Wednesday 20 October 2010
The President's Column
Last week our guest speaker was Hayden Dando. Hayden spoke to us about Operation Open Heart – and in particular about the medical team, of which he is the Perfusionist, who travel annually to Rwanda where they do about 15-20 open heart operations over about 5 days. Most operations are performed on young children. Ian Johnson reports more fully elsewhere in this newsletter
This week we welcome Peter Wilson, who is on the District Vocational Service committee, and who will talk to us about The Rotary Emergency Service Recognition Award project. Peter is a member of the Holroyd club (classification Law Enforcement – Administration). We also hope to have representatives from the Ambulance, Fire and SES organisations in attendance so they can also learn something of the award concept.
What a busy few days -
Monday 11th President Elect Trevor Duxbury and I attended a dinner meeting at Burwood club where we heard a great speaker in John L. Lees (who members may have heard at the Newcastle District Conference)
Wednesday 13th Strathfield Rotary - dinner meeting.
Thursday 14th Attended the Fellowship Dinner at Dolce Café’ which was arranged by Steve Taylor. 12 Rotarians and their partners enjoyed great food, wine and fellowship. Thanks Steve for a wonderful evening.
Friday 15th Ian Johnson and I attended the Presidents Meeting at Penrith Panthers. An informative night with numerous International presentations – Safe Water, Save Lives – Rotarians Against Malaria, DIK, Interplast etc.
Saturday 16th 5 members – Umesh and Anuradha Kamkolkar, Trevor Duxbury, Roger Vince and I attended the Bigger, Better, Bolder Membership day at Penrith Panthers. Again a well structured day. With great professional presenters (two of whom had previously made presentations to RI Conventions) – with result driven workshop sessions.
Sunday 17th We (Naveed, Anuradha, Trevor and I) went to Glenmore Park for a day long Rotary Learning Institute (RLI)course. A long, but a worthwhile and informative day.
The 3 RLI courses, I believe, should be promoted more vigorously within Rotary – the facilitators are experienced Rotarians and the courses are presented in a friendly and inclusive manner. Well recommended.
Tuesday 19th Meriden Interact – Changeover which was attended by Kevin Beltrame and Roger Vince, Dudley Mercer, D.G. and yours truly. DG Marilyn presented the new Interact Board with their pins of office – and a RI certificate of achievement.
Tuesday 19th and last night the October Board Meeting. A full report will be provided next week.
Whew!
Cowboy logic: “Always drink upstream from the herd”
President Pete