Exchange Student Linda Herrmannova
Incoming exchange student, Linda Herrmannova, from the Czech Republic is being sponsored by the Rotary Club of Opava. This Club was originally formed in 1934, disbanded in 1939 and reformed in 2009. Linda arrived in July 2015.
Linda attends Singleton High School and is in Year 11. Linda loves Australia and has been thoroughly enjoying her stay with us. Linda has travelled to Jervis Bay, Dubbo, Cobar and Port Stephens. So far Linda has patted kangaroos and koalas, milked a cow, saw emus and fed sharks.
Linda's exchange is being split between our Club and the Rotary Club of Kurri Kurri.
Exchange Student Ivo Schoch
Ivo Schoch arrived in Singleton on 17 July from Switzerland. Ivo lives in the town of Teufen which has a population of 5,500. Teufen is 7km away from St Gallen, a city with a population of 75,000. It is in the German speaking area of Switzerland. Although Switzerland is situated mid-Europe, it is not a part of the European Union.
On completion of his studies, Ivo will do compulsory (males only) Military Service. To maintain and protect its neutrality Switzerland has a strong military force.
Ivo is being sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gallen-Rosenburg of which his father was Charter President in 2000.
Ivo is attending St Catherine's School in Singleton and is in Year 11. He enjoys soccer, skiing and socialising. He chose Australia as a host country because it is so vastly different to his own country.
73rd Annual Changeover
The 73rd Annual Changeover of our Club was held on 27th June 2013. Outgoing President John Arthur delivered his annual report and thanked everyone involved in making his year a success. Various donations totalling $41,136 were made to many local organisations and several national and international Rotary organisations. The major project undertaken by the Club for 2012/13 was the refurbishment of the Girl Guide Hall with Rotary donating $11,500 towards the cost plus many man hours of work.
Incoming President John Henderson introduced the incoming Board members and thanked the many people who made the night and the previous year successful and enjoyable.
During the evening two presentations of the Paul Harris Fellowship were made. The Paul Harris Fellow Award is the highest honour a club can bestow on a person, either inside or outside the club. The award acknowledges the Rotary motto of 'Service Above Self' which the individual has offered to their community, their nation or to the world.
Paul Harris Fellows
A Paul Harris Fellow was presented to a surprised Mayor John Martin.
John was recognised for his contribution to the Singleton community over many years. John as been involved with local council for over 40 years, was awarded an OAM in 1994 for services to the State Emergency Service and local government and in 2010 received a Long Service Award for 50 years service to the SES.
Rotarian and Incoming President John Henderson was presented with a Sapphire Pin to the Paul Harris Fellow that John had previously received from the Rotary Club of Wellington, NZ.
John has served in various Rotary Clubs for over 20 years - Adelaide, Wellington NZ, and Sydney Rotary Clubs before moving to Singleton in 2007 and joining our Club. His commitment to our local community has seen John as Chairman of the Hunter Medical Research Institute - Singleton Foundation for the past four years, he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and has served on several Council committees.
Past Exchange Student Asia Krasowska
Previous Youth Exchange student in 2004-2005 to the Singleton Club; Asia (Joanna) Krasowska was married on the 18th of May 2013 to Radek Mozyrko. The ceremony was held in her home town of Brwin贸w half an hour from Warsaw, Poland.
Around 100 guest attending including friends and family from around Europe, Rotarians from District 9670 and Youth Exchange students on exchange during Asia's stay in Australia. Asia and Radek will honeymoon in Italy and Egypt then return to live in Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
Celebrating the occasion were Asia's host parents, Neil and Anita White, who travelled from Australia to be with Asia and Radek on their special day. Congratulations to both from the members of Singleton Rotary Club.
Mystery Wine Tour
17 members and partners enjoyed a mystery wine tour organised by Club Service Director, Mary Deaves. Our first stop was the Cow Caf茅 at Mt Broke Wines for wine and olive oil tasting and a delicious morning tea. Then on to Robyn Drayton Wines for more wine tasting and lunch. Following lunch a short drive to First Creek Wines for our third wine tasting stop. Our bus driver, Warren, then made an impromptu stop at the Hunter Valley Chocolate shop on Lovedale Road before heading home.
Our thanks to Mary and Warren for organising a great day of fellowship!
Fellowship weekends......
Our fellowship weekends to Baradine, Narromine, Nundle, Wellington and Hawks Nest have all been well attended by members, partners and family. At Baradine we explored the Pilliga Scrub with a Ranger from the Department of National Parks. At Wellington we explored the caves, phosphate mine and local town whereas at Hawks Nest we had a very laid back weekend with some of us fishing, reading books and exploring the coastal region.
The highlight of all weekends was the 'happy hour' before dinner on the Saturday night when we all came together to eat, drink and be merry!
National Parks Ranger explaining how rabbit traps were used in the past in the Pilliga to control rabbits.
Rotarians Warren Deaves and Neil White trying their hand
gold panning at Nundle.
Wellington weekend - tour of phosphate mine. Exchange Student, Liisa Eloranta from Finland, with members and partners.
We invite any interested parties to contact us for further information.
