Rotary membership is great for your brain and memory health, but can you do more?

Memory Matters!

Rotary membership is great for your brain and memory health, but can you do more?

"I have a terrible memory."  How often have you heard that? When I meet new people and tell them I research and treat age-related memory loss, the most common response is "You should research me - my memory is so dreadful!"  Is it really?

Do you...

·         Lose your glasses?

·         Forget names?

·         Have trouble remembering appointments?

·         Forget why you went into another room?

What's happening?  Are you losing your edge?

Many people are worried about memory and become concerned these occasional lapses may be the beginning of losing memory altogether. Perhaps you have been told that from the age of 50 you lose brain cells at a prodigious rate.

The good news is that neuroscience, with the aid of sophisticated imaging techniques, has blown away the old gloomy myths around ageing and memory.  It is likely that your memory has dulled simply because your brain (and maybe your body, too!) is no longer in tip-top shape.  You don't have to accept memory lapses as inevitable - you can take steps to improve your brain fitness.

PDG (9970) Don Eadie enjoying  our

memory games on a

The University of Auckland

health robot.

After several years of researching memory, it became apparent that too many people accept memory loss as inevitable. With my sister Gillian Eadie, a noted educator, we combined our skills to create practical solutions to  help people remember confidently and well at any age.  Then our own mother, Jeanie, in her 90s, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. As we cared for her we became 'sisters on a mission' to make sure everyone knows we can grow new brain connections every day and harness the power of these neurons. And so the Memory Foundation was born, established to provide all the information you need to make sure memory serves you well.

We've had fun along the way. A partnership with The University of Auckland led to our very own memory games being enjoyed by older people on the University's delightful health robots. You can play our memory games yourself on the Memory Foundation website. We greatly enjoy the new confidence shown by people  who take our Brain Fit for Life^™ workshops.

Staying mentally active, engaging in physical exercise, staying socially engaged

and other important lifestyle factors all contribute to a sharp memory. That’s well known. But so many people asked us, “How do we go about setting up the best memory habits?’ that we devised a plan to get brain and memory health on track.

The result is the book 7-Day Brain Boost Plan. Our own backgrounds of memory expertise and education combine with contributions from a nutritionist and exercise specialist to give a day-by-day, step-by-step plan.

The response from readers has been extraordinary. After we made a television appearance last week, an 87 year-old viewer rang to say he felt mentally 20 years younger!

Check out the Memory Foundation website for yourself on http://memory.foundation

to enjoy our memory games, read about your memory, or try the 7-Day Brain Boost Plan.

Dr. Allison Lamont (Rotary Club of Auckland East) is founder and clinician at the Auckland Memory Clinic, http://memoryclinic.co.nz, or email dr.lamont@memory.foundation

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A perspective on Diversity

- By Simon Manning, District Governor Elect in District 9940, NZ

We have been told to ensure that our clubs are diverse in their makeup; sometimes this is easier said than done. This is but one of the challenges for all of us to continually do, for our clubs and for Rotary International to achieve on a daily basis.

 

I was asked to write this article as being an incoming District Governor for the 2015-2016 Rotary year who is openly gay. I was a bit surprised because yes, I am openly gay, but rarely think of my sexuality as a big thing. It always surprises me when people are brave enough to refer to my sexuality as I really don’t give it much thought. Yes it is a part of who I am, but it is only one part, and probably not most important part either.

 

I operate under simple principles and values which as a child were taught to me by my parents; those were to always tell the truth, and to consider the feelings of others before I open my mouth. Mum and Dad didn’t know about the Four Way Test, but they did a pretty good job in summing up the values of Rotary. They were the first leaders I encountered in my life.

 

Like most Rotarians, I joined Rotary to be part of an organisation that makes a difference in the lives of those in my community, and indeed in communities all around the world. Maybe I do bring an aspect which is different, but then we all have different gifts to share.

 

I live in a community where our Rotary club doesn’t completely reflect the community we are serving, so our challenge is to see how we can encourage those of different race, sex and culture to join us as we try to make a difference in the world. Our club like many will understand better the needs of the community we serve if we embrace other cultures, sexes and races. In fact our ability to make a difference will be vastly improved if we can achieve this in all of our clubs worldwide.
 

