This Week - District Governor's Visit

 Owing to circumstances beyond our control the DG's Visit has suddenly been moved to this week.  Fortunately everything that is required for the visit has all be sent to District well in advance thanks to Jim Rankin and Richard Eley so all this really means is that the Business Meeting is cancelled but please make sure that everyone is present on line for the District Governor.

Archers, please ensure that you attend as this is a once a year event and you need to give a good impression to District.

The Board Meeting will go ahead as usual with the District Governor prior to the normal meeting though there will be adjustments to the agenda.

Don't forget the Spring Brunch/Braai on the 9th September!

Last Week

Michael Fridjhon addressed the club on whether we are spoiled for choice and value when it comes to the wines that are available to us.  Th answer is obviously "Yes" when we compare overseas wine prices and what was particularly interesting was the statistic he gave of wine in the United Kingdom that the value of wine in a 5 pound bottle was only SA70c!

The most important aspect of his talk was that we shouldn't denigrate wines that are looked down upon by self promoted wine aficionados such as Wolftrap or Chateau Libertas or even the cheaper Nederburg wines and wines from the Bergkelder such as Fleur du Cap as so many of them are not only excellent value for money but also out perform many wines that are far more expensive.

I can remember taking part in a vertical tasting of Chateau Libertas over a period of 15 vintages. The blend is adjusted in terms of the quality of grapes available.  It was an eye opener when it came to quality and the ability of the wine to age.

Cresset House AGM 

Several of us attended the AGM of Cresset House last Saturday including President Ron Smith and Andy Stevenson though they had left before the photograph was taken, so there were only four members left, Andrew Connold, Peter James-Smith, Jim Rankin and Lauwrence Vosloo who took the photo.

As an outsider it was interesting to hear how the organisation is run and the financial requirements.  It is an impressive NGO and forward planning is obviously paramount in view of the aging "villagers".

International

Rotary DCaf: A fun social space for dementia sufferers

Rotary DCaf was first launched as a pilot study in November 2018. It was the brainchild of a group of Rotarians on Sydney’s North Shore, who wished to provide a fun and safe social space for dementia sufferers. The team came up with the catchy name and a plan of how it would come together, in conjunction with Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre (KNC). The idea of Dementia Cafes was not a new one, but was certainly an exciting new project for Rotary. There are now 11 Rotary DCafs all around District 9685, with several more planned in the near future.

Dementia Cafes are not actual cafes, but social groups for people living with dementia and their family carers. This group of people are extremely vulnerable to social isolation due to both the stigma around dementia and the lack of social activities that meet their needs.

There are currently more than 400,000 people living with dementia in Australia, with more than two-thirds living in their local communities, rather than in care homes, identifying an obvious need for a project such as Rotary DCaf.

Rotarians and community volunteers organise the group gatherings, where those with dementia and their families come along and spend a couple of hours socialising and participating in a variety of fun activities. Each DCaf has its own feel based on the interests of their groups. One size does not necessarily fit all, however, guests at the DCafs may have the opportunity to join in a gentle exercise activity, art and crafts, quizzes and word games, singing and dancing, often accompanied by wonderful volunteer musicians.

Occasionally, guest speakers are invited to come along and talk about local dementia services or provide other relevant information. Whatever activities happen, the most important part of the DCaf is when guests have the opportunity to sit around chatting with others who share their personal experience with dementia, people who understand their challenges and do not judge. It is a chance for them to leave the stigma behind, relax and have fun.