December 2010 D G D a v i d A l e x a n d e r

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1 December 2010 D G D a v i d A l e x a n d e r From the DG s Desk Dear Rotarians December is typically a very busy, but short month for Rotary Clubs and a time to wrap up some of the initiatives commenced earlier in the Rotary year and celebrate Christmas and New Year with partners, family and friends. In this December edition of from the Bay to the Hills I report on the Zone Institute and Governor Training conducted in Perth in early December and its importance for the continued growth and success of our District. The Acclaim Opera Awards will also inspire you to learn that the Rotary Clubs of Cheltenham and Melbourne have made a significant contribution to the performing arts in association with the Fondazione Pergolesi-Spontini, Jesi Italy. STOP PRESS Our personal recognition feature articles this month profile the achievements of a prominent Rotarian as well as continues our series to help you learn more about our international exchange students Sarah Ostgathe from West Germany and Lucien Zuercher from Switzerland. As most Clubs are now well and truly back in action following the holiday season I would like to take the opportunity to wish all Rotarians, partners and their families a successful year ahead as we continue to Build Communities and Bridge Continents in the second half of the 2010/11 Rotary year! And just a reminder, with support from our major District Conference sponsor, the Bendigo Bank we are excited in the run down to this special event that will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from Thursday 7 to Saturday 9 April We trust your plans are well advanced to make this a memorable event. Don t forget our BTTH Editor Glenda Sherwin-Lane is always looking for news about projects and people in our District. If you know a Rotarian or student with an interesting story to share, please contact Glenda gsl @bigpond.com Until next month, enjoy Rotary David Alexander District 9810 Governor 2010/11 Inside this issue: Governor Elect Training / Zone 8 Institute, Perth December Acclaim Opera Awards 3 Norm Gibbs, aka Zodo the Clown and long time member of the Rotary Club of Waverley was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2011 Honours List for his service to children as an entertainer, and to the community. Future Vision Plan Objectives 3 Youth Exchange Students 4 An equation for Bridging Continents 4 A Final Word: Vale Neal Wickenton 5

2 REPORT ON GOVERNOR ELECT TRAINING (30 NOVEMBER 2 DECEMBER 2010) & PERTH ZONE 8 INSTITUTE (3 5 DECEMBER 2010) E ach year we are fortunate to have the opportunity for past, current and incoming District Rotary leaders to attend our Zone 8 Institute and for the incoming officers and the current Governor to attend pre- Institute (Governor Elect) training. From D9810, we had our contingent of David Alexander, Juliet Riseley and Brian Martin attend GETs along with their counterparts from the other 21 Australian Rotary Districts. PDG John Barnes was also in attendance as a facilitator for the DGN training sessions. We were also fortunate to have RI President Ray Klinginsmith and Judie in attendance for the entire week of activities. This year the GETs format comprised plenary sessions that covered topics including the RI Strategic Plan, The Rotary Foundation and the Future Vision Pilot Program, public relations, Rotaract and Rotary Down Under. The plenary sessions were followed by break -out sessions with a formal training program for the DGNs and DGEs and information and problem identification and resolution sessions for the District Governor Group. Discussion topics covered by the DG group included: 1 Developing a Strategic Action Plan for Rotary in Australia. 2 Continuity of Rotary s Message keeping our message consistent. 3 Public Relations national and regional media releases. Increasing the public s knowledge of what Rotary does/achieves. Increasing/ improving Rotarian s knowledge of the Foundation. 4 Advising RI of the impacts of the Future Vision Pilot Program which has cut off non Pilot Districts from establishing matching grants with our near northern neighbouring countries. 5 Rotary Club compliance with State Fundraising Legislation. 6 The implications of Rotary Clubs using funds raised from the public for club administration? (including subsidising Rotarian Membership subscriptions). 7 The need for greater involvement of the Governor/Governor Elect at meetings of the national Youth Exchange Program. 8 Managing costs of attending the Zone Institute and other national gatherings (e.g. Youth Exchange Program, Rotaract DRR Training etc). 9 The quality and price competitiveness of Authorised RDU Merchandise available to Clubs. 