It is my belief that the biggest barrier is our traditions. They are so old fashioned that those who enter through the doors of our clubs cannot relate to how we run our meetings. Our meetings look very odd to non-Rotarians. Clubs in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific have to change now or they will continue to decline.

 

I have no doubt that we as Rotarians have the best intentions and we do good in our community, but we fail to connect to the people we are trying to attract, and many clubs in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands have failed to change in a way that is attractive to new members.

 

On first glance the Rotary International Board is diverse, but our organisation needs to have a women president and this needs to happen as Dame Edna would say “quick sticks”.

 

While Rotary International has most certainly embraced the race and culture aspect of diversity, it needs to sort the gender balance out. My message is to the Board of Rotary International – Get a woman president and do it now because until this happens, Rotary will always be seen as a male organisation with some women members, which is what our image says to non-Rotarians.

 

There are many districts in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific that are making the changes required, but my fear is that the change is far too slow.

 

Diversity is not something to avoid, it is something to seek out. Change isn’t something to fear, it is something to embrace. If we get diversity and change in harmony, just watch the growth of a Rotary, a better Rotary, a more relevant Rotary and “What a Gift to the World” that will be.
 

I am proud to be a part of Rotary, but I want a new vibrant Rotary. Do you?

DGsE Simon Manning (9940) and Jennie Herring (9920) prior to the New Zealander’s stage performance at International Assembly in San Diego, USA

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Rotary's initial response to Cyclone Pam

The picture shows the power of the cyclone and damage to structure and trees
that was to become widespread

Rotary has responded very quickly along with many other NGO's to the devastation of Cyclone Pam on Vanuatu.

600 prepositioned Emergency Response Kits have been sent by RNZWCS - www.rnzwcs.org.nz 

1000 shelterbox kits have been sent by ShelterBox - www.shelterbox.org.nz 

Both RNZWCS and ShelterBox have also launched cash appeals via Give-a-Little to make available further aid.

Details of these two appeals are on their websites and at www.cyclonepam.rotarysouthpacific.org

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Training didn’t take in real devastation of Malaysian floods

Helping provide shelter to victims of the devastating flooding in Malaysia was both challenging and rewarding for Nelson man, Jimmy Griffiths.

Jimmy recently returned home to New Zealand after a month’s deployment to Malaysia, where he was helping provide shelter to victims of the devastating flooding, which recently hit the country.



Jimmy Griffiths with young family members
from the first family he helped to re-home

It was his first deployment in a disaster zone for the ShelterBox organisation, which provides emergency shelter and vital supplies to international community’s overwhelmed by disaster and humanitarian crisis.

Malaysia suffered its worst flooding in 50 years from December 15 to January 3, with more than 200,000 people displaced, and 21 people killed. Flooding ripped houses from their foundations and left locals facing a mammoth clean-up.

Witnessing the destruction was initially overwhelming, Jimmy says.

‘‘I remember being driven around looking at the devastation, and thinking: ‘Man, where do you start?  How do you start putting everything back together’.’’

The muck, flood debris and wet ground meant finding a suitable place to erect the tents was a challenge.

Jimmy is one of 200 highly trained ShelterBox volunteers who work in disaster zones across the world and who only completed his selection process as a first responder last year.

He finished his training in October and had just completed his vaccination programme, when he was asked to travel to Malaysia.

‘‘I got the call on January 3, having signed up ready for deployment on December 26.’’

Jimmy said despite the training being fresh in his mind, the reality of doing the job on the ground was naturally different.

‘‘Theory doesn’t match the practical. There were a lot of things going through my mind including is there going to be fresh water when I get there, what’s the security risk . . .’’

Some of the challenges included the extreme heat and humidity, language differences and working with local customs and politics and sometimes having to eat sketchy food.

To cope with the enormity of the situation he quickly became ‘‘task focussed’’.

‘‘I looked at it that each tent I didn’t put up that day meant a family would be sleeping in the open. Giving them a tent gave them privacy, dignity and a chance to start rebuilding their lives,’’ he said.

Jimmy said going to Malaysia and witnessing the work ShelterBox did on the ground had shown him he was right to support the charity. ‘‘It’s been fantastic and I now realise my time wasn’t wasted’’ and he added, ‘‘We are so grateful to Rotary and everybody who donates, because it helps us to prepare for the next disaster.’’

