Speakers Bank - Community - Members - Rotary District 9800

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SPEAKERS BANK - COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY Deposits include:

Policing, RC Central Melbourne Sunrise Mentee

Jeff is able to speak on a wide variety of Policing topics. He has been upgraded to Acting Superintendent within the Crime Department which manages the specialist crime squads of Victoria. Jeff is also involved in the Mentoring Program operated by the Rotary Club of Central Melbourne Sunrise. PDG Bernie Walshe is Jeff's Mentor.

The aim of the Mentoring Program is to provide police leaders with a development opportunity to:
Gain a better understanding of different organizational cultures as well as the challenges, roles and skills of senior Victorian business leaders;
Form stronger links with the Victorian Community and Rotary. The program is operated by the Rotary Club of Central Melbourne Sunrise in partnership with the Victoria Police and Stage I provides mentoring for fifteen police leaders at Inspector rank.
The first pilot runs between September 2007 and June 2008.

**Please Note** Due to work constraints, Jeff may not always be able to attend to all Rotary speaking requests.

Contact: Acting Superintendent Jeff Forti Telephone: 9556 6546

Meeting The Needs Of ‘At Risk’, Disengaged Young People
Rev David Peake

Too hard? No! We Need Innovative Responses!
Some ideas and stories from Melbourne’s North West.
**NB: Due to time constraints, the Reverend may not always be available for speaking**
Contact: The Reverend David Peake Email:
david.peake@equbed.org.au

Fighting Racism and Antisemitism: B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC)

The B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) is a human rights organization that was established in 1979. The ADC engages in combating racism and antisemitism in all its forms, and in promoting positive relationships with other ethnic and religious communities.
The ADC is widely recognised as a leading authority on the various manifestations of racism in Australia, including racist groups and their activities and ideologies.
A professional staffer or board member is available for clubs interested in learning about contemporary antisemitism, hate on the internet, how to improve tolerance in our multicultural society and related topics.
Contact: Telephone: 9572 5770 or email by clicking here.

President of the Sudanese Community in Victoria, Samual Kuot

Samual has spoken at many Rotary Clubs including: Knox, Croydon and Box Hill Rotary Clubs.
Contact: Samual Kuot, Mobile: 0402 751 784

The Choir Of Hard Knocks

As Seen On ABC TV, The Choir of Hard Knocks is an eclectic group of disadvantaged and homeless people who have come together to create an unlikely musical phenomenon.
This group of around 50 homeless and disadvantaged men and women, have come together under the leadership of Founding Choir Director Jonathon Welch, former Opera Australia Principal. With his guidance and expertise they have beaten the odds, performed to 1600 people at Melbourne Town Hall, released their first CD “From the Heart – A Christmas Wish” and now appear regularly around Melbourne at corporate and community events. The aim: to bring people together, build their confidence enabling them to contribute to their community in a positive way, but also to have fun.
Contact: Esther Coleman-Hawkins 0434 858 993

Second Strike

In 1999, David Mould was volunteering for the Victorian Student Representative Council Network (VicSRC), a group of students - founded by David himself a few years earlier - working to strengthen SRCs from across the state. That year, they drew hundreds of students from around Victoria to Melbourne Town Hall, for their first big conference. Only a year out of school himself, David started running tailor made SRC training days for schools across Victoria. Second Strike is not a normal business. It's not exactly unique or anything, but it is a business that is more interested in its principles than in making money. More interested in supporting the growth of student participation, strengthening student councils and, most importantly, giving students the understanding and tools of real democracy to be capable of achieving change.

David and his business partner, Teigan Lane are available to speak on a number of topics, including:
- Civics and citizenship in young people
- Democracy in schools: rediscovering democracy every day
-Student Networks
-Student Representative Councils: Why they are so important
-What is Youth today? What will it be tomorrow?
-Supporting Young People in business
-Business the unorthodox way
Contact: David Mould, Telephone: 0412 743 951

'My Passionate Affair with a Poker Machine' Gabriela Byrne

Gabriela Byrne is chair of the not-for-profit organisation Chrysalis Insight Inc (Rev. Tim Costello as patron); and a member of the Interchurch Gaming Taskforce; Community Action on Pokie Problems (CAPP); Duty of Care (Vice President); Know the Odds; People for Public Spaces and has participated as a community representative in many working groups of the Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council. She has published books, tapes and videos and helped 100’s of people to break up and end a losing affair with the pokies. Her story from being “totally hooked” to “complete freedom” and ‘The Chapel Restaurant’ model, have been published and talked about on national TV, radio, Women’s Weekly, New Idea, Good Medicine, Alive, For Me and many other publications. Her openness and warmth, great sense of humour and excellent communication skills make her a much sought after presenter at conferences, corporate seminars and community clubs.
Contact: Gabriela Byrne on: 0414 844 387

