On Wednesday 10 July, the Rotary Centenary Baton Launch was held at Government House in Canberra using the latest technologies to involve approximately 900 participants. Throughout the event, the written chat was continual as the participants exchanged comments and said "Hi" from all parts of Australia.
The proceedings got under way with popular songs by Leo Sayer, who managed to overcome the poor sound quality emanating from Government House. The energy and enthusiasm that he exuded was very contagious.
Then his Excellency the Governor General, the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), paid tribute to the terrific work of Rotarians globally over the last 100 years, in areas such as health, the environment, education and literacy and community development. He stated that the work would certainly continue over the next 100 years.
Nicholas Jones, a very talented tenor, sang "The Impossible Dream", which was excellent and it seemed to be very appropriate for the occasion.
The Centenary Baton was formally handed over to the President of the Rotary Club of Sydney, Ms Fatima Ali, who was present at Government House. In an interesting use of technology and split screens, the baton was handed across borders to the President of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Therese Robinson, who was in Melbourne.
The event closed with an impressive use of technology that allowed Josh Piterman in London to sing 'Music of the night' from Phantom of the Opera accompanied on piano by John Foreman OAM, who was in Melbourne. The high quality of the singing and the music was absolutely in sync and it seemed as though they were in the same venue. Well done!
The comments on Chat from the virtual audience, were glowing in their appreciation. Congratulations to all involved in organising the event
