RDU magazine online

ROTARY WORLD

Fielding a cricket ball in the outfield by sound alone is something that blind and vision-impaired players do each weekend during summer.

Victorian club is soundly behind the summer game

The Victorian Blind Cricket Association's 2003/04 season is under way with a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Moorleigh-Bentleigh East, Vic. The club donated $A540 to buy audible balls.

Slightly larger than conventional cricket balls, they are white and enclose a metal washer that emits sound through holes. Cricket Association President Martin Stewart said the donation assured the competition of a season’s supply of balls.

“It may not seem like a lot of money, but in the context of what we were able to buy, if we don’t have balls, we don’t have a game,’’

Mr. Stewart said. Rotary Club of Moorleigh-Bentleigh East’s Past President Philip Hedley bowled the first ball of the season’s opening match, St. Paul’s versus Braille Melbourne.

A social cricket player, PP Philip has a healthy respect for blind cricket. Orange metal wickets, an under-arm bowling action and an audible ball are the few differences between blind cricket and the mainstream game.

“The players have mastered a sport which most sighted people find difficult,’’ Mr. Hedley said. The Victorian Blind Cricket Association fields six teams of partially and totally blind players as part of its domestic season from October to March.

The Rotary Club of Moorleigh- Bentleigh East, Vic., has ensured that blind cricket has the right gear.

CLUBS IN ACTION
Kalamunda makes market progress in three years
Three years ago the Rotary Club of Kalamunda, W.A., was asked to develop a market in Kalamunda, a centre with a village atmosphere 20kms east of Perth and set in the Darling Range overlooking the coastal plain. The town serves a rural area and is home to many commuters.

The village market is held in the Town Square and now attracts a wide range of stallholders and buyers. Local performers busk and the local radio station KCR (FM) is present at each market. A committee manages the market. Market day is busy for many club members who assist stallholders to set up about 5.30 a.m. The market ends at approximately 4.00 p.m. when the area is returned to its original pristine condition. Some club members provide a constant patrol to make sure safety precautions are in place and to answer any complaints. Stalls range from jewellery, ceramics, pottery, creative art, products made from steel and wood, paintings, handicrafts, bric-a-brac, homemade ice cream, jams, condiments, children’s toys and ornaments, fruit and vegetables from local growers and many intriguing items to interest any collector or browser. The December market had more than 200 stalls, a huge increase on the number at the first market. Two past presidents of the Kalamunda club volunteered to be Father Christmas and stallholders provided presents. Some grown-ups even took the opportunity to sit on Santa’s knee.

Through its involvement with the village market the club has raised funds for local projects (70 per cent) as well as making contributions to Rotary’s international and national programs. Projects receiving assistance have included a local pony club, a school chaplain scheme and a piano for the local Performing Arts Theatre. – John Bottomley.

Hutt Valley helps Vanuatu
Sandra Bartlam, of the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley, N.Z., has completed a project which, for an initial sponsor club cost of $NZ1,000, provided much-needed school stationery valued at $18,000 throughout Vanuatu. The club’s contribution was geared up with District 9940 SHARE funds, co-sponsors in Australia and the United States of America and a Matching Grant from The Rotary Foundation. Distribution of the stationery throughout Vanuatu at first appeared to pose problems, but this was overcome with the help of passing yachts which generously diverted to outer islands. Further details: Sandra Bartlam (04) 902 1934 or richsanbar@paradise.net.nz – PDG Stuart Batty (RNZWCS).

Kalamunda makes market progreSS in three years
Three years ago the Rotary Club of Kalamunda, W.A., was asked to develop a market in Kalamunda, a centre with a village atmosphere 20kms east of Perth and set in the Darling Range overlooking the coastal plain. The town serves a rural area and is home to many commuters. The village market is held in the Town Square and now attracts a wide range of stallholders and buyers. Local performers busk and the local radio station KCR (FM) is present at each market. A committee manages the market. Market day is busy for many club members who assist stallholders to set up about 5.30 a.m.

The market ends at approximately 4.00 p.m. when the area is returned to its original pristine condition. Some club members provide a constant patrol to make sure safety precautions are in place and to answer any complaints. Stalls range from jewellery, ceramics, pottery, creative art, products made from steel and wood, paintings, handicrafts, bric-a-brac, homemade ice cream, jams, condiments, children’s toys and ornaments, fruit and vegetables from local growers and many intriguing items to interest any collector or browser. The December market had more than 200 stalls, a huge increase on the number at the first market. Two past presidents of the Kalamunda club volunteered to be Father Christmas and stallholders provided presents. Some grown-ups even took the opportunity to sit on Santa’s knee. Through its involvement with the village market the club has raised funds for local projects (70 per cent) as well as making contributions to Rotary’s international and national programs. Projects receiving assistance have included a local pony club, a school chaplain scheme and a piano for the local Performing Arts Theatre. – John Bottomley.