At last week’s Festive meeting we were all entertained by tenor Christopher Busietta and soprano Dana Zeimer. It was a very packed meeting with a very full room and a number of presentations.

• President Adrian Officiated over a banner exchange with the RC of Montreal – Westward initiated by Sandy Knight RC Montreal-Westward, accompanied by her husband William Quartel
  
  
• Aviv Palti President Passport Club Melbourne delivered an interesting update on the progress of the Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne. In doing so he highlighted that diverse membership of the Club with some members located off-shore.  He highlighted the Club’s creation of an Educational NGO which is being managed by and supporting students in Cambodia and funding quality education to young Cambodians.  This is changing the future prospects of young Cambodians.
   
• Club guests, Heather Watson President, RC Rochester & Judy Miatke Pres RC Bendigo-Sandhurst.

Heather came to the podium and delivered a brief but moving address about the impact of the recent floods which resulted in water impacting more than 90% of Rochester homes, a flooding event that was more severe because it was   unexpected and there was no time to plan for it. 

The clean-up which swung into action immediately after the floods has left the town looking superficially normal, but many services and community facilities need major work to repair or replace flood damaged fittings which is expected to take between 12 and 24 months.  Gaining access to insurance payouts is a challenge for many residents. Mental health issues are looming.   While Rotary Clubs and other community organisations have donated essentials, it his hard to avoid the conclusion that cash is the most likely resource needed in the short term. 

To start the ball rolling members are generously supporting Rochester in this time of need through the Club’s annual Christmas Giving appeal.

Responding to Heather’s presentation, President Adrian announced that $6,752 had already be donated

• In conducting the delayed presentation to Bev Brock of the 2021-22 David Wittner Mentoring Award for 2021-22 Past President Reg Smith highlighted Bev’s extensive service through mentoring, and her continued service despite challenging health circumstances. Bev thanked members from the heart for their support over the past year.
  
  
• Jim Orchard updated the meeting on the results achieved in 2022 fundraising and volunteering in support of the Smith Family Learning for life Program. Smith Family Board member, and Rotary Melbourne member, Adrian Kloeden was present and in accepting a cheque for $24,422 on behalf of the Smith Family, commended Rotary Melbourne for its extensive support over many years.
  
  
• Maestro, and Chair of the Rotary Melbourne Art’s Committee, David Kram created another amazing operatic program and writes: “On December 14, tenor Christopher Busietta and soprano Dana Zeimer regaled members and guests with a very sympathetic program of well-known Christmastide songs, from carols to ‘standards’. David Kram had posted to Facebook asking if any of his professional singer colleagues played guitar, as he was not sure if he would be there to accompany. They both replied. Both are professional opera singers who have worked overseas but, like many opera artists, are extremely versatile, performing across multiple genres. It was a great pleasure to hear them again; David can also vouch for their guitar prowess. Quite significantly, they have never performed together before. Perhaps the start of a new collaboration. “

Share this with your friends