Sergeant Merv called the meeting to order and welcomed Pam to the Chair.
Pam welcomed our guests:
Tony Long from Humanitarian Projects International (HPI) and our speaker
Partners Ann Paddison & Irish
Visiting Rotarians Charmaine & Ken McMeekan (RC Morwell on his annual pilgrimage to our warmer weather)
 
 
Gerry provides the international toast to Rotary Club of Dili, Timor Leste.
Gerry wanted to make sure we knew the population of Dili was 222,323.
I guess that number has changed before the toast was even taken; but we can admire his efforts for precision.
Chris also welcomed our visitors and provided a brief report on:
Update on End Polio Now, Rotary International's flagship project & upcoming World Polio Day on 24 October
Opening of the superb Care Garden at Beerwah last Friday
Photo Competiton awards on Thursday 18 July
Confirmed date for Currumundi Lake cleanup is 20 October and hoping to display a Shelter Box 
Meeting on 30 July is Vocational visit to Dicky Beach Surf Club and Darryl needs numbers for catering
 
Bernie introduced Tony Long, Past President of RC Glasshouse Mountains and President of Humanitarian Projects International.
Our club partners with HPI for our Bohol project and he wanted to thank our club for supporting the Children's Home.
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More information on Rotary Club of Dili, Timor Leste
  • Timor Leste, East Timor is a country occupying half the island of Timor, previously a Portuguese Colony until 1975, then Annexed by Indonesia, the gained Independence in 2002
  • Population 1.296 million, has 2 Rotary Clubs both in Dili -population 222,323
  • The Rotary Club of Dili meets Tuesday - 6:30 for 7:00pm at Timor Plaza
  • 5th Floor, Orchid Room ,
  • Chartered 2002, has 12 members.
  • Rotary district 9550 and Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) has a paid employee to co-ordinate the many international projects in one of the 10th poorest countries in the world.
  • Has sponsored a Rotaract Club
  • Has a New Generations Vocational Exchange which is allowing young professionals from Timor Leste the opportunity to gain some vocational experiences in the Australian part of District 9550 (Darwin)
  • Many children have been sponsored by Rotary Oceanic Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC), taking sick children through Darwin to hospitals in Australia and New Zealand
  • Gerry will be calling in on 2 members on 7th August met through ROMAC last year in Darwin
More on guest speaker Tony Long, President of Humanitarian Projects International HPI):
Whilst Tony's passion is for orphanages in Uganda, their charity is more widespread and they have worked in Northern Australia, East Timor and of course the Philippines.
2006 Became involved with Uganda orphanages after hearing the Watoto children's choir and was taken by their plight and their need for help with a building.
2008 travelled to Uganda to build a house and kindergarten
2009 Built a school classroom
2010 Built a teacher's house
2011 Built 2 classrooms
All the above was under the Watoto charity but he became disillusioned with their high administrative costs for wages and broke away to form HPI which is run by volunteers so funding can be 100% applied to projects
Partners with RC Cabolture annual Xmas trailer raffle and this specifically funds all HPI admin costs
The latest project was to rebuild a school, community hall and medical centre with help from RC Aspley and RC Palmwoods.
 
Thanked our club for supporting Shepherds Arms Children's Home (SACH) in Bohol
HPI member, Dr Rizsa Albarracin (Filipino based at Royal Brisbane Hospital) is passionate about SACH and is raising funds for solar panels and improved pig pens
 
Mark gave a report on his and Irish's last visit to SACH in May where they inspected new developments of the newly built medical center by RC Balwyn and the hydroponics garden and of course inspected the fish farm. They also delivered approximately 200 graded eye glasses which have already been put to good use.
We have an inter-club visit to Bohol in October with Ron & Bernie, Kath & Ian, Genta & Mia and Mark & Irish as our club's representatives.
Whilst it will be good to inspect SACH and what has been achieved to date, we also want to deliver a small project and the Board has approved we supply a laptop from Teacher in a Box (TIB), a project of RC Paddington. The laptop acts as a wifi router and can support 100 + devices. We will also supply a number of devices as part of this project.
Mark has also asked club members to sponsor a child to provide each with a backpack. So we are asking for a modest donation like the first sponsorship for personal items.
  
 
    
Directors Reports:
Gordon advised that a Golf Day in 2020 is still feasible and Friday 20 March has been reserved for our club. Most of the current committee have agreed to continue. The most important issue is the major recipient and they must be a serious partner who can contribute to the success of the day by sourcing sponsors.
     
Neville updated us on RYDA and we have a very busy 3 weeks ahead with 5 RYDA days and with 800 students attending and it could be a life-saving event for them. More volunteers needed for Thursday 25 July and also help needed for setup for all pre-RYDA days. Neville will also be meeting with Main Roads for future funding. We will have a major milestone on Wednesday 7 August with the 10,000th student and quite a few dignitaries will be attending.
 
Treasurer Mark asked if all had received their fee invoices as they are due and payable.
 
Our Sargent Merv made up some good stories and performed one of the best results ever for Heads and Tails, well done Merv.