What a satisfying meeting we just had! A delightfully personable potential new member (Carolynne Bourne). Good news about ‘our’ new Auburn High School. Good, clean-cut presentations from young people (Auburn HS and Campelltown HS) with wholesome ambitions for the future. Congratulations to Kevin Rose (aided, of course, by Jane) on organising this exchange.
In former years, every member received a copy of the annual District Handbook (some 190 pages!) This year, numbers are rationed principally to Board members; but I have several spare copies, so email me if you would like a copy.
Highlight of our last lunch time meeting was the presence of the four exchange students from Campbelltown High Tasmania and their four counterparts from our related Auburn High School. It was great to see these mid teen young adults. We heard some brief words from each about their home, interests and current plans for the future.
Kevin Rose our Youth Director chaired the day, but handed over proceedings to Craig MacPherson a senior teacher and critical "main cog" at Auburn High, he has been there for more than 30 years and seen the school through various transformations. (see the following item). Craig has been our clubs strong supporter and the link at Auburn High for the past nine years of our Tasmanian student exchange project.
So we were introduced to the eight students. Each spoke clearly and admirably in their brief allowed time.
From Tasmania in the green uniforms, we met Demi Ashman, Shakierra Evans, Indy Langui and Henry Watson. Demi aims to be a journalist, Shakeirra a nurse (perhaps pediatrics), Indy the experienced entrepreneur of the four.. a restaurateur, and Henry a historian/history teacher.
From Auburn High in the red blazers there was Henil Kothari,Tyler Purcell, Christopher Mastoris and Cassandra(Cassie) McKillop. Henil's ambitions fluucate between mechanical engineering or sportsman, Tyler is focused on marine engineering, Christopher reviewing all possibilities and Cassie similarly open but maybe some science pursuit.
From Left to Right, Cassie, Tyler, Demi, Henil, Craig MacPherson, Christopher, Joe (what's he doing there?), Shakierra, Henry and Indy.
PS Thank you Joe Deveruex for giving the team a guided tour of the Kooyong Tennis precinct.
The bonus to meeting the exchange students was the presentation by Craig MacPherson -year 11 & 12 Coordinator- from Auburn High on the "new" Auburn High School.
Those who may remember the old campus in Tooronga Road and its previous name of Hawthorn Secondary College would be amazed at the development there and the nature of the totally revamped school. Evidently especially targeted by the Education department for upgrade and conversion to a Select public high school in our region it now provides a wonderful high level educational alternative in our district...ideal for those not wishing to partake of the various private schools. The change has manifest into a vastly different culture, with a shift to a highly accountable personal experience for both teachers and students. One could venture that it joins that elite set of public high schools in Melbourne.
Craig explained that two years ago the goal was indeed a new school. This was to be high performance one with diverse options, individual counseling, special programs (SEAL, STEM essentially anachronisms for select special studies) and an option for foreign language learning. Since then numbers have grown and the demand for acceptance at year 7 intake high. Its motto DARE, ie diversity, aspiration, respect and excellence resonates.
Our clubs involvement with school, as for instance this year for the first time with the successful interview program and of course the ongoing Tasmanian Exchange hopefully will continue.
The Shadow hears that the favorite daughter of one of Rotary Hawthorn’s favorite sons is in town. And this is a lady of great repute, so let’s all bask in some reflected-reflected-pride - unearned by us, as it surely is.
Who? Henry & Jane Drury’s daughter Mandy lives with her family in New York, where she is a high profile TV ‘anchor’ with CNBC. Time away from her job is very precious, and time with Henry and Jane in Hawthorn is consequently limited. Hence Henry’s absence from Rotary Hawthorn lunch on Tuesday is surely forgiven!
Has anyone heard of the Building Disputes Practitioners Society? Probably not. But the BDPS has a substantial ‘newsletter; and, in the recent edition, one of The Shadow’s eagle-eyed correspondents spotted that our very own President Lawrence has published an easy-to-read paper “Lacrosse Docklands Fire – Lessons to be re-learned”.
Remember Geoff Wright collates attendance information and he needs to be told of "make up " events which we attend.
Tell Noel Halford days before of an inability to attend Tuesday. Late or non apologies raise catering costs. (In the interim while Noel is on leave email Simon O'Donoghue)
Also please alert him to attending guests. Recently with swollen numbers pursuant to a high profile speaker there were problems for a surprised chef in supplying all meals simultaneously.
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