February is World Understanding Month What can you do that shows your local community of how you demonstrate a practical support for international understanding in these times when we face up to many potential tensions between various cultures and countries?

Barry Young was recognised as the city’s volunteer of the year. His border secondary school short story and poetry competition is in its 12th year and now has 14 schools involved.Some of Mr Young’s other commitments are Aged Concern, the Thurgoona Community Centre and the Rotary Club of Albury Hume. He has lived in Albury the past 18 years and said he is amazed by the amount of giving in the community. “There are so many people who do things secretly,” he said. “This is not my award. This is an award to all those organistions that have helped my dreams come true.”

Albury Hume received publicity prior to Christmas with a feature  in the Border Mail promoting the new partnership between our club and the University of NSW Rural Medical School continuing an annual medical scholarship named in honour of our past president Dr.John McDonald, the first scholarship being awarded last year … applications for 2015 are now open. Prospective medical students will be invited to the UNSW medical open day in April.

Get Involved

We are 1.2 million neighbours, friends, and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world. Our differing occupations, cultures, and countries give us a unique perspective. Our shared passion for service helps us accomplish the remarkable.

What makes us different?

Our distinct point of view and approach gives us unique advantages:

• We see differently: Our multidisciplinary perspective helps us see challenges in unique ways.
• We think differently: We apply leadership and expertise to social issues—and find unique solutions.
• We act responsibly: Our passion and perseverance create lasting change.
• We make a difference at home and around the world: Our members can be found in your community and across the globe.

How do we work?

Our impact starts with our members—people who work tirelessly with their clubs to solve some of our communities’ toughest challenges. Their efforts are supported by Rotary International, our member association, and The Rotary Foundation, which turns generous donations into grants that fund the work of our members and partners around the world. Rotary is led by our members—responsible leaders who help to carry forward our organization’s mission and values in their elected roles.

How did we get here?

We’ve been making history and bringing our world closer together for over 100 years. Since forming in 1905, we’ve taken on some of the world’s toughest challenges and helped a wide range of international and service organizations—from the UN to Easter Seals—get started.

How do we use our funds?

Responsible leadership means more than just doing good work—it means making the most out of every donation we receive.

Little Archie Thiele, 3 weeks, will be one bub to benefit from a grant from Albury Hume Rotary. Pictured with him are Albury Hume Rotary president Justin Clancy, AWH operational director of women and children’s services Julie Wright, Albury Hume Rotary past-president Peter Lee, Helen Clancy, Dennis Martin, and district governor Philip Clancy

WORK on Albury Wodonga Health’s new parents and baby unit will soon begin with tenders now being called for the project. The successful contract will be announced within weeks, paving the way for work on the new building to start, with a scheduled completion date of January. AWH operational director of women’s and children’s services Julie Wright yesterday showed plans to The Border Mail, detailing the two sleeping rooms, three consulting rooms, communal lounges, breastfeeding support area and education hub. Ms Wright said AWH this week received notification from Wodonga Council its permit had been approved, meaning all that was left to do was to build. The new site will be three times the size of the existing centre and will be located in Benson Court, behind the obstetrics unit at Wodonga hospital. A Victorian government boost of $762,000 will assist its construction.Ms Wright said for her, after having worked with the unit for a long time, this week’s developments were a milestone worth noting — particularly given the service’s history and the angst over closing and transferring the former service at Mercy Hospital in Albury and transferring it over the Border. “This really has been one of the most rewarding things,” she said. “After so much anxiety last year, to actually see the service working and now rebuilding … every bit was worth it.” The service now sees about 250 parents a month, an increase of about 100 from its old site. “It’s been designed very much with the parents in mind and about what they want,” Ms Wright said. There was more good news yesterday, however, with the Albury Hume Rotary Club donating $1500 to the unit, which will go towards the furnishing of one of the new rooms.

BORDERMAIL ALBURY 28/06/2014