Rotary Vocational Exchange Program- Week 2

My time here in Australia has been filled with learning and new experiences, each bringing different moments of epiphany. Like the first week, my second week was packed with engagements. Let me briefly share them with you all.

Moonee Valley Art Show - Rotary Club of Keilor East and Rotary Club of Essendon

I attended the Moonee Valley Art Show on October 12th, and it was my first time attending the opening day of any art show. Besides the beautiful art, what really caught my attention was the auction conducted for fundraising. The organizers auctioned products donated by various vendors, and the way the auctioneer conducted the auction was absolutely engaging. I could feel the energy in the crowd, and by the end of the event, they had raised significant funds. This is something we can try in our Rotaract Clubs as a way to fundraise.

When I was coordinating my exchange program I wanted to explore the possibilities of talking with local leaders. It was my strong desires was to meet the mayor of the city and have a conversation with him. To my surprise, while my host Sally was introducing me to a Rotarian during the art show, another person at the table started talking with me. After a few minutes, he introduced himself as the former Mayor of Moonee Valley! It was such a delightful coincidence. I introduced myself and asked if I could spend some time with him to discuss his experience in politics and community development. He happily agreed, and we scheduled an appointment.

Space Melbourne

I remember waiting for my friend, Charles Allen, to pick me up in Essendon at Sally’s place and decided to spend some time online. I've been working as a Rotary International Positive Peace Activator for the Asia Cohort for the past three years, but it was that day when I truly understood how my professional journey has been aligned with the pillars of Positive Peace. Positive Peace has eight pillars, and I realized how most of my work falls under these domains. For example, the soft skills training I’ve been providing in Nepal relates to the Human Capital Domain of Positive Peace. I could see my engagement with other pillars as well. That moment was a revelation, and I felt a strong sense of alignment.

This realization came just before meeting Charlie, who has been one of my inspirations in peacebuilding. Charlie is the co-founder of Space Melbourne, a peacebuilding initiative. He served in Victoria police for over 20 years and is now fully dedicated to his peacebuilding work. I was excited to spend three days with him, sharing our journeys in peacebuilding. During those three days, we had deep conversations about peace, life, diversity, food culture, meditation, music, and more. He also shared some of his facilitation techniques for peace-building sessions, such as the Haiku and Mirror exercises.

Charlie also shared his experience as a Rotary Peace Fellow, giving me valuable insights into the program and how to become a strong candidate for it. I also had the privilege of witnessing the beautiful relationship between Charlie and his wife, Suzanne. They are an inspiration—partners who stand by each other in both personal and professional life.

During my stay, I attended a Rotary Club of Sydney meeting, where Charlie is currently serving as the Immediate Past President. The meeting focused on the Reconciliation Action Plan, prepared by the DEI committee of Rotary District 9685 and led by Dr. Sonu Bhaskar, which was endorsed by the state government. Listening to their journey and Katrina Filewood's insights from the Indigenous community was an enriching experience.

I also had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, the very first Rotary meeting in Australia. I conveyed my regards to the Club President and members and had the pleasure of meeting Rtn. Bob Fels, one of the pioneers behind the design of the Rotary Peace Fellowship and the establishment of peace centers worldwide.

On October 17, we went bushwalking at Werribee Gorge Circuit. The scenic beauty was breathtaking, and we even encountered a few koalas and snakes. However, the highlight of the walk was the deep conversations we had about life and self-awareness.

Charlie also indulged my culinary curiosity by preparing a variety of dishes, each meal accompanied by stories of their origins. His passion for cooking was evident in the rich flavors and the joy he took in explaining the history behind each dish.

Spending time with Charlie showed me what it feels like to be around someone who is genuinely honest, not just with others but also with themselves. His humility and the way he keeps ego at bay are lessons I will carry with me forever.

Rotary SHARE Project

On October 17th, I returned to my host Sally Armstrong’s house in Gisborne and resumed my engagements. I attended the open day of the Share Shed Project, an international service initiative by the Rotary e-Club of Changemakers. More than 40 Rotarians and community members attended the event, and it was wonderful to exchange ideas with fellow changemakers.

Peninsula Rotaract Halloween Trivia Night

On October 19th, I attended the Peninsula Rotaract Halloween Trivia Night, where they were fundraising for an upcoming project in Nepal. We drove nearly two hours to attend, and it was worth every minute. The energy of the Rotaractors was incredible, and I’m confident they will make something great out of this trip. There was an interesting coincidence during the event—I met the event coordinator, who shared a connection to Nepal through Mithila art. I recalled an experience from three years ago when I saw a foreigner doing Mithila art near Tilganga Eye Hospital in Nepal, and to my surprise, it turned out she was that artist! It was such a "wow" moment, and a reminder of how small the world can be sometimes.

Meeting with the Mayor of Moonee Valley

I had a wonderful conversation with the Mayor of Moonee Valley, Mr. John Sipek. He shared his inspiring journey in politics, turning life challenges into opportunities, and becoming a beloved community leader. We talked about politics, elections, life, spirituality, and the possibility of collaborating on future development projects.

Speaker at Rotary Club of Keilor East

Rotary Club of Keilor East, one of the supporting clubs of my exchange program, invited me to speak at their meeting on October 21st. I shared my experiences in Nepal, discussed youth economic development through my organization, Youthive, and conveyed stories of hope and potential in Nepal.

Rotary Donations in Kind West Footscray Project

On October 22nd, I visited the Rotary Donations in Kind Project, a major international service initiative that began in 1978. The project has shipped goods worth AUD 76 million, and witnessing the dedication of the volunteers firsthand was a privilege. It was inspiring to see Rotary’s strength in action.

Personal Reflections

Besides professional engagements, this trip has given me ample opportunities to reflect on myself, understand what truly matters, and connect with individuals who stand as beacons of hope in today’s world. Every day here feels special, and with each passing day, I feel like I’m shedding my old self and discovering a new version of myself. It’s phenomenal, and words can't express how transformative this experience has been.