Q. Wendy in the last issue of PPM you mentioned a number of projects the club was pursuing. Can you expand on a couple of these, in particular the outcomes?
AstraZenica Vaccine Roll Out in Balibo, Timor Leste
Rotary Port Phillip became aware that in Balibo, in Timor Leste, it was proving challenging to implement the COVID vaccine rollout throughout the rural villages of Timor. Given this, the Victorian Rotary Club of Port Philip, partnering with SABEH ( Saude Ba Ema Hotu - Health For All) and Spend it Well, implemented a COVID Vaccination Program in Balibo and the surrounding areas. The program commenced Monday 4th October, and will run for 14 days. The next stage will commence in approximately 12 weeks to provide the second vaccination.
SABEH will implement the program using 30 of their volunteer medical staff with vaccines sourced from the Timor-Leste government. The program will involve some of the medical staff being based in Balibo town, with the rest divided into small teams to reach remote villages within the Balibo sub-district. SABEH will also provide a free medical service alongside the vaccine delivery. The goal is to reach 5,000 to 6,000 people during each stage of the program.
Now that’s making a difference. In Victoria, we have choices with regard vaccinations. Can you imagine not having a choice? Rotary makes changes! The outcome of this project will be more lives saved not if, but when the virus makes it way to these outlying areas.
Tranquility Space at the Towers
Closer to home, we are partnering with Star Health, the Heart Gardening Project and the community at the Towers Housing Block in South Melbourne along with the local community to create a Tranquility Garden for the use of everyone. We all know that being able to connect with nature has a very beneficial impact on our wellbeing. The space is there so the ability to collaborate with others to create a beautiful, green space to relax and contemplate is a real connection endeavour. The local primary school students will be involved in the project as well as they nature the seeds and seedlings to prepare them for planting out. It takes a village…
Q. Can you tell us a little more about the merging of PM and RCMS and the benefits going forward?
Rotary Port Phillip (Formerly Rotary Melbourne South and Rotary Port Melbourne)
The merging of two clubs to make one bigger club just makes sense; more people, more passion, more ideas, more skills and more opportunity to expand how we deliver our services. Here I am thinking about digital platforms. A club that meets every first and third Monday at 6.00 at the Emerald Hotel will suit many people as the fellowship is so important, too. However, having the ability to connect through an e-club will certainly suit others who prefer to connect online to follow through on a project.
Q. What are the qualities you're seeking in new members?
Qualities of a Rotary Member
Members believe that the result of their personal goodwill and activities they become involved in will leave the world a better place as a result. I know that I joined because I thought that on my own, I won’t be making much of a difference no matter how hard I tried but with the support of the club, the district and the international rotary community, my impact will matter.
Be The Change: Join Rotary
Membership contact is Ron Adams: r.g.adams@bigpond.com
