Welcome
Welcome to our blog for the Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) team for Sydney, AUSTRALIA D9680 to Stuttgart, GERMANY D1830. Departing 15th May, 2010 and returning 12th June, 2010.
We will post updates and progress leading up to the trip and, of course, events/activities during our time in Stuttgart. To keep up to date with our movements, keep an eye on this blog.
GSE Team Introductions
PP Theo GLOCKEMANN PHF (Team Leader)
Greetings!
I have been married to Georgia for 41 years, have no children and have been a Rotarian for twenty five years. Over that time I have held almost every position in my Club as well as numerous District positions – Assistant Governor twice, Youth Chairman twice, Community Chairman and will be Areas of Service Director in 2011.
Professionally I have been the proprietor of a number of small businesses – computer generated signage, a group of confectionery stores, air conditioning contracting and distribution and a squash court complex – over my working life.
My wife and I have had a lifelong commitment to youth. I am now retired but retain my interest in youth – particularly challenging youth – by working as a casual Youth Officer in our States only juvenile justice facility mentoring and caring for girls between twelve and eighteen who are incarcerated.
My hobbies include travel, sport, theatre, music and of course Rotary! I look forward to making new German friends!
Dean EGGER
I am employed by Bilfinger Berger Services Australia (BBSA) and have been working under the infrastructure division for the last two and half years as a Mechatronics Engineer. During this time, I have had a diverse exposure to work responsibilities, which include small projects, defects management, asset management, and field technician/contractor supervisory roles. My professional responsibilities have varied across several site locations, comprising of Cross City Tunnel, M5 East, and M2 Motorways. I am currently working as a project engineer for the M5East Tunnel Control System Upgrade Project.
I am thrilled to be a part of The Group Study Exchange to Germany. It will be an excellent opportunity to learn and experience engineering in a country that is very highly regarded for their engineering design and practices – in particular, their automotive and environmental engineering. It is also a great opportunity to experience a different culture and to develop friendships that I’m sure will be sustained for a long time to come.
I enjoy endurance sports (cycling, swimming and running) and find time to train for my monthly triathlons by commuting 60km to work everyday on my bike (Maroubra to Macquarie Park).
Dean is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Macquarie Park.
Katy GREGORY
In May 2009 Katy completed a Doctorate of Philosophy majoring in Chemical Engineering. Her thesis title: “The Smart Utilisation of Thermal Mass in Masonry Buildings”, focused on the novel idea of hybrid walling systems.For the past seven years she has studied at the University of Newcastle and has presented work at several international conferences and has had papers published in two international journals. In November 2008, she won the Post Graduate Research Prize for her work in this field.
Katy is now a Sustainability Engineer employed by GHD. GHD is an international company providing consulting services in management, engineering, environment, transportation, energy resources, and property buildings. Her specialty is ecological sustainable design in buildings.
Katy has attended a number of Rotary events including numerous club meetings, several presidents’ meetings, conferences and assemblies, and was also selected to participate in RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award), 2005. Katy assisted North Lakes Toukley Rotary in their fund raising events, such as the annual Festival of Arts, Vocational Excellence Awards and the Spring Ball.
Katy is looking forward to the experience of GSE and is very proud to have been recognised by the community. She is sure that participating in the GSE will be very advantageous in a number of ways, challenging mentally, emotionally and even physically, while having an invaluable impact on her career.
Katy is sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Lakes Toukley
Patrick MAHONY
I completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Sydney in 2007, majoring in Chemistry. I am currently employed by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) as part of their Graduate Development Program. Currently working in ANSTO’s Institute for Environmental Research on a project involving radioactive waste management, I have also worked in the Minerals, OHS and Business Development departments at ANSTO.
In February 2010 I will commence working in radiation protection, the area I have chosen to specialise in. My professional interests include radiation and environmental protection, regional security and nuclear non-proliferation and public education about scientific issues.
I am part of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Facilitators team for District 9680, and also volunteer as a tutor for high school students at the Street University in Liverpool. My hobbies include playing tennis, piano, reading, cooking and tango dancing.
Patrick is sponsored by Chatswood Rotary Club.
Ryan MILLER
I have grown up in Australia from the tender age of 2, having been born in South Africa. I have approximately 8 years experience in engineering, in the fields of civil and traffic. I have been with my current employer Cardno for the past 4 years and thoroughly enjoy working for them and on some very exciting projects.
In my spare time, I am a member of a not for profit organisation called Friends of Rambutso which I helped start with a group of friends. The charity has been going for around 2 years with the main aims of improving the living qualities of the people in the remote island of Rambutso in Papua New Guinea. The charity has completed several projects and has undertaken several trips to the island including providing new reading books for schools, transporting rainwater tanks, education in diving, coral reef checks, AIDS and general health.
I am a keen runner having completed several City to Surf runs and have also completed the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker. I enjoy several sports including tennis, cricket, horseracing and formula one.
I am looking forward to the GSE exchange and the many opportunities it will provide, getting to meet new people and not to forget some travel and sightseeing.
Ryan is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Thornleigh
Joseph MONTGOMERY
I have been working in the logistics and supply chain space since I entered the workforce directly from High School. I enjoy the challenges and rewards of working in logistics and supply chain, and particularly the ability to clearly measure the success of the work I’ve undertaken. After five years in the workforce, I realised that I could gain a greater appreciation for my profession through some formalized education. I started on this path with a Purchasing Certificate IV at TAFE. This was the key stepping stone for me to begin my Masters of Logistics Management at The University of Sydney. This formal education has been an excellent complement to my ongoing experience as the Purchasing Manager at Electroboard, (a Sydney based supplier of Multimedia and audio visual goods). The work in my Masters has given me an understanding of the additional theoretical and analytical skills needed by a supply chain professional, and allowed me to develop efficiencies within our immediate supply chain through changes to various processes.
In my spare time I enjoy Dressage, I play Rugby Union, and hold a current private pilots licence.
Joseph is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rotary Crows Nest.