The Rotary Melbourne meeting on Wednesday 24 May celebrated this year's Young Achievers and the Guest Speaker was Gareth Andrews, Australian Rules Footballer, Founder Life Again - Presenter & 2023 Young Achievers.
Last weeks meeting, and last meeting before the 2023 Convention began, was exceptionally well attended by more than 90 Rotarians and guests, many in town for the Convention including our much missed past member Peter Washusen & his wife Bev. It was very special in a number of ways.
Master of Ceremonies was past President Phillip Endersbee (suitably attired to compete at the International Tennis Fellowship of Rotarians annual championship at Rod Laver Arena shortly after the meeting) and he also delivered the reflection on behalf of DG Amanda Wendt who had a media commitment. Youth and Vocational Service Director, Iqbal Reta was Chair for the day.
The key focus of the event was on young people and their service to the community.
The Club's Young Achievers Award was presented by President Adrian to two young outstanding people: Sebastian Antoine and Sarah Hanoona. Read their Bios HERE This annual Award, accompanied by a cheque for $1,500 is presented each year to up to 3 young achievers from Victoria aged from 18 to 26 who have shown outstanding accomplishment in their academic or vocational training, and demonstrated commendable commitment to community service. Well known Australian Rules footballer and commentator, Gareth Andrews highlighted key learnings from his career and life journey.
President of the Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne, Aviv Palti introduced 5 Rotaractors from Cambodia who impressively explained their service contributions to Cambodian society.
We were delighted to witness the induction of our youngest ever member, Berat Kaya, who was one of the Young Achiever awardees in 2021-22. Berat has already distinguished himself with exemplary service to our club, in the creation of video vignettes for the World Environment Day lunch on 17 May, and his photographic talent which has been very prominent over the past few weeks.
On top of that, VIP guest, 2023-24 Rotary International President Elect Gordon McInally, a member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Lothian, Scotland, addressed us briefly but eloquently about the central role of Clubs in delivering Rotary service, and his signature theme for 2024 “Create Hope in the World". Those who were privileged of meeting with him have a special interest in his work leading to Rotary International in 2023-24.
President Adrian accoladed Past President David Jones AO OBE on his 52 years of dedicated service when he attended our meeting last week. David had recently celebrated his 87th birthday and is our longest serving member who celebrated 50 years at our Club on the actual day of our Centenary in 2021, having been inducted on the Club’s 50th Anniversary in 1971. David connects us to our Club founders being our only remaining member who was a member at the same time as the remaining charter member of our Club – Tom Lothian. Significantly, David was Club President when the International Convention was last held in Melbourne 30 years ago in 1993.
This video of this event is a must see. It reflects our club at its very best. Congratulations to President Adrian and the Vocational Service Committee for making it happen. To view, follow this link: https://youtu.be/jFsxpeMORHI
