2012 Rotaract Preconvention Meeting was an inspiring two days learning about new and innovative ways to make a difference in our local and international communities, enhancing our leadership skills and sharing our own ideas and Rotaract experiences with almost 300 other Rotaractors from 50 different countries; all while having fun catching up with old friends and making new ones from all around the world.

Rotaractors heard from RI President Banerjee, RI President-elect Tanaka and representatives of Rotaract clubs who were acknowledged for Outstanding Rotaract Projects in 2012. We also attended a number of workshops on making a difference, presentation skills, how to make volunteering fun, mentoring and connecting with Rotaract’s global network.

It wouldn’t be conference without some fun social events after the days’ sessions. Friday night was Party Central at Brick Bar in Khaosan Road – Rotaractors owned the place for a few hours dancing to the live band and relaxing upstairs with a cool beverage or two mingling with fellow Rotaractors. Saturday night our Bangkok host Rotaractors organised a tuk-tuk tour of the city; 67 tuk-tuks with a police escort is a sight to behold! Cruising through Bangkok past the royal palace and numerous temples our tour ended in China town for dinner.

Most of the locals were more than willing to donate towards the worthwhile cause, which helps to continue providing high quality community services to marginalised individuals and families.

The appeal was able to raise almost $6.6 million in total. Donations may still be made by calling 13 SALVOS (13 72 58), visiting www.salvos.org.au, in person at any Westpac Branch, or by posting a cheque to PO Box 9888 in your capital city.

The below information is to be distributed to all members of Rotaract in the Asia Pacific, following the Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference 2012, with the intention being for as many people as possible to participate.

When participating in the campaign, please consider utilising Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ to best reach out to your networks.

Date: 5pm AEST Sunday, 13th May – 5pm Sunday, 20th May

Display Picture: Rotaractors are to update their display picture with the Rotaract logo

Cover Picture: Rotaractors are to update their Facebook cover photo with the cover photo image shown below:

Status: Members are to update their statuses at least three times during the week. We encourage Rotaractors to modify their statuses to suit their personality and the individuality of their club. You may even like to link your status to your club, District or country’s website or social media page. Some statuses are shown below:

“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future” – John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Want to help children around the world? Consider Rotaract.

“When life’s problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate.” Bear Grylls. Rotaract has opened my eyes to the world.

“A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money” – John Ruskin. You don’t need thousands of dollars to join Rotaract, just a will to help others.

“There are friendships imprinted in our hearts that will never be diminished by time and distance.” – Dodinsky. Rotaract has enabled me to make friends all over the world.

“Inspiration is a crazy amazing feeling. It lights up and animates all that we do.” – Maggie Lyon. Want to know what inspires me? Ask me about Rotaract!

Feedback: An online survey will be available a week after the campaign has finished so we can evaluate the effectiveness and take on board any changes for a similar campaign in 6 months time.

Contacts: For further information, please contact:

Jake Weragoda – DRR, District 9750 - drr@rotaract9750.org.au

Sally Hetherington – IPP, District 9750 sally.hetherington@hotmail.com

For many years our clubs as supported this two day community fundraising event for the Cancer Council either by volunteering or forming a team.  Relay For Life is an important and poignant event as so many people know someone has had some form of cancer. On the website it states “Who will you relay for?”

This year Como Jannali Rotaract members volunteered selling “Tokens” the currency of Shire Relay For Life, with Rotarians from Como Jannali Rotary, Sylvania Rotary as well as associates of Sutherland Rotary. We also caught up with Caringbah Rotarians who had an information stall.

This event is estimated to have raised over $700,000 for the Cancer Council.

Below is an excerpt from an email of thanks from Rotary volunteer co-ordinator Donna White, Como Jannali Rotarian:

“I would like to thank everyone for the time that they could give to assist with this community gathering for the Cancer Council over the weekend, I hope that everyone has recovered from either early mornings or late nights.

I was truly overwhelmed by the assistance that I received from the various clubs.

It was a personal pleasure to meet so many other Rotarians and to receive support from Como Jannali's Rotaractors and Interact clubs....”

Thank you to Eve, Teneal, Bronwyn, Jennifer, Kathryn & Vanessa for assisting on the day.

One of the highlights was the opening march of survivors and carers which was lead by the St George pipes band.

The slogan of Relay For Life is: "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back!" It is a truly inspiring community event for such a worthy cause. 

