An Introduction to Rotary Rotary is a worldwide organisation, which provides an opportunity for men and women in business and the professions to use their vocational skills to assist the local community. If you’ve asked yourself the question “What can I do?” then this may be your answer. Rotary consists of individuals who are willing to contribute some of their precious time and valuable expertise to make a difference – to help those who need it and to encourage our youth to reach their potential. Rotary International forms a global network which is based within the local community and which provides aid and assistance throughout the world. Rotarians know that as an individual they can’t achieve much in their spare time to help others – but by working as a member of a team with other business men and women, the effect of their contribution is amplified and significant improvements can be made. For example, Rotary is eradicating the scourge of polio from this earth by immunising the children worldwide. Imagine what can be achieved when people work together, enjoying a wider circle of friends and using their skills to make this world a better place in which to live. Each Rotarian represents their industry or profession within their club, ensuring a broad diversity of backgrounds and vocational skills are available to form project teams. Rotarians also recognise the need to maintain high ethical standards in their business and professional lives and to promote and build goodwill both locally and internationally, to encourage peaceful coexistence globally.   A Rotarian is a member of a Rotary Club which adheres to Rotary principles of service through friendship.  Each member will be asked to contribute their skills and talents towards projects the club has decided to pursue which benefit the community. A Rotarian is always welcome as a visitor at any club and this opportunity to sample the hospitality and share companionship with others around the world in many cultures is a major benefit of membership. It takes time to make a difference – your time The Club meets each Thursday, at   The Leinster Arms Hotel 66 Gold St Collingwood   We usually meet for lunch (12.30pm for 1pm) and meeting concludes at 2pm

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.