Past President Peter Dakin called the gathering to order paying respect to the traditional owners. Tony Battaini then delivered the weekly reflection, (the full text is included later in this bulletin) following which Vice Branko Panich, standing in for President Philip Cornish, proposed the loyal toast.
Following the meal service break, Vice President Branko welcomed all to this first meeting of the Rotary year, our 5084thmeeting in our 104th year since founding in April 1922.
Branko welcomed special guests
Re-Induction of Professor Jeremy Oats AM:
Vice President Branko introduced, for the benefit of new members, Professor Jeremy Oats AM who is now fully retired from a distinguished career in obstetrics, gynaecology and academia, Jeremy Oats is ready to continue his 29-year journey as a dedicated Rotarian.
With a strong interest in international, community, and health issues, Jeremy exemplifies Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.
He is a recipient of Rotary’s highest honour—the Service Above Self Award—bestowed on only 150 Rotarians worldwide each year.
Since 2011, Jeremy led 17 volunteer medical training missions to remote areas of Timor Leste, where maternal death rates are among the highest in the world. Together with a team of hand-picked specialists, he has provided life-saving upskilling for over 360 midwives and nurses and 160 doctors. Through interpreters and in the local language, his teams delivered vital emergency obstetric training supported by two consecutive VTT Global Grants jointly funded by District 9800 and The Rotary Foundation. Independent reviews and participant feedback confirm the program’s outstanding impact.
A member of the Rotary Club of Melbourne from 1991–1996 and again since 2002, Jeremy also served as Vice President in 2007–08. He is a Double Paul Harris Fellow
Jeremy’s lifetime commitment to the health of mothers and babies—both professionally and through Rotary—is a powerful example of service in action.
Branko invited those present to welcome Jeremy on his return to membership of the Rotary Melbourne.
Jeremy expressed briefly his appreciation for being welcomed back by the Club and his many Rotary Melbourne friends. He is looking forward to getting involved again in service projects.
After reminding members and guests to book early for the NGV Winter Masterpieces Event on the evening of Friday 1stAugust, 25 and drawing the raffle, he invited Chair of the Day, Dimitrios Salampasis to the podium to introduce Dr Christos Papadimitriou, Managing Director and CEO of Tessara to address the club.
Christos’s address was inspiring and thought provoking, shedding light on how 'mini human brains' are revolutionizing neurological research. Dr Papadimitriou's presentation noted that mini human brains can play a pivotal role in accelerating drug discovery, personalizing treatment and offering new hope for neurodegenerative diseases long considered incurable. He illustrated how this micro tissue technology is helping researchers bypass some of the limitations of animal trials, offering more biologically accurate insights into these diseases. He highlighted the enormous potential this technology has towards transforming the ways we understand, diagnose and treat neurological diseases.
The presentation left those present hopeful and energized about the future of neuroscience and the tangible impact this research could have on millions of lives by bringing change to patients and families affected by these neurological conditions typically associated with end of life.
Thanks to Dimitrios Salampasis for drafting this summary of Dr Papadimitriou’s address.
Vice President Branko closed the meeting with a reminder that next week’s Evening Conversation will be held at the nearby Imperial Hotel in their Treasury Room. Our Guest Speaker will be former Peace Fellow Ike Trijsburg, Speaking on “MISINFORMATION”. Very topical and we hope you don’t miss this one.
Take a look at the Full Meeting recording by clicking here; or check out Dr Christos Papadimitriou’s address by clicking here.
