Welcome to the NEW web site of the Rotary Club of Mont Albert & Surrey Hills.
affectionately known as RC MASH
A
beaming smiling face greeted me as I opened the door of Zak’s room and
introduced myself. Thanks to the Rotary network and its commitment to the
eradication of Polio throughout the world, I have been privileged to meet
Zaheer Ahmed Khan, known as Zak. A special young gentleman who has had the
misfortune to contract polio whilst visiting his homeland of Pakistan earlier
this month.
Alone in an isolation room at the hospital with visitors at a minimum due to the nature of his illness; it was imperative naturally that we wanted to help. A spare set of clothes, something to read, the daily newspaper – all things we take for granted. Yes, very small requests and yet so easy to solve. It is an amazing network in Rotary – a young man falls ill with extreme temperature and terrible leg pain and when taken to hospital, the worst fears of Rotarians throughout Australia are realized. The diagnosis of Poliomyelitis is made. Why? How? We often hear that polio is just a plane ride away – and yes, here it is right here in our suburb in Box Hill. The network began in Pakistan where the message from his worrying mother was relayed to an Australian nurse working with Rotary’s Polio Eradication campaign – Jenny Horton.
Through the network of clubs throughout the world and email, a message came through of the need for support and could we please help. We learnt of the truth that Zak is a 22 year old young man who was vaccinated in his childhood in Pakistan. He had returned home to Pakistan with the knowledge that he was vaccinated. Fortunately, the affect upon him is minimal. He has no paralysis and is feeling exceptionally well and very much looking forward to moving on with his life and his Diploma of Human Resources studies as soon as the `necessary negative tests’ have been completed, one already received. Gaining an insight of the works of Rotary and its polio eradication campaign has been a significant plus to Zak in his journey since July 2. With now only four countries being polio endemic, the journey is almost there. Rotary is making a difference to the lives of the people of the world.
Thank you everyone for
another
successful MASH
Rotary Hot Cross Bun Bake for Easter 2007
Supporting the Australian
Rotary Health Research Fund
The mission of the Rotary Club of
Mont Albert and Surrey Hills is service - in our community, our workplaces and
internationally. We foster and encourage the ideal of "service above self".
We develop and implement dynamic, highly valued and enduring community
service programs that address today's key issues and make a positive difference
in the lives of all involved.
Our first Interest Meeting was held
on 27th May at Acorn Nursery in Canterbury Road. In the ensuing five months, the
club's membership evolved to a total of twenty eight with the charter being
granted by Rotary International on 27th October, 2004 – just five months later.
The Club was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central.
The club's
Charter was presented by Incoming Rotary International President Carl-Wilhelm
Stenhammar from Sweden on his visit to our District in November, 2004 to Charter
President Phillip Pearson.
The club has focussed on developing a club
which mirrors its local communities in Mont Albert & Surrey Hills – postcode
area 3127. The club at charter consisted of 17 men and 15 women in its
membership of 28. Our age range is diverse ranging from mid twenties with an
average age of 49.54 at its charter.
The club has been proactive in
Community involvement with Winter Woollies collection, becoming involved in the
establishment of the Sporting Goods Bank, hosting a Community Mental Health
Forum, involvement with Inala Aged Persons Hostel and with our local school
community.
- Winter Woollies Collection
- Establishment of Community Sporting Goods Bank
- Community Mental Health Forum
- Emergency Medical Information Booklets Community Project - 2005/2006
- Australia Day Brunch Celebration
- Blankets to Mother Theresa Old Person's Home in India
- Links with INALA Aged Care Hostel - Afternoon Tea and Blanket Program
- Tsunami Collection funded purchase of two (2) Sampans in Aceh
- Sponsored local youth for leadership seminars
- Primary Schools Public Speaking Competition
- Annual Hot Cross Bun Bake
- Shipped Economics text books to University of South Pacific (Fiji)
- Box Hill Institute - House For The Homeless Project
- Regular BBQs in Hamilton Street, Mont Albert
Where We Meet
| Meeting Cost | $7.50 |
| Dinner Cost | $8.50 |