Depuis sa création en 1965, le Rotary de Concarneau participe et aide à de nombreuses actions en lien avec les concarnois

Nous accompagnons chaque semaine les sorties des Anciens de l’hôpital ; les animateurs nous faisant part du nombre grandissant de résidents à mobilité très réduite et le manque d’équipement en minibus pour leur transport, le club s’est lancé dans une étude approfondie des besoins et dans l’aide au financement de ce deuxième minibus permettant de transporter 5 personnes à mobilité réduite ou 7 résidents, pour les sorties quotidiennes.

Amelia Vinnell was selected by the Rotary Club of Kapiti in 2012, to become an exchange student to France for twelve months.

On departing New Zealand, Amelia travelled via Los Angeles, where she took the opportunity to visit Disneyland and other exciting theme parks and venues.

The location of the Rotary hosting Club was Concarneau in the province of Bretagne. A town with a population of approximately 23,000, and with a seaside atmosphere and many quaint buildings and houses, that opened up a whole new aspect to life for Amelia. She was hosted by three separate families during her year-long stay, all of which were most gracious and welcoming, and who made life simply wonderful for her. Furthermore she exaggerated her appreciation for her counselling family, whom delivering great companionship also impacted highly on the opportunities presented and experienced by Amelia whilst in France.

There seemed to be no spare time. With an early start at high school each day, where Amelia studied several subjects (in French), followed by after school French lessons and later on in the year lessons delivered with afternoon tea by a delightful elderly ‘grandmother’, with who Amelia formed a very close friendship.

The Rotary Exchange contingent of students to France in her area was comprised of 25 students, who all met on various occasions throughout their stay. Of particular note was the District Rotary Conference in St. Malo in May of last year. Other notable events were multi-visits to Paris; a skiing holiday in the French Alpes; a two-week summer camp being engaged in environmental sustainability and visits to Monaco, Bordeaux, St.Tropez and Avignon.

Other activities that Amelia participated in were yachting, kayaking, and rock-climbing.

The year of very full activities was capped off by Amelia passing an examination using the French language.
During an address to the Rotary Club of Kapiti, Amelia remarked that “the past 12 months have been quite fantastic, and I will surely benefit from the experience. I have made everlasting friends, both amongst the Rotary students and the many wonderful people that I met in France. Hopefully my visit has done something towards cementing good relations between France and New Zealand” she said.