2003 Rotary Convention Brisbane (Australia)

We met this year in the lovely city of Brisbane (Australia) and once again it was time for a change of watch. At the IYFR AGM/Dinner held in the Dockside Restaurant Snug Harbour Marina PIC Joe Phillips assisted by PIC.s Bert Collins, Frank McDonald, and Andrew Mitchell installed Ferit Beren (Turkye) as our International Commodore, Bill Robinson (USA) as International Vice Commodore, and Max Cribb (Austalia) International Rear Commodore

IRC Max Cribb PIC Ken Winter, IVC Bill Robinson and IC Ferit Biren

The following day saw Iforian.s (Mariners) departed Brisbane Airport for Hamilton Island where we were booked into the Coral Reef Hotel in Airly Beach. Our party was then joined by Whitsunday Fleet Cmdre Ian and Rtn Eric Bottle. In the evening we enjoyed a real Aussie dinner. The following day we visited the Airlie Rotary Boat Show and the next two day's we were free to tour the Island and enjoy the sun, sea, and IYFR Fellowship. The last day saw us all join in a farewell dinner before we had once again to wend our way home.

On his return home to Turkye IC Ferit Biren was give a rapturous welcome which took place at the Yacht Club at the Ata kay Marina when past and current District Governors from Districts 2420, 2430 and 2440 were present and all 15 Fleets had members attending thes important event. A shield of appreciation was presented to IC Ferit Biren. A parade of IYFR boats took place the following day in front of the Atakay Marina in Istanbul

IC Ferit Birens first visit abroad was to Gt Britain where he was welcomed by Chris Bishop and his 1st mate Jane he was taken to Hertford to be hosted by Cmdre (G B & I) Brian Skinner where they were welcomed by some 25 members and their mates together with the G B & I main bridge. IC Ferit was next day taken to Norfolk to rivers and lake know as "The Broads" where he was taken on a cruise to South Walsham 10 boats from the Broads Fleet joined them for a BBQ Luncheon. There were some 66 members and wives at this event. The following day IC Ferit Biren joined the Suffolk Fleet at Walton-on-Naze were they met Fleet Cmdre Richard Woodman and taken aboard his yacht "Andromeda" and with other yacht's shown the "Secret Waters" the backwaters of Walton-on-Naze. The next day saw us wend our way to join the Thames Fleet where we were welcomed by Flt Cmdre Les Wilkinson and Michael Dooley. We sailed down the Thames on Michaels yacht to Henley where we were joined by Governor Ian Black and toured the Henley Rowing Museum where a good lunch was enjoyed by all Before departing for home IC Ferit Biren was presented with a book about the River Thames.

The second official visit by IC Ferit Biren was to Japan. On his arrival at Kansai Airport be was welcomed by Masami & Mutsuko Nishikawa, Kayoko Kajino, Hiroaki, Taka, Kazuho, Katayama. On arriving at Kyoto he was welcomed by Cmdre Kozo Kojino Cmdre Osaka Fleet. On the following day IC Ferit was shown around the proposed Convention Sites. In the evening Fleet Cmdre Kazo and his 1st Mate Kayoko showed him around Kiyoto and our members will find Giyan a most entertaining area.

The following day we met at the Righa Royal Hotel Osaka (Headquarters of the Convention) where he was taken around the fellowship halls. This was followed by a Fellowship luncheon where all past and present dignities and leaders were seated around the table. A very warm welcome speech was made by Japan Main Bridge Cmdre Hiraoka. The next day arriving at Nishi Matina at Kobe we embarked on a motor yacht "Macho" and sailed to Awazi Island After a typical Japanese Luncheon we returned to the Marina at a speed of some 30 knots. On departure from Japan Kaju Yamado and his 1st mate Macho, Tooda, Kayoko. Kazo came to see IC Ferit Berin off at the departure gate.

Aboard the yacht "Surprise" 12 Members of the Swedish Fleet spent three weeks sailing the Mediterranean Sea arriving in Bodrum Turkye where they were heartily welcomed by Fleet Cmdre Omer Karacular. IC Ferit Biren travelled from Istanbul to welcome the guests from Sweden. In the evening an excellent dinner was served and many new friendships formed. The following morning saw our Swedish guest's bid farewells before continuing on their cruise.

The famous CAPTAIN S Regatta was sailed in Friesland at (just try and pronounce this) Dokkumerrieuwezeilen about thirty Iforian's and their 1st mates crewed seven sailing yachts combating each other for the Captain's Regatta Cup The Dutch North East Fleet proved its excellence in organising the event.

