What an amazing year it has been.. moving on to the next..

Living the theme

Dear fellow Rotarians,
For 60 years, choosing a theme has been the privilege, and sometimes the challenge, of each incoming president. Looking back on those past themes opens a small window into the thinking and the vision of each leader – how they saw Rotary, the place they saw for Rotary in the world and what they hoped Rotary would achieve.

When my turn came to choose a theme, I did not hesitate. I knew immediately that our theme in 2017-18 would be Rotary: Making a Difference. For me, that small phrase describes not only what we do now, but what we aspire to do. We want to make a difference. We strive to help, to have an impact, to make the world a bit better.

Over the past two years, I have seen so many ways that Rotary is doing just that. In California, after the devastating wildfires last year, I saw Rotarians Making a Difference to those who had lost everything. In Guatemala, I saw the difference that simple wood stoves are making in the lives of women who had been cooking on open fires: they no longer breathe smoke when they cook, they spend less time gathering firewood and they are using their stoves to start small businesses. In Israel, I visited a Rotary-supported hyperbaric centre that is helping brain injury and stroke patients return to healthy, productive lives. In communities around the world, Rotarians are Making a Difference by resettling refugees, immunising children, ensuring a safe blood supply and helping young people learn and thrive.

All over the world, I have been a part of Rotarians’ commitment to planting trees. As this issue goes to press, we are still awaiting the final count of trees planted, but I am delighted to announce that we have already far surpassed our original goal of 1.2 million trees – one new tree per Rotarian. And, all over the world, Rotary is continuing its advocacy, fundraising and support for polio eradication. Last year, wild poliovirus caused only 22 cases of paralysis in only two countries.

I am confident that soon that number will be zero, and we will begin a new phase in the timeline of eradication: counting down at least three years from the last sign of wild virus to the certification of a polio-free world.

As Juliet and I return home to Australia, we will bring warm memories of the places we have visited, the friends we have made and the service we have seen. Thank you, all of you, for the tremendous work you are doing, through Rotary: Making a Difference. ... See more

So this actually happened today.. Rotary District 9820 Changeover, one to remember for sure.. To our President Ashley Lamers what an amazing & well deserved achievement, to be recognized & awarded your Paul Harris Fellow from a district level..Wow, just wow.. You Became inspired.. Had a Vision.. Made a Plan.. Then Executed.. To our amazing leaders, teachers & mentors of our Rotary Club of Wonthaggi, without you all this would not have been possible.. To our greater Rotary Club family of Leongatha, Korumburra, Phillip Island & San Remo, Inverloch & Foster thank you all for your continuous support & encouragement.. To our District Governor Don, under your leadership & guidance, this far fetched idea became a reality.. and to our Assistant Governor Cheryl, you guided us every step of the way to which we are truly grateful.. To Wendy & her amazing team from the South Gippsland & Bass Coast Local learning & education network Leongatha.. a partnership we hope will only grow stronger.. I accept this Paul Harris Fellow on behalf of each & every one of you.. #FriendsinRotary ... See more

Was great to be a part of this amazing event.

Last Tuesday Wonthaggi Secondary College VCAL students collaborated with SGBCLLEN to facilitate the 2018 Wonthaggi SC Inspiring Young People event. There were 50 students and 30 mentors in attendance. Students had the opportunity to talk with a wide range of mentors from various backgrounds and workplaces to gain real insight into career pathways and local opportunities. Three dynamic guest speakers, Bec Slavin - Youth Support and Advocacy Services, Bec Owen - Assistant Manager Forensic Technical Services Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine - VIFM and local surfer and musician, David Manning adressed the students. Geraldine Archibald from Bass Coast Shire Council was a fantastic MC keeping the audience engaged throughout the entire event.

A big thank you to all the mentors who represented a diverse range of organisations including Watersure, Anglicare Victoria, Voyage Fitness Wonthaggi, Wonthaggi Police Station, Wonthaggi Amcal Pharmacy, Edge Of The Earth Hair & Surf, Venus Bay Victoria, YMCA Wonthaggi, Rotary Club of Wonthaggi, Anglican Church, Wonthaggi, National Disability Coordination Officer NDCO Eastern Victoria-Gippsland , Bass Coast Adult Education Centre ... See more