News
1 November, 2025
Caboolture Rotary keeps fi ght to end polio alive
ROTARY Club of Caboolture has marked World Polio Day on October 24 by reflecting on the global fight to eradicate the disease and the powerful local legacy behind it.
Caboolture Rotary Club Director of The Rotary Foundation and International Services, Leon Misfeld, said the day was an important moment to reflect on how far the world has come in eradicating polio — and to remember the significant role played by the late Sir Clem Renouf of Nambour, a former Rotary International President and key figure in the global push to end polio.
“On World Polio Day, we in this region have three things for which to be thankful,” he said.
“Firstly, we live in a place free of the curse of polio; secondly, we have organisations working to eliminate the threat of polio; and thirdly, a man prominent in the push to eliminate polio was our near neighbour, the late Sir Clem Renouf.”
Decades ago, polio was a constant global threat, particularly to children under five. The disease, caused by a virus, can paralyse or kill its victims, and while vaccines have nearly eradicated it, recent isolated cases have served as stark reminders that the battle is not yet won.
“Polio just did not go away: there was an intense and outstanding campaign against polio and the fight is ongoing,” Mr Misfeld said.
“World Polio Day exists not so that we can bask in the glory of our achievements, but to remind us of the curse of polio.”
He recalled that polio’s impact was felt in Australia in the 1950s, with patients confined to “iron lungs” and communities living in fear. The introduction of Dr Jonas Salk’s vaccine in 1954 marked a turning point, but outbreaks continued around the world.
Sir Clem Renouf’s leadership was instrumental in launching Rotary’s global campaign to eliminate polio. As Rotary International President in 1978–79, he led efforts that evolved into the PolioPlus program: the largest private-sector health initiative ever undertaken. Since then, Rotary has contributed more than US$2.6 billion and countless volunteer hours toward eradication.
Partnering with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary’s efforts have reduced global cases by 99.9 per cent since 1988. Despite near-elimination, wild polio remains endemic in just two countries.
Mr Misfeld said the global effort continues to vaccinate 400 million children every year through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
“World Polio Day exists not so that we can bask in the glory of our achievements, but to remind us of the curse of polio. We must not drop our guard, as just one case can start a disaster,” he said.
Rotary’s message this World Polio Day was clear — celebrate the progress, honour those like Sir Clem Renouf who helped make it possible, and stay vigilant until polio is gone for good.
