It was great to have Erwin Biemel with us again on Monday night and to welcome Steve Pusey back from his Leave of Absence. They and we got to hear Mary Henderson's brother, Steve Hoey, speak and to meet his wife Maria. Steve is Deputy Principal of the School of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE) and gave an overview of the history of distance education in Western Australia starting with the establishment of The Correspondence School in 1918 until the present day; and then an overview of SIDE in this its Centenary Year. We've reported on his presentation below.
Our numbers were also swollen by Dave Henderson, our prospective member Anne Edgar; Sarah Bayens who came along to see what the Club was all about; and our exchange student Anna fresh from a weekend in Mandurah where she and seventeen others were briefed on all things Youth Exchange. The group included students from Austria, Belgium (Anna), Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Sweden and the USA. Anna enjoyed the weekend but missed seeing dolphins in the Mandurah Estuary on Sunday morning because she was unwell. It was also good to hear that she is settling in well at school.....and continues to win raffle prizes...and no wonder!
What a difference an email makes!!!! I want to thank everyone who responded and donated prizes for the Club Raffle. We've gone from zero to being almost "embarrassed with riches". It was a great effort and will certainly help to subsidise some of our Club and social activities.
Speaking of donations, Ian Ross asked me pass on his thanks to all who donated in support of the Hands Across the World Team participating in the Chevron City to Surf Run on Sunday 26 August 2018. When questioned, Ian was a little coy about how much of the 42km course he'll cover. Whatever that is, we wish him well and congratulate him on the initiative,
There's still time for eligible teens to apply for the September Camp of the Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPEN). Applications close on 31August 2018. As a reminder of the value of this programme, we've published at right a letter of appreciation from past participant, Emily Ong.
This week's International toast was given by our resident Kiwi, Kieran English. My thanks to him and also to our Club Director of Community Service, Ashley West, who outlined his committee's plans for 2018-19; and to our Club Director of Vocational Service, Kevin Baruffi who is organising a sausage sizzle lunch for about 150 indigenous students attending the Kulbardi Indigenous Open Day at Murdoch University. This event gives attendees an insight into the world of tertiary education and hopefully encourages them to be involved. Kevin will be assisted by Bob Doerksen, Ric Davies, John Erkins and me.
We have a Board meeting on Wednesday 22 August where we will finalise our annual budgets; and on Monday 27 August we'll be meeting at Metamorphosis Gallery 16 Yampi Way, Willetton where artist and gallery director, Jana Vodesil-Baruffi will guide us through an exhibition of her student's work before we go off to Mom Dumpling House a short distance away.This is a partners night.
Last week I reported that the trees we planted at Magaret Harrison Park are thriving. The Willetton Senior High School (WSHS) Interact Club has also taken up the challenge and from 1pm to 3pm on Sunday 16 September, 2018 will be planting trees at Bannister Creek in Lynwood. They are keen for as many Club members as possible to join them. To register Click here by no later than Sunday 26 August 2018.
Finally, Simon Cubitt (noticeably absent from the meeting after the Fremantle Dockers were thrashed by Geelong over the weekend) has ordered the Rotary Shopping Bags for on-selling.
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