In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand In Gear - Issue 3 | Page 43

especially to new generations, who may feel disconnected with some of the
formalities of Rotary, but are avid social media users.
“I hear he has a bit of a wicked sense of humour and is highly entertaining.”
Angelo Georgalli I Celebrity chef
Wanaka is home to many interesting and community-minded residents,
celebrity television chef Angelo Georgalli being one of them.
In a novel conference entrée, the Friday night (May 12) will open with a
bustling food market, rich with local fare.
Angelo helps launch proceedings with a cooking demonstration and a chat,
providing an entertaining insight into how a London restaurateur ended up
“The Game Chef” in Wanaka, and on our television screens.
Sakhr Munassar I Rotary global grant scholar
District 9980 is very proud to be hosting one of this year’s Rotary global
grant scholars, Sakhr Munassar, who is pursuing his Master of Arts at the
University of Otago’s Department of Peace and Conflict.
“I’m personally looking forward to hearing from the younger Rotarians – I’m
really interested in learning Sakhr’s story, and what journey’s led him from
war-torn Yemen to Aotearoa,” Deb says.
Whitney Smith I Cure Kids partnerships manager
Rotary New Zealand founded Cure Kids in 1971 to help address the high
rates of infant and child mortality within our country, and, since this time, the
two organisations have worked together to raise vital funds for all areas of
child health research.
Whitney, who recently joined the Rotary Club of Auckland Downtown
and presented at last year’s Rotary Institute in Sydney, has a passion for
children’s health, and is dedicated to raising funds to support the important
work that Cure Kids does.
Mike Webb I Rotary International representative
A 40-year Rotary veteran, Mike, who hails from the West Country, England,
accepted the invitation to the conference as the representative of Rotary
International president John Germ.
A Rotary Foundation trustee-elect for 2017-21,
Mike last visited New Zealand in 1991, when
he led a Group Study Exchange.
“He’s a bit disappointed he’ll miss the Lions’
tour by few weeks. As a lover of rugby and
good wine, I’m sure Mike will fit right in here
and delegates will show him and wife Alison
some great Kiwi hospitality,” Deb says.
Martin Garcia I District governor, 9940
Together with his Rotary roles, Martin has
served as a government advisor in the field
of world trade and economic development,
and continues to sit on a World Trade
Organisation international trade dispute
settlement panel, in Geneva.
“We are looking forward to hearing what
Martin has to say about the challenges of
Rotary given his background, ” Deb says.
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