It was great to get to know more about our exchange student, Palmyre Desmanez at Friday's breakfast meeting and to gain a better understanding of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program from club Youth Coordinator, Pam Bennett.

 

Palmyre has settled in well to Ryde Secondary College and has had some interesting outings to Bondi and the city. Please consider offering to include Palmyre in any outings or activities that you may be doing on a weekend that would add to her experiences of living in Sydney or inviting her to share a meal with you. 

 

The Rotary Club of North Ryde has been involved in the Youth Exchange Program for nearly 30 years. Pam Bennett has been Youth Director and coordinator for North Ryde Club for many years and is also very much involved in the Youth Exchange program at District level.

 

Students go out on 12 months exchange to other countries at the end of Year 9 or in Year 10. Outgoing students only go to countries that are deemed safe. This year the District has 18 outgoing exchange students. The students undertake a great deal of training through District 9685 before they go on their exchange. Abi Balian is currently sponsored by our club on exchange in Germany.

 

Inbound students come in two stages. Students from the Northern Hemisphere countries come in July and students from the Southern Hemisphere countries come to Australia in January.There is more information about the Youth Exchange Program on the District 9685 website see here or at www.rotaryyouthexchange.net.au

 

This week we have the Fun Run Thank You Breakfast for sponsors and supporters. We have 15 of our sponsors and supporters attending the breakfast which will give us an opportunity to thank them for their tremendous support. We have raised close to $15000 from the Fun Run after expenses which is a fantastic result! This would not have been possible without the support of the sponsors, supporters  and volunteers. I have included more photos from the Fun Run in the photo album section of this bulletin see here.

 

Terry Davies from Australian Rotary Health and Dr Carly Johnco from the Centre for Emotional Health will be attending the breakfast. A presentation of a donation from the Fun Run will be made to both Terry and Dr Johnco. They each will give some insight into how the funds will be used to support mental health research and programs.

 

Don't forget our Club is on the Local Matters jars for September at Grill'd Macquarie Centre. This is in support of the Fun Run and raising funds for Youth Mental Health. Please let your family and friends know to support us at Grill'd,  if they are shopping at or visiting  Macquarie Centre and having a meal.  

 

David Martin is  organising our social night for Friday 27 September at Grill'd starting at 6.30p.m. Please let David know if you can attend.