This past month we have recognised the work of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. House to house vaccinations have resumed in Afghanistan and will target 3.3 million children in previously inaccessible locations.
In 2024, there have now been 19 cases reported in Afghanistan and 21 in Pakistan - a total of 40, which is 6 more than last month. Sadly, this is a dramatic increase from the 11 shown in the 2023-24 annual report, and is the highest figure since 2020.
[2024 Train Ride to End Polio: Stuart Armstrong, Mentie Knowles and Jim Fulton presenting our donation to Dave Anderson]
The Board agreed to make the annual sustaining member donation of US$100 per member to the Rotary Foundation by month end November.
Please reach out to our Treasurer Ross Catterall, if you wish to make an additional donation to the Foundation via the Club.
Annual Breakfast at St Lucy's School
Dear Rotarians and Friends,
October has been an action-packed month for us, filled with inspiring events and updates from remarkable community leaders.
We kicked off the month with an insightful planning session led by PP Neil McWhannell, where members had the chance to engage in future-focused conversations. Although we’ll revisit our plans after January, members can already dive into the resources and presentations from the recent *Fit for Purpose – Club Transformation Workshop.* This workshop showcased innovative strategies for revitalizing Rotary, and Neil’s presentation, using insights from our Club, is a highlight. You can explore these valuable resources on our *Club Transformation Workshop Resources* page, availableHERE.
Christine Hunter took us on a compelling journey into the impact of *Hearing Matters Australia*. Known as a beacon of support for Australians with hearing loss and their families, Hearing Matters empowers individuals through vital information and resources to enhance their quality of life. It’s remarkable to see the difference they’re making in communities nationwide.
We also enjoyed a visit from Ku-ring-gai’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, Michele Bell, sharing her inspiring work with the Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre (KNC). Starting as a volunteer in 2013, Michele has led KNC through impressive growth, transforming it from a team of four to fifty. KNC provides essential support to help elderly and disabled residents maintain independence, along with fostering community through activities and support. Michele’s dedication has connected KNC with community groups like Rotary, Women’s Shelter, Men’s Shed, D’café coffee mornings, and Lifeline.
Just last week, a tour of St Lucy’s new high school offered a glimpse into the life-changing work happening in our own backyard. Principal David shared the significant impact of our Bursary program on local families, giving us a fresh perspective on how our support matters. A big thank you to PP Richard Pitt for facilitating this memorable visit.
It’s been a month of inspiring stories, and we look forward to even more community connection in the months ahead!
Sallianne
0408 670 207
WE NEED YOU THIS SATURDAY: JUST 2HRS HELP AT THE BBQ. PLEASE PLEASE SIGN UP
2024 ShelterBox Bronze Champion Award Winner!
The Board of ShelterBox Australia and the wider ShelterBox community congratulate The Rotary Club of Wahroonga for ensuring funds are available to shelter families in need as soon as a disaster happens.
The ShelterBox Champion Awards celebrates the dedication and commitment of Rotary Clubs that make regular annual donations enabling ShelterBox to be disaster-ready. Your donations allow ShelterBox to deploy aid at a moments notice when homes are destroyed, families have to flee and entire communities are ravaged.
In appreciation, each ShelterBox Champion will receive a Champion certificate at their District Conference, a digital badge for their website and recognition on our webpage and annual report.
If you haven't put your name down to volunteer for an hour or two, please reach out to Rotarian Jo-Ann Moffat. Lots of jobs big and small, standing and sitting. This is our Club's biggest individual event and it would be great to have all members involved.
WAHROONGA VILLAGE FAIR UPDATE
Thank you to our Fair Manager, Rotarian Simon Clegg, for today’s update. We’re excited to share that all stalls have been sold, and payments are fully completed. Everything’s on track, with Rotarian Dave Rigby overseeing stalls, stage setup, security, tables, chairs, and waste management.
Rotarian John Collins has coordinated traffic management with the Council, and Rotarian Jo-Ann Moffat is leading our volunteer efforts. Please reach out to Jo-Ann if you can help for an hour or more! Rotarian Neil McWhannell has our signage handled, and Rotarian Janelle Speight, our PR and Media Manager, has been working hard to keep the community and local businesses excited and informed for a fantastic event.
We have an incredible lineup of entertainers, and our talented creative team has been busy crafting, baking, and preparing for our now-famous Craft Stall.
Our Christmas raffle. Please help us support children's school bursaries for St Lucy's School and St Edmund's College Wahroonga. Our wonderful volunteers will be around Wahroonga Shops as well as Wahroonga Village Fair over the next 6 weeks selling raffle tickets. Wonderful prizes to be won so please buy a ticket and help support. Tickets $5 each, 3 for $10, 7 for $20 or 20 for $50. More books available at our meetings.
Please connect with Marielaor Bobto volunteer to sell tickets.
Pitch For Purpose is an exciting opportunity for students to hone their skills in innovation and design thinking while solving real-world problems related to environmental protection—one of Rotary’s core focus areas.
We invite schools to participate in this challenge and help their students become leaders in social impact and sustainability.
Through immersive workshops and hands-on experiences, students will work in teams to create innovative solutions that address community and global issues. DOWNLOAD THE FLYER from the website and send it to your local school.
Do you have old mobile phones sitting in the drawer? 📱
They are a collection point for old working mobile phones for DV Safe Phone. The phones are wiped clean of old data at an authorised facility and gifted to victims of domestic violence by authorities within the NSW Police. Over 7,927 people have already been supported by provision of a DV-safe phone.
Share within your family and local social media groups and collect. Please drop into Lindfield Branch or bring them to the next meeting.
Vocational Service Awards 2024-2025
Nominate your favourite business or employee!
The Vocational Award Program enables us as a society to recognize individuals within our community who excel in their chosen vocation. They also recognize when an individual has gone above & beyond the normal business activities and has achieved recognition within the wider community.
Make sure you check in with Jo-Ann Moffatt and Dave Rigby to let them know you are available to assist on Saturday 29th or Sunday 30th March. We need everyone on deck. It's a great day, made better with your involvement.
The Wahroongler
Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Wahroonga Inc
Chartered 1975 and Meeting at 7.15 am Wednesdays at
The Warrawee Club
Dharug & Guringai Country
Rotary Australia’s first Breakfast Club.
www.wahroongarotary.org
