 | Author's Name: Peter Dakin Date: Sun 20 Jul 2025 |
Good afternoon Rotarians & Guests
I have been doing a bit of reflection myself over the past couple of weeks as another decade has passed and was reviewing the bound copy of Rotary Bulletin’s presented to me at the conclusion of my 2000-20001 Presidential year.
Our Club has a proud history of supporting Rotary International Exchange Programs and it is pleasing that we are going to hear from a Rotary Scholar (Harry Baugh) who is with us today.
As far back as 1965 the Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange embarked on a busy 2 months in Canada with a Rotarian from our Club and six young executives from Melbourne.
In the 1970’s our Student Exchange Program commenced and remained active for nearly 50 years providing a wonderful experience for inbound and outbound students . Many of our Rotarians and their families including Kevin and Lisa Sheehan hosted a number of international students.
Bob Fels is highly respected for his outstanding commitment and success at the Club, District and International level with the Rotary Global Post Graduate Scholarship and Peace Fellow Programs.
When reviewing the Bulletin in July 2000 it was noted that our Ambassadorial Scholar, Deborah Mitchell from Chicago updated us on her Social Work Post Graduate studies at The University of Melbourne as well as her enthusiastic involvement with the Aboriginal Health Service in Fitzroy.
Many of you will recall Virginia Trioli, former host of the ABC Drive Program, who addressed the Club in January 2001. Her presentation was enthralling and she was grateful for being granted a Rotary Foundation Fellowship which launched her into the highly competitive Greenwich University in New York just as she was embarking on her career as a Journalist.
In closing I feel we could benefit by reaching out to as many Rotary Exchange Alumni as possible to invite them back to the Club face to face or even online to share their journey and hopefully join Rotary.
Thank you Peter Dakin
