Spoke N Words 18 September 2024 (Sep 23, 2024)

Posted on Aug 26, 2024

Last week we were very fortunate to have Lauren and Lex from Victoria Police Legacy (VPL) as our guest speakers. Lauren is a Police Legatee and Lex is the current CEO of VPL. In 2023 VPL sent a team to Cambodia as part of the Rotary World Of Difference Program. In addition to Lauren’s excellent presentation on the 2023 tour and the amazing work the team did in Cambodia, we also heard from Lex about the great work that VPL does to support Police legatees whose ages amazingly range from a few months to over 100 years!

This project touched on several of Rotary’s 7 areas of focus and is a fine example of Rotary partnering with other groups in our community to achieve great outcomes for all involved.

With September being the Rotary month of Basic Education and Literacy, this was also a timely reminder that here in Australia we often take access to education for granted. The work done by the VPL team in conjunction with Rotary World of Difference has undoubtedly improved education outcomes for the local communities where they worked.

For those who were not able to attend last week, here is a link to the web page for their 2023 Cambodia tour, including the video that was shown as part of the presentation: https://www.wod.org.au/vpl

Insert pics from the night

Next month, October, is Rotary End Polio month. Please see the item later in the bulletin about the Rotary Walk-With-Us and why not join our team as we aim to raise money to support the fight to eradicate Polio

As it’s Grand Final week this week and also school holidays we are dispensing with our regular club meeting and instead having a social night with dinner at the Pink Hill Hotel in Beaconsfield. Why not come along and join us for a casual dinner and fellowship.

https://rotaryberwick.org/event/social-night---dinner-at-the-pink-hill-hotel/

Cheers,

Andrew

World Polio Day is 24th October! Help us raise funds to End Polio forever.

Why are we worried about Polio in our Polio free country where the virus is a distant memory to most? The polio vaccine was developed in the 1950s wasn’t it?

Polio is a forgotten global virus. When Rotary formed Polio Plus in 1985 to End Polio, polio paralysed 1,000+ children every single day in 125 polio-endemic countries.

Many reading this have lost a parent or grandparent to polio, or your older friends may be living with polio paralysis or post- polio syndrome - symptoms of muscle fatigue and chronic pain. But you, your children and grandchildren are polio free. Vaccines work

Today wild polio virus is present in only 2 countries in the world, Pakistan and Afghanistan. We are on a mission to find 12.5 million unvaccinated children. Strong immunisation systems everywhere are critical to stopping transmission of polio, sustaining eradication and eliminating and better controlling this preventable disease.

There is no cure The strategy to eradicate polio is therefore based on preventing infection by immunizing every child until transmission stops and the world is polio free!

Rotary members have contributed more than USD $2.6 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to fight #End Polio. Together with our partners we immunize over 400 million children every year.

What can you do to help us End Polio?

This October we are asking you to ‘”Walk With Us “ for those who can’t. We are challenging you 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.

Be part of something special: Be part of the end game strategy and raise funds to help make Polio history so that no child ever again suffers paralytic poliomyelitis. Walk with Us or sponsor us!

The Rotary Club of Berwick are fielding a team! Berwick Rotary Boomers and Shakers are back walking to End Polio from 1 - 31 October!

Join us and walk as a member of our team, or, if you can't walk, sponsor us! Previously we have raised over $3000. Let’s see if we can do better this time.

Look for Berwick Rotary Boomers and Shakers at https://www.rotarywalkwithus.org/fundraisers/berwickrotaryboomersshakers for all the details! No donation too small!

Did you know………every donation to End Polio through Rotary will have a triple impact. We have partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with a match 2:1 donation match!

Your donation will help Rotary, and partners obtain vaccines, transport and personnel.

Want to know more:

www.endpolio.org

September is the Rotary month of Basic Education and Literacy

Education presents very different challenges in different countries.

In Australia we take education for granted. An education is available to everyone. Organisations like Operation Newstart play a role in keeping that available to those who are struggling to engage.

Worldwide the picture is very different. More than 775 million people world-wide over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population.

Rotary’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.

Next meeting we have guest speakers involved in a Rotary program that does just that.

Lauren and Lex are from Victoria Police Legacy (VPL). In 2023 VPL sent a team to Cambodia as part of the Rotary World Of Difference Program. We’ll be hearing about the great work the team did in assisting a number of Cambodian schools, improving access and resources and making an education more accessible to the local community. Its sure to be an interesting presentation.

Save the Dates!

District Conference - Earlybird tickets closing September 30th

Early bird tickets for our District 9815 Inaugural Conference close on 30th September, so you only have three weeks left to get your conference tickets at a discounted price.

This conference is all about discovering our hidden talents, sharing our skills, and using our collective imagination to achieve even greater things in our communities. Together, we'll unlock new possibilities, grow our numbers, and make a bigger impact than ever before.

Join us for an unforgettable experience where we connect, collaborate, and create a brighter future together!

WE BELONG – BECAUSE WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!

Book now to ensure your place at this exciting event.

https://events.humanitix.com/inaugural-rotary-district-9815-conference/tickets

What is Rotary #walkwithus?

This October, we are challenging you 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.

How does it work?

1. Sign up – Sign up to walk or run as many km’s as you like through the month of October.

2. Get a team together – Getting on the journey with friends, family or colleagues will be more fun.

3. Walk with Us! Track your journey goal and aim to get yourself on our leaderboard.

When and where is Rotary Walk With Us 2024?

Rotary Walk With Us 2024 is an online fitness challenge which runs for one month from 1st October 2024 to 31st October 2024. You decide where and when to complete your challenge.

We are bringing back in-person events this year, although attending them is entirely optional!

What do I have to do?

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. Wherever you live, whatever your fitness level, you can decide where, when and how you Walk With Us to end Polio. Setting a challenging personal goal will make it more likely others will sponsor you.

Will there be an in-person events this year?

We are planning in person walks on the first and last weekends in October.

The month will be launched on Sunday 6 October at the Paws for Polio Walk in Elsternwick.

Details of all the in person walks are on the Events Page on this website.

Who can register?

Anyone! You don't need to be a Rotarian or Rotaractor. Whether you’re an individual, a team, a bunch of mates, or an entire sports club or a person with a Great Dane or 3 – registering for Rotary’s Walk With Us is easier than you might think.

How much does it cost to register?

It’s completely free to register and participate in Rotary Walk With Us.

Where do the funds go that I raise?

Every dollar you raise will go towards funding vital Polio eradication efforts. 100% of all funds raised with go directly to Rotary’s End Polio Now program. Every dollar is matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Is there a minimum amount I have to raise?

Nope, there is no minimum! We definitely encourage you to fundraise and share your activities with others, but you aren't required for raise a specific minimum amount.

More Informationm:

Go to: https://www.rotarywalkwithus.org

This Week's Photos

SPOKE 'N' WORDS