Archive for March, 2009

Published by Pete Bennetts on 27 Mar 2009

Rotary Exchange Student, Poi, at Narrabri

 Last weekend, 20th-22nd March, Rotary Exchange Student Punyawan Chuchuai (Poi) attended the District 9650 annual conference at Narrabri together with all the overseas exchange students from the District and a large proportion of members from the Rotary Club of Bellingen, Poi’s host club.

This delegation from Bellingen joined over 600 other Rotarians from the District for a weekend full of fellowship, information, friendship and frivolity.
During the weekend Poi visited a working cotton farm with the other exchange students and Rotarians where she was able to a view a different aspect of rural Australia. That evening she attended a ‘Friendship’ Dinner with the other exchange students and Rotarians from the District.
Dressed in her national costume Poi carried the national flag of Thailand in a procession of all the exchange students that officially opened the Conference. After this Poi and the other overseas exchange students attended information sessions, took time to meet new people and enjoyed each others company before attending the District Governor’s Dinner in the evening where the Conference was addressed by Gabi Hollows before adjourning to the dance floor and the music of ‘Champagne Charlie’, a local band.
On the final morning of the Conference Poi played a traditional musical instrument, the ‘Salor’, to entertain the audience as part of the exchange student’s presentation which was a very enjoyable experience for the audience.
Last weekend in Narrabri allowed Poi, the other exchange students and the Rotarians and their guests to appreciate the different cultures represented by the exchange students in our District.  Everyone who attended the Conference and who had the pleasure of meeting these young ambassadors was greatly enriched by the experience. The Rotary Club of Bellingen is looking for interested families to host a student in 2009-10. For information ring 66 550217.

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Published by Pete Bennetts on 14 Mar 2009

Rotary Bowelscan Month (March 2009)

March was Rotary BOWELSCAN month and the Rotary Club of Bellingen once again sold BOWELSCAN kits outside Pullinger’s Pharmacy in Bellingen and outside BCU in Urunga from 7th March to 14th March. Kits continued to be available at both Bellingen and Urunga Pharmacies until 4th April, and the date for returns to the pharmacies has been extended til 17th April.
The kits are one screen for bowel cancer, and the Rotary Club of Bellingen recommends that community members over 40 participate in this very vital campaign to ensure early detection.

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Published by Pete Bennetts on 06 Mar 2009

Rotary Exchange Student Returns (05Mar09)

 

On Thursday 5th February former Bellingen High student, Clare Jenkins, returned to report to the Rotary Club of Bellingen about her 12 month exchange to Vladivostok, in Russia and to thank the club for its help in arranging this exchange.
Clare travelled, with her father, from Armidale where she now attends Duval High, to talk about her unique experiences in Russia. She spoke about swimming in ice holes cut into the ocean, eating raw reindeer meat and travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway as well as the wonderful people she met on her adventure.
Most importantly Clare spoke about how her experience had made her more determined to utilize all the opportunities available to her back home in Australia, particularly the opportunity to study and achieve all that was possible in the future.
The Rotary Club of Bellingen is proud to have had the opportunity to sponsor Clare who is a great young ambassador for Australia.

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Published by Pete Bennetts on 01 Mar 2009

Rotary Welcomes a New Member (12Feb09)

The Rotary Club of Bellingen welcomed Andrew Sommerville as a new member at their regular Thursday meeting on 12th February. Andrew is the CEO of ‘Open Arms Care’ a local community organisation based in North Bellingen. He became involved in Rotary when his eldest daughter, Reyna, applied to the Rotary Youth Exchange Program (YEP).

After a year of involvement with Rotary and close involvement with Rotary’s Youth, Andrew and his wife, Kate, recently ‘hosted’ 30 overseas exchange students and their friends at their home) Andrew was invited to join the local club.
 
The Rotary Club of Bellingen has an initiative to gain more members. It is looking for local people who are interested in becoming involved in community activities and projects. Interested people should contact Membership Director, Deena Presser.
[Webmasters Note; Membership Director is now James Christian 6655 0277.]
 
Recent activities included a Christmas Raffle which raised money to be used in these community projects. It was won by Krystal Mugridge of Beaudesert, green ticket F81. The Rotary Club of Bellingen wish to thank all who supported this raffle.

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Published by Pete Bennetts on 01 Mar 2009

Rotary Exchange Student Enjoys the Snow in France (12Feb09)

 
Reyna Sommerville has arrived into a very cold, snowy Northern French winter. She is revelling in exploring the deep snow and temperatures that can reach -20C. But, she does not like leaving for school in the morning when it is still dark and snow is falling.
Reyna has already made friends at her new school and is happy that most of them speak English. She is trying to speak French most of the time as her ‘host’ family cannot speak English.
She has been in regular contact with her family in Australia and tells them that she is not the least bit homesick as she is still exploring all the new experiences in her new environment. She is finding the French food has a much more subtle taste and is very different but she is enjoying the adventure of this new experience.
A school excursion to Paris is Reyna’s next adventure, then, in a few weeks she will head to Spain on a sightseeing tour. All these experiences are part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program in which Reyna is participating. The Rotary Club of Bellingen is looking for students aged between 15 and 19 who are interested in finding out more about the Youth Exchange Program for 2010. These students must be well balanced individuals who are willing to learn, who have the capacity to develop and who are willing to adapt within their new hosts environment. Interested students should ring 6655 0217.

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