31st Anniversary Dinner 13 August 2011 ONE Degree 15 Marina Club

"Rotary is a truly fantastic organization"
                                        District Governor 3310 Haji Zainie Abdul Aucasa

In his address at the club's 31st anniversary dinner,DG Zainie stressed the role of Rotary as a truly fantastic organization which has contributed significantly to the near eradication of polio in the world.He challenged Rotarians to be as "great as we can be by "getting back to the basics." He asserted "The time has come for us to seriously self re-examine ourselves for the continued growth of Rotary".

DG Haji Zainie addressing the guests

            President Aaron Tan presenting a gift on behalf of RCRC to DG Zainie -A beautiful framed photograph of Singapore's present skyline

A perfect gift for the Guest of Honour His Excellency Mr. Doug Chester,

The Australian High Commissioner to Singapore - The Singapore Skyline

RCRC Anniversary Dinner "Tatler"

WOW ! The Biggest Crowd Puller - President Archie Reano of RC Makati North and Spouse presenting two dance items !

The Great MC of The Nite - PP George Abraham with Rotarians and Guests

A treat for the old folks - courtesy of Rtn Jaya Prakash.Well done Jaya !

Our adorable Club Service Director Rtn Sigrid Zialcita (left) and guest

Joan Gorrie (Right) wife of the late Rtn.Mike Gorrie accompanied by Mohan and Percy

PP Jimmy and his indisputable hospitality - serving guests ! Well done Doc. !


The evergreen song "The Best of Friends" plays on....!

As the band in attendance played that evergreen country in western music "The Best of Friends" PP Wee Koon San and PP Steven Teng dragged Bulletin Editor PP Tengku Indra for a quick pose in front of the stage.What a lovely way to capture the everlasting spirit of friendship.Salute to the two Past Presidents Wee and Teng !

The Faces of Joy at the Dinner

Special Message from Honorary Member

His Excellency Dr.Simeon Selby RIPINGA

High Commissioner,South African High Commission,Singapore



" Mr. President,Rotarians,Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am indeed humbled by your honour to confer an Honorary Membership of the Rotary Club of Raffles City to me.A very rare honour given to people who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals.I count myself lucky to be among these persons this evening !

I wish to thank all those who have had an invisible hand influencing the decision of the club.I am fully aware that many of you were involved in this.However,I wish to express my gratitude to former President David Lee,President Aaron Tan and Mr.Nitin Doshi for inviting me to the club as Guest Speaker and thus rekindled my passion for the organization I addressed as Guest Speaker many years ago in the early nineties.

I am happy to join you in the broad mission of providing "humanitarian service,encouragement of high ethical standards in all vocations,and help build goodwill and peace in the world."And of course to share your most elegant motto and secondary motto :

"Service above self."

"They profit most who serve best."

Thank you very much !!! "

                                                                                                 HE Dr.Simeon Selby RIPINGA

2nd August Lunch Meeting

Record attendance continues....54 %. Sunshine at $113

Visiting Rotarian Coronado (in Jacket) and Guest Rhodes (at Rostrum)

Cricket Club Banquet staff at the Gilmour Room were taken by surprise when the three tables they had set for the lunch meeting were insufficient to accomodate the huge turnout of 27 Rotarians and 2 guests - Visiting Rotarian Luis Coronado (Rotary Club Kaarst Germanay) and Messr.Graham Rhodes (Hong Kong),Guest of Rtn Jeffrey Chan.I was almost tempted to try out the famous chicken curry of Cricket club served along with other dishes and delicious chocolate cake dessert only to be reminded by Jaya Prakash that I was actually fasting.

Rtn.Jaya Prakash sharing some serious moments with Bulletin Editor Tengku Indra

Remembering Switzerland 

When talking about Switzerland,we will immediately think of it as a financial hub,Swiss Alps,Red Cross,Geneva Agreemnt and at the very least the Swiss Knife.Little do we realize that this small country which became independent on 12 September 1848,has a very rich history and tradition.This was revealed by Rtn Thomas Graf,our Community Service Director,during his presentation which was the highlight of the meeting.

Rtn Thomas handled PP Eugene Lim's question on bank's secrecy with wits and humour

Since 1848, the Swiss Confederation has been a federal state of relatively autonomous cantons, some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back more than 700 years, arguably putting them among the world's oldest surviving republics.

During the French Revolutionary Wars, French armies enveloped Switzerland during their battles against Austria. In 1798 Switzerland was completely overrun by the French who turned it into the united Helvetic Republic, effectively abolishing the cantons. Having been imposed by a foreign power, and relying on French troops to survive, the Helvetic Republic was highly unpopular and encountered severe economic and political problems and uprisings. Its new constitution following not Swiss sentiment but the political philosophy of the French Revolution. Swiss resistance constitution reflects a wider European discontent with the French Revolution and conflicting Swiss notions of liberty and freedom.

In 1803, Napoleon's Act of Mediation partially restored the sovereignty of the cantons, and the former tributary and allied territories of Aargau, Thurgau, Grisons, St. Gallen, Vaud and Ticino became cantons with equal rights.

 The Congress of Vienna of 1815 fully re-established Swiss independence and the European powers agreed to recognize permanent Swiss neutrality.

Announcements :

No meeting next week (National Day); Installation Dinner is on August 13th at :

One Degree 15 Marina Club

See You there!

Raffles City Delegates Visit RC Makati North 39th Induction 13 July 2011

Raffles City continues strong support for Sister Club Makati North

Led by President Aaron Tan,RCRC delegation comprising of PPs Dr.Jimmy Daruwalla,Dr.Chin Koy Nam and David Ong,attended the 39th induction cereomony of RC Makati North at The Peninsula Manila Hotel Makati City on 13 July 2011.As expected,they received the undisputable Filipino Hospitality Par Excellence.Great fellowship,delicious food,fantastic entertainment and above all highly meaningful visits to the sites of the two joint Community Service Projects.

Our delegates posing with RCMakati North President 2011- 2012 Archimedes G. Reano

When asked on the main attraction of RCRC Delegates' visit,President Aaron describes his enthusiasm and satisfaction at the success of the Club's two Community Projects which RCRC is jointly involved:

1. The Feeding Program for 60 pupils at the Francisco Benitez Elementary School 

     Main,Brgy.Sta Cruz,Makati City.

2. The Ave Maria Housing Units - Gawad Kalinga Program                                                 
     (Joint Project RC Makati North and RC Raffles City)

"The Feeding Program at the Francisco Benitez Elementary School  is an outstanding project which has produced tangible results," says President Aaron.With a very clear Vision of becoming," A High Performing School whose learners are empowered with life-long skills imbued with strong moral values dedicated to serve GOD,country and fellowmen," the school achieved more than 80 % passes in its academic record last year.In fact one student by the name of Lorenzo Miguel B. Alarcon tops the 260 graduates of the school this year.He has been a consistent honor pupil since grade one and excels both in academic and extra curricular activities.



Presidential Service

 

Feed of the day



Posing with The Pride of The School



PP Dr.Jimmy Daruwalla "Going Extra Mile in Service"



Visiting the site of Maria Housing Units




Walkabout at Joint Project Site - Maria Housing Units



After a hard day's site visits...time for a memorable fellowship