October is Rotary's Economic and Community Development Month
Lifting the Lid on Mental Illness
President's Message
Our ARH PhD Scholarship program always brings an immense sense of pride when we hear how our scholarship recipient is progressing with their research, and Thanapon Deekaikam didn't disappoint. Though I would like to say I understood his research completely, I'd be lying, but I was certainly impressed with his presentation and progress towards his PhD. Thank you, Mike Crowley, for all you do with our scholarship program and for organising Thanapon to present to our club.
The past few weeks have certainly been big for our club when it comes to fund-raising and the involvement of our members. Thank you to all who have contributed their time and effort to the Bunnings BBQ's and The Charles Joker & Meat Raffles. Thursday's Joker Raffle was certainly a big night for The Charles, The Winner and our Club, which I am sure Dennis will report on this week.
A reminder that this week's meeting starts early, with pre-meeting drinks in the courtyard, and a shorter meeting to follow. The Club's Board will meet directly afterwards. Should any member wish to raise any matter for the Board to consider, please let Kerrie Hayes-Williams know by noon this Tuesday.
Last Week’s Meeting Minutes:Scribe – Michael Crowley
This evening’s Sergeant, Ken Potter, managed to bring the naughty table under control to start the 15th meeting of the Rotary year on time.
President Phil Peckman subsequently welcomed all members and our special guest for the evening, Thanapon Deekaikam.
Michael Crowley’s reflection focussed on the reason for everyone wearing a hat this evening; namely, with World Mental Health Day being celebrated on Friday 10 October, we were highlighting Australian Rotary Health’s efforts to ‘Lift the Lid on Mental Illness’.
John Erickson’s International toast was designed to illustrate that we’re not just members of Rotary clubs in isolation; rather, we are a fundamental part of a global organisation that is made up of individuals/clubs that band together for the benefit of those less fortunate in our communities both locally, nationally and internationally. Instead of focussing on an overseas club tonight, for a change John elected to toast our own West Wollongong Club.
Dennis Simpson mentioned the amounts raised by the Friday night meat raffle as well as the substantial earnings from last week’s Charles Hotel Jag the joker Draw. With only one card (i.e. the Joker) remaining, some lucky individual will automatically win $6,200 at Thursday’s Draw. Dennis thanked all those members/friends who helped during last week’s tidal wave of raffle ticket buyers and welcomed members/friends to again assist and witness another potentially record evening of fundraising at the Charles Hotel for the Joker Draw.
PS: Thursday’s Jag the joker Draw was a ‘cracker’ of a night with an enormous crowd all vying for the winning ticket and the chance to collect the $6,200 winnings. This was the first occasion where all 53 cards were revealed and Dennis will no doubt have a couple of words to say about the event at our next meeting. Rightfully deserved kudos to Dennis Simpson for his tiring efforts with the Charles Hotel raffles along with assistance provided by his loyal band of regular helpers; namely, Marilyn Phillips, Ken Potter, Barry Stevens, Di North, Ray Lee, Jim Christensen, Phil Peckman, Rose Pope, Di Reid and other members/friends who have also assisted.
Rose Pope asked all members/friends to promptly respond to her email about attendance at this year’s Christmas Party, which will be held on Wednesday 10 December 2025, so that a suitable venue can be organised.
Our next social evening will be on Wednesday 29 October at Centro... A ‘Pizza and Wine’ evening is planned.
President Phil covered a couple of matters; namely:
District Governor Renga Rajan Chidambaranathan is looking to raise ~$26K for the purchase & donation of a new dialysis machine. He’s organising a fun run from 8.15am on Saturday 15 November next at the North Beach Pavilion. The event is open to all members, friends & family... more details to follow.
Hot on the heels of earlier fundraising comments, Phil said our Bunnings Kembla Grange BBQ effort last Sunday produced a remarkable boost to charitable monies raised, with significant sales across the board as well as notable donations recorded.
Reminder: We have another Bunnings Kembla Grange BBQ scheduled for Monday 20 October. Members/friends are asked to volunteer for their preferred shift via the Members’ Section of ClubRunner.
Ken Potter announced that the forthcoming RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) session is on Friday 17 October and members’ help is required please from 8.30am; again at 1.30pm.
Guest Speaker: Thanapon Deekaikam
Thanapon is our Club’s 60th Anniversary Australian Rotary Health PhD Research Scholar, who has been actively engaged in his project of “Building benchtop tissue models of human mechanosensory neurons” since the scholarship was granted in July 2024.
This evening, Thanapon provided us with an update of his project’s development and how he foresees his research will benefit communities at large once complete.
Thanapon spoke about neurological disorders in general (e.g. spinal cord injury, diabetic neuropathy, severe burns, etc.) that cause the loss of sensory neurons leading to a loss of touch, temperature and pain perception. He went on to say that current treatments focus only on healing and pain control – not restoring sensation.
His research aims to bridge that gap by using 3D Bioprinting of human mechanosensory neurons to create skin with restored touch sensation, offering a pathway toward functional recovery and improved life quality for patients with neurological or sensory impairments.
Thanapon outlined the main technological and biological challenges he faces and what his research aims to achieve. He also overlaid his scholarship timeline with his progress to date along with what he hopes to progressively achieve over the next few years... essentially up to the time he completes his PhD thesis.
Clearly, the impact on our community is potentially ground-breaking, especially restoring sensation, improving quality of life with the possibility of advances into bioprinted organ research.
Although there was a significant amount of material to digest from Thanapon’s presentation, he did well to break the information down to a less technical level for members to understand.
Thanapon was initially introduced and subsequently thanked by Michael Crowley.
Our wine raffle winners were Kate Thomas and Ken Potter, who graciously donated his bottle of red to our guest, Thanapon Deekaikam.
Sergeant Ken reiterated briefly that mental health is our focus this evening and he then gave an excellent and highly expressive rendition of A.B. “Banjo” Paterson’s poem: “The Man from Ironbark”.
President Phil thanked all members for attending, with a special word of appreciation to Thanapon Deekaikam for his presentation this evening.
The generous support of The Charles Hotel and it's Amazing Patrons enable us to fund-raise, via our Thursday Night Jag the Joker and Friday Night Meat Raffles, in support of various local, national and international charitable organisations much in need of funding for their various community programs.
The IMB Bank Community Foundation
Monetary Grants from the IMB Bank Community Foundation allow us to conduct the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program throughout the year at Kembla Grange Racecourse.
Aimed at students in years 10-12, students attend 6 sessions focusing on the various areas of Road Safety.
The IMB Bank Community Foundation helps build better, brighter communities.
Bunnings Warehouse - Kembla Grange
The generous support of the Bunnings Warehouse - Kembla Grange BBQ Program allows us to fund-raise in support of various local, national and international charitable organisations much in need of funding for their various community programs.
In addition, Bunnings donate equipment and vouchers in support of our other fund-raising initiatives.
Joy in Timore-Leste
Two children peek their heads inquisitively around the door frame to watch their mum being recognised as an inspiring leader, and for the great work she is doing in her community.
When children see good examples of female leadership it has the potential to influence their future behaviour: boys will be more likely to grow up valuing equality for women and girls, and girls will have positive examples to look up to.
It was an innocent moment that was filled with so much hope. It's the kind of hope Rotary brings to children in many countries. I hope it makes you smile.
