Bendigo South Rotary begins new local tradition

On Thursday 28th November, the Rotary Club of Bendigo South began what they hope will become a successful addition to the Rotary D9800 calendar of events.

The inaugural Rotary Foundation dinner was held at the Foundry Hotel complex in Bendigo, where a crowd of over 60 Rotarians and friends gathered to celebrate and learn more about the ‘engine room’ of Rotary International.

Guest speakers on the night included our very own D9800 Rotarian John Wigley, as well as Rotary Foundation trustee Ian Riseley OAM and recent
Rotary Peace Scholar, Jessica Butcher.

Rotary Peace Fellow, Jessica Butcher, speaks to those in attendance.

Ian gave those in attendance an overview of how the Rotary Foundation worked, as well as sharing some interesting stories about his time and
involvement with the Foundation.

Jessica on the other hand was able to speak first hand on how the Rotary Foundation was able to assist her to complete her peace studies course in
America. Jessica also shared with those present the stories of some of her classmates who had gone to America to study, and how they had to overcome adversity and conflicts back in their homelands just to take part in the peace fellow program. Jessica had classmates who had endured conflict in Ireland/ Northern Ireland, as well as in the Israeli/ Palestinian wars.

A lovely night was had by all who were in attendance, with fun and fellowship also being the order of the evening.

Let’s hope that the Bendigo South Rotary Foundation dinner continues to be a successful event, which grows from strength to strength each and every year into the future.