Celebrating World Polio Day 2023

President of the Phillip Island and San Remo Rotary Club, Rob Robertson, has called on all residents, to celebrate what is a huge global success story in working over the past two decades to eliminate polio worldwide.

”Rotary International took on this challenge of eradicating what is a totally preventable disease, by committing to having all children world-wide vaccinated to stop the spread of this crippling childhood disease,” Rob explained.

“With the funds raised by thousands of Rotary Clubs worldwide, we’ve helped immunise more than three billion children against polio in 122 countries.

“We’ve reduced polio cases by 99.9 per cent worldwide, and we won’t stop until we end the disease for good.

“The current status of Rotary’s campaign is that we know of just seven reported cases of childhood polio. Four in Bangladesh, and three in Pakistan. But to be totally certain we have beaten this disease; it will take another three years to be able to declare the world free of childhood polio.”

Rob said the local community is directly involved in this polio eradication drive across the world, through the funds donated to Rotary through its sausage sizzles, or the Op Shop on Thomson Avenue in Cowes.

“Since its inception, our Club has raised and delivered over $130,000 to the Rotary Foundation, which funds this polio campaign world-wide,” Rob said.

“Total funds raised by Rotary for this End Polio Now campaign are around US $2.6 billion to date. An astounding achievement for good in our world.

“So, on behalf of all our club members, a big thank you for all your support for the “End Polio Now” campaign.

“We’re almost across the finish line, and with your continued community support, Polio will soon be a disease we all eliminated.”

Local community

The club also supports a wide range of activities in the local community.

“Whether it’s a breakfast club at Newhaven Primary, or a Rotary Youth Driving Awareness course at Newhaven College, our youth programmes aim to support our next generations to fulfil their potential in life,” Rob said.

“We also donate to disaster relief both here in Australia, and overseas as well. This year we have supported the flood victims of Rochester, as well as the earthquake victims in Lebanon.

“This year our Club committed to a five-year program of fundraising to raise $100,000 for the Rotary Rehabilitation Garden project at the new Cowes Hospital.

“In addition, we raise funds and help install clean drinking water hydrants for villages in East Timor, and other developing countries.

“These initiatives really do change peoples’ lives and fulfil our current goal of ‘Creating Hope in the World’.”

Rob said the club welcomes newcomers in the community to get involved in the wonderful work of Rotary.

“We always need extra volunteers for our Op Shop.

“If you think you’d like to help out there and meet some new friends, just drop into the Op Shop and they’ll be only too pleased to tell you how you can get involved.

“We also welcome enquiries about how to join our club and feel as though you are making a positive difference in our community and across the globe.

“Please ring me on 0412 331 218, and I’ll be happy to assist.”

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