From Past District Governor - PDG Paul Mee

 

Greetings to all Rotarians and Rotaractors in District 9820.

It has been a wonderful privilege for me to work with all Rotarians and Rotaractors in our District this year. This is my final Newsletter Column as District Governor so with a sense of sadness, I sign off after the 2022/23 Rotary year at our District Changeover Dinner on Sat 24^th June and hand over to incoming District Governor Linda. What a year it has been. Full of action and activity. We are now approaching the club changeover period so I will get the chance to see many of you, at changeover functions.  A big “Thank you” to my District Leadership team and all our District Officers, who work passionately, running Rotary programs on your behalf. These Rotarians are the face and sole of our Rotary Clubs and District. Thank you. A special thanks to my District Board, Gael Traa, Gordon Morriss, Linda Humphries, Colin Byron, Tim Moore & Bill Degnan who have served us well in 2022/23. 

 

WOW- This was a fabulous event. We joined 130 Rotarians from our District who attended the annual RI Convention this time in Melbourne, Australia. At least once in your Rotary service journey, I would encourage you to attend a Rotary International Convention. It’s a full 5 days of information, enjoyment, inspiration, and fellowship. Each Day started at RICON23 with a general session at Rod Laver arena. We then took buses or trams to the Melb Convention Centre, in South Wharf for afternoon breakout sessions, full of information or just relaxed in the EXPO (House of Friendship) where everyone congregated when they had time.  Around 40 Rotarians from clubs in D9820 participated in the Flag ceremony at the convention opening with a total of 200 flags from countries around the world where Rotary is represented. A fabulous experience for Adele & I, to participate in the flag ceremony. (see photos below). Just prior to the RI Convention we attended the Global Malaria Congress at Crown Promenade in South Bank. Rotary in partnership with the Global Fund and other NGOs, is working hard to eradicate malaria from many areas of the world. This is very achievable with success in China, Europe, the Americas, most of Asia and 98% of India but there is much to do on malaria in Africa, Pakistan, Afghanistan, PNG, and several pacific Islands.  

 

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) will be held between 26^th June and 1^st July 2023, at Golden Valley, Flinders and applications are closing shortly! RYLA is one of the outstanding district youth programs! Our RYLA team have been busy planning this RYLA leadership development camp for several months and it’s on track to be one of the best yet. We are now encouraging Rotary Clubs to find participants and provide sponsorship for them to attend. Click on this link to access the flyer aimed at prospective participants https://bit.ly/ryla2023flyer

This link takes you to an FAQ sheet with information for sponsoring Rotary clubs https://bit.ly/ryla2023faq

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact RYLA Chair Nigel Cousins npwcousins@bigpond.com or Youth Programs Chair Robert Cook rob.cook@rotary9820.org.au .

 

 

Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA)

A simulated United Nations where students in years 10, 11, or 12 will represent a country, research that country's point of views, and debate against other teams. A great extra-curricular activity to improve students' public speaking, research skills, and respect for other cultures. Saturday 19 August.

For more details, email muna@rotary9820.org.au or go to www.youth.rotary9820.org.au/muna2023

 

National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)

The NYSF Year 12 Program is designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and to encourage continued studies in these fields. This is a two-week residential program at: The Australian National University, Canberra (5-13 January 2024), or The University of Queensland, Brisbane (12-20 January 2024)

Students in year 11 should apply now for their year 12 year.

For more information go to www.nysf.edu.au/programs/year-12-program/ or email chris.such@bigpond.com

 

Thanks to PDG Mark & DGE Linda for organising this international hosting and a huge thanks to all the Rotarian host families around the district who opened their homes for our Rotary colleagues from USA. Our 8 Rotary guests arrived in D9820 from New York State on 10^th May and left our care on 24^th May to attend the RI Melbourne Convention.  The feedback has been terrific and we enjoyed some great times hosting our guests Dave & Ann, Carl & Linda, Janet & Kim, Scott & Vivian. What a fabulous experience with many highlights including- First hand demonstration on the Lucas Mill- East Gippsland fire recovery project. Maffra Car museum, Gippsland Rotary Centenary House, and Central Gipps cluster dinner. The best of Philip Island, Koala’s, Penguins, and the Puttin on the Ritz dinner.  Point Nepean, Disaster Aid Aust visit and the District Dinner at Toorak College Mt Eliza.

 Please read the separate article on the Rotary Friendship Exchange later in the newsletter.

 

The charter of our new Interact Club of McClelland College sponsored by RC Frankston Nth has been approved and planning is well advanced to present the charter at a school event. I am very pleased to add, that in May another planning meeting took place to commence on a new Interact Club at Nossal High School sponsored by RC Berwick and to reignite the Interact Club at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar School.

 

Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA)

This program was initiated by Rotary in NSW, 8 years ago and has been very successful. The program aims to recognise ES workers who are doing good work in the community and espousing the Rotary motto 'Service Above self'. We are now rolling out this program in Victoria with all 5 districts involved. We have been forming a District 9820 RESCA committee with a representative from each cluster and D9820 now have representation on the state wide RESCA Victoria Committee. A full briefing was sent to all clubs on RESCA in May. Please contact D9820 RESCA Chair Kerrie Schmidt  kerrie.l.schmidt@bigpond.com  if you are interested in joining our District RESCA Committee.

 

 Adele & I had the pleasure of attending the Rotary Shine-on awards presentation at Doncaster East in May where we gathered to recognise and appreciate the wonderful contributions made by people with disabilities. This program recognises people with a disability who have the energy and passion to live and work through these obstacles. Often having a wonderful ability in other areas or interests. This is an annual event and I would like to see many more nominations from our district next year. We have many people in our communities who overcome serious impairments and should be recognised for their contributions to our communities.

 

A very successful initiative which finished in May, and was supported by clubs and clusters in our district for just over one month. Thank you to all Rotarians who helped welcome Tony at various points, walking right through our district.

 

D9815 – future District Governor 2025/26:  In May, D9810 DG Ken Miller & I issued a joint notice to all Rotarians in Districts 9820 & 9810 announcing the selection of Peter Behm as District Governor Nominee Designate who will become the D9815 DG for our merged districts in 2025-26. Peter is from the RC Noble Park Dingley and is currently D9810 Public Image Chair.

 

I would like to encourage all clubs to please consider donations to two wonderful Rotary entities, that really do, make a difference in the world.

The Rotary Foundation through this link  https://my.rotary.org/en/donate 

Australian Rotary Health through this link  https://australianrotaryhealth.org.au/donate-now/

 

Sat 24^th June23 – District Changeover Dinner, Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren: Please register now.     https://events.humanitix.com/district-9820-changeovereventttps://  c

26^th June 23 –Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp. Joint event D9820-D9810 Venue-Golden Valley Flinders.

19^th Aug 23 – Model United Nations Assembly – Nossal High School Berwick.

 

Thank you to all Rotarians in D9820 for your fabulous Rotary work week after week. I know that you are all proud of your achievements this past year. Collectively we are increasing the impact and reach of Rotary and providing benefits to those who we care about, in our communities.  Please join me to “Imagine Rotary.” and lay the foundation for our future. 

Stay safe and happy. It’s good-night from Mee and good-night from Adele.    

 – Cheers,   DG Paul.     (PS. Thank you, Editor Janet, for a ripper year on the Newsletter)