Rotary Club of Umina Beach

Meet Ella, Beau, Millie, and Anna. They are Rotary Exchange students involved with our club in recent years. Ella is currently with us from Germany, we sent Beau to Austria in 2019, we sent Millie to Brazil in 2025, and Anna is currently with us from Brazil. Each of these young people spent a full year in their destination country living with local families, going to school, exploring the countries,and learning about the culture of the countries. If you or a member of your family is in Year 9 at school this year, YOU could do this too in 2027. Our club will support you. See our first picture and DISREGARD THE DATES. Ring Robert Meyer on 0429632200

Feeling these cold nights as winter takes hold? Homeless people in our community are really feeling it too. Our club has taken on our President, Dave Tanare's, BLANKET DRIVE to help provide some winter warmth to these folk. If you have any spare blankets which are clean and in good condition, call Dave as pictured and he will arrange for your drop off. Thank you for your generosity.

What an informative meeting we had this week. Ella and Anna told us about their trip to the Coonamble Rodeo, adding to their wonderful experiences they have had here in Australia. We then heard from John Milner, a very experienced engineer who is working on the under Sydney Harbour tunnel as part of the Western Harbour Tunnel Project. John showed amazing photos of the boring machines and ptrogress through. Ha.ve a look

Our meeting this week focussed on Rotary Youth Exchange. Both of our inbound students reported on their week’s activities with Ella describing her week with her electronic baby from school childhood studies and Anna learning to surf. Then, District Youth Exchange Ambassador, Paula Hayes shared with us her wonderful presentation she is touring district clubs with.

Our club was out again on Saturday doing what ROTARY does - Doing Good in the World. This time it was the roadside collection for the RED SHIELD APPEAL. Thankfully the sun shone for a change and a successful day was achieved.

This weeks we mixed the new with the old. Firstly our two Exchange Students told us about their just finished "Safari" to Uluru and the Daintree. Anna described the majesty of Uluru and Kings Canyon, the walk around the rock, and their first experience of sleeping in swag. Ella described the beauty of Cairns and the Daintree forests, and sighting the elusive cassowary. President Dave then followed up educating us with a wonderful video of the progress of Sydney from it's earliest days until today.

Our club again enjoyed a youth and international flavoured theme this week when we heard about the week of our Exchange student, Ella, and were visited by her parent, Carola and Sascha, and sister, Emma. We also heard an enlightening account from Samuel Hubbard, grandson of PP Pat Lewis and wife Olwyn, of his early experiences in his study of Medicine.

Our members ventured out from the safety of the Peninsula this week to investigate and support businesses to our North. First stop was the Block and Tackle Brewery at Kincumber. A great variety of craft beers were available to sample, and sample we did! Then off to a sumptuous meal at the Kincumber Hotel. A wonderful evening with loads of good craic.

Your last chance to learn about ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE FOR 2027. Would you like to spend the whole of 2027 in another country going to school, living with a local family, exploring a new country, making international friends for life? This is a life changing opportunity.