Rohan is a chemical engineer with over 30 years experience in the oil industry. He has been involved in both technical and commercial within Australia, Netherlands and Singapore. The company mainly import oil products from 17 locations around Australia, and moving products from Geelong refinery to other locations.
Susan [who was at the induction meeting] and Rohan are proud parents of 3 children, Daniel (studying engineering) Alex (uni next year) Kate (year 12 next year). It was through Kate, he was introduced to Rotary when he attended International Youth Science Program. He met Neville John at the program and was really impressed with quality of Rotary programs - building a powerful future. Rohan said it took only one meeting to convince him to join. He is keen to be involved in Youth Programs and to learn how to contribute to the clubs work.
"Zoos Victoria’s International Conservation Partnerships"
As a zoo-based conservation organisation, Zoos Victoria supports recovery programs for 21 threatened native species and a range of international conservation projects. The key criterion for the international relationships is clear benefits to both wildlife and people.
Chris is manager of Zoos Victoria’s International Conservation Partnerships. In this role he details Zoos Victoria’s multi-year partnerships in the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Uganda, a conservation grants program and a sister zoo partnership in Port Moresby.
Roy has received this update from our excellent contact at RC of Phnom Penh [Past President Michael Wright - as Roy notes 'Michael Wright PP PP!']
"We located a patient at the hospital that speaks fluent Lao. We had him moved to the bed next to Nonh. He is in the photo.
Nonh is still making great progress, but while I was there yesterday I commented, via the “translation route”, that he looked sad. I also noticed he was sobbing. I established that he is missing his mother. He has never spent any time away from her before. There’s not much we can do except give him diversions.
All being well he and Bouncy [Nonh's father] will be moved to the convalescence home a few miles away. We have several patients there and they will be brought back for appointments. Bouncy has his phone and will talk every day to our Lao speaker at the hospital, plus he can use it as a hotline. We will also arrange a tuk tuk outing or two for them both around Phnom Penh once Nonh is ready. An ice cream usually works wonders."
We mourn the passing of a respected former Member, Ian Rust who passed away on Monday after a long illness at age 82.
Ian joined RCM in 1987 as a Charter Member and resigned in June 2007 following retirement as a Property Consultant. Positions held included Director of International Service Committee in 1993/1994 and again in 1996/1997. He was also on District 9800 “Livewire” Committee. He was presented with a PHF in 2002.
Ian was a very keen yachtsman and a member of the Blairgowie Yacht Squadron since the 1970’s. He skippered boats in Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Tasmania races and other ocean cruising expeditions. During his business career Ian was regarded as one of the most highly respected commercial real estate agents and valuers in Melbourne. He also served terms as President of the Building Owners and Managers Association (now the Property Council) in Victoria, and as President of the prestigious Athenaeum Club in Melbourne.
We extend our sincere sympathy to his wife Helen and family.
RCM’s Fraternitas awardee, International House ['IH'] student Robert Soh (20), has a seriously international background. He was born in NZ and is a NZ citizen. But as a three month old, he went with his father Mark (an ex-Singaporean, now New Zealander) and mother Virginia (New Zealander) to Hong Kong for several years, and then to Singapore.
If you think he’s English-fluent, it’s because that’s the only language he speaks at home. Virginia speaks some Cantonese as a second language but Mark also speaks Hokkien, Mandarin, and some Cantonese, handy for his pre-retirement career in management with Chevron.
The club’s Fraternitas award of $500 is for the IH student best exemplifying citizenship and service to the IH community over three years. Students chose Robert by vote for his leadership and student admin work. “RCM’s awards to IH are highly regarded,” he says.
"Eat according to your energy needs not your emotional needs."
Clare explained she is qualified nutritionist who uses researched, evidence based, strategies to provide practical advice.
She emphasised the importance of nutritious food, especially as we age, to ensure we remain healthy, vigorous and disability free. As a teenager she struggled with her weight and has empathy with those wanting to lose weight and those who are struggling to find the right foods to help with their health issues.
