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DG Bernie's Weekly
Message
EXTEND THE HAND OF
FRIENDSHIP
This month, we
celebrate World Understanding and this is echoed by the fourth
Object of Rotary which is "The advancement of international
understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of
business and professional persons united in the ideal of
service".
Before we embark on
the World Understanding adventure, let us sharpen our own local
understanding by embracing fellowship within our own Club and to
widen that hand of friendship beyond our own boundaries to members
in other Clubs within the District and then spread the warmth of our
Rotary commitment to members and clubs around Australia. This is the
network on which Rotary has been built as it fosters co-operation
and builds strength to our commitment for service.
We already provide
service and promote Understanding by our work through RAWCS that
demonstrates our genuine concern for people in need, wherever they
may be. The recipients of our assistance are very grateful for the
help they receive and this certainly promotes better understanding
and trust between nations.
There are many other
ways we promote World Understanding and one is by the exchanges we
make with other countries. This month we will welcome a Group Study
Exchange team from District 1580 in The Netherlands. They will be
hosted by local Rotarians and we will meet them via the various
functions organised and at the District Conference.
Various Friendship
Exchanges are a feature of District life and I have been fortunate
to meet Rotarians from Sweden and the USA who have been part of
these exchanges. Recently, Margaret and I hosted a family from South
Dakota who arrived on a cruise ship for a day and have made firm
friendships because of that meeting.
Ambassadorial Scholars
and Youth Exchange students not only gain the experience of overseas
contacts but also act as ambassadors for Rotary by promoting
goodwill wherever they travel. Through the Rotary Foundation, we
provide grants for Peace Scholars and University Teachers to
strengthen understanding throughout the world and build bridges so
that future conflicts may be avoided because in the past, someone
held out their hand in the name of friendship.
Already, Rotary is
involved in ridding the world of Polio and the fight is nearing the
end. Our efforts against the dreaded malaria disease are continuing
and our work via ROMAC and Interplast is legendary.
We are providing life
giving water, feeding the hungry and teaching those who have never
had the opportunity to learn. It is our vision that by these efforts
we will make the world a smaller place where conflict will not
exist, where wars will be a thing of the past because, in some small
way, sometime in the past, we cared.
Let us
LEAD THE WAY so peace will envelope the
world.
Bernie
Walshe
District Governor
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