The 2007 District Conference held at Conrad Jupiters from 13 to 15 April was an outstanding success.

The following is a summary of some of impressions I gained from my attendance at the Conference on the Saturday. It is in no way intended as a full report of the Conference.

RI PRESIDENT'S REPRESENTATIVE: PDG Katina Jones, District 9500 covering most of South Australia and half of the Northern Territory, represented RI President Bill Boyd.  PDG Katina brought greetings from the International President and addressed the Conference concerning the International theme, LEAD THE WAY.  She said that Bill Boyd had expressed the hope that we would take this opportunity for fellowhship, broadening of our Rotary horizons and reaffirming our commitment to Rotary and the principles of Service Above Self as we Lead the Way in our communities and the global village.

A  YOUTH EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE: One of the most inspiring presentations was that by Nastassia Bondarenko-Edwards, a former Rotary Exchange Student to Brazil. The following link gives some idea of her service in Brazil:
http://rotarnet.com.au/Magazine/articles/sep04/18.HTML

yep150407.pdf

On her return from Brazil she completed her secondary education and then volunteered for work at a school in India. She returned  to undertake a law degree and she then plans to use her qualification to assist with humanitarian issues at an international level.  Nastassia is an outstanding example of how a single Rotary Youth Exchange student can have an immense impact in the lives of people in other countries. She received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her address.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD TO PDG IAN YARKER:  During the opening session this Award was presented to Ian in recognition of his outstanding  Service Above Self in all aspects of Rotary Service. His wife,  PDG Heather, received a similar Award in 1999 and their earlier service was recorded in the following report:

yarkers.htm

Since that time Ian and Heather have continued to provide wonderful leadership for the District in all avenues of Rotary Service. Congratulations and best wishes to both of them.

Details of the Award may found as follows:

http://www.rotary.org/programs/awards/individual/service.html

KEY NOTE SPEAKERS: The addresses by Professor Ian Frazer, 2006 Australian of the Year; Chris Nunn, former
head of the Australian Institute of Sport and Dr Glenn Wilson, local Rotarian/Academic (University of Cape Town,
Fish Ears and Rotary International) were well received.

SPOTLIGHT ON CLUBS: Club Presidents presented reports of a wide range of service activities being undertaken in the
current year. Our President, Mark Kent, ably presented a report on the increased presence of our Club in the community through a number of well organised social events and the contact made with potential members. During the year four new members had been inducted and community and international service undertaken as outlined from the following link:

http://rotarnet.com.au/users/9/96452/service06.htm

BEACH TO BUSH AND ABACK AGAIN:  The presentation by Don Stalker of the Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise Central was well received and it was interesting to note that a return visit by 100 children from Longreach is planned for July.

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE: Group Study Exchange was very prominent at the Conference with the unique experience
of having present both Inwards and Outwards teams from and to Atlanta and Hawaii. The District Calendar for GSE indicates
that April is a very busy month:

http://rotary9640.org/documents/gse/gse_calendar_2006_7.pdf

Nominations are being sought for a GSE team to visit Scotland in September:
http://www.rotary9640.org/gse/comments.php?id=274_0_8_0_C

INFORMATION BOOTHS: During the day I had the opportunity of visiting the following booths:

Rotary Kokoda Memorial Walk:  
http://www.broadwatersouthport.rotary-site.org/downloads/Rotary%20Kokoda%20Memorial
%20Walk%20POSTER%20FINAL.doc

ROMAC:     http://www.romac.org.au/index.shtml
ROMAC TRIVIA CHALLENGE:   http://rotarnet.com.au/users/9/96452/trivia0507.pdf

Operation Cleft:   http://www.operationcleft.org.au/

The Fred Hollows Foundation: http://www.hollows.org/content/TextOnly.aspx?s=247

Shelterboxes:
http://www.shelterboxaustralia.com.au/
and
http://www.shelterbox.org/f_boxsent.html     http://www.shelterboxaustralia.com.au/news/id/10

Gallipoli Anzac Commemoration Turkey Tour - 19 - 28 April 2008:
http://www.rapt.org.au/

Probus:  http://probus.com.au/

CONGRATULATIONS: The Conference venue, entertainment and general presentation were first class.
Congratulations to District Governor Douglas Geekie and his committee on the staging of an inspiring Conference
with plenty of solid Rotary information as well as fellowship at the highest level.

NEXT CONFERENCE:  The next District Conference will be held at YAMBA from 28th to 30 March 2008.

Bill Pavey
15 April 2007

District Governor's Newsletter

eNews and Links for April, 2007

Notice of new links 15 April