From the President
It's all systems go for next weekends Gawler show parking. lots has been done behind the scenes to hopefully ensure smooth running. while all spots have a volunteer name against it, please see Mike if you didn't indicate you could help but are willing and available.
It was lovely to see so many people at last weeks combined meeting with Gawler Light. Keep an eye out for our next combined meeting.
Meeting 3306 –
Meeting 3306 was a special joint gathering with members of the Rotary Club of Gawler Light, held at Café Nova. The evening was well-attended, with 11 Gawler Rotarians joining in.
Our guest speaker was Anna-Marie from Beyond Support and Training. With over 15 years’ experience in emergency health care in both Australia and New Zealand—as well as an extensive military career—Anna-Marie brings a wealth of knowledge to the field. She is the founder of Beyond Support and Care, notable for being the youngest person to establish a health care business in Australia and is proud to be heading one of the nation’s fastest-growing organisations of its kind.
Anna-Marie's engaging and interactive presentation kept the audience on their toes, as members and guests were regularly quizzed on their knowledge and experiences.
She began by clarifying the difference between a heart attack and a cardiac arrest:
- Heart attack: A blockage starves the heart of oxygen, causing the heart muscle to begin dying.
- Cardiac arrest: The heart stops pumping due to an electrical issue.
Anna-Marie highlighted that symptoms of a heart attack can differ between males and females:
- Males often experience chest pain radiating down the arm, sweating, nausea, and vomiting.
- Females may report neck or jaw pain, back pain, or extreme tiredness.
For both conditions, the key advice is to call 000 and provide as much detail as possible to the operator—this results in a faster response. Do not offer food or drink. If you experience symptoms yourself, stop, rest, and call 000; do not attempt to drive to hospital.
If a person is unconscious and not breathing, call for help, use speakerphone, and begin CPR while following the operator’s instructions. If an AED (defibrillator) is available, send someone to retrieve it and follow its step-by-step prompts.
Anna-Marie also focused on recognising strokes using the FACE acronym:
- Face – check for drooping
- Arms – check if one arm is weaker
- Speech – look for slurred speech
- Time – act quickly!
She noted additional symptoms, such as weakness (especially in left-handed people, who may have a naturally weaker left side), vision issues, coordination difficulties, or trouble understanding language. Good words to check speech include "octopus" and "platypus." New stroke protocols are being introduced by SA Ambulance Service (SAS).
A stroke occurs in Australia every nine minutes—about 46,000 cases each year. Call 000 as soon as you notice symptoms. Timely treatment (within 4 hours) gives the best chance of recovery, though the window may extend to 9 hours, some brain damage is often unavoidable. Treatments include medication to dissolve clots, surgical removal, blood thinners, managing blood pressure and cholesterol, and ongoing rehabilitation such as speech, physio, and occupational therapies.
Anna-Marie also gave practical tips on using AEDs. Devices provide clear instructions and diagrams. If necessary, wax pads in community AEDs rather than Razors because they were being stolen, can be used to remove chest hair. For women, it's best to remove the bra but keep the shirt on if possible and place the pads underneath for dignity. AED batteries last around two years and should be replaced after use or when indicated by the device. Pads are single-use; check with the SAS for possible replacements.
Reminder
From this week members and guests are required to pay Nixon's directly for their meal. This must be done by card prior to 6:30. Bob and Geoff will still look forward to seeing you at the attendance table to purchase your washers by cash or card and also to select your table number.
Have you bought your tickets yet??
Remember you can help the club by supporting us in the current People First Lottery. Below you will find the flyer with our unique QR code. Please follow this link to buy tickets remembering that every $2 ticket you buy and nominate the Rotary Club of Gawler we receive the full $2. There are some great prizes so jump online and grab some while you are thinking about it! (tickets are only available online and with a debit card).
Yours in Rotary Angela Moore
President RCG 2026-27
