SPEAKER MEETING - 19th March 2008

At our meeting today, we had 35 of our own members present. They were joined by our only rotarian guest, David Martin from the Inverness Club.

The members were treated to a very informative presentation from Dr Simon Hewick, Consultant Eye Surgeon at Raigmore Hospital a guest of Ken Wilson. Dr Hewick described the work of the Opthalmology Department. The six consultants, 2 junior doctors and 3 non consultant grade doctors serve the whole of the Highland Health Board area , travelling to several peripheral sites for clinics and surgery.

Each consultant specialises in one area of eye problems (cornea, glaucoma, retinal, plastic surgery and squint) . Dr Hewick’s special expertise is in retinal surgery. He described the recent advances made by the introduction of a drug for treating age related wet macular degeneration, which previously always resulted in blindness.

The administration of the drug into the eye can prevent deterioration and even give improved vision in some cases. Dr Hewick described the treatment available for detached retina and showed a film of the procedure for treating cataracts. In an amazing 6 minutes the cataract was removed and an artificial lens implanted. Dr Hewick explained that patients can even chose what vision is restored, long or short sight!

The increase in the safety of the procedure has led to a four fold increase in the number of operations in the last ten years. Although the film may have caused some toes to curl and eyes to water it is reassuring to know that should we be unfortunate enough to need the surgery the operation is so quick and effective.

President George presented a Maori Doll, which was jointly presented to the club at last year's District Conference for donations to Foundation. We shared the award with the Thurso club, who had kept it for the first six months of the year.

Our next week's meeting would be a speaker meeting. Members and guest will hear from Rachel McClure who is an ambassadorial scholar.

A SPEAKER MEETING - 12th March 2008

At today's meeting our 33 members welcomed Harry Leadbitter, District 1010 Foundation Chairperson to the meeting.

Harry was invited to give a short presentation to the member about the work of Foundation throughout the world.

He started by giving the staggering statistic that the Foundation Charity had been started with a small donation of $26. He then went on to outline that since then it has collected $19 Billion to be used for humanitarian aid throughout the world. Part of what it does is the Polio Plus programme, where 2 billion vaccinations have been administered, saving the lives of 250,000 of children who would otherwise have died.

Harry outlined that RIBI had set a new target of total polio eradication by 2012. This had been prompted by a $100 million donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; with a further £3 million being received from google.com.

The presentation was very well received and Harry was thanked for travelling from Dundee to give his talk to the assembled members.

At the end of the meeting, President George congratulated Stuart Black, one of our member on his appointment to the post of Director of Planning and Development with the Highland Council.

OUR REGULAR MEETING 5th March 2008

Today, our meeting was attended by 42 of our own members.

We were also delighted to be joined by Past District 1010 Governor, Mr Bill Pirie and Monica Lee Macpherson, who was a guest of Gerry Grant.

We also had the pleasant task of welcoming Lynne Cordiner, who became the newest member of our club today. Lynne was previously a rotarian in the Inverness Culloden club.

Roy McLennan and Henry Dow carried out their prize draw which club members had bought tickets in support of their trek to India in aid of Maggie's. Various members won prizes ranging from £150 of hair care products to a trip in a helicopter!

Next week's meeting will be attended by Harry Leadbitter, District Foundation Chair.