“Remember it is not what you have but what you give that brings happiness”
Lady Olave Baden Powell
My Friends in Rotary,
Welcome to the first DGs eNews for the 2018-2019 Rotary Year. The year to ‘Be the Inspiration’ in your clubs and more importantly in your communities.
Rotary International President Barry Rassin will lead by example this coming year and build on the wonderful legacy left to us by Ian Riseley. As will all of the new club presidents and club boards around the District.
The quote I have started with, is from someone I have looked up to for most of my life. Lady Baden Powell who along with her husband Lord Robert Baden Powell was the founder of the worldwide organisation of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. This couple are an inspiration to many generations of young people involved in the Scouting and Guiding movements.
During the Changeover Season, which continues still, John and I have been welcomed most warmly to the many clubs we have shared the changeovers with. We thank you all for your friendship and hospitality at these events. We have been amazed at the programs and opportunities all clubs provide for their local or International communities and it is easy to see that many of you will have no trouble Being the Inspiration in the coming year.
Please remember that the District Team are here to help you with all of your endeavours and are excited to help you with what ever you might need. We are not here to tell you what to do or how to do it, we are here to assist you when you need help. Please take advantage of their expertise and willingness to help District 9685 be the best it can be.
This year the District Governor’s Partner Project will be to support Grace’s Place. Grace’s Place is a purpose-built facility that will provide support and medical care to children who are affected by homicide. They might be the siblings or children of a homicide victim. These young people are often the forgotten victims of a homicide and can fall by the wayside while the adults in the family try to come to terms with the tragedy that has befallen their family. Martha Jabour CEO of NSW Homicide Victims Support Group is the driving force behind Grace’s Place and will be a keynote speaker at our March 2019 District Conference, in Newcastle. John will elaborate on this wonderful project during our club visits.
Once again, the District will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Police Citizens Youth Clubs. This will continue the initiative started last year under IPDG Peter Ward. If you have not reached out to the PCYC near you please do so. The venues are available for hire, their young people are great sources for our Youth Programs and their Staff can become members of your clubs. It is a win/win for both sides.
Both John and I are looking forward to working with all the Rotarians and Friends of Rotary in our District this year as we strive to Be the Inspiration.
The Rotary Leadership Institute course is now run over two days, powerpacked with information, learning and skills you can use in your Rotary life straight away. 
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