Past President Bob Glindemann OAM opened the No 5102 meeting in the Club's 105th Year and called on Past President Philip Endersbee OAM to deliver the reflection.
President Philip welcomed all visitors including guest speakers Amy Stevenson, CEO of the xPand Foundation, and Peter Chou, Geospatial Data Scientist. Details of all guests are included later in the Bulletin.
Past President Adrian Nelson then opened the panel discussion noting that November is Rotary Foundation Month—an appropriate time to showcase the new Growing Futures in Timor-Leste project.
He introduced Bob Glindemann to provide an overview of the Rotary Foundation, reflecting on the month of November being Rotary Foundation Month. This address was a warmup for the presentation of the Timor Lesté Rai Matak project planting 10 million trees to rejuvenate forests over the next ten years. The transcript of Bob’s address can be read in the following article and can be viewed via YouTube by clicking here.
President Philip then presided over the induction of Mark Allan as a member of the Club, introduced by Club member Peter Berg.
Philip then called on Barbara Yerondais to come forward for the presentation of a Paul Harris, Saphire Award for her exemplary activities reflecting Service Above Self. A copy of Barbara’s citation can be read in a separate article.
Before calling on Past President Adrian Nelson to open the panel conversation, Philip reminded members of the call for nominations for the 2026-27 Rotary Melbourne Board which closed at 2:10pm on the day.
Adrian explained that Growing Futures in Timor-Leste evolved from Rotary’s earlier carbon and sustainability initiatives, including the Rotary Carbon Calculator and partnerships purchasing carbon credits through the With One Seed community forestry program, which has planted 500,000 trees and generated over $1 million in community benefits. The new project, developed with the xPand Foundation, aims to plant 10 million trees over 10 years, engaging 20,000 farmers and producing carbon credits that directly benefit rural communities.
Amy Stevenson – CEO, xPand Foundation, emphasised the project’s national scale and 50-year commitment, contrasting it with short-term aid models. It delivers environmental, social, and economic transformation, doubling household incomes for many farmers.
Farmers are paid 50 cents per tree per year for 30 years via verified data collected through a mobile app linking RFID-tagged trees to GPS coordinates. This provides transparent monitoring for carbon credit certification.
Amy explained the five-to eight-year funding gap before carbon credits can generate cash—an area where Rotary’s bridge funding will be critical. Amy outlined key partners:
Dr Peter Chou – Geospatial Analyst, Expand Foundation: Dr Chou described how remote sensing, AI, and GIS mapping ensure Gold Standard carbon-credit certification. Using satellite imagery and local data, his team maps eligible planting areas, measures tree growth, and calculates carbon capture. Over 500,000 trees are monitored annually, providing scientific credibility for international carbon markets. He credited Monash University’s collaboration in developing these technologies.
Discussion Highlights: Audience questions explored sustainability and forest permanence. Amy clarified that under Gold Standard rules, trees must remain for at least 100 years, prohibiting harvesting. Instead, communities are developing alternative income streams—eco-tourism, food preservation, solar initiatives, and small enterprises—ensuring long-term environmental and social stability.
The panel concluded that Growing Futures exemplifies Rotary’s evolving role: combining environmental restoration, poverty reduction, and peace-building through science-based, community-led action. The panel discussion can be viewed via YouTube by clicking here.
In closing the meeting, Adrian reminded members of the next meeting of the Club which will be on the evening of Thursday 13 November at 5:00pm at the 48th Floor offices of Wingate Capital where we will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Hush Foundation on World Kindness Day.
Bulletin subscribers can view the YouTube recording of the meeting proceedings here
