DG Charlie's Message April 2015
 From DG Charlie
Well, Rotarians, another busy month has passed by, effectively started by our Shepparton Conference which by all reports went really well with many special mentions regarding speakers and the Saturday evening function. Janne and I certainly had a ball and the RIPPR, PDG Edward Burongoh enjoyed the fellowship and warm welcome accorded to him and his son Edgar. Special thanks to IPDG Tim Moore and Jane for looking after them so well. From there and Easter it was straight into the RYLA weekend camp at Somers, with 17 young adults keen to develop their leadership skills in a variety of ways with speakers and great activities – going for a swim in the “icy” waters off Somers wasn’t scheduled but the foolhardy ones thoroughly enjoyed it! I would like to thank all the Clubs who supported a candidate either through direct nomination or through financial support. Rotaractors and young people from outside the “Rotary” family all had a ball and learnt a lot. It was great to see the candidates move from being strangers on the Friday night to a close-knit, supportive and encouraging group of team players by Sunday. Following on from this we had District PETS and Assembly which again had good reports although less present than expected. |
Meanwhile, Clubs continued to run projects and fundraisers and started to bring to a conclusion their plans for the year. This final couple of months will be about wrapping up the many projects and plans that have been in operation and we look forward to seeing many of those come to fruition. However, there are still many activities to come – MUNA, RYPEN and ‘Shine On’ Awards are all still ahead of us and we look forward to those. We also wish the Youth Exchange team all the best for safe travel and a great time away as they embark on the big Rock to Reef trip.
May I also encourage you to think about how you and your Clubs support our Charity, the Rotary Foundation, as you plan your disbursements. We have worked hard to gather these funds to ‘make a difference’ to so many people in the world and, as you are aware, the more money we give Foundation, the more money comes back to us in three years.Mark Anderson from Foundation in Sydney, has asked us to remind Clubs that nominations forms for Paul Harris recognition, are available on line at ‘My Rotary’, but we will also have a copy of the form on our own District website - www.district9820.org. District Secretary Ian Keith will also be sending out a request from ROMAC (which recently treated its 400th patient, including almost 100 from Timor Leste alone!), asking that as disbursements are prepared, you consider a donation as the year comes to an end. I’m sure Di Double, our District representative, would second this hope, as we saw, through Aze, the wonderful work of ROMAC. I trust you continue to enjoy your Rotary and have a great ‘run home’ as we ‘Light up Rotary” together.
May I also encourage you to think about how you and your Clubs support our Charity, the Rotary Foundation, as you plan your disbursements. We have worked hard to gather these funds to ‘make a difference’ to so many people in the world and, as you are aware, the more money we give Foundation, the more money comes back to us in three years.Mark Anderson from Foundation in Sydney, has asked us to remind Clubs that nominations forms for Paul Harris recognition, are available on line at ‘My Rotary’, but we will also have a copy of the form on our own District website - www.district9820.org. District Secretary Ian Keith will also be sending out a request from ROMAC (which recently treated its 400th patient, including almost 100 from Timor Leste alone!), asking that as disbursements are prepared, you consider a donation as the year comes to an end. I’m sure Di Double, our District representative, would second this hope, as we saw, through Aze, the wonderful work of ROMAC. I trust you continue to enjoy your Rotary and have a great ‘run home’ as we ‘Light up Rotary” together.
