Daybreak eBulletin 29-5-19 (Jun 02, 2019)

Created through the merger of Australian Central
Credit Union and Savings & Loans Credit Union
in December 2009.

People's Choice Credit Union's origins date back
to 1949.

People's Choice Credit Union is involved socially

and economically with its members and the wider
Australian community. This involvement takes
many forms, including:

The People's Choice Community Lottery,
which has raised almost $19 million for
thousands of not-for-profit organisations
across Australia;
A corporate social responsibility (CSR)
partnership with Cancer Council

Employee fundraising and volunteering, with more than 1,000 hours volunteered for 54 different organisations in 2017/18;
Sponsorship of major community events such as the Adelaide Strikers' men's and women's cricket team and People's Choice BASSINTHEGRASS.

During the Meeting Mark spoke at length, on the importance of planning for aged care and took us through a presentation highlighting many of the factors that may affect our future lifestyles.

Gerard ran our fun session, he tried very hard to read his

prepared notes of anecdotes and fun statements.

Those present found the punch lines a little hard to hear

because Gerard started laughing long before he could deliver

the punch line, but we all had a belly laugh or two. Thanks Gerard.

On the Tuesday night prior to our meeting, Ian Watson,

Mary Bouwman and I attended the RC of Warrnambool

meeting. During the meeting I presented a cheque,

cunningly disguised as a napkin, for $3000.00 to Tony Austin.

The funds will go towards funding for the clubs PNG Water

projects and this year the project is being expanded to include

training for teachers at local schools and delivering the

Days for Girls program/Materials. Daybreak have also

applied for district grants over the last two years, this brings

our total assistance to $9,000:00.

On Thursday night we held our 3^rd End Polio Now

movie fundraiser for this Rotary year. Numbers were

a little down on our typical movie fundraisers but the 97

who braved the winters night enjoyed a biopic

on the life and times of Elton John. The cast were outstanding,

and all attending had fun trying not to sing along.

Well done to Sue, Cheryl and subcommittee members

for organising another successful event. We hope to

clear around $970 from tickets sales plus what we took

for the raffle.

Rotary Information: Polio Plus Update – May 2019

We continue to make progress in polio eradication

The entire African continent is poised to be certified polio-free in early 2020.
There are three types of polio-types 1, 2 and 3. Type 2 was certified eradicated in 2015. Type 3 will likely be certified eradicated in early 2020.
To date, 18 million people who would have been paralysed or died are walking and alive because of polio eradication efforts.

We have challenges in Pakistan and Afghanistan

There is a pause on polio campaigns in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Pakistan, rumours about the vaccine’s safety were spread online and by word of mouth, ultimately leading to protests and violence.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban has concerns about some of the organizations that are implementing the program and there are rumours about the safety of the vaccine.

We have experience dealing with situations like this before and solved the problem.
- In Nigeria: Misinformation and rumours surrounding the polio vaccine led to a nationwide boycott of vaccinations which lasted nearly 15 months
  - Through our efforts to address the issues behind vaccine hesitancy, build community trust and support for the vaccine, Nigeria has now gone almost 3 years without a case of wild polio.
- In India: Mistrust of the vaccine and polio eradication efforts in Bihar and Utter Pradesh threatened our progress against polio.
  - The GPEI implemented a transformational community-based vaccination strategy to build community trust and completely turned the program around. India has now been polio-free for 5 years.

What is being done to counter misinformation and false rumours?

Social media experts working for the GPEI counter negative social media messages online with a positive educational message about polio vaccination.
The Government of Pakistan is calling on Facebook to take down offending posts and remove harmful and false polio-related content.

What else is being done to get the program back on track?

We’re working to deliver more than polio vaccines. We’re providing complementary services to address community needs (water, sanitation, nutrition, other vaccines) beyond polio eradication in the highest risk communities that are the most deprived.
We’re establishing new partnerships with other public health actors like Gavi to improve immunization coverage.

True to the name Polio PLUS Rotary is at the forefront of providing these important complementary services so multiple needs are met beyond polio immunizations.

We are optimistic.

More Polio information

Friends,

Following yesterday’s news of two further wild polio virus cases in Pakistan, I am pleased to forward the following in depth Polio campaign comments from three of our outstanding international leaders and commentators – including inspirational words and encouragement from Bill Gates.

We now have 24 confirmed cases of polio this year – seven in Afghanistan and 17 in Pakistan – all as a result of the ongoing hostilities along the border between the two countries. When you read the attachments, you will really understand the difficulty of the situation and the bravery of our volunteers.

Bill Gates leaves no doubt on the absolute vital nature of ongoing support from Rotary – along with his commitment.

So please focus on encouraging end of year support from your Rotary clubs. Let’s ensure a high percentage of clubs honour the request from RI President Barry Rassin for clubs to contribute $1,500 each in a special ‘one off’ donation this year.

A couple of days ago, I had confirmation from Governor Russell Gurney in District 9810 he and his TRF team had squeezed another $10k for Polio taking their total for the year to $20k.

Russell also conveyed the message that many of his club presidents were asking what is being done to address the challenging situation in Pakistan, so I am pleased to provide the information contained in the attachments. I believe the three pieces provide ALL the answers and I urge you to share with your Rotary clubs – and suggest they publish same in their club newsletters over a three-week period.

Again, thank you for your service and your patience,

Best wishes,

Bob

Bob Aitken AM JP

RI END POLIO NOW Coordinator, Region 9, 2018/20

June: Fellowships Month

Care Program – Sunday 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd & 30^th
Wednesday 5^th Club forum – 2019-20 committee positions
Thursday 13^th - Transition board meeting – 6 Pm at flying Horse Hotel – Function Room
Wednesday 26^th Club Changeover

Thank you all for your ongoing inspirational support

Steve

LAUGHTER, THE BEST MEDICINE