The Churchill Trust

The Churchill Trust is an Australian Trust established in 1965, the year in which Sir Winston Churchill died. The principal object of the Trust is to perpetuate and honour the memory of Sir Winston Churchill by the award of Travelling Fellowships known as Churchill Fellowships. A Churchill Fellowship is the award of an opportunity through the provision of financial support, to enable Australian citizens from all walks of life to travel overseas to undertake an analysis, study or investigation of a project or an issue that cannot be readily undertaken in Australia.
Contact: Bill Bloomfield Telephone: 0428 500 815 or Email Bill.

**NB: Bill is happy to travel to country areas**

BACA 'Bikers Against Child Abuse

BACA exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse'.
Contact: Bruno D’Prano 0407 374 178

To Make Justice A Right Not A Privilege

The Crime Victims Support Association Inc. ('CVSA') Noel McNamara OAM
The CVSA are a non-profit organisation 'dedicated to supporting all victims of traumatic crimes in the State of Victoria. We help them with legal, medical and peer support from the effects on a violent crime committed on them. The Legal Justice System can be terrifying when all you have had in your life is a parking fine or two. All our services are free'. Information covered in their talk includes: 'How the speakers became involved in the criminal justice system, The problems faced and How you turn a negative into a positive achievement.
Contact: Noel McNamara OAM, President Crime Victims Support Association Inc. Telephone: 9758 4512 or Mobile: 0419 897 615
****NB: The CVSA is run by Volunteers, and they do appreciate a donation in return for their speaking. (This helps to cover the cost of petrol).****

Whitelion

Whitelion supports young people to build better lives for themselves and helps make our community a more inclusive and safer place. Each year thousands of young people are disconnected from our community due to abuse and neglect, drug addiction and poverty. These young people have often had horrific life experiences with few positive role models and are caught in a "cycle of discouragement" that is very hard to break. Many of these young people end up in out-of-home care and in some cases in the juvenile justice system.
Whitelion gives young people the best chance to break the "cycle" through positive role modelling, mentoring and employment, and the opportunity to build positive lives for themselves as part of our community.
Contact: Justin Glass or Jo Fox on (03) 9389 4420

Best Buddies

Auspiced by Big Brothers Big Sisters, Best Buddies is a friendship program matching people with a mild intellectual disability with people from the wider community. Buddy pairs participate in a peer friendship and commit to seeing each other twice a month, the two are matched based on shared interests, similar geographical location and a compatible personality. The program has been operating in Melbourne since early 2005 and also there is one worker in Sydney who is employed to run Best Buddies High Schools. Best Buddies has originated in the U.S.A has expanded to 25 countries around the world. These friendships have been hugely inspiring.
Contact: Rebecca Cotton, Program Manager, Best Buddies Melbourne
Telephone: 9427 7611
Website: www.bestbuddies.org.au Email Rebecca

The Mirabel Foundation

Jane Rowe, CEO of the Mirabel Foundation says that, 'after many working as a drug and alcohol counsellor I established the Mirabel Foundation in 1998, the only organisation specifically taking care of children orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use. These children are now in the care of extended family, generally grandparents, who due to antiquated legislation are eligible to minimum Government support. Mirabel believes that every child deserves a childhood and that supporting these children is the most proactive way to break the cycle of addiction. The challenges and issues faced by these children are enormous but by working together we can bring about positive change to these young lives'.
For Speakers from the Mirabel Foundation, please Telephone: 9527 9422 Website: www.mirabelfoundation.org.au

TADVIC Technology For Independent Living

is an organisation whose volunteer members design, construct or modify equipment for people with disabilities. This service is provided where no commercially available solution will meet their needs.
is a very interesting group that has a membership of retired engineers who specify, design and make, free of charge, specialised appliances - large and small - for handicapped people.
They are entirely self funded, being a non-profit organisation.

