Rotary Club of Melbourne
www.rotaryclubofmelbourne.org.au

Don’t forget to bring your Christmas "bling" next Wednesday

BOOK YOUR GUESTS WITH JO

THIS WEEK'S MEETING Chaired by President Kevin

  "Music, Carols, Humanitarian Projects & Fellowship" 

with  SPECIAL GUEST MUSICIAN! 

NEXT MEETINGS

18, 25 Dec, 1, 8 Jan:  No Club Meetings

15 Jan:  First meeting of 2020

LAST WEEK'S MEETING

Robin Syme introduced the Seniors Award at last week's meeting: “One of the important annual awards that this Club makes is the Seniors Award. There is a published criteria but essentially the search is for a person who has given outstanding service in a voluntary capacity to older people.

Robert Klupacs held our attention describing how the Bionics Institute was researching for prevention of many of our many horrible medical conditions, including IBS, Parkinsons, Epilepsy (uncontrolled), Muscular Dystrophy et al.  Very sobering but incredibly enlightening.  Thank you Robert (seen here with Chair Elaine Saunders). 

It was lovely to see one of our special Rotary friends Manoel Felipe (Brazil) with VP David Carruthers at last week's lunch meeting.

CLUB REMINDERS

Rotary Melbourne is asking for Members to bring their youngsters (grandchildren/children) to meet some refugee families on Saturday, 18 January for a delightful few hours at Melbourne Zoo.

Attached is the Flyer for our Project Gathering of Kindness.  This Christmas Fundraiser is an opportunity for you to contribute to help kick start this project.  Just $10 from each member would enable us to sponsor an event or showcase the Gathering of Kindness program. Gathering_of_Kindness_2019.pdf

"WHERE ARE THE R100 SOCKS"

Reminder to all Members. Please send me your photos of R100 Socks in "tricky, whacky, controversial, fun" situations over the Festive Season.  Two prizes will be awarded at this week's Meeting!  You have to be in it, to win it! 

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Vice President David Carruthers announced at last week’s lunch the wonderful achievement by Elaine Saunders who was recently elected a Fellow of Australia’s learned academy The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (FTSE).

GROUP EVENTS

A night full of surprises greeted President Kevin and Lisa at the Toorak #1 Group dinner which in addition to Christmas hats and treats, the live musical performance of PP’s Mary Barry and David Jones was truly riveting. It was great to see David Frieze together with Jim and Barbara Donnelly enjoying themselves amongst the many revellers.

Mark Pinoli's photo of the Central 1 Christmas dinner held at International House which comprised a pre-dinner gathering in the Royce Abbey Room and dinner around a big table in one of the function rooms.  Our member and International House CEO Deborah Seifert AM was our host of this superb Group event. Thanks Iqbal and President Kevin!

The North Balwyn - Ivanhoe Group of merrymakers had a fantastic lunch with fantastic food at L'Artigiano, Ivanhoe on Sunday afternoon.  Special message from them to us:  "Great time was had by all, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."  To you too.

Thanks Maggie Matters for your pic. of the lunch now on the table after seeing Phil barbequeing last week! I couldn't resist this joyful photo which didn't arrive in time for last week.  Happy Christmas.

OTHER CLUBS

Luana Bacha (Brazil) is seen here with President Kevin and Youth Exchange Coordinator Emanuel Tumino.

Are you travelling to Italy in May 2020?  A special invitation from Rotary International - Distretto 2110 Sicilia e Malta - Rotary Club Ragusa XVI ROTARIAN WEEK OF IBLA BAROQUE Ragusa May 23th - May 30th 2020.

MISCELLANEOUS MIRTH

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

Membership anniversaries this week: Warren Johnson (10), Cheryl Lacey (15), Rob Nethercote (22), Nick Pelham (13), John Studley (5).

GREETINGS

Happy birthday this week to the end of December: Chris Rodd (TODAY!!), Reg Smith (12^th ), Eric Wright (15^th ), Iqbal Reta (20^th ), Claire Fraser (22^nd) Christine Johnson & Ross Scholes-Robertson (24^th ), Ted Garland (26^th ), Matthew Karakoulakis (27^th ), Kazuyoshi Matsunaga & Eleanor Onibere (28^th ), Bruce Davidson (30^th), Graham O’Donnell (31^st ). 

LAST WEEK'S GUESTS

Guests of the Club: Robert Klupacs (Speaker), Carol Taylor, Rodney Syme.

Visiting International Rotarians:  Rajendra Rijal (Pashupati Kathmandu, Nepal), Jayne Albiston (Auckland, NZ).

Visiting Australian Rotarians:  Di Gillies & Tim Reynolds (Balwyn),

Guests of Members:  Sara Bidois (Elaine Saunders), Mike Flavel (Peter Rogers), Manoel Felipe (Robert Fisher), David Jaffe, Nina Gu (Chanti Bou), Robyn Hollands (Clive Hollands), Yidan Xi, Chris Carrodus (Ian Evans), Jerry Farsoun (Jayne Albiston).

On duty this week Manuela Rathey, John Shaw, Rosemary Nixon, Pam Brown, Ian Ross (Photos), Trevor Nink (Wine).

 Celebrating 100 years of service in 2021