Local Rotary clubs came together recently to join the Polio Train Day, not only to hand over funds raised by clubs, but to also donate personally to the Rotary World Polio Fund to ensure that this huge humanitarian project reaches completion.

Polio swept through the world population after World War I. 

A vaccine was proven to be successful in 1956, and The Australian Government decided to vaccinate all Australian school children. 

In 1959, Sabine drops were found to be more effective, so these were used instead.

Clem Renouf was a member of the Rotary Club of Nambour and worked tirelessly for the community and for the many areas of Rotary developing worldwide at that time. 

Clem was motivated by the success of the Polio vaccine in Australian school children. 

He gathered a group of friends to help fund a program to vaccinate students in the Philippines, a 3rd world country. The Philippines had a huge outbreak of polio at that time. This project proved extraordinarily successful.

Clem became the President of Rotary International in 1978-79. During his year he garnered support from Rotary clubs worldwide, with the aim of eradicating the Polio Virus affecting children. Rotary Clubs worldwide proceeded to raise funds and to volunteer to vaccinate children in affected countries. Finally, in 1988, the vaccination program commenced.

Later in 1988 Clem Renouf was knighted for his humanitarian work.

In 2007 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation joined with Rotary to assist fund this program. For every dollar that Rotary raised, they donated the same amount. In 2009, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation then increased their support with a 2 for 1 contribution. This great partnership continues today.

Steadily, countries were cleared of the virus. Now only 2 countries remain to be free of the Polio Virus - Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

Rotary requires ongoing help to fund and achieve the total eradication of Polio. Rotary celebrates World Polio Day, held on the 24th October annually.

• The Hinterland Rotary clubs are: Nambour, Nambour 76, Glass House Mountains, Maleny, Sunshine Coast Central, Woombye-Palmwoods. All 6 clubs have donated to the Polio program at this time, some were unable to meet the train. Those of us who did get to travel on the rain enjoyed the fellowship and the train ride  and delivered our donation in person.