Contact: C/- Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, 1 Yarra Boulevard, Kew, 3101 Telephone: 1300 663 243

Urban Seed

Brent Lyons- Lee, Educator & Corporate Relations Co-ordinator.
Urban Seed is an ecumenical Christian, not for profit agency that is committed to engaging faith, community and culture.
Urban Seed combines street work in the heart of Melbourne with education programs and a strong independent voice on urban, business, social and political issues including homelessness, drug addiction, problem gambling and poverty. Brent is also specifically focused on the issue of gambling, sitting on the Inter-Church Gambling Taskforce and (CAPP) Community Action on Pokies Problems.
Contact: Brent Lyons-Lee Telephone: (03) 9650 4023 or 0413 311 170

Berry Street Victoria

Has been protecting and caring for children and strengthening families since 1877. As one of Victoria's largest independent children's welfare providers, they exist to increase life chances and choices for children and young people who are at risk, or who have experienced the trauma of family violence, child abuse and neglect.
Contact: Jessica Davey Telephone: 9429 9266

Email Jessica

Western Edge Youth Arts Inc, Heather Marsh

Offers theatre, music, new media (hip-hop, video film-making) and performance programs to young people in Melbourne’s West. They have a focus on giving opportunities to young people from diverse cultural backgrounds (including newly arrived refugees) and young people ‘at risk’. Projects are run both in schools and in the community. Young people get to be the makers, authors and performers. They get to give expression to their ideas and connect to their community through public performance.
Their projects have shown to have positive effects in other areas as well such as literacy, self-confidence, linking in to higher education and physical and mental health benefits.
Heather is able to speak to any Rotary clubs that have links or are situated in Melbourne’s west or are located close to Melbourne’s centre.
Contact: Heather Marsh, Business Manager 03-93628848, or email Heather

Duke Of Edinburgh Award

CEO Graeme Kent has worked with young people for the past 35 years. The RC Southbank says, 'we experienced his strong belief that young people can use their abilities to make a positive contribution to the future. Through examples of working with young people for the past 35 years, Graeme shared the highs and lows of working with some very special people. Many of whom are changed people and undertaking leadership roles within their own communities. Graeme's experiences through the YMCA, schools and The Duke of Edinburgh Award is peppered with hundreds of young people who have gained valuable life skills through the setting of goals and the management of projects. Skills that have enabled them to become better employees, community contributors and valued team members'.

Email Graeme Kent

Typo Station

John Boundy, RC Essendon North says:
'Our Club was addressed by Natalie Robbins from 'Typo Station', and we were most impressed with the service this organisation provides to 'young blokes' (14 - 17 year olds) at risk within our community'.
'Typo Station is an independent, not-for-profit organisation operating an early intervention, alternate education, life skills and mentoring program for young men aged between 14 and 17 years who are experiencing problems at home, school or in their community. Our program is run from a historic bush property called Typo Station, in Victoria’s North-East. The program involves a residential experience completed over five weeks at Typo Station, a number of follow up programs that build practical and personal skills, and ongoing mentoring over two years'.
"Unless we as a community start believing in our young people, we can't expect young people to believe in themselves" - Matt Pfahlert, Founder
Contact: Natalie Robbins Telephone: 03 5729 8223 Website: www.typostation.org.au

Social Entrepreneurship

This is a concept that fits somewhere between "Profit driven businesses" and "Community oriented charities".
Organisations using Social Entrepreneurial Strategies attempt to take advantage of the opportunities within the corporate sector through innovative and entrepreneurial business strategies; and then try to make changes within the community sector by providing funds, resources and services to the needy. The ultimate goal of Social Entrepreneurial type organisations is to achieve a win-win-win:
Contact: John Isaac Meewella - Director, Vision United Warriors Mobile: 0406-235-448

Email John

Boris Struk of the Muscular Dystrophy Association

Boris is a fellow Rotarian and Executive Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association - which is the charity he formed in 1984 to help Australians affected by Muscular Dystrophy, which his son Ryan has. He recently spoke at the Rotary Clubs of Sunshine, Melton Valley, Camberwell and Essendon, which he has been a member of for 12 years, about ChallengeMD!, a 13 day journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, which he has designed to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy. Thirty Australians, many whose close family members or friends have Muscular Dystrophy, are joining Boris on the ride in April which will entail 547 kilometres of rugged mountain and coastal terrain, dense jungle and even parts of Vietnam’s barely inhabited central highlands region.
Muscular Dystrophy (MD) is a devastating, progressive muscle destroying disorder that affects one in 1,000 Australian men, women and children. The MDA provides support and respite services, facilitation and financial support for research and to increase public awareness and acceptance of neuromuscular disorders, to improve the quality of life for the MD community.
Boris is available to speak before he embarks on ChallengeMD! on April 1
Contact: Leah Bryan Telephone: 0418 330 006

RSPCA – Education

The team are more than willing to speak at Rotary meetings. To arrange a speaker, contact by phone: 9224 2239 / 9224 2262

Transit Police

Policing The Transport Network.
Superintendent, Transit Safety Division, Phone: 9247 5310, Fax: 9247 5540

Cottage By The Sea

This was established over 114 years ago to provide relief care, in a holiday environment, for children from all over Victoria.
The Cottage is an independently operated charitable organisation which does not receive any funding from the Government.
Contact: 9813 0646
Website: www.cottagebythesea.com.au

Male Family Violence - No To Violence

Male Family Violence Prevention Association Inc. Community Educators are willing to discuss the issue of Male Family Violence in the community.
Contact 9428 3536.

