MESSAGE FROM SIR WILLIAM DEANE
The 2008-2009 Presidential Membership Conference, "Real Rotarians Make Dreams Real", will offer an important opportunity for Rotarians to focus upon some vital aspects of Rotary, both in Australia and in the world. In particular, it will address the fundamental challenge of maintaining, and even increasing, Rotary's relevance and importance to our country and the world in the 21st century.
That challenge necessarily involves the challenge of maintaining membership levels.
My own association with Rotary goes back to 1954-1955 when I studied International Law in Europe as one of the early Rotary Foundation Fellows. Subsequently, I was a Member of the Rotary Club of Sydney of which I am currently an Honorary Member. I have also had extensive direct and indirect contact with Rotary and Rotarians throughout Australia, both during the years I was Governor-General of Australia and subsequently, through my involvement in a very large number of the leading Charities working to help the vulnerable and disadvantaged. Almost invariably, I have found that, in the forefront, or (more often) somewhere in the background, of much that is being done by organisations and individuals working for the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our country, there is a Rotary Club or a Rotarian providing financial or practical support or guidance. There is simply no doubt that Rotary is one of the great influences for good in our country and throughout the world. The Rotarians of today face increasing difficulties and discouragements in discharging Rotary's mission of service to the community. Working hours are often longer. Television and computers are encouragements to stay at home. |
 Sir William Deane |
The pressures of family life are often greater. Sponsorship and access to the corporate dollar are often more difficult to obtain. Those whom it is sought to assist are often more unresponsive. In the case of the entrenched disadvantaged, particularly where the stage has been reached where self-respect and self-esteem are lost or all but lost, they may be defensive, abrasive and sometimes even resentful of those who seek to help. Nonetheless, it is incumbent upon us all to ensure that these increasing difficulties and discouragements are not allowed to diminish the work of Rotary and Rotarians at this time when that work is so greatly needed.
In that context, I urge my fellow Rotary Foundation Alumni members and all Australian Rotarians to either attend or lend their support to the 2008-09 Presidential Membership Conference, "Real Rotarians Make Dreams Real". I warmly wish the Conference and all involved in it every success in their efforts to help realize the aims and dreams of Rotary and Rotarians.
Sir William Deane