Abbott finds funny side to ovation

Bad poll numbers and talk of a nasty budget were put to one side as a mostly international crowd of Rotary Club volunteers offered Tony Abbott three standing ovations in Sydney.

"Well I don't normally get such an enthusiastic welcome," the prime minister told the 18,000 strong crowd in Sydney's Olympic Park on Sunday.

"I just hope there are plenty of Australians out there," he joked, to which a small portion of the crowd, presumably Aussies, cheered.

Mr Abbott was addressing Rotary International's 105th annual convention, which has brought volunteers from around 150 countries to Sydney.

The PM paid tribute to his father, Dick Abbott, who was also at the event. Mr Abbott senior is a 40-year veteran of the Rotary Club of Chatswood.

"(He is) the greatest influence on my life," Mr Abbott said.

In all, the prime minister received three standing ovations from the warm crowd.

But the longest ovation came when he reminded the crowd of his government's $100 million commitment, announced earlier in the day, to eradicate polio.

The funds will be spread over five years and will go towards making countries in northern Africa and the Middle East - where outbreaks have been reported - polio-free.

Fighting the spread of the disease is also a top philanthropic goal for Rotary International which in 1985 launched its own polio eradication program.

Worldwide, members have contributed more than $1.3 billion to the program, the organisation says.