Bally Barker Blog

Tuesday May 31 st , 2022   At a combined meeting of the Rotary and Rotaract clubs in Sydney’s Northern Beaches: a highly informative and totally moving presentation was given by Dr Ray Hodgson. Dr Ray is an Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He is a specialist genecology surgeon and obstetrician and is based in Port Macquarie.   Dr Ray Hodgson   In 2010, after discovering the appalling state of Women’s Health in Nepal - he founded the humanitarian organisation Australians for Women’s Health (see www.A4WH.org ) . Several times every year he organises teams of volunteers to assist him with medical camps and provide surgical care to underprivileged women in need; in remote regions of Nepal. The teams also provide extensive teaching to local Nepalese doctors, nurses, and midwives. Moreover, Dr Ray’s latest project is to build and set up a Mothers and Babies Hospital in Nepal where they can locate their life saving work.   The night was op

Our guest speaker was Sam Wilkins from Rotaract Northern Beaches. Sam during the presentation. Rotaract Northern Beaches was formed in 2016 and Sam is a charter member and current president. The vision of Rotaract is as follows: “ Rotaractors are passionate, community-minded individuals. We actively collaborate and engage with our community to create meaningful social impact”. Meetings are held twice each month; one at PCYC Northern Beaches and the second rotating around local venues and Rotaractors have managed several projects including Bush Clean Up Days, Share the Dignity and a Virtual Fashion Show Clothing Drive.   Sam outlined the many benefits of Rotaract membership, including personal development opportunities, meeting and working with like-minded people, the ability to make a difference in the community and especially having fun. His is key challenge is gaining local members and Sam really needs assistance in con

Tuesday May 3 was a truly great night where the club had the honour and pleasure of awarding various members of our community with Rotary Awards acknowledging and rewarding the difference they make in the local community or vocations that they work in.   Each year the Rotary Club of Balgowlah, awards members of the local community for the work they have done in promoting and exhibiting high levels of commitment in the areas of Community Service and Vocation.   A total of 9 awards for 2022 were presented - two (2) Youth Awards to younger people nominated by their school; then two (2) Small Business Awards, two (2) Pride of Workmanship Awards and three (3) Community Awards to round out a night thoroughly enjoyed by Awardees and attendees alike. Rotary Balgowlah have been holding award evenings for almost 40 years, although in 2021 it was cancelled due to Covid restrictions and lock downs.   We had sixty (60) attendees at the event at held at Wakehurst Golf Club.