Members who attended this year’s World Environment Day Lunch, last Wednesday 17 May, came away delighted with the experience they enjoyed in the gathering, which brought together a diverse profile of guests, delivered a stimulating panel conversation, and created an opportunity for a marvellous meal and convivial networking.
Bernie McIntosh’s Victorian Mortgage Group had 2 tables present, and President Elect (2024-25) Catherine Baxter, Chief Operating Officer, Team Global Express hosted a lively table of her colleagues. A highlight of the event was the attendance of a large cohort of more than 22 secondary school students and teachers from Melbourne Girls College, Kolbe Catholic College, MITS and Melbourne Grammar mostly funded by generous Rotary Melbourne members, corporate member GHD and the Welfare of the Young Committee. Leaders of the Environment Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) and of course other co-host City of Melbourne and Sofitel on Collins both hosted tables.
Nearly 150 members and guests enjoyed a tightly delivered event program.
Prior to the proceedings of the event getting underway, videos on environmental sustainability, prepared by schools attending the event, provided an interesting and relevant background as guest took up their seats in the Ballroom.
Carol Bond did a masterful job as MC executing a seamless event program. President Adrian began his presentation, in an impromptu manner due to the delayed arrival of District Governor and Rotary Melbourne member, Amanda Wendt, being delayed by a cancelled interstate flight. On Amanda’s behalf President Adrian delivered eloquently the following statement of respect for the traditional owners of the land on which we were Meeting:
“In the spirit of reconciliation, we begin today by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community.
In particular, we acknowledge the Wurundjeri and the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation on whose land we meet today, and pay our respects to Elders past present and emerging, as well as extending that respect to all Indigenous Australians present here today.
We recognise the traditional owners continuing connection to the land and waters, and thank them for protecting this coastline and its ecosystems since time immemorial. In doing so, we acknowledge that Rotarians and all of those here today have much to learn from the traditional custodians of this land.”
In warmly welcoming those present to the 2nd World Environment Day Lunch which was Rotary Melbourne’s 41stmeeting for 2022/23 and meeting Number 4984 in the Club’s 102-year history.
In welcoming those listed above, President Adrian expressed delight to have with us iconic Melbourne Restaurateur Adam D’Sylva and Sofitel General Manager, Clive Scott, as well as speakers and panellists: Lord Mayor Sally Capp, RMIT Professor Usha Iyer-Raniga, Rotarian Bob Glindemann volunteer leader of Donations in Kind, Indigenous Architect Rueben Berg and Panel Moderator Jill Riseley, Sustainability Partner at Deloitte.
President Adrian also welcomed RI Past President Ian Riseley and his wife, Juliet and took the opportunity to announce that the Rotary Melbourne Board had decided to confer Honorary Club Membership on Ian, as has been the tradition with all Victorian Rotarians who have served as RI Presidents. Adrian noted that Ian’s significant achievements as President, and in particular the translation of his long-standing commitment as an environmentalist to Rotary International to adopt Protecting the Environment as our organisations 7th area of focus.
Ian responded briefly expressing with humility his respect for Rotary Melbourne as a capable leader in Rotary in so many important ways. We are honoured to have Ian among us as an Honorary Member.
Adam D’Sylva and Clive Scott then came to the stage and their light hearted and informative conversation about meal preparation for the event got us off to good start, drawing together Adam’s blended cultural heritage from family origins in Italy and India flavoured extensively in Australia. Their entertaining exchange on the impact of food, its importance in the homes of people from most cultural backgrounds and the special effort to deploy ingredients by Sofitel Chefs to minimise food waste and utilise everything at their disposal to create a marvellous sustainable meal. The proof of that was in the dining experience which many felt was one of the best meals they had had in recent times.
During the brief meal break, videos played on the accomplishments of City of Melbourne, RMIT, Rotary Melbourne, ESRAG, and the Donations in Kind initiative.
Following this, MC Carol Bond invited Panel Moderator Jill Riseley to begin the panel discussion. Jill introduced the four panellists and invited each to add opening remarks. Jill’s opening remarks provided an overview of key environmental challenges facing Australia and emphasising the importance of decoupling enterprise profitability from the un-restraining use of limited resources. The widespread adoption of circular economy practices is central to successful endeavours to prevent further global temperature rises exceeding 1.5%.
Indigenous Architect Rueben Berg spoke about the ancient connection of first Australians to our land and remarked on positive developments in the rapidly developing understanding by landholders of the importance of controlled burning to prevent further bushfire catastrophes. Usha Iyer-Raniga and Bob Glindemann highlighted the need to develop new business models that strengthen the re-purposing of resources used in manufactured goods. Sally Capp and Usha spoke about their involvement in the most radical transition of the modern industrial age.
The focus of the panel conversation then shifted to how individual and collective behaviour change in relation to the environment can be changed, and the need for supporting legislated regulation. After Sally Capp spoke of the exciting initiatives such as the planned Green Line, Community Batteries, water preservation efforts and encouraging bee pollination.
A limited discussion on immediate individual steps we should all take drew the panel conversation to a close.
Note: The full video of the event, together with short videos from schools and key stakeholders involved in the event will be available for viewing via the Club’s YouTube Channel.
The raffle was drawn as the event closed and widely recognised Rotarian Bob Fels won the bottle of 2008 Grange. Congratulations Bob.
Special thanks also to all donors of valuable raffle prizes, Quin and Lina Scalzo, Phillip and Jane Endersbee, Sofitel Hotel on Collins, and Sue & Reg Smith. A special thanks to Bernie McIntosh for the sponsorship of the event by the Victorian Mortgage group.
Finally, thanks to the reception and setup team on the day Deb Yin Foo, Rosemary Nixon, Philip Cornish and Clive Hollands, our photographers Yidan Xi and Sana Malik and Berat Kaya and the great work of our event organising team, Carol Bond, Garry Fowler, Kevin Sheehan, Marg Leser, the Office Manager, indefatigable Jo Mavros and organising Committee Chair, Past President Reg Smith. These events take a lot of volunteer support! Well done all.
