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‘STRUGGLE STREET – ROTARY MAKING A DIFFERENCE’

Article by PRID Noel Trevaskis

Several weeks ago, I came home after my Rotary Club meeting and watched the show Struggle Street

on SBS. My first thoughts were that Rotary can make a difference to this family, the Zaric family of
Nangus.
The episode of Struggle Street that featured the Zaric Family was (Season 3, Episode 4). This episode
is still available to view through SBS on Demand.
An application was made for a grant from the Dick Smith Foundation through RAWCS for $15,000 and it was
successful. To make this grant a reality we need to match it with $15,000.
Ricky and Peta Zaric live in Nangus, New South Wales (about 30km by road west of Gundagai). They have twins,
Bree and Cody. Cody has some severe medical conditions requiring travel to Sydney and Canberra on a regular basis
for ongoing treatment. His disease is Dent 1. This is very rare disease with only 250 people worldwide being
diagnosed with Dent 1. His family is struggling financially and emotionally because of medical and travel costs.
Complicating his disease is that Cody has a mutation of a gene called RANBP2. Medically they don’t know what this
means for Cody because this particular mutation has not been seen before. Cody is a high risk of any infection which
could cause encephalitis.
They have not had a holiday since the birth of the twins five years ago. They are unable to use babysitters because
of Cody's medical condition. Cody’s father Ricky has to travel away for work which puts another strain on the family.
They have a transportable home that they purchased but don't have the funds to fix it up. They are currently living
in a "donger" on their property at Nangus. Ricky and Peta are under considerable stress and anxiety because of the
financial burden on their family and continually worry about how they can afford basic items, let alone the ongoing
medical treatment for Cody.

The Rotary Clubs of Districts 9700 and 9710 are collaborating to provide assistance to the family, firstly by
renovating their transportable home. A builder has already made an assessment of the project which has been
costed at $38,000. This amount will ensure the cost of all materials/appliances needed will be met. Volunteers
are being arranged to carry out the building, fitting and painting work.
As stated earlier a $15,000 Rotary Grant has been secured through a Rotary Australia World Community Service
(RAWCS) project but this money is only available on a dollar for dollar basis to match other donations.
Donations made to the RAWCS project 44-2029-20 established to assist the Zaric family are tax deductible through
the Rotary Australia Benevolent Society (RABS) which is managed by RAWCS.
We are aiming to raise $25,000 through donations to ensure the work can be completed. Anything raised over and
above that will firstly be put towards a much-needed holiday for the Zaric family at the South Coast and then towards
the ongoing medical costs for Cody. Please join me and making a difference to the lives of the Zaric Family by
donating whatever you can at this link Zaric Family Donation Your contribution will be tax deductible and a receipt
will be sent by return email.

You can also help by sharing this post or link with your friends, https://donations.rawcs.com.au/44-2019-20

‘ROTARY OPPORTUNITIES’

Article by ARC PDG Doug St Clair

On Sunday January 5 my partner Sue and I had the pleasure of seeing off our DGE Patrice Robinson,
th
D9630, who was on her way to the USA to participate in home hosting by the Rotarians of Rochester
NY and then to San Diego for the International Assembly.

It made me think about the wonderful opportunities that Rotary provides for some people. I then thought that this
is not just true of DGs and the like but of many, many Rotarians and in particular those that make a commitment to
take on a leadership role within their own club or their District.
I think back to the opportunities that come to a club President – think of the people that you meet in your 12 months
in the position – Guest Speakers, pollies of all varieties from local councillors to State reps and sometimes beyond,
other Presidents from within the district, community groups that you have supported and of course your own club
members, partners and friends.

You don’t have to be the President, however, because anyone in any of the club leadership positions will also have
their horizons and opportunities broadened – look at the involvement of a New Generations director with
opportunities such as YEP, RYLA, RYPEN, RYTS, NYSF and so on. What about the Foundation Director with
District and Global grants, Peace Fellows, Centurions and EREY, (for meaning of acronyms click here).

The point I am trying to make is that Rotary does provide many opportunities and if I can encourage some of our
readers to accept this and spread the word particularly amongst prospective Rotarians, my job will be partly done.

Rotary on the Move February 2020 Page 3