This week’s meeting was at a different venue at a familiar location – The West Tower Suite on Level 35 at the Sofitel on Collins. The service and food were up to the usual exceptional standard.
MC for the day was PP Bob Glindemann OAM, Reflection was delivered by PP Adrian Nelson, (the transcript of Adrian’s reflection is included here) and Chair for the day was PP Kevin Sheehan.
Following the meal service break, President Catherine Baxter welcomed Members and guests to our 24th Meeting of the Rotary Year and our 5,061st all-time Club meeting. Catherine specially acknowledged guest speaker - Australia’s most published sportswriter Author - Ken Piesse to speak later on the theme, ‘Living the Dream’; Charles Nelson, son of Past President Adrian, who has created a video production, featuring Rotary Melbourne for his VCE – Media – to be shown later; and new Rotary Melbourne member, Anthony Austin to be introduced shortly by his sponsor John Saunders.
Following Anthony Austin’s induction, Charles Nelson briefly addressed the meeting about his video outstanding video production about several of Rotary Melbourne’s service projects. Watch here to view.
Rosemary Nixon then came to the podium to update members about the initial AFLW tipping competition (trialled this year) which was won by Rotary Melbourne member, Jim Orchard.
Before Calling on PP Kevin Sheehan to introduce guess speaker Ken Piesse, President Catherine wrapped up formalities reminding members of Rotary Melbourne’s final lunch of the year and festive event featuring Christmas from around the world Music and entertainment provided by Maestro David Kram, Karen Kim and tenor DG Michael Lapina.
PP President Kevin then warmly introduced our guest speaker, a man who was born the year the MCG Test Wicket was legally watered, an author and commentator who is Australia’s most published and highly awarded sportswriter, Ken Piesse.
Ken treated us to a lively and anecdote driven delivery-style address as a master storyteller. He displayed unequalled energy and expertise as he talked about cricketers and footballers that he met, interviewed, wrote about and became friends with over his 50-year career as a journalist and prolific writer. Ken has produced, not a dozen but 89 quality sports books, on cricket and football embracing towering legends and unsung heroes, some with leading cricketers Max Walker, Terry Jenner, Brad Hodge and footballers, Dermott Brereton, Tony Lockett & Jason Dunstall.
Whilst Ken was comprehensively introduced in our Bulletin, on the day we were taken down memory lane with reminiscences of discussions with the likes of Don Bradman, Ron Barassi, Teddy Whitten and Bill Ponsford. Ken’s latest book entitled “Living the Deam: with Drive, Ambition & A Dash of Good Luck” is a compelling and poignant memoir of Ken and his passion for cricket & football. Packed full of insights and inspirations, Ken tells all – from his battles for recognition against the rebuffs to his now successful and multi-faceted career in sports.
Rotary Melbourne was indeed fortunate to have Ken as our speaker and Members lightened his load by purchasing the autographed books Ken brought with him as they enjoyed chatting and viewing other sporting memorabilia he kindly displayed. It was indeed a sporting theme highlight meeting, apropos to our summer of cricket.
After a lively Q&A, Chairman Kevin thanked Ken on behalf of the Club and presented the customary Rotary Socks manufactured skilfully in Preston Victoria at Wilderness Ware, founded by PP Philip Endersbee OAM.
Kevin thanked Past Presidents – MC Bob Glindemann, Adrian Nelson for his reflection, and our lunch Setup & Reception teams for their weekly effort in making our Club meetings happen.
To view Ken Piesse’s address Click here. You can view the full meeting recording by Clicking here.
