Greetings AllI was watching a morning news programme over the weekend where they were talking about how many of our daily habits will have changed forever due to Covid, an example given was hand washing, which prompted an Australian comedian to say ‘that he had washed his hands so much that he uncovered a nightclub stamp from 1986’. I’m sure there are days when we all feel that we have washed away multiple layers of skin.
At our Club meeting on 20 July Bec Heitbaum was called on to give the Rotary Toast, Bec reflected on the values of Rotary and how they still stand today 80 years after a toast made by Paul Harris in 1940… Rotary stands, though the
tempest rage about, Rotary still stands. Why and how, because it is grounded not on fear, rivalry and
suspicion but on eternal and indestructible rocks of friendliness, tolerance and usefulness.
This led nicely to introducing a guest to our meeting, Julie Mason PDG and Chair of the Paul Harris
Society. Julie presented Bec with Paul Harris wings. In recognition of Bec’s unwavering support in all
things Rotary and her continued financial support to The Foundation. Bec is a veteran of
International conferences which have been the highlight of her year since attending her first
convention even as a busy mum of young children and business owner. Her commitment to Rotary is an inspiration to us all.
Bec has also joined the Board and has taken up the position of Club Secretary. We are delighted she
was able to join us.
At our Club meeting on 20 July we hosted guest speaker James McCully from Stella Maris Seafarers Mission.
Stella Maris Seafarers Mission is a not-for-profit organisation with more than 300 centres worldwide
providing pastoral care, services and support for seafaring people. The centres are part of the
Catholic Church’s official missionary work in it’s care of Seafarers. Shipping is crucial, yet often unseen component of the global economy. The forgotten essential workers of the world.
Those crew who sail the ships to and from our shores endure many challenges at sea, often
experiencing severe loneliness, isolation and depression and are separated from their families for months at a time.
Stella Maris Seafarers Mission is a not-for-profit organisation with more than 300 centres worldwide
providing pastoral care, services and support for seafaring people. The centres are part of the
Catholic Church’s official missionary work in it’s care of Seafarers. Shipping is crucial, yet often unseen component of the global economy. The forgotten essential workers of the world.
Those crew who sail the ships to and from our shores endure many challenges at sea, often
experiencing severe loneliness, isolation and depression and are separated from their families for months at a time.
James told us a little of his journey to Stella Maris, initially he volunteered while working in the
advertising industry, eventually convinced to become a full time member and CEO of the
organisation.
He spoke of our club member Bob Iversen, champion of a project to bring attention to the very high
rate of mental illness experienced by men and women at sea. An industry with an above average
rate of anxiety, depression and suicide. With the assistance of our Rotary Club Bob organised the
printing of pamphlets in many languages for Seafarers to help recognise the signs of depression and
how to get help. Those pamphlets are still in use today.
Club member Bronwyn Stephens PDG had an idea after listening to a radio programme about the
forgotten essential workers - not able to come ashore due to border closures not able to return
home, stuck out at sea for months and months – in a floating jail. Depression and suicide increasing
at an alarming rate. The idea was further developed in conversation with Stella Maris and resulted in
Care Packs for Seafarers. A truck load of donated goods from DIK got the project off to a good start.
Stella Maris topping up the packs with product we couldn’t source and activating their volunteer
network to sort and pack bags.
We had trouble sourcing Beanies so a call out on social media resulted in home knitters sending
bags of brightly coloured Beanies to Stella Maris or dropped over Bronwyn’s fence for inclusion in
the Care Packs. Our knitters have exhausted their supply of wool and are now asking for club
members and friends to check our wardrobes, storage boxes and bottom drawers for any wool that
could be used to make beanies.
A recent donation of clothing from St Vincent’s Foundation included high quality cold weather lined
Gortex mittens which will be included in the Seafarers Care Packs.
Also on the wish list of donations:
Snacks, Mouthwash, hand Sanitiser, Shampoo, Body/Hand Lotions, Deodorant, Gloves (supplied),
Beanies -need more, Socks, Tracksuit Pants, Windcheater/hoodies, Drink Bottles, Soap.
The heartfelt thanks from Stella Maris are equaled by our pleasure at being able to provide significant help during this unprecedented time in history
advertising industry, eventually convinced to become a full time member and CEO of the
organisation.
He spoke of our club member Bob Iversen, champion of a project to bring attention to the very high
rate of mental illness experienced by men and women at sea. An industry with an above average
rate of anxiety, depression and suicide. With the assistance of our Rotary Club Bob organised the
printing of pamphlets in many languages for Seafarers to help recognise the signs of depression and
how to get help. Those pamphlets are still in use today.
Club member Bronwyn Stephens PDG had an idea after listening to a radio programme about the
forgotten essential workers - not able to come ashore due to border closures not able to return
home, stuck out at sea for months and months – in a floating jail. Depression and suicide increasing
at an alarming rate. The idea was further developed in conversation with Stella Maris and resulted in
Care Packs for Seafarers. A truck load of donated goods from DIK got the project off to a good start.
Stella Maris topping up the packs with product we couldn’t source and activating their volunteer
network to sort and pack bags.
We had trouble sourcing Beanies so a call out on social media resulted in home knitters sending
bags of brightly coloured Beanies to Stella Maris or dropped over Bronwyn’s fence for inclusion in
the Care Packs. Our knitters have exhausted their supply of wool and are now asking for club
members and friends to check our wardrobes, storage boxes and bottom drawers for any wool that
could be used to make beanies.
A recent donation of clothing from St Vincent’s Foundation included high quality cold weather lined
Gortex mittens which will be included in the Seafarers Care Packs.
Also on the wish list of donations:
Snacks, Mouthwash, hand Sanitiser, Shampoo, Body/Hand Lotions, Deodorant, Gloves (supplied),
Beanies -need more, Socks, Tracksuit Pants, Windcheater/hoodies, Drink Bottles, Soap.
The heartfelt thanks from Stella Maris are equaled by our pleasure at being able to provide significant help during this unprecedented time in history
Thank you James.
Prepared Care Packs, over 1000 have been distributed.
Seafarers heading back onboard with Care Packs ( up the Gangway Seafarers heading back onboard with Care Packs ( up the Gangway not the Gangplank)! I mistakenly referred to as the gangplank. It was suggested by unnamed person that a gangplank could be a useful tool at club meetings!
