Dear Rotarians and Friends

It is with a great sense of anticipation and excitement that I invite you to join the Rotary Club of Adelaide West, Conference Chair Ashleigh Lorraine, and the 2012-13 Conference Committee, as part of a truly Golden Experience at the District 9500 Conference to be held in Bendigo from 14 - 17 March 2013.

The Conference Committee has already worked very hard to plan for the Conference. Speakers have been organised, a venue confirmed (with lots of parking and plenty of space). The City of Bendigo has been wonderfully welcoming and is most supportive of an influx of Rotarians to their city.

There will be exciting and interesting guest speakers, each with a unique story to share; speakers like

• Li Cunxin (Mao’s Last Dancer)
• Frances Nelson QC (South Australian Parole Board)
• Major Matina Jewell (a truly remarkable woman!)
• Dr Tony Gregson AM (a farmer with international connections)

We hope you will learn more about Rotary programs and enjoy highlighting the achievements of your own Club, while being challenged to do even more for our world!

You will note that there is a return to March for the Conference. I know that the people from the country, who are so dependent on the time of the year and the weather, will be pleased with this change and will enjoy the opportunity to travel together to Bendigo for a well deserved break. After the Conference, take time to enjoy Bendigo, then maybe travel on to Melbourne before taking the Great Ocean Road or another scenic route home.

Why did we choose Bendigo? It is an enchanting modern city ‘built on gold’, the gold rush of the 1850s, which brought so many people and great wealth to the town, leaving it with a Chinese heritage still evident today.

See the Chinese Museum, the Central Deborah Gold Mine and the city’s fascinating architecture. Travel on the Bendigo talking tram and make a pot at Bendigo Pottery!  Extend your stay and dine in some of Bendigo’s many restaurants and cafes. Take time after the Conference to stroll through the beautiful historic streets.

Organise your club to come as a group! Encourage those who have never been to a Conference to make this their first! Perhaps someone who has just retired would like to come – they would be most welcome and may even consider joining Rotary!

Enjoy a truly golden experience!
Have fun!  Learn much!  Be challenged!  Be inspired!

Join us in Bendigo on 14 - 17 March 2013!

Marie Dorrington
2012-13 District Governor
Rotary International District 9500