PRESIDENT PETER'S Thoughts -While "on tour" in Israel
The trip continues with a drive to Caesarea to see aqueducts and the restored amphitheatre built by the Roman Herod the Great. There were other buildings built on top of these over time and a great harbour - all destroyed by earthquakes since then. Visits to various sites ending the day with a visit to Acre to explore the famous old Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications. The fort looked grand from the outside, quite high and mighty. We were all totally blown away by the size of the halls and areas inside the fortress . These were underground - they have been excavated in recent times revealing stairs built to allow the Knights on horses to enter and leave.
Then on to Galilee to stay on a kibbutz adjacent to the Sea of Galilee for two nights. From here we went to the Golan Heights. Where we met two Aussie soldiers seconded to the UN on peace keeping/ observation duties. The Heights command such strategic position over the Israeli-Syrian border less than two kilometres that I am sure that Israel will never relinquish them.
The food is great, the lodging good but guess who complains if the lunch stop is delayed?
I leave you to work it out.
Pete
PS While we keep the fires burning,spare a thought for our travelling President and his entourage,as they take a well earned "time out"
Next Meeting MONDAY 22nd May 2017 - Our Speaker is Boniface Ontungo Mouti -Sotheycan Kenya and their goals and projects
Boni holds an MA in International Relations, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, BA in Development Studies, Bachelors Degree in Philosophy, and Diploma in Philosophy and Religious Studies. He is currently a PhD student at Kenyatta University. He has over 15 years working in various Child Rights based organizations in both Kenya and Tanzania and is a board member in a number of them. Boni has published widely in Child Rights areas; with topics such as, 'The Bitter Fruits of Drug abuse', and 'The State of Street Children in our Society. He joined Sotheycan Kenya in 2013 after close to 12 years working in Tanzania. His goal for projects in Kenya is to make a lasting difference to increase access to quality education for children in Kenya, particularly for marginalised and needy communities, so to trigger a social, political,and economic take off for our country
LAST MONDAY's (May 15th) Meeting.
Bill Lee gave the International Toast to the Rotary Club of Macau. A club with it's roots going back to 1938,and today is part of the Hong Kong Network
Our Guest Speaker this week was Jodie Young from North Sydney Police talking about PCYC and her role in mentoring displaced youth in the area.
North Sydney PCYC was established in 1937 and was a partnership forged with the community via Rotary to provide young people with a safe and positive alternative to the streets. Today there are more than 60 clubs and centres throughout the state, with more than 85,000 members and more than 140 different activities.
Senior Constable Jodie Young has been a police officer with the NSW Police Force for 10 years and is currently the Police Youth Case manager at North Sydney PCYC. Police work closely with other agencies, like the Dept. of Community Services and education, taking a holistic approach to the needs and problems of each young person. PCYC means less truancy, less crime, and more young people feeling better about themselves and more confident and socially capable. The facilities are a centre for all ages and the community. All our clubs offer fun, fitness and friendship, where all can enjoy a wide range of sports, arts and recreational activities
The talk generated a lot of thought, and there was considerable discussion as how our Club could work with PCYC in the future.The PCYC Manager, Curtis Busseler was to revert with a firmer proposal.
Interesting about Curtis, firstly he won the raffle at the end of the meeting, drew the Joker and won for himself a nice bottle of Shiraz.
A vote of thanks to Jodie and her team was proposed by George Condell.
In Other News
The Bunning's BBQ on the 13th was very busy and successful with all supplies being consumed and a gross take of $2200. Thanks to all involved, although Mark S had to work overtime to ensure all positions were covered.
No news from Phil Smith this week as he circumnavigates Australia on his motorcycle. Phil, if you read this article, please report back.
We have been advised by Phoenix House that Satha Arumanayagam has resigned her position as Foundation CEO. Satha's responsibilities in the foundation will be temporarily covered by Jason Van Ely, the non executive director in charge of fundraising and operationally by Edmund D Cruz.