Rotary 'Where it Counts' Tour (27/08/10)
MEDIA RELEASE
27 August 2010
Regional flight to raise health awareness in rural communities
Australian Rotary Health and Rotary Down Under are touring outback Australia to help raise awareness of local health issues.
The tour, beginning on Monday, August 30 in Roma, will run for six days across six locations, including Biloela, Emerald, Longreach, Mt Isa and Lightning Ridge.
“The tour is about raising awareness and encouraging Rotary groups to highlight local health issues from within their communities,” said Terry Davies, Corporate Manager at Australian Rotary Health.
“We had a number of groups interested in participating in the event. It’s a great opportunity to make contact with local health professionals in an effort to bring health issues to the fore,” he said.
Two planes, pilots and fuel have been donated to assist Australian Rotary Health and Rotary Down Under in their tour of regional Queensland. Mark Wallace, Associate Editor at Rotary Down Under, hopes the tour will highlight how much regional Rotary clubs assist their communities with the little that they have.
“We want to show regional Rotarians that we take them seriously and that they are important,” said Mark. “The tour will allow their voices to be heard and will help us find out what goes on where it counts in rural Australia,” he said.
Greg Lee, chair of Biloela Rotary, said that by getting the word out and giving people the confidence to talk about issues they face helps create change in local communities.
“These groups work very hard,” said Greg. “They’re very committed to their communities. Health issues can be a tough battle in rural areas, blokes especially tend to keep a stiff upper lip. But Rotarians are paving the way for a changed mindset – using themselves as guinea pigs,” he said.
Past president of the Rotary Club of Biloela, Tom Hosking, believes the tour will be a great way to raise awareness about health issues in the community. “It’s a joint meeting of mutual benefit,” says Mr Hosking. “We have the opportunity to increase awareness of the services Australian Rotary Health provides, and we can help make Australian Rotary Health aware of what’s happening in rural Australia,” he says.
Don Forbes, Past President of the Rotary Club of Emerald, agrees, saying that the tour will help local communities strengthen their ties. “I think it builds bonds in every direction. There will be a lot of inter-club interaction and we all get a chance to find out more about the big picture,” he says. “We don't get many visits like this!”
The 'Where it Counts' team will be visiting 13 Rotary Clubs in four Rotary International Districts during the tour.
For more information please contact:
Verity Twydale
Media & Communications Officer
Phone: 02 8837 1900
Email: veritytwydale@australianrotaryhealth.org.au