Guest Speaker Report

Wednesday 9 March 2011

 by Rotarian Ian Johnson (reporter)

Last week we welcomed the inbound GSE (Group Study Exchange) teams from the Philippines and Taiwan. We were joined by members of the Rotary Clubs of Breakfast Point, Burwood and Concord. DG Marilyn Mercer officially welcomed the teams to our District.

Graham Wilson, Chairman of the District GSE Committee, also welcomed the teams. Graham noted that the GSE program was a vocational and cultural exchange for people aged 25 to 40 who were not Rotarians nor related to Rotarians (except for the team leader). Graham spoke of his experience as a team leader taking a team to Brazil. He confirmed from personal experience that the program does build friendship, goodwill and peace amongst the people of the world.

The team leader of the Philippines GSE team (District 3860) Arleen Aportadera then spoke to us and introduced her team. At the start of her address she acknowledged the presence of “First Gentleman” Dudley. She advised us that the team’s first day in Sydney had been busy with the team attending Burwood Council and a Community Welfare Service Centre.

Each of the team members then introduced themselves:

  • Rucel Cayetano- a lawyer and single. Also helps to build houses for the underprivileged through an organisation whose title translates as “Answer the Cry of the Poor”.

  •  Benigno Masungcad (Jr) - a biology teacher and interested in environmental protection.

  • Christoper Carmona- Works for a bank and studying law.

  • Lorna Mandin- sponsored by an all-women club and works to empower women.

The team leader of the Taiwanese GSE team (District3470) Delphine Chen then spoke to us and introduced her team. She said that the team’s first day had been very busy having travelled on Sydney’s trains, buses and ferries on their trip to Manly. Each of the team members then introduced themselves:

  • Ching-Wen Tseng- enjoys trying new things and certain will enjoy her next month in Sydney.

  • Yu Ting Mao- works for an international trading company and happy to be in Australia.

  • Chia-Jung Hsiao- admitted to being nervous. Told us it was her birthday two days ago and thought that travelling to Australia was a nice birthday gift.

  • Hsiu-Lien Lin- an animal researcher who works to ensure farmers have the best stock possible.

The presentations were thoroughly enjoyable and the team members went home with their host families after President Peter had concluded the meeting.

 

 

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