CJR Community Director Bronwyn Silver participated in her 11^TH march with the Sutherland ANZAC Day memorial to the cenotaph from The Sutherland United Services Club.

She spoke of her experience:

“The Dawn Service is important because we are remembering the men who fought so bravely to protect our country”

On ANZAC night Rotaract members shared a traditional Aussie BBQ and ANZAC biscuits with handmade decorations of rememberance. Some members had volunteered their time at a charity event that day as well as participated in the dawn service.

We shared fellowship and mateship which is a key part of the ANZAC ledgend and remembered all those serving our country past and present.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest We Forget.

As we remember on this day we think of the recipients of “Digger Deliveries Care Packages for our Troops” we hope they stay safe whilst completing their duties.

• Learning more about the ShelterBox program and meeting fellow Rotaractor Jean-Baptiste who introduced me to the "head honchos" of ShelterBox. After this encounter I heard the team speak openly about Japan and the relief effort. I was amazed at the photos of affected families who had dignity, warmth, shelter and safety amidst all the destruction because of the work ShelterBox was doing. I aimed to focus on supporting ShelterBox during my Presidential year. This goal came to fruition as CJR are donating half the funds raised at the Trivia Night on 2nd June 2012 to this great organisation. 
• Meeting Rotaractors & Rotarians from around the world and hearing the hopes for the RI New Generations programs worldwide.
•  Listening to the amazing presentation by Bill Gates with an inspiring video on the last 1% as he shared The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and RI plan for eradicating Polio.
• Learning about Rotaract clubs operate in different countries. The projects clubs had on the go and ones they were implementing in the future.
• The great music, beads and characters of Bourbon Street are memories I'll never forget.

• D.J. Evashenk, helped me buy a new purse after I was nearly pick pocketed the night before, I'll always have the memory of him helping me choose the most hideous bling covered purse in the shop just because we could. I felt safe in the crowd of Rotaractors.
• Claude Chen, who took the most amazing photos and gave them openly to Rotaractors worldwide. His photos featured on our World Rotaract Week 2012 Postcards which CJR sent not only to Rotary clubs but Rotaract clubs locally and internationally. 
• Romina, my roommate arrived very late at night after a long flight from Switzerland and having never met face to face before we still had a instant connection because we are Rotaractors. She too encouraged me to learn more about ShelterBox after sharing her story of involvement in Europe.
• Nicole from Canada who roams the world and is somewhere in Australia right now went to the New Orleans aquarium with me and even though I'd never seen half these fish before she had all this knowledge from her travels that she shared with me. It was great and we caught up recently in Sydney, as is traditional, at another aquarium. Her passion for life and living was a breath of fresh air.

ROTARACT IN THE COMMUNITY: Supporting fellow volunteer organisations 

On Sunday the 25th of March 2012, Rotaractors participated in the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Base Open Day at La Perouse.

The event has been running for three years and would not have come to fruition were it not for the hard work of Como Jannali Rotaract and Rotary and their dedication to this worthwhile event.

The day provided an opportunity for the public to meet members of the police, fire brigade, ambulance and Surf Lifesaving NSW to name a few, view demonstrations of the bomb robot, police dogs, helicopter winch rescue and participate in hands on activities. This event aims to raise awareness about the vital organisations that keep us safe be it on land, sea or in the air within our local community and the base relies support from such events as the open day, to continue operation.  

The purpose of this helicopter service is to save lives. Since its inception in 1973, it has been involved in more than 21,000 missions, which include rescue missions and patient transfers.

On the day Como Jannali Rotaract Club President Vanessa Fyfe co-ordinated the fundraising BBQ and the many volunteers sold 100’s of sausage sizzles and drinks. There were supporters from Como Jannali Rotaract, Sydney City Rotaract & Como Jannali Rotary. 

Thousands of people rode the free shuttle buses which were donated by State Transit & drivers gave their time free of charge.  Members of the general public gave their gold coin donation to the volunteers at the gates, bought raffle tickets, hot cross buns, sausage sizzles, drinks, temporary tattoos which amounted to $7000 raised.

Vanessa Fyfe an original member of the planning committee was given the honour of riding in the Helicopter during the repositioning of the aircraft. “The view of Bondi Beach was amazing” she said.

This is a wonderful community event which provides much needed funds so that the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service can continue to operate.