Held in the Latrobe Room at the Sofitel on Collins on Wednesday 28 June, with attendance over 100 members and visitors. Outgoing President Adrian was accompanied by his wife Louise, and incoming President, Chris Sotiropoulos was accompanied by his wife Elena and his son, Stephen.
We witnessed President Adrian celebrating an astonishingly good year for the Club. In doing so, outgoing President Adrian highlighted the results of his outstanding leadership in Club Projects, fellowship and our Club playing an active part in the Rotary International Convention held in Melbourne in late May 2023.
As is customary, Awards for service in evidence during the 2022-23 Rotary year we presented to outgoing District Governor and Rotary Melbourne Member, Amanda Wendt who was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for her service; Past President Chris Wang was awarded the David Wittner Memorial Mentoring Award; Past President Mary Barry was named Forth Bridge Awardee for her outstanding work chairing the Rotary International Convention Host Organising Committee; and Sue Smith was commended in the Royce Abbey Rotary foundation Award for her volunteer contribution to the Club. You can read more about these awards in the bulletin.
Outgoing President Adrian highlighted
- Extensive Volunteer contributions through RIMERN, tree planting and assembling of disaster relief food packages;
- Extensive and continuing service to the community through community service projects;
- The creation of the Rotary Melbourne Public Benevolent Institution which will expand the Club's fundraising capacity and broaden the range of community service projects to which we can provide financial support;
- The re-vitalising of the Rotary Melbourne Peace Park;
- Fundraising and the creation of the Peace Bells Rotary Park Installation;
- Another year of great speaker events;
- The delegation he led to Celebrate the Centenary of the Rotary Club of Osaka and its sister city connection with Melbourne;
- Strong engagement in the RI Convention 2023 including:
- The City of Melbourne creating a Flower Bed on St Kilda Rd opposite Victoria Barracks honouring Rotary in the 3 months around the RI Convention;
- Strong acknowledgement in the Convention of the Rotary Melbourne Peace Bells initiative;
- Commendation of Rotary Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and by President Jennifer Jones for the Rotary Give Every Child a Future South Pacific vaccination initiative;
- The International Tennis Federation of Rotarians whose annual championship event was hosted by Rotary Melbourne immediately prior to the RI Convention.
Outgoing President Adrian’s message to members on 30 June reflects the essence of his address, and that message can be accessed by clicking
HERE.
After presenting the jewellery of Office of President to incoming President Dr Chris Sotiropoulos, Adrian and Chris called their Partners to the podium alongside President Elect Catherine Baxter to present Flowers and gifts in thanks for their support.
Chris came to the podium for his introductory remarks which embraced Rotary Melbourne's commitment to working closely with our District and other Clubs to further Rotary endeavours.
Chris shared his perception of the Rotary movement reflecting Monet’s classic Water Lilly Pond, composed of short fixed brush strokes that capture the essence of the Water Lilly pond, and the light which is part of the scene - Chris explained that every Rotarian’s contribution is for him reflected metaphorically in Monet’s inspired brush strokes.
Continuing President Adrian's commitment to thinking big and executing bold, Chris spoke of Rotary Melbourne becoming the Go to Club on community affairs - the body to whom our community looks to help respond to social issues that inflict hurt in the community.
Chris noted that while the incoming Board is substantially the same as previously, two new Board Members - Cameron Glover and Stephen Rando will help us drive new and innovative ways of shaping the Rotary member experience, to help in building our membership base, while maintaining project capacity and respecting the heritage of our Club.
He spoke in particular about the strengthened focus on mental health, and supporting African Community members through several members who are accomplished in their relationship with the African Community.
In closing District Governor Elect Nominee, Michael Lapina, led us in singing the National Anthem.
Full details of visitors and guests at the Changeover meeting are provided at the conclusion of this Bulletin
