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DG Bernie's Weekly
Message
THE RIVER THAT
GREW
We celebrated the
102nd birthday of Rotary on 23rd February and
it is not really party time but usually a time of reflection and
understanding of the journey over the past century and about what
makes it such a fantastic survivor.
When Paul Harris,
together with Sylvester Schiele, Gustavus Loehr and Hiram Shorey met
and formed the first Rotary Club, there were many trades and labour
groups, associations, religious clubs and ethnic groups. To start a
new club would seem foolhardy yet, they decided they would only
admit one person per profession or trade. It was due to this that
they soon attracted large numbers because the members did not have
the business competition to worry about and fellowship and fun
became the cement that bound them together and allowed them respite
from the strains and pressures of business.
Service was quickly
developed and in the early days of the twentieth century in Chicago,
there were many causes and people in need. Their early efforts
concentrated on the young people of the city and their community and
Rotary became known as a "service club", in fact, the first service
club in the world. Soon, those early members developed the need for
world understanding as they also lived in troubled times and foresaw
that a world of peace would lift the quality of life for all.
Business was very much "dog eat dog" and greed ruled supreme. Ethics
in business or a fair go for all became part of the Rotary
creed.
Rotary has been
likened to a mighty river that started as a few bubbles from the
spring of inspiration and soon wound a path around the world with
tributaries branching off as new initiatives were started and as key
Rotarians developed different programs. Polio eradication was a
large tributary in itself but its success did not influence the flow
of the river as it grew larger and larger.
Today we boast about
our representation by over 32,000 Clubs and 1.2 million Rotarians in
over 180 countries and geographic regions. We bask in the success of
the many worthwhile and imaginative projects completed by hard
working and smart Rotarians and we know that we are truly part of
that river.
In Australia, we have
experienced drought and know that it affects the river's flow, the
level of the water and the effectiveness of its journey.
As Rotarians, let us
not be the cause of a drought that affects our river. Let us
maintain the river's level through our continued efforts to do good
in the world and to share the Rotary experience with our friends and
business associates so that the river will continue to expand and
envelope the whole world and eradicate the pain and suffering that
exists today, not only in foreign lands, but also in our own
communities.
LEAD THE
WAY and take care of our life giving river.
Bernie
Walshe
District Governor
CANBERRA CONFERENCE
COUNTDOWN
It is
still not too late to register but you will need to book your
own accommodation
For Enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the Conference
Secretariat:
email: conference@rotaryd9800.org
Telephone: 03 9810 3509 or Mobile: 0400 584
863
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