District conferences have always been a fantastic way for Rotarians to recharge their Rotary batteries. The 77th District conference of Disctrict 9800 is no exception. So far, we have had a wonderful line up of speakers from comedians to professors, from professional speakers to police officers. It is not the variety of speakers that is making such an impression on delegates but the quality of those speakers. In short, they are supurb.

How do I know they are supurb? That’s easy – at the end of the day:

• delegates feel refreshed and eager to get back to their clubs and tell them of all the wonderful things they have learnt;
• the ideas generated by the speakers or by other Rotarians delegates have spoken with during the conference are exciting;
• delegagtes come home with many projects they would like to share with their clubs

– these are indications of a supurb conference. The D9800 conference in Launceston is most definitely is one such conference. The conference has just passed its half-way mark and I already feel there are a million ideas bursting inside my head, waiting to be shared with our members. That is what I call a great conference.

If you have not been to a district conference, you can be assured there is no better way to learn about Rotary, no better way to learn about fellowship in Rotary, no better way to find out all the things that are happening in Rotary all around us, no better way to learn about international Rotary projects. Simply: District Conference – you’ve to be there!

For our newer members, District conferences truly is the best way to find out about Rotary and turn yourself from a member of a Rotary club into a Rotarian! For our members who are not at this year’s conference, there is always next year – in Perth. If you are not a Rotarian but you would like to attend a conference and see what it’s like, please let me know and we can arrange for it!
 

Yours in Rotary,
Gabe

Thanks to Michael F. for excellent scribe notes!

Meeting – 10 March 2009

Held at Garden Room in Crown

 

President Gabe Hau welcomed Ted from North Walsham Club in Norfolk England.  Club flags were exchanged.

 

Gabe also announced the following:

 

• We have received a request from The Rotary Club of Echuca/Moama for members to accept work experience students for one week. 
  They do not require accommodation, only work.

 

• The joint project with Lions Health to collect old spectacle frames for disadvantaged countries is continuing

 

• The Street Soccer Camp will be held on the weekend from March 20 – 22          

 

Charles Stuart delivered his members moment – another fascinating old Navy tale which resulted in him capsizing a boat into the Bay of Biscay on a cold January night.

 

Chris Truman doubled as our guest speaker and explained the operation of the Xanana Trust, named after East Timor President and founding patron Xanana Gusmao. 

 

The trust focuses on providing funding for and establishing vocational training facilities in war ravaged East Timor. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patrons include former Govenor General Sir William Deane and former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks has performed tasks for the trust.

 

Chris visits East Timor regularly, and it was noted that the trust was established via a fundraising breakfast of the Rotary Club of Southbank. 

 

Upon conclusion of the presentation, President elect Philip Archer suggested renewed club involvement in the project, now that new members have been formally updated on the trust’s activities.

 

Chris was presented with a cake in honour of his 65^th birthday, and various members encouraged support for the trust’s activities in East Timor.

 

 

 

(The Arts Centre Cake)

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Gabe concluded with his thoughts for the week. 
 

1.           Do it well, or not at all

 

2.                 Half a loaf is better than none

(sorry, no he did not sing the thoughts this week but "Happy Birthday" to Chris!)