James Tonkin, Director Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Melbourne Metro Rail Authority
"Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project"
The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority (MMRA) is responsible for the delivery of the Melbourne Metro Rail Project - a twin 9km rail tunnel under the heart of Melbourne.
This $9-11 billion infrastructure project will unlock rail congestion in the City Loop and deliver a transformation to the capacity, reliability and frequency of train services across metropolitan Melbourne.
Melbourne Metro will run between South Kensington and South Yarra, including five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain.
Construction works are due to begin in 2018.
James has more than 30 years’ experience in media, strategic communications and stakeholder relations across the private and public sectors. He started his career as a newspaper journalist, working in Australia and London, before becoming a media and policy adviser for the Victorian Government in the early 1990s. James then moved into a number of roles in issues-rich and complex environments, including at Victoria Police, the EastLink Project, and most recently the AFL, where he led corporate communications.
Members are reminded to wear a hat to next Tuesday's meeting.
To raise funds for Australian Rotary Health mental health research, members wearing a hat next Tuesday will be asked to donate $5.00. Members choosing not to wear a hat will be asked to donate $8.00.
Rotary Central Melbourne has a long-standing relationship with the International House, a college of the University of Melbourne providing student accommodation, primarily for international students. A key part of this relationship is the RCM sponsorship of the annual Fraternitas Award. This Award, voted on by the International House residents, recognises the contribution to the student body of a final-year student. It is a most prestigious award with the winner being held in high regard by both students and staff. This year the Fraternitas Award went to Sarah Quek. Sarah, a commerce student from Singapore, was presented with the Award by President Frank at our Meeting on October 24. Our congratulation to Sarah, we wish he well for the future.
The Vocational Team, in conjunction with our member (and sports aficionado), Peter Duras, has arranged a unique opportunity to experience a guided tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the National Sports Museum on Sunday 8 October.
Given Peter's involvement, we will have access to areas of the MCG that are not normally included in the package. Highlights of this must-see tour include:
The famous MCC Long Room
MCC Library (founded in 1873)
MCG Tapestry
Player change rooms
Cricketers’ viewing room
Ron Casey Media Centre
Portrait of Sir Donald Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar
A walk on the arena
Cricket Victoria Bill Lawry Centre
Ponsford Stand
City Terrace with view’s of Melbourne’s skyline.
Our itinerary for the day will be:
10:00 for 10.15am - Meet at Gate 3 to commence (MCG) tour - Exclusive all access pass
12noon - Short break at MCG Café
1pm - Tour of the National Sports Museum
2pm - Tour concludes
Those wanting more fellowship can proceed to a local cafe/bar (Venue TBC) for a late lunch/early dinner.
We've been able to secure a heavily discounted rate. Cost of tour is $20 per member and $12 for kids under 15YO. This can be paid on the day.
So that we can keep an eye on the numbers, please call Peter now if you haven't registered.
Guest speaker Prof Alan Pears gave an informative presentation about Australia’s electricity and gas retail markets and encouraged members to use energy efficiently and to renegotiate their electricity and gas contracts with their respective providers to make the most of the discounts on offer in the market place.
Alan's presentation included a slide with web information references which will be helpful for anyone looking to review their electricity / gas arrangements. This slide is reproduced below -click on 'READ MORE'. Any members wishing to review all 20 slides please contact David Jones for a pdf copy.
Kevin Love presented on his work on the board of Phillip Island Nature Parks, presenting facts and figures.
There were approximately 1.5 million visitors to Phillip Island last year. Each penguin generated approximately $30,000 in the year, which is lot for a little guy.
Churchill Island was the first place in Victoria where crops were planted, in 1803. The island is named after John Churchill who had provided the seeds for the crops. The claim to lands was not made just by planting a flag but ‘improving’ the land by planting crops or the erection of buildings.
The Island has successfully eradicated foxes on Churchill Island and now Phillip Island. As a result, there has been the successful reestablishment of the Eastern Bar Bandicoot on Churchill Island.
A new visitor centre is being built and is a major focus of the Board at the moment, as they try to minimize disruption to existing services.
Some of you may be aware that I am training for the Melbourne Marathon which is on the 15th October 2017. I have never run a marathon before and the training has been quite gruelling so far. But the one thing that has kept me going has been the cause I am doing it for. I am passionate about Universal Primary and Secondary Education for Kids around the world and I have worked with a number of NGOs in the past to help kids from diverse backgrounds and abilities get ahead in life through learning.
This year I have decided to run the full marathon (42 Kms) to raise funds for a couple of hard working charities in India and Laos who work towards providing at risk and differently abled kids an opportunity to get an education. Club members Russell Rolls and Tom Callander are also participating in the Melbourne Marathon and their efforts and encouragement will also help us raise the necessary funds. The target I have set is $5,000 and though it may seem daunting at first but I am sure we can easily achieve this if each member raised two $50 donations external to the club.
