Come and Join Rotary
As part of our program members occasionally are asked to give a talk about their lives. This week Emily Marr and John Cannon gave theirs.
Emily Marr
Emily was born in Kinglake She had a pretty typical country up bring: encouraged to spend time outdoors, climbing trees, looking after animals (domestic and injured wildlife). She went to school at Middle Kinglake. Sadly, the historic school building burnt in the 09’ fires.
She completed her secondary education at Yea High school. The downside was the long hour each way bus trip on probably the oldest fallons bus in the fleet for 6 years.
I always had a passion and skill for science-based subjects and was often prompted to aim higher then my expectations.
I graduated in 2008 and scored my 1st preference to study a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne with a rural scholarship towards my studies.
Starting uni was a tumultuous time for me: not only was the university huge and a place I knew nobody, but the day after I moved my stuff out of our kinglake home the 09’ fires came through. My mum rang to tell me she was off the mountain and safe before we even knew a fire was hitting Kinglake from the tv news teams!! We sent a week believing our house was destroyed from all accounts, however, amazingly a wind change saved our street unlike so many others.
In 2012 I was about to graduate and still was unsure where I was headed. I still knew I wanted to do something that involved helping and educating others, however, was beginning to question if classroom teaching was for me. I sent in the physiotherapy application on a whim as my physiology teacher thought I had the personality traits and skills to be good at it and was lucky enough to score an interview. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in physiology and moved straight into my Physiotherapy studies.
I really enjoyed the physiotherapy course, it exposed us to all the many areas of work physiotherapy can have an impact. As our placements were location-based most of mine were out of the Austin and repat hospitals in Heidelberg. My favourite was GEM/neuro in both acute and rehab levels and this is still the area I think I’d like to focus on going forward. For a while I did think about specialising in paediatrics, even doing a placement I QLD at a private practice, however, as much as I loved the work, I found it very emotionally draining. I also kept busy in my ‘spare time’ with continued mentoring roles for new students, orientation day tours and helping in the good Friday appeal teddy bear hospital.
In 2012 I was about to graduate and still was unsure where I was headed. I still knew I wanted to do something that involved helping and educating others, however, was beginning to question if classroom teaching was for me. I sent in the physiotherapy application on a whim as my physiology teacher thought I had the personality traits and skills to be good at it and was lucky enough to score an interview. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in physiology and moved straight into my Physiotherapy studies.
I really enjoyed the physiotherapy course, it exposed us to all the many areas of work physiotherapy can have an impact. As our placements were location-based most of mine were out of the Austin and repat hospitals in Heidelberg. My favourite was GEM/neuro in both acute and rehab levels and this is still the area I think I’d like to focus on going forward. For a while I did think about specialising in paediatrics, even doing a placement I QLD at a private practice, however, as much as I loved the work, I found it very emotionally draining. I also kept busy in my ‘spare time’ with continued mentoring roles for new students, orientation day tours and helping in the good Friday appeal teddy bear hospital.
Physiotherapy thus far
I graduated in 2012 with a Doctor of physiotherapy degree (note I am not a ‘doctor’ by title). I went on to work in residential aged care and rehab and was placed at park lane aged care in Croydon. Originally to assist an accreditation and maternity leave cover, however, after 6 months I ended up taking over as the lead physio 4 days a week. It was a huge role as the site has 104 residents to 1 physio, and while I enjoyed it, the long days and work pressures began to creep up. Decided I needed a change and to try working in a different field to broaden my skills.
I choose to look for a rural placement for the ability to work in a slightly expanded role as a result of the reduced service levels. Every day is different which is both good and challenging at times! I walked into my interview at ADH to discover my potential manager was the daughter of a couple who lived at park lane aged care, which we took as a good sign. Moving back to a small town reminded me of Kinglake, everyone knows your neighbours and townsfolk by some connection, people stop you in the street and there is lots of community pride
I choose to look for a rural placement for the ability to work in a slightly expanded role as a result of the reduced service levels. Every day is different which is both good and challenging at times! I walked into my interview at ADH to discover my potential manager was the daughter of a couple who lived at park lane aged care, which we took as a good sign. Moving back to a small town reminded me of Kinglake, everyone knows your neighbours and townsfolk by some connection, people stop you in the street and there is lots of community pride
I also wanted to start giving back again assist in community projects as my family used to do in Kinglake. I choose rotary as I had been considering joining Rotaract as friends of mine were members and I had enjoyed fundraising dinners and trivia nights if attendance as a guest. Not one within 90min so thought why not just join anyway. And being in this club you can see that while we are a small club what we do locally every year has a huge impact on community togetherness and fun, whilst also providing opportunities for young people and recognising local talent which wouldn’t be possible if we were to fold. I also, crazily, accepted a request to aid in the re-launching of the venturing scout program in Alexandra as I enjoy outdoor activities, especially bushwalking, and saw it as a good way to help promote youth growth and skill building.
John Cannon
John Cannon born in 1944 and spent his early childhood in Melbourne and he often recalls time spent exploring the family home and his family’s love of music. His teenage years were spent in Bendigo a virtual paradise for a boy playing baseball, building and flying model aircraft, and experimenting with all sorts of things. His father was a driving force in the Bendigo Operatic Society.
Teaching was his chosen vocation and his place of learning the Bendigo teachers college.
His first schools were rural schools in central Victoria and Mallee at a time when the local school teacher always played football , spotlighted for rabbits and foxes and John was involved in everything, except his football skills were not up to those of his AFL team, Essendon.