Nine yachts from the Suffolk Fleet took part in the Dovercourt Rotary Club Annual Regatta which with many congratulations Tony Burrows in "Curlew " won the race and was presented with the Rotary Plate.

In February IC Ferit Biren visited the fleets of New Zealand he was hosted be PIC Ken Winters and his 1st Mate Bente who had planned a very busy schedule for the next few days. The following day together with some 80 Iforian's he boarded Ken Winters Ship "Pacific Mermaid" for an evening cruise. Around midnight "Pacific Mermaid" together with two IYFR Sloops sailed to Islington Bay. The next day was "Waitangi Day" (N Z National Day) after breakfast they motored to Motuihe Channel to join hundreds of small boats all rod fishing for Snapper in the evening together with some 60 members of the Waiheke Island Rotary Club gather together for a dinner cruise around Auckland Harbour. The next day saw us cruising around the northern part of the island finally anchoring at Man of War Bay and IC Ferit Biren was fascinated and intrigued with the commercial shell fish farm. The next day saw us cruising back to Islington bay then on to Auckland. IC Ferit Biren particularly enjoyed the Maritime Museum with its focus On exploits of the N Z Maori people. A final get together took place at the Remuera Rotary Club where thanks and farewells were made before our IC Ferit Biren return back to Turkye.

In January IC Ferit Biren flew to Perth Australia where he was welcomed by Western Fleet Regional Commodore and P D Governor Reg Willis and was taken to the Emerald Hotel. In the evening at the lovely home of Reg Willis And his lovely wife Joyce a wonderful meal of Red Snapper was supplied. The next day saw us in Freemantle where a visit to the Maritime Museum took place and of course saw the "America Cup" Winning Yacht "Australia 11" Following lunch we toured the town and port before returning back to Perth to prepare for the cocktail party at the Perth Royal Yacht Club being given to welcome the visit of our International Commodore Ferit Biren. Members from all Australian Fleets attended this prodigious event.

Like many other Past International Commodores our IC Ferit Berin experienced the men's only weekend which always takes place on Rattnes Island where much fun is always prevalent. The day they returned to Perth was Reg Wikkis's Birthday and in the Board Walk Restaurant a very elegant birthday meal was served. The following day saw our IC Ferit wend his way to Sydney where he was greeted by Regional Commodore John Milne & his 1st Mate Merrill, together with Fleet Commodore (N S W Fleet) Henry Dege & his 1st Mate Velma. The next day we boarded their yacht to sail the Darling Harbour where to add to the excitement many other Iforian boats joined us. We all moored in a very quiet beautiful bay where brunch and drinks were served. In the party Past Region Commodore Colin Dodds and his 1st Mate Natalie invited me to their home for evening drinks and supper. Former Commodore Dick and his 1st Mate Jean Gifford (Hunter Fleet) also joined the party. The next day we boarded Colin Dodds Grand banks yacht and together with members of the N S W and Hunter Fleets once again toured Darling Harbour this time sailing under the famous "Sydney Bridge" and past the famous "Opera House" We landed at Cockley Harbour Wharf lunch was served aboard the S/S South Steyne Restaurant Ship. Here PIC Frank McDonald and his 1st mate Edith arrived. Here the official welcome by the NSW Fleets were made. Sadly this was the last day of ICmdre Ferit Berin's visit to Australia, and so, the following morning saw me taking off to fly home once again to Turkye.

Some 6 Iforian's from Queensland together with 20 Iforian's from New South Wales all with their 1st Mates gathered together in the Royal Perth Yacht Club to begin a great trip visiting Fleets from Port Lincoln, Gippsland, New South Wales, Hunter and the Mid North Coast Fleets. The party travelled some 14,000 Kilometers, used some 1,400 Litres of fuel. Every Fleet encountered on the trip abounded in fun, fellowship, and friendship which made our Australian tour a very happy 5 weeks. The warn hospitality shown will be remembered with great appreciation and fondness. Special thanks were made to Commodore Bob Dack and Bill Chapman for planning such a trip.

In March the Seattle Rotary Mariners sponsored the chartering of the New Cascade Fleet joining in the celebrations were IYFR members from Vancouver, Victoria, Puget Sound, and Seattle. VIP.s attending this prestigious event were IC Bill Robinson, PIC, George Kent and Jack Keyser, and Fleet Commodores, Dave Kelly, Paul McTaggart, Dan Kelly, Fred Battie and Otto Rieve. The new Fleet has a membership of some 50 members. Congratulations and welcome was made by the International Bridge for a job well done