See how Rotary makes a difference to local and global communities
27/10/2011
From Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 November members of the public are invited to see firsthand how ordinary people can work together to make the world a better place at the inaugural Rotary Showcase.
The Rotary Showcase is a public display at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre that demonstrates the positive impact Rotary has on local and global communities. It includes displays for a variety of Rotary programs in the areas of community assistance, international aid and youth development.
Rotarian Stephen Lazarakis said Rotary gives ordinary people the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, and he has experienced this generosity firsthand.
“I have been a Rotarian for 12 years and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of helping others in my community. But it wasn’t until my house was affected by the floods that I truly understood what it meant to be a Rotarian and to have Rotarians as friends,” said Stephen.
“We had Rotarians helping us move furniture and belongings until 3:00am before the flood peak. When the floodwaters receded, they were there again to help us clean up the mess.
“As a true testament to their commitment to helping others, when our house was done, they moved straight on to the next one and didn’t stop until they had done everything they could.”
Some of the Rotary initiatives that will be on show at the Rotary Showcase include:
Community initiatives
• Flood Appeal – Rotary clubs throughout Australia and the world raised approximately $3 million in cash and donations in kind to help local communities recover from the devastating floods of December 2010 and January 2011
• Beef Bank – a local Rotary program that provides Foodbank Queensland with fresh meat, at no cost, to support the homeless
• Australian Rotary Health – supporting healthier minds, bodies and communities through research, awareness and education.
International aid
• Disaster Aid Australia and ShelterBox – Rotary programs providing emergency assistance, warmth and comfort (including shelter, bedding, cooking utensils, water purification equipment and tool kits) to those affected by disaster and who have lost everything
• ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children) and Interplast – Rotary programs providing life-saving and dignity-restoring medical treatment to people from developing countries
• Fred Hollows Foundation – An international development organisation whose vision is for a world where no one is needlessly blind and where Indigenous Australians enjoy the same health and life expectancy as other Australians.
Youth development
• Rotaract – an international community service and professional development organisation for 18 to 30-year-olds who want to make a difference in the world
• Rotary Youth Exchange Program – a cultural exchange giving school leavers the opportunity to spend up to a year living and attending school in another country
• RYDA (Rotary Clubs Fostering Youth Driver Awareness) – a road safety education program for Year 11 students that prepares them for when they start driving.
Plus much more!
For more information about the Rotary Showcase, please visit www.brisbaneinstitute.org.
Enquiries
For more information about the Rotary Showcase, please contact:
Chairman: PDG Des Lawson: Work - 07 3893 2037 Mobile - 0418 991 337
About Rotary
Rotary International is a worldwide network of dedicated volunteers who are committed to helping others and changing lives.
These volunteers work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate the crippling disease polio.
Rotarians enjoy helping communities, learning new skills and making new friends.
For more information about Rotary, please visit www.rotary.org.