 | Author's Name: Philip Cornish Date: Wed 17 Dec 2025 |
Dear Rotarians,
Only a week ago at our last meeting of 2025 I wished you all on behalf of Debbie and myself a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I am glad that our own member David Kram was on hand to provide to briefly describe to us both about what a Menorah is, and the festival of Hanukkah itself, it origins and broader meaning.
Given the events in Bondi on the first night of Hanukkah we can only strive to do more ourselves and collectively to bring more hope, peace and light to our community.
The Australian Jewish Community is small and it is likely that our Jewish members, family and friends will know of people directly affected by the senseless and heartless violence. We offer our condolences and solidarity to the Jewish Community across Australia. We can wish those affected, "long life" as is the custom.
The year that Rotary Melbourne Chartered as a club in 1921, Rotary International adopted "peace and international goodwill" as part of the constitution. I have no doubt that our own Charter Member General Sir John Monash after his war experiences, would have found such an objective to have added to the attractiveness of Rotary.
In the new year let us resolve to do more to support the actions that promote unity, assurance and peace locally and more broadly.
I wish you all peace and goodwill.
Long Life,
Philip
Philip Cornish
President 2025-26
