Master of Ceremonies: Richard Dent
Reflection: PP Pilip Endersbee OAM – See the transcript later in this Bulletin.
President Philip Cornish welcomed members, visitors and guest to the 5,127th Club Meeting in its 106th year. Guest and visitor details are included later in this Bulletin.:
President Philip then proceeded with the Presentation of the Annual Royce Abbey Award to Andrew Morrice, who has, since joining Rotary Melbourne in November 2024, demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm commitment and dedication to the ideals of Rotary. Further details of the Award, and Andrew’s citation can be viewed in a seperate article.
President Philip then reminded members that next week will be the final meeting of the Rotary year and will feature the handover of Presidential duties to incoming President, Dr Carol Bond. He also announced that the club’s annual visit to the NGV Winter Masterpieces event is locked in for Friday 28th August 2026. This year’s event features a comprehensive display of Cartier jewellery. Booking details are published seperately.
VP Branko Panich then began the Vice President’s reporting session with a note of apology from Vice President Dr Carol Bond who is attending the Rotary International convention in Taipei. The report delivered by Branko, with help from several Club members, provided members and guests with a comprehensive overview of the Club’s activities, achievements and priorities across 2025/26. The reports highlighted a year of stable membership, strong events, improved communications, sound governance, significant humanitarian service, and continued commitment to youth, vocational, Indigenous and arts programs.
The Club Management and Communications report noted that membership remained broadly stable, with 175 members in total, 132 Active Ordinary Members and 161 fee-paying members. Fourteen new members were inducted during the year. While resignations were higher than the previous year, this included the sad passing of five long-standing and much-loved members: Tony Greenwood, Bill Pratt, David Dunoon, Past President Peter McCall, and The Right Reverend The Honourable Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE. Female membership continued to rise, now comprising around 30 per cent of the Club’s membership, while average attendance at weekly lunches remained steady at about 50 members.
Membership development continued through a strong pipeline of prospective members, largely generated through member referrals and online enquiries. The Membership Strategy Committee reviewed membership categories and fees, expanded the mentoring program, and supported new engagement events for prospective and recent members. Corporate Membership, led for nine years by Michael Selth, now includes 14 Corporate Members and will transition to Anthony Austin’s leadership.
The Club Events program, led by Mary Barry, was again a major strength. Members heard from speakers across health and medical innovation, governance, international affairs, peacebuilding, science and technology, agriculture, culture, fellowship, sport, and Rotary Foundation initiatives. The year also saw development of an Events Strategy to better align events with member engagement, prospective members, guests and stakeholders.
Communications and Partnerships, led by Yidan Xi, strengthened Rotary Melbourne’s public presence. The team developed a Social Media Enhancement Plan, an Events Marketing Plan, social media QR cards for events, and began work on a partnership’s brochure. A significant achievement was production of the new Rotary Melbourne video, Beyond the Title, presenting the Club as an intergenerational, culturally diverse community united by service.
The Sustainability and Governance portfolio, led by John Saunders, reported that policies and the risk register are up to date, financial accounts are in order, and no major governance issues arose. The Environment and Sustainability Committee advanced the Growing Futures Timor-Leste community forestry project, now supported by a Memorandum of Understanding. The annual Environment and Sustainability lunch was very successful, and the Rotary Melbourne Peace Park is virtually complete, awaiting final Council sign-off.
The Humanitarian Service report, presented on behalf of Carol Bond, recognised the Club’s work across Rotary International’s areas of focus, including peacebuilding, disease prevention, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education and literacy, and environmental sustainability.
Community Service, reported by Rosemary Nixon, covered a wide range of local programs. The Smith Family Project raised $20,400, supported by Around the Bay riders, Melbourne Marathon volunteers, member donations and a Club grant. The Sir John Reid Community Service Award was presented to Fartun Farah of the East African Women’s Foundation. RIMERN continued its strong growth, assisting an estimated 800 families and delivering around 25,000 household items, with a notional value of $750,000. Make a House a Home supported approximately 120 families through essential household goods. Rotary Safe Families expanded respectful relationships education through schools, while Cynthia’s Gift continued to support young women with financial assistance and mentoring. Rotary Melbourne also participated in For-a-Meal, packing more than 20,000 meals, and continued regular SecondBite volunteering.
The Health and Ageing Committee, chaired by Andrew Morrice, used the year to reassess project criteria and future priorities. Current areas of work include support for Australian Rotary Health, reactivation of the Seniors Lunch, possible support for falls-risk technology through the Bionics Institute, suicide prevention, climate-change impacts on health services, and loneliness prevention.
International Service, reported by Robert Fisher, focused on International Fellowship, Rotary Foundation and Peace Programs, and International Programs. The Club contributed $25,000 to the Rotary Foundation and $5,000 to End Polio Now, with additional member fundraising amplified by Gates Foundation matching. International support included donations to RAM, ROMAC, Interplast, RAWCS and Donations in Kind; shipments of school furniture, playground equipment and sewing machines to Timor-Leste; scholarships in Cambodia; the Snake Bite Project in Papua New Guinea; and water infrastructure projects in the Philippines benefiting thousands of residents.
The Youth and Vocational Service report, presented by Branko on behalf of Iqbal Reta, highlighted the Young Achiever Awards, Vocational Service Award, Indigenous Programs, 0808 Committee and Arts activities. The 2026 Young Achiever Award recipients were Jack Benci, Mahsa Nabizada, Joel Moffet and Mary Nguyen. Andrew Mahar AM received the Vocational Service Award. The Indigenous Programs team contributed to the national effort to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem in Australia, formally recognised by the World Health Organisation in April 2026. The 0808 Committee continued to honour the legacy of Sir John Monash, presenting the Monash Medal to Dr Robert Webster OAM. The Arts Committee supported music, photography, exchange, fellowship and cultural activities.
Together, the reports demonstrated a Club that remains active, purposeful and diverse in its service: strengthening membership and governance, deepening fellowship, expanding communications, and delivering meaningful impact locally, nationally and internationally.
A complete transcript of the Vice Presidents’ Report can be read by [click HERE]
Due to deficiencies in the sound recorded, there is no video recording of this meeting.
Photos (15)
Back to Gallery
