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Guest Speaker Report Wednesday 30 March 2011 by Rotarian Ian Johnson (reporter) Last week our guest speaker was Amanda Woods. Amanda is our District’s Rotaract Representative. Amanda is a member of Gunargarang Rotaract Club. Amanda was introduced by Bradley Ayres. Amanda advised us that Rotaract Clubs do all the things that Rotary Clubs do but members are aged 18-30 years of age. She advised us that the first Roteract Club was formed in 1968 in the US. There are now 8,200 Rotaract Clubs in 170 countries with 190,000 members. Amanda advised us that her club’s name was formed from the aboriginal word meaning “where the mountains meet the plains”. Her club meets alternatively in a recreation club and a pub and the members are more than happy with this arrangement. Amanda advised us that getting to know Rotaract members was a good way to get future Rotarians. Amanda then informed us of a couple of projects that her club is currently involved in. They are involved in the project to foster multi district information sharing, including resources and templates (MDIO). The project aims to include all districts in the Asia-Pacific area. Amanda’s club is also supporting the “Kathleen Keegal Children’s Fund”. This fund provides money to run the “St Anthony’s Boys Home” and associated “Agricultural Project” in Sri Lanka. The home looks after orphaned boys and girls until they reach 16 years of age. The agricultural project provides food for the home and training for the children. The home provides accommodation for the children and some teaching. A library containing 1,400 books has been set up. Members of Amanda’s club have travelled to Sri Lanka to give hands on assistance at the home. They also met up with a local club who now also provided assistance to the home. In conclusion Amanda informed us that she would be returning to Sri Lanka this year to meet the children again and to help complete the library. Amanda advised us that financial support was needed and that she would be grateful for any support our club could give. Amanda was thanked by Allan Teale.
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