If every Australian Rotarian followed Bernie’s example and collected just $6, together we could raise over $200,000. If we followed Bernie’s example of $20 it would be over $600,000. The interesting thing is it will also work with New Zealand little fingers. It’s not a big ask so let’s all lift a finger for Rotary to End Polio Now in February.
Dick Garner
Rotary Club of Hampton, Vic
Zone 8, Public Awareness Coordinator
On December 7 two Year 6 Brighton Primary School students and two Year 12 students from Parkdale Secondary College began a journey to help Rotarians in Australia raise funds to End Polio Now.
“Our Year 6 students had a talk from a Rotarian about Polio and how Rotary is working with the World Health Organisation to eliminate it from the world,” said Christopher Byrnes, from Brighton Primary.
“Our small group then developed our project which included a video interview with Jill Woolacott, a Rotarian who had been to India on a National Immunisation Day. Jill showed the vaccine droppers and special clothing she wore and talked in detail about the experience. We were all very impressed”.
Christopher ‘s journey with classmate Elise Senior and Jake Grantford and Sarah Jenkins, of Parkdale College, took them to a recording studio where, with Channel 9’s evening news presenter Peter Hitchener they filmed a special newscast that touched on a wide range of related topics – Rotary, what is polio, the story of Kamran a young man with polio, National Immunisation Days, polio in Australia, and some high profile Australian polio survivors like Kerry Packer and Kim Beasley.
Initially the young newscasters wore their school uniform but in the closing shots they wore End Polio Now tee shirts.
“At the end of the newscast we ask the rest of the kids around Australia to join with our schools and have a ‘dress down day’ with a coin collection for polio,” Sarah said.
“There are 4,000,000 schoolchildren across Australia and together we have the potential to help Rotary raise thousands of dollars to help eliminate polio. Rotary is so close to eliminating Polio that by the time primary school students leave senior school Polio could be history.”
There are two DVDs of the newscast – one for primary schools and one for secondary colleges. The plan is to post these to the 10,000 schools across Australia and ask the school principals to support the End Polio Now cause.
Rotary District Governors will be advised before the packs are mailed to the schools so they can inform their clubs. The Clubs are asked to contact the schools to confirm that they have received the information, answer any questions they may have regarding the project and to encourage them to have a collection day before the end of June.
“This is an imaginative project which will help to educate our young people about Polio, increase awareness of Rotary and raise valuable funds to help eliminate Polio,” Past Rotary International Treasurer Ian Riseley said.
“It will involve all our Rotary clubs across Australia and has the potential to raise thousands of dollars to assist us meet our Australian Polio target. I encourage all Rotary clubs to become involved to help make the project a resounding success”.
The funds raised by schools will be sent to a central Australian point where they will be banked. At the end of the campaign the proceeds will be shared equally between all 23 Australian Rotary Districts helping to reduce their targets and bring the end of Polio closer to reality. Rotarians will be
on the streets.
During the week starting on February 22, 2010, many Rotary Clubs across Australia will be encouraging members of the general public to contribute to Rotary’s ongoing PolioPlus program, which has seen a 99 per cent reduction in the number of global polio cases in the past 25 years. Rotary’s commitment in that time is approximately $US800 million.
Whilst polio has been eradicated in Australia, unimmunised children around the world, including Australia, remain at risk until the disease is finally declared eradicated.
The polio virus needs no visa and a possible importation of the virus places all these children at risk.
This is why Rotarians will be seen in shopping malls, at railway stations and other places seeking your support for this wonderful humanitarian project.
Just $1 will protect a child from the ravages of this debilitating disease.
Please be generous when you see a Rotarian asking for a donation.
Brian Knowles
Rotary Club of Parkwood, Qld
RI Past Treasurer
PolioPlus Advocacy Adviser, Australia
Plan now for community fund raising events to celebrate Rotary’s birthday on February 23.
Looking for ideas?
Go to the Rotary Down Under web site (www.rotarydownunder.com.au) and scan our list of ideas – ”100 Ways to celebrate a Rotary Day”.
When the big event is over, write and tell us of the success – and send HIGH resolution photographs.
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