
While February is the shortest month it seems to have flown by which means I am one month closer to the end of this amazing year.

Source: Facebook
Rising tensions over territory in the West Philippines Sea is not a show stopper for Melbourne Rotary. Amidst the fuss and conflict over territories by China and Philippines, Melbourne Rotary (led by Ruth Carlos Martinez) reached out to transform lives and save thousands of families traversing the seas on small boats in search of water.
The PNG snakebite project, an initiative of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, is making improvements in the prevention and treatment of snakebite at a grassroots level. By extending St John Emergency Services the project stretches the reach and effectiveness across more remote Regions and Provinces of PNG. Rotary’s contributions of equipment and first aid materials has directly assisted health workers in the field and led to lives saved and significantly improved outcomes for snakebite victims.
Through Interplast, Rotary supports lifesaving surgery and training of staff in Asia and the Pacific region. Around 28,000 surgeries and 15,000 training sessions have been performed since the partnership was formed in 1983. You and your club can change a life today and benefit that person’s community for years to come.
The silk-Miller Scholarship is Rotary Central Melbourne's longest running program, instigated in 1999 and named in memory of the two slain Police Officers, Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller. (Source: Facebook)
On 26 January, Altona City Rotary held its 4th Australia Day Celebration at the Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows. Supported by a $15,000 Grant from the National Australia Council, the event was the most successful yet.
Whilst fourteen Rotary clubs have sponsored new Interact clubs in recent years , a very good argument remains regarding the need to encourage far more clubs to invite schools in their region to charter an Interact club
Competitors travel from far and wide to participate in the Keiser Bayside Swim conducted each year by Brighton Rotary. But not all sail across Port Philip Bay to take part.
How easy it is where we are to just turn on the tap and usually out comes potable, clean water. Not so in so many parts of the world. Rotary's Monthly Theme for March brings that to our attention and there is an article on in the middle column reporting on a vital life saving project in the Philippines enabling villagers access to clean water without having to travel by boat to get some.