MESSAGE FROM DISTRICT GOVERNOR JEREMY HURST

Dear fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and Family of Rotary,

Last week in Sydney, Michelle and I had the honour and pleasure of joining 395 Rotarians from all over the world to break the Guinness Record for bridge climbs, an event which raised over AUS$110,000, enough to protect 240,000 children against polio. Standing at the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at 440 feet up, for over 30 minutes overlooking the Sydney Opera House and chatting to Rotarians from across the world was a true “Rotary High” for us in all senses of the word and gave us time to reflect on this great organisation that we are part of. Oprah Winfrey had set the previous bridge climb record last year when 315 of her viewers climbed with her. I’m sure they had a lot of fun too, however what they didn't have was the cause that made it so relevant and so valuable to each of them. This is what Rotary gives us - the opportunity to have fun and enjoy, but Serve above Self as we do it, knowing our actions are relevant and will result in positive change in our world, such as the eradication of Polio in the hopefully near future.

Earlier this month we had the pleasure of welcoming 567 members of the District 7020 Family of Rotary to the Cayman Islands for our PETS, Assembly and Conference. From the feedback we received, everyone seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and went away educated, motivated and entertained. On telling our Conference and District story to fellow Rotarians in Sydney, you could watch their jaws almost visibly drop as we explained what we have achieved this and previous years in our tremendous District. Rotary is a great organisation internationally, but let’s not forget just how awesome a district we are!