I’ve been at the Melbourne Rotary Convention along with Bob, Manon & Kurt, Trevor & Mary Axworthy and Rotarians from 120 countries. 

What made this Convention very special for me was the curiosity from everyone about Calgary; so many delegates expressed enthusiasm for attending our International Convention in 2 years’ time. It looks like it will be a huge draw. Americans were of course especially keen - and some wanted to know if the Convention Accommodation Block will include RV sites; an interesting idea.

The Rotary Club of Melbourne, chartered as the first club in Australia by our own James Wheeler Davidson just over 100 years ago, hosted a great cocktail party with ambassadors and delegates from around the world. Might our club do something similar when the time comes?

We supported their club’s commissioning of Rotary Peace Bells to be installed in the new Melbourne Peace Park. An idea emerged for a Rotary Peace Bell for Calgary as a legacy - and to help brand Rotary as the organization playing a significant role in fostering international peace and goodwill. Certainly our own club’s work is contributing, and RI’s role in this sphere is constantly increasing in impressive ways. Let me know if you’d like to get involved?

Bryn Stiles from Ontario, Convention Chair of the Calgary Convention on behalf of RI, presented at a break-out session. He joined us at our Sneak-a-Peak last year and is very upbeat about Calgary as is the RI President for our year. They will be visiting Calgary this August. 

Craig Stokke from the Stampede Club, Co-Chair of our Host Committee, was there to answer questions. Very soon now his organizational chart will be shared with us so we can start planning our own volunteer involvement.

Manon also excelled in a break-out session - and Trevor supported one on the current initiatives for Waterton International Peace Park. It was a wonderful trip, and now I’m delighted to be home!

A huge thank you to PE Craig for stepping up during my absence.