Page 2 - Rotary Matters - March 2023

Previous recipients have included President Carter, Pope John Paul II and Dr Albert Sabin but
I think none has been more worthy than our own Dr Fred Hollows who through his efforts,
brought sight to thousands of underprivileged people in our own country and overseas – at
times despite being very ill himself.

Dr Hollows once said: “I believe the basic attribute of mankind is to look after each other.”
What an opportunity each Rotarian has to achieve this. An often heard quotation says:

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything,
But I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do,
And what I ought to do, By the grace of God, I will do.

As we enter the 21st century, the challenges we face are too big for just one man, one club,
even one nation. But together as one body with each of us doing our own part to the best
of our ability, we can make our dreams come true through our service to humanity we will
build a better world of peace and understanding.

That was written twenty-eight years ago, but little has changed. The needs are as great, the challenges as
large and we continue to Imagine what Rotary can do.

As Kathryn and I have been attending club meetings or attending club events, we become ever amazed of
how much our Rotary Clubs and members are contributing. Its interesting than on many occasions we feel
that clubs become defensive, attempting to justify that despite being small in number, that they still have
a place in our organisation.

There is NOT one club or member that needs to do that. Each and every club and each and every member
is contributing. We have been amazed by how much money is raised, how many tasks are undertaken and
how much of a difference is made! There is absolutely no correlation between size and worth. (My dear
late grandmother always tried to convince me this was the case??) Over these past months of our Rotary
journey, this concept has been cemented in our minds.

Rotary now has different types of clubs, we have clubs meeting in different ways – but the culminating
result for all is that common want to be People of Action, Service above Self. Over the past month,
it was great to travel to Whyalla and join with an Area 2 meeting covering The Rotary Foundation and
Membership opportunities. And similarly attended a meeting at the Lord Melbourne Hotel, where
members of the Rotary Clubs of Kent Town, Regency Park and Walkerville, with the support of a couple
from Prospect, workshopped membership opportunities. There is a common commitment to explore and
Imagine Rotary.

Vocational Awards organised by the Rotary Club of Berri attracted us back to the Riverland. A small group
of committed Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Berri were able to deliver a huge punch to the Riverland
and Murray Malley communities, recognising the work and commitment of young apprentice and trainees.
But it also acknowledged those employers and schools who like Rotary, invest into our youth. That
investment is being paid back threefold. A wonderful and professional produced event that would be
difficult to rival.

continued over....