Today, 42 million people are displaced by armed conflict or persecution. Through our partnerships with several leading universities, Rotary Peace Fellows develop the skills to strengthen peace efforts, train local leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and support long-term peace building in areas affected by conflict. We provide up to 100 peace fellowships per year at Rotary Peace Centers.
Learn how Rotary projects address the structural causes of conflict
In answer to a common question: Marina Bertolino is the person who had an idea, envisioned an opportunity, brought a team together and produced a children’s book series based on road transport within Australia. Marina Bertolino is the irrepressible creative force behind the beautiful Berty Button Kids book series which brings happiness to children around Australia. More important to Marina however, is that the books are capturing childrens’ imagination and igniting renewed interest to read and write via value based learning and ‘pure-bred Aussie’ trucking adventures. As a passionate and committed advocate of children’s literacy and numeracy, Marina acknowledges the vital role inspiring teachers and role models play in childrens’ education, particularly in the case of her own daughter. Marina’s extensive business experience as a road transport executive, has been acquired not only around Australia but also in Europe. She has capably managed and built up a number of successful businesses in a variety of industries such as freight, construction and travel management. Creating the emerging ‘Berty Button’ brand with its jellybean-covered Berty Button fleet, to then convert the eye-catching concept into a successful children’s book series is but one of Marina’s many accomplishments. Now happily settled with her family on the NSW-Victorian border (well it is Australia’s transport hub!) Marina has recruited some exceptionally talented people to carry on the great work of the Berty Button Kids Book Series and continues to evolve and further develop the brand. A dynamic and empathetic entrepreneur, Marina is already planning her next ‘big thing’ but we can’t spill the beans on that just yet… with transport well and truly in her blood, Marina’s roadmap to success is clearly defined so hang on for the ride!
Rotary Fellowships Month – June There are many extensive activities of the Rotary Fellowships. You may find that your profession, business or industry area has already established a Fellowship. If not, why not think about starting one yourself! Pastimes, hobbies and sports are made just that much more interesting if you can be involved in an international group. Look through the list of the Recreational Fellowships – is there something there for you?
Life, Learning & Leading at Scots School Albury … With a passion for teaching and learning and a wealth of experience in relation to quality teaching and assessment, Peggy Mahy was able to share with us the progress of the School and in particular the Life Learning & Leading philosophy she has introduced to Scots.With a theme … “Getting ready for the next 150 years” Peggy outlined the progress being made towards a “World-Ready-School”. Peggy mentioned Scots students range from pre-school through to year 12 and with the programme already in place and succeeding students will “hit-the-road-running” when they graduate.
Graeme Frauenfelder a local optometrist and fellow Rotarian addressed us on the topic of Macular Degeneration, which is Australia’s leading cause of blindness . Macular degeneration, often age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition that usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults (>50 years), afflicting 30-50 million people globally. Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily life.