As discussed with current District 9800 President's, one of my goals as President of Balwyn is to improve collaboration between the Rotary Clubs in Boroondara. Based on our conversations, I am pleased to see that objective is shared. That is not to say collaboration is not good, but I think, like many things, it can be improved, and it offers mutually beneficial opportunities.
I refer to our conversations about the possibility of one of your Club Members hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Student. This is one such case where there could be mutual benefit through collaboration, and a benefit to the exchange student. Hilla Karppinen from Finland has been accepted.
Balwyn Rotary has accepted Hilla Karppinen, from Finland, as our student for 2023/24. Hilla arrived last Friday, to attend Koonung Secondary College, and we plan to give her the wonderful experience that all exchange students deserve. Whilst we have one excellent host, who is prepared to host Hilla for the twelve months, it is generally believed that it is preferable for the student to experience living with more than one Australian family.
Therefore, I am inviting all the Boroondara Rotary Presidents to become part of this adventure, by seeing if you have Members who are prepared to join in hosting Hilla.
I hope one or more other clubs can join Balwyn in providing a warm and stable home environment within which Hilla can thrive and provide a beneficial experience for the others who come into contact with her.
If you agree with the proposal, it would be greatly appreciated.
Russell Jones
President Balwyn Rotary Club
For more information contact Mark Howlett or Chris Raw.