2016 District Conference Report
District Conference was held in Wagga Wagga and was once again highly successful, with great fellowship and fun.
We were honoured to have Past Rotary International President Bill Boyd from New Zealand, as the RI President’s representative and all those who attended would agree is a wonderful speaker. Bill spoke on a number of subjects but his reminiscing of experiences as RI President and Rotarians who have had an influence on his life were inspiring, how we all can have an effect on someone else.
David Gilbey was the Master of Ceremonies and in completing that job he very capably incorporated poetry, humour and the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespear's death.
We have some wonderful moments to remember and many others to inspire us to do the work of Rotary. PRIP Bill Boyd was inspiring and inciting in his presentations and gave us some wonderful messages and enthusiasm for the continued progress of Rotary bringing health, education, housing and peace to the world.
Bill and Lorna have visited Wagga Wagga on a previous occasions and didn’t hesitate to choose to return when given the opportunity. I asked Geoff and Maria Bargwanna to act as aides as Geoff was District Governor in Bill’s year as RI President. They did a sterling job and I thank them very much.
The conference opened with 40 Rotarians carrying in the flags of countries onto the stage, with the presentation of New Zealand and Australian National Anthem to recognise ANZAC weekend.
Our line-up of presenters included a video of PRIP Kalyan Banerjee, Peace Advocates Steve Killelea and Sarah Yahya, Business Leaders Charles Tarbey and Garry Browne along with others. Our Youth programs were highlighted by a rebound exchange student Luke Helson and Fran Raymond a past Exchange student now holding a prominent Public Service role along with Mary Bell’s presentation on the “Real Schoolies”. Many participants made the comment that they left with a number of ideas to take back to their clubs regarding all of these areas.
I was able to realise my vision for the District Conference in bringing international class speakers to the conference and focussing attention on Peace, Business and Rotary and Rotary Youth Programs. My thanks to Michael Knight and his committee for all their hard work of the past 12 months, to David Gilbey who did a wonderful job as MC and of course the volunteers who assisted on the day of the conference.The BEATNIX were the entertainment on Saturday night. The theatre was almost full and everyone had a fabulous time, reminiscing and singing along to their favourite songs. Rotarians were dancing in the isles and it was just fabulous to see everyone enjoying themselves. Who would have thought that the DGE and DGN could dance! Well done guys! Great fun.
