Presidential Ponderings
Missing In Action P1 was eventually found amongst the debris of the 'red-shirters', welcomed with thunderous applause and then informed us it was International Kangaroo Day... and proceeded to tell us that on this day in...
1857 - the first International Football Club team was formed in Sheffield UK.
1901 - the first person navigated Niagara Falls in a barrell - yes it was a male!
2003 - The last flight of the Concorde.
Guest speaker: PDG, DGN Jodie Sparks - Rotary's Global Polio Eradication Progress and Strategy.
Past District Governor, current member of the Ascot Rotary Club and District Governor Nominee, Jodie Sparks is no stranger to Mill Point or to Rotary.
A Rotarian since 1993, Jodie began her Rotary career as a Camp Inspiration (Handicamp) buddy, progressed to Rotaract and now a long standing Rotarian.
Jodie was District Governor of D9465 in 2011-2012 and will be District Governor again in 2007-2008. Jodie is a past Foundation Chair and she is currently President of Ascot RC (for the last two years) and District Trainer (since 2005).
Rotary International has for decades, been heavily involved in polio eradication efforts, current epidemiology, and strategies including environmental surveillance, mass immunisation, and logistics.
It has established funding partnerships with governments and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, sought progress in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and faced challenges like vaccine-derived poliovirus, mistrust, and in conflict zones. Whilst dealing with certification criteria, post-eradication maintenance, and personal histories illustrating polio’s impact, the emphasis now is on sustained funding, community engagement, and political support to completely eradicate this insidious disease.
Rotary has a long-standing commitment to polio eradication, highlighted on World Polio Day (24th October) and supported by all District Governors with the much historical involvement of Jodie Sparks.
Australia declared itself polio-free in 2000, the last Australian case was in 1972.
Polio is a highly infectious disease, and consists of:
1. wild poliovirus (3 strains, only type 1 still circulating), which is spread via contaminated water, attacks nervous system, can be fatal; 5%–10% of paralytic cases result in death, and
2. Vaccine-derived poliovirus which arises in low-immunity settings due to mutation of the oral vaccine; no cure but preventable via vaccines.
Polio overwhelmingly affects children under five, yet adults are not immune and consist mainly of unvaccinated adults (e.g., asylum seekers and refugees who missed childhood vaccinations) who remain at risk.
The origin of Rotary’s polio effort is due to Clem Renouf’s 1979 idea to vaccinate six million children in the Philippines, before Rotary adopted the program of polio eradication in 1985.
About a thousand-plus children contracted polio every day. 125 countries were affected and around half a million cases were identified.
COVID-19 impacted surveillance and reporting of polio cases, lowering the number of recorded cases in 2021, however cases rose again after borders re-opened.
Recent case counts in 2021 included a Malawi case linked to Pakistan, and last year increased to 99. This year 36 recorded cases are known as opposed to 54 at the same time last year, with 29 in Pakistan and 7 in Afghanistan.
Rotary and partners have vaccinated 3 billion children worldwide, achieving 99% eradication and restricted wild poliovirus to small areas in Afghanistan and and Pakistan. However outbreaks and reported cases persist, including vaccine-derived cases. Environmental surveillance and mass immunisation underpin the strategies supported by substantial funding and partnerships.
A country can be deemed polio free if no new cases are reported for 3 years and it will take us 10 years to continue prevention, maintain surveillance and fund the end of polio at a cost of approx $2.5billion dollars. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have been matching donations 2:1 since 2013 and have pledged to continue for the next 3 years.
Today we celebrate International Polio Day with Clubs all over the world taking part in some activity to bring awareness of the need to End Polio into their communities.
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
Veronica: Gather at the South Perth Ferry at 9am for a ferry ride (and coffee) to Elizabeth Quay then jump on a train to Joondalup! Meet at 6pm tonight at the Shoe Bar in Yagan Square for photo and free pizza (cash bar).
Lew T: OffTraq donations wanted to support the 4 cars from Mill Point RC. See details on Events page to support and donate to club vehicles/members taking part.
Ian K: Membership meeting after breakfast to discuss the new District Incentive.
Gerry McG : Our exchange student will be hosted in the Loire Valley, France. Remember International dinner on 8 November.
Scott D: Centurian Challenge for Mill Point to surpass last years reach of 40% of members. $100 per year is all it costs and a great mechanism for Rotary members (and our club) to contribute to the Rotary Foundation. See Scott for more details.
STOP PRESS: Past member and current honorary member, John Mansfield is visiting Perth next week to participate in the OffTraq event, and would like to meet up with fellow Rotarians at the Windsor Hotel, South Perth on Sunday 2nd November before he heads home to Newcastle the next day.
Well done both of you!
One Fine(s) Day...
- It's gotta be a feel-good week!
- At the beginning of the week we endured cyclone winds, horizontally driven rain and a leaking roof. Since Wednesday it has been t-shirts and shorts in such conditions that favour the active! So if you've been peddling the bike, swinging on the golf course, sashaying on the pavement, trekking the hills or wading in the water you won't mind coughing up a dollar or two.
- Those whose roses are blooming marvellously, $1 is a small price to pay for the joys and aphids they bring you.
- And how about those who've been inspired to roll-up their sleeves get into the garden, garage or shed, kitchen and bathroom cupboards or over and under the furniture with enthusiasm and cleaning spirit - good on you but pay up.
- For those with skin so fair and totally unsuited to the ravaging Aussie sun, and wishing to hold on to your good looks in perpetuity - have you checked your sun bloc? If you haven't, the real deal is SPF50+ - $1 from you if you didn't do the research!
- Red T-shirters well done, those not in red, pay up.
Attendance
30 attendees in all, including guest speaker PDG, DGN Jodie Sparkes, and visiting Rotarian Bill Boekmann.
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