Meeting MC: President Elect Dr Carol Bond
Reflection: Delivered by Past President Robert Fisher – the transcript is available later in this bulletin
President Philip opened the meeting welcoming members and guests – in particular the following special guests:
A full list of visitors and guest is included later in this bulletin
Mini Presentation on the work of Maluk Timor
Rotary Melbourne Member, Professor Jeremy Oats AM then came to the podium and introduced Julie Hamlin, Chair of Maluk Timor, an organisation dedicated to healthcare in East Timor to provide a quick update on that organisation’s work.
Julie opened by expressing gratitude for the warm welcome and for the opportunity to speak on the eve of Timor-Leste’s Independence Day. She shared her personal connection to Rotary, recalling that a Rotary scholarship enabled her to complete a Master’s degree in health law and ethics at McGill University—an experience that launched her career in the health sector and inspired a lifelong commitment to global health. This early support from Rotary has left her with enduring respect and admiration for the organisation and its mission.
Julie then turned to Timor-Leste, a country she has grown deeply connected to through her work with Maluk Timor, an association dedicated to strengthening healthcare capacity across the country. She describes Timor-Lesté as a very young nation—gaining independence only in 2002 after 25 years of brutal occupation by Indonesia. With a population of just 1.4 million, deeply rural demographics (around 70% living outside major towns), and a mountainous, hard-to-reach geography, Timor-Leste faces immense structural and developmental challenges.
Despite being only an hour’s flight from Darwin, Timor-Lesté remains one of the poorest countries in the region. A striking proportion of the population lives below the poverty line, and around 45% of children experience stunting due to chronic malnutrition. Its GDP per capita is lower than that of Sub-Saharan Africa—an indicator of how severe the economic and health burdens remain. These conditions were starkly apparent to the speaker on her first visit and shaped her commitment to helping address the country’s profound health needs.
Julie highlighted several critical public health issues, particularly maternal and child health. A Timorese woman is 30–40 times more likely to die in childbirth than an Australian woman, and one in 20 children dies before the age of five. Infectious diseases, many preventable, remain widespread. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death, and Timor-Leste has one of the highest TB prevalence rates in the world. Rheumatic heart disease—also preventable—remains endemic and often strikes people in their prime productive years. Poor oral health caused by limited dental services, and constrained access to primary care all compound these health burdens.
Julie nevertheless emphasised that Timor-Leste also presents opportunities for optimism. Two-thirds of the population is under 30, making it one of the youngest societies globally. This demographic reality presents challenges around employment and social stability but also offers a large, energetic workforce eager to contribute to their nation’s development. She describes this younger generation of Timorese as proud, enthusiastic, and motivated; qualities that form the backbone of Maluk Timor’s work.
A key principle underpinning Malk Timor’s model is Timorese leadership. Rather than establishing a separate clinic run from Australia, the organisation chose to support and strengthen the local health workforce. Maluk Timor is Timor-owned and Timor-led, with Australians providing support and capacity building. Earlier in the year, they appointed their first Timorese Executive Director—a milestone reflecting genuine local ownership. The organisation works closely with the Ministry of Health under a formal Memorandum of Understanding.
Because the population is dispersed and many villages are far from hospitals, Maluk Timor focuses on primary health care delivered at community level. Their programs encompass TB control, rheumatic heart disease prevention (including vital penicillin treatments), maternal and child health, oral health, and a rare but highly effective HIV clinic in Dili. Across these programs, they rely on a talented team of 60 young Timorese staff whose commitment and enthusiasm drive the organisation’s progress.
Julie concluded by extending an open invitation to the audience to learn more about Timor-Leste. Maluk Timor organises annual visits for supporters and anyone interested in witnessing the country’s realities firsthand. She closed by thanking Rotary for the opportunity to speak, for their interest in Timor-Leste, and for their ongoing support and hospitality.
Announcements
After Jeremy Oats thanked Julie for her presentation, President Philip came to the podium to congratulate Rosemary Nixon on her birthday, highlighting her medical career and extensive Rotary service.
Jim Orchard then stepped up to remind members to support the Smith family 2025 Bike Raffle and President Philip announced that our Festive Appeal this year is on behalf of the HoMie social enterprise supporting homeless and needy young people.
Presentation of the 2025-26 Sir John Reid Community Service Award
Tony and Amanda Battaini meeting volunteers at the EAWF community centre in Braybrook
Choosing a Sir John Reid Community Service Award recipient is a significant undertaking. The award marks its 40th year in 2026 and the list of past recipients is a testament to the transformational power and importance of community volunteering in our society.
For their wise counsel and sound advice, I thank Peter Berg, Iqbal Reta and the Community Welfare committee chaired by Mary Barry. I also thank Amanda Battaini for her specialist knowledge of women’s health, which was discussed in detail during a site visit undertaken as part of the evaluation.
Fartun is considering using the donation received as part of the Sir John Reid Community Service Award to deliver awareness and education programs. Specifically, a series of interventions aimed at addressing the issue of female genital mutilation, through community education, reinforcement of the stipulations of Australian law, and provision of support to women and girl survivors.
Through this award, Rotary Melbourne gains the opportunity to support the East African Women’s Foundation and to Unite For Good. You can view the Citation in the separate article on the Sir Johnn Reid Community Service Award in this bulletin.
The video recording of this meeting can be viewed here
The 2025-26 recipient of the Sir John Reid Community Service Award, Fartun Farah, is the Founder and Chairperson of the East African Women’s Foundation. The EAWF is a non-profit community association incorporated in 2007. Based at Braybrook, it delivers vital services to over 20,000 Cushitic speakers drawn from Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Northern Kenya.
The EAWF’s services include migrant and refugee resettlement, parenting workshops, youth mentoring, women’s health sessions, elder support groups, cultural awareness programs and community celebrations. Fartun’s vision in founding the EAWF has ensured her community has access to reliable, consistent and high-quality essential services, and to programs which empower women, strengthen families, foster social cohesion, increase youth resilience and build community unity.
Fartun’s volunteering has delivered significant benefit to her community. She has assisted hundreds of women newly arrived in Melbourne connect with a safe support network and gain access to targeted services. Fartun has assisted these women establish successful lives in a new homeland yet retain and celebrate their cultural heritage.
Fartun and her dedicated small team have developed and implemented programs of real impact, addressing issues such as mental health and family violence. These programs include targeted information about how to source appropriate professional and business help, access counselling services, and find crisis support and safe housing.
Through partnerships with InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence, EAWF has supported women at risk by connecting them with crisis services and long-term safety plans. With the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and Daughters of the West programs, Fartun has promoted health, resilience, wellbeing and building of stronger community connections.
Fartun’s dedication as a volunteer is exceptional. For almost two decades, Fartun has given the EAWF at least thirty hours of her time a week. Her volunteering is characterised by compassion, collaboration, inclusion and unwavering commitment. Fartun’s focus on healing, wellbeing and creating business opportunities for her community has ensured the EAWF’s continuous growth, built its reputation, extended the range of programs available and continuously improved its operational effectiveness.
Fartun’s outstanding contribution as a volunteer is a clear example of Service Above Self. She has empowered women, supported youth and families, and fostered a strong sense of belonging within her community. Her work has built trust and strengthened connections, ensuring community members feel safe and confident to seek support.
Philip Cornish, President
26 November 2025
