Master of Ceremonies Bernie McIntosh opened our lunch meeting on Wednesday 16 August 23 at No35 at the Sofitel on Collins and he was followed by Rotarian Philip Cornish who delivered the Reflection which is included later in this Bulletin.
President Chris introduced Global Grant Scholar Haruka Tanaka who has been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Niigata, Japan. Haruka is studying a Master of Development Studies at the University of Melbourne, and has a B.Ed. from the University of Niigata. Haruka took the opportunity to tell us a little about herself and her studies, and to exchange Club banners with President Chris.
Past President Reg Smith was then invited to the podium to alert members to the forthcoming Welcome to Spring Cocktail Party at 6pm on Wednesday 13 September at the Lyceum Club to support the Hush foundations Gathering of Kindness Program. Full details of this event are provided later in this bulletin.
President Chris concluded his remarks by reminding members to book swiftly for the Angus Mitchell Oration on Wednesday 30 August to be delivered by the former Prime Minister John Howard, noting that the event is expected to be sold-out soon. (Editors Note: This event is now sold out).
President Chris reminded members that the process of forming the Presidential Nominations Committee, and nominations must be made by 2.05 p.m. on Wednesday 23rd August 2023. Nomination forms and any questions should be directed to the Honorary Secretary John Saunders. Chris’s last duty before introducing our guest speaker was to draw the weekly raffle and took great delight in learning that the winning ticket was purchased by our guest speaker, District 9800 Governor, Ron Payne.
District Governor Ron Payne has been a member of the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk for 19 years, during which he has been Club president twice and held most roles on the Clubs Board.
His presentation focused on the key priorities he will be pursuing during his year as District Governor. He noted the importance of RI President Gordon R. McInally’s key priorities: Mental Health, End Polio, and Empowering Girls, with which his own priorities will dovetail.
Ron highlighted the important role played by the District’s largest Club, Rotary Melbourne and noted that the role of District leadership is not to direct, but to support Clubs. While he sees the need for us all to reflect on how we can strengthen Rotary’s contribution to the community by interclub collaboration and working closely with external partners. You can view Ron’s address and the brief Q&A that followed by clicking here
To view the full meeting recording by clicking here
