Welcome to the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise
 
 
 
We are a small and motivated breakfast club with members drawn from a wide range of vocations. Our goal is to serve our local community with a strong focus on youth. Our two primary activities are the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) which is an event for high school students held annually at the Museum of Australian Democracy and DreamCricket, which provides opportunities for disabled primary school children to play cricket. We enjoy the friendship and fellowship associated with Rotary service.
 
Why not join us at Canberra Sunrise Rotary and help us improve our great community here in Canberra.  Drop an email to canberra.sunrise@gmail.com  We'd love to meet you.
 
Events and Virtual Club Meetings 
Over the period of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the club is holding fortnightly virtual meetings using Zoom 'meeting' software. 
 
Our next 'meeting' will be on Thursday 11th June from 7pm.  This meeting will be a Zoom meeting with a Hawaiian theme (in lieu of the RI convention).  We are hoping members will participate in the fun side of this meeting, and come along in their finest Hawaiian themed outfits.  The meeting will include some of the formalities of a formal Luau ceremony.  Thanks to Gaye and her team who have organised this event.  The Zoom invitation will be sent out a few days ahead of the event.  
 
 
More Zoom events to add to your diaries (invitations will be sent out separately):
7pm, Thursday 25th June.  Changeover Meeting.  Look out for more details.
 
Mark the diary - planning date at this stage.  Saturday 11 July - club planning day.  Likely to be in person for up to 20 members.  PE David will provide additional details once confirmed.
 
The Board welcomes your thoughts and feedback on the virtual meetings, format and inclusions and other ways we can keep in touch until we are able to meet in person again.
Supporting Australian Rotary Health
The following message has been received from the Chairman of Australian Rotary Health:
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This is not a fun time for us at Australian Rotary Health. Our wonderful research commitment, already made for the next three years, depends strongly on the support of Rotary Clubs throughout Australia. We have had a great track record since 1981 and have always had Aussie Rotarians backing new and successful research.
 
I write as a matter of urgency as Chairman of our longest serving national Rotary project. Due to the effect of COVID-19, donations to our mental health research funding have dropped alarmingly in May. This is very concerning and, since June is usually our most important month for donations, I ask you as leaders in your Club to include ARH in your financial support before the end of this unprecedented Rotary year.  
 
Ours is a great, home-grown Rotary project of which all Rotarians can be justly proud. Visit our website and see face-to-face interviews with leading researchers and you’ll get an idea of what research is being done. Importantly, from my point of view, 100% of every donated dollar is used for our research ... we’d hate to see that compromised in the future.
 
You can be assured that your donation will be used wisely and help us to continue to support our mental health research and programs.
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Our Club will be including Australian Rotary Health in our annual disbursements again this year.  If you are also in a position to support this great Australian organisation, please check them out and donate here:  https://australianrotaryhealth.org.au/product/make-a-donation/
ARH COVID-19 Messaging
Check out these messages from Australian Rotary Health on some tips for surviving the COVID-19 restrictions and their potential impact on your mental health - here.
 
MUNA 2020 Postponed

We are very disappointed to have to announce the postponement of MUNA 2020. Although it cannot be known what the situation will be on 7-9 August, the dates originally scheduled, current restrictions are making it impossible for schools, Rotary clubs and Districts to properly prepare for the event, particularly where they wish to organise run-off competitions. We also completely understand how difficult it is for them to make any form of commitment in the current environment. As the situation becomes clearer, we will work with all those interested to identify a date later in the year on which we could hold MUNA.

If Rotary clubs or Districts would be interested in sponsoring a team to attend MUNA 2020 at a later date in the year and would like to be involved in identifying a new date, please complete the Expression of Interest form. Please note, this is strictly an expression of interest and carries no commitment. If any school wishes to be involved, but does not have a Rotary point of contact or possible sponsor identified, please email munaregistrar@gmail.com .

In addition, RCCS is considering options to run online MUNA-style events while Covid-19 restrictions are in place, to provide an opportunity for students to participate in a positive activity during this difficult time. Although the format of these would be determined in consultation with schools involved, at this stage we believe that costs to participate, if any, would be minimal. If you believe that this would be of interest to a school or schools in your area, please email garth.britton@netspeed.com.au .

Annual Trivia Night Cancelled
The club's annual Trivia fund raiser scheduled for Friday 15 May at the Hellenic Club  has been postponed to a date to be advised due to Covid-19 restrictions. 
 
 
 
 
BBQ Raises Much Needed Funds for Leukemia Foundation
Our ‘World’s Greatest Shave’ sausage sizzle at Bunnings Belconnen last weekend was very successful. Things looked up after a slow start due to a cold and wet morning and sales improved as the day wore on. Overall, as well as good fellowship for the hard working BBQ team members, it was a great day considering the weather and the current problems surrounding coronavirus. The BBQ made $1,545 profit, which will be provided to the Leukemia Foundation to support its great work.
 
Thanks to BBQ king Ray and the team of stalwarts for another great outcome!  The early shift are pictured below, braving the early morning weather.
 
Bunnings have now suspended further sausage sizzles so we got in just in time.
 
