The 16th Meeting of this Rotary year and our 5007th meeting in the Club’s 102nd year.
The central focus of this meeting was the Annual Rotary Melbourne Vocational Service Award, which was made to Dr Sandro Demaio, CEO of VicHealth, and founder of the Sandro Demaio Foundation.
The meeting was well supported in person and on-line by members and guests.
Amongst those attending were past five distinguished past recipients of the Vocational Service Award, Prof Jeffrey Rosenfeld AC OBE (Alfred Surgeon), Professor John McNeil (Monash University), past RCM Member Dr Margaret Leggatt AM; current Member Susan Barton AM (Lighthouse Foundation), and Gareth Andrew (Life Again Foundation).
A technical issue prevented the recording of the pre-launch opening of the meeting, in which Anthony Battaini opening as Master of Ceremonies, Barbara Yerondais presented a moving reflection highlighting recent developments affecting the lives of Australia’s first people, and the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. Barbara’s reflection is published later in this Bulletin.
President Chris Sotiropoulos led us in the loyal toast, and at post meal resumption invited Jim Orchard, Around the Bay Organising team member to provide an update on another successful Around the Bay event. His update concluded with the drawing of the Club’s fundraiser Raffle of a $2,000 voucher from My Ride in Collingwood towards purchase of a bicycle or cycling accessories. The lucky winner was Rotary Melbourne member, Bernie McIntosh. All funds raised through the raffle will be donated to the Smith Family Learning for Life Program which supports children from less privileged backgrounds in achieving their potential through their education.
President Chris reminded us of the call for nomination of committed community volunteers for the prestigious Community Service Award, which should be directed to Philip Cornish.
Past President Reg Smith then came to the podium to introduce Dr Demaio and managed the presentation of the Award. Reg’s remarks were based on the Award citation, a copy of which is published below.
The presentation and Sandro’s address in response are viewable in the Speaker Series recording: https://youtu.be/MwTjvB9KqYA and the full meeting recording (including this address can be viewed by clicking https://youtu.be/kkdGmiex9ZA We recommend you view Sandro’s address. He expressed praise of the Rotary movement in quietly addressing the needs of situations such as conflict in the middle East and following the early century tsunami which caused massive destruction and loss of life across Asia and the Indian Ocean. He highlighted his overseas experience in applying his research and commitment to preventable disease globally in complex situations. We learned of his journey and the reflection that most preventable conditions reflect inequality in accessing healthy solutions in our food and lifestyle choices.
Sandro will fit very comfortably with the growing Alumni of nearly 60 Vocational Service Awardees.
VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARD
Awarded to
Dr Sandro Demaio
Citation
The 2023-24 Rotary Club of Melbourne Vocational Service Award recognises the distinguished vocational service of Dr. Sandro Demaio.
Dr Demaio originally trained and worked as a medical doctor at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne after graduating with his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Monash University. He also holds a master’s degree in public health from Monash University, a Doctor of Philosophy in global health focusing on non-communicable diseases from the University of Copenhagen and has held post-doctoral fellowships at both Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
His extensive experience includes roles as Medical Officer for non-communicable conditions and nutrition at the World Health Organization, Chief Executive Officer of the EAT Foundation, the science-based, global platform for food systems transformation. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of VicHealth, which is the state’s peak health promotion body. At VicHealth, Dr Demaio oversees more than 70 staff and a multi-million-dollar budget for direct health promotion, sports and community grants and health research.
Dr Demaio’s focus is primarily on chronic non-communicable diseases which can be managed by lifestyle choices, but afflict un-necessarily, so many in our community. This passion has led to him co-founding NCDFREE, a global social movement against chronic disease which reached more than 2.5 million young people in its first 18 months.
In 2018, he established the Sandro Demaio Foundation funded by his media work and focused on improving the health and nutrition of young Australians. He has published more than 30 scientific papers and 110 articles. He also authored the Doctor’s Diet, a cookbook based on science and inspired by a love of good food.
The work of his Foundation through events such as the Little Festival in Federation Square in April 2023 highlight Sandro’s passion for conveying accurate and important, easily accessible, and tangible health messages to communities. Inspired by his vision, his foundation looks to engage those beyond the public health echo chamber, translating evidence-based research into terms everyone can understand. It values collaboration opportunities with new voices and new partners, amplifying the projects of others, and building its own, and works to bring system reform to legislation, business and community.
Sandro’s distinguished public health contribution recognised by this Award, above and beyond service his professional work as a doctor and leader of an important State Government agency, exemplifies the Rotary ideal of service above self. He joins a distinguished body of men and women who have been previous recipients of this award.
Awarded – 18th October 2023
