Opening
Our meeting was held in the evening at International House. 
Members gathered in the aptly named Gathering Room which included a display of Display Boards, one of which listed the names of the Fraternitas Awardees, which our Club sponsors. Thereafter, we went on a tour of International House, conducted by various International House (IH) students. There are over 300 students in residence.
Members gathered in the aptly named Gathering Room which included a display of Display Boards, one of which listed the names of the Fraternitas Awardees, which our Club sponsors. Thereafter, we went on a tour of International House, conducted by various International House (IH) students. There are over 300 students in residence.Members then enjoyed a dinner with the International House students in their dining hall before migrating to the adjacent Royce Abbey Room for regular proceedings. Royce Abbey, a member of RC Essendon, was Rotary International President in 1989-90, and his term included milestones including incorporating women into Rotary and re-establishing clubs in the former Soviet Block. Peter Duras called Mr Abbey a “true international diplomat.”
Chair Russell Rolls opened the meeting, and Past District Governor Dennis Shore gave the toast.
Announcements
- Elias Lebbos made two announcements regarding upcoming Community Service Team activities:
- On 14 April we are headed back to the Royal Talbot for the annual working bee in the hospital’s sensory garden;
- On 11-13 May we are organising an all-weekend working bee at Camp Getaway. More details will follow. Please contact Elias to register your interest in participating.
- President Frank O’Brien provided a wrap on last weekend’s successful Opera on the Yarra fundraising event, which Herb Greenwood chaired and Michael Lapina co-ordinated. The musical performance was, by all accounts, superb, and the food was excellent too. Well done to all involved.
- President Frank also reminded members to book online via TryBooking.com to attend next week’s Angus Mitchell Oration, to be given by current RI president Ian Riseley at the Sofitel and hosted by Melbourne RC.
Sister Club established.
Our guest speaker, Uttam Ganguli (yes, Suvam’s dad), was introduced for an exchange of documents marking the official commencement of RC Melbourne Central’s sister club agreement with Uttam’s home club, RC Rabindra Sarobar Calcutta (District 3291) in India.
Project Report
Leader of the Youth Projects Team, Stuart Ellis, provided an update on projects and particularly put out a call for volunteers to host a young woman from France (a former youth exchange student) who plans to visit Melbourne for a few weeks in May as part of her English language studies. Also, any members who wish to host an Overseas Student Meal at their homes should reach out to Stuart.Closure
Russell Rolls closed the meeting – there was no swindle, which means no one (or maybe indeed everyone) was a winner.
Finally a reminder Rob Hines is coordinating a trip to India in January 2019, coinciding with the District 3291 conference – look for more details in your email inbox.