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OUR MEETING #1 for the 16 - 17 year.
President Geoff commenced the meeting with the traditional Rotary Grace, Toast to the Queen and welcomed members and guests.
It was the last meeting for Kat, who has a farewell on this Friday at the Thirsty Crow, and then on the plane Monday at 9:20am.
Kat's final presentation is further on in the bulletin.
Kat was presented with a gift of earings from the members, by President Geoff.
Rotary Information with Ken Cook.
Rotary Club Locator.
When travelling it is now easier to due a make-up with the new Rotary Club Locator App.
With this App you simply indicate the distance you are prepared to travel from where you are situated and the App will show all clubs within that radius
The App is also a helpful tool providing information on joining a Rotary or Rotaract club, Youth and other Rotary programs.
John Gray's SERGEANT'S SESSION with Peter Crozier.
Peter thanked the Secretary for the opportunity to fine members today.
He fined a number of easy pickings from the Changeover dinner last week;
Struck down with the dreaded 'logie'
Burmo, M Eldridge, F Fuller, D Hodge, P McKinnon, T McMullin, B Willis - absentees @ changeover.
J Gray, D Benn, P Crozier and J Gibson for turning up to the club at lunch time last Tuesday for an IFCR meeting, and Benny for bringing his own Sandwiches!
He then asked if Benny was even in the room?
Well, right in front of him, as it turned out.
He praised Darren Wallace for his "Victoria's Secret"
Peter Clucas for his ABC radio presentation on fitting chains to tyres in the snow
Rob Fuller for appearing in the Advertiser some 17 times last week
Paul Harris Fellow recipients at Changeover - Phil McIntosh and John Ferguson.
Finally, a reminder to fine Past President Geoff Hamilton when he flies in again, for not having a Sergeant Fine session at Changeover.
Travis Downey advised that the online applications for the AED have closed, and they received a total of 35!
Kat stood up in front of the members, guests and host parents for the last time and delivered her final speech.
President Geoff, Rotarians, Ladies and Gentlemen.
When they first told me that I was accepted to Australia I was really happy, thinking that I would be able to go for a swim by the beach every morning, learn how to surf and live in a large city like Sydney or Melbourne, then they told me that I was going to Wagga, no longer a big city but I still thought it was only about 30 minutes to the coast. I still remember asking if we could go to the coast in the afternoon when I just arrived and my friends that I asked just looked at me and laught (sic).
The only thing that came up when I searched Wagga on google was lots and lots of spiders, and I had nightmares for three nights in a row, thinking I would have to spend my year in a town full of spiders.
I was very nervous about going on exchange and didn't start packing until 2 am the night before my flight and I flew out early in the morning because I didn't want to think about going. The biggest reason to why I was so scared was because I didn't think my English would be good enough. I still remember asking my mum the night before if I really had to go, but I'm happy that I did, because this is deffinitely (sic) the best thing I've done in my life.
I had a long trip with 12 hours in Bankok and 5 hours in Sydney and when I finally arrived here, I went to bed almost straight away. I told Cathy and Pykie that was only going for a power nap for an hour since it was four o'clock in the afternoon, but didn't wake up (until) 11 o'clock in the morning the next day.
I spent my first day here with Pykie, going to a rugby game, and then off to Junee to the licorice factory. I could't ask for a better host family to start with and didn't even contact my Swedish parents during my whole time there. This was Probably since I was busy doing lots of fun things and because they took such a good care of me.
During my first three months here, I went skiing three times, to Sydney twice and went down lamb marking in Tasmania.
I didn't have my first full school week before probably two months into my exchange because I went away almost every weekend.
My second host family was Kath and Darren Wallace, even though it was't planned for me to go there in the first place. They took good care of me and we had lots of fun together. During the time with them I went water-skiing which I really enjoyed even though I got this scar in my face. ( Which I will have for the rest of my life)
I went to Mollymook with Geoff Hamilton, to Melbourne with John Ferguson and watched Australian Open, then watched the big bash with the Fosters and Canberra with Geoff Bruest. I also had the oppurtunity (sic) to spend new years on the sydney Harbour which I was very greatful(sic) for.
My next host family after that was Lug and Jonty Shuter and that was my first family with a host sister. It was fun to have someone in your age and this gave me a totally different experience from living with the Pykes and Wallaces. I wasn't there for very long because before I knew it, I went away for my amazing trip, the Safari where I visited places like Uluru, Adelaide, Sydney, Cairns, Alice Springs and lots more.
Almost straight after the safari, I moved host families again, to Rob and Suzanne Fulller where I am now. Just like at the Shuters, I have a host sister here, which I really enjoy and of course little Jack.
I was very lucky and stayed here while Hollie did her deb which was very special. I also went to Sydney and Melbourne during my time here.
During my year I've had the oppurtunity to experience a lot of things. I've probably been to at least 6 footy games and visited more places in Australia than most of my friends aat school, and all this becuse of you. My experience would't of been half as good without you and for this I'm very greatful.
Thank you for everything and especially thanks to all my host families, President Geoff, and other people who have played a big role in my exchange like David Foster. Cheers.
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