10 Leave of Absence for members, particularly young mothers who are still active in Club matters but cannot attend meetings. Zone Institute The purpose of the Zone Institute is to: 1. Provide current, incoming, and past RI officers with updates on RI and Rotary Foundation policies and programs 2. Provide a forum for Rotary leaders to make comments and recommendations to the Board of Directors; and 3. Provide fellowship and a participative learning experience that will help inspire current, incoming, and past governors to continuing leadership and service. Highlights of the Zone Institute included presentations from Past RIP D.K. Lee (Foundation / Future Vision Plan), former Governor General of Australia Michael Jeffrey (School Volunteer Program), Nobel Laureate Professor Barry Marshall, Andrew Forrest (CEO of Fortescue Metals - who has formed Generation One to find employment for indigenous Australians), Professor Samar Aoun (community health), Rtn Glenys McDonald (Finding HMAS Sydney) as well as excellent presentations from Zone Director (Stuart Heal RI Strategic Plan), PRIT Ian Riseley (RI five-year forecast financial report and polio update), PDG Dick Garner (Rotary PR in Australia, including the premiere of the new Mike Brady Rotary jingle, That s Rotary Today ), PRID John Thorne (Disaster Planning in Australia) and Chris Jocelyn (Rotary e-clubs). D9810 Rotarians voted onto national committees by representatives at the Institute included PDG David Forster (Rotaract Representative Training Committee Chair), PDG Patrick Hartley (Director, Australian Rotary Health) and PDG Jennifer Coburn (Institute New Generations Committee). Prior to the Institute, our D9810 representatives attended the Annual General Meetings of Rotary Down Under, Rotary Australia World Community Service, Australian Rotary Health and Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children. As reported in Looking Forward, D9810 scooped the pool at the Zone Institute, being recognised for: The highest per capita giving by a District to The Rotary Foundation Annual Giving Fund of $167/Rotarian; the Dick White Inaugural Award for sustained contribution to Australian Rotary Health (ARH); A citation for contributing $15,000 of our District Designated Funds to PolioPlus in 2009/10. Congratulations to every Rotarian in our District as these are your awards in recognition of your most generous support. So as you can see, D9810 stands tall amongst the 22 Districts in Australia, testament to the fact that the success we have as a District reflects our commitment to ensuring our incoming Rotary leaders are well trained and achieve standards that ensure that they are in demand for future leadership roles at the Zone level and beyond. From the Bay to the Hills December 2010 Page 2

3 ACCLAIM OPERA AWARDS RC CHELTENHAM S PROJECT PROVIDES A TICKET TO THE WORLD STAGE On Saturday 11 December, in front of a packed Iwaki Auditorium, the Acclaim Awards, in association with the Fondazione Pergolesi- Spontini, announced the winners of the 2011 Acclaim Italian Opera Fellowships, Australia's newest opera competition. An initiative of the Rotary Clubs of Cheltenham (D9810) and Melbourne (D9800) and in association with the Fondazione Pergolesi- Spontini, Jesi Italy, the Acclaim Awards provide opportunities for young Australian artists to achieve a ticket to the world stage, says Rotarian Ian Slater, Chairman of the Acclaim Awards. Four prizes, including two performing contracts and two study contracts, were offered to outstanding young Australian opera singers. Contract Award No.1 a professional contract to perform a role in the Pergolesi- Spontini (Baroque) Festival in September 2011 was awarded to Angela Brun (26) New South Wales (see photo); Contract Award No. 2 a professional contract to perform a role in the Fondazione Pergolesi-Spontini Lyric Opera Season 2011 was awarded to Michelle Marie Cook (35) Victoria/ Spain. Two Study Awards four weeks tuition and coaching in singing in the Italian language whilst observing rehearsals and performances at the Baroque Festival Season was awarded to Adrian Tamburini (34) New South Wales, and Kiandra Howarth (20) Queensland for the Lyric Season. The international judging panel included celebrated sopranos Valeria Esposito (Italy), Cheryl Barker (Australia), Margaret Baker-Genovesi (Italy/ Australia), Artistic Director, Gianni Angela Brun of NSW Winner of Contract Award No 1 Tangucci (Italy) and Director of National and International Relations at Accademia Teatro alla Scala, Luca Targetti. William Graziosi, Chairman of the Fondazione Pergolesi-Spontini, said it was an exhilarating week in Melbourne. We are very proud to be associated with the Acclaim Awards. We look forward to our future relationship and look forward to welcoming these fine young Australian singers to Jesi, Italy in The vision of the Acclaim Awards is to raise the profile of Australian artistic talent both nationally and internationally and to create cultural partnerships, which encourage exchange. The Acclaim Awards, operating through the auspices of the Rotary Club of Cheltenham and the Rotary Club of Melbourne, have been providing support for Australian Opera singers since 1989 beginning with its foundation Sleath Lowrey Arts Scholarship, an award which assists a student from the Victorian College of the Arts. During the past decade prizes such as the Acclaim Puccini Award have assisted Opera singers such as Antoinette Halloran, Sally Wilson and Elena