Report for 2008-2009
This year has been a good one for International Service for the Horsham East Rotary Club. The Club has continued many of the ongoing Rotary commitments and undertaken some new initiatives.
Sponsorship of Vision Australia child
The Club continued its sponsorship of its foster child in Thailand. Letters of appreciation were forwarded to the Club by the child.
GSE Visit Rotary District 5020 – 9780
In March members enjoyed the company of and presentation from a Group Study Exchange team with an interest in forestry from British Columbia and Washington State. The team was lead by Kim Sleno and comprised Jill Werk, Ben Curtis, Koshare Lomnicki and David Brown. The team explored the Grampians and were given a “Lachie adventure tour” of the Black Range and tried their hand at gold detecting. Thanks to those who assisted with hosting, vocational visits and transport.
Combined Clubs Water Project Matching Grants
The Club contributed to the District matching grants water projects in India. The projects were to provide clean drinking water at schools where the existing water is too brackish to drink. The system purifies enough water to serve 1500 students. The Club contributed US$500, which when the District Designated Funds, the Indian Club funds and those of the Rotary Foundation were added meant a US$12,500 total.
Shelter Box
This years’ shelter box was donated through the Horsham Club and is to replace those used in the Victorian bushfires. The box Number is AUS5689 and its whereabouts can be tracked on the shelterbox website.
Geraldine Cox visit – Sunshine Orphanages, Cambodia
Rotarian the late Bob Mibus, as an extraordinary individual effort, organized a visit to Horsham by Geraldine Cox. Bob then with the help of a group of keen volunteers set up the fundraising and evening event. Geraldine gave an inspirational and heartwarming speech. The event resulted in over $18,000 being raised and remains yet another legacy of Bob Mibus.
Rotary Programs
Through the disbursements Horsham East members supported Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) and Donations in Kind (DIK). These provide opportunities to assist the wider work of Rotary throughout the world.
Bruce Van Every
Director, International Service