Page 4 - Rotary Matters - October 2020

Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholar Annika Theodoulou

It is with great pleasure that I introduce District 9510’s Global Grant scholar, Annika Theodoulou.

With the support of our District, Annika will undertake a Doctor
of Philosophy in Evidenced-based Healthcare at the University
of Oxford. Because of Covid-19 Annika has delayed her start until
Jan 2021 and is also able to at least begin her doctorate remotely
from Adelaide. Annika is being mentored by the RCs of Unley
and Misbourne Matins in the UK.

Growing-up in Adelaide, Annika attended Unley High School
before moving on to study a Bachelor of Health Sciences at the
University of Adelaide. Majoring in Pharmacology and Psychology,
Annika achieved the highest mark for each and also received the
Dean’s Certificate of Merit. During her studies, Annika held a keen
interest in sport, particularly volleyball. She served as a committee
member for the Adelaide University Volleyball Club and went on
to captain the Women’s Division 1 team, in 2018.

Annika began her research career as a research assistant for a small,
non-for-profit musculoskeletal research institute in Adelaide. During her doctorate, Annika will undertake
a body of research which aims to improve health through behaviour change. This work will generate new
evidence to better inform doctors, patients and policy-makers, with the aim to improve the prevention and
treatment of non-communicable disease.

Rotary Foundation Global Scholarships allow very talented and committed people such as Annika to
focus their learning on a specific area of need that is expressed in the lives of so many people living
in impoverished circumstances. The resources we apply to Scholarship Students are multiplied many
times when these scholars make changes to the living conditions of needy people. This outcome represents
excellent value for achieving Rotary goals.

Sam Cozens, Chair of District 9510 Foundation Scholarships/VTT.

Foodbank at Murray Bridge

Another large purple building associated with Rotary has now appeared at Murray Bridge. This is a new
Foodbank opened last month and developed by the RC Mobilong assisted by the RCs of Murray Bridge and
Tailem Bend.

Mobilong raised $25,000 and the other two clubs donated $5000 each. In addition
a private donor gave $50,000 and BHP $45,000. All this covered fit out and the first
year’s operating expenditure.

Two working bees were held at the site and public meetings called for residents, support services, churches,
schools and care givers to learn more about the project and for volunteers to work there.
The official opening is planned for October.

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