CLUB BULLETIN: MEETING 1016 – MARIE’S FAREWELL

Our meeting this week was held jointly with the Rotary Club of Norwood as a special farewell dinner for our German exchange student, Marie Hermanns.

We enjoyed a fantastic German meal at the Kensington Hotel (either pork schnitzel or a beef roulade with sauerkraut; followed by Black Forest Mousse), and Marie presented a summary of her year in Australia. She spoke about the life lessons she has learnt, the changes and growth she has experienced, and most of all, the friends and amazing people she has met through Marryatville High School, her host families and her new Rotary network in South Australia.

Marie sees participants in RYE as future ambassadors for peace. She observed that if Donald Trump had been a Rotary Exchange Student in Mexico he now would not want to build a wall!

It was an amazing presentation and brought me almost to tears a few times, remembering my own experience as a Youth Exchange Student. RYE is an amazing program, and I hope our club continues to support it for many years.

Then we had a surprise for Marie! Her parents were “brought in” to the meeting via Skype and saw Marie presented with a Paul Harris Fellow, one of Rotary’s highest honours, by Norwood and Magill Sunrise for her contribution to both clubs during her year in Australia.

As Norwood President Euan Miller pointed out, this is not an honour normally bestowed on exchange students, but Marie has shown an exceptional contribution to club activities since her arrival. She has been part of fundraisers and BBQs, assisted in filming promotional videos for Rotary, volunteered at major events for both clubs and epitomised the concept of ‘service above self.’

Hutt Street Centre

Hi Kirsty,

It is so nice to hear from you and once again thank you so much for your support of Hutt St Centre. This is very timely as we are currently undergoing a Code Blue called by the State Government. This occurs during extremely cold weather that could be dangerous to the lives of people experiencing homelessness.

It means we open our doors all night (for 24 hours) and encourage our clients to sleep on the floor in our Day Centre, but in a well heated room. It also means we need to call in additional staff to work during the nights for a 12 hour shift. It is very difficult for us to cover the cost of additional shifts on the limited funds we have normally.

Therefore, your support will actually help us open our doors 24 hours and feed our clients and keep them warm during a very difficult cold period. It may in fact directly save lives.

We would be delighted to partner with you in the future and please let me know if anyone from your Rotary committee would like to visit Hutt St Centre to see where your funds are being used.

Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service

Kirsty, we are absolutely thrilled to have been involved with this event and what an amazing figure to be contributing to our service. That is quite a significant sum to have raised – at the moment we have a number of projects that the money could be put towards however I will need to discuss with staff what is most urgent. I am really happy to pass on to the Club what this fundraising event will be contributing towards and will let you know within the week. I will be writing to the Club to formally thank them for their efforts and generosity.

Jaime who attended on the day was full of praise for the event and particularly highlighted the calibre of filmmakers on the day was really impressive. She gave a presentation to staff about how the day went and I have been meaning to get in touch to congratulate you on the success of the event. Thank you so much for nominating us to be the recipients and I will be in touch soon.