As we planned for this Rotary year, I could have never "imagined" the breadth of stories we would encounter nor the scope of the people we would meet.
I find oxygen in sharing time with our members — hearing their truths and learning about their personal journeys and their deepest desires for goodness.
And so it was that I encountered two very different men with very similar stories.
One-hundred-year-old Genshitsu Sen is a remarkable human being and a joyful soul. We greeted each other in Kyoto, during my trip to Japan in November, with a hug and an instant connection.
Not only is Sen a former grand master of the Urasenke tea tradition but he is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Kyoto, where he has served as club president. He assisted in the charter of the Rotary Club of Kyoto-South. And he has also served as governor of District 2650 and held leadership roles in Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.
During that same week, I had the great pleasure to record a birthday video for a 100-year-old World War II naval hero who is an exemplary leader and who served two terms as governor of District 5810 in Texas.
Both men are decorated World War II heroes in their respective countries and share unthinkable history. And although they served on opposing sides of the war, their stories are remarkably similar — and they are both honorable men who chose Rotary to carry on lives of peacemaking.
I have been reflecting so much lately that we are all on this planet simply trying to do our best, and we are much more similar than we are different.
I feel incredibly fortunate to share in these stories and to meet such incredible people.
The 2023 District Conference was an outstanding success. The heat outside was not an issue once inside the venue which was fully air conditioned. Any issues that arose during the Conference were expertly handled and solved by the Conference team, and a friendly, informal, yet informative Conference was held for the approximately 300 participants who attended. The catering by the Rotary Club of Cowra for the barbecue meal on the Friday went way beyond a sausage sandwich at Bunnings, and the brunch on Sunday in the Japanese Gardens also catered by the Rotary Club of Cowra was a great meal including coffee.
A summary of the events and highlights have been gathered from a number of Rotarians who are acknowledged for allowing the editor of this newsletter to use their contribution.
Congratulations are in order for the great job done by our District Governor, and the Conference team under the leadership of Carol Lemon-McCoy and John Isbister, Conference Co-Chairs. Every member of the team had their roles and all worked extremely hard achieving all of the goals that had been set for them.
Here are some of the highlights of the Conference, by no means in chronogical order of when they occurred.
1. The Japanese Ambassador, His Excellency Shingo Yamagami
Shingo Yamagami gave a most impressive and powerful presentation on the Sunday morning in the Japanese Gardens, and he has graciously consented for us all to read his speech. Please click HERE to read what he presented.
The photo shows His Excellency Shingo Yamagami being presented with a gift by District 9685 Governor Mina Howard.
2. Greg North - Bush Poet
Thanks to Michele Ellery for allowing me to use her video. Please click HERE.
3. The Sheep Dog Rxhibition with Nick Forster
Once again,thanks to Michele Ellery for allowing me to use her video. Please click HERE.
4. The Local Indigenous Dance Troupe From Cowra HS
And again,thanks to Michele Ellery for allowing me to use her video. Please click HERE.
5. A Summary of the Conference Activities
Written by District Secretary, Liz McDougall, and reproduced from the Rotary Club of Warringah newsletter with permission from its editor Chrisy Savvides, click HERE to read.
District Governor 2025-2026 applications are open. These close on 31st march
For more details view past Rotary Round Up Newsletters.
For further details, please contact: Chair of the Nominating Committee, PDG David Clark, 0414 364 812 davd.clark.1606@gmail.com(Please note there is no (i) in davd in the email address
District Assembly, 15th April, face to face, and a number of sessions over the following days via Zoom. The schedule is shown in the table below. There have been some changes to the structure of the Assembly as plans have been finalised to meet everyone's needs. The schedule for District 9685 District Assembly 2023 will be as follows:
Apr-15
Saturday
9.00 am – 12.00 pm
Live
Main Session
Apr-15
Saturday
1.00 pm – 3.30 pm
Live
Foundation + International
Apr-22
Saturday
10.00 am
Zoom
Treasurer
1.00 pm
Zoom
Secretaries + Administrators
3.00 pm
Zoom
Membership
Apr-27
Thursday
7.00 pm
Zoom
Community
Apr-30
Sunday
10.00 am
Zoom
Public Image
12.30 pm
Zoom
Vocational
3.00 pm
Zoom
Youth
Western Sydney MUNA at Nepean CAPA HS, 3rd-4th June. Applications close 31st March
To view each of the following MUNA documents, please click on the names below:
Our sewing training program for Ukrainian refugees in Sydney has been a great success. The program was held at the Ukraine Church Hall in Granville over 10 days, from 20/2/23 to 4/3/23. Five of our wonderful volunteers teachers, taught eleven Ukrainian women sewing techniques at all levels. During the program the students made a wide assortment of items, from basic children’s clothes, to beautiful bags and purses to magnificent dresses.
To read the rest of this great story, please click HERE.
3. Join us for the Cultivating Effective Projects webinar series - For the early birds or late nighters...
All Rotary members are invited to participate in an exciting five-part webinar series designed to support you as you cultivate effective projects that will create a sustainable impact in your community and around the world. These webinars will offer tools and strategies to help you plan, find resources for, implement, and evaluate your projects, including youth service projects.
Learn more about the specific topics and register now:
4. Accommodation at the Rotary Convention in Melbourne
PDG Lindsay May and his wife Tania booked a 2 bed apartment in The Mantra, South Melbourne (15 min Walking distance to the Convention centre). This apartment is no longer required by PDG Lindsay and Tania.
One lady Rotarina has taken one room and is looking for another female to share. If anyone is interested in sharing the room during the Convention, please contact Tania Mace
Radio is a powerful way to spread your Club stories. If your Club has a project, local or overseas, which would interest the wider general public, discuss it with Rotary Matters presenter Ian Stuart who will be glad to help spread the word. Ian.stuart@optusnet.com.au 0416 138 860
And there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer also. Visit the host organising committee website https://rotarymelbourne2023.org/ for more details on volunteering and the Convention.
See "Read More" for :
the Latest Convention News, and
a letter from Ian Riseley about "Golf at the Melbourne Convention"
In addition, there is an Offer for a Program for Non Rotarians. Click HERE to view
to let us know of any bereavements you would like published.
You may also inform your Assistant Governor, the District Secretary, or the Governor. Remember to also update your club's member database on the District website.
THE MONTHLY THEME FOR MARCH IS WATER AND SANITATION MONTH
THE ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE COURSE 75
2nd to 4th JUNE 2023
by Zoom
The next opportunity is RLI 75 which will be held on-line.
The 2022 version of the Manual of Procedures has been released. Click on the image below to view/download a copy of this very informative and valuable document (login to My Rotary may be required).
KENNARDS STORAGE
Contact Details
6-8 Phyllis Avenue
Thornleigh NSW 2120
Phone +61 2 9481 9400
Email thornleigh@kss.com.au
Website www.kss.com.au
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO FIND OUT ABOUT ORDERING THEME PINS AND BANNERS FOR 2023-2024
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1. The Japanese Ambassador, His Excellency Shingo Yamagami
3. Join us for the Cultivating Effective Projects webinar series - For the early birds or late nighters...
"The Club Buzz" is where you will find some exciting and relevant programs or events happening in our Clubs and in District 9685. 
