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Hunters Hill Local News |
7 July 2010
TO THE POINT with Connie Netterfield
To The POINT
With
Connie Netterfield
YEARS AGO, when my son was quite young, I had a neighbour who was a Rotarian.
He often spoke of the things he did at a time when Rotary was a strictly male organisation. But the seed was sown and when, some 30 years later the doors had been opened to women, I was invited to visit the Gladesville Club and before too long I became a member of the oldest service organisation in the world.
And through that open door I have had wonderful experiences and met wonderful people - people who, although they lead busy lives, want to give something back to the community by giving help for those in need. And whether they are local or in far off places, Rotarians lead the way.
Both medical research (brain cancer, motor neurone, and diabetes) and vaccination campaigns are on the list of priorities.
Since 1985, with the help of World Health Organisation, Bill Gates Foundation and other organisations, we have wiped out polio in most countries of the world.
This year we even got into Afghanistan; the head of the United Nations used his influence with the Taliban to let us in to vaccinate their children. Since then there has been virtually no polio. We have a little way to go, but nearly 90 per cent of the world is now polio free. It’s a proud feeling.
* * *
MY PERSONAL role for the past few years has involved community activities for young people: there’s Rotary Youth Driver Awareness for Year 11 students, with a full day exposing them to the responsibilities of driving a car; and Youth Leadership Awards, a week’s program for the development of confidence and living skills.
With Youth Exchange young people can live in one of 82 countries for a year, learning the culture and language of the country. Our club presents $2,000 each to three high-school graduates, who have achieved high results and been good school citizens, to assist with their tertiary studies.
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I CAN’T tell you all the things we do, but here’s a few: mosquito nets in the tropics to combat malaria; drinking wells; toilets in schools (India has special needs because of taboos for maturing girls - no toilets, no schooling); surgical teams go to isolated areas in the Pacific Rim and spend their holidays working on malformed and injured people.
Those things are part of the big picture of Rotary, but locally there is much to be done for lonely and poor people in our community.
Many students need help to pursue their education, and nursing homes have lots of people who are never visited or receive little luxuries. Rotarians do much to ease their burden.
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EACH YEAR we have an annual conference - it’s just so important. Apart from the fun, renewing friendships and attending stimulating sessions, we have some of the best speakers in Australia.
Saturday night dinners are great fun with everyone dressing up to reflect the theme of the conference.
Becoming a Rotarian is the best thing I’ve ever done.
* CONNIE NETTERFIELD is Community Chairman Rotary Club of Gladesville.
Courtesy of TWT
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