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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 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 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.
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. |
Rachel will be providing an informative update on the relatively newly created VPCM and the critical role it plays for trade, economic development, tourism and jobs in Victoria.
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Uttam Ganguli was reintroduced to give the main talk. After an exchange of gifts and flags, we learned that Uttam joined RC Rabindra Sarobar Calcutta in 1993 as the Charter Secretary and has served the club and district in various positions. He currently chairs the Polio Plus project and is focused on finishing the job to eradicate polio worldwide.
Special kids benefit from getting out of the house and having safe fun. And the kids’ hard-pressed parents and carers need a break. Both needs are met in the BusyFeet dance and movement program pioneered by Chadstone-East Malvern Rotary.
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