This year's District Conference was held in Loxton, DG Craig's hometown. It was a successful event and good to see so many members from different Clubs. It was great to be in the company of such positive, enthusiastic, busy, prosperous Clubs & their members.
The RC of Loxton did a fantastic job in putting the Conference together. Except for the evening storm on Saturday, and rain during the 6 am breakfast on Sunday, the weather was superb.
Hospitality, guest speakers, catering (food forever), was amazing and very well organised.
Hopefully next year more members will consider sharing the experience.
This year's theme was “Inspire Hope & Celebrate 100 years of Rotary in SA” and the weekend proved to be very inspiring.
The program was jam packed with speakers and soap-box items – you couldn’t be late back from morning tea or lunch or else you’d miss something!
Keynote speaker, Michael Crossland, other speakers and showcases proved amazing, with much food for thought, and fitted in well with the Conference theme.
Prelim BBQ
The Loxton Conference was a great chance to catch up with other Clubs and our own, Rosie, Kerry + 2x dogs, Alison, Andrew and Ros had the traditional RCWL Friday night BBQ - in the Caravan Park at Loxton. Thanks to Rosie and Kerry for ensuring we had access to the BBQ and eating irons etc, + table and chairs while other Rotarians came past and chatted, we were the centre of attention! There was a cocktail party as the “other” event, theirs eventually came to an end!
Foundation Breakfast
Up early to drive to Loxton for a 7 am start!
Foundation Speaker was Annika Theodoulou currently researching anti-smoking strategies at Oxford Uni with a sponsorship from The Rotary Foundation (TRF). While the presentation was difficult to hear the research was substantial and Foundation Chair Jerry Casburn will provide the presentation this week.
There were a number of presentations. RCWL received an award for End Polio contributions in 2022-23.
Ros and Andrew were also presented with Paul Harris Society membership.
Conference
Conference was opened with welcome to country by Aunty Sheryl Giles a local lady with a positive focus and vision for the future
We also heard from Mayor of Loxton Trevor Norton and RI President Representative PDG Jennie Herring (New Zealand).
Keynote speaker
- Michael Crossland “the power of Perspective”.
A most remarkable life of setbacks and recoveries including his family and his health. His story, what he has had to overcome and what he has achieved left most people heading for the tissue box. Very few dry eyes in the house.
Notable start to life was the Doctors’ expectation that as an infant he was not expected to survive. Then as part of a first human experimental drug he was the only 1/25 who survived – a tough decision for his mother to put her new born onto such a trial.
Surviving childhood, becoming an elite baseball player in the USA until he was struck down again by cancer was truly an emotional rollercoaster for the audience. His story from overcoming weeks and months of health issues and being told he would not survive, his rise and fall in the Corporate world, his ongoing health setbacks….
He eventually decided that his purpose was to help others.
A story of great courage and sheer grit, with still the possibilities of further health issues.
He eventually decided that his purpose was to help others.
A story of great courage and sheer grit, with still the possibilities of further health issues.
Listening to Michael’s story helps to put things back into perspective. Amazing what you can do when you really put your mind to it.
Other notable speakers
- Cameron Glover – Interplast:
- As a follow on from our very recent visit by Merilyn Russell, Cameron was able to expand on the program & their achievements in going into remote areas of Asia South Pacific to both conduct surgeries for many unfortunate persons (both young & old) who had been maimed by many types of injuries, accidents or otherwise hurtful events. The true aim of the program is to not only give these people back some identity within their communities, but also to be able to function as normally as possible afterwards.
- The most incredible key element on top of those achievements is that the surgical teams, whilst giving in most cases 100% of their time & knowledge for free, are also training local people on how to perform these surgeries for themselves. The education transfer is astounding.
- Dr Tim Proudman AM from Adelaide was mentioned as the key mover for a relationship in Bhutan. He donated his time and energy into improving surgical practices in Bhutan, and also in training what is now Bhutan’s only Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon (returned recently after 12 months of training in Adelaide). Unfortunately, Tim passed away recently, at only 62. https://interplast.org.au/vale-dr-tim-proudman-am/
- Maurice O’Connell – Ukraine Crisis:
- A self-proclaimed “Accidental Volunteer” after taking a 2 week trip to the Ukraine that turned into a 6 month mercy mission to help the “Forgotten Villages” in the Odesa region.
- Maurice now dedicates 6 months every year whereby he is at the frontline of the war still raging in that area – assisting with food supplies and medical treatment for anyone who is in need of either (or both)
- He inspired the initiation of the Project New Dawn in District 9510 which now helps thousands of displaced Ukrainians rebuild where possible, or at least get access to food & medical assistance. New Dawn is heavily funded by a German NGO, and provides the vehicle for Rotary to operate in SE Ukraine.
- The RC of Victor Harbour was especially called out as a major sponsor of this District’s program; a Club who donated approx. $14,000 to help build a temporary medical facility (looked like a glorified ATCO hut from the outside, but kitted out with a lot of what’s needed to help these people inside!). Great job!
- Sam Mitchell - local Riverland indigenous person.
Sam shared his story, his climb from overcoming drug, alcohol and a life of crime to finding his purpose in helping Aboriginal men in prison to turn their lives around. He also spends his time supporting other indigenous people to make more of their lives and contribute to their communities. He also runs a self-help group “Strong Aboriginal Men” (SAM).
He gave us a demonstration of a “typical” experience, where he was driving and was pulled over by a police officer who had no more reason that to tell him he had no right to be driving a car like the one he had. This was understandably met with disappointment by those at the Conference.
- William Gillett and Sam Nitschke
Both graduates of Loxton HS and members of Rotary Youth Alumni who have taken very different career paths beyond the Riverland.
Will and Sam are currently finishing University with B Law & Ecco/Fin/Trade, and Aerospace Engineering, respectively.
They spoke of their appreciation for the start Rotary had given them and the opportunities they look forward to taking up with their education.
Other speakers included:
- Ben Avery (from Loxton), Channel Nine journalist as European correspondent.
- Rosie Lotawa, a ROMAC patient, speaking on her experience as a child before and after multiple facial operations. She spoke about the critical role that ROMAC plays in the Pacific Nations.
- John Robertson, a mixed race Vietnamese orphan. His struggle with identity, and eventual realisation of his need to educate children. He is now Principal of the Swan Reach Area School.
Club Showcases
The Club project showcases were brilliant – 5 minutes for Clubs to outline their major undertakings.
It provided an opportunity for us think about our approach to establishing new projects, how we plan and get them off the ground. Memorable ones were:
- RC Edwardstown
Support and mentoring of two young chaps, in helping them to overcome their shyness and become confident men in building their paper recycling business. - RC Campbelltown
Community Cafe raising $34,000 for the Ukraine in a dinner fundraiser. Starting with a light bulb moment, organising a committee of interested members, reaching out for support from the council to local businesses and hard work creates some amazing projects.
Youth:
- Loxton High School
Showcase of Riverland Youth we heard from the HS rock band and a solo guitarist. They all selected their music to meet the audience and did well.
At the Gala dinner we were treated to more local musos, they entertained us while the Conference participants danced, drank and eat, and chatted. HS students also provided the wait staff for the night.
Showcase of D9510 projects
- ShelterBox
- Peace Poles
- Foundation, including End Polio Now (Andrew)
At least one new speaking engagement (Waikerie) - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Interest for DEI was steady with Rotarians keen to understand the meaning of DEI and how to address issues within their Clubs - Calperum environmental project
- RYDA
- Barossa Valley Ring Pull project
- New Dawn – Ukraine
- Australian Rotary Health
- Gawler Light projects
- Mount Serle station – retreat