Last week’s meeting at No. 35 at the Sofitel on Collins was a highlight, as we build our confidence in the safety in our return to in-person meetings in February this year.
With 50 members there in person, the atmosphere in the room was very lively and starting to feel like a pre-pandemic meeting. With 15 members and guests Zoomed in as well.
Congratulations to Mike Albarbari who was introduced by past President Austin Burleigh and inducted as a member by President Reg.
Thanks also to Peter Brown from Caboolture Rotary, having arrived from Adelaide as part of his thank you tour, acknowledging clubs that supported his Car bash vehicle. Rotary Melbourne was the first sponsor and is acknowledge prominently on the front left side passenger door. See the attached pictures which tell their own story. Members will be pleased to know that the $1,000 donated to sponsor the vehicle went to the Variety Children’s charity. Peter talked of the challenge of the pandemic and the familiar story of delayed plans due to Covid restrictions and in particular closed interstate borders.
Guest speaker, ABC morning television host and author Lisa Miller captivated us with a lively presentation on her career as a journalist and the opportunities and challenges she faced. Lisa was accompanied by the publisher of her most recent book: Daring to Fly and shared some of the insights she gained from confronting personal fears. Her time in Europe and North America saw her having to respond to several high-profile terrorist attacks in the UK, Paris and the US. She remarked on the pervasive and tragic impact of the attacks on young people, and also the importance of reporting journalists needing to be aware and able to deal with the impact of trauma on themselves.
The video of the meeting can be viewed by following this link: https://youtu.be/w8nUAfZ3RJQ
