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March is Literacy Month
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D9465 Russian Group Study Exchange Team in Kalgoorlie
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By Walter Hughes, a member of the Rotary Club of Rocky Mount, Virginia, USA
Have you ever questioned if your involvement in Rotary is really making a difference?
Rest assured, you are
, and I’m the lucky guy who gets to witness and experience your involvement.
I’m passionate about bringing clean water to remote villages in the African bush of Ghana.
There are two priceless moments that happen when we provide clean water to a village.
The first occurs when that big drill rig finally hits water.
Imagine the people’s anticipation as they see the trucks and equipment roll
into the village and as they watch the drill rig crew work.
Everyone cheers when the water flows.
The second priceless moment comes when the hand pump is installed.
People throughout the village come to the well with their buckets and cups in hand.
Everyone is silent as one of the elders starts pumping the handle.
Cheers erupt when the water comes forth.
Seeing the smiling faces of the men, women and children
make all of the challenges worth it.
I’ve got to see some pretty amazing things and travel to very remote villages.
I’ve been there during the dry and the rainy season.
I’ve traveled through corn and millet fields, washed out roads,
walked for miles in the hot African sun to see the work
of Rotarians from around the world in Ghana.
A recent trip brought me to a village, two hours from the nearest city called Domeabra,
which means, “You’ve got to love me to come this far!”
One of the most amazing things to happen in Ghana
is the recent eradication of Guinea Worm Disease,
which is spread because of dirty water.
Rotarians played a big role.
We are now focusing on a neglected tropical flesh eating disease called “Buruli Ulcer.”
The mode of transmission is still unknown but it is found in water
and the soil of muddy swamps, rivers and rice fields.
We believe that new wells will reduce the disease because the need
to fetch dirty water from those sources will diminish.
I can’t describe how amazing this journey has been.
I’ve been fortunate to see firsthand how your support changes people’s lives.
What makes Rotary so amazing is that we’ve partnered with over eighty clubs
from the U.S., Canada, and Switzerland.
Three host clubs in Ghana are leading the effort:
Sunyani Central, Tamale and Bolgatanga Goodwill.
I was recently able to take my wife, Susan, and daughter and future Rotarian, Missy Hughes,
with me this past January.
They were impressed that so many Rotarians from around the world
care about the Ghanaian people.
They got to experience how goodwill and better friendships have been created,
and how clean water is beneficial to all concerned.
Your support is making a difference and changing lives
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Sponsorship Page for “Aussie Pete’s” Marathon Challenge up and Running
by MikeGreenslade
Director of ShelterBox Australia and ShelterBox Response Team member,
Peter Pearce is in training to run the London Marathon in aid of his beloved charity.
Peter, a retired financial advisor and Rotarian from Terrigal
on the NSW Central Coast will complete the 26 mile course with a specially adapted ShelterBox on his back
As part of his training, Peter is walking the coastal path around his native Cornwall.
Peter said, "I'm passionate about ShelterBox and their disaster relief work,
I've deployed with them 10 times and seen firsthand the positive impact
they have on people who've lost everything.
By running the London Marathon with a ShelterBox on my back
I hope to gain us valuable exposure and raise a decent amount of money
to enable us to carry on our valuable work"
We wish Peter good luck in his venture.
Those wishing to sponsor Peter and support ShelterBox can vista the link below to make a donation.
Please forward this post to your friends and colleagues
and fellow Rotarians to help make Peter's efforts a worthwhile endeavour.
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I’m happy to announce that Rotary International and ShelterBox
signed a project partnering agreement this month,
giving the two organizations mutual support in helping victims
of natural disasters obtain temporary shelter.
ShelterBox was founded by Tom Henderson with the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard, England,
and it has provided emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies
for families affected by more than 175 disasters in over 76 countries.
It's another example of the impressive humanitarian work of Rotarians
John Hewko RI Secretary
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Pictures from the D9465 Conference last weekend in Kalgoorlie
Flash Mob at Kalgoorlie Conference
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Rotary Club of West Perth
Rotarian Paul Owen presents banners from his visit to the
Rotary Clubs Of Singapore and the Rotary Club of Raffles City
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Rotary Club of East Perth
WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN A GROUP OF ROTARIANS MEET ON BOARD A CRUISE LINER
Whilst travelling on the “MV Arcadia” which was on a World Cruise from Southampton – Southampton
we met another Rotarian that was on our Restaurant table.
He suggested that maybe there were more Rotarians on board
and we should organize a meeting.
After checking with Reception they agreed to advertise the meeting
and gave us a room to hold it in.
Around 12 attended.
We all spoke about where we were from (3 Australians, the rest British)
and told a bit about our Clubs and fundraising ideas.
After the meeting general discussion took place that maybe
we could do some fund raising whilst on the ship.
Our next Port of call was Rabaul in Papua New Guinea.
