Oregon Rotary Exchange

It looks like I’ve found my “twin” in Oregon!

This week Orange hosted a number of Rotarians from Oregon as part of a Rotary Friendship Exchange program. They are touring across NSW and spending three days in many different regions.

The Rotary Friendship Exchange program gives Rotarians and their families the chance to host and then visit other Rotarians from around the world. The idea is to build international understanding and goodwill among communities. As well as experiencing other cultures and making lasting friendships, an exchange may provide opportunities for vocational experiences and developing service projects.

I was able to spend some time with the group before they left and aside from discovering a virtual “twin” in the person of Carol Winston, I was also impressed by the possibilities offered by programs like this. We often see opportunities for Youth Exchange to encourage personal growth and connectedness for young people; however, it is rarer for these opportunities to be offered to “mature” candidates, it is good to see they do exist!

November's Freshly Plucked Festival

The Freshly Plucked Festival is locked in for November but organisers are still seeking sponsorship to help this worthwhile event. Magic Dirt will headline the festival with The Fumes, Regular John, The Jezabels, Claude Hay and Dreadnaught also performing.


The aim of the festival is to remind us all that there are many great ways to have fun without drinking or taking drugs.


Lyndon Community executive officer Craig Mills reports that the Lyndon Community will happily provide $2500 in funding sponsorship for the festival as an alcohol and drug free event.
The Lyndon Community is a dedicated non-government organisation providing alcohol and other drug treatment in residential and non residential programs. It provides accessible, high quality drug and alcohol services to reduce the harm and improve health and well being of individuals, families and the community.


This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to not only enjoy themselves but to also develop a variety skills and real world experiences. Theory is all well and good, but for personal growth they all need to get involved, they need to experience all the worthwhile opportunities our community can offer them. Sponsorship is the biggest hurdle. This youth outreach deserves more funding and any business interested in providing sponsorship can contact the Freshly Plucked Festival project officer Tara Selwood on 0407 208 467.

Fusion’s 20th Anniversay in Orange

On Saturday the 19th September, Fusion held their 20th Anniversary and celebrated with a Variety Night Fundraiser! This was a very enjoyable evening with numerous performances, a silent auction, audio-visual presentations and supper.

Fusion is a youth and community organisation which emerged as a response to socially-at-risk young people in Australia. Today, Fusion has over 250 staff and thousands of volunteers in 45 teams and centres throughout the world.

Part of the work of Fusion includes seeking to build a sense of community and purpose for individuals. Fusion Centres are established in response to local need. In Australia Fusion supports: drop in centres and Youth Cafes, lunch time programs in schools, accommodation programs, craft and social activities for isolated women, parenting programs for young single mothers, mentoring and special programs for teenagers at risk, employment training schemes, outdoor education programs, and community festivals designed to build connection.

This is a worthwhile organisation that deserves greater recognition for the work they do.