rotary club of port louis

Rotary Club of Port LouisDistrict 9220 Club N0 17274 Chartered in Nov 1964

NewsletterUDAY SADDLES UP

This year’s Induction Dinner took place again at Domaine Anna, even earlier than ever, on 23 June. If President Uday Gujudhur follows convention, perhaps next year we’ll extend the “season”, like the Turf Club keeps doing, and move back to July.

It was particularly pleasant to have DG Mohamed Baboo and Yasmeen present, before, so to speak, “his retirement”. A good time was had by all and not least Rtn Ibrahim who became the first person, as far as the Editor can remember, to scoop two awards: the Nutcombe Oxenham award for fellowship and, with Vandana, the Rotarian Couple of the Year award – which also provides us with the opportunity, regrettably omitted from the previous Newsletter, to thank Vandana for her considerable contribution to the District Conference. Other awards went to PP Ujjval Desai as Rotarian of the Year and to Rtn Serge Riviere with the new Lutchmeeparsad Mungur trophy for a project undertaken with regards to the Environment (The Save Water Project). Rtn Ming Chen was given the Young Rotarian of the Year award, in recognition of his media and general involvement.

Meanwhile, President Andre Chung Shui can now relax in the role of IPP as we thank him for his work for the Club and President Uday can now discover the unexpected joys of his new role, in which we wish him well.

Top Left : PE Uday Gujudhur / DG Mahomed Baboo / Pdt Andre Chung Shui Top Right : Rtn Ming Chen / PP Ujjval Desai / Rtn Serge Riviere

Bottom : PE Uday Gujadhur inducted as President of the Club 2012/2013 / Rtn Ibrahim Sheik Yousouf / Pdt Andre Chung Shui / Lady Lucie / Lady Vandana /

Rtn Ibrahim Sheik Yousouf

Rotary Year 2011/2012 – May/June - No 6 1 | P a g e

We always have a lot of activities that fall in the last few weeks of the Rotary year and this one was no exception:ROAD SAFETYThe Road Safety Campaign was formerly launched at Le Bocage School on 25 May. The campaign is

founded on a 10-point pledge that a driver takes. The willing participant gets to keep his/her signed pledge and a sticker for his/her vehicle, stickers that help to promote the campaign. The two-part session was first attended by some 50 form V and VI students followed by 25 professional drivers who ferry students to Le Clavis and Le Bocage schools. PP Claude Mamet explained the purpose of the campaign. The prominent Road Safety campaigner and the President of PRAT – an NGO promoting Road Safety in Mauritius, Mr. Alain Jeannot, gave a telling presentation on the dire situation of road safety in Mauritius and

the need to improve our attitude towards driving by following the Highway Code to the letter.

Left to Right : Rtn Rajesh Desai at the Press Conference / Rtn William Ah sue, first Rotarian of the Club to sign the Pledge / PP Claude Mamet at Le Bocage / Mr Ravin Lama

(President PTA, Le Bocage), Rtn Pratik Ghosh and Rtn Rajesh Desai / Mr Alain Jeannot

Left to Right : Drivers & Members of Rotary Club of Port Louis / President Andre Chung Shui signing the Pledge / Rtn Pratik Ghosh, Team Leader with the signed Pledge / At the

Press Conference (Pdt Andre Chung Shui / Rtn Pratik Ghosh / PP Claude Mamet )

SAVING WATERThe stickers competition for schools was launched on 30 May 2012. There were 160 entries from primary and secondary schools (including 11 from Rodrigues), and 12 winners were selected. The winning stickers will be printed and distributed among school children to raise awareness of the need to conserve water.

The prize-giving ceremony was attended by Minister Vasant Bunwaree, Mrs Ann Vallet on behalf of our sponsors (the Taylor Smith Foundation) and Mrs Aubeeluck, the CEO of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources. All 12 winners received Duraco rainwater tanks donated by the Taylor Smith Foundation. There was widespread press coverage of this event.

Left to Right : Logos of winners / President Andre Chung Shui and Rtn Serge Riviere (Project leader)welcoming the Minister of Education, Dr Vasant Bunwaree / President Andre

Chung Shui remitting a Certificate to one of the Winners.


PRIMARY SCHOOLS QUIZ27 teams participated in this year’s Primary Schools Quiz, with the finals held on 20 June between Bon Secour and De La Salle Government Schools.The winning team, Bon Secours Government School will spend a weekend at the Blue Lagoon Hotel. This year, the runners-up also receive an attractive prize, with a day trip to the Blue Lagoon.