Contact was made with Jelta Wong, Vice President Rotary Club of Kokopo/Rabaul.
After checking with the Cruise Director who then contacted P & O Head office in London
we were given the go-ahead to raise funds.
The ship docked at Rabaul.
After our initial contact with Jelta Wong, he and his Club Treasurer Mr. Lilou
picked up 5 of the “Arcadia Rotarians” at 2.30pm
and drove us to the Rabaul Hotel.
We told them we were looking for a local project
that we might support through a gathering of donations from Arcadia passengers.
We discussed a few projects but agreed that the purchase of Incubators
to provide treatment of newborn babies was the project
that would have significant impact for local families.
The current rate of infant mortality is very high and the hospital has no incubators.
The project was taken back to the Cruise Director Leon de Ste.Croix
who then announced over the ship’s P.A
. that donations would be taken for the supply of incubators.
A special 100 Pound Sterling pledge sheet was started
also a pledge sheet for any amount plus a box to collect any unwanted foreign paper money
was placed on the desk at Reception.
Anyone who donated 100 pounds would have their name engraved on a board
which would be on permanent display in Reception.
After 1 week the amount of 6407.00 Pounds was raised,
which is enough to supply 3 incubators.
The payment of the money to Rotary Club of Kokopo is being undertaken by P & O UK.
A most worthwhile exercise and one which without the help
of the Arcadia Cruise Director Leon being 100% behind the fund raiser
and of course the travelling Rotarians
the Rabaul Hospital would not have 3 incubators for their new born babies.
Robyn & Mike Penny
Rotary Club of East Perth
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Rotary Club of Mt Lawley
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Rotary Club of Geraldton
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Calling all past/current Rotaractors & Rotarians,
the Rotaract Club of City of Gosnells is hosting the inaugural “Rotaract & Rotary Reunion Ball”,
this ball is for past and present Rotaract & Rotary members
to come along and celebrate what it means
to be part of the Rotaract & Rotary community.
When: 18th of August 2012
Time: 7.00pm – Midnight (pre dinner drinks start at 6.30pm)
Where: Novotel Langley Hotel Perth
Cost: $130.00 per person – Includes a sit down 3 course meal + drinks + entertainment
Tickets: On sale from 26th of March 2012
There will be a raffle and the Auction off of the RIFJAM shirt signed by the End Polio bands in 2011
Tickets can be purchase online at the below links:
The booking URLs for this event are: http://www.trybooking.com/BGXV
If you have any photos that you wouldn't mind being displayed on the night,
please email or snail mail them to Rebecca Mortimer.
We are particularly looking for images of Rotaractors or Rotarians
back in they 'hay days' that bring back memories.
Also, please feel free to past this invite on to past/current Rotaractors or Rotarians
would you believe may not have got this message.
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Rotary Club of Hillarys
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Rotary clubs of
Belmont and Mill-Point
Belmont and Mill-Point
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Hi There
I would like to draw to your attention the great Mandurah Rotary Duck Race – see info panel below.
I am now living in Mandurah and I am a member of the Rotary Club of Mandurah City.
Please support this great annual event, now in its 3rd year, by buying duck race tickets at $5 each online via the website and perhaps you could come along on Easter Saturday to see the race and participate in the Family Fun Day. You do not have to be present to win the car, TV or other great prizes.
I am the webmaster for the duck race website and online credit card payments are handled by Paypal so I can assure you of the safety of your payment.
The event benefits People Who Care who support those in need in the community in WA and also Rotary Community and Youth projects.
Thanks for reading this, please pass it on to your friends and family..
Regards
Colin Gilbert
President Elect, Rotary Club of Mandurah City
Tel: (08) 9586 9871 Mobile: 0408 923 350
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Rotary Club of Bentley-Curtin
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ROTARY CLUB BIRTHDAYS
Rotary Club of Fremantle Port
March 24th [1980]
Rotary Club of Bridgetown
April 10th [1954]
Rotary Club of Hillarys
April 11th [1986]
Rotary Club of Mandurah Districts
April 11th [1986]
Rotary Club of Attadale
April12th [1982]
Rotary Club of Palm Beach
April 12th [1982]
Rotary Club of Perth
April 15th [1927]
Rotary Club of Collie
April 15th [1954]
Rotary Club of Carnarvon
April 15th [1963]
Rotary Club of Mount Barker
April 15th [1955]
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On a lighter note
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Gotta love this!!
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A golfer who lost his ball fumed at his young caddy.
He snapped, "Why didn't you watch where it went?"
The lad replied,
"Well sir, it usually doesn't go anywhere, so it took me by surprise."
The doctor looked benignly at the woman who had come to him for an examination.
“Mrs. Kumar,” he said, “I have some good news for you.”
The woman said, “I’m glad of that doctor, but I’m Miss Kumar,”
“Miss Kumar,” said the doctor without changing expression, “I have bad news for you.”
