2004 Rotary Convention Osaka (Japan)

This year our Rotary International Convention took place in Osaka Japan. Our booth was manned by four of the Japanese Fleets and they were most colourful and very active. In an elegant venue, called the "Kikunama Room" at the Righa Royal Hotel we held our annual AGM where 100 Iforians and guest's attended together with Past President of Rotary International Cliff Dochterman where a succulent luncheon was served. IVC Bill Robinson as master of the event did a fantastic job and our meeting was full of fun and laughter. In the evening three Japanese Fleets arranged a trip down the river for us where they served several hibatchi grills to us.

International Commodore Ferit. Biren visit to Japan

The next day some 42 of us met at the Hotel to depart for the post Convention Cruise to Kyato, Lake Biwa, and Kushimato. Before arriving at Lake Biwa we were given a tour of Todaiji Temple in Nara from there we checked into the Biwako Hotel That evening we were taken into Kyato where in a 300 year old Japanese Restaurant we were served a delightful dinner. The next morning a bus took us back to Kyato where we visited ancient Temple's and Shrines after which we stopped at a tea house for refreshments. Nijo Jowas a very massive and imposing castle. It was the home of a Shogun built in 1602. That evening we boarded a yacht called the Michigan (a Paddle Steamer) which docked in front of our hotel on Lake Biwa.

The following day saw us travel from Biwa to Kushimato where we were welcome by the Mayor of Kushimato. Here we visited the museum and memorial for the Turkish Sail Ship "Entugrul which was struck by a Typhon in 1892 and foundered on the Kashinazaki Rocks with the loss of 632 sailors. In the evening a wonderful evening of entertainment was given to us. Sadly the next day we departed Kushiomoto to wend our way to Osaka and then home.

In August our IC Ferit Berin travelled to Copenhagen to visit the Fleets of Denmark and Sweden. On arrival he was welcomed by Region Cmdre Arne Magnusson and his first mate Margareta together with Fleet Cmdre Tom Sellberg from the Skaw Fleet. The following morning in the company of two other Yachts left the south of Gothenberg and after 5 hours of sailing reached the ancient city of Marstrand. Here they were joined by other Iforian's to enjoy a very succulent luncheon at the Grand Hotel which overlooked the harbour. Leaving Marstrand they sailed to Tjornekalv where Tom Sellberg resided after a very lively and delicious party amongst Rotary Iforian' Mariners IC Ferit was hosted for the night with Gunnar Jardelow in his summer house at Skarhamn. The next day saw our IC Ferit wend his way back to Gothenberg then on to Stockholm. Cmdre Anders Kogdtom escorted our IC Ferit to the Helsinki Ferry to travel to Mariehamn in Aaland. Here he was met by Iforian's from the North Baltic Fleet. Luncheon was served in Sjokvarteret. A visit to the barkship "Pommern" was then made, and, in the evening a cocktail party had been arranged aboard Pertti Mylinens new HR43. From here we went to the Ass Club Restaurant for an excellent dinner where we watched a wonderful sunset. The last day IC Ferit Biren was escorted by members of the North Baltic Fleet back to board the ferry sailing back to Kopellskor. IC Cmdre Ferit was met by Rear Fleet Cmdre Roland Hagberg where they motored back to Stockholm, a visit to the Wasamuseum had been arranged followed by lunch at the Pamoas Marina. A short visit to Drottringholm Palace was made before IC Ferit Berin caught the train to Stockholm and then to Germany.

In September IC Ferit then wended his way to the Netherlands to visit the Fleets there during this visit our International Commodore was hosted by PICmdre Arnold Verkade. The following day the party made their way to Grouw in Friesland to take part in the annual "Captains Regatta" The participants sail in small open boats, they change after the first heat when the winner then takes over the boat that finished last to sail the second leg. With such a formula you need sporting and flexible participants. Our IC Ferit Berin took a very active part in this event in this event. At the find dinner when trophy's were handed out our IC Ferit Berin he presented to the Commodore of the Dutch Fleet his personal banner.

