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Rotary and its GPEI partners celebrate a monumental achievement, say global eradication of wild polio is possible with the continued dedication and persistence of Rotarians.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on 25 August announced that transmission of the wild poliovirus has officially been stopped in all 47 countries of its African region. This is a historic and vital step toward global eradication of polio, which is Rotary’s top priority.

This has been an extraordinary year. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of our lives. Unfortunately, it seems that things are going from worse to worse in Victoria, however we should know that things will get better and this time will pass. We should also know that we can all do our bit and follow the mandated guidelines

The Club organised two zoom meetings in August with special guests Mr Tung Le and Mr Andrew Jobling. Pragya Kapil was inducted as the newest member of the club and will be presenting about her life and education in the first meeting in September 2020. 

Rob Edwards, a member of the Corrimal Rotary Club, Australia, has just launched Sustainable Social to help businesses such as resorts, cafés, and hotels market their green practices and services via social media, catching the eye of customers who care about the environment. https://sustainablesocial.org/pages/inforotary

Rotary Clubs can join and attract new members by publicizing their environmental projects. The site has a fun video pitch to inspire clubs to start an environmental project.

Dear Rotarians/ International PolioPlus Committee members/ Directors and Trustees,

It is with great pride that we inform you that one of our own has been named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.” Just a few moments ago, Dr. Tunji Funsho, Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Chair was named to the TIME 100 list for his critical leadership in working with Rotary members and our partners to achieve a wild polio-free Nigeria and eradicate the wild poliovirus in the African region. He is the first Rotary member to receive this honor for our work to eradicate polio.

You can view Dr. Funsho’s profile on the TIME website here.

Footscray Rotarians have formed FOOTSTROLLERS to raise funds for “End Polio Now”. See more details above. Each member of the  team has committed to walk a nominated distance during the month of October and seek your support by  donating here

Footstrollers have managed to cross their target of $3000 to the End Polio Now campaign. Many thanks to our sponsors, our friends and family who have supported and cheered for us. Graeme alone has marched the way with a whopping $1128 donation. A special thank you to our team members for challenging yourself to walk, run or roll 10, 20, or 50km throughout the month and raise vital funds that will help eradicate and prepare us for a Polio free world.:

Elia Andriotis

Graeme Thompson

Rodney Johnstone

Jamie Robertson

Suzanne Zammit

Ronald Hunt

Kevin Field

Maria Silber

Pragya Kapil

By Past District Governor Iven Mackay

The Rotary Club of Yarraville and its partner in the Philippines, the Rotary Club of Greater Marikina Valley in District 3800, are very pleased to report that our joint WASH project has been completed.

Global Handwashing Day - October 15, 2020

With the COVID-19 crisis so prominent in the news, a number of organizations are making an extra effort to promote handwashing with soap this year. They have developed resources that we can use every day when we are teaching about the importance of handwashing. 

GlobalHandwashing.org

On October 1st, our guest speaker was Kitty O’Connor, Past President of Laverton Point Cook Club spoke to us on Walk with Us program. Andrew Bennett, Professor of Ecology at Latrobe University will speak to us on the 19^th November about his many projects and work in the field of wildlife research.

By Grant Hocking on behalf of Kitty O’Connor and Murray Verso, Rotary District 9800, End Polio Walk With Us Team

During the month of October, Rotarians and friends in Australia and across the world took action to raise awareness, funds and support to end poliomyelitis, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens the children of the world today.  The Rotary Walk With Us campaign was very successful, raising over $123,000 for the Rotary End Polio campaign. The amount raised by District 9800 was over $73,000, 4-5 times more than previous walking events.

The two zoom meeting in November saw special guests, Elwyn Davies, member of Community Consultative Committee sharing about the ‘Progress update on New Footscray Hospital’ and Prof Andrew Bennett from La Trobe University, a landscape ecologist who has an interest in the effects of the change in native vegetation and the impact on flora and fauna.

The Footscray Art Prize is returning for 2021 and is now open for entries. Even better, it’s an art prize where kids can get involved!

Primary and secondary students from Melbourne’s west are invited to enter the Footscray Art Prize Young Artists Prize category. There are two $500 prizes, and all entries are exhibited – a fantastic experience for any budding artist!

Alisha our exchange student along with Ashley (our NYSF student) and Margaret(who also attended NYSF) joined club members at the Women in Rotary "International Women's Day Breakfast" at Crown Palladium Ballroom this morning.

