed
Welcome Bruce Timbs and Lia, Charter president 1987
We welcomed as guest to lunch, Bruce and Lia Timbs. Bruce was our Charter President in 1987 and served the club diligently for many years. Bruce introduced us to Life Ed campaign for young people to learn about the risks of drugs and other influences. Bruce and Lia were masterful tennis players and played with a youthful team of Eric, Bill and Graham Humphries for over a decade.
Bruce and Lia also came with us on several Club adventures to China, Cambodia and Japan. Here he is with Lia in China 2010 during a Club visit.
This week we are back at the Royal Canberra Golf Club. Neil will be testing croissant quality in Hanoi, Vietnam this week, so Bill will take the chair.
Please respond to Eric’s email invitation by Tuesday morning, if you have not already done this.
Duty Roster
Date:
Chair:
President Neil
Guest speaker:
Member to propose Toast to Rotary, thank guest speaker, and write up for Bulletin:
8 October
Bill Acting Chair
Speaker from the Stroke Foundation
Russell
15 October
Neil; Social Function
Visit to the War Memorial
Ross
22 October
Neil
Rod Nichols speaking on “The role of a Justice of the Peace in the Community.”
Stephen
29 October
Neil
Rebecca Conway speaking on “An architect’s view of the Australian War Memorial renovation.”
Michael
If you cannot perform your allocated duty, please arrange a replacement and advise the Acting President (or the real President, for meetings in October) for that meeting (listed above). Please advise the Bulletin Editor of any planned absences to avoid being rostered on while away.
Visit Hay to present scholarships to Indigenous students
AGM and annual Elections
Christmas Party
Hay War Memorial High School
All welcome!
Absences will be noted by Santa for further action.
10 December
UN Human Rights Day with Zonta Canberra remembering victims of domestic violence.
Peace Bell
Rotary thought for the week
If you can walk
You can dance
If you can talk
You can sing.
Zimbabwean proverb
Rotary clean joke
What is a flea's favourite way to travel?
Itch hiking.
This bulletin appears like magic as a result of the inspirational spells cast by Editors Bill and Stephen. Please assist by sending your contributions to andrews79@iinet.net.au by beer o'clock, and no later than the flight of the last fruit bat, on Sunday night.