With great fellowship and celebration in December saw our IRC Max Cribb present the charter to the new Victoria Fleet on behalf of IC Ferit Berin. The Fleet composed of some 38 new Iforian's and Bob was ably assisted by Regional Commodore Bob Dack. Following the Charter a very interesting tours was made in Pompei's Boat Yard.

In February 2005 the first Fleet in Bulgaria District 2480 was chartered, Some 53 Rotarians from three Rotary clubs in Bourgas attended and together with District Govenor Kalcho Hinov and all the Wives IC Ferit Berin chartered the Bourgas Fleet in Bulgaria. It was a very joyful event with new friendships being formed. IC Ferit then return back to his home in Turkye.

IC Ferit Biren presents the Charter to the Bourgas Fleet

Also that month IC Ferit Berin together with his first Mate Koray Also enjoyed another joyful event when our International Commodore At a very auspicious dinner chartered the Turkish Mudanya Fleet.

IC Ferit Biren presenting the Fleet charter to Mudanya Fleet Commadore Fahri

The next month October saw IC Ferit in Canada where he was received by Fleet Cmdre (Vancouver Fleet) Otto Rieve. After a quick tour of Vancouver he was taken to the Wine Festival which had been organised by Vancouver Rotaract Club's The following day he was welcomed by Dave & Jeanne Kelly, and following a wonderful lunch the Fleet AGM was held, and IC Ferit then inducted the new Vancouver Bridge. The next day aboard a paddle steamer they cruised to Burrard Inlet where a very succulent lunch was served, then sadly it was time for our IC Ferit Berin to return to the Airport to fly home.

Due to ill health we received the sad news that Max Cribb had resigned as International Rear Commodre, and that he will be unable to attend the Chicago Convention. In his place Past Fleet Commodore (N S W) John Milne was elected to take his place. He is currently serving our fellowship as Regional Rear Commodore.

In April in the Hotel Astero in Golden Sands in Bulgaria IC Ferit Berin had the honour of chartering of the Varna Fleet (Bulgaria). The ceremony was honoured in the presence of the Governor and Deputy Mayor of Varna and some 100 people attend this prodigious and important gathering. The following day some of the most interesting sightseeing of Varna were shown to our IC Ferit Berin.

The Charter Ceremony Varna Fleet Bulgaria

A spring meeting was held in Zalmhuis (Holland) on the border of the river Maas where some 40 Iforian's together with their 1st Mates enjoyed a wonderful luncheon with good fellowship. Following the lunch Rob van Twist gave a vidio presentation with the S/V Oosterschslde about his trip to Anartica.

A new flag appeared on the IYFR web side - the blue yellow one of the Ukraine, when, on the 28th May in the city resort of Yalta (Crimea-Ukraine) IC Ferit Berin presented the Fleet Charter to Fleet Commodore Valerly Chapurin. On this event he was accompanied by Demir Sindal from Istanbil. Both IC Ferit together with VIC Bill Robinson were presented with a bottle of Crimeon Cognac by VC Petro Baskakoc of the Crimea Fleet. A Two day cultutal prigram followed this event when members visited Balaclave Marina, Livadia Palace, The art Gallery of Yalta, and the Serg Milokumav's Gallery

Presentation of Crimean Cognac by VC Petro Baskakoc

In June prior to our Convention more than 50 Rotarians gathered together in the City of Zug (Switzerland) where IC Ferit Berin Chartered the first Swiss Fleet. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the border of the lake, and lunch was served at the Casino overlooking the lake with it's magnificent scenery. During the lunch Neptune himself with two lovely mermaids appeared out of the lake and presented (alcoholic) gifts to those present.

Presentation of Crimean Cognac by VC Petro Baskakoc

During his two years of office our IC Ferit Berin was pleased to report that our fellowship had grown by some 17%. The new Fleets chartered during his term of office were:-Cascade Fleet (U S A ), Delta Fleet (Argentina), Gocek Fleet (Turkye), Rome Central Fleet (Italy), Victoria Fleet (NSW Australia), Bourgas Fleet (Bulgaria), Mudanya Fleet (Turkye), Varna Fleet (Bulgaria), Crimea Fleet (Ukraine), Swiss Fleet (Switzerland). 10 Fleets in all.