After a blistering few days of heat nearly 20 members gathered on a cool and breezy evening at the Rotary Melbourne Peace Park for another relaxed fellowship opportunity on Wednesday 14 February 24.
MC for the gathering was Sharann Johnston who gave us a brief update on the park and the amazing actions be the City of Melbourne to clean up dropped foliage from the storm that afflicted Melbourne the day before.
President Dr Chris Sotiropoulos welcomed all including local MCC community coordinator Kimberley to the event. Kimberley gave a brief but engaging address explaining her role in helping to connect community members and address in a consultative way their issues/concerns and accolades for City of Melbourne administered services. She encouraged members to raise any matters of concern with her and she can navigate council officials to resolve if possible.
Past President Adrian Nelson gave an informative address on the incredible gallery of Rotary International Presidents who have, since Paul Harris planted the first tree with plaque in 1935 been erected around the Peace Park. Since then many Rotary International Presidents have done the same. Past President Adrian encouraged all members to learn more about this heritage by logging into www.rotarymelbournepeacepark.org.au and learn more about The Park and its renewed purpose to promote peace. You can read the full list of plantings, showing the relevant International Presidents, date and the variety of tree they planted or honoured.
Proceedings concluded with an update from Robert McGuirk who told us about progress in securing the installation of the Peace Bells launched at the International Convention in May 2023. Progress has been slow because of technical challenges locating underground utilities to be avoided with the installation. Recent progress has been promising and we are confident the installation will be completed in the second half of 2024. Congratulations to Robert for his persistence in seeing this project through to a conclusion.
