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A business colleague, who was a member of Rotary Club of Balwyn, encouraged Doug Hawley to join Rotary in 1987. They had done voluntary work together, and when Rotary Balwyn formed the Canterbury club, Doug became a Charter Member.
“I have been fortunate to be involved in three major projects. In 1993-94, clubs were invited to raise funds for the Donor Bone Marrow Institute. Our project was a re-enactment of the inaugural Grand Prix, and we organised vintage cars and 350 volunteers to keep people off the track,” advised Doug and further adding “I was surprised how easy it was to get Rotary volunteers from other Clubs. We raised $70,000 in two years, a great effort for a small club. When the real Grand Prix came to Melbourne, no other motor sports were allowed, so we lost our fund-raiser.”
The second project came when PhD study by fellow-Rotarian, Jill Peake, resulted in a simple eye-screening process. Jill introduced the club to the Cataract Association that she had started in the Philippines, and since then club members have made 23 annual visits.
“We take 25 people who support the Filipino surgeons,” said Doug. “In total, the Foundation has enabled 800,000 blind people to regain their vision! We now screen hearing as well.”
For-A-Meal is the third key project in which Doug has been involved. This project centres on supplying nutritious dry-food relief packs following natural disasters. The club arranges distribution through other Rotary clubs, and would like to supply other countries in the future.
Doug says that it’s a privilege to be a Rotary volunteer: “You get so much more out than you put in. Collegial support is vital, and many friendships result.”
Doug believes Rotary’s challenge is to attract younger members, which means Rotary must change to attract them. He feels that reduced costs and time demands might help with overcoming this challenge.
“Rotarians want to do good in the world, locally and internationally. If people join with that in mind, they become good Rotarians,” Doug concluded.
