President Kerrie also wrote on 13 June: 

I’ve just spent my morning tea time cruising through this week’s material. Rosie King grabbed my attention the most – 16, autistic and happily so. I’ve never thought too much about autism only felt sad when someone has made reference to someone’s child struggling with it and she is so right – people do try to put you in a stereotypical box. The Rotaractor’s doing good in the Ukraine was a simple but obviously worthwhile project for that club. I agree with Ian, it was a shame there wasn’t more about the Convention which was held recently in Sao Paulo. I would be a tad disappointed if the highlight of the Convention was the launch of a members benefits program which is an idea I’m personally still trying to reconcile with.

Ian, you’ve escaped the fine for reading the paper a day late by checking out the Facebook page for the club on Thursday Island but I’m thinking that’s the club to email with this week’s greeting too. Should you or I do it? The pic at the northernmost point of Oz is impressive. You look well and obviously enjoyed the trip and experience. Somehow I thought the water would be bluer and more greenery but then I guess it is the Cape so exposed to all the elements. I’m looking forward to exploring Australia a bit more someday….

..and on 15 June Ian Sayers wrote:

Pity some of the Sao Paulo  Convention material wasn’t available – came up “Page not found”.  Possibly a bit early. Rest was interesting.  Good to hear and see Bill Gates’ comments about Rotary and the eradication of polio.  I was really interested in the Rotaractor items – off the Rotary website, as well as the short video on their activities in the Ukraine.  As for the autistic lass – what a woman …  She put a totally different perspective on autism.

I found the Rotaract items particularly interesting as, way back in 1997, when we went through Russia on the way to the Glasgow Convention, we were supposed to meet with Rotarians in Moscow.  (Moscow would have been the closest we got to Ukraine).  The reason, apart from fellowship, was that we (District 9710) had  hosted a Russian Youth Exchange boy, the first in Australia from Russia.  His parents were involved with the Rotary Club of Moscow and had made a lot of the local arrangements.  The “heavies” (a group of PDGs on the trip) did meet with Rotarians, but the rest of us spent an evening with Rotaractors.  It was really great.  In fact, I suspect we had the far better time. Way back then, in the fairly early days of Rotary in Russia, they were doing amazing things.  I also remember what a fine bunch of young people they were – and their English was quite excellent.  Poor kids were a bit embarrassed by the lack of food.  That was the one thing very apparent back in 1997 – everyone we met was very poor.  There wasn’t much money about.  Our YEP student’s mother was a school teacher and hadn’t been paid for a couple of years.  His Dad was a university professor, and the same applied to him. 

I noticed on the Facebook page with the item on Rotaractor in the Ukraine, there was an item about Rotary and Men’s’ Sheds.  I know we’re not necessary supposed to wander off, but I found it interesting that Rotary starts many Men’s Sheds. That’s not something I was aware of.

Once we get going something to consider – a Centurion scheme - $100 per member per annum to The Rotary Foundation.

Speaking of getting going, how are we going towards Charter?  Any idea when it might happen – no commitment  required – just interested. 

Another most interesting meeting.

Thanks Kerrie and Ian for your comments.