Different Faces of Vocation. Service to others is one ultimate reason though we choose different vocations that we are to live on. On Tuesday (March 22) each of the members of the team went on separate ways for our vocational visits which was facilitated by the ever energetic members of the Rotary Club of Blacktown. Rucel went to Ken Fairfax Law Office and had a chance to sit in Ken’s conference with his client. She spent the rest of the day doing some research on Court Pleadings and Papers. Our team leader, Arleen with Chris visited the SMARTLINE, a mortgage and brokerage firm. They had a personal encounter with Aaron Sainsbury, who is also a Rotarian. He is one of the mortgage advisers in the firm. Lorna who was supposed to visit WASH (Self-Help Program for Women) went to the City Library and learned about the Paint Blacktown REaD (pronounced “red”, a pun on ‘read”) ia a whole community literacy support program. I was brought by Cathy to Westmead Millennium Research Institute and toured me around the Westmead Hospital. I had a very informative day as I was oriented by the institute’s current research on human melanoma. At the end of the day, each member of the team shared how our learning could be applied to our own workplaces and vocations. In the evening, we attended the meeting of RC Blacktown at Worker’s Club. After our presentation, we sang “Dahil sa yo”, together with our kababayans. RC Blacktown, handed us a Certificate of Appreciation, aside from their bannerettes. (Ben)
March 23, 2011. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Went to the local council of Blacktown and met with a friendly bunch of politicians, among them, the Mayor of Blacktown, Councillor Alan Pendleton. Not everyday you get to meet someone important. Well, everyone is important, but you know what I mean. And get the chance to sit on their important seats in their council office and served with sumptuous morning snacks.
Thank you, Mayor Alan Pendleton for your warm welcome. Thank you, Councillor Russ Dickens for showing us around. Thank you, Councillor Jess Diaz for showing us that Filipinos can make it anywhere if they try hard enough. And thank you, wonderful Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Blacktown, you have made our week equally exciting and educational. We had our free time in the afternoon and stayed with our respective hosts. (Chris)
Wonderful treat from PP Bob Gardiner…Hawkesbury River Cruise. On March 24, 2011, the team was very fortunate and was taken for a cruise down the Hawkesbury River aboard Rtn Bob Gardiner’s boat. Everyone was so excited, digging on cheese, cold cuts, salads, wine and of course, beer. Chris guided the boat and was practically steering the wheel almost the entire day. Ben and Daniel could not refrain from taking a dip on the river. Midway through, Rtn. Gus Baekler arrived in his speedboat and treated the team to a fast and furious joy ride. Anchoring on Gunyah Beach, we then had our lunch, then headed back to Berowra Waters Marina around 4 pm, exhausted after the day’s event, but overjoyed. Thanks Rotarians Bob Gardiner, Tess Sayas, Kerry, Scotty, Gus, Tony, Daniel and PDG Dick White for that wonderful treat. A paradise, indeed.
GSE Team with Rtn Bob Gardiner
7:00 pm – A get together party was hosted by Marivic and Ray Manalo (hosts of TL Arleen and Lorna) in their beautiful place. Guests were treated to a sumptuous Filipino cuisine (sisig, pancit, tokwa’t baboy, picadillo, fish, etc) and wines, and of course, the famous past time of Filipinos, Karaoke… Rtn. Gus serenaded us with his lovely voice, as well as Atoy and Ray. I had the chance to practice my vocal chords too, and nobody went home without having a sing or two. Present were, Tony, Atoy and Tess, Kerry and Kathy, Nelma, Gus, Florence and Daniel.
Great night… (Rucel)
March 25. All Day – Free! After a night’s sumptuous food and karaoke, we were picked up by Tess Sayas at around 9:30am and headed to Blacktown. Lorna, Rucel and I took the train forTown Hall to go to Darling Harbour. Made a quick tour around the area via the mini train, had burgers for lunch then decided to go to the Sydney Tower. Before that, Lorna and Rucel went up the foot bridge, Pyrmont Bridge and am supposed to meet up with them at the end of the bridge. . . lo and behold. .. we kinda lost each other. . . I saw them coming in from the top (I was waiting for them in the same level, but on the side part of the bridge) and I didn’t realize they went down, and they, thinking I was waiting for them below. Nevertheless, we found each other and up we walked to Market St. to go to Sydney Tower. Only Rucel and Lorna went up and I stayed behind and met up with a friend Lea for coffee. Went back to Blacktown by 4:15pm.
Ben visited the Prospect Reservoir and helped Daniel prepare for the evening’s farewell party. Chris just stayed home with his hosts. At 7:00 pm drove to Daniel’s pub, Cricketters Arm, for the farewell party. Good attendance of Rotarians from Blacktown together with their spouses showed up. After dinner, we said our individual thank yous and goodbyes to Blacktown Rotarians. . . and did I cry bucket of tears? . . . ask the members . . . we really had a great and memorable time in Blacktown. Thanks too, to Raymond for coordinating our stay and schedules. Next stop will be Springwood. (Arleen)
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