See you in Melbourne
From big-name speakers and breakout sessions to the flag ceremony and the House of Friendship, the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne will be full of pageantry and inspiration.
The virtual reality experience at the 2022 convention’s House of Friendship.
Image: Trish Badger
In Melbourne this month, listen to Nobel Peace laureate Leymah Gbowee of Liberia tell her story from the convention mainstage about empowering girls. And for ideas you can take back to your club, choose from dozens of breakout sessions. Rotary members and experts will share tips on how to live the Rotary Action Plan, do what you can to address the world’s biggest challenges, polish your leadership skills, grow club diversity, and interest newcomers.
Then, check out the House of Friendship to learn about projects by clubs, fellowships, action groups, and partners that will energize you to expand your club’s impact. For example, step inside a sample emergency shelter from project partner ShelterBox.
Rebecca Fry, charter president of the Rotary Club of Social Impact Network, Australia, says the House of Friendship is “a true festival of Rotary” and one of the best ways to get a sense of Rotary’s global reach.
The exhibition floor is a prime spot to meet up with friends, bump into new people to add to your Rotary network, and seek out leaders of projects that spark your interest.
Plus, it’s a lot of fun. Past highlights include Chinese lion dancers and a virtual reality experience about a coral reef restoration project. The expo is at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre every day of the convention 27-31 May.
This story originally appeared in the May 2023 issue of Rotary magazine.