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Chair Allan Driver opened the meeting by acknowledging the humanitarian work of people around the world enabled by Rotary International. President Rhys Williams acknowledged the traditional custodians of the lands where attendees were located and welcomed all present. Chair Allan introduced our guest speaker, Megan Bridger-Darling, the coordinator of National Survivor’s Day. The In Good Faith Foundation (IGFF) was established 25 years ago to help survivors of child abuse. Following the Royal Commission which investigated institutionalised child abuse in 2016, IGFF decided to establish an annual day (2nd Tuesday in November) to acknowledge and commemorate the survivors of child abuse. IGFF was invited in 2023 by 2 State Governors, the NT Administrator and a State Premier to hold morning teas with front line workers in Perth, Darwin, Adelaide, Hobart and Melbourne Premier. At one of the morning teas, a leader quietly mentioned that he and his brothers had been abused as children by their father. The Governor General has invited IGFF to meet with her and parliamentarians in Canberra to discuss how National Survivor Day should be held in 2024. Approximately 1 in 5 Australians are survivors of child abuse and many never disclose their abuse even to the closest people in their lives. Megan requested us to consider how we might remember National Survivor’s Day on Tuesday 12th November. Chair Allan thanked Megan for her presentation and shining a light on this challenging issue. In response to questions from members, Megan shared some of the advocacy work that IGFF is doing with State Attorneys General to change laws on how civil prosecutions of alleged child abusers are conducted and how convicted abusers are sentenced. Chair Allan invited announcements from members. - Tom Callander reminded us and work colleagues to donate unused mobile phones to help women experiencing or at the risk of experiencing domestic violence. Please contact Tom if you have phone(s) to donate by Tuesday 3rd September.
- Peter Duras reminded us of the Donations In Kind working bee on Saturday 7th September from 9am to 12:30pm. Please contact Frank O’Brien if you can help.
Chair Allan invited President Rhys to make his announcements. - President Rhys introduced Julia Ogas, who is a viola player spending 6 weeks in Melbourne as part of the Next Generation Service Exchange program. Julia will be playing in four Opera Victoria performances of La Boheme.
- Members who had not paid their 2024/25 membership fees were reminded to do so.
- Mary Voice will become an Honorary member of Rotary Central Melbourne to recognize her meritorious service over 20+ years.
- Patricia Wilson will become a member of Rotary Central Melbourne. Patricia will be inducted on Tuesday 3rd September.
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging and Peace Building initiatives will be coordinated by Club Service.
- Cecily Neil has stepped down as the International Service Director due to health. Fleur Maidment has agreed to become the International Service Director.
Chair Allan closed the meeting highlighting ways in which we can demonstrate “the Magic of Rotary”. |