Web:  www.shelterbox.org ; www.shelterbox.org.nz



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Hand-digging walking tracks has positive environmental impact on local community from people to native fish and birds

Landcare Okareka Team: From left, Brian Law, James Blakely, Katharine, and Mike and Sandra Goodwin are digging out a walkway to link Boyes Beach to the Lake Okareka campsite.

Photo courtesy of the Rotorua Daily Post.

It’s been a huge team effort for members of Landcare Lake Okareka in New Zealand to work together on developing walkways to protect wetlands and enhance their environment.

The Lake Okareka walkway opened in 2003. The initial track included a boardwalk and lakeside track to the outlet of Okareka. The design and construction was managed by Rotorua District Council and financed by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. 

Landcare Okareka started three months later by residents who wanted to make a difference and founding members included Mike and Sandra Goodwin. Currently there are around sixty members, mostly residents, holiday home owners and people from the wider Rotorua community.

Their first project was Stage 2 of the walkway - composting toilets at Silver Beach, a shade structure with seats, a bird watching hid and raised edges to the boardwalk - completed two years later.

Significant achievements include a remembrance grove of native trees adjacent to the walkway and the pump station bank cleared of bush and replanted, including a track from Summit Road for children to get to the bus stop at the bottom of the hill.

Mike said, “Our current project is the most exciting, completing the Trans Okareka Walk, which when completed, will take about three hours to walk around Lake Okareka, both at lake level and along the top of the north eastern hill above the lake.”

The first part of this extension is a 1.5km path and boardwalk linking Boyes Beach to the Department of Conservation campground. This has involved considerable planning and has taken five years to gain all the consents, with formation work starting a few months ago. 

The track will feature a boardwalk through the wetlands where native birds live including the dab chick which is rarer than kiwi. This area is under threat from rats, possums and wallabies. 

Mike and Sandra Goodwin were both recently recognised with Paul Harris Fellow awards by the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise for their outstanding achievement in building a better world through the enhancement of the Okareka surrounds that locals and people from around the world admire and enjoy.  Sandra replied, “It’s very humbling and very special to receive this recognition from Rotary Rotorua Sunrise. We are so amazed for our group to receive this.”

The highlight for Mike is the way the environment has flourished, enhancing the community, and members have found this very rewarding.  He said, “People from all over the world come here. I’ve seen visitors on their mobility scooters and I reckon it takes three weeks to get the smile off their face.  It’s such a joy for them to get in amongst nature.” 

Web:  www.rotaryrotoruasunrise.co.nz ; www.rotaryrotorua.org



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Rotary’s foresight continues to benefit children’s mental health

In 2014 Cure Kids was delighted to announce long-term funding for a senior researcher focused on improving the mental health of children and adolescents in New Zealand.  This development is the result of events beginning 15 years ago by the Rotary Club of Downtown Auckland (RCDA).

It is estimated that at least one in four Kiwi children and adolescents will experience a significant mental health issue. 

“It’s an epidemic facing our kids; impacting their health, learning, relationships and development.   Once again, we’re grateful for Rotary’s role in helping us meet a clear child health research need,” said Vicki Lee, Cure Kids CEO and Waiheke Island Rotarian.

In 1999, Downtown Auckland Rotarian, Dr Bill Daniels, was concerned at the lack of specialist help for children and young people with mental illnesses. He floated the idea of establishing a research Chair to address the issue, and by 2009 the RCDA raised $170,000. While this wasn’t enough to fund the Chair, the funds were applied to support the important work of the Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Auckland.

All Black Cory Jane with Cure Kids Ambassador Connor Lehan

who lives with ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome

Recognising the clear need for more research in this area, Cure Kids embarked on a fundraising campaign engaging a small number of motivated donors who shared this vision and generously provided the funding needed to establish the Chair.  The generous donors are Rod and Patricia Duke and family, the Hugh Green Foundation, and support from New Zealand Rugby.

The Chair will investigate insights into causes, develop research-led treatments, prevention strategies and improve outcomes for kids and their families dealing with mental health conditions.

