MUNA 2018 was a huge success. It had a record number of 44 teams register, from 29 private and public schools and a record number of 27 sponsoring Rotary Clubs who sponsored 38 teams. The 126 students who participated were outstanding and one of the MUNA theme's of the weekend of " Building Future Leaders " was emphatically displayed. Their behaviour, attitude, debating skills and spontaneous gratitude and thanks were outstanding and quite moving.
The Parade of Nations on Sunday morning was a highlight with the Best Dressed Award going to Mackellar Girls representing Venezuela.
Third overall was Shore, second was Ascham and the winning team was PLC Pymble. PLC will proceed to Canberra in August to contest National MUNA.
Our distinguished Secretary General was David Ellyard with the two adjudicators being Rob Mitchell and Monica Saville.
Epping Boys High School deserve huge praise. They provided an outstanding venue free of charge and through their hospitality centre catered for over 150 students, staff and volunteers for the 2 days.. Special thanks to
Nadine Koff who was magnificent with the catering.
EBHS represented Canada and Kenya, and I was fortunate enough to be invited to a school assembly to present awards to the 6 students who represented their school so well and so proudly.Thanks to teacher, Michael De La Penna, who attended the whole weekend. He was a great help and also arranged students from EBHS to be volunteers.We had over 40 volunteers for the weekend from Balgowlah Rotary, St. Ives Rotary, Glen Haven Rotary and especially Epping Rotary Club where over 25 members and family helped. Volunteers were also from EBHS and Macquarie Rotaract.
Rotary District Photographer, Bill Forsyth, was there both days including 6 hours on the Saturday. A lasting image of the weekend will be of Bill climbing up a ladder on the roof to get shots of all 126 students following the Parade of Nations. The photos are available on the MUNA Website.
We were fortunate to have our Federal MP, John Alexander, and State MP, Damien Tudehope, open the event on Saturday morning. Damien was gracious enough to return on Sunday and be one of the judges for The Best Dressed Award, as were Damien Azzapardi and Carla Rank from Rotaract. This clearly illustrated the second theme of the weekend which was " Building Partnerships".
I'd like to thank the MUNA Committee who worked tirelessly for over 6 months to make MUNA 2018 the great success that it was. Gavin Ralston, Nick Pride, Phil Wishart, Janet Stacey, Peter Garrard, Alan Cunningham and Deretta Andrews were outstanding. However special mention must be made of Toula Serna who was amazing. Without Toula, this event would not have been the success that it was. Thanks Toula.
It's been a privilege to have worked with such great supporters of Youth and to witness the talents and quality of our future leaders.
Bruce Jacob , MUNA Chair, 2018.