At last Wednesday's Rotary Melbourne meeting (25 October 23) we presented Dr Ian Ross with a Declaration of Dr Ian C Ross as an Honorary Member on the 50 year anniversary of him joining the club. Margaret Ross was also presented with flowers.
Following is Ian's speech:
Fifty years in Rotary, every one was different, thanks to the diversity of the 50 Presidents who showed differences in leadership, knowledge and skills. Changing roles and fellowship with members maintained my interest and enjoyment.
My first knowledge of Rotary came from Jock Reid was when I was courting Margaret. The second was when Jock took Margaret and me to visit Angus Mitchell in his apartment in the Windsor Hotel in 1956. The next was from Les Gleadell in 1967. I was his sub-tenant in his consulting rooms at 14 Parliament Place. Rotary was a frequent topic of conversation over lunch. I was nominated by him and inducted by Frank Newman who later became District Governor in ’74-75. He was the last DG from our club until Amanda Wendt last year.
My time in Rotary has seen a remarkable generic change. This has been clearly recorded by Owen Parnaby in his history of the club.
The mode of entry into membership of the club is vastly different now than in 1973. Membership depended on classification. The Classifications were based on major professions and industries with sub groups. One member per classification. The admission procedure took time and there was occasional disquiet by the sponsors, and over the years there has been many changes as most of you have experienced.
Changes in venues and format have altered our meetings. Fines, the song and the prayer have ceased. A major change happened when admission of women members occurred in1989-90. Four have become President.
There have been many highlights through the years:
Speaking on contraception to the newly formed Rotaract Club in ’75.
Student Exchange in late ‘70s.
The Pacific Regional Conference in ’81.
World Conference in Melbourne ’93.
Ten On to Conference tours since 2002.
Golf with club members and in competition with the Victorian Golfing Fellowship in Rotary for the Rotary Club of Melbourne Cup and the Mitchell-Sutherland Cup. Having my name inscribed on the RCM Cup!
The Photo Group in recording events at the club.
The best fellowship has been at Group Meetings. I was allotted to the Kew Group. After one year, as was the practice, I was made Group Captain. It was a bit daunting considering that the group had quite a few high-profile Rotarians as members. I also joined the Mornington Peninsula Group in 2002. Wondrously captained by Barry Rawlings the group, with partners, meet in member’s homes for a barbeque lunch about 8 times a year. It remains a premier group.
What would I like to happen in the future? More fellowship: Increased attendance at lunch meetings, greater participation in group activities, revival of the golfing cups competitions.
Early on a wise Rotarian told me that is important to maintain a proper perspective of life Family came first, work second and then Rotary. I have been supported by Margaret in all of these and thank her very much.
I want to thank Jo Mavros for all the support that she has given me.
Thank you all for your fellowship over the years.
--------------------
Following is Ian's Citation
THE ROTARY CLUB OF MELBOURNE
Declaration of Dr Ian C Ross as an
Honorary Member
Dr Ian Ross was inducted in October 1973 with the Classification Medicine: Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Born in Melbourne in 1933 he was educated at Ivanhoe State, Northcote High and Scotch College followed by his MBBS from Melbourne University. After post-graduate work at the Royal Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospitals, followed by three years in English hospitals, he returned to take his Masters in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He has served on the University Faculty of Medicine, on the Committee of the Royal College of Gynaecology & Obstetrics and on the Boards of St Andrews and the Royal Women’s Hospitals.
In the 1970s Ian studied in Scotland the new science of the ultra sound and returned to set up the first ultra sound clinic at the Women’s. He has been honoured with fellowships of both the London and Australian Colleges of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He has served on the Medical Ethics ‘Committee, as Chief of the Medical staff, and was for years Senior Consultant at the Women’s.
Ian has been involved with Club Committees for many years. Fellowship, Club Service, International Service, Youth Service have benefited from his efforts, often as Chairman. During the 1993 World Convention in Melbourne, Ian organised and staffed the emergency medical centre. He has served as a Director on the Board in 1978-80 and again in 1994-96. Ian currently manages the Photography Team and Chairs the Mornington Peninsula Fellowship Group.
Ian probably had no option but to be an involved Rotarian given that he was Past President’ Sir John Reid’s son-in-law, but we are grateful for that as we have valued his “Never Say No” approach, his friendly charm and his dedication. Ian was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by the Club in 2002.
Ian and Margaret have been married for more than 60 years and have four grown children. They are great supporters of fellowship the Club offers and have attended several Rotary District and Onto Conferences and for some time Ian organised the annual Rotary Mitchell Sutherland Golf tournament and some will have envied his own success on the day!
In 2009 Margaret was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Club for Service to the Community.
Ian, we recognise and thank you for your Service to Rotary and our Club and want you to know your efforts have improved the lives of many and added to the complex tapestry of our Club.
With 50 years of Service Above Self for this Club, Rotary in Australia, Internationally, and for the vulnerable of our community, I have the greatest pleasure in declaring you an Honorary Life Member of this Club.
Dr Chris Sotiropoulos - President 2023-24
Presented 25th October 2023
