First stop: The Melbourne Cricket Club and the Rotary Club of Rosanna

Rita Perea, Team Leader writes: It was a first for me.  My team and I had 15 minutes to celebrate my birthday during our stop in L.A.  They bought me a piece of birthday cake and sang “Happy Birthday” to me right there in the Samuel Adams lounge.  What a special, special birthday surprise.  These are wonderful ladies.

With the patience of Job, District GSE Coordinator, Nadia Godfrey, and District GSE Chair, Peter Morley, waited and waited over 10 hours for our arrival into Melbourne on the 26th. A special thank you to Nadia for the great coordination of us and our belongings.

We had a wonderful night’s rest at the Quest Apartments (hotel suites) after a long, long flight.  Rotarians Peter Morley (9790 GSE Chair) and Don Hamilton (RC Rosanna GSE Coordinator) arranged for a  fabulous breakfast at a little french bistro up the street and then whisked us away to the iconic MCC (Melbourne Cricket Club).  Rod, a D9790 GSE Team Leader (shown here) who volunteers part-time as a tour guide at the MCC, generously shared the rich traditions and history of the club with us.  We learned that they have a waiting list of over 20 years and 1200 members to get into the club.  The club is classified as a public utility but owned by its members.  The cost to belong to the club is $596 per year.  And, of special interest to my team, a landmark decision in 1984 allowed women to become members independent of their husband’s membership.

In these photos you can see how spectacular the stadium is.  Visitors can get a brilliant view of the Melbourne business district and city skyline from the club’s pavilion.  We were taken into the “Committee Room” (a prestigous special dining area where the Queen has visited) and into the “Press Box” which included the best seats in the club and rows of tables where reporters sit during a game to report. (PDG Bill Tubbs, I took this photo for you!)  The Press Box is important because the judges and referees also sit in a designated section of front row seats (shown in this photo).

After the MCC tour we were collected by our home hosts to settle into our first home stay with the Rosanna Club.  I am staying with the Club President, Ingrid Mooney, and her husband Terry.  They are very special people, indeed.

We were taken to a cocktail party last night and were able to meet the other home host families and members of the Rosanna Club.  District Foundation Chair and PDG, Mani Senevirantne, attended with us and sent the District Governor’s best regards and apologies for being unable to attend.  DG David Cooke is presenting at the District’s President-Elect training this weekend.  Having just completed a year as our D6000 Trainer, I totally understand the magnitude of his previous commitment.

The Rotary Club of Rosanna has 28 fun-loving members. They are taking great care of us and just love our team.   What a spectacular day it was!