The Rotary Clubs of Camberwell, Glenferrie and Hawthorn joined on October 18th to conduct our 2026 End Polio Walk from Fritsch Holzer Park to the Auburn Hotel, where we all enjoyed some well-earned fellowship. The walk celebrates one of humanity’s greatest public health achievements while committing ourselves to a task not yet complete: the global eradication of polio.
We can all celebrate the extraordinary progress that has brought the world to the threshold of eradication. But celebration must be accompanied by resolve. The final steps are often the hardest and it’s important not to lose focus.
Our thanks go to Jasmine Hu for her wonderful work managing the fundraising, designing and distributing flyers, and coordinating the walk with the other clubs. We would also thank Chris Don, Foundation Committee Chair, for his support and contribution to Rotary’s ongoing commitment to ending polio.
Thank you to everyone who joined and supported our walk. Your participation helps keep the focus on this important cause and brings us one step closer to a polio-free world.
End Polio Now: A Global Mission
End Polio Now is Rotary International’s global campaign to eradicate poliomyelitis, a highly infectious disease that can cause permanent paralysis and, in some cases, death. It primarily affects children under five, but it can be prevented through vaccination.
Rotary’s commitment to ending polio began in 1979, when the organisation launched its first polio immunisation project in the Philippines. (add name of Rotarian who started the program – from Queensland?)In 1988, Rotary became a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other international partners.Since the initiative began, polio cases worldwide have fallen 99.9%.
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.9 billion to the effort and helped mobilise over $11 billion in support from governments worldwide.
Despite this remarkable progress, the job is not yet finished. Wild poliovirus remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the risk of outbreaks means that vaccination and continued global cooperation remain essential.
The eradication of polio would be a historic achievement for public health and a lasting legacy for future generations. Until every child is protected, Rotary’s work must continue.
Through initiatives such as our End Polio Walk, our local clubs stand alongside Rotary members and partners around the world in supporting this vital mission. Together, we can help make a polio-free world a reality.