Rotary Melbourne's 4th Meeting of this Rotary year and our 5,042nd all time Club meeting, in its 104th year was held on the RACV Club’s 17th Floor event space at its Bourke Street Club rooms. It earned “blockbuster” status with 230 in attendance overall.
The meeting began with MC Sana Malik opening the event with the statement of respect for the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. Sana wore a sustainable dress from Reformation.
Sana invited everyone present to look under their saucers for a red sticker, which qualified one attendee from each table to receive a T-shire with a unique environmental message, donated by the Melbourne Arboretum.
President’s Welcome
President Catherine began by passing on that designated guest speakers, Christine Holgate had received tragic news just the previous afternoon and was on a flight to the UK to be with family.
She welcomed distinguished guests including
After highlighting Rotary’s Global membership of 1.4 million in more than 46, 000 clubs, Catherine noted that Protecting the Environment became Rotary Internationals 7th special area of focus in June 2020 following which Rotary Melbourne decided to consolidate and strengthen its commitment to environmental sustainability. This annual event was introduced and has evolved over the past 4 years.
About the Meal
Sofitel Arts AmbassadorClive Scott AM then came to the podium to lead a discussion with Celebrity Chef Adam d’Sylva, and RACV City Club Chef, Craig Dowling, to discuss the sustainable meal being served at this event. Clive Scott displayed his extraordinary talent in creating fun conversations when he engaged with Craig and Adam on the sustainable meal centred on Great Ocean road duck cooked 3-ways to ensure the complete use of bird, alternating with a Seafood assiette. These innovative dishes were followed by a traditional pavlova accompanied by passion fruit gelato supplied by Adam D’Sylva from Boca Gelateria, his new Ivanhoe based venture. Adam and Craig spoke about the positives and the challenges of life as a chef and encouraging advice was provided to the students present.
Past RI President – Ian Riseley AM.
Rotary International adopted Protecting the environment as its 7th area of focus on his watch as President. Ian voiced his compliments to Rotary Melbourne for its enthusiastic embracing of environmental protection.
He also gave a strong congratulations to students from Star of the Sea College, winners of the 2024 Rotary Melbourne Environment Sustainability Award for their exemplary work on recycling fast-fashion.
Keynote Address
President Catherine then introduced two impressive executives that were to speak on behalf of Christine Holgate.
Christina Wilson is currently the People & Sustainability Officer for Team Global Express where she leads the People and ESG Teams. Christina gave some insights on the dramatic turnaround and restoring Team Global Express to profitability whilst investing in sustainability.
Heather Bone highlighted that stunning commitment Team Global Express made to sustainability when they ordered a fleet of 60 Volvo EV Trucks – at the time the largest ever single order of electrical vehicles globally. Heather said the transition to a sustainable fleet was not easy and the Management team learned many lessons of experience. She spoke of the challenges of fully electrifying a fleet of trucks any time soon, given the vastness of Australia and the enormous cost of electricity infrastructure which is not widely understood around the globe.
Heather demonstrated pragmatism in not pretending that electrification will be a 100% carbon reduction solution. The adoption of diesel biofuel in Australia would have a profound environmental benefit, facilitating the use of existing scarce infrastructure in Australia while powering diesel engines with green renewable energy. Heather’s enthusiasm and interaction with students present on the UN Developmental goals was a highlight.
Meeting Close:
Rotarian Carol Bond came to the podium to thank Christina and Heather for stepping in as speakers at such short notice and presented the customary speakers gift which included Rotary Melbourne Centenary socks.
Carol also supervised the drawing of the sustainable wine raffle.
The first prize was a bottle of Grand Crux organic wine from Bordeaux (France) combined with a two night accommodation voucher for two at the RACV City Club, won by Stewart Stribling.
Second prize was for 1-dozen bottles of Kalleske Barossa Valley Certified Organic Wines, won by Liz & David Draycott.
Third prize was a ½ dozen bottles labelled by Kalleske Wines at the “big red”, won by Barbara Yerondais.
Finally Carol passed on the emissions calculations of the meal. The emissions were calculated as 20% per capita less than a regular Rotary Melbourne lunch meeting; the emissions we calculated at approximately 1-tonne of carbon dioxide, which will result in $100 being offset to plant trees in Timor Leste.
At Rotary Melbourne we have a lot to be proud of in getting behind this event.
Many thanks to all of those that attended, but especially to those who showed up and helped out with a variety of aspects such as welcoming guests, making sure they are comfortably seated, and many other of their diverse needs.
A big thank you to all from the Organising Committee.
