Written by Jed Castle, reflecting on the District 9780 Conference 2024.
This was my third Rotary International District 9780 Conference, and once again it proves to be the highlight of my year. Hosted in beautiful Mount Gambier, on the brink of the blue lake, I had the best time revisiting old friendships and creating new ones.
It was an amazing experience to be able to MC this brilliant weekend alongside the amazing and spectacular Safari Smith. Many late late nights of writing speeches, slightly delusional over google docs and the pronunciation of names. I couldn’t have asked for a better co-host. I feel so privileged to have shared that stage with you.
Also, special shoutout to Kayla Adams and to Alex Lapina. Genuinely amazing people that I loved hanging out with over the course of the weekend. All previous RYLArians, it really demonstrates the beauty of RYLA. Swipe to see some photos of Safari and I absolutely losing it when Alex makes a joke so good we all break into hysterics.
Over the weekend, we heard from some amazing keynote speakers including Natalie Cook OAM OLY, Kirrily Dear, Uncle Ken Jones, Professor Lorimer Moseley AO, Nic Newling and Professor Michael Sawyer. The theme of Celebrating Rotary’s Difference and Making change in the world shone through in our projects, especially preventing family and domestic violence, and supporting mental health.
The walk for Polio on the Saturday morning was amazing, seeing a sea of Red throughout the streets of Mount Gambier. We are so close to EndPolioNow, with the last reported case of Wild Polio Virus being reported on the 21st of February 2024 in Pakistan (@Global Polio Eradication Initiative, 2024). The World Health Organisations requires there to be no cases for three years to consider a virus eradicated. The clock has started. Let’s get to the finish line.
Thank you so much to Ian McKay, and the rest of the amazing conference committee. This brilliant wouldn’t have happened without your hard work and dedication.
Rotary has this unique way to bringing likeminded people together, and weekends like this really demonstrate that in Rotary, no one feels like a stranger. I can discuss, laugh and really be my authentic self around these people. I know that wherever life takes me, I’ll have friends in Rotary to support me every step of the way.
Hears to Torquay2025!
It was an amazing experience to be able to MC this brilliant weekend alongside the amazing and spectacular Safari Smith. Many late late nights of writing speeches, slightly delusional over google docs and the pronunciation of names. I couldn’t have asked for a better co-host. I feel so privileged to have shared that stage with you.
Also, special shoutout to Kayla Adams and to Alex Lapina. Genuinely amazing people that I loved hanging out with over the course of the weekend. All previous RYLArians, it really demonstrates the beauty of RYLA. Swipe to see some photos of Safari and I absolutely losing it when Alex makes a joke so good we all break into hysterics.
Over the weekend, we heard from some amazing keynote speakers including Natalie Cook OAM OLY, Kirrily Dear, Uncle Ken Jones, Professor Lorimer Moseley AO, Nic Newling and Professor Michael Sawyer. The theme of Celebrating Rotary’s Difference and Making change in the world shone through in our projects, especially preventing family and domestic violence, and supporting mental health.
The walk for Polio on the Saturday morning was amazing, seeing a sea of Red throughout the streets of Mount Gambier. We are so close to EndPolioNow, with the last reported case of Wild Polio Virus being reported on the 21st of February 2024 in Pakistan (@Global Polio Eradication Initiative, 2024). The World Health Organisations requires there to be no cases for three years to consider a virus eradicated. The clock has started. Let’s get to the finish line.
Thank you so much to Ian McKay, and the rest of the amazing conference committee. This brilliant wouldn’t have happened without your hard work and dedication.
Rotary has this unique way to bringing likeminded people together, and weekends like this really demonstrate that in Rotary, no one feels like a stranger. I can discuss, laugh and really be my authentic self around these people. I know that wherever life takes me, I’ll have friends in Rotary to support me every step of the way.
Hears to Torquay2025!
