District Governor Bronwyn Stephens blew in to the club today like a breath of fresh air. After acknowledging previous DGs of District 9800, she described how she became involved in water and education programmes in Cambodia and the difference that Rotary projects can make to people’s lives. Her Rotary journey is around making good things happen.
She encouraged members to describe some of our own projects: for example the Timor cluster project to provide water tanks for schools, scholarships, and our containers from Rotary Donations-in-Kind to Cambodian Hospitals.
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Pointing out the need to showcase Rotary, she showed how one person’s idea had led to the drought appeal for affected farmers, and how ageing projects like Rotary House for the Bone Marrow Donor Instittute would benefit from a re-visit.
District Rotary Foundation Chairman PDG Dennis Shore told us how the incidence of wild polio cases had dropped to 22 last year, but there have been 18 cases already this year, so there is still work to be done. To this end, he presented the Smarties Jar idea, requiring a $2 coin donation, and described the multiplier effect that District Grants and a two-for-one contribution from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation can make to our contributions. Believe it or not, your two dollar contribution becomes fifteen dollars!
District Conference Chairman Mark Stephens described how the multi-district conference would proceed this year, with inspiring speakers and some surprises. Conference cost will be $175, and the optional dinner $110. Some sessions will be open to the public to showcase Rotary projects, and a separate Peace Forum will be held. (See posters elsewhere in this bulletin)
DG Bronwyn fielded questions, ending on the optimistic note that Melbourne was a possible venue for the Rotary International Conference in 2023.
She is clearly our inspiration for this Rotary Year!
Photos: DG Bronwyn Stephens with the DG's Chain of Office, and with former DGs Shore, Walshe and Rosback.