Hello All You Hoppity-Hop Rotarians!
Thank you again, for a fabulous turnout to last week’s Rotary meeting, where some 29 people joined in (I think!!) via Zoom. It was terrific to be able to celebrate Ken Miller’s big news with a bottle of bubbles, raucous applause and most importantly, big smiles from good friends. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR NOMINEE, KEN MILLER, PP PHF LEGEND. :D
I hope you’ve had a wonderful Easter weekend and that the Easter Bunny was still able to find you. Of course it has been a bit different for many families, not being able to venture out of the backyard, but perhaps you’ve been able to take advantage of that and enjoyed the opportunity to sit and reflect on the beauty that surrounds us here in the Hills. How lucky we are to have some space around us; trees to look upon instead of skyscrapers and buildings; backyards instead of balconies; leaves to rake; gardens to tend and newfound “time” to appreciate it all.
“They” say our society is becoming more talented with this current situation. People have found they have time to pursue new interests, now we’re a bit more housebound. In our house, I attended an online drumming circle via Zoom! Lots of fun, but it did seem very strange playing and singing various nonsense words out loud by myself!! Luckily I was on mute!! Jamie (13yrs old) is having fun learning how to use power tools effectively to build furniture. He has also been honing his skills on video games...but that’s another story! Poppy (15yrs old) has been experimenting and having fun with new hair and makeup skills (currently dying her hair bright pink) and practicing her ukulele & guitar; and Jess (17yrs old) has been learning how to use a LaunchPad (electronic device to do with recording & making music.) We’ve all done heaps of gardening (new skill for me - keeping plants alive!!) and spent time playing board games, watching films and tv together. Dominic has been continuing to work long hours, but it’s so nice to have him home so we can enjoy some All The Family time!
Many, many countries and people are not so fortunate. We have the ability to wash our hands several times a day. Many people do not. We can flush our indoor toilet and not worry about where it’s all ending up. Many people can not. We have the ability to minimise the spread of infection and disease, simply with good hygiene. Many countries do not.
The focus this week is Water and Sanitation. According to the website: www.rotary.org/en/our-
causes/providing-clean-water ...
“Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are basic necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life.
When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
HOW ROTARY MAKES HELP HAPPEN
Through water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs, Rotary’s people of action mobilize resources, form partnerships, and invest in infrastructure and training that yield long-term change.”
How is this relevant to our Club, seemingly so far away from water problems? As you all know, we have a member within our own Club who has had vast experience with water projects in many countries around the world. Peter Hadwen brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm as International Committee Chair this year. Russell Marnock, our Rotary Foundation Chair, has also had some experience, especially in East Timor, where Rotary has been working to provide safe hygiene for communities. Russell and Peter secured a $2500 District Grant last calendar year to help provide a water and toilet project in a school in East Timor. With more safe water projects in the pipeline (hehe) our Club is very much involved with helping to solve the “water problems” and working towards the Rotary Goal of providing everyone with safe water, sanitation and hygiene by the year 2030.