Xanthoudakis in study and performance opportunities overseas. District Governor s comment: This is an outstanding joint project of the Rotary Clubs of Cheltenham and Melbourne that has elevated Rotary s profile amongst the performing arts community through outstanding leadership in bridging continents, benefitting our fine young Australian operatic talent. It is certainly not a traditional Rotary project. Congratulations to both Clubs for your vision in making this event possible. A section of the magnificent Tiatro Pergolesi Each month...from the Bay to the Hills includes information on key objectives of Rotary International of the Future Vision Plan so Rotarians can familiarise themselves, in readiness for the new plan. TRF* Focus Area Explained Maternal and Child Health The Rotary Foundation supports economic and community development by: The Rotary Foundation improves the lives of mothers and their children by: Reducing the mortality rate for children under the age of five Reducing the maternal mortality rate Improving access to essential medical services and trained health care providers for mothers and their children Supporting studies related to maternal and child health From the Bay to the Hills December 2010 Page 3

4 Sarah Ostgathe travels the countryside Hello, my name is Sarah Ostgathe and I am 16 years old. My home is in Bottrop which is a city in the Ruhr Area in the western part of Germany. Back there I have my 15 year old sister Lea and of course, my parents Christoph and Susanne. I came to Australia in late July; that means I came from 35 in Germany to 5 in Melbourne, which was actually a bit shocking. But by the next day I should have learned that the weather was going to be the only concern I had during my whole time here and of course I learned to cope with it, especially because it was very similar to the weather I knew from home. My first week here was very busy, as many things had to be organized and it stayed like this till now. I went to the city few times, visited Melbourne Aquarium and the sky high tower, made trips to Adelaide, Leongatha, Inverloch and Fish Creek. I have been taken to many productions, theatres and dinners, I have been to Oaks Day, and the best thing about that: I got to meet the most amazing people I could ever think of. Before I came here I could not even imagine what people meant when they said the Australians are a very welcoming and friendly community and the whole lifestyle is different to the lifestyle I was used to. But here I got to see and experience it and that was one of the things I hoped to do on exchange. Apart from getting to know the other culture I also wanted to see the environmental differences and improve my English. I I'm Lucien Zuercher from Switzerland. I'm 16. Switzerland is a small country in the middle of Europe. Switzerland borders Germany, France, Italy and Austria. In Switzerland there are four different languages, German, Italian, France and Romain. I speak German. My hobbies in Switzerland include, of course, skiing, and I play handball in a club. My mum, Hedy, works in finance. My dad, Hugo, works as an engineer. Page 4 wanted to see as much of the country as possible and so I am looking forward to the safari through Australia with Rotary in April and the bike ride to Adelaide in the same month. Furthermore my host parents will take me to Tasmania and many other places. So when I think about it I already reached all the goals I had for my exchange and it still gets better and better. Now already I can say that the Rotary Youth Exchange is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Lucien Zuercher catches up with some Aussie sport I have a older brother Joel, who is 18 and goes to a "kantonsschule", which is like a high school. He went to Canada on a Rotary exchange last year and had a good time. When I first arrived in Australia, I stayed with my councillor's family, the Schmidts. They taught me how to play football and cricket, and I enjoyed two good AFL games that they took me to. My next family were the Greens; I stayed with the Green family almost 4 months. During that time I saw Kangaroos, Koalas and other Australian animals in the Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary, and we visited the Melbourne Aquarium, which has interesting sea animals. We went to the Philip island. There I saw some cute penguins while they were taking their legendary walk from the beach. I stayed at the Phillip Islands two days to watch some awesome car races. I changed my family a few days ago, and now stay with the Dewans. I had the chance to go to the Dewan's farm and learned a lot about country life in Australia. In the school everything is working well. My English has improved. I made some very good friends and enjoyed also a nice time with those. Australia is a wonderful country, the land is wonderful and the people are lovely. but I'm a little bit disappointed about the rainy weather. Also I miss the mountains in Switzerland, but is interesting to live in a country with terrain that is so flat. I'm enjoying my time and thanks very much Rotary for this experience.

