Friday, October 26, 2007

My Desert Kingdom - Jill Koolmess on 'Under the Veil'

When we think of Muslim women, we think of the shapeless, faceless women who serve to obliterate themselves from the landscape. It’s a confronting image. I thought I was prepared for it and live in a completely segregated community, but the depth of the discrimination in the Saudi society against women was something I couldn’t prepare for.”

And so the opening scene to an enlightening presentation was set by Jill Koolmees author of “My Desert Kingdom.”

Jill travelled to Saudi Arabia with her husband in 1997. She undertook a teaching role and while there, spoke to many Saudi women about their experiences. She was surprised that what was deemed as important to a westerner, freedom and equality, Saudi women had other values. These were family, religion and education. In a society that is intensely private, women are hindered in mobility, employment and indeed in many aspects of everyday life simply of the need that men and women cannot mix.

In a recent visit back to Saudi Arabia, she felt a “change in the air” partly because of King Abdullah known as a reformer who is open to new ideas such as finding employment for Saudi nationals. She told us about a new Technical School for Women who complete their technical education and on completion receive support to open their own business.

Her book details are:
“My Desert Kingdom” Author: Jill Koolmees Publisher: Bantam Australia, Random House. ISBN: 1863254374

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Eastlink - 40 Years in the Making


Erin Spithill from the South & Eastern Integrated Transport Authority (SEITA) gave us a presentation on the largest project occurring in Victoria.

The Eastlink project, forty years in the making, will soon be a reality.

With the project due for completion November 2008, it will decrease traffic congestions, enhance public transport as well as boost our economy.

The project links the north to the south – from Mitcham to Frankston. You can see photos, toll calculators and more on the website: http://www.seita.com.au/



Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Doctors in the Air - the Royal Flying Doctor Service

Annette Allison, Community Relations Manager for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, RFDS gave a passionate presentation of this critical health and emergency care service on Monday 1st October to Rotarians, guests and partners.

Concerned with the mortality rate in regional Australia due to the lack of access to medical care in isolated regions, the RFDS was inspired by the vision of John Flynn who wanted to provide a “mantle of safety” a lifeline of support across Australia.

"If you start an idea, nothing can stop it," he said back in 1919. Next year, the RFDS will celebrate its 80th anniversary - a testimony to the importance of this critical service.

The RFDS looks after over 650 patients per day; is the second largest airline in Australia with over 50 planes; has 27 bases across Australia and services Christmas Island, Lizard Island, Bathurst Island and Tasmania and all the areas in-between.

With an operating cost of $200 million annually, the RFDS also relies on fundraising to fit out the planes with medical equipment, or as Annette explained, “an intensive care unit in a phone box.”

Voted as the most credible and trusted charity by Readers Digest in 2004 and 2007, Annette says about her job, “It is the most amazing organisation to work for with nothing else like it in the world."

If you would like more information on the RFDS, or to support the organisation then please call Annette Allison on 9521 2633 or email her at: Annette@rfdsvic.com.au and she will mail out an information pack and newsletter.

Or, consider becoming a member of the Flying 1000 to help raise $1000 towards their much needed $1 million target.