Further information is available
www.rotaryhealthsafari.org.au

Health Safari ride was a breathtaking experience

Derek Jones, of the Rotary Club of Mitchelton, Qld., put in a stint with the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund Health Safari and took a time to catch his breath later.
‘‘After some weeks travelling on the Health Safari I have to say what an experience!’’ he said. ‘‘I came home (to Brisbane) from Cairns by train doing absolutely nothing for two days, which was a dramatic contrast to the previous few weeks.
‘‘I have many memories during my stint with the Health Safari of being able to assist people with mental health problems, either their own or those of a friend or relative.
‘‘I believe I prevented at least one young man’s suicide. In Mareeba, a woman thanked me for what the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF) is doing.
‘‘Her 22-year-old daughter has bipolar disorder and she could now talk about it as a result of the publicity the Health Safari had received and because of the information it was disseminating. I have enough material to enable me to be a guest speaker for some time.’’
Derek Jones said that apart from achieving the aims of the Health Safari, publicity for Rotary had been extensive in all locations visited.
Support from local Rotary clubs had been outstanding, all appreciating the Health Safari visits.
‘‘They certainly now know what ARHRF is about. The Mental Health Forums which many clubs arranged were well attended and a great success,’’ he said.
‘‘The team we had from Brisbane to Cairns was great. John Flower and Des Lawson are full of good humour and I provided a level of sanity and decorum befitting a representative of ARHRF and Rotary. Although the event was tiring and we missed many meals, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.’’
Derek Jones said the selection of John Flower as Health Safari manager was a masterstroke. Problems en route were solved efficiently.
The Board of ARHRF deserved congratulations for John’s appointment and for undertaking the Health Safari.