Why I hear you say?
A number of readers have commented on this story and are pretty excited to be joining the last D9820 Conference ever. I am running this story again because there is more to a District Conference than just fluff and bubbles. There is real value and a great weekend away if you are prepared to make an effort to connect and learn from passionate Rotarians, build your network and relax enough to soak it all in. There is a lot to be said about being in the moment. Rotary is a big-picture organisation, so one moment could last a lifetime!
Over to Jane
We all love a good time, we all love to spend time with friends, we all love to be entertained, we all need a break away from the everyday and to be rejuvenated and inspired, we love a road trip to a regional area and to support regional towns. What’s not to look forward to in spending a weekend of fun and friendship together as club mates?The D9820 conference team have been beavering away for more than a year, engaging the likes of Mr Magic himself, the wonderfully talented and funny Jonathan Usher from New Zealand. His wit, mastery of illusion, warmth and professional emcee ability will have you looking forward to going to the conference sessions and rolling in the aisles! Jonathan Usher – Magician, Comedian, Speaker and MC based in Dunedin New Zealand (hocuspocus.nz) The lineup of speakers is inspiring and relevant – be inspired in the company of new and old friends, rejuvenate your why, gain a vision beyond club level, revive your membership or simply have a ball!
In the formal sense, Rotary District Conferences are a mandate of Rotary International. The purpose being to provide opportunities for networking, inspirational addresses, and discussion of Rotary related matters, to hear the message of the Rotary International President and to provide memorable friendship experiences.
In days of old, the Rotary Club of Berwick had at least 80% of the 60 members and partners attend the annual conference. A group of us would head to the location the week after it had been announced and scope for a caravan park that had all levels of accommodation from deluxe cabins to unpowered tent sites – something for everyone! We’d make a block booking and really look forward to the following year. A park created fabulous socialising opportunities for being together. BBQ breakfasts, after conference coffee and drinks around a the camp, pre dinner drinkies and the much celebrated Club president’s gathering before the Saturday night dinner. Dress ups were the go and we would wear club “themed” uniform. Some will remember the pink theme – imagine Tim in a pink t-shirt donning a pink curly wig and we once saw a very gorgeous Viviana Dominguez in fishnet stockings and a Charleston dress. At our club conference the theme was Chinese. There were a number of rice grains hitting the dance floor! Funno would bring BJ along and a dearly departed Fred McCubbin would hide his whiskey in a coffee cup! Such great memories, such great club bonding times.So for all of the reasons above AND because this will be the penultimate D9820 conference being the last before we amalgamate with our neighbouring District friends in July, let’s go out with a huge contingent of Berwick bods celebrating District 9820!
Tim and I will still be there. A bit of a drive from our new home in QLD, but we’ve registered and booked a site for our van at Discovery Park, 25 Pertobe Street Warrnambool. There are cabins of all levels and motel rooms on site too. A 6 minute drive from the venue, there are heaps of options still available. If a park is not your style, gather some friends and book a house, or go upmarket and treat yourself to something special!
To register for 23rd – 25th February 2024 in Warrnambool, go to https://rotary9820.org.au/sitepage/district-conference-2024 and click on the conference event tab. Accommodations with Rotary discounts are listed there.
We hope to see many of you there.
