Report on the District Assembly of 2012-05-20
Posted by David Owen
on May 30, 2012
On 20 May 2012 several members journeyed to Baden Powell College at Tarneit to attend the Rotary District 9800 Assembly . That in itself was interesting . An unknown area to the writer Tarneit is essentially at the western extremity of the Werribee- Hoppers Crossing region and testament to the degree to which Melbourne is spreading. Feeling confident of arriving early by reference to known Melbourne-Werribee journey times it was amazing that one drove west from Hoppers Crossing for another 15 minutes. The residential development there is immense.
At yesterdays meeting Incoming President Ngaire Cannon led and chaired us through some of the highlights of this recent assembly and programs foreshadowed by the Hawthorn club for 2012-13.
There was a key message. Peace Through Service. This is the theme and focus for next year. In a clip played to the Assembly, International President elect Sakuji Tanaka was shown at the Bangkok Convention where he asked Rotarians to "commit to a Rotary year for Peace Through Service — and a Rotary goal for a more peaceful world."
In a follow on talk an ex Rotary Peace Scholar sought to codify the theme by a diagramatic triangular reference to Making Peace ( the political thrust), Peace Keeping ( the armed intervention etc ) and Peace Building ( the area in which Rotary efforts fall). It was a thought provoking construct.
After the general proceedings members scattered and moved to their speciality interest groups. These covered all the functions of Rotary. For instance two are Foundation and New Generations which Gordon Cheyne and David Owen briefly outlined after Ngaire.
The assembly was a great forum to learn about Rotary and especially the Australian scene. Newer members and office bearers particularly would benefit, so keep alert for next year's.
At yesterdays meeting Incoming President Ngaire Cannon led and chaired us through some of the highlights of this recent assembly and programs foreshadowed by the Hawthorn club for 2012-13.
There was a key message. Peace Through Service. This is the theme and focus for next year. In a clip played to the Assembly, International President elect Sakuji Tanaka was shown at the Bangkok Convention where he asked Rotarians to "commit to a Rotary year for Peace Through Service — and a Rotary goal for a more peaceful world."
In a follow on talk an ex Rotary Peace Scholar sought to codify the theme by a diagramatic triangular reference to Making Peace ( the political thrust), Peace Keeping ( the armed intervention etc ) and Peace Building ( the area in which Rotary efforts fall). It was a thought provoking construct.
After the general proceedings members scattered and moved to their speciality interest groups. These covered all the functions of Rotary. For instance two are Foundation and New Generations which Gordon Cheyne and David Owen briefly outlined after Ngaire.
The assembly was a great forum to learn about Rotary and especially the Australian scene. Newer members and office bearers particularly would benefit, so keep alert for next year's.