Ms Lee noted that “There are few of us who don’t know a young person who has been challenged with mental health issues.   This can manifest in a variety of ways - ADHD, autism, eating disorders, depression and anxiety to name a few.  We are determined to make a difference for these children and we are now focused on building a $2 million endowment fund to support the additional costs of delivering research projects to be led by the Chair.” 

Having the support of Rotary has always been pivotal to the success of Cure Kids and we are again asking for Rotary’s help as we look for further donors to help build this fund.  Please contact Philanthropy and Fundraising Dellwyn Stuart at Cure Kids on 09-370 0290 with any questions or ideas.

Thank you again for helping improve the lives of kiwi kids. 

For more information visit www.curekids.org.nz

Additional side bar information: 

Established by Rotary in NZ in 1971 as the Child Health Research Foundation, Cure Kids has to date raised $36 million for research into child health.

Rotary has been a passionate supporter of children’s health through the ongoing support of Cure Kids’ fundraising activities.   Cure Kids’ annual appeal – Red Nose Day – goes from strength to strength with Rotary’s active involvement.  This year it will take place on August 21 and you’ll be hearing more about this year’s appeal soon.  Call Fundraiser – Campaigns Kelly Douglas at Cure Kids on 021 110 2161 with any Red Nose enquiries.

 

 

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Sailability well and truly launched

Roy Bartlett and Paralympian yachtswoman Jan Apel
about to cast off as the first users of the new facilities
at Sailability Fairway Bay.

The new Sailability Centre at Fairway Bay, Gulf Harbour, New Zealand was opened officially on Saturday January 31 by Rodney MP Mark Mitchell and his wife Peggy.

Funds raised by the local Rotary Club of Whangaparaoa at a charity dinner and auction in November, with guest speaker Harold Bennett of America’s Cup fame, plus additional support from two BBQ sausage sizzles at PAK’nSAVE Silverdale, have provided the personnel “C-crane” and one of the brand new Hansa 303 wide boats that are two of the essential elements of the new Sailability Centre. 

Sailability Auckland Chairman Brendan Tourelle and New Zealand 2012 Paralympian Tim Dempsey, also of Sailability, made the opening remarks and thanked everyone who made this exciting new venture possible.  As well as the support provided by the Rotary Club of Whangaparaoa, additional support has been received from The Halberg Disability Sport Foundation, the June Grey Charitable Trust, Rotary International District 9910, plus significant support from Fairway Bay and the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club. “We also acknowledge with thanks the fantastic contribution of PAK’nSAVE Silverdale in hosting two very successful BBQ events for Sailability”, said Mr Tourelle.

Local MP Mark Mitchell then extended the official welcome to everyone and acknowledged the huge efforts made by Sailability Auckland, Rotary Whangaparaoa, Fairway Bay, Gulf Harbour Yacht Club and the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation.  “Without the excellent and very effective work that was done by all the participants in this venture, especially the support from local businesses, we would not all be celebrating success here today”, he said.

Commodore John Weston of Gulf Harbour Yacht Club welcomed the new facility that will provide safe sailing for persons with disabilities and which, with the unstinting support of Fairway Bay, is ensured a sustainable and exciting future.

In a lively opening ceremony attended by over 20 Rotarians and more than 50 other enthusiastic supporters, Mrs Mitchell christened the first two boats with champagne – with both boats appropriately echoing the blue and yellow colours of Rotary. 

First to set sail in the blue boat were Jan Apel, 2012 Paralympian sailor, accompanying Roy Bartlett who had not sailed for many years and who was the first to use the new crane that had been provided by Rotary Whangaparaoa.  Roy and Jan were soon followed in the yellow boat by Belinda Edwards who had Sailability instructor Taylor Mitchell crewing with her.

The smiles on the faces of the sailors and spectators alike told the story of a job well done and there was general agreement that Sailability was well and truly launched at Fairway Bay.

The Halberg Disability Sport Foundation arranged a major media event at Fairway Bay, on Monday February 9, when New Zealand yachting stars Peter Burling and Blair Tuke supported young people with disabilities getting their first taste of sailing the new boats that were sign-written in time for that event.  The children had cerebral palsy and they had a fantastic time!  The next event on February 14 and 15 weekend was the first official Sailability Regatta at Fairway Bay, operated by Gulf Harbour Yacht Club. 

