Bulletin Issue 577 Volume 13  - No. 18  -  12th March 2019

(if you have any comments or questions, please contact Denis 
 
  Rotary Theme for March:  Water and Sanitation Month
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Meeting Information

 ALL YEAR Dinner Out 1st Tuesday of each month 7 pm at a restaurant

Meetings Tuesday  19.00 - 21.00 @ Millennium Hotel in Jungceylon
Rat-U-Thit Road Patong Beach
 
November – April 2nd 3rd & 4th Tuesday - May – October 2nd & 4th Tuesday only
Dress code - Smart-Casual
 
 
                                                        
Click for map
 
 
Visitors Welcome
registration mandatory
 
 
 
Upcoming Events   
         
 All meetings (Except Dinner Outs) @ - Millennium Hotel 
       
                                                    March Month  
  •                       12th       -   Gail Gillespie - Vocational Training for teenagers.
  •                       19th       -    No details
  •                       26th       -   No details
  •                       29-31     -   District Conference - Nakhon Pathom 
 
 
 
     29th-31st March - DISTRICT CONFERENCE
@ Nakhon Pathom
 
The purpose of the district conference is to provide opportunities for networking, inspirational addresses, and discussions of Rotary-related matters.
The events recognize the service programs, projects, and public relations achievements in the district in order to inspire Rotarians to become more involved in service. The conference also gives Rotarians and clubs a vision of Rotary beyond the club level and provide a memorable fellowship experience.
 
Friday 29th - Awards Night 
Come celebrate the achievements of clubs from all across the District, enjoy the fellowship of fellow Rotarians and guests, have a great meal.
 
Saturday 30th - Governor's Night 
District Governor Lt. Gen Kanit invites all participants of the district conference to participate in the "Governor's Night" Theme shall be published here later
 

 
 
 Special Notice 
 
The board discussed the issue of the dress code, again. 
It was decided that the new dress code is as follows: 
 
Members are requested to dress in a manner that is respectful of the club and its members.  Events that require a more specific dress code will have that dress code noted on the notice of the event. 
 
 
  
Tuesday 12th March 2019
 
 

Guest Speaker:  Gail Gillespie 

Gail is talking to us about the programme called Steps with Theera

Steps with Theera is a UK accredited vocational training centre for teenagers and adults with learning differences. Following the success of our programme in Bangkok which has seen 100% of our graduates transition into paid employment, we are now working with schools and companies in Phuket to open another centre and offer these alternative pathways. 

 
 

                                     

       No one this week  
 
 
 
 
 
Water Safety - A community Response - A Rotary project
 
In January, 680 Myanmar children living in the various construction camps and now attending the Saint Euphrasia Banya Literacy Centre, nervously entered the water, dressed in their new swimming costumes at the British International School swimming pool.
 
Like all non-swimmers, there was a mix of delight, trepidation and even fear. Lack of water skills and the fear of water itself has led to deaths through drowning.
 
 
Between 2007 and 2017, there were over 9574 fatal drownings involving children under 15, which averages to about 957 children per year, or a shocking three children per day.
The number of fatal drowning is, reportedly, highest during the months-long Thai school holidays. Most drownings occur near children’s home in rivers or ponds of water made more disastrous by a non-swimmer trying to save another. Swimming is not taught in Thai schools.
 
So serious has become the issue that a community response has been needed.
This has been taken up by a range of community groups working collaboratively and is the beginning of what needs to be not only a Phuket but a national response.
 
Led by Dr John Schorr of the Rotary Club of Chiang Mai - International, supported by the Safe Child Thailand Foundation, the Water Safety programme, using the guidelines of the Royal Life Saving programme requiring 15 hours of instruction over 10 lessons commenced in 2018.
 
Having established the project in Chiang Mai Municipal Schools for all nine-year-olds, the water safety project was extended to the Ban Sianamyen School in Patong, supported by the Rotary Club of Patong Beach, which has established the Larry Amsden Swim Safe Programme.
 
 
Working with the Asia Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) and undergoing Instructor training with Oz Swim Aquatics, an Australian based volunteer group, the project successfully secured a Direct Aid  Grant from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which allowed the extension to the Banya Centre. What a remarkable effort this has been!
 
 
 
 
With the generous support of the principal of the Secondary School, the professional approach and dedication of the BIS Aquatics Director and her team supported by many teachers students and 7 volunteer parents, these nervous students over a ten day period changed from being shy and nervous to a minimum level of personal safety in water with some showing some exceptional swimming ability.
 
 
 
 
 
At a ceremony held at the Banya centre, the Australian Consul General Mr Craig Ferguson was greeted by a junior kangaroo and feted by students, dancing and singing the three national anthems.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Every student was presented with a medal and certificate by       Dr Schorr and Mr Ferguson.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The ceremony brought together all the various interest groups and was a time for celebration of a wonderful story with a real safety outcome.
 
The Rotary Club of Patong Beach has committed itself to the continuation of the project under the leadership of Dr Johan in organizing some PADI instructors to undertake an Internationally registered course at Phuket Town in April.
 
  Thank you Dr Peter Harris 
 
 

Tuesday 5th March
    Organised by PP Richard Jones 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dinner Out at Bianconero Da Tuveri Restaurant in Kamala
was enjoyed by a small group of Rotarians & friends.
 
Excellent food & good company. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Photos: PP Richard  Thank you ed - Denis
 
 
 
PP Arnaud Verstraete - President-Elect Training  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Thank you, PP Arnaud.