End Polio Report 2023/24 District 9810
Few Rotarians are aware that the End Polio campaign was the inspiration of an Australian, 1978-79 Rotary International President, Sir Clem Renouf. An interview with Sir Clem in 2015 can be viewed on YouTube. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=9yWjt7MO8h8). Therefore, it is an important project for Rotarians in Australia and District 9810 in particular as the DG’s partner, Dr Helen Parker’s project was End Polio Now. This raised $31,845!
In June 2023, as well as supporting Helen’s project we set two goals:
Donations Goal | Donations as 31/5/24 | |
1 | Raise $69,000 AUD | $94,436.52 |
2 | Have 23 Clubs donate $1,600 ($US1,000) | 21 Clubs* |
*There were 2 clubs Knox and Box Hill/Burwood who donated just over $950US so apart from foreign exchange ‘issues’ the District met our target of 23 clubs.
A special thanks to the following clubs who donated $1,000US or more: Maroondah, Bentleigh Moorabbin, Forest Hill, Manningham City, Warrandyte Donvale, Monash, Mont Albert & Surrey Hills, Box Hill Central, Mordialloc, Nunawading, Rowville-Lysterfield, Doncaster, Glen Waverley, Emerald & District, Oakleigh Clayton Huntingdale, Hampton, Boronia, Mount Waverley, Mitcham, Sandringham & Wandin.
October 2023 was End Polio Month and many Clubs in the District conducted ‘awareness’ and fund-raising activities ranging from special cinema nights to special guest speakers on Polio at Club Meetings. In October the PolioPlus Society was launched which where members commit to contribute $100US ($165AUD) or more each and every year until the world has been declared free of the Wild Polio Virus. If you would like to be a member of the PolioPlus Society you can do so by clicking on the link: https://www.9810rotary.org.au/page/the-rotary-foundation
The current status of polio is 2 cases in Pakistan (6 cases in 2023) and no cases in Afghanistan (6 cases in 2023). Despite these results to vaccination program must continue even in countries that have not had cases for many years.
In conclusion, a special thanks to all the Clubs in the district who have supported the End Polio Now program, from donations to awareness activities. Furthermore, we exceeded the two fund raising goals we set for 2023-24.
David Grieve – District 9810 Polio Co-Ordinator