It's the end of June as I write this message. It's pretty much the end of our Rotary year.

 

Traditionally it's when we change over our Presidents and recognise that a Changeover function. For us we are doing it a little bit differently and we are having Joint Presidents. Sandra de Gruchy will join me for the next twelve months. We will sort out the role between us and hopefully it will all work smoothly. It gives me the opportunity to mentor Sandra in the first few months and she will gradually take on more. of the day to day running of the Club. I will have more time for other projects particularly our Homelessness project and other District duties. Sandra retains the Youth Director role.  See story and pics below.

 

Also June turned out to be a big month for me as I did The Pushup Challenge for mental health. We did all the 3,139 pushups and raised over $4,000 for Lifeline. See story.

 

In May we had our District Assembly where Rotary Clubs get together to update their plans for the year. We followed this with our Club's Strategy Workshop where we set the resource and operational plan for our key projects.

 

We are confident that our Club activities, and working together with other Rotary Clubs, will lead to significant benefit to our local community. We have ambitious and challenging goals for 2022-23, including the Cookbook, Homelessness, mental health and other projects.

 

It is a rare day that one truly meets an individual who is truly “inspirational.” Matthew Ames is such a person.

 

When Brisbane engineer Matthew Ames fell ill in June 2013, he thought he had just come down with the flu. Four doctors agreed, sending him home to rest. But when the pain became unbearable, he took himself to hospital.

Matthew had contracted a streptococcal infection that ravaged his body, leading to the amputation of both arms and both legs. Rather than dwell on what he’d lost, Matthew got on with rehabilitation and adjusting to his new normal, with his wife, Diane, and four kids by his side. And so began the inspiring story of an ordinary family's courage and determination to make the most of a terrible situation.

 

What happened to Matthew could happen to anyone. But not everyone would accept what life offers and pursue possibilities in the way that he does. Matthew has astounded doctors with his adaptation to a new way of living, so much so that he is about to become a bionic man. And he has never once questioned Diane's decision – it gave him the chance to truly understand how much family matters and to appreciate humanity.Matthew's story is one of hope, commitment and love. Matthew Ames was 39 years old when what started as a sore throat resulted in the loss of all four of his limbs. He had contracted streptococcal resulting in toxic shock and was never expected to survive. Now nine years later Matthew has beaten the odds, spurred on by the fact that he is the father of four young children and husband of a very dedicated wife determined to grow old with him.

 

Matthew has met many unexpected milestones, such as learning to drive his modified car. He can be seen around Brisbane on the sidelines cheering on one (or more) of the children playing sport. He serves on boards for organisations such as Hear and Say, and works closely with the government and other organisations to prevent sepsis happening to others. He also gives the odd speech and appears on stage every now and then.

 

 

 

 

It has always been one of society’s most difficult jobs which to protect our most vulnerable: our children.  As parents, our vision for every child is a life in all of its fullness.  Despite efforts made by the Commonwealth Government, the State of NSW and the local Blue Mountain Council, there are still untold number of children living in the Blue Mountains whose lives are touched by violence, dislocation, conflict and even daily hunger.

 

Every child deserves a childhood in all its fullness, surrounded by protective families and communities, free from disadvantage and with the opportunity to thrive as other children do, the world over.

 

Many of the problems that children face are a consequence of exploitative practices of certain members of society and education gaps that we allow to continue.  In a protective environment where children’s rights are respected, each and every child can flourish and reach their highest potential.

 

This is the reason that Rotary International in general, and the UMBS Club in particular have always been so supportive of local organizations such as headspace in Katoomba.  headspace offers young people aged 12-25 a welcoming environment where they can access free and confidential mental health support, health advice, and general information.

 

Young people aged 12 - 25 do not require a formal referral. All they need do is simply phone, email or show up in person to arrange an appointment with one of the staff during business hours. In addition, and most importantly, headspace Katoomba services are available at no cost.

 

 

Debra Mainwaring is the new GM of headspace, Katoomba.  https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/katoomba/  Debra has spent her entire career helping young people find and stay on the right path in life.  Her passion is to empower and inspire the most vulnerable in our society.  She has set up headspace to assist those who care for them and work with them to change their perceptions of them.

 

headspace' services include counselling, educational, social, emotional and behavioural assessment, report writing for both legal and educational contexts and intervention planning. Her work focuses on assisting people to develop more effective skills, build better relationships, and improve their well-being,

 

Debra may be reached during regular business hours at 1 800 478 626 or leave a message as staff often are working from home during COVID.

 

This recipe is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and keep your tummy warm for hours.  As the soup is fairly thick, one could easily call it a stew.  In any event, the dish sparkles with colour and is layered with multiple flavours. Adding the lemon zest to the warm vegetable releases its citrusy, fresh aroma, providing a fresh dimension for this hearty dish.  You will need only a green salad and a baguette to complete the meal.

 

Makes 6 servings

 

2 tablespoons olive oil

500 grams good stewing beef

1 yellow onion coarsely chopped

1 small onion studded with four cloves

3 stalks celery finely chopped

2 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup dry sherry or sauvignon blanc wine

1 litre of high quality vegetable stock or to cover

1 teaspoon of sherry vinegar or white Balsamic vinegar

½ butternut squash or pumpkin about 500 grams

2 parsnips

2 large carrots

1/2 teaspoon each of dried tarragon, thyme, and marjoram

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Grated zest and juice of one lemon

Small container of sour cream 350 grams

                                                                                                                                                                          

 

1. Cut the meat into squares about 1.0 cm—1.5 cm square;

2. In a large frying pan heat oil and the brown the meat; set aside

3. Add the onion and celery and brown both;

4. Add tomato paste and stir for a minute;