Good Motivation, Networking and Fun at District Conference
Six members of the club spent half of the long weekend with several other Rotarians at the District conference in Ulladullah.  Our contingent included Jonathan Lyall providing a motivational presentation and stand on the DreamCricket program, which will hopefully lead to further expansion and more schools participating.
The motivational speakers included Sarah Brown, from the Purple House (https://www.purplehouse.org.au/), Winter Olympic gold medal winner Stephen Bradbury and General Sir Peter Cosgrove (retired) and several others.  We heard from our wonderful Youth Exchange students, and the winner of the 4 Way Test student speaking competition.  These, along with several other interesting speakers, a Roaring 20's dinner and raising around $3,000 for replanting at Noel Butler's bushfire ravaged property, Nura Gunyu, an Aboriginal education and cultural teaching property in nearby Milton (see here for more information) made it a very rewarding weekend.  
Overall a motivational weekend, with good learning and networking.
 
      
Support Your Community and Save - Entertainment Book
The Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise has been selling Entertainment Books for some years now, with 20% of the purchase price going towards our local community projects.  
 
Recent changes to the Entertainment Book include that:
a.  the Entertainment Book is now only available in digital form;
b.  a national Entertainment Book package is now available at about twice the cost of the Canberra package - more savings, more places (and double the funds to Rotary!)!
c.  although still running on a 12 months membership basis, membership can commence anytime (not June to June as previously).
 
Bonuses in the form of gift cards are available for people wishing to purchase in March (part of the online purchase process).
 
Support the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise and purchase your Entertainment Book package at:  https://www.entertainment.com.au/orderbooks/24267r
 
Social Fund Raiser for End Polio Now Raises $1500
The club held a casual afternoon tea fund raising event last weekend.  Over 20 members, partners and friends gathered to celebrate Rotary's efforts to date and to recommit to the End Polio challenge.  As well as having a wonderful relaxing afternoon tea and chat with friends, those attending discussed the progress over the last 12 months in some areas and challenges in others.  And to top it all off donations from those in attendance and others that were unable to make it totalled $1500 to support the endeavours to rid the world of Polio.  With the Gates foundation 2:1 commitment, this means an overall $4500 effort.  Well done Canberra Sunrise!
First Meeting of the Year
Our first club meeting for 2020 was well attended with 23 members and two guests.  The meeting included wide ranging discussions on upcoming activities and plans for another busy year supporting our community.  Topics included how we can support those affected by the regional bushfires, a potential benefactor for our annual Trivia Night and much more.  We heard from Luca, our Youth Exchange Student from Italy, on his YEP and other activities over the last 2 months.  He sure is fitting a lot into his year in Australia, and seems to be relishing the experience.  We also received a certificate for our recent financial support to Kids In Care.  
 
Dream Cricket Gala
 
 
 
The RCCS DreamCricket Gala Day was held on Tuesday 5 November at the Radford College main oval for 118 children with a disability from seven schools across the ACT region.  The Gala Day was  opened by Mr Ric Smith AO PSM, President of the ACT Lord’s Taverners and the main sponsor of the Gala Day.  Over the course of the morning the children took part in a wide range of cricket based activities followed by a sausage sizzle and fresh fruit lunch before they were all presented with DreamCricket medallions to commemorate their participation and DreamCricket sun hats to remind them of a great day out.

Feedback from the schools shows that they all thoroughly enjoyed the event, their cricketing skills were demonstrably enhanced by their participation, and it is believed that they will have gained improved self-confidence and wellbeing from their individual achievements.

Overall it was a very successful day and great thanks go to Radford College and all the volunteers, from RCCS and other clubs, who made it all possible.
 

 
Looking to make a difference?
2020 is a whole new year and decade.  Over the Christmas and new year period you might have been considering making some changes in your life.  If you are in this situation and would like to assist those in need and the local community while enjoying a good social network, Rotary might be for you.  Our Rotary Club is seeking new members to grow the club and to allow us to do more in our community. 
 
If you are interested in learning more about what we do, without any commitments, drop us an email at canberra.sunrise@gmail.com.  One of our team would be happy to meet you for an informal chat on our club.  Alternatively, we welcome prospective members checking us out at our club meetings, every Thursday morning from 7.15 for 7.30am to 8.30am, at the Commonwealth Club (first club meeting is on 23rd January).  
Celebrating 2019 Club Achievements
Our last club meeting of the year celebrated some of the club's achievements. 
 
This included handing over the $12,000 proceeds from our annual Trivia Night to Rise Above CEO Melissa Gardiner (see https://riseabovecbr.org.au/ to learn about the great work that Rise Above does supporting those locals going through cancer treatment and their families).
 
 
 
Read more...
 Please advise visitor attendance or member non-attendance to Helen Deutsch before 12.00 noon Tuesday every week
 
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Canberra Sunrise

Service Above Self

We meet Thursdays at 7:15 AM
The Commonwealth Club, Yarralumla
25 Forster Crescent
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Australia
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The Board
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Lain (Melanie) Dare
President-Elect
David Elder
Vice President
Lynne Duckham
Secretary
Peter Hill
Treasurer
Neil Spalding
Director
Gabi Quadraccia
Immediate past President
Simon Cullen
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