For all your Christmas cake orders please contact  joffacorfe@hotmail.com   SUPPORTER GROUPS WELCOME!

In 2009 The Collingwood Rotary Club turns 50

1.      The Club supports the idea of a celebration of its 50th anniversary on Sep 30, 2009, with a major function at the Collingwood Town Hall. This venue has been booked for 10 October 2009.

2.      The function should be a dinner foe 250 – 500 people, with music, entertainment and  (possibly) a quality keynote speaker.   A ticket price of $80-$100 is anticipated.

3.      The event would be supported by a 12-month publicity campaign, with our 50th Year celebration as its theme.

4.      It would commemorate the past 50 years and launch the next 50 years of community service. As young people are our future, then we suggest “Supporting the Education of Disadvantaged Young people” as the focus for the year.

5.      We could select one major project or set of related projects as our 50th Anniversary Project/s. i.e. build on Ben Tre, Aboriginal Education and Smith Family, which we already support.  

6.      We should develop a 50th logo for our letterhead, Bulletin etc., and incorporate into new bannerettes, and Club Badges.

7.      The Website will also be upgraded accordingly. James Portz has been consulted and is preparing some ideas.

8.      We should develop a brochure, which recognizes our clubs heritage, and promotes our future, as well as advertising the 50th Anniversary Dinner, all of which promotes interest in our club.

We would seek sponsorship for the function and the projects.  For a fee, one or more corporations would be recognised on promotional material, on the website and on the night itself

More details coming soon

About stroke and strokesafe™

Strokesafe™  is a long term public health campaign developed by the National Stroke Foundation that aims to save 110,000 Australians from death and disability due to stroke over the next 10 years.
·       Every 10 minutes someone in Australia has a stroke.
·       Stroke is Australia’s second single greatest killer and a leading cause of disability.
·       Over the next 10 years, half a million people in Australia will suffer at least one stroke.
 
strokesafe™ to date
The key objective of the first three years of strokesafe™ is to educate the public to recognise the signs of stroke.  To date the following achievements have been made through education and awareness:
·       Increased awareness of the signs of stroke and need to treat stroke as a medical emergency.
·       National mass media campaigns targeting signs of stroke.
·       Developed a strokesafe™ seminar pilot program to deliver health education about stroke prevention – this has demonstrated results.
·       Developed a new range of publications to inform about stroke and stroke prevention, distributing over 3 million resources nationally.
·       Redeveloped the National Stroke Foundation website and achieved a 50% increase in website visitors.
·       Engaged GPs and other health professionals through mail outs of resources and information.
 
Improving recognition and management of risk factors
The National Stroke Foundation in the next three years aims to address the escalating problem of high blood pressure in the Australian community.
   Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is the major risk factor for stroke.
·       Of the 3.6 million Australians over the age of 25 with high blood pressure, only half of them are treated.
·       Currently, 7,556 strokes are being prevented each year by controlling blood pressure in those with hypertension. However, this figure could be as high as 23,000 per annum if 70% of people with high blood pressure, had it treated and controlled.
·       A first step towards blood pressure control is to raise awareness and encourage people to know their blood pressure levles.
 
Blood Pressure Awareness Program
Currently there is a lack of awareness about undetected blood pressure, optimal levels and that hypertension is a serious medical condition.   There is also limited knowledge of the lifestyle issues affecting blood pressure. Currently in Australia there are no programs specifically designed to increase awareness of hypertension and the importance of controlled blood pressure.
 
The Blood Pressure Awareness Program will incorporate;
·       Public awareness campaign targeting the general public using mass media and developing blood pressure measurement stations.
·       Education for general practice and other health professionals to support measurement stations.
·       Providing accessible opportunities for blood pressure assessment that will ensure linkage to general practice for follow up (through Community Pharmacy & Rotary partnerships)
·       Advocating for healthy public policy to create a supportive environment and support community action.

Happy International Literacy Day, 8 September!

