President Peter Smith's Column

Group Study Exchange visit:

On Wednesday 9 March we had the wonderful opportunity of meeting and welcoming the two GSE teams from Taiwan and the Philippines. It was a great night and we all enjoyed the brief but very entertaining individual introductions by the two team leaders. DG Marilyn Mercer and District GSE Chairman Graham Wilson were on hand to formally welcome both teams to District 9690. It was also very pleasing that many from the Rotary clubs of Burwood, Breakfast Point and Concord, were able to attend and to enjoy the fellowship of the evening.

I would like to thank Sue & Keith Byrn, Nanette & Trevor Duxbury, and Penny & Grahame True for their generosity in not only opening their homes - and no doubt their wallets – but also did the chauffeuring so that that the Taiwan team got to and from their various vocational commitments. No mean feat! Somehow the three host families ensured that the team also had the opportunity to visit and enjoy many tourist attractions in the city and beyond. Many thanks guys, I am sure it was a rewarding - if an exhausting - experience.

On the Saturday both teams visited the Strathfield SES HQ - where they had the opportunity to see firsthand a number of rescue demonstrations. SES and Rotary provided an Aussie style BBQ – even though they preferred their snags with rice rather than on a bread roll! Many thanks to Pat Giammarco for providing the rice, fresh fruit – and a first for our visitors –lamingtons!

Of course a big thank you goes to Paolo Giammarco for his local and district involvement in organising the GSE team visit – not an easy task.

District Conference - Thirteen Strathfield members and partners travelled to Bathurst last weekend for what perhaps was the second last District 9690 conference (i.e. before district consolidation). We all enjoyed great speakers (Jon Konrads, RIPR Bill Boyd, Neena Bhandari, Dr. Alex Buchanan et al) and we were able to experience the full and colourful presentations by the two GSE teams.

Then there was the golf, the bowls and a wonderful tour and afternoon tea of the beautiful 50 room Abercrombie House – with the Strathfield contingent being well attended at each event. The Sunday morning Ecumenical Service and Reflections gave us the opportunity of remembering – and placing a candle – for Shirley Del Prado. Our accommodation at Citigate was, I believe, of a high standard at a reasonable cost (although a few thought it was a bit far from the CBD and the conference venue).

Unfortunately, Ted and Mary Ingall were, at the last moment, unable to attend the conference – as Mary was not well enough to travel. Ted is of course a great supporter of the district conferences so it was a shame that they on this occasion, were unable to be with us. We all wish Mary a speedy recovery.

The next District Conference will be at Penrith Panthers on 23-25 March 2012. The Panthers own and operate the on site Chifley Motel (no concerns about being too far from the conference venue next year!). On behalf of PE Trevor, I have taken the liberty of booking 15 rooms at the Chifley for the Panthers conference – we have until 4 weeks before 23 March next year to confirm or cancel without cost.

The theme, next year, will be all things Roman – with the conference dinner being “Bacchus – Roman God of Wine and Revelry”. So get your toga out and head to the Panthers Colosseum! For more details visit www.rotaryd9690conference.org.au

Our guest speaker tonight – is PDG David Croft who will be talking of his and Margaret’s, adventures and experiences in Wild Patagonia. As with everything Rotary, that David undertakes you can be assured that his presentation will be well prepared, entertaining and enlightening. Enjoy.

President Pete