My fellow Rotarians and friends of Rotary,

Rotary always overcomes tough times!

Rotary members have not only been present at major events in history - but we've also been a part of them. Three key traits have remained strong throughout our history:

We're truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs in six continents. Today, members in nearly every country work to solve some of our world's most challenging problems:
 

• We persevere in tough times. For example, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain were forced to disband during World War II. Yet, despite the risks, many continued to meet informally, and after the war, Rotary members came together to rebuild their clubs and countries.

• We're committed to service, and we're not afraid to dream big and set bold goals. For example, the fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only three countries - down from 125 in 1988.

• Woven through the fabric of virtually every community on earth, service clubs of Rotary International were working safely and diligently to maintain connections with each other and our neighbours so that we could cope with, and overcome, the effects of COVID-19. In addition, we were leveraging the strength of our combined networks of members to provide comfort and hope to those feeling the effects of isolation and fear.

In these times of uncertainty, the Rotary Club of Strathfield remained committed to meeting the challenge of finding innovative ways to take action together to help communities around the globe heal and thrive - and become more united than ever.

"The global effort against COVID-19 depends on actions taken in every country. As people of action, this is our time to connect to offer immediate help to people in need." - Mark Daniel Maloney, Rotary International President, 2019-2020.

The scale and magnitude of this global pandemic require our world's citizenry to heed the advice and cautions of the experts. The work and plans of our collective members and volunteers must not cease! Our immediate response after the crisis will be necessary to support local Governments' response to many social and economic challenges that will ensue in its aftermath.

Rotarians at the Rotary Club of Strathfield don't miss out in any opportunity to give. We give help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless. We also take a stand when it matters; to save humankind and serve the needy people. We always step out to address the 'need of the hour'. Whatever the project, our Rotarians contribute very generously.

"Rotarians are very much more favourable disposed toward action than they are toward words."

Paul Harris

 Yours in Rotary,

 

Thaya Ponnia