Greetings to all Rotarians from members of the International Reading Association / Rotary International Partnerships Special Interest Group on the occasion of International Literacy Day, 8 September, 2008.

Sponsored by UNESCO, International Literacy Day 2008 has as its theme, “Literacy is the best remedy”, thereby emphasizing literacy and health’s relationship to each other. Such a theme resonates with President D.K. Lee’s dream to reduce child mortality, with literacy being one tool for doing so.

The International Reading Association / Rotary International  Partnership Special Interest Group is a grass roots movement among literacy educators with an interest in Rotary that aims to help make the Rotary International  – International Reading Association Memorandum of Understanding (2002, 2005) dreams real.

It does this by encouraging Reading / Literacy Councils and Affiliates (such as the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association, ALEA) to collaborate with Rotary Clubs to develop, implement and evaluate literacy projects at home and abroad.

See www.reading.org/publications/reading_today/samples/RTY-0602-rotary.html

International Literacy Day is an occasion for celebrating the fact that more than 4.8 billion people in the world use their mother tongue literacy effectively in their daily personal and community lives. At the same time, it is an occasion for reflection on, and planning for work yet to be done in the world to achieve literacy for all, but especially for women and girls in economically developing nations.

For ideas about how to honour ILD, go to www.reading.org/association/meetings/literacy_day.html. For more information about the International Reading Association / Rotary International  Partnerships Special Interest Group , go to <www/reading.org/association/about/sigs_irari.html>.

per: Nea Stewart-Dore, Chair, International Reading Association Rotary International Partnerships Special Interest Group.

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 28 August 2008

MELBOURNE 2008 HOMELESS WORLD CUP
COUNTDOWN BEGINS

100 days until the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup
56 nations make Melbourne 2008 the biggest Homeless World Cup ever
Women’s Cup is a first in Homeless World Cup history
Australian short-listed squad announced
National ambassadors unveiled 

In just under 100 days, Melbourne’s Federation Square and Birrarung Marr will come alive with the grit, spirit and glory of one of the world’s most unique international sporting events – the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

From December 1-7, 2008, 56 nations will unite in Melbourne for the biggest Homeless World Cup tournament ever, including the first Women’s Cup.

Players who are homeless will stand proud and represent their country at an international football tournament that aims to end homelessness and change the world.

“With only 100 days to go until the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup kicks off, there is real anticipation and excitement building and we invite the world to watch as the players stand proud and show us what is possible,” said the founder and President of the Homeless World Cup, Mr Mel Young.

“The Homeless World Cup has demonstrated the power of sport to change lives and to change the world. The sixth Homeless World Cup in Melbourne is the pinnacle of the year round work by grass-roots football programs in 56 nations, which bring together over 30,000 players for training, helping to rebuild their lives and communities.

“The Homeless World Cup is growing fast, travelling to the far corners of the globe to engage people who are homeless, to change hearts and minds, and to pioneer imaginative solutions to address this key global issue.”

Launching the official event countdown today, Victorian Premier John Brumby applauded the Homeless World Cup as an innovative way of raising awareness and addressing the issues of homelessness and poverty on both a global and local scale.

“The Homeless World Cup is more than another sporting event for Melbourne. It’s an event that uses the positive power of sport to change the lives of homeless and marginalised people around the world,” Mr Brumby said.

“The event is a great example of how sport can be used to reconnect homeless and marginalised people with the community, and to rebuild lives, confidence and self-esteem.”

Research consistently demonstrates that over 70 per cent of players experience significant life change as a result of participating. Players build up self-esteem, come off drugs and alcohol, move into homes, jobs, education and training, repair relationships, and even become coaches and players with professional or semi-professional soccer teams.

For the first time in the history of the Homeless World Cup, a Women’s Cup will be included at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

Eight nations and 80 women will compete - Cameroon, Columbia, Ivory Coast, Kyrgzstan, Uganda, Zambia, Liberia and Paraguay – to become the first-time champions.