5 KIDS PLAYING CRICKET = BRIDGING CONTINENTS The Rotary Clubs of Wandin (D9810 Victoria) and Madras Coromandel (D 3230 India) in conjunction with the International Fellowship of Cricketing Rotarians (IFCR) have achieved the Bridging Continents of this year s Rotary theme with a recent Cricket outing for orphaned children. In May, Gavan and Dianne McIntyre of the Rotary Club of Wandin visited some Australian friends working in Chennai, India. During their stay their friends took them to visit the Bethania Home for Children where they were doing some volunteer work. The children were mainly orphaned as a result of the Tsunami - as such they had very limited personal possessions. Gavan and Dianne were struck by the desire to help these children. Initially they provided them with some basic cricket equipment and skipping ropes. Very soon the children were excitedly organising games of cricket. Their enthusiasm and their great knowledge of cricket and Australian cricketers, was amazing. On 23 December 2010 Past District Governor Neal Wickenton, 83, passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. Neal was inducted into the Rotary Club of Noble Park in March 1967 and served as President in Although Neal was a great contributor to club activities his passion for Rotary and its ideals encouraged him to become involved at a District level. In 1974 Neal was selected to lead a Group Study Exchange Team to District 262 Japan and in 1976 after attending On returning to Australia, Graeme Amoore of RC Moorleigh Moorabbin, and then Secretary of IFCR Australia, was approached seeking a possible Rotary contact in Chennai in order to extend the cricket experience for these children. At that time IFCR Australia was holding its bi annual festival in the Swan A FINAL WORD VALE PDG NEAL WICKENTON PHF the Rotary International Assembly in Boca Raton, Florida USA, he served as Governor of District 982 in It was the experiences of the six week Group Study Exchange tour of Japan that Neal got to observe the true internationality of Rotary and the Rotary Foundation. While being hosted by the President of the Rotary Club of Kofu, Neal suggested that a relationship between the two clubs could be considered. In 1975, with the approval of both clubs, the relationship became a reality and over the following thirty-five years Neal and his wife Hazel led fourteen groups of Rotarians and families to various Rotary Clubs in Japan, with the Rotary Club of Kofu maintaining the major part of the itinerary. Because of Neal s foresight twenty-eight young students were given the opportunity to participate in the Youth Exchange Program. In 1994 Neal was awarded the Rotary Club of Kofu s Prize for his significant contribution to international service and Valley, WA. Ravi Raman and his wife Shobana from Chennai, who are well know to IFCR members, were also attending the Festival. As a result Ravi and his club (Madras Coromandel) were put in contact with the McIntyre s and in a very short time a Rotarian had visited the Bethania home and a day at an International cricket match was organised for 20 boys. The Rotary Club of Wandin met the cost of the day s outing. The game was a Twenty/20 game between India and New Zealand (India won easily) and from all reports the boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the aim of giving them an unforgettable experience, rather than material possessions, was achieved. Hopefully they will never forget what Rotary did for them. Not only was this project Bridging Continents it will hopefully lead to Building Better Communities. youth activities between Japan and Australia. Neal is the only person outside Japan to receive this honour. Neal was also awarded a Rotary Foundation Citation for meritorious service and is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. Along with Past District Governor Bruce McKenzie, Neal was instrumental in the formation of District Prior to his retirement Neal operated a very successful real estate business in Noble Park and always found time to contribute to other community activities. He was a Life Governor of Umimburra Special School, President, Captain and Life Member of Keysborough Golf Club and President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a great mentor with a unique sense of humour. The Rotary Club of Noble Park has lost an outstanding member who for forty - three years was a great example of Service above Self and will be sadly missed by all those who came in contact with him. From the Bay to the Hills December 2010 Page 5