ROTARY OF PERTH PRESIDENT'S UPDATE - 11TH DECEMBER 2018
I was amazed by how eloquently our Rotary Exchange Student, Chiara, presented the vote of thanks to our guest speaker, Italian Consul David Balloni. One of the aims of the Rotary Youth Exchange program is the promotion of peace through cultural understanding between future leaders of nations around the world. Chiara intends to pursue a career in international diplomacy when she gets home. With such eloquence and pleasant personality I can see that she is off to a great start! Our world is a better place with people like Chiara.
At the Christmas Breakfast this Friday, we shall be wishing bon voyage to our next outbound student, Gan Li Jene. Li Jene moved to Perth with her parents from Malaysia and has just completed Year 12 at Shenton College. She speaks several languages and has been an active member of the community, serving as a volunteer in many areas, including helping us at the ANZAC Day Gunfire Breakfast for veterans earlier this year.
Speaking of Christmas… I’m sure we’re all feeling the same thing… this year seems to have gone faster yet again! It was timely that while I was sitting in the pews in Church yesterday when the following passage was read:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
It started me reflecting on what I shared at our last Rotary Family Christmas Breakfast about each of us doing our little bit, “you in your small corner and I in mine”. I was quickly distracted with images of Rotarians serving in all sorts of ways. From raising awareness of various social issues to providing relief to those who are suffering here in Perth, across the continent to our drought stricken farming families, and overseas to faraway places many of us have never even visited. When I got home, I had a quick browse through our 75th Anniversary “Yearbook” and realised that there were many projects we’ve completed over the years and have almost forgotten about are still serving the community today.
I am proud to be counted in the membership of the Rotary Club of Perth. A group of leaders who each in their own quiet and unassuming manner have been doing just what the passage said. I’m glad to be part of a Rotary Club that has done so much for our community, a Club that will strive to continue making a positive impact on our community in the years ahead.
This Christmas, while my family and I celebrate the birth of Christ, I would encourage you to also celebrate the Rotary Club of Perth being a community of leaders that delivers Hope, Peace and Goodwill to all.
I look forward to celebrating Christmas with all of you on Friday morning.
Yours in Rotary,
Wesley Sim- President - Rotary of Perth 2018/2019