Happenings at last week’s Meeting
This week was our first Meeting for the new calendar year, so it had been decided to have it as a regular night at the Yacht Club even though it was the third week of the month. Charles began by calling for the Toast and Invocation and then took the Meeting as the Chair. His first step was to read out the apologies, which were extensive due mainly to sicknesses, and then moved on with the President’s Report.
Charles’ Report was brief:
- Manning the BBQs last weekend was made difficult due to the sicknesses affecting the Club Members but also;
- Bunnings was too hot, and
- The Two Bays Run was too wet.
- All hands are required for the long weekend for both the Market and the Australia Day Event;
- The hunt is on for the tap attachment for Australia Day – with many thinking that either Geoff or Ross have it; and
- Announcing that Harry has taken on the role of the Clubs Almoner (someone who looks after the welfare of the members, including visits to the sick, aged and infirm.)
The Chair now called for the Secretary’s Report.
Wayne announced:
- He is working on the creation of a Club Calendar, non-Club Runner, which can be accessed easily by all Members;
- He has purchased the “spikes” for the Market Marquees;
- On the 25th January we will have a Guest Speaker from the Historical Society;
- February 3rd will be the first Board Meeting of the year at Waynes house;
- The 5th February will be a Social Night, venue to be decided; and
- Various Mail has arrived:
- Thanks from two school donation recipients, both from Dromana Secondary College.
- The Electoral Commission has sent out a recruitment letter.
- The Shire will be conducting consultations on the Peninsular Trail development.
Directors Reports were called for.
Harry rose to mention:
- Peter is collecting the electrical tools for donation to DIK (Donations In Kind);
- There will be a DIK Guest Speaker on 12th February;
- Disater Aid has invited the Club to view their operation and this could be extended into a multi-Club function;
- We need to advertise our electrical tools “hunt” on our social media; and
- Bunnings may be able to donate power cords.
The Chair now opened the Meeting for Members.
Rob spoke about the problem with the lack of maintenance at the Market site. He proposed an e-mail “campaign” to get the subject onto the Shires radar. He also spoke about the need to raise funds for Lift The Lid and Rotary Health.
Charles pointed out that both Elaine and Ann will be presenting awards at the Australia Day celebrations.
Lotto was won by your Ed (but no prize this week !!!! Ed.)
A quite eclectic bunch of subjects gave Merv an excuse to Fine:
- Being late to the 2 Bays BBQ (your Ed);
- Having to wash out bins;
- Mike Smith being busy over Xmas;
- Greg for spending too much time at Hillview;
- Rob for talking;
- Wayne for not silencing his phone;
- Michael for too much golf; and
- Tony for dressing too casually.
Charles thanked all attendees, noted that we’ll be back here next week, and closed the Meeting at 8:00.
End Polio Now
February 2025
Update on End Polio Now Program
Below is the current status of Polio for the year ending 2024.
As you can see, Polio is ONLY endemic in 2 countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2022 there was an outbreak in Mozambique, and this was due to it being transported from Pakistan. This shows the importance of continuing the vaccination program to ensure it is truly eliminated. Sadly though, the number of cases increased in 2024 to 92, the highest since 2020.
As described by Murray Verso, Zone 8 End Polio Now Co-ordinator it is like a game of snakes and ladders.
The explosion of cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan is due to several factors:
- The population has become increasingly nomadic resulting in children missing out on vaccination programs.
- Disinformation about vaccines being a western conspiracy to sterilise Muslims and general distrust of vaccines are rampant.
- Sometimes communities refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated unless demands such as improved infrastructure are met.
- Attacks on vaccinators and their police guards are ongoing.
- Recently, the Taliban banned door to door vaccinations by female vaccinators.
Despite these challenges, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) believes it is still possible to achieve its two strategic goals:
1. To permanently interrupt transmission of all polio virus in Afghanistan and Pakistan by the end of 2025, and if no further cases, certify countries polio free by the end of 2027.
2. To stop the transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 by the end of 2026 and prevent outbreaks in polio-free regions.
A generation ago, poliomyelitis was a feared disease. paralysing hundreds of thousands of children every year. Most countries have now eliminated the disease, and our generation is close to eradicating it entirely.
Something Rotarians can be proud of.
We would encourage all Rotarians to consider making a tax deductable donation to End Polio Now and/or become a member of the Polio Plus Society.
Few realise that the Rotary Polio Eradication program was the ‘brainchild’ of Sir Clem Renouf, an Australian and former RI President. An interview with Sir Clem in 2015 can be viewed on YouTube.
Details on how to make a donation and/or become a member of the Polio Plus Society can be found on the following link:
To date 16 clubs have donated more than $1,000 US to End Polio Now.
Thank you
David Grieve – District 9815 Polio Co-ordinator
Tyrrel McGeever
A fascinating life, a great raconteur and a good friend.
