Rotary Club of Melbourne
www.rotaryclubofmelbourne.org.au

Meeting No 4869 in the Club’s 100^th year

From the President's Desk

Fellow Rotarians,

Christmas and Festive Celebrations are well under way by now and I’ve had the great pleasure of attending a number of group activities. Toorak 2 / Bayside and Stephen Lake went that extra mile with a rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.  I can tell you it was amazing! And so lovely to see Stewart Stribling join in the fun.

The week then exploded when I had to have emergency surgery but fortunately I was able to attend Toorak 1’s Christmas Function where Santa got into trouble  (aka our amazing Adrian Nelson and beautifully organised by Mary Barry)

Then there was much mirth with virtual Christmas Karaoke – much noise with the occasional dulcet tones from David Jones and David Freize looking quite dapper and festive.

Of course there was the Cluster Christmas with the DG which was a very fine affair.  Philip had finally made it to his home in the Huon Valley (photographs were taken by Dorothy Gilmour).  Kate Strain also attended.

I’d also like to thank Jo for organising the most beautiful flowers on behalf of all our members and also to thank all our members.  I received many well wishes and I know others were giving me space to recover.

I suppose amidst all the merriment it is important to share the fantastic work that everyone is doing behind the scenes whether it is supporting many of the charities that have been hard hit by COVID or assuring that our bushfire affected regions and other regular projects aren’t forgotten – including providing $500 support for each:

1. Launch Housing – Christmas Hampers for homeless – via member Richard Parker
2. Family Violence - Christmas Hampers or other gifts for Women/children in refuges (via member Bruce Hamer – Salvation Army)
3. Lighthouse – gifts for children in need – via member Susan Barton
4. TLC – gifts for very sick children – via member Tim Conolon

Then there was the excellent awarding of the Rotary Seniors award to Mr. Ahmed Tohow and the amazing work that he has been doing within his community.

Given some recent events, I want to let you know that the Board has identified some things which it should do looking forward. With the guidance of the vast experience of our Past Presidents and recent learnings, we will look to refresh our Rules, Code of Conduct and Grievance Process. The Horizons Committee is examining how cultural change is affecting our club and how we can assist best facilitate this.

I will keep you appraised of how these are progressing.

Talking about change, we have all been forced into unexpected and rapid change as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic and we want to be sure to keep the best of what has worked well for us, including allowing some of our more frail members to continue to be part of our family, through virtual links, as we progress back to face to face meetings.  We have also learnt that ‘absence does not necessarily make the heart grow fonder’ and so we are working hard to allow us to meet again in person. 

Our first face-to-face is scheduled for the 27 January – woohooo!!!  I look forward to it. 

Kind Regards  

Marion Macleod

President R100 (2020-21)

Rotary Melbourne

This Week's Speaker

Wednesday, 9 December:  EVENING MEETING

Meeting Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/BNEDV

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Christoph Schommer, co-Director Robolab, University Luxembourg

Topic: "Deep Learning for the Arts"

Chairman: Renata Bernarde

Last Week's Meeting

Thank you Ari for your YouTube link for last week's meeting:  https://youtu.be/oO2gMTc6I1c  Dr Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of the Ethics Centre, discussed the economic and social benefits of ethics to Australia.

We thank our PP Robert Fisher for providing a timely reminder of our Four Way Test in his Reflection at last week's meeting.

It was an inspirational moment at last week's meeting, meeting our Senior's Awardee for 2020/21, Ahmed Tohow.

Upcoming Meetings

16 Dec: Lunch Meeting Festive Christmas Celebration Meeting & Partners Day – Final meeting for 2020

             Meeting Registration https://www.trybooking.com/BMYUW

Holiday Break

13 Jan: Lunch Meeting - Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, Consulate-General of Japan in Victoria

20 Jan: Evening Meeting

Club News & Reminders

Rotary Melbourne Christmas Lunch

• To register for ZOOM and to make your Annual Xmas Appeal donation go to  https://www.trybooking.com/BMYUW 
• A reminder if you wish to place an order for the boxed picnic hamper you will need to order direct to the supplier rodsfruitandveg@gmail.com and make payment by Credit Card to Roxy: 0402 623 707.  Minimum cost per hamper is $90. Comfortably serving two.  Should you wish to increase the catering it is an additional $45 per person.  We apologise if the flyer was misleading.

The events team hope you join in the fun and enjoy.

Unfortunately, due to Editor's computer glitch, we missed this inspirational Reflection from Peter Hollingworth at our meeting two weeks ago.  Apologies Peter.

Attached here is a form for you to complete if you would like to be part of the important funding of the Rotary Melbourne EVERY ROTARIAN EVERY YEAR - Rotary International Foundation.   RCM_EREY_Form_(1).pdf

FINAL ONE FOR 2020, with a coffee or tea, a biscuit, cake or pastry!  Come online and enjoy some friendly banter with President Marion.  No mask needed and a great way to hear the latest news. Maybe pick up some tips on Zooming!    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3096547242

JOHN TOZER - GET WELL SOON

News just at hand, former member and long time Club photographer, John Tozer, is recovering in a Bendigo hospital from earlier surgery at Royal Melbourne as a result of suffering a stroke.  He is expected to remain in rehab for a few weeks.

John is doing well and asking for a glass of red.

However, visitors are not yet allowed, but good wishes, cards, emails all welcome.  Bev is available on 0409 481 216.

Member Highlights

  BOB GLINDEMANN'S CHRISTMAS HUMOUR!!!

https://www.dropbox.com/t/TSJT5JwphapO4szc

Download from Dorothy's Dropbox for some of Bob Glindemann's humour!

PP Peter Rogers was very proud of his wife Cathy receiving an OAM at Government House last week.

Other Rotary Club News

If you enjoy sailing, or just like to read about it, the following item is for you.  The International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians is the oldest and largest of the Rotary Fellowships. It began in England in 1947 and has grown to 126 fleets, with about 3,685 members in 44 countries.

Member Anniversaries

Membership anniversaries this week Shailesh Dangle (6), Cheryl Lacey (16), Madeleine McManus (5), Nick Pelham (14).

Greetings

Happy birthday this week Reg Smith, Eric Wright, Chris Rodd.

Last Week's Guests 

Guest of the Club Simon Longstaff (Speaker), Ahmed Tohow.

Visiting Rotarians & Visitors Ian Knight, Nesta Hatendi, Carol Cartier.