This year’s ‘On-to-Conference’ Group of 12 intrepid members and partners, led by President Reg and Sue Smith, explored the diverse offerings of the Benalla, Milawa and Beechworth region over three beautiful sunny days ahead of the Conference itself. Big thanks to Sue and Reg for all their detailed planning in the fond hope we would be able to make the trip! Golf was enjoyed by some in stunning weather among the kangaroos at Albury Commercial Club. Six more from Rotary Melbourne joined the weekend’s activities, which as always left us inspired and motivated to move forward in our ‘Rotary journeys’.
District Governor Dale Hoy and his team had worked hard putting together a full program of engaging speakers, project showcasing, entertainment and Rotary fellowship in a relatively short period, given the uncertainties around COVID. The theme ‘Together in Albury’ emphasised the advantages of doing things in person and having fun along the way. Nearly 400 people benefitted from exactly that!
Michael Lapina (District Governor Nominee Designate) laid on a splendid variety of music, focusing on local talent including World Champion Pipe Band from Scots School and the Good Gravy barbershop quartet. A young pop star with over 1.4 million followers on social media – Erica Padilla – performed for us live on stage. Michael and extraordinary soprano Simone Crossley regaled us brilliantly during the Gala Dinner with some well-known songs from opera and musicals.
Following a warm welcome from the local Mayor, State and Federal MPs, the first key presentation – from author Lucy Bloom – provided a number of thoughts worth pondering:
• Fantasise about how things can go right
• There’s one direction in life, and that’s forward
• It’s OK that we still have a lot to learn in the move from analogue to digital
• COVID has taken us five years ahead of ourselves
• The words we use need to hit hard with our audience
• If everyone in our Club looks like us, we have a diversity problem!
Rotary International President Elect Jennifer Jones beamed into the auditorium from Melbourne where she and Past President Mary Barry (Chair of the Host Organising Committee) were in planning discussions for the 2023 Rotary Convention, which will attract some 20,000 delegates. We were encouraged to offer our services as volunteers or home hosts in May next year. It was a proud moment when our own member Amanda Wendt introduced herself as District Governor Elect.
Ron Finkel AM and Rosemary Carrick told us about Project Rozana, which builds better understanding between Israelis and Palestinians through health initiatives. The importance of bridge building and collaboration between peoples was a clear learning from this presentation.
Dr Noor Shah Kamawal told the incredible story of his recent flight from Afghanistan along with his wife and seven children, greatly helped by a number of Australian Rotarians. Dr Kamawai spoke of the significance of educating children about the fragility but importance of peace, and of the power of the Rotary network, which had been so instrumental in securing his family’s release from the war-torn country.
Dr Tania Militec, our District’s first Rotary Peace Scholar (and well known to us in Rotary Melbourne) was interviewed by MC Ali Moore about her 20-year experiences in the field of peace and conflict. She and fellow speaker Ian Scott AM spoke passionately about the contribution that Clubs can make in peacebuilding – it starts with every individual member.
In her excellent summary of the weekend, a Past District Governor from NSW, Jennifer Scott, stressed how Rotary has an opportunity to flourish if we look at the ‘pallet’ of our Club and work at ensuring true diversity, equity and inclusion:
• Diversity is a fact )
• Equity is a choice ) Belonging is an outcome.
• Inclusion is an action )
Robert Fisher
25 April 2022
