This week’s meeting had two presentations which were both very interesting and informative. Evie Flynn is an Outbound Rotary Exchange student heading to France in January 2024 and Hawthorn is the sponsoring Club. Evie attended the meeting and provided a presentation on her upcoming Rotary Exchange and how excited she is to be participating in the program. She is a very impressive young person and explained how, after completing her studies, she hopes to secure a role within the UN working on humanitarian projects. This coming Sunday, Evie and all the other Rotary Exchange students from the District will be meeting in Woodend for a Blazer Presentation ceremony which Terry and I will be attending. Our second presentation was from Katrina Flinn talking about her recent trip to South America. She showed us some amazing photos from the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, the Floating Islands and other highlights from her travels. Some of Katrina’s photos showed a test of self confidence to snorkel with sharks and climb a steep mountain trail for an amazing shot on the summit.
A group comprising Hawthorn Rotarians, partners and Maya Dissanayake, made the Club’s second trip to Nhill last weekend. The country hospitality was again exemplary. It makes you proud to be an Aussie.
The main party travelled in convoy, stopping for morning tea at Beaufort. In contrast, others had made a long weekend of it and spent time in Horsham and the surrounds on Friday or as with the Roses, looking fit and tanned, meandered in from Adelaide at the end of their big Australian caravan tour. The initial gathering took place at Mr Le café for Vietnamese lunch. We were welcomed byPresident Mary Dalgleish, who, with her team, including District 9870 DGN Christine Dufty, had organised a full program.
Anne Scott's raffle success during the 2018 trip to Nhill has become folklore in the Club. She could not attend this year, but so she would feel included, Noel presented Anne with a prize, a pumpkin and a certificate of authenticity attesting that the pumpkin was from John Millington's garden.
Evie Flynn, a 14-year-old student from MLC, spoke at this week's meeting. She's about to begin an amazing journey as a Rotary exchange student in France. Her upcoming adventure will have her living in a small village named Fleurbaix, close to the border with Belgium. This area has historical ties to Australia. Her host club in France is called Le Club de Montière.
At this week's meeting, Katrina Flinn shared some reflections from her recent adventure across South America which she undertook with a friend.
Katrina’s adventures began in the Galapagos Islands, fulfilling a long-time dream. Exploring the islands, she encountered giant tortoises, including dome-backed and saddle-backed types which are classical variations evolved through natural selection responses to the different environments on the Islands. The town of Santa Cruz had seals casually lounging about the streets, emphasizing both the focus on preserving the environment and ensuring tourists' safety. Though pricey to reach, the experience exceeded Katrina’s expectations with a broad range of wildlife encounters, from Blue Footed Boobies to penguins, seals and sharks while snorkelling.
Thanks to all the members who were able to bring to the meeting today lots of non-perishable food and other items for donation to Camcare for distribution to those in most need in the community. Thanks to those who promised to bring in items next week and of course, those who have donated cash.
Our friends at Camcare have advised that donations of food and groceries have dropped considerably during the course of the year, reducing Camcare’s normally robust supplies of emergency relief goods. (Apparently, most emergency relief providers are experiencing this).
The impact is so dire that Camcare has decided to concentrate on continuing to provide food staples and essentials rather than providing Christmas treats.
The request is for members to purchase a few extra items of non-perishables when they shop to support Camcare in providing emergency food relief.
Once you have booked please let David Pisterman know to add to other members attending so rooms can be booked for the Conference.
Early booking finishes December 15th when prices will go up .
Pre the 15th December pricing is $340 Rotarians, partners and friends. First-time attendees are $250, and attending the Foundation Breakfast (well worth it, ) is only $40/per head
The Club dinner will be at the Rifle Brigade Hotel. ( More details to follow.)
It will be a conference to remember as the venue is excellent and a great lineup of speakers has been organised. For more information, go the the District website: Rotary D9800 conference 2024
A jester, court jester, fool or joker was a member of the household of a nobleman or a monarch employed to entertain guests during royal court. Jesters were also traveling performers who entertained common folk at fairs and town markets, and the discipline continues into the modern day, where jesters perform at historical-themed events. Wikipedia
Terry Kitchen always seeks to finalise numbers by Monday 8.30am Please register your attendance, or let Terry know if you can't make it.