The Rotary Club of Footscray is a supporter of DIK (Donations in Kind) and is delighted that DIK will shortly celebrate the shipment of the 600th container of goods benefiting needy causes at various locations overseas.
Saturday 29th of February 10.00 - 3.00
Shed 39 / 400 Somerville Road, West Footscray
Food and drink will be available
Please RSVP for catering purposes to:
dik.vic.rotary@gmail. com

As part of the environmental portfolio for the club, Elizabeth Drozd organised our Club’s participation in what is known as the annual V4Uday, whereby VU students volunteer in community projects. 
This was conducted in partnership with the Footscray Park Bowling Club, where the students did some weeding and general gardening. 
A certificate from VU thanking us for our participation, has been received.

Many thanks to our club members hard work which created the funds to support Jamie (this week's speaker)to attend London International Youth Science Forum.
Thanks to Elia and Rodney for organising the final meeting for 2019 and thank you to everyone who attended todays' meeting.
I hope everyone enjoys a joyous and hope filled Christmas and wish everyone the very best for the New Year.
Suzanne

Luana our exchange student from Brazil left Australia last Saturday.
Her host family, Alisha, Marina, Emanuel and Suzanne were there to farewell her. Luana loved her farewell gift which was a tiny kangaroo to adds to her Pandora bracelet.

District 9800 is providing two separate ways for Rotary Clubs, Rotarians and members of the public to provide donations to our Bushfire Recovery efforts
The first fund will provide Rotary Clubs and individuals not seeking a tax deduction and allow us more flexibility to take immediate action.
Account: Rotary International District 9800 - Australian Bushfire Appeal
BSB: 633000 Account Number: 171227895
The second fund through Bendigo Banks Community Enterprise Foundation allows tax deductibility to individual donors or businesses who require this option. Bendigo Bank has waived their administration fees.
For tax deductible donations please use this link:
https://www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/…/rotaryd9…

News from Peter Crib (RC of Flemington), leader of the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds (RORP) program.

“Another playground has opened in Sri Lanka. This one from Lake Reserve in Ocean Grove has been re-installed at this Buddhist Primary school in Lunuwila, Sri Lanka. The work involved was undertaken by the Rotary Club of Negombo and they chose this site as the school is poor and unable to provide anything of this nature.
With the playgrounds sent or committed to be harvest, the total now exceeds 50 playgrounds. The bulk have gone to Sri Lanka with three to Timor and one to the Philippines and one to Tanzania. We expect the arrangement with Sri Lanka to continue beyond the original planned 40, for the needs of Timor and the Phillipines to grow and a request for a trial shipment to Nepal (where there are 142 Rotary Clubs) to expand into an arrangement like that with Sri Lanka. The need remains.
The project is greatly indebted to participating Councils, contractors and manufacturers. So many are even more committed than the Rotary Team!! Their help has been extraordinary.”
Great work Peter.

The fundraising to ship containers of hospital and school equipment to Ethiopia is going well. The Rotary Club of Footscray in association with Donations in Kind wishes to transport three containers of medical and school equipment to Somali Regional State of Ethiopia.

President Jama is being well supported by his network in the African community and over $14272 as of this evening. The target is $21000. Club members are encouraged to support what is the club's major project during Jama’s year as President. 

The Rotary Club of Footscray members met face to face in the second week of December at 540 Barkly St, Footscray. The enjoyable evening found members catching up with each other after what seemed like an year! Rodney, Club Secretary chaired the meeting and organised a probing quiz that kept everyone mettle and entertained. Jama, Club President spoke about the New Year and provided gifts for the ladies’ present. $330 raised for the Foodbank, enough to provide 600 meals.

Maria provided Christmas music and together with Suzanne, worked their magic to create Christmas atmosphere with decorations on the table. Wonderful to see Jama in a colourful jacket!

Thanks to all our generous Golf Day sponsors contributing to the overall success of the day, raising funds for local projects.

$1200 Sponsors: Kincrome, Davis Lawyers and Seddon Comminity Bank

$600 Sponsors: FPW Finance, Joseph Lois Real Estate

Other Donors: Tripp and Co. Pty Ltd, The Golf Clearance Outlet

We had our first meeting for the Footscray Art Prize last Tuesday.

Philip and Suzanne will the Rotary Representatives for the 2023 Arts Prize. Maria will be president when the Footscray Arts Prize and the Footscray Rotary Arts Prize Dinner take place. The Arts Prize will be announced on late May, and the finalists will have their work displayed for about 2 months.

The junior Arts Prize finalists will have their work displayed for a month.  

The Footscray Rotary dinner will occur on 17th June 2023.