President Rhonda has been practicing speaking into the microphone......and thereby got it right (most of the time).... and welcomed our guests, including Lenard Sciancalepore with the fabulously attired Chonkai dance team.
There is a suggestion box circulating - ideas submitted are discussed by the Board.....excellent! There are 3 being acted upon:
a. Some members would like a printed version of our membership list with contact numbers. A request form is being circulated
b. A financial report from the club. John P is preparing
c. More seats around the tables.......as there are tonight
Rhonda introduced Lenard who was a major contributor to our club's Music Awards and is CEO and founder of MOSAIC, which our club sponsors
Marie scored the cash and Ross the weight reducing chocolates. Thankfully, Greg is losing his touch.
Ready to rock and roll ..... and dish up cremated snags and onions. At the Zoo with the Variety Club and their busloads of disabled children last Wednesday.
Our latest Youth Sailing Challenge participant Sam Wendland getting a royal send off with Rhonda, Ross B and Chris last Sunday. Twas a tad chilly!
T
TAIPEI (17 Sept. 2025) – While in Taipei this week, Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo announced that more than 30,000 Rotary members and participants from over 120 countries will gather in Taipei, Taiwan 13-17 June 2026 for the membership service organization’s annual international convention.
The Rotary convention is expected to inject US$50-55 million into the local economy, and drive significant business for Taipei’s hotels, restaurants, retailers, and tourism attractions. Taipei was selected as the site of the 2021 Rotary convention, but the event was cancelled because of the COVID pandemic.
Held in a different city each year, Rotary’s international conventions serve as a hub for members and participants to connect and learn from each other and a range of experts on how to take action to address issues in their communities and promote health, peace, and prosperity in communities across the globe.
“Rotary conventions are powerful moments of unity, where people from every corner of the world come together to connect, celebrate service, and spark new ideas for creating a healthier and more peaceful future,” said Arezzo. “We’re honored to welcome the global Rotary family to Taipei in June 2026, and I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and making new ones as we share in the joy of our collective work to uplift communities around the world.”
In June, convention attendees will transform the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and the Taipei Dome into an energized hub and cultural mosaic as the global network of volunteers gain inspiration from more than 100 humanitarian projects on exhibit and from world class speakers.
“Taipei City is very happy to welcome over 30,000 Rotary members from all over the world to the Rotary convention next year,” said City Mayor Wan-An Chiang. “Taipei is ready, and will extend our warmest hospitality to all the Rotary members to ensure that they have an unforgettable and fruitful visit in our city.”
Organized by Rotary International in conjunction with local Rotary members, the convention presents an opportunity to showcase Taipei’s culture, food, and attractions. “Rotary in Taipei and across Taiwan is thrilled to welcome Rotary members and participants from around the world back to Taiwan since we last hosted the Rotary international convention in 1994,” said Rotary Host Organizing Committee Chair, Jackson Hsieh. “I’m excited to share Taipei’s vibrant culture, innovative cuisine, creative and friendly spirit and highlight the positive and lasting change Rotary brings globally and locally.”
Rotary’s members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. Over the last 100 years, US$5.5 billion has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service.
In Taiwan, Rotary members are engaged in a wide range of community service projects that bring science education programs to rural schools, support Indigenous communities through environment and vocational training, tackle e-waste through computer refurbishing and donation programs, provide meals and companionship to senior citizens, and much more.
About Rotary:
Rotary unites a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and creating lasting change. Rotary connects 1.2 million people of action from more than 45,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world - including 37,470 members in 1,175 Rotary and Rotaract clubs across Taiwan. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit
Rotary.org.
Lenard showed a video of Mosaic 2025....plenty of colour, music, songs, dancing, acrobatics, joy, camaraderie, sweat (but no tears). It is a grand celebration of multi-culturalism and has been running since 2017, getting bigger each year. As well as the Mosaic festival there are a number of other events to celebrate and enhance multiculturalism. In essence he believes multiculturalism defines who we are as a nation through the sharing of language, learning and culture...songs, music and dancing. Generations of migrants have contibuted to our character since the early 1800s. 50% of our population have relatives overseas and 25% speak another language beside English. There are a number of Rotary clubs like Unley who advance the cause. He thanked us for our contribution to community well-being. Lenard then introduced the Chonkai Latin Folk Loric Dance Group who performed at Mosaic. The Coffee Dance was followed by a Peruvian dance. We had the pleasure of nimble footwork, high energy, and colour.....twas full of fun! The best of nights.