In previous competitions women have made up approximately 10 per cent of the players and have created significant change in their lives. Michele da Silva represented Brazil at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup, winning best female player before going on to be selected to represent Brazil in the national under 21’s women’s team.

Executive Director of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, Mr Steven Persson, said “The Big Issue is extremely proud to host an event that provides fresh solutions to homelessness and encourages people to make change on a global scale.

“The Big Issue’s street soccer program currently works with hundreds of homeless and marginalised people across Australia, providing support and assistance for players to get their lives back on track. The Homeless World Cup will leave an enduring legacy with the expansion of the street soccer program to over 30 sites across Australia, engaging an estimated 1200 players.”

24 players have been short-listed to represent Australia in a mixed team at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, with a final squad announcement to be made in October.

National coach of the Australian Street Socceroos, George Halkias, said that making the short list was a huge achievement for the players.

“All the short-listed players should be immensely proud of their achievements,” Halkias said. “They have already demonstrated through their dedication and commitment to the program that they have the right attitude to overcome obstacles in their lives.”

Joining the Premier at today’s launch were the newly-appointed national ambassadors of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup – the face of the world game in Australia and SBS anchorman Mr Les Murray AM; former Australian Socceroo Mr Craig Foster; captain of Melbourne Victory FC Mr Kevin Muscat; and Australian women’s soccer team goalkeeper, the Matildas’ Ms Melissa Barbieri.

Mr Murray said he was humbled to be an ambassador of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

“Football to me transcends colour, race or creed. I have witnessed football’s influence and impact on the lives of people from all around the world, be it the beaches of Brazil, the streets of Sarajevo or centre stage at the FIFA World Cup,” Mr Murray said.

“I am humbled to be an ambassador for the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup and witness the positive power of football in our community and its quest to raise

football in our community and its quest to raise awareness and address homeless issues around the world.” relationships, and even become coaches and players with professional or semi-professional soccer teams.

For the first time in the history of the Homeless World Cup, a Women’s Cup will be included at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

Eight nations and 80 women will compete - Cameroon, Columbia, Ivory Coast, Kyrgzstan, Uganda, Zambia, Liberia and Paraguay – to become the first-time champions.

In previous competitions women have made up approximately 10 per cent of the players and have created significant change in their lives. Michele da Silva represented Brazil at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup, winning best female player before going on to be selected to represent Brazil in the national under 21’s women’s team.

Executive Director of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, Mr Steven Persson, said “The Big Issue is extremely proud to host an event that provides fresh solutions to homelessness and encourages people to make change on a global scale.

“The Big Issue’s street soccer program currently works with hundreds of homeless and marginalised people across Australia, providing support and assistance for players to get their lives back on track. The Homeless World Cup will leave an enduring legacy with the expansion of the street soccer program to over 30 sites across Australia, engaging an estimated 1200 players.”

24 players have been short-listed to represent Australia in a mixed team at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, with a final squad announcement to be made in October.

National coach of the Australian Street Socceroos, George Halkias, said that making the short list was a huge achievement for the players.

“All the short-listed players should be immensely proud of their achievements,” Halkias said. “They have already demonstrated through their dedication and commitment to the program that they have the right attitude to overcome obstacles in their lives.”

Joining the Premier at today’s launch were the newly-appointed national ambassadors of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup – the face of the world game in Australia and SBS anchorman Mr Les Murray AM; former Australian Socceroo Mr Craig Foster; captain of Melbourne Victory FC Mr Kevin Muscat; and Australian women’s soccer team goalkeeper, the Matildas’ Ms Melissa Barbieri.

Mr Murray said he was humbled to be an ambassador of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

“Football to me transcends colour, race or creed. I have witnessed football’s influence and impact on the lives of people from all around the world, be it the beaches of Brazil, the streets of Sarajevo or centre stage at the FIFA World Cup,” Mr Murray said.

“I am humbled to be an ambassador for the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup and witness the positive power of football in our community and its quest to raise awareness and address homeless issues around the world.”

For more information visit www.homelessworldcup.org