Past President Steve Giddens introduced Leon Cleal who was born and raised in a small country town in North-Western Victoria called Warialda, with a population of 1200.

 

Leon grew up on a Sheep/Wheat farm of 18,000 acres. He went to school in the local town to St Josephs primary school and then Warialda High School where he was the president of the school council. His next venture was to the Phillipines as a Rotary exchange student for a year, which he says was a great year in Manilla. He is planning a trip back this year to visit his host families.

 

Leon moved to Sydney and started working at Advance Bank in the debt collections department where he met his wife Monique. They married & had their 2 children, Josh 23 and Zac 21. The family moved, where Leon worked with Vodaphone Australia and was the general manager for call centres. During this time Leon was highly involved in the Kids Rugby League, also serving on the committee.

 

Leon spent 10 years coaching, developing & training Rugby League at Parramattta Eels at all levels, including involvement with the NRL Team to 2004 , after which he and his family finally moved to Bribie Island in Queensland. There, Leon was the state mananger for Esanda Finance for 8 years before moving into the position of CEO for the South Coast Automotive Group. He also continued his coaching & involvement in Rugby League being the President of the local club at state level again.

 

Finally, Leon made his way to Warrnambool with his wife and youngest son Zac nad is in partnership with the Warrnambool Auto Group, which includes Mazda, Subaru & Renault.

 

Monique is assisting him in the business while doing volunteer work at the Crisis Centre & RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association). Monique is also working at South West Eye Surgery part-time. Zac has completed 4 years of his Law Honors Degree and is now finalising his last 3 months, while currently working in Warrnambool with David Ryan Associates.

 

Rotary Warrnambool Members all warmly welcome Leon to the FAMILY and look forward to a long association in the future.

 

Steve spoke of the Disaster Aid Conference Friday 5 – Sunday 7 May, could be of benefit, Tony has attended in the past.

 

This is the opportunity to inform and equip members of your team for their respective roles and responsibilities, inform newer members to Rotary District and its collective ‘Knowledge Bank’, Resources and ‘Personnel’.

 

Michael has received a donation of gift cards from a golf pro-shop in Mentone.  As the voucher’s will expire prior to our Dinner Auction, Keith McLeod auctioned one card of $100 value, $25 redeemable and a $60 gift value tonight. Purchased by Ian Cairns for the bargain price of $35.00.

Peter Symons spoke of the on-going work undertaken by Rotary Foundation.  Beginning at 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary President Arch Klump proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50 set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe.

 

Through our Foundation, Rotary members have supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, provide basic education, and grow local economies. We’ve also been a leader in the fight to eradicate polio worldwide.  The single vaccination as a child may not be total protection in adulthood.

 

In 1979 the 3H (Health, Hunger & Humanity) Program was launched.  The program was developed to improve health, alleviate hunger, and enhance human and social development. Rotary members use the grants to create access to clean drinking water, support literacy programs, provide medical care, and more — particularly a project to purchase polio vaccine for children in the Philippines.  Through the consistent work undertaken by Rotary Foundation what commenced as 350,000+ polio cases presenting per annum spread over 125 countries, in 2016 only 37 cases in 3 countries. 

 

To mark this historic year, we have set a goal of $300 million, including contributions to the Annual, Endowment, and Polio Plus funds. By making a special centennial gift beyond what you normally contribute, you are helping to launch our Foundation into its second century of service. And you’re empowering Rotary members to continue fighting disease, reducing poverty, providing clean water, promoting peace, and advancing economic development in communities all over the world.

 

Global grants – Rotary Foundation can proudly claim only $6.00 is spent to fundraise $100.00 grants.

 

Anne thanked Peter for his enthusiasm in enlightening the audience of the work of Rotary Foundation; Foundation is the heart of Rotary.  Perhaps the historic donation of $26.50 (multiplied by 1.35% = US$) an amount all Rotarians could support.