MC Rosemary Nixon opened our Club’s 44th Meeting of this Rotary Year and our 5033rd Club meeting in our one hundred and third year. After acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and paying respects to Elders and all Indigenous Australians, President Elect nominee Philip Cornish delivered the reflection which is included later in this Bulletin.
After the loyal toast and meal service break, President Dr Chris Sotiropoulos welcomed members, visiting Rotarians and guests. Details of all guests are provided later in this bulletin.
He highlighted the theme of the day which is to present the annual Young Achievers’ Award, for which our special guest speaker and presenter was Dr Sandro Demaio, Public Health Advocate, CEO Vic Health and previous Rotary Vocational Service Award recipient.
President Chris also drew attention to the celebration at this meeting of Marg Leser’s 5th anniversary as a member who has provided extensive service as a Board Director of Governance and Sustainability, Chair of the Vocational Service Committee which does the work behind the Young Achievers’ Award, and extensive work in supporting several important environment sustainability projects as well as the club’s homeless support project – Make a House a Home. Congratulations Marg.
As a guest of the Club Chris welcomed back former member Luke Belfield. Luke is an infrastructure Executive, and resigned in 2019 due to work demands whilst in the role of Victorian Chief Engineer where he consulted on Victoria’s $201 billion infrastructure portfolio. We welcomed Luke back and The Club looks forward to his contribution.
President Chris exchanged banners with visiting Rotarian Justin Premkumar from Coimbatore City, India.
After highlighting that it is now a year since the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne and wishing safe travels to the 7 members attending the Singapore 2024 convention next week, President Chris handed over chairmanship for the rest of the meeting to Board Member, Iqbal Reta who has kindly provided the summary of the Award proceeding below.
The Rotary Melbourne Young Achiever Award ceremony held on May 22, 2024, was a celebration of remarkable talent and dedication. This annual Award, accompanied by a cheque for $1,500 is presented each year to up to 3 young achievers from Victoria aged from 18 to 26 who have shown outstanding accomplishment in their academic or vocational training, and demonstrated commendable commitment to community service.
This year there three outstanding candidates: Emma Amos, Wasi Abdi, and Edward Le, whose exceptional achievements earned them recognition. Accompanied by their families and friends who radiated their pride, Emma, Edward and Wasi. All were also supported by friends and colleagues.
In heartfelt speeches, all 3 Award winners expressed profound gratitude for the acknowledgment bestowed upon them, acknowledging the unwavering support of their families, friends, and mentors. They each spoke briefly of their education, work and community service experience and of how they intended to inspire others whom they are mentoring. Brief bios of each Awardee are included below.
Dr. Sandro, Demaio Public Health Advocate, CEO Vic Health and previous Rotary Vocational Service Award recipient graced the occasion and presented the awards to the deserving recipients. His remarks resonated deeply with all meeting attendees, emphasizing the indispensable contributions of young achievers to our community. Dr. Sandro underscored their passion and dedication as catalysts for positive change and progress.
The event welcomed a range of guests including Rotarians from several other Clubs, and 2021 YAA Sebastian Antoine, and acknowledged 2022 YAA Joseph Ikara, who has inspired both Edward and Wasi.
Western Chances CEO Zac Lewis and several staff also attended. Both Edward and Wasi acknowledged the significant support Western Chances provided to them with their school and University studies and they are both now giving back to Western Chances programmes including mentoring other young people.
Emma was supported by Abiola Akinbiyi, the Founder and Chair of Changepreneuers.
Each of the three awardees, Emma, Wasi, and Edward, exhibited exceptional prowess in their respective vocations, coupled with unwavering commitment to continue to serve their communities. Their remarkable achievements stand as beacons of inspiration, epitomizing the ethos of excellence and service that defines the Rotary Melbourne Young Achiever Awards.
Edward is currently studying for a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Melbourne whilst simultaneously completing a Customer Supply Chain Services and Data Internship at Bosch.
He has a proven track record of success in his studies and is passionate about using his skills to make a positive impact in the community.
He has been the recipient of a multitude of awards and scholarships, too numerous to enumerate, showcasing his potential for leadership within the community. Notably, in 2024,he was honoured with the Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top 100 Future Leaders Award, alongside receiving a Leaders in Community Award in 2021.
He achieved admittance to a selective entry school (Suzanne Corey High School) and at the end of year 12 was one of 2 students to receive that school’s Renaissance award (recognising high level academic, community and cultural engagement) and in 2021 a Melbourne principal scholarship. He was also the recipient of a Western Chances Scholarship (2020 – 2022).
In 2022 he received a full Trinity College residential scholarship at the University of Melbourne.
His further interests include social entrepreneur opportunities assisting and guiding younger students in business and career opportunities.
Edward has also demonstrated outstanding leadership as school vice-captain and as a Faculty Ambassador and Peer Mentor, contributing to his community through initiatives such as the Wings For Life World Charity Run, Maribyrnong Youth Advisory Committee and independently raising funds for mental health awareness. Edward is a board member of Western Chances Scholarship Team and has contributed to local Council youth initiatives.
Edward's impressive track record of achievements reflects his dedication, leadership, and commitment to making a positive impact in both academic and community settings.
Wasi is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Information Technology with a specialization in data sciences at RMIT. His academic journey has been characterized by determination and resilience, overcoming challenges stemming from his disadvantaged background to successfully complete year 12 and gain entry into university. Notably, he has been the recipient of several scholarships, including those from Western Chances, RMIT Study support, and the Dafydd Lewis scholarship, which have facilitated his educational pursuits.
Beyond his academic endeavours, Wasi is deeply committed to using technology, particularly AI and data systems, to address environmental and societal challenges. His involvement with organizations such as Western Chances, where he serves on the Scholarship Team for the Advice & Review Board sub-committee, and his participation in programs like the Lord Somers Camp- ATLAS Program highlight his dedication to community service and empowerment. Additionally, Wasi's role as a youth mentor at the SPARK Engineering Camp underscores his commitment to supporting and inspiring young people. His community contributions extend to self-driven initiatives, including environmental clean-up projects and mentorship programs for disadvantaged youth. Through his leadership and coordination of a charity donation initiative during a short internship, Wasi directed funds to impactful community organizations, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive difference. As a mentor, he aspires to inspire others and serve as a role model for disadvantaged youth, leveraging his enthusiasm and experiences to uplift and empower others.
Emma holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Public Health from Latrobe University. Actively involved in community initiatives, she demonstrates strong leadership and a dedication to social impact. Her contributions to the Regional Advisory Council North-West for the Victorian Multicultural Commission have been notable, fostering collaboration and addressing societal concerns. Additionally, Emma's leadership roles in organizations like Changepreneurs Inc., Melbourne Youth Alliance, and the Intercultural Young Advocacy Leadership Group showcase her strategic vision and ability to drive positive change, particularly in issues related to diversity and inclusion.
Emma's engagement extends to various organizations, including her involvement with the African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF) and her role as a Board Director for Karralika Programs. Currently serving as the Vice President of Changepreneurs Inc., she focuses on advancing women’s leadership and empowerment in culturally diverse communities. Emma's commitment to leadership and community involvement will continue to drive awareness and positive change on issues of diversity and inclusion, spearheading collaborative initiatives to address social and cultural changes within communities.
