Master of Ceremonies: Karen Kim
Reflection Delivered by Ruth Carlos Martinez (See transcript later in this bulletin)
Distinguished Guests: PRIP Jennifer Jones, who presided over the 2023 Rotary International Convention and her husband Dr Nick Bradick; Rotary District 9800 Governor, Peter Shepherd, and District 9790 Governor, Emma Davis; Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, Dennis Shaw, Pacific Regional End Polio Now Coordinator Murray Verso and past District 9800 Governors, Michael Lapina and Ian Knight. The full list of all guests can be found later in this bulletin.
After welcoming all guests to the meeting, President Philip invited Peter Berg to the podium to introduce for induction as a Rotary Melbourne Member, Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu. After the regular induction procedure Manon gave us a brief overview of her thriving new business which creates home compostable and eco-friendly packaging solutions for use in hospitality venues and food service generally.
President Philip then called on Trevor Nink to come to the podium for the presentation by PRIP Jennnifer Jones of his Paul Harris Fellow twin sapphire pin, in recognition for his exemplary leadership of impactful projects, including the LiverWELL End Hepatitis now project, and our annual fund raising for the Smith Family.
Philip also acknowledged the presentation to Jim Orchard of a Paul Harris Fellow level 8 pin, by a grateful District 9800 and presented on 24 March at the Donations In Kind Warehouse (DIK) for his service to DIK.
As meeting chair for the day, President Philip then introduced PRIP Jennifer Jones to address the meeting on Building Peace Through Action: Her address challenged us to think boldly about our role in building peace through action. Her message was both affirming of our impact and a timely call to consider our next “big, audacious” initiative.
Returning to Melbourne following the highly successful Rotary International Convention 2023 Melbourne, Jennifer spoke of her deep connection to the city and to Rotary Melbourne’s long-standing leadership within the global Rotary community. She reflected on the Convention as a defining moment—bringing people together post-pandemic and inviting Rotary to “imagine what’s next.”
At the heart of her address was a simple but powerful idea:
“In order to live in the kind of society you want, you have to help build it.”
Jennifer used this insight to frame Rotary’s purpose. Peace, she argued, is not an abstract aspiration—it is the cumulative outcome of Rotary’s work across all Areas of Focus. When children are vaccinated, when communities gain access to clean water, when mothers and infants receive care, and when education is strengthened, the foundations for peace are laid.
She highlighted the extraordinary impact of the “Give Every Child a Future” initiative—led by Rotary clubs across Australia and New Zealand—which has delivered life-saving vaccines to more than 100,000 children across the Pacific. Her personal reflections from visits to these communities were deeply moving. In one case, she described families living in environments where preventable disease was rampant, and where access to vaccines quite literally meant the difference between life and death.
Her message was clear: bold ambition matters. When Rotary sets “big, audacious goals,” it achieves transformational outcomes.
Jennifer also positioned Rotary as a global “middle power”—an organisation that influences not through scale or force, but through trust, collaboration, and shared values. In a world marked by increasing uncertainty and division, Rotary’s ability to connect people across borders, cultures, and political systems has never been more important.
Drawing on her own experience as Club President during the events of September 11, she reflected on the importance of coming together in moments of crisis—not with answers, but with shared humanity. That same spirit, she suggested, is needed again today.
A highlight of her visit was time spent at District 9800’s Donations in Kind facility, which she described as an “incredible expression of community ingenuity and compassion.” Observing a shipment being prepared for Cambodia, she likened the process to “a perfectly constructed puzzle,” with every item finding purpose.
This visit led directly to her call to action.
Jennifer challenged Rotary Melbourne and its partners to consider how surplus resources—such as large quantities of donated fabric otherwise destined for landfill—might be mobilised to create opportunity in vulnerable communities. She spoke of women in refugee settlements who are not seeking aid, but opportunity: the means to create products, generate income, educate their children, and rebuild their lives with dignity.
Her challenge was both practical and visionary What might our next “Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal” be?
Could Rotary Melbourne help lead an initiative that transforms unused resources into livelihood opportunities on a global scale?
Jennifer closed with a reminder that peace is built not in grand gestures alone, but in daily choices—to listen, to understand, and to act with compassion.
For Rotary Melbourne, her message was both an affirmation and an invitation to continue leading, to think boldly, and to build—together—the kind of society we wish to see.
In closing the meeting, President Philip thanked all involved in the day’s proceedings and the set up and knock down teams.
To view Jennifer Jones address – click here
To view the full meeting proceedings - click here
