Meeting Opening:
President Therese opened the meeting with acknowledgement of the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet. Chairman Allan Driver proposed the toast to Rotary International.
Guests Welcomed:
Visiting Rotarian Teresa Carlson – Echuca-Moama, Honorary Member Bruce McBain and partner Lyn and for the final time before her induction, Dr Marli Watt. Apology received from Bernard Spry RC Echuca-Moama.
President Therese welcomed members and guests to the meeting which regrettably, for our final and Christmas celebratory meeting, is a virtual meeting.
Induction Dr Mali Watt:
President Therese inducted Dr Marli Watt into membership of the Club. In response, Marli indicated that at the beginning of this year she embarked on her third career as a coach and mentor, although not auspicious timing. Initially in her career, she practised as a GP, then worked with pharmaceutical companies. After many years overseas, she is pleased to have settled back into Melbourne. She specifically thanked Francesco Fedele as a friend and mentor and the person who introduced her to the Club.
Committee Presentations: Warwick Cavell presented an update on the activities of the Vocational Services Committee and Elias Lebbos likewise presented details of Youth Services activities. Covid restrictions, whilst hampering some initiatives, did not preclude these Committees from achieving significant outcomes. The detailed presentations are attached at the bottom of this report.
Christmas Celebrations: Gerard Hogan led off the program with some videos that truly tested the extent of current technology, in particular the sound. Nevertheless one could sense that Gerard’s sense of humour has not deviated in decades!
Suvam Ganguli then introduced us to the celebrations he has experienced in his hometown of Kolkata. Unfortunately, he is unable to join family there this year. Whilst a secular country, the “big day” or Bara Din is marked by a public holiday. Xmas lighting displays are beautiful, services are held in cathedrals and churches, Xmas cakes are baked, celebrations with friends are obligatory. Last but by no means least this year is the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. This will be watched by hundreds of millions of fans wherever a TV set is available, including shop fronts. You can guess Suvam’s tip for the outcome!
Adele le Roux had managed to track down and then interviewed Santa Claus aka Brett Jones. Santa enlightened us regarding one of his nefarious activities as a youth, indicating picking locks was a far more appropriate way of entering houses. Could it be Santa is no longer in the shape he once was when it comes to getting down chimneys? His criticism of the help also left us wondering just whether he would be able to complete his rounds on Christmas eve; surely he will?
To conclude the celebrations, Campbell Chambers in his inimitable manner, reminded us how we responded to the pandemic and that RCM has kept us connected, that Committees still managed to deliver wonderful outcomes and service above self was evident. He concluded with a hopeful message for new year and thanked Warwick and Therese for their leadership during this troubled past year.
An emotional President Therese thanked Gerard and the team for putting the Xmas program together for every ones’ enjoyment and thanked the members for their unwavering support over the past year.
Announcements:
- Rohan Williams thanked members who had prepared 79 hampers for distribution to Steps Outreach and Lentara Asylum Seeker Program.
- Rana Ebrahimi advised that a Diversity and Peace Building Working Group is being set-up and she is looking for volunteers who would like to participate in this exciting initiative.
- Roger Thornton reminded us that the Family BBQ outing to Lorraine Meehan’s Mt Martha home is on Sunday 31 January.
- Alan Seale advised that our NYSF sponsored student would be able to complete the interrupted program on-line in January.
- Campbell Chambers praised Alan Seale for the quality of the out-door seats he manufactured during the Covid lockdown and acknowledged the terrific fundraising benefit for the Club resulting from of his “labours”.
Member’s Milestones:
Allan Driver announced many birthdays and anniversaries as follows:
Member Birthdays
Roger Thornton, 28th December
Lady PASTIDIO, 3rd January
Rohan WILLIAMS, 3rd January
Stella AVRAMOPOULOS, 5th January
Cecily NEIL, 11th January
Partner Birthdays
Liz Williams, Phys’s partner 19th December
Ben Kryszon-Offerman, Puja Ganguli’s partner 15th December
David Batty, Koren Harvey’s partner 20th December
Margaret Thomas, Tony’s partner 8th January 2021
Wedding Anniversaries
Stuart and Joanna Ellis, 35 years 15th December
Tom and Ann Callander 51 years 18th December
Peter and Sue Duras, 50 years 30th December
DRIVER, Allan and Athina Driver 39 years 9th January 2021 Married 1982
O'BRIEN, Frank and Pauline O’Brien 51 years 10th January 2021 Married 1970
Luke Allen and Chen Charity 3 years 12 January 2018
GARRETT, Roy Garrett and Annie [Deceased July 2019] 12 January Married 1968 53 years
Date Joined Rotary
Michelle Crawford 12th December 2016 4 years
Stuart Cardell 21st December 2009 11 years
Roger Thornton 29th December 1998 22 years
Peter Duras 1st January 1973 48 years
Paul Fowler 1st January 2010 11 years
David Jones 1st January 1991 30 years
Bernie Gerlinger 12th January 1991 30 years
Rajesh Chawla 14th January 2020 1 year
Ignacio Inchausti 14th January 2020 1 year
Meeting Closure:
Prior to closing the meeting, President Therese very briefly mentioned a presentation she had made to the District Governor. This detailed the way RCM had adapted to the challenges of the year noting they had kept the Club vibrant and interesting. And significantly, she touched on the very extensive activities and outcomes achieved by the Club despite the restrictions and challenges of Covid. In looking forward to a better New Year, she offered thanks and best wishes to members and partners for Xmas and the New Year.
Next Meeting:
The next formal (on-line) meeting will be on January 19 with informal chats at the normal time on the 5
th and 12 January.
Rhys Williams: The value of international education to Australia
