The Rotary Foundation

Hi members and friends of Macquarie Park,

It was great to see two members back at our meeting last week. Leo Driessen has just returned from holidays in Alaska and gave us all the details about his cruise. We can’t wait for the photos – it sounds like the holiday we all need from time to time. Also returning was the new Federal Member for Bennelong, John Alexander. It was interesting to hear stories about the election from his point of view, rather than what the media dishes up to us all.

Our guest speaker was Lindsay May, the District Chair for the Rotary Foundation. Lindsay explained that the Rotary Foundation is both Rotary’s Bank and Rotary’s Charity. Clubs contribute money to the Foundation and in return can obtain matching grants for specific local and overseas projects.

The Foundation is also committed to eliminating Polio from the world, and is raising $200million worldwide with the help of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It will be only the second human disease after smallpox to be total wiped out.

Education is another area that the Foundation provides funds for. Group Study Exchanges are Foundation projects, and Ambassadorial Scholarships send students overseas to study international subjects. There is currently a student from Italy, Rafaella Tiscar, on an Ambassadorial Scholarship studying at Macquarie University. We have invited her to attend our club later this year and speak to us.

Finally, as of Saturday night, we now have a new Rotaract Club on our door step. Macquarie University Rotaract Club was chartered, and their charter president is Jacqueline McDonald.

This week’s speaker is Fiona Plant, a chiropractor speaking on the subject of “Creating Health”

Enjoy the beginning of Spring,

Ross