Guest Speakers – a summary YTD
Sometimes when we are looking to the future, we forget what has occurred in the Rotary Year. Before looking forward, let’s look back at the guest speakers we have had.
In August, Rotarian Alan Linghausen spoke about the RAWCS project he commenced in PNG. This was followed by the DGs Club visit. In September Dr Bethany Beckett in a ZOOM presentation from Geraldton in WA spoke about her health project in Timor Leste and the affect of COVID on the community. This was followed by a presentation by the winner of Box Hill TAFE Bruce Parker scholarship, an orphan from Vietnam. The last meeting in September was the AFL ‘cluster’ meeting with special guest Geoff Southby, former Carlton player. In October we had two ZOOM meetings, one with Gemma Sisia from St Judes in Tanzania who gave us a walk around the school and the other was the Quirindi Rotary Club in country NSW and how Rotary has made a very positive contribution over 75 years in a small rural community. PP Greg King also made a presentation on End Polio Now.
In November Frank Evans and assistance from Ern Dawes and Bruce Parker who have been involved with the project since it commenced spoke about the East Timor Roofing Project (
https://www.rotary100downunder.com/resources/thought-starters/the-story-of-the-east-timor-roofing-company) Four of the Areas of Focus for Rotary in one international project delivered by Rotary clubs working together with locals to provide a sustainable outcome. Next was a ‘cluster’ meeting with guest speaker Duncan Elliott CEO of North East-Link. The final speaker for November was Elizabeth Soos with a presentation “Why Etiquette is More Important Now Than Ever Before”.
The final presentation was by Graham Richardson on The Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions.
In February we had PDG and PP Alma Reynolds present about her project on ‘Why Rotary Needs to Change’. This was an interactive presentation – the two reasons why people join Rotary is ‘to make positive contribution to society’ (i.e charitable) and ‘to meet people’ (i.e. social and vocational networking). This was followed by a joint meeting with RC of Templestowe where the ‘Connecting Manningham’ project was presented and last week we had David Rosenwaux present on the Rotary projects he is involved in the Philippines centring around schools with special needs.
And finally, on the first Wednesday we had ‘behind the badge’ presentations by long term members and gentlemen Frank Evans, Ern Dawes and Norm MacLeod. The ‘behind the badge’ presentations will continue for the rest of the Rotary Year with our two newest members James and Grace Brae. Coming up we have a joint meetings with RC of Templestowe, celebrating their 45th Birthday in March and a fund raiser for End Polio Now in April.
This weeks speaker will be Sue Harbottle who represented Australia in swimming at the Mexico Olympics. Give her a big wave.
