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Town & Country Weekly

Your e-Zine from District 9800

Volume 3  Issue 26  13 January 2007

DG Bernie's Weekly Message
EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF ROTARY 

Like an avalanche gathering speed as it races downhill, the District Conference 2007 is but a few short weeks away and for those who have not yet registered, it starts with the Welcome Reception on Friday 9^th March at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

I know this is going to be an exciting Conference because of the record number of Early Bird registrations already received.

The main Conference will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport on Saturday and Sunday of our long weekend, 10^th and 11^th March with the Gala Dinner Dance to be held on the Sunday night and you can take the Monday holiday to travel home or take in the attractions of our National Capital.

Attendance at the Conference is not compulsory but, if you want to get the most out of your membership, a District Conference should not be missed.

The Conference will feature excellent speakers and presentations and reports on the work of Rotary in our District, however, this is merely only a part of what is on offer in Canberra. If you talk to regular Conference attendees they will tell you the main attraction of a District Conference is the fellowship. All attendees enjoy the company of their fellow Rotarians and especially the opportunity to meet members of Clubs other than their own.

Canberra promises to be a magnet on the first weekend in March and once there, you will find the accommodation costs most reasonable and most of the numerous attractions, free. 

Experience the power of Rotary and expand your appreciation of our great organisation and be enthralled by the aeronautical presentation by Australia's own Astronaut, Andy Thomas, or hear of the exploits of VC recipient, Keith Payne. Be inspired by the founder of Shelterbox, Tom Henderson, out from the UK and listen to Stuart Diver, our great survivor, and many more to entertain and challenge you. All this will be tied together by the doyen of MC's, Tony Charlton.

I am grateful to the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory for the assistance given in staging this important event and to Lexus of Blackburn who is the main sponsor of the Conference.

Please don't delay and register today to join the fun and fellowship that the District Conference provides.

Log on to the website www.rotaryd9800.org/conference to register.

Lead The Way by Experiencing the Power of Rotary.

Bernie Walshe
District Governor

Calendar of Events:
 Click here

DROUGHT ASSISTANCE
On the 23 January 2007, Woolworths (Safeway) will be donating its entire supermarket's profits for the day to the drought relief. The funds will primarily be used by the CWA for immediate support for rural families with the remainder to help fund research into sustainable farming practices. This is expected to be in excess of $3 million dollars.

So, if you do your normal shopping on the 23 January you will helping farming families who are current doing it tough.

Rotary D9800 is not promoting Woolworths (Safeway) but this is an opportunity to help support those suffering direct hardship from the drought and worth consideration by all.

You may read full details about this proposal at the Woolworths' website.
http://www.woolworths.com.au/woolworths+
ceo+pledges+support+for+drought+reflief.asp

1. CHARITY BREAKFAST WITH FUTUROLOGIST BERNARD SALT
   The Yarra Cluster Clubs invite all Rotarians and friends of Rotarians to a fascinating breakfast address by renowned demographer and futurologist, Bernard Salt to talk on: "Generationally Speaking" 
   - Is generational change shaping your community?                     Click here for details
   Bernard  is the author of the best-selling book The Big Shift published in 2001, now in its 3rd edition and more recently The Big Picture published in 2006. He will address the issues of:

   - Is generational change shaping your community? 
   - Are the Boomers guilt ridden, indulgent parents and grandparents?
   - Where have all the X Gen gone?
   - Generation Y - are they footloose and fancy free?
   - Will this Fearless Generation become the Disappointed Generation? 
   Where:    Leonda by the Yarra, Wallen Road, Hawthorn (Melways 45 A11);
   When:     Friday 23 February 2007;
   Time:       7:15 am for 7:30 am sharp;
   Cost:       $37.00 per head or $350.00 for a table of 10

2. SUPPORT FOR IMPORTANT MEDICAL RESEARCH
   Click here to read about an opportunity for District Clubs to take up the challenge to assist funding to complete important medical research. If Clubs would like more details about how they may be able to help, please contact PDG Des Jones. 

3. ROTARACT ANNUAL DINNER DANCE
   The Rotaract Clubs of Lilydale and Noble Park would like to invite all Rotarians to the Rotaract International Dinner Dance, which is being held on Saturday 17th March 2007. Click here to read a flyer with all the details. It will be a great night, not to be missed!