President of Rotary Whangaparaoa Brian Mullan says, “There is indeed much to look forward to at this great new venue for sailors with disabilities.  I am so glad that I was able to become involved with Sailability through the Rotary Club of Grantham in the UK and to be inspired by the Rotary involvement there.  Supporting Sailability in New Zealand has for the past few years been an ambition of mine – now fulfilled thanks to the great support that Rotary Whangaparaoa received for this great new centre”.

Watch the TV ONE News item http://tvnz.co.nz/sailing-news/peter-burling-and-blair-tuke-help-halberg-disability-sport-foundation-video-6231149.  It’s great promotion of Rotary making a difference and children enjoying their first sail.   

Web: www.whangaparaoa.rotarysouthpacific.org



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African proverb: A small house will hold a hundred friends

Africa Mercy underway

The world’s largest civilian hospital ship is home to a volunteer crew of 480, including a handful of Rotarians, who welcome Africa’s marginalized poor with open arms and compassionate hearts.  Mercy Ships believes the restoration of dignity is as important as the healing of the body, and they provide both through free healthcare services for the African nations they serve.

Crew member Sharon Walls visiting a patient
in the Mercy Ships ward while docked at Ghana

Some crew members, like Rotary Club of Takapuna North, NZ, Past President Larry Robbins, are short term ‘repeat offenders’. The retired naval commander packed his bags in March for a fourth tour-of-duty aboard the Africa Mercy. He will spend two months donating his skills in Madagascar, as Second Officer. Aside from his maritime duties, Larry intends to visit the local Rotary club, as he did previously in the Canary Islands and Republic of Congo. “The internationality of Rotary and my smattering of Spanish/French enabled me to follow the meetings. It was a particular highlight in Pointe Noire to get to know the club’s Executive Secretary, and I was able to enjoy some unique local experiences because of our friendship.”

Like Larry, Mercy Ships New Zealand Director Graeme Walls and Communications Manager Sharon Walls are Paul Harris Fellows. These Mercy Ships ‘long termers’ rubbed shoulders with others who held youthful dreams to better society through service at Rotaract in Cashmere and Plimmerton in the late 70’s and early 80’s. They joined Mercy Ships independently in 1983. Four ships, four land-based international offices, and three children later, the Walls remain committed to networking with established professionals and business-people with a passion to make a difference in the world around them. They also are Madagascar-bound, transferring from the New Zealand office to the Africa Mercy later this year for a year.

Mercy Ships last docked in Madagascar in 1996. At that time Sahondra was a patient whose cleft lip and palate was repaired on board. She recently gave the ship’s crew a surprise return visit. She was so excited to see the surgeon who performed her free operation all those years ago, and changed her life forever. Sahondra brought pictures of her experience to show everyone at her emotional reunion.

Even basic healthcare is unavailable to most Madagascans. Treatable conditions like cleft lip and palate abnormalities become life-long burdens. Sahondra said, “The care that Mercy Ships gave me so many years ago changed my life. I could never say thank you enough.”

Thanks also to Rotary Clubs of Takapuna North and Browns Bay for their support of Larry and the work of Mercy Ships. 

Watch the CBS News Hospital of Hope documentary on 60 Minutes http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/africa-mercy-hospital-of-hope/

For more information visit www.mercyships.org

Additional side bar information: 

Madagascar is a far cry from Disney’s dancing penguins. The east African island is twice the land mass of New Zealand, with a population of 23 million (3.6 million children under five years), 90% of whom live on less than $2.25 per day. 12% of the country’s roads are paved. There are around 5,000 nurses in the whole country.

 

In the first 13 weeks of the Madagascar field service Mercy Ships provided: 

 

• 531 surgeries
• Treated 2000 dental patients
• Mentored 19 nurses, surgeons and anaesthetists
• Provided ongoing education to 165 local healthcare professionals

 

 Web:  www.rotarytakapunanorth.org.nz/  

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Four Christchurch Rotary Clubs acknowledge Christchurch's resilience

Re:START mall is Christchurch’s most innovative and diverse shopping experience in the heart of the city.  It includes boutique retailers, banks, food carts and coffee inside bright shipping containers.   

