District Conference 18th – 20th March, 2022
Resilience
Renewal
Regeneration
District Conference this year, by all accounts and feedback received, delivered a conference that tested our emotions, made us laugh and at times made us cry. The talent of our speakers provided for a roller-coaster ride that exemplified the resilience of human endeavour, the renewal of life and our environment, and the need to look at regeneration of our ideas, our purpose, and the need to make changes to continually meet our community expectations.
The opening of this year’s conference was highlighted by a Welcome to Country by Gunditjmara Elder Uncle Locky. This was followed by a talk on the District Centenary Bell by Rotarian Chris Preston (Warrnambool Daybreak). It was a great opportunity to display the Bell and learn of its history. The Bell was struck for the opening and closing of the Conference. It was also an opportunity to have all the attending PDGs & DG sign the carrying case.
Talented speakers presented topics to include:
Carbon Neutrality by regional water managers Wannon Water
Reclaiming Our Wetland by Nature Glenelg Trust
Being Green In Your Neighbourhood by Moyne Shire
Plant & Seed Production Within A Changing Climate
Donating Blood by the Red Cross
ROMP team providing awareness of this decease
ROMAC awareness presentation
District Environment committee demonstrating ways we can take action
Barb Sheehan on her Club’s plastic policy
Speakers Louise Harper & Simone O’Brien certainly tested our resolve with their presentations. These two presentations covered surgeries for repair of prolapses in young women in Nepal, and the survival of a young woman and domestic violence.
This year’s conference concluded with a video presentation from RI Director & D9780 PDG Jessie Harman. She inspired us with a message to meet the expectations of our communities and the ongoing growth of Rotary through continued change.
The Friday night Meet & Greet and Saturday night dinner were great opportunities for a catch up with Rotarians that we haven’t been able to meet with for some time. We were entertained by a string quartet, who will be part of the upcoming Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.
A very enjoyable two course meal was served on Saturday at the Oak & Anchor Hotel and provided an opportunity for fellowship with entertainment provided by local jazz band The Silvers Gold.
A special thanks to our two MCs, Michael Reed and David Carlyle, who I must say did a splendid job for the Friday and Saturday evening events.
All presentations from the conference will be loaded onto the District Learning Centre for your future viewing. Over 400 photos will also be available via Office 365 Teams in the coming days.