4. Rotary Youth Exchange - 2007/8 programme
   While our current intake of students arrived only in July and our 2007 outbound students have yet to leave it is already time to start thinking about next year's program. Click here to read further details.

5. ROMAC UPDATE
   In the December District Governor's Newsletter you read about the remarkable story of Afu Fan who arrived in Australia in Sept 2006, as a near quadriplegic, and was facing death within six months.
   Afu flew out in early January from Melbourne to Darwin, where he was met by Rotary and accommodated overnight and flew on to East Timor exactly 3 months after he arrived. At least four times at Melbourne airport he had to be "found" prior to his departure as he raced around and yet just a few months ago, at the same airport, he could not walk and had months to live.
   Afu is very appreciative but his dad is just overwhelmed by Rotary & Rotary people.  As a Christian he said we were all blessed by God. Cecilia Goncalves, on behalf of the Timorese community & the Timorese Association in Victoria committee has written to say thank you to all the members of Rotary for helping Afu's Family & especially their son. The boy is very happy & full of hope & strength to face life in the future.

6. COCKTAIL PARTY FOR MS
   A fund-raising Cocktail Party will be held on Saturday 10th February to coincide with the annual MS Global Dinners held around the world.
   The D9800 Rotarian Action Group for M.S. Awareness (RAGMSA) is spearheading the function to be held at International House, at the Melbourne University and is looking to District clubs for their support in the committee's commitment to 'Help Prevent & Find a Cure for MS' - More details will follow.

7. ROTARY IMAGE IN ACTION
   Astute Rotarians who are regular travellers on Melbourne's roads will have noticed that Rotary is being promoted in spectacular fashion by massive signs at 2 sites. One sign is at the corner of Dynon Road and Sims St in West Melbourne and the other in Dorset Road in Bayswater North. The space on these signs has been donated to Rotary and this gesture is greatly appreciated.

8. MELBOURNE METROPOLITAN ROTARY BOWLS DAY
   FRIDAY MARCH 30, 2007 - 12.30PM AT KEW HEIGHTS SPORTS CLUB, 397 Barkers Rd., Kew 3101 click here for details and entry form

9. CAFE INTERNATIONALE
   Cafe International 2007: The Golden Globe" promises to be an exciting night of fine dining and sparkling performances inspired by film and television classics over the last 50 years. 2007 also marks the 50th anniversary of International House. In celebration, the student residents have decided to donate 100% of profits from Cafe 2007 to Interplast Australia.             Keep 5th May 2007 free to attend this event.
   Click here for essential details about Cafe 2007 and please indelibly mark Saturday night 5 May 2007 in your diary for "Cafe 2007: The Golden Globe". If you have further questions about Cafe 2007, please contact Cafe07@gmail.com     District 9800 Rotary Clubs will receive a formal invitation for Cafe 2007 early next year.

10. AUSTRALIA DAY 2007 INVITATION - STOP PRESS
    The Rotary Club of St Kilda invites Rotarians, friends and family to the annual celebration of our National Day on Friday 26^th January 2007. Join us for brunch from 10am at the South Melbourne Town Hall. We look forward to seeing you there - Click here to read all about it.

    Australia Day is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy & appreciate the benefits of our remarkable country & its people, to reflect upon & acknowledge the history that led us to where we are now & to look forward to the future that we can create. So have fun & help to improve the lives of those with less cause to celebrate. 
    Mike Williamson, OAM is guest speaker & with Channel 7 taking back the AFL football telecasts in 2007 will reflect on his time with Channel 7. Items to auction include a rare Brownlow Medal montage of signed photographs of 40 medallists & AFL legend Bob Skilton will be on hand to present to the lucky purchaser. Len Thompson another AFL legend remembered by many Collingwood supporters will also be attending.
    For most of us, Australia is indeed a Lucky Country.  Help us to share that around.
    Booking is essential - please click to access the booking form.
    
    You can always check the back issues of Weekly News if you missed something:  2005-2006 Issue 01  02  03  04  05  06  07  08   09  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20   21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37   38   39  40   41  42  43  44  45  46  47  48 49 50
    2006-2007: 1  2 3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13 14 15  16  17  18  19 20  21  22  23  24 25