PDG Ian Ballantine chaired this evening's club meeting at Cilantro where club members and guests were treated to a wonderful 4 course Shared Experience dinner prepared by Certificate 4 Cordon Bleu students studying at Holmesglen Moorabbin Campus. Guests included Emma Clark, DG Nominee 2026-2027 and Catherine Elfick - both from R.C. Emerald and District, Julie Kempton, Marilyn Brownlees, Sarah Bennett, Puja Mahajan, PDG Bob Richards of R.C. Sandringham, Gary Ramage, and Nicky (guest of Linda O'Brien). This evening's meeting was devoted entirely to the presentation prepared by PDG Ian, and the team of members who travelled to Fiji recently to check on club projects and a visit to Lautoka Hospital - with the team comprising Ian, Helen Parker, Linda O'Brien, Peter O'Brien, Jo Impey and Paul Ferguson.
Before proceeding with the presentation, Ian welcomed DG Nominee Emma Clark to the podium. Emma is keen to visit as many clubs as possible before her busy year as DG 2026-2027 commences - to touch base with club members and get a better understanding of how the various clubs within the district operate. Emma was impressed with our meeting venue, and the relaxed vibe and looked forward to the presentation on Fiji.
Jo Impey has a special interest in Fiji, having spent 5 months living in Fiji during her university days. Jo outlined the cultural background of Fiji that has a population under 1 million - 41% of whom live in rural Fiji with little to no access to normal services. Tourism and agriculture are the main industries in Fiji followed by fishing and clothing manufacture. Life expectancy is 68.19 years. Religion is important with most Fijians following the Christian faith, followed by Hinduism and Islamic faiths. They are proud and friendly people who value community and family life whilst maintaining their cultural heritage, language, music. and art, and protecting their natural environment. Schooling is government subsidised to year 8 where the pass rate is 69%, before moving to secondary and tertiary education with students often needing to relocate to complete their education. Fiji has three universities.
Linda O'Brien provided the background that led to visiting Fiji. Our initial connection stems from our club's support for the ABCD educational project during Alan Kempton's year as president in 2012-2013. Our club provided funds for building a playground in Savusavu instigated through Geoff Gartly and a Scout group as part of a rebuilding program following cyclone damage approximately 8 years ago. BMC became a sister club of the R.C. of Savusavu in 2021. Since strengthening our club's ties in Fiji, BMC has provided funds for the following - Urata Lookout cafe in 2022, Rocket burn project in 2023 and 2025, and a water project in 2024 to provide clean drinking water. .
Ian Ballantine displayed the map of Fiji, outlining the tour and locations visited that included RC of Savusavu, Bucalevu School, Urata Lookout Cafe, Nagigi School, and Labasa hospital - the closest regional hospital and 4 hours drive away, but which lacks the usual equipment and services that are necessary for providing adequate medical services on the island. . Lots of photos were displayed throughout the presentation. Highlighted was the lack of funding for much needed services, a playground that needs repair, accommodation requirements for teachers, and adequate computer equipment that is suitable for Fijian IT environment. The team even 'adopted an American tourist' who was staying at the resort where the team were staying, and having taken an interest in the visit she was invited to join them on the tour. Throughout the tour, the team were hosted by the members of R.C. of Savusavu, and were treated like royalty with welcomes, dinners, school visits, project visits, and who were so grateful the team took the time and effort to visit.
Paul Ferguson likened the visit to Fiji as seeing Rotary in Action. After 'interviewing' Peter O'Brien on some of the more local aspects of Fiji where we learned there are no snakes in Fiji, but there are a few other unsavoury things that travel agents don't let on about, Paul described the visit to Lautoka Hospital. Paul is a director of Interplast and the visit to Lautoka Hospital was to check their facilities and resources for conducting future Interplast events. Fiji has 3 hospitals - Labasa on the island of Vanua Levu and Suva and Lautoka on the main island of Viti Levu, with Lautoka Hospital treating 40% of the population seeking hospital services. Interplast commenced in 1983 to provide reconstructive surgery in the Asia Pacific region for nations that lack the equipment, skills and services to provide surgery for treating burns, cleft palates and congenital issues. Fiji has only one plastic surgeon. Aspen has taken over the administration of Lautoka Hospital and it is expected the demand for their medical services will increase over coming years. There is a strong need for training local clinicians - BMC recently provided funding for the development and delivery of training via webinar in burns treatment. Interplast missions are usually of 2 weeks duration, and approximately 1/2 dozen missions are carried out each year. Coordination of medical teams, the availability of resources and the administration of services is important for successful missions.
Linda ended the presentation by adding this is the first time our club has participated in an overseas visit to check on our club's international projects, and encourages club members to be involved in future visits if/when they are arranged. Linda will seek global grants to support some of the projects visited.
Thank you to all the team for your fantastic presentation, and giving us a close up glimpse of your trip.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS - President Tim Lynch
President Tim reminded everyone that Bert d'Unienville, will be next week's guest speaker, and invitations for our club's changeover on Saturday 28 June are being distributed to all club members.
