The meeting on Wednesday 1 March was a Members meeting and we heard about the Piggery Project in PNG, The Bionics Institute and up update on the International Convention in May.
Member Projects
Past President, Peter Rogers provided an update on the New Guinea Piggery Project which is deepening the capacity of make PNG self-reliant in the pork production. Peter was pleased to report that despite significant challenges the project is gaining traction. (See further information on this project and the Hela Province in this bulletin).
Claudia Hendry, Deputy Chair of the RI Melbourne International Convention Committee, visiting Melbourne for final preparations for the big event in May.
Claudia joined Adrian in speaking of the life changing experience she had at her first RI Convention in 2014, and foreshadowed much information to be released soon on the speaker program for the Convention.
Corporate Member Induction & Bionics Institute
Past President, Kevin Sheehan Rotary Melbourne’s newest Corporate Member, The Bionics Institute, and their Member designees, CEO Robert Klupacs, Development Manager Melissa McShane and Head of Philanthropy, Ann Fazakerly.
Kevin noted that our relationship began on the 4th December 2019 when Robert accepted an invitation from Reg Smith to address Rotary Melbourne with the topic ‘The Future of Medical Bionics’.
That was followed by a visit to the Institute in Albert Street East Melbourne on the 12th March 2020 where some 40 of us were further introduced to their work and ground-breaking achievements. At that meeting we began the discussion of Bionics Institute’s interest in becoming a Corporate Member but within days Pandemic and associated restrictions interrupted and delayed further conversation until September 2022 when Melissa approached the Club and revitalised the conversation.
Corporate Membership Committee Chair Michael Selth has most capably led discussion of how a complementary relationship would benefit both the Institute and Rotary Melbourne resulting in the induction at this meeting of the Bionics Institute and its three Member designees: CEO Robert Klupacs, Development Manager Melissa McShane and Head of Philanthropy, Ann Fazakerly.
Following brief acknowledgements from Melissa and Ann, Robert took the opportunity to provide a detailed update on the extensive development work now underway at the Bionics Institute translating the findings of research into a wide range of nervous system related disorders into commercially viable solutions, drawing on the talents of clinicians, engineers and scientists. Members learned of further ground breaking work being done, including on hearing, Parkinson’s disease, Hearing related balance disorders, inflammatory and auto immune conditions with solutions utilising stimulation of the nervous system.
View the full meeting at: https://youtu.be/CkYoG3u5N0o and the speaker series edit of Robert Klupacs update at: https://youtu.be/CTWgy61-kd8
Shinji Higuchi, from the Sister Club, the Rotary Club of Osaka thanked President Adrian and other members of the Rotary Melbourne delegation who attended the Centenary Celebrations of his club in November 2022, and provided an update on Osaka Expo – 2025. View the video promotion at: https://youtu.be/X1SEjnjPIpA
Rotary Melbourne Monash Medal Award
Vice president Peter Davis announced that nominations are now open for the 2023 Monash Medal which is awarded to a distinguished Australian who has made a significant contribution to the Australian community. (See additional info in this bulletin)
2023 Footy Tipping:
Bruce Davidson stimulated thinking about who we could sign-up to become tipsters in 2023 and help generate the funds that enable the annual seniors lunch organised by the Health and Ageing Committee. Just 2-weeks away, $40 is a modest investment in a lot of fun and involvement as the 2023 AFL season unfolds. (See additional info in this bulletin)
Marvellous Melbourne: Cocktail Party – Sunday 28 May at the Windsor Ballroom
President Adrian highlighted the announcement this week of Rotary Melbourne’s Marvellous Melbourne event that will bring together international Rotarians from Centenary Clubs around the globe as well as Capital city Clubs, Sister Clubs and of course a large contingent of Rotary Melbourne members. Bookings are now open so RSVP online by 12th May at: https://rotaryclubofmelbourne.org.au/cocktails
