GOVERNOR'S NOTES

March 8, 2006

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

 - Club Projects -

NOTE: Submit your Club's project information and photos

to Kevin Barron  for publication

DAYS OF WINE & ROSES

A Romantic evening with wine and roses
to benefit Rotary's local charities

Presented by
Hendersonville Rotary Club
March 18, 2006, 6:00 -11:00 pm
Bluegrass Country Club
Ticket price: $50

Features
Wines From Around The World. Silent Auction,

Live Auction,  Hors d'ouevres, Valet Parking

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION

& RI PROGRAMS

- Supporting Our Foundation

and Worldwide Service above Self -

I.  Introduction

Our Rotary District (6760) is planning a couples oriented, personally
financed Friendship Exchange to Perth , Western Australia (Rotary District 9470) in October 2006.

The emphasis throughout the Friendship Exchange will be social and cultural rather than professional and/or academic, which is the hallmark of Rotary International sponsored youth, ambassadorial, and group study exchanges.  That said, if you make the trip, you will be asked to submit biographical information which will be used in matching you with Rotary hosts in Western Australia.

While in Western Australia) Oct 21 - Oct 31, we will be hosted by fellow Rotarians in their homes, thus greatly reducing the cost to District 6760 participants.  Prior to the "hosted" portion of the Friendship Exchange, there will be an optional 8 day (from Oct 13 to Oct 20) tour of sites in the eastern portion of Australia including Sydney, Cairns and Ayers Rock.   Following the "hosted" portion of the Friendship Exchange in Western Australia, there will a second optional 7 day visit (from Nov 1 to Nov 7) to New Zealand including stops in Auckland, Christ Church and Queenstown.

II.  Itinerary

A.   October 13 thru October 20 - Optional  pre-Western Australia visit to eastern Australia including:

  *  Sydney's Architectural Gem - the World Famous Opera House;
  *  Blue Mountain and a taste of the Outback;
  *  Museums for every interest;
  *  Harbor Ferry Rides and Exquisite Beaches;
  *  Bridge Climb -not for the feint of heart;
  * Scuba diving and glass bottom boat excursions on the incredible
Great Barrier Reef (World's Largest Living Coral Reef);
  *        Breathtaking Sunrise and Sunset at Ayers Rock (Sacred
Aboriginal Site in Outback).

B.  October 21 thru October 31 - Western Australia - planned and coordinated by Rotary District 9470, xpected to include sites in and around Perth, Fremantle (Port City), as ell as the Outback and Wine Country.

C.  November 1 thru November 8 - Optional Post-Western Australia visit to New Zealand including:

  *  North and South Islands;
  *  Bundle up for Antarctica Exhibit depicting early South Pole
explorers;
  *  Visit the Modern Antarctica Exhibit in Auckland;
  *  Enjoy the Unique Maori (Native Pacific Islanders) Museum in
Auckland;
  *  Bungee Jumping Capital of the World (Queenstown) for the truly
daring, or Jet Boating the Rapids for the Less Adventurous;
  *  Stroll thru the Lush Botanical Gardens in Christ Church;
  *  Other Outdoor Adventure Activities are Available.

III.  Logistics

Because the Friendship Exchange is personally financed, and realizing that participants may wish to use airline travel points, and desire maximum travel flexibility, no attempt will be made to purchase a block of  tickets or hotel rooms.  However, a deposit will be collected in advance by the Friendship Exchange leaders.  (Rotarian Dana C. McLendon, Jr., downtown Nashville Club and Mary Huston McLendon.) and used to cover certain minor group expenses such as necessary administrative costs, some ground transportation, and medical evacuation/ remains repatriation insurance for all participants.  Closer to the time of the trip, after more detailed budgeting, additional deposit amounts may be required.  

To assist you in your planning, you will receive a copy of the Friendship Exchange Leaders' flight schedules, hotel reservations and a location and a window of time during which you will need to link up with the leaders regardless of your individual travel arrangements.  We have found round trip coach fares between Nashville and Perth to be approximately $2,000.  Internal flights within Australia and New Zealand, as well as the flight to Auckland are additional. (Trip Leaders will provide money saving "lessons learned" to assist participants in their travel planning).

IV.  Application

Space is limited to the first (probably will be 7) Rotarians who complete and submit the application with a deposit of $ 250 per person ($500 per couple).  In the event demand is great enough, we plan to schedule a second Friendship Exchange to Western Australia in the timeframe between February 20 and March 26, 2007;  however, the first trip must be fully booked to warrant a second one.

In the event there is not room on the first Friendship Exchange, and you do not wish your deposit to be held for the second Friendship Exchange, it will be returned to you in full.

Point of Contact

(and Mailing Address for Application and Deposit)

Dana C. McLendon, Jr.
District 6760 Friendship Exchange Officer
214 Halberton Drive
Franklin TN 37069
615-790-1351
DCMcLendon@aol.com (Best way of Contact)

The AUSSIES Are Coming!

Part 5 of 5

In advance of the Austrialian GSE team's arrival to our district, we'll profile members of that GSE team. Read a bit about the Team and be better hosts while they visit with us in the Volunteer State

GEORGINA GIBBS

GSE Team Member

District 9470 Western Australia

Biographical Information

Full name:       Georgina Gibbs

Birthplace:       Perth, Western Australia

Sex:                 Female

Martial Status:  Single

Personal Background & Interests

I was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia. My mother was born in Germany and came out to Australia with her family when she was 9 years old. My father was born here in Australia. I have one sister who is two years younger than me.

I attended the local high school and graduated in 1995. I then completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Curtin University, majoring in Marketing and Advertising. In early 2001, I started working for Main Roads Western Australia, a government department that manages the Western Australian road network. I began on their graduate program, which required me to work in various sections of the organisation including a period of time in our Narrogin office (a town 193km east of Perth). I finished the program in 2004 and now work in the Road User and Customer Service Branch.

I love sport and for as long as I can remember it has been a big part of my life. From an early age I was involved in swimming, tennis, softball, volleyball, netball…you name it…I’ve done it! I now enjoy cycling and am currently training for the Main Roads LifeCycle Great Western Australian Bike Ride in March 2006 - an 827km tent-based cycling holiday from Albany to Perth. I also enjoy playing golf, tennis and beach volleyball on a regular basis.  I enjoy watching Australian Rules Football and am an avid supporter of the Fremantle Dockers (one of two Western Australian teams).  I enjoy listening to music and going to live concerts when bands/acts come to Perth.

I also love to travel and have been to Europe, New Zealand and Indonesia. I have always wanted to travel to the USA and am very excited about coming to Tennessee.  From a personal perspective, I would love to have the opportunity to play a round of golf in Tennessee and to go and watch a live game of sport (NBA/NFL etc).

Vocational Background & Interests

I am interested in customer service best practice, in particular methods used to communicate/gain feedback from internal and external customers. I am also keen to learn about successful road safety initiatives that have been implemented and facilities provided for vulnerable road users (i.e. pedestrians, people with disabilities and cyclists). It would also be great to go out on site to see some of the Tennessee road network.

Accommodation & Diet

No preferences.