Our guest speakers were the Nova Scotia/Newfoundland GSE team who reported on their experiences. The team leader was David Ross of Parramatta City Club. The team members were Cate Robinson, Shannon Tonkin, Colin Wilkes and Suzanne Wright. Cate was sponsored by our club. Shannon was unable to attend the presentation.
The team was introduced by PP Ted Ingall. Ted made his introductions wearing his own team leader’s jacket which still fits him after 35 years. Ted noted that our club has had four other team leaders.
David commenced by advising us that the team had travelled to District 7820 Atlantic Canada (the second largest District in the world) in May and June of this year. He advised us that Colin works as a sales manager, Cate is a high school teacher, Suzanne works in employment services and Shannon is a journalist. They visited three provinces of Canada being Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. In the 28 days of the GSE the team had 12 hosts, travelled 3,500 kilometres and made 14 club presentations.
Colin spoke to us about the pre trip team meeting during which they detailed their goals and ambitions. Colin also spoke about Shannon’s experiences on the trip. Being a journalist she is acutely aware of the new media environment that she has to work within. She met with a local editor and even had an article written about her visit.
Suzanne then spoke to us about her vocational visits and her interest in seeing how problems she regularly encounters in her work are dealt with in another country. She also told us that she particularly enjoyed visiting St Johns the capital of Newfoundland where the houses were very colourful.
Cate started by thanking the Club again for sponsoring her. Since returning Cate has felt the need to be
challenged in her career choices and hopes to move onwards and upwards soon. Cate was impressed by the involvement of local Clubs in a St John’s primary school. A request for books had been answered and extended to assisting to teach the children to read. She also went on a number of field trips with universities. Cate’s most moving moment was when a senior academic who had just returned from climbing Mt Everest made time to talk to her (having previously taken part in a GSE herself).
Colin also spoke to us about his vocational experiences. He has a particular interest in pet nutrition and noted that there were many more brands available in the local market. He also had an interesting day out with the St. John’s Dog Squad where the dogs successfully tracked an offender and located the weapon (making Shannon envious). Colin noted that a GSE enabled you to meet people that you would not otherwise meet.
The team then shared with us some of their cultural experiences. They met with a local dignitary who regularly dressed in a (politically incorrect) seal skin coat. They also visited Pier 21 which is Canada’s Ellis Island. They informed us that Captain Cook is also remembered in that part of Canada for mapping the coastline. We were informed of the local initiation ceremony for foreigners called “screeching in” which includes kissing a long deceased trout and drinking rum. We also saw a photo of a McLobster which may be part of the reason Colin plans to return there soon.
In conclusion David noted that all team members had got a lot out of the GSE and had returned passionate about their lives and their careers. Cate made a presentation of club banners to the Club. The team was thanked by PDG David Croft.
Click photos to enlarge
Below are two slide shows of the GSE night
one as photographed by PP Steve Taylor:
The other by as photographed by Rotarian Kevin Beltrame
click here for a larger slide show