District Governor's Message
World Polio Day 2020
Whilst COVID-19 is front and centre of everyone’s minds, we must not forget Rotary’s focus on eradicating polio. We are so close! World Polio Day is 24th October, and I encourage you to participate in the virtual event being held at Parliament House next Wednesday, 21st October.
Polio eradication efforts have already made a major positive impact on our world. Since 1988, nearly 3 billion children have been immunized against polio, and nearly 19 million people are walking who would otherwise have been paralysed. Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion to global polio eradication efforts, and in 2019, there were 176 cases of wild poliovirus confined to just two countries – Pakistan & Afghanistan. It is so important we maintain the momentum on both eradication and fundraising until we see the finality of this insidious virus.
Last Sunday was the first Rotary in Harmony event, focusing on Classical music. Over 200 people registered for the event with over 180 people joining in. There is no doubt it was a resounding success, and I would like to thank everyone involved in its organisation, as well as those who performed and presented. You will find a critique of the event in this edition of Networker. The next event scheduled for Sunday 25th October, promises to be lively as we rock ‘n’ roll our afternoon away to music performed by our own talented Rotarians. Proceeds from the event will support Australian Rotary Health, in particular Lift the Lid on Mental Illness, and The G’Day Network project.
I am also delighted that so many Rotarians and friends are participating in the Morning Tea with the DG events. The next of these is this Saturday, 17th October, with a great line-up of speakers, a cooking demonstration, our regular quiz, and presentations from Tony Walker, CEO of Ambulance Victoria, on Shocktober, and Robert Pradolin, Founder of Housing All Australians. Please join us.
Have a great week everyone…Rotarians are amazing people of action who truly do make a difference.
Rotary District 9800 Governor Philip Archer