Convention Opening Session in Sydney

The Rotary International Convention in Sydney got underway in style yesterday at Allphones Arena, Olympic Park.  More than  18,000 Rotarians and their partners were treated to an impressive opening plenary session, which included a welcome to country ceremony by a wonderful group of aboriginal school children from across NSW, watching as the Australian, United States and Rotary Flags were rowed to the venue by Surf Life Saving volunteers, the parading of the flags of 180 participating countries and an outstanding mini concert by the powerhouse Australian entertainers Human Nature.  Then a welcome from RI President Ron Burton, with his wife Jetta and the Convention was officially underway.