Events

For information and registration:  https://rotarydistrict9685.org.au/page/district-conference-2023

I am a former secondary school teacher of Industrial Arts which is traditional Woodwork, Metalwork, Graphics and Engineering.  I worked mostly with boys of Years 7 through to Year 12.  When I retired from full-time teaching in 2006, I began nurturing an interest in local history and walking.  Back in 2007, I began leading free walks around the streets and suburbs of Sydney.  To give added value to these walks, I sought out details of the streetscape which were clearly visible but remained mostly unnoticed.  Included were the largest and the smallest, the oldest and the strangest and anything which had a story.  These stories often gave a surprising insight into our past.  Over the years the number of walks increased as I added to the list.  These grew into a catalogue which became a book.  Today I will give just a sample of the many places contained in my book Exploring Hidden Sydney.  These can be found by anyone who has the time to walk a couple of city blocks and look around.  All proceeds from the sale of the book ($35.00) are going towards the eradication of polio and other local and international aid projects through The Rotary Foundation.

TOM SWEENEY    OAM    JP    INTRODUCTION

A Past President (twice) of the Rotary Club of Crows Nest and a PHF, Tom has been in Rotary since 1999.  He has compared at least five District Conferences and District Change Over dinners.

His career as a guest speaker has spanned nearly 35 years giving presentations to Rotary Clubs, Probus and many community and seniors groups.

He joined the then Willoughby Musical Society in 1969 and started directing musicals in 1978. Since then Tom has directed over 40 productions for Willoughby and another 20 for other companies.

He directed the Australian premiere of Zorba, Meet Me in St Louis, Titanic, and The Scarlet Pimpernel and recently directed the NSW premiere of “Strictly Ballroom”.

In 1989, the then 18 year old Hugh Jackman was in his chorus for ‘Paint Your Wagon’.  Hugh doesn’t remember this but Tom does!

Now past President of Willoughby Theatre Company (2004), Tom and his wife Joy, also an accomplished director and costume designer, spend most of their leisure time involved with the theatre.

Michael Day is National Treasurer of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, has an Honours Degree in Electrical Engineering and 15 years’ experience in the design and conversion of electric vehicles for himself and others.

Apart from having a compulsion for electric vehicle projects Michael has a passion for creating awareness, and dispelling myths about EV ownership.

AEVA is the oldest continuously active electric vehicle owner’s association in the world having formed in 1973. Its purpose is to create greater awareness of electric vehicles, encourage the rapid transition to electric transportation, and to be an official source of information on EVs in Australia. 

RSVP to Bass Bhaskaran - limited numbers.

Details to come !