GUEST SPEAKER, District Governor Kenneth McInerney

He outlined the continuing success of the Polio Plus Program, but pointed out the difficulties being encountered in eradicating it totally. New cases keep popping up in several countries. An emergency grant of $500,000 has just been made to Somalia to deal with an outbreak there.

Referring to Rotary in a time of change he raised concern at an overall decline in individual membership, number of clubs and even the number of Districts worldwide. Rotary in smaller rural communities is particularly struggling. While this is a worrying sign, we can change this trend by just getting the Rotary message out there. DG Ken wants a renewed focus on people in the wider community in their 40s and 50s, because the average age in clubs is a lot higher than that.

DG Ken believes in moving with the times in order to keep up with society. "We need a total revamp, modernising Rotary for the next generation," he said. "If this means using social media like Facebook then we should get on to it.  Even our traditional membership requirements need to be re-shaped." He identified new membership possibilities such as corporate and associate memberships. "There are younger people in their 30s and 40s out there that want to make a mark in this world and Rotary is a great avenue to achieve this."

The Rotary ways of old are becoming outdated, impacting on the organisation's progression. The 1905 system in some ways, well a lot of ways, is still in place - it's 2013 and it just doesn't work anymore."

DG Ken thanked the Rotary Club of Warrnambool for its warm welcome and congratulated the club of its many projects. He hoped we will travel to Bordertown in 2014 for his District Conference and stay on to enjoy the many delights of the Limestone Coast.