Vision for a better future

By Lia Bichel
A NARRE WARREN resident has proved that you don’t need sight to have an inner vision for peace and unity.
Since Rotary Club of Narre Warren president Ian Pickering was classified blind nearly 30 years ago at age 38, he has made more than a dozen self-funded trips overseas with Action Aid Australia in support of projects that will essentially make lives easier for people in third world countries.
His wife Lyn has joined him on eleven of his trips, and his granddaughter Kirra has joined on two.
Mr Pickering learned about Action Aid Australia in 1988, during a presentation at the Rotary club. He decided to do volunteer work with the group, and by 1992 he ventured on his first-ever trip outside of Australia, to Bangladesh and India.
“I thought life was over when I finished teaching,” he said. “But this experience was the beginning of my second life. It became a passion.”
He met members of Action Aids partner organisation SEDS (Social Education and Development Society.) and worked together to support and educate Indians about environmental projects.
In collaboration with other humanitarian groups across the world, Action Aid Australia funded watershed management projects, which included installation of water catchment facilities, fish seeding and tree planting.
Due to his travels, the Rotary Club of Narre Warren took an interest in Action Aid Australia’s work, and supported matching grant programs for developing countries.
Mr Pickering combined his involvement in Rotary and Action Aid by speaking at Rotary Conferences in India and Indonesia as well as the local district conference and local Rotary Clubs. He also spoke about his experiences to other clubs, including U3A, Probus, vision groups, schools and garden clubs.
In 2007 Mr Pickering’s passion, strength, and determination were recognised when he received Rotary’s highest honour, the ‘Service Above Self’ Award. He is the only member in Rotary district 9820’s 50-year history to have received the award.
Mr Pickering said he was honoured, but said he is not looking for recognition.
“I do what I do for satisfaction. I do it to help other people develop skills,” he said, “and I’ll continue to do it for as long as I am able.”