Guest Speaker– Ashley Argoon, a journalist with the Border Mail, has been the driving force behind  the “Head Space for Albury-Wodonga” campaign being conducted by the Border Mail with the purpose of securing government finance for a centre in Albury-Wodonga. At last week’s meeting Ashley gave us an insight into the urgent need for  the centre and its importance in supporting the border mental health services. She spoke of the particular need for suicide prevention by bringing this subject into the open through publicity and discussion. Part of this campaign involved collecting  ‘message Butterflies’ from the border community to form the basis of a presentation to Canberra … 5000 ‘butterflies’ and petition signatures were collected and presented to the Minister of Mental Health in Canberra … each with a personal message of hope. It is understood that funding for the head Space centre will be announced soon.

Mayor Alice welcomed our guest speaker, the Hon. Michael Kirby who was introduced by Chairman, Paul Armstrong. Approximately 80 members and guests enjoyed the lunch held at Murray Gardens where the. Michael Kirby gave us an entertaining address on the complexities of the Australian Constitution, referring in particular to a recently published book by Dr. Bede Harris from Charles Sturt University… a book Michael was to launch at another event later in the day.

When he retired from the High Court of Australia on 2 February 2009, Michael Kirby was Australia’s longest serving judge. He was first appointed in 1975 as a Deputy President of the Australian Conciliation & Arbitration Commission. Soon after, he was seconded as inaugural Chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission (19 75-84). Later, he was appointed a judge of the Federal Court of Australia, President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal and, concurrently, the Court of Appeal of Solomon Islands. His appointment to the High Court came in 1996 and he served thirteen years. In later years, he was Acting Chief Justice of Australia twice.

In addition to his judicial duties, Michael Kirby served on three university governing bodies being elected Chancellor of Macquarie University in Sydney (1984-93). He also served on many national and international bodies. Amongst the latter have been service as a member of the World Health Organisation’s Global Commission on AIDS (1988-92); President of the International Commission of Jurists, Geneva (1995-8); as UN Special Representative Human Rights in Cambodia (1993-6); a member of the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee (1995-2005); a member of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Judicial Reference Group (2007-) and a member of the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights (2004-). Since his judicial retirement, Michael Kirby was elected President of the Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia from 2009-20 10. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Laws of Australia. He has been appointed Honorary Visiting Professor by twelve universities. And he participates regularly in many local and international conferences and meetings. He has been awarded many honorary doctorates. In 2010, he was awarded the Gruber Justice Prize. He is also presently a member of the Eminent Persons Group which is investigating the future of the Commonwealth of Nations; and has been appointed to the UNDP Global Commission of HIV and the Law. In 2010, he was appointed to the Arbitration Panel of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (World Bank).

Guest Speaker – Youth Exchange

Penny Sell introduced herself as a former Rotary Exchange Student, to Japan,  sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tallangatta some years ago … 1980’s ?  She spoke of her strong belief in the Exchange Programme then, and currently, and its humanitarian values being as important today as was the case in her year. Penny spoke of embracing the culture of her host country, being involved in festivals, weddings and other special events. Her motto for her year was … ‘Rotary teaches to adapt’.

Penny then introduced us to her daughter, Gabriel, who returned earlier this year from a Rotary Youth Exchange to Germany, living in Oberursel, a city about the same size as Albury-Wodonga.  Gabby was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wodonga and recently gave an excellent address at the 9790 District Conference in Ballarat.  Gabby’s opening quote was the Rotary Four-Way-Test … her basis of support during her special year. Gabby outlined her preparation prior to departure, her assimilation on arrival (smile and say ‘Yes”!), including weekly language classes, new friendships, extended family … her host families were all involved in various professions. She enjoyed school, food, people, art school and beer (with permission from her hosts)!! Gabby mentioned the lifestyle of the people, similar to Australia, humorous, good natured, very punctual and organized.

Travel during her year included a caravan tour of Sweden, with her host family, as well as the Y.E.Europe Tour, with all other Exchange Students, including Italy, Spain, Belgium, Hungary, Monaco.

Gabby was complimented on her command of the German language, achieving 100% in a language skills diploma course. The Mayor of Oberursel was so impressed with her ability in this area that he has offered Gabby employment in local government for her Gap Year after she completes her HSC at Albury High School. An offer  which Gabby intends to accept. A number of members commented after our meeting that Gabby’s address was the best we have ever heard from a returned Exchange Student … sorry Alice !!  Gabby exhibited attributes of a proud Australian Rotary Exchange Student ……PS. Gabby says she is now re-learning how to speak English!