Ranked behind excessive drinking and smoking, diet has the next most profound impact on long term health. Diet impacts risk of heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Excess nutrition is the main cause of obesity, not lack of exercise and portion size is very important. Most Australian portions are too large.
The homeless and elderly through Steps Outreach Service and
Refugee families through Lentara UnitingCare Asylum Seeker Project
Red and Green bags will be available for members at next week’s meeting. A list of suggested products for each of the beneficiaries is in the flyer - ‘CLICK HERE’
For the refugee families Margaret Thomas has again volunteered to purchase appropriate spices and fruits in bulk with a price per pack of $27.00, a significant saving on buying these quantities from a supermarket and a more appropriate family size package. [Details in the flyer].
If you would like to buy one or more packs please contact Margaret direct margthomas6@gmail.com or by phone 9370 3091by 9th December.
President Justine has announced Neville Taylor has accepted nomination to become President of the Club for the 2018-19 Rotary year.
In accordance with the Rules of Rotary Central Melbourne Inc, a Special General Meeting will be held during the breakfast meeting on Tuesday 17th January 2017 to consider the following Motion:
"That Neville Taylor be confirmed as President-Elect for 2017-18 and President-Designate of the Club for 2018-19."
President Justine Murphy opened the meeting and handed to Chairman George Mackey to propose a toast to Rotary International.
Justine welcomed Guests:
Robert Soh - Winner of Fraternitas Award
Maziar Taravat – RYLA and g'day [s.a.] student.
Rohan & Susan Williams - New member
Trevor Dymond - guest of Neville John
Michelle Crawford – To be inducted next week
James Copsey, guests of Sarah Overton
Clare Fargher, speaker
Announcements
Allan Driver.Dick Mitchell is back at Epworth Hospital. Low blood pressure.
Paul Fraser. Christmas party is close, must book. Hampers ready to give to charity. Mention of spices to be ordered by this Friday.
Neville John. Presentation to past president George Mackey. from Rotary Foundation for club support, $1500, for Polio campaign in past year. Eradicating polio, just 32 cases remain, in 3 countries.
George Mackey,introduction of RYLA graduate and "g'day [s.a.]" student Maziar Taravat. Maziar thanked the club for nomination to the RYLA camp. He expressed his challenges as an overseas student, and appreciated the benefits through RYLA program especially the learned various cultural differences and managing challenges.
Stuart Elllis: Reminded members of our project for home hosting of an International student. He sought a family to Maziar during the Christmas time.
Note; g'day [s.a] is operated in association with Rotary clubs in Australia - http://www.gdaysa.com.au/index.html
President Announcements.
Justine advised Neville Taylor has accepted nomination to be club President for the 2018-19 year.
Induction - Rohan Williams. President Justine welcomed Rohan to the club. Please see separate report in the bulletin.
Fraternitas Award – Russell Rolls
Russell advised the Fraternist Award is for the most outstanding student as selected by other students in International House. Robert Soh is the current winner.
Robert spoke. He was born in Wellington NZ but has lived mainly in Singapore and Hong Kong and currently 3 years in Melbourne. He is studying Bachelor of Business at RMIT and has enjoyed a work placement at Deloitte - website and application for government. He will finalise his studies in university next year, and has been offered full time job at Deloitte from 2018 onwards. He sincerely thanked Rotary Central Melbourne for the generous contribution for International House over the years.
Project Report – Fundraising - Herb Greenwood
Garden DesignFest, success, $35k is our share of which $17.5k is available after grant to Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation.
Committed work at Laos, we have applied for $20k government grant for a school project. No progress so far but if unsuccessful we will have to find funds from elsewhere.
Chinese New Year celebration to be held on 27th January. Cecily says hopefully Crown fireworks display will be ‘just outside the windows’ for us. Register now, only limited to 40 guests - proceeds for project in Laos.
There may be another wine auction in the second half.
Guest Speaker: Clare Fargher, Nutritionist
For full report please refer separate item in this bulletin.
George thanked the speaker and made the usual presentation.
The swindle jackpotted, once again.
Justine Thanked all for their attendance and closed the meeting.