Bulletin Volume 87 No 20 November 23 2015 Rotary Club of Sale Rotary District 9820 Incorporated Last Meeting: www.rotaryclubofsale.org.au Monday November 23 2015 6.00pm for 6.15pm At The Bowls Club Andrew Bedggood Courage to Care Sale to Sea Disability Challenge President Rachel with guest speaker Andrew Bedggood
Chair: Sergeant: Neil Ross Leo O Brien Guest Speaker: Andrew Bedggood Visiting Rotarians: Guests: Nil Nil President s Announcements: One of the speakers from last week, Indi Gladman, who was supported by our Club, was awarded Wellington Sports Star for 2015 at Sporting Legends on Friday Night. A satisfying reward for both Indi and the Rotary Club of Sale and all her supporters. Indi Gladman receives her prestigious award (Gippsland Times Pic.) Rachel met with the Sale Women s Probus Club at Duart Next Monday the Club s meeting will be split in two with Laurie, Daniel, David Tulloch, Leo and Neil looking after the Social Inclusion Week Inspired by the Lake BBQ at Lake Guthridge from 5 7 pm whilst the majority of the remaining members will be attending the presentation of certificates for the Rotary Junior Community Awards. Rod Exton will have the barbeques set up and ready for lighting by 5 pm so that the sausages will be cooked by 5:30 pm. If anyone can help with setting up, Rod will appreciate this and three cooks will be needed at 5 pm. The presentation is scheduled to commence at 6:00 pm. The Board has approved awarding two scholarships for two of Sale s Secondary Colleges. The Board has also approved donating funds to the Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club that have been held over from previous years to help with providing the equipment needed in the new clubhouse.
Rachel handed out Presidential nomination forms for all members to complete and return by the end of the meeting. Sergeant Leo worked his usual magic and extracted fines from most members and even the guest speaker. Guest Speaker Andrew Bedggood Sale to Sea Disability Challenge. Chairman Neil Ross introduced Andrew who was born and bred in Maffra where he works for Work Cover. Andrew lost a leg and nearly his life in a car accident. Following his rehabilitation he learnt not to give up and to live life to the max. In 2009 he had the idea a paddling a kayak from Sale to Lakes Entrance and thus started the Disability Challenge. At this point Andrew took up his story. At age 19, Andrew was a bricklayer and enjoyed playing football and basketball. Then one day in October 1983, he and some mates were driving his car on a country road when he ran out of petrol. As he was standing near the boot of his car, another driver, with his attention on a following police car, ran into Andrew s trailer and he sustained lifethreatening injuries. The policeman on the scene quickly called an ambulance and doctor to the accident which saved Andrew s life as he suffered a cardiac arrest which the doctor was able to treat. Andrew s head injuries prevented him from being airlifted to St Vincent s Hospital in Melbourne so he was transferred by road. In Melbourne Andrew s recovery and rehabilitation took 14 months during which time he suffered another cardiac arrest, became addicted to morphine, suffered withdrawal and had to learn to walk all over again. Whereas he couldn t remember anything of his first heart failure, he remembered Suzy, a nurse, holding his hand whilst doctors fought to save his life. Later when he met the radiologist who had x-rayed him following the accident, the radiologist couldn t believe that Andrew was alive. Andrew chats with Graeme Dyer In his first Disability Challenge in 2009, Andrew encountered very rough conditions on the water to Lakes Entrance. Since that time many people with various disabilities have taken part in the Sale to Sea Disability Challenge including a blind lady and her guide dog and a stroke victim. The Challenge is about inspiring people with a disability to follow their dreams, achieve their goals and to live life to the max. The annual event is supported all the way by volunteers to ensure the safety of the participants. It is not a race with the purpose being to complete the nominated distance of 10 to 120 km. In 2011 Andrew and his committee of volunteers raised $35,000 and considerably more since then. The money raised goes back to the community and has contributed to local groups including the All Ability Playground in Bairnsdale and to the Specialist School in Sale.
In his story, Andrew told us a number of humorous anecdotes including that he learnt to scuba dive, that he s been diving with sharks, that he had a part in the film, My Brother Jack, and that his near death experience has given him an outlook on life that he would not have had otherwise. He told us that in 32 years he has had 31 legs. His right leg was amputated but he requires a brace for his left leg the cost of which he has to meet himself. The owners of the Moorings in Metung were so impressed with the work Andrew does that they paid for the brace the last time it needed to be replaced. Earlier this year Andrew was awarded the Pride of Australia Medal which he was proud to pass around. After his talk, Andrew answered questions and was thanked by the chairman and President Rachel who presented him with a small memento of his evening with the RC of Sale and a cheque to support the work he is doing. Member David Tulloch's wife Judy was on duty in GBH casualty at time Andrew Bedggood was brought in after his accident, and treated his immediate suffering. Andrew s thoroughly deserved Pride of Australia Award presented by the Premier. Daniel, Graeme, Keith and Adrian enjoy the presentation.
Next Meeting: Monday November 30 4.30pm Inspired by the Lakes Barbeque At Lake Guthridge and Rotary Junior Community Awards At Sale College Campus 5.00pm barbeque See President s announcements for details. Chair: Sergeant: Please note that all our regular meetings are now to be held at the Bowling Club. For all meetings, members will need to advise Laurie if they are an apology or are bringing a guest: Announcements: Secretary Laurie. 0419 132 824 All members will be charged $17.00. It is very important to ring (not email) Laurie before 12.00 noon on the day of the meeting with apologies and/or guests. Emails are often delayed and the Club may be charged for late apologies. Let s get our act together people! 0419 132 824 District 9820 Conference - WANGARATTA, Feb. 26-28 2016.