The Ardoch Foundation

Kathy Hilton Founder and Director of the Ardoch Youth Foundation.
Tel: 9537-2414

NetAlert

NetAlert is Australia’s Internet safety advisory body established by the Australian Government in late 1999, to provide independent advice and education on managing access to and usage of the Internet. Recently Rod & Phil spoke at the RC Hawthorn.
During their talk they mentioned the big problem of Child Pornography:
• Child pornography generates $3 billion per annum
• 100,000 websites offering child pornography
• 90% of 8-16 year olds have viewed porn online
• Over 1/3 of parents reported their child being involved in an issue of concern
Contact: Maureen Telephone: 9629 3000

Organized Crime, David Lentin

Well known, in demand speaker, Ex-member of the Victorian Police Force, PP Neighbourhood Watch, Victims Of Crime, Private Detective.
This is an important presentation for partners, guests and friends to enjoy a safe and secure lifestyle.
Contact: David Lentin 0414 941 811

Growing Up As A Young Australian Muslim

Sherene is a teacher, married to an eye surgeon, was born in Australia and talked at the RC Keilor East on her experiences growing up as a young Australian Muslim.
Contact: Sherene Mobile 0411 485 518

Retirement Village Association

The Retirement Village Association has over 400 members around Australia. Peter is able to speak on the overview of the industry and address a range of issues of general interest.
Contact: Peter Govan, Regional Manager 9629 4520

Inspiring Young Ambassador For The Stroke Association

Brooke suffered a stroke at the age of 13, which turned her life upside down. Now at the age of 27 she has an inspiring story to tell of her recovery and the impact this completely unexpected event had on her family and friends.
Contact: Brooke at the Stroke Association of Victoria, Telephone: 9670 1117
Suggested by: ADG Westside Colin Muir

Barwon Prison Visit By RC Werribee

'We had a most interesting and thought provoking presentation which showed another side of prison life - and we heard from medical, psychological and other health staff. It was a great presentation'.
RC Werribee Member
Contact: Barwon Prison Administrator: 9217 7229

Acquired Brain Injury Unit, Horticultural Therapy Program

The ABIU is a specialist unit within the Austin Rehabilitation facility and provides a state wide service. In 2004 the types of ABI were 59.2% traumatic (assault, falls, intoxication) 39.9% brain haemorrhages and 12.7% a period of lack of oxygen.
The Horticultural Therapy Program at the ABIU was commenced in 2003 and is a program using plants and gardening activities to promote the well being of people’ mind body and spirit. The program has 2 aims, improving the physical appearance of the unit’s surroundings and complementing traditional ABI therapy. Contact: Steven 9496 4500

Planning For The Future

Glenda Coswello is an experienced funeral director who speaks on the importance of planning for the future, the traps to avoid as well as the trends in funerals. Glenda also talks with dignity about the interesting stories and unusual requests that she has encountered in her career (including the 'Dinky Di Aussie' funeral to the more diverse Islamic, Maori and Asian funerals, and the customs of Greek & Macedonian funerals).
Contact: Glenda Coswello Telephone: 9466 2166 **Not available to travel to all Rotary Clubs**

Big Brothers Big Sisters

This is the leading mentoring organisation in Victoria providing mentoring services to disadvantaged young people aged 7 years+ residing in Melbourne. Each young person is matched to a carefully screened and trained volunteer mentor.
Since it commenced more than 24 years ago, Big Brothers Big Sisters has provided a volunteer mentor to more than 2,000 young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the top 5 charitable organisations in America and has been in operation for more than a century.
With high profile Patrons, Terry Bracks & Judge Jennifer Coate (Chief Magistrate of the Children's Court), Big Brothers Big Sisters plans to support 500 active mentoring matches by the end of 2007. Currently the organisation supports 130 active matches.
Research has clearly demonstrated that youth mentoring is a proven, cost effective, community building strategy.
Contact: Paul Mathewson Executive Officer 9427 7611