Chris Adam was our chair for our Youthy meeting with Past District Governor Cathy Roth and John from Geelong Central, Rotarian Dale McIntyre from Belmont and the Youth Exchange District Committee as well as Rotary Youth Exchange students Vicki (in going back) and Sophie (in going out) and Sophie's mum Marlise and our Pride in Workmanship award recipient, Cassie and her husband Glenn and Krystal, Joanne and Maryanne from AGB Team.
President Bruce presented Sophie McCoy with her badge as the Club’s outgoing Youth Exchange student who will be going to USA in January.
Youth and Vocational Committee chair Sam Ramondetta and President Bruce presented the Trainee of the Year Award to Cassie Barker nominated by the AGB Group.
Krystal Sharkey from AGB told us that Cassie has successfully completed a dual certificate level IV in the area of alcohol and other drugs and mental health and a diploma in counselling and is undertaking a diploma in the area of alcohol and other drugs and mental health.
Cassie’s commitment to her studies and to assisting other is evidenced by her exemplary attendance and her volunteer work at Blakiston House and at Geelong Hospital in the Emergency Department – all this whilst managing the demands of home life with two children, her husband Glenn and part time work.
Cassie is known as always consistent in her enthusiasm, dedication and pride in her work and is acknowledged as quite the perfectionist and she has built a rapport with AGB staff and students.
Cassie has overcome several personal setbacks over the past year, yet still maintains an excellent attendance and work standard and has an inspiring attitude and outlook on life with her goal being to work in the field of AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) and help others who can benefit not only from her qualifications and knowledge, but also her various personal and life experiences.
Farewell to Vicki
Vicki Schneider, our Rotary Exchange student from Germany, told us of her adventures Down Under when she decided that the best way to deal with pesky brothers was not to ask her mother to send them to their room but for her to go to the other side of the world.
She arrived in Australia and found the Dunlops at the airport who said they were looking for an Exchange student.
Because Vicki was an Exchange student, she decided to go and live with the Dunlops in Geelong.
Vicki had heard stories of Geelong, a fabled and enchanted place ruled by Dazzler the Lion with colourful hair and a photographic memory.
She travelled down the Tullamarine Freeway but there was no marine life and, alas, no rail link from the city.
And she saw the Yo Yang's and when the Dunlops told her that these were mountains she knew these people were in need of serious "alp" and that she would speak to Dazzler and perhaps he would raise a mountain as she heard he could raise Rates.
And in Geelong she found football and school shoes and that all the best beaches are there and heard tales of the God Gazza and saw The Kangaroos That Play Golf.
Vicki had many adventures in her Youth Exchange year including trips across Australia, meeting many interesting people and experiencing the wonderful Oz cuisine which consists of Fairy Bread (invented in Port Fairy) and Vegemite Chocolate.
At the end of her address to the Club, Vicki was presented with a somewhat frightening poster featuring the faces of the Rotarians and Chris Adam farewelled Vicki in a language which Vicki either recognized or was too polite to query.
