DG’s NEWSLETTER DG’s NEWSLETTER DISTRICT DISTRICT 9550 - MAY 2015 MAY 2015 “Light Up Rotary” May 2015 – Vocational Service Month 2014-15 District 9550 DG Moorthy Karuna When I joined Rotary International more than 12 years ago, vocation was often discussed at clubs. It seemed an important area and one which was always sup- ported with many vocational trips, Pride of Workmanship Awards associated func- tions etc. I think we all need to continue with this focus and promote the Vocation- al Service activities. The Group Study Exchange Team from Rotary International District 3202 India were excellent and were a credit to their respective families, Rotary International District 3202 and India. All feedbacks received to-date has been positive and most Rotarians enjoyed their company. I would like to thank District Group Study Ex- change Coordinator Narelle Hibberd, Past District Governor Tony Goddard and all Rotarians / Friends of Rotary who made this a special and successful project. I would also like to thank Rotary International District 3202 Governor Sridharan Nambiar and Group Study Exchange Coordinator Ravikumar for giving us the op- portunity to host such a great team. Unfortunately we were unable to send a Group Study Exchange Team to India but we should try and make sure that we partner in the future on other Rotary International initiatives. Seven Rotaractors and David Boyce from Timor Leste (which is in our district) visited Townsville and attended our District 9550 Conference. I hope they had a great trip which was both enjoyable and informative. I would like to thank District Rotaract Coordinator Lux Foot, David Boyce and President Debbie Smith, Towns- ville Rotary for organising their trip and all Rotarians/Friends of Rotary who helped them during their stay in Townsville. There were many Interactors from many Interact clubs throughout our District that made the effort to attend. This certainly gave our Conference a very youthful feel and perspective. I would like to thank Lesa Pershouse and Assistant Governor Ru Carslake for organising their transport etc. and conducting a mini conference for them. The Youth Conference was an initiative of the Interactors which provided them with the opportunity to raise and discuss areas of interest within their group.
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DG’s NEWSLETTER DG’s NEWSLETTER DISTRICTDISTRICT 9550 -- MAY 2015 MAY 2015
“Light Up Rotary” May 2015 – Vocational Service Month
2014-15 District 9550 DG Moorthy Karuna
When I joined Rotary International more than 12 years ago, vocation was often
discussed at clubs. It seemed an important area and one which was always sup-
ported with many vocational trips, Pride of Workmanship Awards associated func-
tions etc. I think we all need to continue with this focus and promote the Vocation-
al Service activities.
The Group Study Exchange Team from Rotary International District 3202 India
were excellent and were a credit to their respective families, Rotary International
District 3202 and India. All feedbacks received to-date has been positive and most
Rotarians enjoyed their company. I would like to thank District Group Study Ex-
change Coordinator Narelle Hibberd, Past District Governor Tony Goddard and all
Rotarians / Friends of Rotary who made this a special and successful project. I
would also like to thank Rotary International District 3202 Governor Sridharan
Nambiar and Group Study Exchange Coordinator Ravikumar for giving us the op-
portunity to host such a great team. Unfortunately we were unable to send a Group
Study Exchange Team to India but we should try and make sure that we partner in
the future on other Rotary International initiatives.
Seven Rotaractors and David Boyce from Timor Leste (which is in our district)
visited Townsville and attended our District 9550 Conference. I hope they had a
great trip which was both enjoyable and informative. I would like to thank District
Rotaract Coordinator Lux Foot, David Boyce and President Debbie Smith, Towns-
ville Rotary for organising their trip and all Rotarians/Friends of Rotary who
helped them during their stay in Townsville.
There were many Interactors from many Interact clubs throughout our District that
made the effort to attend. This certainly gave our Conference a very youthful feel
and perspective. I would like to thank Lesa Pershouse and Assistant Governor Ru
Carslake for organising their transport etc. and conducting a mini conference for
them. The Youth Conference was an initiative of the Interactors which provided
them with the opportunity to raise and discuss areas of interest within their group.
