GSE Team meet NSW Opposition Leader

Only one more week before we take off for New Jersey on our GSE program. Some of the team met with Mr Barry O'Farrell MP, Leader of Opposition today who presented us with the state flag of New South Wales plus some state history and memorabilia.

Farewell Dinner for the 6310 Michigan Team

Last night Barbara, Michael and I joined the outgoing Michigan team for a farewell to the Inbound Michigan team, they are heading back to the US today. We all shared great stories and great food and drink at the Castle Hill RSL. It was a great night but a little sad to see them go, I wish we all could have got to know them for longer than a few weeks.

Let's Get Racy

Saturday night and a few hundred Rotarians in fancy dress. After our big night before, our GSE Team chose to be an understated Pit Crew. But as you'll see, many Clubs went to great links to impress the judges .... such as RAY Charles and many REVs and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Saturday in Bathurst

After a big night and an early start to the District Conference, where we met one of the Vocational Excellence Awardees, Nicholas Cowdrey QC, some of the GSE teams enjoyed the tastes and sights of the region. A hot lap around Mt Panorama was a real thrill before a dash out to Orange Mountain Winery to enjoy a private tasting at the Cellar Door, courtesy of the owners Terry and Julie, friends of Evan & Barbara. Lunch was beckoning when Louise & Greg suggested we catch the NSW Country Rugby Championships in Orange (after all our GSE Team is sponsored by NSW Waratahs). A steak sandwich and a cold beer was the cost of admission as we watched Central West defeat Central Coast in a torrid battle (some late biffo saw two sendoffs and a sin bin) before we headed home for the evening's festivities.

District Conference in Bathurst

7.45pm Friday night and our big GSE presentation in Bathurst. Over 850 delegates gathered in St Stanislaus Function Centre and suddenly we were on. Wow! We weren't the main act but we were up first and I think it went really well. We managed to introduce ourselves without a hitch, to thank our sponsoring clubs and make ourselves better known to the District as the outbound New Jersey Team. The two Michigan Teams followed with Jeff Leipprandt providing a terrific insight into his team, their home and their vocations. The evening concluded with Bathurst legend, Dick Johnson as he regaled everyone about some of his motor racing exploits over three decades, making him one of the most successful V8 supercar drivers in Australian history.

Zone Presidents Dinner and 20 more sleeps

Tuesday night provided an opportunity for some of our outbound GSE Team members to meet the inbound GSE Team from Michigan at the Zone Presidents dinner. Following a perfect Sydney day, over 150 Rotarians and Guests including several GSE Alumni and many PDGs were formally introduced by DG Monica Saville to Jeff Leipprandt and his Michigan Team. Formalities aside, Jeff provided an amusing presentation about the GSE Team, their family and businesses and their home state of Michigan. Both Michael and Ian took the opportunity to briefly introduce their outbound teams and update everyone with their planning. Our MC Richard did a terrific job to manage a busy program and keep everyone to time with an impromptu update on the Cricket final between Australia and India (and little did we know of the raw excitement seen on TV until we read the morning papers). See you in Bathurst!

A SPECIAL WELCOME TO YOU!!

Greetings from the Western portion of D7500, where we root for the Eagles, the Phillys, the Flyers, the 76ers and a yet to be named new soccer franchise. Philly is the home of the Mummers, the Philly Cheesesteak from Pats or Ginos in South Philly, The Rocky Statute, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the first Zoo in the US and the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Now, about the Ben Franklin Bridge, those of us from the GREAT STATE of New Jersey have an ongoing argument with our neighbors across the Delaware. They charge a bridge toll to enter Philadelphia and the kind and generous residents of The GREAT STATE of New Jersey allow free entrance to the Camden waterfront, which hosts the NJ Aquarium and the Battleship USS New Jersey. Then we allow them to visit the Jersey Shore, Las Vegas East, (we call it Atlantic City), Cape May with its Victorian Architecture and the Pine Barrens for free except if they take the expressway. We are also the agricultural mecca of the state, generating a major portion of the blueberries and cranberries grown in the United States.

Oh and when you arrive in Historic Burlington on the morning of April 17th, please be respectful for you will be in the first capital of THE GREAT STATE of New Jersey.

Well enough of that. Be it Known that Gina, Brandon, Brian, Jonathan and Dick are looking foward to meeting our new friends, Michael, Matthew, Louise, Sophie, Evan and Daniel from Down Under on the evening of the 25th of March at the home of our DGN Kathy.

And finally, here are two websites for you: http://www.philly.com/ and http://www.phillyzoo.com/

See you in little over three weeks

Riccardo