District Governor (DG), Steve Hill is currently visiting more than 50 Rotary and Rotaract Clubs in District 9710 that takes in the Shoalhaven with its seven Rotary and one Rotaract Club, the Highlands, Canberra and the South Coast.

Last week Steve, a member of the Rotary Club of Bega, had a joint dinner meeting with the Rotary Clubs of Nowra and South Nowra and the Shoalhaven Rotaract Club.

Prior to the dinner meeting Steve met with the Rotary Club Boards to outline his strategy for his presidential year and answer any questions that board members had.

The boards were most impressed with Steve’s leadership and candidness as he demonstrated, from his experience, both a practical and logical approach to Rotary and its future. Steve guided the board on goal setting for the year.

He also stressed that contributions to the Rotary Foundation also very important as they are channelled to humanitarian needs all around the world including Polio Eradication and other health, literacy, clean water programs in poorer countries.

This money is also used to support those families left homeless and displaced following natural or manmade disasters such as Cyclones, Floods, Tsunamis and civil conflicts.

Steve was also interested in the local and international community projects that the clubs were involved in. Club representative out lined their current and ongoing projects and programs in each of the four avenues of service they being Community, Vocational, Youth and International.

Steve also reminded boards that matching grants are available from District and encouraged Clubs to join forces for major projects and get together periodically for fundraising and fellowship activity. Steve also talked about District initiatives being taken to foster and encourage membership and interact, Rotaract and Rotary membership transitions.

Steve then took questions relating to the Rotary International, District activity that influence or impact the operations of Rotary clubs. Steve was able to answer all questions leaving boards assured that they are fully supported by him and District Administration.

At the following dinner Steve congratulated the new Club Presidents Michael Temby - South Nowra Rob Russell - Nowra, and Nathan Eastgate - Shoalhaven Rotaract and wished them well for their year in office.

Steve then recognised the support and assistance of his Assistant Governors Fiona Kibble who provides support and assistance to the Rotary Clubs of Bomaderry, Gerringong Sunrise, Sussex Inlet and Shoalhaven Rotaract and David Bisiker who does likewise for the Rotary Clubs of Berry, Nowra, South Nowra and Milton-Ulladulla. 

Steve also thanked Andrew Bevan from the Berry Club who is this year’s District Rotaract Chair and John Britton of the South Nowra Club who has been appointed as the Rotary Youth Exchange Program Chair for the 4th consecutive year. John took the opportunity to introduce South Nowra’s latest inbound International Student Ida Crocker from Austria.

Then Steve summarised his goals and objectives for his Presidential year, outlined the program for the District Conference to be held in Goulburn on October and encouraged Rotarians, Rotaractors present to attend the Conference for a fun time.  

In thanking Steve for his visit and talk Club Presidents Rob Russell, Nowra and Michael Temby, South Nowra presented Cheques in lieu of flowers to be passed on to Steve’s wife, Colleen who has adopted the Rotary Children’s Emergency Fund as her charity in this Rotary year.