Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers.
Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centres program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centres have trained more than 1,700 fellows who now work in over 140 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments; NGOs; education and research institutions; peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Our fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 80 for certificate studies at premier universities.
Written by Jed Castle, reflecting on the District 9780 Conference 2024.
This was my third Rotary International District 9780 Conference, and once again it proves to be the highlight of my year. Hosted in beautiful Mount Gambier, on the brink of the blue lake, I had the best time revisiting old friendships and creating new ones.
It was an amazing experience to be able to MC this brilliant weekend alongside the amazing and spectacular Safari Smith. Many late late nights of writing speeches, slightly delusional over google docs and the pronunciation of names. I couldn’t have asked for a better co-host. I feel so privileged to have shared that stage with you.
Also, special shoutout to Kayla Adams and to Alex Lapina. Genuinely amazing people that I loved hanging out with over the course of the weekend. All previous RYLArians, it really demonstrates the beauty of RYLA. Swipe to see some photos of Safari and I absolutely losing it when Alex makes a joke so good we all break into hysterics.
Over the weekend, we heard from some amazing keynote speakers including Natalie Cook OAM OLY, Kirrily Dear, Uncle Ken Jones, Professor Lorimer Moseley AO, Nic Newling and Professor Michael Sawyer. The theme of Celebrating Rotary’s Difference and Making change in the world shone through in our projects, especially preventing family and domestic violence, and supporting mental health.
The walk for Polio on the Saturday morning was amazing, seeing a sea of Red throughout the streets of Mount Gambier. We are so close to EndPolioNow, with the last reported case of Wild Polio Virus being reported on the 21st of February 2024 in Pakistan (@Global Polio Eradication Initiative, 2024). The World Health Organisations requires there to be no cases for three years to consider a virus eradicated. The clock has started. Let’s get to the finish line.
Thank you so much to Ian McKay, and the rest of the amazing conference committee. This brilliant wouldn’t have happened without your hard work and dedication.
Rotary has this unique way to bringing likeminded people together, and weekends like this really demonstrate that in Rotary, no one feels like a stranger. I can discuss, laugh and really be my authentic self around these people. I know that wherever life takes me, I’ll have friends in Rotary to support me every step of the way.
Recently 3 playgrounds were delivered to DIK West Footscray, where they were included in a shipping container bound for Vanuatu. These playgrounds came from Thames Blvd (City of Wyndham), Lubeck Reserve (City of Greater Geelong), and Beeac (Colac-Otway Shire). The Rotary Club of Alfredton has a project there, and Rotarians from the club will be installing them.
The next shipment is 12 playgrounds to Zimbabwe, as the Philippines is not ready to accept the shipment. We are currently obtaining quotations, and expect to ship the playgrounds, along with as many boxes of school supplies as possible, in approx. 4 weeks’ time.
Finally, on 17th of April I am driving to Macarthur to collect a large playground, which has been planned as two for overseas shipment. The playground has been donated by the Moyne Shire and is being extracted by the Rotary Club of Port Fairy. It will be stored at a nearby council deport until collection. The plan is to depart by 7am and be back by 1pm. A couple of volunteers to accompany me and assist with loading & unloading would be appreciated.
This year’s District Assembly is being held at the Horsham Town Hall on 19th of May. All members are encouraged to attend. There are normally sessions & information for:
Presidents & President Elects,
Secretaries,
Treasurers,
Foundation,
Membership,
New Members,
PR,
Youth,
Community Service,
International Service,
Vocational Service,
Insurance & Risk Management
In fact, there is sure to be something for everyone, to further their Rotary knowledge & prepare them for their role in Rotary the coming year/s. The cost is covered by the club. So, if you have not attended a District Assembly, why not attend this year? If you have, then you will know how worthwhile they are, and why not attend to get up-to-date information and as a refresher.
The District Assembly also provides an opportunity to meet other Rotarians in the district and renew old friendships. There is also the fellowship and learning with fellow club members in the car trip there and back.
As District Insurance Officer, Don will be attending, and there is room in his car for 6 others, departing Geelong at 6am and expected return approx. 7pm. Please contact Don if you would like more information.
To those who attended the recent District Conference, we hope that you had a fantastic weekend as we did.
You may have heard that one of our tremendous MCs, Safari Smith, is the Chair of the provisional Rotary Satellite Club of Mount Gambier Lakes RYLA Alumni.
Now that the Conference is over for another year, our focus moves to establishing this Satellite Club.
The Satellite Club is planned to encourage membership of any past RYLArian who has a passion for RYLA and would like to retain that Rotary connection with like-minded past RYLArians.
The Club will:
Promote RYLA and support young people to attend RYLA
Meet predominately online with some face-to-face opportunities during each year
Determine other Rotary Areas of Focus that the Club wishes to support.
This is email is a call to action.
We're are asking Clubs throughout the District to encourage past RYLArians that their Club has sponsored to contact Safari to find out more about the new Club..
The RYLA Alumni Satellite Club is a great opportunity to reconnect young people who have experienced RYLA with Rotary. We hope you will assist us in making these connections.
Some past RYLArians have already joined a Rotary Club—either their sponsor Club or another Club. These are not the past RYLArians we are aiming to have join the new Satellite Club.
We want to connect with those who haven’t continued their connection with Rotary after their RYLA experience.
We believe that the RYLA Alumni Satellite Club will strengthen one of our pre-eminent youth programs (RYLA) as well as strengthen Rotary in our District.
World Immunization Week — 24-30 April — is a perfect opportunity for Rotary clubs to share the incredible progress we’ve made toward eradicating polio.
This year features significant anniversaries to celebrate:
10 years since the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region was certified free of polio
30 years since the WHO Americas Region was certified as polio-free
50 years since the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, which ensures equitable access to vaccines (including polio vaccines)
As a Rotary member, you have a critical role in helping us achieve important milestones like these.
We know our work isn’t done until we end polio forever. During World Immunization Week, raise awareness about the fact that vaccines work and give as proof examples of what Rotary and our partners have accomplished in reducing polio cases worldwide.
How to support #EndPolio during World Immunization Week
Explore the World Immunization Week Toolkit to find graphics and sample posts that you can share on social media with the hashtags #EndPolio and #VaccinesWork.
Use a club meeting as an opportunity for members to learn about Rotary’s polio eradication efforts.
Host an event to raise awareness and funds for PolioPlus.
Start an online fundraiser usingRaise for Rotary and share it with your networ
