Page 8 - 2019-10-Rotary-on-the-Move-Newsletter-Zone-8

‘AID FOR PARENTS’

ROTARY COORDINATORS’ TEAM
Article by Tony Thomas, Rotary Central Melbourne 2019-20 ZONE 8
Zone 8; Australia, New Zealand and
Kerry Kirk, cybersecurity businesswoman and last year’s
president of Sunbury Rotary Club, enjoyed a tour backstage at Pacific Islands
Broadmeadows Police Station. She was chatting as mentor to 9455, 9465, 9500, 9520, 9550, 9570, 9600,
Senior Sergeant Brad Towers in the Victoria Police Leaders’ 9630, 9640, 9650, 9670, 9675, 9685, 9700,
Mentoring Program (VPLMP) involving four Victorian Rotary Districts 9710, 9780, 9790, 9800, 9810, 9820, 9830,
9780, 9790, 9800 and 9820. She and Brad agreed that police solve ”were 9910, 9920, 9930, 9940, 9970, 9980
never going to arrest their way out of the drug-addiction problem”. That’s RI DIRECTOR ZONE 7 AND 8
how they got thinking about a hidden group needing support – the parents
of offspring who are battling addictions. These parents are often Rafael M. Garcia lll
withdrawn and nervous. Support services focus on the addicted person Email: rafaeliiigarcia@yahoo.com

while parents typically bear their strife and heartache unaided. ROTARY COORDINATOR
PDG Adrian Roach
Email: adrian@valleyfresh.net

ROTARY COORDINATOR
PDG TIM MOORE
Email: tim@cinet.com.au

Assistant Rotary Coordinators
supporting PDG Adrian Roach

PDG Stephen Lamont
Districts: 9800, 9810, 9820, 9830
Email: stephenlamont9780@gmail.com

PDG Peter Frueh
Districts 9700, 9710, 9780, 9790
Email: peter.frueh@gmail.com

PDG Ingrid Waugh
Snr Sgt Brad Towers and Kerry Kirk Districts 9910 and 9930
So, they brought parents together on July 30 for a meeting called “You Are Email: ingrid_waugh@rotaryoceania.zone
Not Alone.” They explained community resources and inspired parents PDG Marion Johnston
with speakers confiding their own struggles and successes. Parents got Districts 9920 and 9980
answers to their distress call – “We don’t know who to turn to!” Email: marionjohnstonlaptop@gmail.com

The pair didn’t know if any parent would show up. Police and the drug PDG Karen Purdue
scene are not always a comfortable mix and many parents want to stay Districts 9970 and 9940
unknown. Happily, about 50 parents arrived. Someone said, ‘We’re all Email: purdue.f.k@xtra.co.nz
parents here and we felt the tension in the room relax because people felt Assistant Rotary Coordinators
they wouldn’t be judged,” says Brad, a 30-year police veteran. Two parents supporting PDG Tim Moore
burst into tears afterwards and one said, “If we’d had this help ten years PDG Brian Coffey
ago, we wouldn’t be in our predicament.”
Districts: 9650, 9670, 9675, 9685
Speakers included Mark Eustice, a former AFL footballer who conquered Email: brian@coffey.net.au
post-footie addictions, and the manager of an ice-addiction clinic who’s PDG Ida Portella
had more than half a dozen referrals since the forum. Districts: 9550, 9570
Email: idaportella@bigpond.com
Kerry says, “We put about 150 hours work into it but our club’s only cost
was $200 for venue hire. I’m sure other clubs in Victoria and nationally PDG Doug Layng
could replicate what we did.” Districts: 9500, 9520
Email: doug.layng@outlook.com
In its 13 year, the program is VicPol’s longest sustained leadership course. PDG Linda McLerie
th
It links Senior Sergeants, who typically manage a suburban station, with Districts: 9455, 9465
Rotarians skilled in business and community initiatives. Email; lindamclerie@gmail.com

Want to know more? Contact Kerry at kerry.kirk9@gmail.com PDG Doug St Clair

Districts: 9600, 9630, 9640

Email: dstclair@bigpond.net.au
All past editions of the “Rotary on the Move” Newsletter
Regional Membership Officer
can be accessed by clicking HERE

Barbara Mifsud

If you wish to receive an electronic copy of this Newsletter, Email: barbara.mifsud@rotary.org

Newsletter Editor
or you know of someone who would like to receive one,
please email the editor; Issa Shalhoub drissa@bigpond.com Issa Shalhoub drissa@bigpond.com

Rotary on the Move October 2019 Page 8