2
We had 193 registrations for the conference consisting of 80 Rotarians (49 from
Townsville), 45 Partners, 48 Youth/ GSE & 14 Friends on Rotary. Only 134 attend-
ed Saturday 02 May 2015 Plenary session, consisting of 68 Rotarians. There are
probably many reasons why the participation level was not as expected and this
may be due in part to the current difficult economic times many of our members are
currently experiencing. While another may be that the conference is losing rele-
vance to some of our members. Whatever the reason/s we need to consider how we
can make future Conferences both affordable and relevant. What cannot be argued
is that it was a great success as far as the youth participation is concerned. To the
best of my knowledge the 2015 District 9550 Conference Townsville was run with-
in its budget allocation. This is no small feat and required close attention to all ex-
penditure (continued page 3).
I would like to thank all those who helped with the success of the conference, espe-
cially the following:
District Conference Committee for their effort and dedication over the past 9
months.
District Conference Coordinator DGE Mike Woods and District Treasurer Col
Lawson who provided advice and guidance especially on budget.
Guest Speakers who provided their own perspective on the Rotary themes - Cre-
ate, Innovate & Inspire.
Rotarians/Friends of Rotary who helped during the conference to Light up Rota-
ry.
Rotary International President’s Representative (RIPR), 2015-17 Rotary Interna-
tional Director, Past District Governor Peter Offer from Coventry, England.
Rotary International Zone 8 & 7B Regional Coordinator, Past District Governor
Malcolm Lindquist from Adelaide.
Past District Governors Brendan Porter / Ian Lomas and District Governor Elect
Mike Woods for looking after my guest Peter Offer and Malcolm Lindquist.
The Group Study Exchange Team from Rotary International District 3202 India.
Rotaractors from Timor Leste.
Interactors from the many Interact clubs.
Youth Exchange Program students who presented the guest speakers with gifts.
Townsville Saints Rotary for organising the Heart Kids Foundation Walk.
No doubt I have missed someone or some group but to those who assisted in any way please accept my ap-preciation and thanks for a job well done.
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Presidential Message GARY C.K. HUANG President 2014-15
One of my favorite parts of a Rotary convention is the House of Friendship.
In Chinese, we say: 有朋自遠方來,不亦樂乎. "To have friends come together from
faraway places is a wonderful thing."
At the 106th annual Rotary International Convention, 6-9 June, the House of Friend-
ship will reflect the excitement and the diverse blend of cultures of São Paulo, the
host city. In between general sessions, you can relax and enjoy all that Brazil has to
offer – sample the cuisine, browse locally made gifts, and take in top-quality enter-
tainment. You also can get ideas for service and find partners at booths showcasing
Rotary projects and Rotarian Action Groups. And best of all, you'll have the oppor-
tunity to spend time with old friends and make many new ones.
The House of Friendship is a wonderful place to bring your convention guests – your
family and your friends from home. By attending conventions with me, my family ex-
perienced the true internationality of Rotary. Eventually my wife, Corinna, and all
three of my children joined Rotary clubs.
You and your guests will want to be sure to come early for World Water Summit 7, on
4 June, sponsored by the Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group, or for the Rota-
ry Peace Symposium, 4-5 June.
This year we are honored that Dr. Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica, will be
the keynote speaker at the Rotary Peace Symposium. Arias received the Nobel Peace
Prize for brokering a peace agreement that ended the brutal civil wars in Central
America.
Other events 4-5 June include the Rotaract Preconvention Meeting, the International
Institute, and the Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention Meeting.
When the convention is over, spend time exploring all that Brazil has to offer – pris-
tine beaches just a few hours away, the excitement and glamour of Rio de Janeiro, and
the wonders of the Amazon rain forest.
Every year, I return from the Rotary convention inspired to do more, to give more in
Rotary service throughout the year. Register today at www.riconvention.org. I look