Members please double check the roster. We are a dynamic club and changes can occur!
Reminder: if you are rostered on and cannot make it, please find someone to cover your spot.
Bulletin Email – bulletin@rcobs.com.au.
Please send all information/photos to go in the bulletin or facebook to this address ONLY.
Key Dates ..
January 2024
10th Jan - Club Breakfast at Lake Weeroona
21st Jan - Comet Hill Seed Harvest
26th Jan - Australia Day @ Lake Weeroona
February
March
15th - 17th -Barham Weekend - Phone 5453 2553 to book and say you are from Rotary.
April
12th - 14th - District 9800 Conference @ Bendigo
Co-President's Report
Great to see so many at our last meeting of the year and the usual fellowship.
Kathy Langley delivered a sobering presentation via Zoom on how Huntington’s Disease affected (and still affects) her family. A genetic disease that severely impacts on physical and mental health of the person with the disease as well as their loved ones.
On a brighter side, John Cannon reported that the 1800 good-quality T-shirts and polo-type shirts are being distributed in our region by Foodshare, the Salvos, Vinnies, MadCow and our local Karen community. No doubt this has the potential to be a very meaningful and continuing project, as we understand there will be further quantities of garments periodically available from DIK for distribution in future.
As Ray mentioned at the meeting, we are quite prepared to serve as co-presidents for a further year, ie., 2024/25. As such, Adrian has attended the meet and greet Zoom session for incoming presidents, held last night with DG-elect, Michael Lapina. Michael will try to visit each club, and also its cluster, in view of the transition from clusters to geographically located communities.
John Harkin has offered to support an incoming secretary for the next year, and we hope that someone will be willing to step into this role with this additional support. Same for president/co-presidents elect, who will be supported by us. Thanks very much, John, for your offer.
We look forward to seeing you at our morning BBQ at Lake Weeroona (2nd carpark) on Wednesday 10 January and, in the meantime, wish you the very best for Christmas and the New Year.
Kathy Langley took us through a description of Huntington’s disease, made all the more harrowing and poignant because of her family’s personal history. In her case, the loss of her father and three of her siblings, all before the age of sixty.
She explained that Huntington’s is a genetic neurological illness with no cure, and although it is quite rare (approximately 2,000 cases in Australia) the children of affected adults have 50% likelihood of inheriting the gene mutation.
The disease affects the central nervous system, and is felt cognitively, physically and emotionally. It often starts in young adulthood and worsens and deepens over time. As stated, there is no cure and treatment can only alleviate some symptoms.
These symptoms include, but are not limited to: Stiffness, rapid involuntary movement, loss of fine motor coordination, fatigue, personality changes, impulsiveness, depression, irritability, psychosis, impaired thinking, loss of short-term memory, fixating on ideas and feelings, and communication difficulties.
Blood testing became available in the mid 1990’s, but Kathy’s family like many others felt guilty, stigmatised and fearful, experienced denial and so often avoided testing, hoping for a cure. The disease was often misdiagnosed and untreated.
Kathy’s sadness while telling her story was palpable, speaking of her mother’s guilt and shame for bearing five children, three of whom died from the disease. She has asked for support for the research into a cure for Huntington’s through Monash University’s Alumni.
We thank Kathy sincerely for her informative address on a little-known disease, and for so freely sharing her family’s story.
Chris Purton.
The Zoom team on Wednesday morning, guest speaker Kathy Langley, Judy Miatke, Martin Ruffell and Maurice Woodburn.
Season's Greetings
As this is the last Bulletin for 2023, the Communications Team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
We look forward to seeing you in 2024 and providing you with an informative bulletin, website and Facebook page for your enjoyment.