Playing chess on the giant board in Cathedral Square (in front of the Cathedral remains)

The Christchurch trams are running again

Lego land free play area for children in central Christchurch

Tree Houses for Swamp Dwellers sculpture by Julia Morison is part of the free-to-view contemporary public art in Christchurch city (SCAPE Public Art www.scapepublicart.org.nz)  

 

A stunning evening event acknowledged the resilience of the local business community and thanked those who stayed in Christchurch, NZ, to help rebuild the south eastern part of the city. 

Over 200 local businesses were invited to the gathering on October 22, 2014 at the Tannery, a shopping centre with a large atrium in the east of Christchurch. The Tannery is a symbol of the new Christchurch rebuild after the 2011 earthquake.

Each club was allocated a number of places at the event and went door-to-door handing out invitations and telling businesses about Rotary.

130 people attended the function from local business in the Port Hills, Garlands Rd and Ferrymead area.

The event was hosted by four Christchurch Rotary clubs; Linwood–Woolston, Christchurch South, Lyttelton and Ferrymead.  The clubs committed funds to this activity to proactively recruit new members as these four clubs had lost members following the earthquake.

About 30 Rotarians hosted the guests with platters of nibbles and one complimentary drink.  Visitors were also given a card with the meeting details of the four clubs. Their business cards and email addresses were collected for a prize draw and follow-up.  

The Chief Executive of Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce Peter Townsend spoke about the rebuilding of Christchurch and how only 25 per cent has been accomplished. District 9970 Governor Liz Courtney talked about the work of Rotary in the area and overseas. Shelly Harrison gave an insight into being a young Rotarian.

Some new members have joined the clubs following this event.  A follow-up event is planned for early in the new year. 

This format of a cluster group joining together to promote Rotary could be repeated in other areas. It was a good opportunity for business people to network as well as hear what is happening in the rebuild and Rotary’s achievements in the area.

ASSOCIATE TOPIC (not part of article):




Club web addresses at www.9970.rotarysouthpacific.org / Clubs

Submitted to magazine

 

Rotary clubs raise $73,000 together

Southland rugby player Jamie MacIntosh (right)

and Past District Governor John Prendergast chomp

their way through the eating challenge of the

Man v Woman fundraiser.

Five southern Rotary clubs came together to raise $73,000 in a Man v Woman fundraiser held late last year.

The event was a triumph for the combined Rotary Clubs of Invercargill South, East, Sunrise, North and Aparima in a landmark collaboration with Spirit of a Nation, according to committee member Christine Pryde.

“The key objectives of the night were to bring Southland Rotary Clubs together, show the general public the Rotary organisation in a fun way and raise some serious money for the clubs’ chosen charities.  Working together we pooled our resources, talents and networks and achieved an outstanding result with less effort and more fun,” she said.

All of the money raised by the clubs goes to their own causes: Victim Support (Invercargill South), Dictionaries in Western

Crown Prosecutor Mary-Jane Thomas

checks out how the men are going in the building

of a bench competition.

Southland Schools (Aparima), Southland Literacy (Invercargill East), Give Kids a Chance (Invercargill North) and Fountain of Peace NZ for Ugandan Housing (Sunrise Rotary).

The fundraiser consisted of stage competitions between two rival teams – in this case a gender battle between teams of celebrities, who brought some magic to the night, Southland Spirit of a Nation brand manager, Gerry Forde said.

“Rugby player Jamie MacIntosh put his body on the line for the men as if it was the Otago v Southland clash at Rugby Park, with heaps of support from entertainers Bryan Townley and Stephen Broad – the men proving just a little bit larger than life for the women’s team led by the dynamic Mary-Jane Thomas,” he said.

Honours were equally divided after the stand-up comedy, quiz, goal shooting, modelling, building, sing-off and theatresports with the men taking the victory based on audience support for their grande finale lip synch which peaked with crowd-pleaser “YMCA”.

Around $60,000 was raised by auctions including one item for a crew of Rotarians to paint a house that fetched over $6,000 and a solar panel system from World Solar that reached $4,500.

Both Spirit of a Nation and Rotary are keen to look at repeating the success again next year, said Gerry Forde.

Web for clubs at www.9980.rotarysouthpacific.org  /  Clubs



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