I have created a fundraising page (see link below) where you can get behind this important cause and donate. It is an opportunity for us to raise funds external to the club and I would strongly encourage you to forward this email to your family, friends and business associates to encourage them to get behind this great cause.
Remember, every donation counts no matter how small it is and will make a tangible difference in these kid’s lives. All donations will go directly to the bank account of Rotary Club of Central Melbourne and the International Services Team will distribute funds to the respective NGOs.
President Frank, still looking resplendent in his Tigers scarf, welcomed members and guests;
Prof Alan Pears Guest Speaker
Robert Knowles from St Ives, Cornwall
Frank then invited Chairperson Warwick Cavell to propose a toast to the excellent work of Rotary International.
Announcements:
Herb:
Called for members to attend the Auction and bid generously.
The major prize, dinner for 10 people, was also announced which could possibly attract syndication bids from members.
Please see separate flyer in this BULLETIN for Auction details.
Michelle:
Members were encouraged to wear a hat, a cap or even a fascinator to support “Lift the Lid on mental illness” day next Tuesday. Attending members will be donating $5 for wearing a head gear or $8 for not wearing one.
President Frank was seen wearing his Richmond cap straight away to show his support for the cause.
Allan Driver:
Allan gave the members an update about club members who were dealing with health issues.
Peter Duras:
Reminded members of the exclusive tour of the MCG and asked for members to be at MCG Gate 3 at 10.00am for a timely 10.15 start to the tour. Ticket prices are: $20 for adults and $13 for children under 15. If attending please call Peter now. Pay on day.
President Frank’s announcements:
Frank declared the Board's wish for members to attend a meeting of each of the Clubs in our Batman Cluster. All members have an opportunity to visit North Melbourne on Thursday 5 October at 6.45 for 7.00pm. It is a special meeting at which each Rotary Club who assisted their August Book Fair (A number of our members provided books) will be presented with a Certificate.
The President plugged the RI conference in June 2018 to be held in Toronto, Canada, details of which can be found in the Weekly News. He recommended that anyone who is interested in attending should also consider attending the Information Session on Saturday 28 October at 10.00am at East Malvern.
Following his predictable pattern of bringing up the Tigers at a drop of a hat, President Frank made the observation that he might be the first sitting president of RCCM to support the winning AFL club.
Rob Hines – International Services Team update:
Ban Heutan, Laos School Project
Renovation to cost $30K
District 9800 Grant has been approved
World of Difference also to contribute to the project
Application has been made to Australian Embassy for funds
The project has been delayed owing to torrential rains and flooding in the region but should be finished before our visit in March 2018.
Rob mentioned that the 16 days tour in March 2018 to Laos & Cambodia has had two couples need to pull out. Unless two more couples sign up the tour could be cancelled. This tour includes the opening of the newest school project in rural Laos -off the beaten track and extremely well reported by past participants. If you're considering this trip please chat to Rob asap.
Rob also mentioned the Melbourne Marathon fundraiser which the International Services Team is running, and encouraged members to use this link to donate. Three club members are participating. https://run.gofundraise.com.au/page/SuvamGanguli (In need please copy and paste link into your web browser to support our team.)
Presentation:
Guest speaker Prof Alan Pears gave an informative presentation about Australia’s electricity and gas retail markets. A very timely presentation that included some useful web site if you are interested in getting the best deal for your energy costs. Please see separate report in this BULLETIN.
President Frank closed the meeting reminding us to "make a difference in the world".
Tree planting expedition to Benalla. Our team comprised Elias and Nicole, Suvam, Maria Groner, Gerard and Alan Crawford.
Extract from Elias' report. "Our aim was to plant 60 trees on behalf of the club. It wasn’t too long before we stopped counting the holes we dug because we reckon we dug close to 350 holes and contributed to the planting of over a thousand trees.
I think RI World President Ian Riseley would be quite impressed with our clubs effort! Thank you to those who joined in. I highly recommend it next year."
The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority (MMRA) is responsible for the delivery of the Melbourne Metro Rail Project - a twin 9km rail tunnel under the heart of Melbourne. 
Rotary Central Melbourne has a long-standing relationship with the International House, a college of the University of Melbourne providing student accommodation, primarily for international students. A key part of this relationship is the RCM sponsorship of the annual Fraternitas Award. This Award, voted on by the International House residents, recognises the contribution to the student body of a final-year student. It is a most prestigious award with the winner being held in high regard by both students and staff. This year the Fraternitas Award went to Sarah Quek. Sarah, a commerce student from Singapore, was presented with the Award by President Frank at our Meeting on October 24. Our congratulation to Sarah, we wish he well for the future.
Kevin Love presented on his work on the board of Phillip Island Nature Parks, presenting facts and figures.
President Frank, still looking resplendent in his Tigers scarf, welcomed members and guests;.jpg)
Members were encouraged to wear a hat, a cap or even a fascinator to support “Lift the Lid on mental illness” day next Tuesday. Attending members will be donating $5 for wearing a head gear or $8 for not wearing one..jpg)
.jpg)
