Rotary Club of Parramatta City Newsletter for Monday 22 August 2011

1. Rotary Club of Parramatta City
COMMUNITY NETWORKER
ROTARY CLUB OF PARRAMATTA CITY
PRESIDENT MESSAGE ROTARY
We are all proud when we see our children grow and achieve their FELLOWSHIPS
goals. Then there is a moment when we realize they are no longer
children but an adult who can change the world through their
community involvement as a parent, or a responsible member of
society. Last week I saw this moment when our exchange student Signe
Leth returned after two years since her last visit. I remember her in 2006- Rotary Fellowships are groups of
Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, and
2007 as a very young 16 year old who arrived already with a set of Rotaractors who join together to:
- Share a common interest in
goals that she wanted to achieve while here as an exchange student, worthwhile recreational activities
then when she returned two years ago with another set of goals (sports, hobbies, etc.)
- Further their vocational development
intending to also complete. Last Monday she handed in her report through acquaintance with others
of the same profession
card and yes the previous goals have been completed and she laid - Make new friends around the world
out her next set of goals. What an amazing young woman we have - Explore new opportunities for
service
witnessed mature over the years. Well into her University course in - Have fun and enhance their
experience in Rotary
Anthropology and achieving good grades, she is on the International Accountants
Amateur Radio
board of Red Cross Youth, a member of Rotaract and involved in her Antique, Classic and Historic
University community Automobiles
Automobile and Motorsports
And she has had the time find an apartment move out of home Bird Watching
Bridge
and set up her home. Canoeing
Yes it was a wonderful meeting and it was excellent to see one of Caravanning
Chess
our children of Rotary out in the world making a difference. Computer Users
Convention Goers
Remember this is all because of our Rotary Foundation having the Cricket
Curling
funds to make this possible, so don’t forget to make your donation to
Cycling
the Centurion Fund this year so we may sponsor another Exchange Doll Lovers
Editors and Publishers
Student. Egyptology
Environment
Esperanto
Fine Arts and Antiques
Fishing
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Flying
Football (Soccer)
Go
August Golf
22 Dr Mai Nguyen, A journey through the Islamic Middle Gourmets
Home Exchange
East Horseback Riding
Internet
29 Prashanth- The Wedding with all its glory and Latin Culture
splendored Lawyers
License Plate Collecting
September Literacy Providers
Magicians
17 Club visioning afternoon Magna Graecia
Marathon Running
Military Personnel
Motorcycling
Music
Old and Rare Books
Parades and Festivals
Petanque

2. Rotary Club of Parramatta City
26 District Governor Visit
GUEST SPEAKER
Dr Mai Nguyen, PhD lecturer in Amsterdam University of Applied Science
With the increase of Islam immigrants in Australia and amid the
burka incident lately, I think it is important for Rotarian members to
gather collective effort to raise awareness, to prevent assumption
and hatred in our community.
I'm planning a year-long sabbatical in 2012 dedicated to a journey
in Middle East. My journey will start in Mecca where Islam began;
follow its footstep of expansion through Arabian Peninsula,
westward to Africa and eastward to Asia, completing the Pan-
Islamic that used to be the vision of a one united state. The output
of this project will be a book publication, a series of news article, a
blog and a facebook page to boost the awareness.
This project helps to beat the stereotypes and fast food media
coverage. It also shows that a young, female, single non-Muslim
woman with no particular power can embark on a world trip with
deep involvement within the Middle Eastern life in search for
ultimate understanding and intention to share this understanding. I am currently in Sydney to teach a summer
course
MEMBERS MATTERS
When Keith Henning visited John Jenkins last week, he found out through John’s Daughter that he had been
taken to hospital and then released. His daughter is now looking for a nursing home where better care can
be taken of him. I am that John will enjoy a chat with member.
CLUB INITITIVE
When you have read this newsletter John Surian and others will have completed the inaugural
walk/stroll/run/crawl morning event at Parramatta Park Friday at 6.00am. Be there on Monday to here or
listen to groans of some of the participants. Otherwise John will looking forward to even more this coming
Friday again at 6.00am. (Ample parking is available at that time on the RHS before you get to the Queen St
gate.)
OUR COMMUNITY
WALK WITH ME - PARRAMATTA
You are invited to take a step towards making a difference in the lives of people with
disabilities by participating in Northcott's annual Walk With Me event in Parramatta.
Hundreds of people of ALL abilities are coming together to walk side by side

3. Rotary Club of Parramatta City
to encourage us all to see a person first and not their disability, as well as raise vital
funds for respite services.
Walk With Me is a great way to spend a Sunday morning, with entertainment and
plenty of sporting and family-focused activities.
What: Walk With Me - Parramatta
When: Sunday, 18 September - 10:00am to 2:00pm
Where: The King's School - Doyle Oval, North Parramatta
To register contact Tony Warner
OUR YOUTH
At the recent Board meeting approval was given for four young people to attend this
years Rypen course. Great work Tony and we look forward to hearing from these
young people at one of our meetings.
OUR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE
David Ross is still on the lookout for Group Study Exchange team members to Finland,
applications close soon.
FACEBOOK
We have now available for the club a new facebook page the shortcut is http://alturl.com/wvqj5
Please visit, make comments, open discussions and for your initial visit please hit the “like button”. The
reason is the more members who like the page, we receive additional features. The Facebook page is not a
substitute for our website, but more of an additional way to reach our audience.

4. Rotary Club of Parramatta City
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
JOHN POOLE –RI PRESIDENT 1918-1919
Rotary Club of Washington, D.C.
“The International Association of Rotary Clubs has fairly won its title, for the sun never sets on Rotarians.”
— The Rotarian , August 1919
REGISTER FOR 2011 ROTARY-UN DAY
The annual Rotary-UN Day will be held on Saturday, 5 November, at United Nations headquarters in New York
City.
Organized by the RI representatives to the UN, this year’s event will feature presentations from senior
UN staff and Rotary leaders as well as panel discussions on health, water, literacy, and youth.
High school-age students, including Interactors and Rotary Youth Exchange participants, can attend a
special youth program in the morning and join the adult program in the afternoon.
Download the registration form for RI-UN Day and the youth program.
For more information contact Brad Jenkins.