After the Xmas/New Year break, the Rotary D9685 machine is up and running!
RYLA 2017 was run and won by 84 new RYLArians. The Organising Committee chaired by David Clark, supported the Facilitators lead by Amanda Firkins together with Mum & Dad (David and Dianne Waterhouse) arranged an excellent program that actively engaged and developed the attendees. The outdoor activities were challenging and the indoor speakers were compelling. Well Done and Thank you to all who made it happen....and I hope that the experience convinces the new RYLArians to join Rotaract so they can continue to enjoy and enhance the Rotary experience.
DGE Peter Ward and Anne attended the Rotary International Assembly in San Diego in January. This is a major training event for all incoming District Governors. During the training week Peter and Anne had the opportunity to meet the Rotary Global Leaders and the incoming RI President Ian Riseley and connect with incoming DGs from 530+ countries.
On 26 January Rotary Clubs all over D9685 were working flat out to serve their communities with all range of celebrations of our great country. BBQs galore, Fairs and Markets and....... Gnome Conventions! Bette and I enjoyed joining President Pamela Noel and RC Lower Blue Mountains at the Glenbrook Park. A fabulous day of fun and celebration with an inspiring speech by Australia Day Ambassador, Cameron Girdlestone, who won a Silver medal at the Rio Olympics as a member of the Rowing team. The day was well attended by the mountain folk and a feature of the Fair was the Australian Gnome Convention. Over 1000 well dressed Gnomes strutted their stuff around an idyllic setting in man&women - built Gnomeland , complete with the GnomeScenic Railway. The Chief Gnome [alias PDG David Cook] , The Australia Day Ambassador Cameron and your District Governor judged the best dressed gnomes in 7 categories. A young bloke named Max Buckley won the Under 12 category with an entry of the "RolyPoly Rotarian" Gnome. I wonder where he got the inspiration for that? Your DG entered the President of RC GnomeCity/Sailing Superstar Gnome but sadly he did not make the cut. Well Done to RC Lower Blue Mountains.
Australia Day celebrates the Lucky Country and We that are lucky to live here. It also recognises people who have provided Service above Self. Rotary District 9685 congratulates and thanks some our number who were recognised on 26 January
Well Done...
Tim Anderson OAM Rotary Club of Brookvale
Lindsay May OAM Rotary Club of Lane Cove
John Rankin OAM Rotary Club of Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise
The Rotary Foundation $Million Dinner in November saw many very generous Rotarians being recognised. The guest of honour at the dinner, PRIP Bill Boyd, also presented an award on behalf of the Foundation Chairman and Board of Trustees. This award, the Citation for Meritorius Service, was 
presented to Past District Governor Danny Low from the Rotary Club of Mosman. PDG Danny was recognised for his many years of service to the Foundation, his service on many international projects and his ongoing commitment to helping others. Well Done and Congratulations to PDG Danny.
Congratulations to Past District Governor David Rands who received the Australia Day Merit Award from the Rotary Club of Pennant Hills. This award was presented at a joint Club meeting of RC Pennant Hills and RC Beecroft and continues a tradition dating back to 1989. Well Done and Thank you, PDG David for your ongoing commitment to Doing Good in the World.
Calling all future District Governors, calling all future District Governors! Applications are now open. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Chair of the Nominating Committee, PDG Ian Scott or myself. We would love to speak with you. The DG job is low on salary but BIG on satisfaction, with a liberal dose of FUN and excitement. Think about it........
February is the Rotary month for PEACE.
May we all have a peaceful and productive month as we serve Humanity and make a Difference.
I look forward to talking with you next month, with more D9685 e-News including Rotary Manly's 100 years of Service celebration.
Now please go to the D9685 Conference website.........Register NOW!
Rotary Clubs provide the heart and soul – and inspiration – of every District Conference and our Conference on 11 March will be no exception. 
