This week at Tamar Sunrise

This week Tamar Sunrisers were extremely fortunate to have as our guest speaker Mr John Kirwin Tasmanian CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. John was a passionate speaker highlighting the need for this service in our state. He spoke about the misconception that the Flying Doctors only worked in regions with blue sky and red dirt, Tasmania however, have many disadvantaged and remote settlements with the Brass Strait Islands and West Coast being two prime examples. John spoke about the 2015 report commissioned by the RFDS which highlighted the two major health related issues in Tasmania. Namely the high rates of lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease ( smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity and mental health) and high rates of chronic disease and multi morbidity ( particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, musculoskeletal conditions and injury.)
John told us about Tasmania having a regionally dispersed population with one third of Tasmanians living outside Hobart and Launceston, he also said that we have an ageing population with a higher median age than other states and territories. He said that those living in remote areas are more likely to be socio-economically disadvantaged and that rural Tasmanians experience poorer health outcomes than non-rurual Tasmanians, all of which highlighted the need for his service which is one third funded by the Federal Government, one third by the State and the remaining third is raised by donations. The RFDS is a registered charity with a long history of serving all areas of remote Australia. On behalf of the club I would like to thank john for his interesting and enlightening presentation.


Susan Dolby gave us a glimpse into one her favourite pastimes: viewing movies . The two she recommended The First Grader and Pride sounded excellent. Both were based on true stories and highlighted what we can achieve when we work together.


Finally it was lovely to welcome Rod back. He has recently been in New York and was able to catch up with members of the Rotary Metro Club of New York City.


Next week we have our Board meeting and please do not forget to come and see us at Kings Meadows Bunnings Saturday 22nd of August.