The 2018 District Conferenc  e in Leeton from the 4th to 6th of May was, as George and Carol suggested, a highlight of the Rotary year. Rotarians from across the district came to Leeton in numbers not seen in several years. Registered attendees topped 250. There were several outstanding speakers such as Sarah Brown from the Purple House, His Excellency Abel Guterres, Timor-Leste Ambassador to Australia, Peter Wilkins, retired Sports Commentator with the ABC and Brendan Farrell – Burrumbuttock Hay Run founder. To view a photo album of the conference, click here. |
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The 2018 District Conference in Leeton from the 4th to 6th of May was, as George and Carol suggested, a highlight of the Rotary year. Rotarians from across the district came to Leeton in numbers not seen in several years. Registered attendees topped 250. There were several outstanding speakers such as Sarah Brown from the Purple House, His Excellency Abel Guterres, Timor-Leste Ambassador to Australia, Peter Wilkins, retired Sports Commentator with the ABC and Brendan Farrell – Burrumbuttock Hay Run founder. To view a photo album of the conference, click here or on the photo of the ROXY. |
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arol and I would like to cordially invite you to the 2018 District Conference in Leeton from the 4th to 6th of May. District Conferences are a highlight of the Rotary year – bringing together Rotarians from across the district to celebrate Rotary, hear inspirational speakers, make new friends and catch up with old acquaintences.
arol and I would like to cordially invite you to the 2018 District Conference in Leeton from the 4th to 6th of May. District Conferences are a highlight of the Rotary year – bringing together Rotarians from across the district to celebrate Rotary, hear inspirational speakers, make new friends and catch up with old acquaintences. It is a unique opportunity to learn about our district and the tremendous work being done by our Rotary Clubs. This year we are very fortunate to have as our Rotary International Representative PDG Ross Skinner from New Zealand.
You will hear outstanding speakers such as Sarah Brown from the Purple House, His Excellency Abel Guterres, Timor-Leste Ambassador to Australia, Peter Wilkins, retired Sports Commentator with the ABC and Brendan Farrell – Burrumbuttock Hay Run founder and many others detailed below.
For several reasons, I have chosen water as the theme for the Saturday night conference dinner. We take 'clean water’ for granted, however, after travelling to Timor –Leste and other Asian countries and seeing and hearing about the struggle to survive without basic clean water, I felt the need to highlight the importance of clean water. Also because our district is located in a very dry part of Australia, we have a significant dependance on water for irrigation. District 9700 overlaps much of the MIA and water is a primary driver for the commercial survival of our farm families and supporting agricultural industries. So, Please come along Saturday night and wear blue, green or something related to the clean water theme to showcase the importance of water both here in Australia and all over the world.
Immediately below are six of the keynote speakers at the conference and if you click here you will be taken to the Conference website.
RI President’s Representative - PDG Ross Skinner
Hailing from Christchurch, PDG Ross has worked closely with RI President Ian and his wife Juliet.
He is passionate about Rotary membership and training having been part of the Aussie/Kiwi taskforce on membership.
Sarah Brown - Wins over the Crowd
Sarah Brown is the founder of the Alice Springs–based Western Desert Dialysis known as the ‘Purple House’. She was one of the first speakers at the conference and won over the crowd with her sincere and unpretentious presentation of the great work she is doing in central Australia.
DG George Weston said ‘she was an inspirational and entertaining speaker, and he was spot on. What a delight. She was invited by the federal government to the Budget release the day after the conference and because of her excellent work received double her current budget.
Peter Wilkins – Talked about Building Teams
Peter proved himself to be an inspirational speaker and kept the audience enlightened and entertained as he played his guitar and sang several songs to finish his speech.
His Excellency Abel GuterresTimor-Leste Ambassador to Australia - Oxford educated, articulate and engaging, he is an important link between Timor Leste and Australia.
He has been a great supporter of the link between Leeton and Luro.
Cheryl Deguara -Rotary Club of St Marys (District 9675)Cheryl Deguara has been a Rotarian for over 19 years having served on the District Public Relations Committee as Chair and District Secretary, Assistant Governor, part of the District Training Committee and District New Generation Chair. Cheryl is a Past President and has been awarded PHFs by both her clubs and her District as well as awarded the Australian Rotary Health’s Golden Microscope and ARH Companion.
Brendan Farrell 
On Sunday morning one of the keynote speakers was Brendan Farrell, the trucker who organized and runs the Burrumbuttock Hay Runs. He was a plain speaking, sincere and dedicated fellow who has paid a price for all the notority he received. One of the best speakers at the conference.
The Rotary Clu
b of Oberon warmly invites you to our BOLLYWOOD NIGHT to be held at the Oberon Showground on the 19th of May 2018 from 7pm.
b of Oberon warmly invites you to our BOLLYWOOD NIGHT to be held at the Oberon Showground on the 19th of May 2018 from 7pm. Please come wearing your Indian attire. 3-course Indian cuisine and Indian entertainment for $60pp. TIckets and bookings - please call Sashi 0408 488 972, Brenda 0418 629 073.
Youth Exchange is more than just the club hosting an inbound student. Remember the benefit of the outbound Australian student when he or she comes back to Australia. They not only grow and mature in themselves, they contribute to the wealth and better understanding of Australia, both locally and internationally. Host families do not have to be Rotarians. There are ample families at schools, sporting and cultural groups and the wider community. What is needed is a good student/club councillor to be the conduit between student/families and the hosting clubs.
Applications for Rotary Youth Exchange are open NOW!
Instead of downloading the full application from the D9700 website ,a new and easy Preliminary application form is available from District Chair for Youth Exchange PP Judith Hall or the committee Secretary PP Sue Gordon
Judith Hall Young Chair 0457 843 210 judith@oaktonshorthorns.com.au
Sue Gordon Young Secretary 6384 3383 gordon.manton@bigpond.com
District Governor George Weston sent Photos from the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) held in Orange where approximately 40 young people attended. 
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On March 24th, Wollundry Rotary and all the support organisations and volunteers came together again for the 16th annual and very successful Food and Wine Festival. Click here for photos. |
If you are intereste
d in attending visit the website www.riconvention.org for more details. If you have never attended a Rotary International Conference I suggest you put it on your bucket list. It really is a wonderful experience. If Toronto is a place you would like to experience then why not experience both together.
d in attending visit the website www.riconvention.org for more details. If you have never attended a Rotary International Conference I suggest you put it on your bucket list. It really is a wonderful experience. If Toronto is a place you would like to experience then why not experience both together.