Left to Right : The Winning Team – Bon Secours Government School students together with the Officer from the Ministry of Education, their teacher and members of The Rotary

Club of Port Louis / Rtn Desire Lan(Team Leader) / PP Philip Ah Chuen (Question Master)

THE BRAINS TRUST

The Rotary Brains Trust 2012 was the 36th edition. It is the longest continuously running secondary school competition in Mauritius. It also holds another record as the longest running school competition to be continuously broadcast on TV – 11 years now, thanks to the collaboration of the MCA in this and indeed all other respects.

Whilst the winning team was one of the old stalwarts – Le School (Royal College Port Louis), it was pleasant to see some outside the big names do well. The runner-up was France Boyer de la Giroday SSS, with the College du Bon et Perpetuel Secours in third place, jointly with Royal College Curepipe.

Winning Team – Royal College of Port Louis

The competition requires a massive amount of organisation so our thanks go to Rtn Shyam Seebun for all his hard work, as well as to all those who supported him during the rounds. There was a time, however, that Rotarians had almost to fight for a seat during the Finals. That was not the case this year…

INTERACT

For Mothers’ Day, 15 members of the Medco Cassis Interact Club organised a “mini-fete” at the Centre Mere Theresa in Roche Bois on 22 May. The success and enthusiasm of the Interactors has been one of the highlights of the year.

The Interactors

CHINESE EMBASSY SUPPORTOnce again, we kindly received a donation of Rs100,000 from the Chinese Embassy to support our work (particular thanks for this go to Rtn Patrice Cure). The funds last year were used for a water tank in connection with the MPRB project. This year, the funds are likely to be used for the Classe des Metiers project at Nicolay Government School.


OUTINGAfter its earlier postponement due to the threat of rain, a very enjoyable Ladies Outing took place on Sunday 3 June at Mare Longue Chassé. Over 40 people (Rotarians and family members) met at 9 a.m. by the Petrin entrance to the Black River Gorges National Park.The weather was great and the party had a good two-hour walk to the Macchabée viewpoint. Along the way, there were plenty of opportunity to pick goyaves de Chine – maybe a little too many in some cases! The group returned to the car park and drove to the chassé to meet the late risers. There are stunning views from there and stags could be seen running around in the valley below. Several people took a further opportunity to go collecting guavas around the stream and cascade. Madam T’puri provided plenty of gajak and a very filling lunch for more 56 people, after which time was spent enjoying the scenery, wine and each other’s company, as PP Bernard serenaded with his guitar and a few well chosen verses. The wind picked up a bit in the afternoon causing PP Alan Oxenham's gazebo to escape! Thanks go particularly to Rtn Phil Hadley and PP Alan Oxenham for all they did to make the event a great success.

Ladies Outing – having a good time and beautiful views throughout the day

ATELIER MO'ZAR There has at last been some movement on the project as the National CSR Committee has given its green light for the building construction for the Atelier Mo’Zar, thanks to the work behind the scenes of PPs Stephane and Anand. A lease document has also been received from the MPA. There are some constraints to be dealt with, however: an MoU has to be prepared, which must be signed by a company such as Sotramon, and construction costs are limited to Rs4 million. Community service will also discuss the need to broaden plans so that other art forms than music are also included. In many ways, this project is an Ah Sue baby and William and Chantal are no doubt as happy as us all that this now has the potential to become the major project that the Club has always hoped it might be.


AWARDSRtn Serge Riviere received the Paul Harris Fellow from RI for the contribution he made, personally, to Rotary Foundation. Internal recognition was given by President Andre Chung Shui to Rtn Raj Dassaye (for lunchtime speakers), PP ADG Roger Leung Shin Chung (for the extended fireside at his place – see below), Rtn Ming Chen (for securing media coverage of activities), PP Michael (newsletters) and Rtn Steven Farrow (for negotiating sponsorship from the Taylor Smith Foundation). PP David Flyold and PP Alan Oxenham also received awards for their contribution in hosting and managing the GSE Team.

Rtn Serge Riviere receiving the PHF.

SPEAKERS

2 May 9 May 16 MayProfessor Tony Eddison HC T P Seetharam Jeet Golam

on Indo-Mauritian relations Transparency Mauritius

23 May 30 May 6 June 13 JuneLouis Rivalland Clairette Ah Hen PP Dan Bhundoo Tristan Breville IPP CEO of the FSC Club history Director of the MuseumJoint Economic Council of Photography


Spoke

on

Education

Spoke on

Indo-Mauritian

relations

Spoke on

Financial

Sector

Spoke on

Photography

in general

CHEZ ROGER AND FLORISETo finish the year, a flashback to one of the most enjoyable evenings of all, the extended fireside that followed the Board meeting on 2 March.

DIARY

7 July Rotaract Induction Night at the Clos St Louis, Domaine Les Pailles16-22 July Institute, Rotary Zone 20A, in Livingstone, Zambia


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