Message from the District Governor You may have seen the story on the ABC News on Wednesday July 22, featuring 18-year-old Taia Hayter, the youngest president to be installed at the Rotary Club of Stawell. The story also featured the ageing and decline of our membership, which was perhaps not the most positive message about Rotary. I would, however, like to reassure everyone that we are working with the ABC and other television networks to present a more attractive image of Rotary. Our aim is to showcase the amazing array of projects in which we are involved and the difference we make in our communities. Going forward, any national media coverage will be centred on community service. This includes environment, diversity, equity and inclusion, the work of our foundation in the six (soon to be seven) areas of focus, and how RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) efficiently supports our work. If you have any ideas for stories that could be featured in the national print or TV media, please send them to me with a synopsis of the relevant project. Whilst it is heartening to see how well clubs and members have taken up communicating through Zoom, we must strive to further engage our members by sharing projects that they can be actively involved in, despite the lockdown. As Rotarians, we all enjoy being People of Action, and knowing that our actions make a difference. I would like to send out a challenge to all clubs, as well as Avenues of Service Chairs, to allocate time in their Zoom meetings for a lifestyle and learning event. You could discuss projects such as developing a communication link with others in the community, contributing to seed bank collections, building bee hotels, mask making, and researching and learning about international projects. I’m sure you will have many other ideas to share about things we can do at home during lockdown. As the saying goes, ‘We are all in this together’. Let’s take this opportunity to grow and learn. Philip Archer, Rotary District 9800 Governor |