We had 13 in attendance, and welcomed PDG Jerry Pilcher as a guest, and also taking over from guest speaker Lucy who has come down with the flu. Jerry will also talk on Rotary Health.
President Kaye
- Thank you, Franziska, for arranging a donation of drinks from the Coles DC for the walk.
- Two people required to help out at the markets giving out brochures for the walk from 11.00 – 1.30. Rob and Brian volunteered.
- Paul Moro has 50 Fairy houses – will have a village on the walk. It will be where the Rotarians are.
Jerry Pilcher – Australian Rotary Health/Indigenous Health Scholarship Program
ARH – the start
- Australian Rotary Health – like many programs was the idea of 1 Rotary member – Ian Scott – from Mornington – Victoria – nearly 40 years ago. He heard of another incidence of Cot Death – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – his Club and other Clubs in Victoria agreed to do something about it
- The 1st research program was conducted at Hobart University – as a result – the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot death) was reduced by 80% saving many 1000’s of young lives
- With that success – Australian Rotary Health was born
Since 2000 our focus is Mental Health Research – especially young people - “Lift the Lid” – Why?
- To ensure that people are not afraid to talk about the issues, it’s OK to talk about these – starts the healing process
- When we consider the following information – it’s truly frightening
- 1 in 5 Australians will have Mental Health issues in any one year
- 1 in 2 Australians will experience issues in their lifetime
- 1 in 3 young people will have a Mental health episode BEFORE they are 25 years old
- 1 in 6 young people under the age of 14 will experience anxiety, depression or worse
- Many of these episodes unfortunately lead to self-harm, suicide or attempted suicide
- I’m sure we all know someone close to us who has experienced Mental Health issues
- Our future research programs may well focus on these younger people, and their families
New Research is being conducted into many areas –
- Changing Patterns of Suicidal Behaviour in Young Women
- Helping Indigenous Families overcome Trauma
- Stress & Depression in young Athletes – working with many organisations – all levels not just elite
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – again – it is OK to talk to someone – ask for help
- “Don’t Fight in Front of the Kids” – Research has shown that this causes so many problems later in life
- There are currently 4 Research Grants being conducted here in WA
- From that 1st single grant – 20 years later – we are funding 94 Research Grants at present
- 100% of ALL donations go to support Mental Health Research programs and grants – tax deductible
- Full information and details are available on the ARH Website
If I could leave you with one last thought – when one person reaches out, seeking help, and then we respond saying yes, we will help you, we take the I out of Illness, replace it with WE, and – Illness becomes Wellness
Indigenous Health Scholar successes
- Over 300 students have graduated since 2003 – in many areas of medicine
- Between 20% & 25% of Indigenous Doctors have gone through the program
- Out of 100,000 Doctors in 2019 – only 400 are Indigenous
- Indigenous Scholars who are or have been “movers & shakers”
§ Dr. Kali Hayward – Past President of AIDA – Australian Indigenous Doctors Association
§ Sean White – Past Vice-President of AIDA
§ Current President of the Indigenous Dentists Association
§ Associate Professor James Charles – started Indigenous Allied Health Association
§ Many past students are on the Board of AIDA
Lucy’s Speech – read by Jerry
- Lucy is a proud Yamatji women.
- She is studying 1st year medicine at UWA. She eventually hopes to work with children.
- She has been able to complete a lot of work from home.
- Lucy thanks Rotary for their help.
Krys
- As ADG, Krys has been visiting different clubs.
- She has noted that different clubs have different styles.
- One club has a social evening per month.
Kaye
We are planning social evenings. They will also be membership drives (check under event).
Paul
The polio movie will be going ahead this year. There will only be one this year and at the Morley Galleria. The date is 22 November, and the movie is I Am Woman, the Helen Reddy story. If COVID restrictions are still in place, we will be given 2 theatres.
A full meeting, with a wealth of information presented.