World Polio Day - October 24th
Rotary continues to advocate for the eradication of polio. Did you know that around the world Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralysing disease?
As shown in the statistics below, polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the recent polio outbreak in Gaza is also causing concern. In response, Rotary is committing US$500,000 towards a dedicated Polio Outbreak Response Fund. This contribution represents Rotary's sustained support to the World Health Organisation in combatting polio globally.
Rhiannon and Mair from Rotary Global Water Safety come to visit
Our club was delighted to welcome Rhiannon and Mair from the Global Water Safety & Drowning Prevention Rotary Club to one of our meetings during October. This amazing group have a mission to eliminate the largest cause of preventable deaths of kids...and that is drowning. So with Alex Rotary's help they have started a program called "Rhythm of the Water" to get kids up to scratch with water safety.
Alex Rotary was pleased to donate several dozen swim costumes and various water related accessories for the kids in the program.
Australian Rotary Health - promoting healthier minds, bodies and communities
Earlier in October we had Patrice Robinson, Director of Australian Rotary Health visit our club to talk about the fantastic research, awareness and education programs that the group has been doing since it was formed more than four decades ago.
Initially established as a charitable fund in 1981 and looking into SIDS research, the group had its first funded program in 1986 which led to a significant reduction of 80% in SIDS-related deaths.
Australian Rotary Health went on to assist many other causes and in the year 2000 decided to concentrate research on mental health. A panel of 9 Professors was established to consider a large number of applications, with grants provided to the most worthy applicants.
To read more about the inspiring and important work being done by this fantastic group of Rotarians visit Australian Rotary Health
Crazy Hat Day for our members - Lift the Lid on Mental Illness
This crazy hat design was judged as the winner.....Well done Veronika!
Our members enjoyed a bit of banter and fun in support of a very worthy cause, Lift the Lid on Mental Illness. Everyone wore crazy hats, bought raffle tickets and won some great prizes including a massive meat tray from Cotton Tree Meats, and a fabulous hamper donated by MP Fiona Simpson.
Mike
Wendy
Craig and Phil
Lift the Lid on Mental Illness is another important initiative of Australian Rotary Health. 100% of proceeds from Lift the Lid will go towards research into prevention, treatment and in some cases, cures for mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, eating disorders and Alzheimer's.
An incredible 650 cubic metres of near new school furniture is making its way to deserving schools in the Pacific Islands
Thanks to a chance conversation between Alex Rotary and our friends at Brightwater Primary School, we became aware of a major refit of several schools in Queensland. This led to arranging a project that was to become a win-win situation for those in need in the Pacific Islands.
So the new furniture for the Queensland schools is being delivered over the school holidays, and the old furniture (still in great condition) needed to find a home.
Step in Rotary Recycling group (RARE) based in Brisbane and "Someone Who Cares Group" also in Brisbane. Both have extensive contacts with the Pacific Islands and gladly received the furniture and will dispatch to those in need. BIG thanks to Adam Maker at Ventia who arranged the transfers and drop off of these seven semi's of furniture and to John Paskin, Phil Saxby, (RARE) and Del Cole (Someone Who Cares)....and especially Brightwater School who started off the conversation that has led to a wonderful outcome.
Message from RARE..
"Some of these were loaded into a container that is on its way to Manus Island, many are in a container awaiting shipment to Fiji, and also many stored, awaiting further containers to be shipped to other locations in the next couple of months. Some items were also loaded into 2 containers going to Bougainville for 13 schools there.
Many thanks for your assistance in organising these supplies for us, the need for educational equipment and books is very great in some of our neighbouring countries."
Membership News
At a recent meeting we were delighted to listen to the member profile from one of our newest members Jo-Anne Hart. Originally from Melbourne, Jo-Anne spent her early years working at various Victorian hospitals before joining Monash IVF in 1993 where she worked managing their Public Relations and Marketing for the next 20 years. Jo-Anne is not new to the world of Rotary, having first joined six years ago and she was also Joint President in 2022 for the Rotary Club of Wynnum and Manly. Jo-Anne relocated to the Sunshine Coast earlier this year and has been a welcome visitor to our club ever since before officially becoming a member in July.
Welcome Jo-Anne and thank you for the ideas, energy and enthusiasm that you bring along to our meetings each week.
Inclusive Kids Kitchen Visit
Paul Morton from Inclusive Kids was proud to show the Alex Rotary members how their hard-earned donation from this year's Solstice Swim is being put to good use towards the "Fuel for School" program and helping disadvantaged children on the Sunshine Coast. Pending final regulatory approvals, it is hoped that the newly fitted out kitchen for Inclusive Kids will be fully operational in 2025.
Paul giving a demo on one of the machines used for packing the Fuel for School packs 
Sample of the dried fruit Fuel for School packs that are going out to Sunshine Coast schools
Rotary Club of Maleny Charity Golf Day
Four members from Alex Rotary participated in the Maleny Rotary Club Charity Golf Day. While they didn't make the winners podium they acquitted themselves admirably and the funds raised were for two good causes - Beneficiaries for the day were Sam “The Travelling Jackeroo’s” charities and Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine.
Pictured left to right: Craig L, Dave W, John M and Ray S.
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