Rotary Club Spotlight 
Horsham welcomes Gabi Hollows
Long time Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Horsham East in Victoria, Bob Mibus said he felt like a child at Christmas, when welcoming Gabi Hollows to the first of two main fundraising dinners in Horsham in June this year.
Bob who had always been in awe of the work of Fred Hollows was absolutely delighted when Gabi accepted his invitation to visit Horsham. The first of two dinners sold out in less than 24 hours and Rotarians from Horsham, Warracknabeal, Hopetoun and Dimboola also lended their support and helped raise more than $17,000.
Gabi's visit also included a visit to Horsham West Primary School, a talk at Horsham Town Hall with students from Horsham Secondary School and St Brigid's College and a Civic Reception hosted by Horsham Mayor, Councillor Gary Bird.
Honorary Rotarian status for Gabi
Keynote speaker, Gabi Hollows at Rotary District 9690 Conference in Port Macquarie 7-9 April 2006 is made an Hon. Rotarian by Frank J Devlyn (President, Rotary International 2000-01 and Trustee Chair, The Rotary Foundation 2005-06).
District 9690 Governor 2005-06 Bill Little and his wife Irene, supported the Indigenous Literacy program in the Jawoyn communities east of Katherine. By encouraging clubs in their district to support the project, the District raised more than $23,000.
Rotary Club of Archerfield
A call to support The Fred Hollows Foundation's 2005 South Asia Earthquake Appeal by Rahman Deen from the Rotary Club of Archerfield, raised more than $100,000 in just two weeks.
Rahman's cry for help received an overwhelming response from the Southern African Islamic Communities in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. They joined Australians across the country who showed their concern for the victims of the earthquake by supporting the appeal.
The Foundation launched the South Asia Earthquake Appeal to assist the people of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan in the massive emergency and rebuilding operation following the disaster. Dr Rubina Gillani, Country Manager for The Foundation in Pakistan put all but emergency eye surgery procedures on hold to coordinate a targeted relief operation.
Thanks to the quick response of people like Mr Deen and his supporters, the operation was able to deliver food, blankets, medicines, tents, doctors and medical equipment to the Hazara and Kashmir regions.
Rotary Club of Broadbeach - Foundation Legends
As seen pictured right, Sue Larsen National Rotary Partnership Manager for The Fred Hollows Foundation, announced Foundation Legend status to President Bill Waller and Past President Ian Cowan from the Rotary Club of Broadbeach, Gold Coast in June this year. The Club has been a loyal and committed supporter of The Fred Hollows Foundation since 1992.
Rotary Task Force visit to the Northern Territory
A Rotary Task Force visited the Jawoyn communities of Wugularr and Barunga, east of Katherine in July 2006.
The Fred Hollows Foundation has been working in partnership with the Jawoyn Association and Indigenous organisations in the region east of Katherine since 1999.
The group saw the good work and difference that partnerships such as Fred Hollows and Rotary can make.
District 9630 Past Governor Ross Forgione, of the Rotary Club of Archerfield, QLD, and Literacy Coordinator for Zone 7 said "I believe we can translate the experience of this visit into an opportunity to involve Rotary at a more significant level. "Our partnership should be better utilized to achieve much needed positive outcomes in literacy, education and general health for our Indigenous communities."
District 9780 District Governor Nominee Ted Gaffney, of the Rotary Club of Stawell, VIC, said: "What a revelation and yet what an enigma. I tried to go on the fact-finding tour with an open mind, knowing only that The Fred Hollows Foundation was making a vital difference. I was astounded by the gentility of the people, a quiet dignity that belied the position they found themselves in.
"The exuberance of children at the schools had the same sensation as at the Walking with Spirits Corroboree.
"It was a total immersion in the joy of self-entertainment and the gratification of heritage.
"You really had to be in that place at that time to understand how one could be drawn into the excitement of it all.
"If I would recommend anything it would be for the wonderful heritage of our friends in the north, and other places, be taught around Australia.
"I am sure that if we understood this way of belief, we would be a long way to acknowledging the situations that we find ourselves in right now."
District 9690 Past Governor Bill Little and wife Irene, of the Rotary Club of Cabramatta, NSW, said the tour had visited two very different Aboriginal communities looking at women's health centres, a school and a library. "We were able to see where some funds raised from District 9690 last year for audio visual equipment had been purchased in literary training. All were impressed. What a great way to help increase awareness through this media."
District 9450 Governor Ian Murray, of the Rotary Club of Mt Lawley, WA, said seeing the local shop at Wugularr at work stood out in his memory in what was a great trip with The Fred Hollows Foundation.
"To meet the local manager and see the community at work showed me there is some hope for these people to manage their own affairs in a commercial way. It was also pleasing to see the normal range of goods on offer," he said.
"I was very impressed with the attitude of the teachers at the school. They had the total interest of the students at heart.
"What we need to do for these people is to give them some skills and ambition for the longer term. The Fred Hollows Foundation is working at this task."