07-10-2008
Lyn Tester
Lyn Tester (left) receives a boomerang from meeting chair Colin Duff. Some of Lyn's talk about the Centurion Program appears below.
- Thanks for having me. It’s always lovely to be at Padstow and renew old friendships.
- How many make donations to charity each year? [hands displayed] And how many get money back from those charities?
- The Rotary Foundation is involved in many programs here in Australia, because a percentage of the money given in Australia is returned for use in Australia.
- Clubs overseas seem to be more generous than clubs in Australia when it comes to giving to The Rotary Foundation. For instance, a District Governor is the Philippines makes her grandchildren PHFs as soon as they are born.
- The Centurion Program in its first year took in about $8,500. It’s now up to $19,000.
- All it takes to participate in the Centurion Program is the cost of a cup of coffee a week. This can help to ensure the eradication of polio.
- I usually send out letters to those participating in the Centurion Program at the beginning of the year.
- Donations to the Centurion Program go to the Australian Rotary Trust, if they are a personal donation. This gives the donor tax deductibility. Donations given by corporations or clubs can go to either the US or Australian foundations.
- Currently, all applications for assistance are made through the US, even if the money eventually comes from the Australian Rotary Trust.
- Up to the 1970’s Australia had 40,000 cases of polio a year. Our last case was last year, so we shouldn’t be complacent.
Lyn's previous visit to the Club to promote the Centurion Program was on 05-04-2005.
Last changed: 16:34:34 12-10-2008