President Kelly led the charge on "Hat Day" by donning the only colourful topper in the pack!
The hats this year were predominantly baseball caps (thanks Ken Pittman) - maybe jockey caps in honour of Melbourne Cup Day?
Guest Speaker - Lorrie Gray – Ostomy Association and Health
Lorrie Gray joined Mill Point Rotary Club in 2021 (and has since participated in the Bulldust N Back three times...)
Lorrie commenced her nursing training at RPH in 1963 and, after completing her midwifery training, travelled to England and worked as a charge nurse. Returning to Perth in 1971, she nursed a patient with multiple faecal fistulas, thus becoming interested in Stomal Therapy Nursing.
After studying nurse education at Manchester University, Lorrie again returned to Perth to teach at the WA School of Nursing. After completing the Stomal Therapy Education Program in 1979, Lorrie joined the WA Branch of the Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses.
Lorrie has been active in organising national and international conferences as well as Stomal Therapy Nurse Education courses…all whilst working full time… and completing her Masters! She is currently the Vice President of the Australian Council of Stoma Associations (ACSA).
Lorrie has been volunteering at the WA Ostomy Association since 2010, on the Management Committee since 2012 and fulltime-volunteer Secretary/Manager since 2017.
The Strategic Intent of the WA Ostomy Association (WAOA) is to improve the social, emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing of ostomates and the people who care about them.
WAOA is a not-for-profit charity started in 1969 and affiliated with 20 other Australian Associations supporting 46,000+ ostomates.
It distributes stoma products to 3,500+ members in WA as well as providing support, specialised nursing services and increasing community awareness.
What is “Ostomy”?
an opening between the bowel or bladder and the skin, which stays open, to collect waste matter
Who is an “Ostimate”?
someone who has an Ostomy
What is a “Stoma”?
a surgical opening of the bowel or bladder into the abdomen
diverting faeces or urine into a collection pouch attached to the skin
life saving for many people
temporary or permanent
required by people from newborn baby to the very elderly
necessary for many different conditions, illnesses or trauma
daunting at first to cope with
providing opportunity to regain a full social and active lifestyle which maybe wasn’t possible before surgery
not necessarily obvious or known to others
providing a different way of going to the toilet
given to Stoma Support Bears to facilitate adaption and education for all
Some physiology…
The body has six metres of small intestine, which functions to digest food.
The large bowel absorbs water and salts to keep you hydrated
The rectum is the second cleverest organ in the body, it tells you “when to go”
The anus is at the bottom (pun intended….)
The renal system (kidneys) organises your hydration level and gets rid of products you don’t need
Lorrie emphasised the importance of avoiding constipation and staying hydrated. You need to drink enough and keep an eye on your urine – it should be pale and clear.
Early detection of bowel cancer is the key:
screening
attention to body changes
doing something about it!
There are three main types of stomas:
Colostomy opening onto the large bowel (temporary or permanent)
Illeostomy opening on the small bowel (temporary or permanent)
Urostomy where the bladder is affected (permanent)
WAOA is one of 19 Associations in Australia, part of the Federally funded Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS).
There is a specific allowance of products, which WAOA must purchase and distribute (reimbursed via Medicare).
WAOA has 4 employees, 50 volunteers, 3 STNs and 5 casuals. It is open five days a week and one Saturday a month.
Stomal Therapy Nursing Services include general appointments, home visits, Residential Care Facility visits and education.
The outreach program covers the whole of WA, an area of more than 2.5 million square kilometres.
There are 12 regional visits state wide on a rotational basis.
The support groups include:
New Member’s Group
12 other support groups
Young People’s Group
West Ozzie Guttsy Kids
Facebook x3
There are also the Ostomy Support Bears:
Lorrie concluded by stating how many people think “they are the only one” and “it is the end of my life”….
She related a story of the man who started the Association. He had initially refused surgery until meeting a well-dressed young man whose stoma was not visible and was able to do all the normal things.
Wellness is so important – it is life changing…it is life saving…and we can get back to doing the normal.
Lorrie’s full presentation can be viewed at:
millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>GRAY Lorrie – Ostomy Association & Health
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
- Membership - meeting following breakfast.
- Community - "Walk to Remember", in particular to remember our own Francois Rousset on Sunday 3.30pm. Book on line at https://www.mycause.com.au/event_registration/. All proceeds to Alzheimers. 1km, 3km or 5km start on Sir James Mitchell Park
- Club Service - meeting following breakfast (see events page)
- Foundation - Scott Dywer's Centurian Campaign - new forms to be sent out over the weekend.
- Vocational - visit on Thursday to the Ostomy Association in Mt Lawley - see Gorby for details. Reminder to be send out to everyone.
The Master of Fines
Wayne the elder lashed out with fines for the following:
- All those NOT wearing the hat supplied by Ken P.
- Ian Kremmer - Birthday boy - some suggested he pay a dollar for every year...
- Melbourne cup winner Margaret Hyatt who picked up a pretty penny - and those who didn't!
- Raelene G for the introduction before the introduction of our guest speaker.
- President Kelly for being a serial loser of personal belongings on the recent BNB - losing his keys (later found in Garrick's bag) and also for losing his glasses (later found where he left them on the BNB trail!)
Winner of Heads and Tails
Attendance
35 attendees in all, including guest speaker Lorrie Gray and visiting Rotarian David Anderson, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator (2024-2027) from RC of Yea, Victoria.
