20th NOVEMBER

• NEXT MEETING GUEST SPEAKER

• 26th ANNUAL PAUL HARRIS BREAKFAST

• POSITIVE PEACE SEMINAR

• MULTI-DISTRICT CONFERENCE & PEACE FORUM

• MEETING REPORT - 13th NOVEMBER

• GALLERY

It is now only two weeks to the 26th Annual Paul Harris Breakfast on Wednesday 28th November. This is normally our biggest fundraiser for the year but we really do need you to support it by booking tickets for you, your business colleagues and friends. So please, support the Rotary Foundation and the End Polio Now campaign by waiting no longer and booking your ticket(s) today.

GUEST SPEAKER

An Interactive Seminar

Monday 26 November 2018 6.00 pm – 9.15 pm

Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street Carlton

Light Meal Provided

You have heard plenty of talk about building peace as our Rotary District maintained its Black Caviar record of identifying Peace Fellows. Peace means different things to different people.

But what does PEACE mean to you?

The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) – an Australian based organisation – has partnered with The Rotary Foundation HQ in Evanston to establish the Rotary Peace Academy, an interactive program which explains “Positive Peace”. Again, Australia leads the way.

At the seminar, experience and learn about “Positive Peace”; bring a laptop or if you do not have a laptop, there will be projected information on the practicalities of peace. So, rather than sitting passively in an audience, come and be actively involved in the program. Rotary Peace Fellow, Charlie Allen, has been appointed to launch the program for IEP and has already run successful sessions in Mexico where it is backed by the government and in Uganda. This will be its Australian launch; facilitated by Charlie Allen and another IEP staff member, both of whom are travelling from Sydney to conduct the launch. It is aimed to have District 9800 lead the way for all Australian Districts in getting the Rotary Peace Academy’s program into all Clubs.

This Australian initiative is adding extra oomph into one of Rotary International’s Areas of Focus – Peace and Conflict/Prevention/Resolution.

Some of our Peace Fellows will be at the Seminar and the break for light refreshments will provide an opportunity for networking and socializing. We guarantee that this Seminar will definitely be different and interactive.

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/442797

Cost: $30 per person

Enquiries: Bob Fels, 9417 6550 or email robertmfels@gmail.com

President Neville Taylor opened the meeting by asking Chair Yangpu Zhang to propose a toast to Rotary International.

President Neville Taylor then welcomed the following visiting Rotarians:

• Pietro Rizzo from RC Verona, Italy

• Immediate past president Peter Frueh and his wife Anne from RC Balwyn

President Neville exchanged Rotary banners with Pietro.

Announcements

• Frank O'Brien reminded everyone that November is Foundation month. He also stressed the importance of club members registering (today) for the Paul Harris Breakfast on Wednesday November 28^th.

• Roger Thornton thanked everyone in the eight regional gardens over last weekend and reminded everyone that the Melbourne gardens will be open this coming weekend.

• Elias Lebbos reminded everyone that the RYLA dinner is coming up on 6 December at Oasis and that now is the time to book, if you are interested in attending. Nick Clift’s son is our RYLA representative.

• Herb Greenwood reminded those on the foundraising committee that there was a meeting immediately following this morning’s breakfast meeting

• Alison Chan reminded everyone that, as Christmas is close, it is Christmas Hamper time.

• Peter Duras announced that the recent sausage sizzle raised $1,612 and that further sausage sizzles are booked in for December. Support is required.

President’s announcements

• President Neville began by reiterating Frank’s comments and urged everyone to register for the Paul Harris breakfast today.

• Advised that Koren Harvey has circulated an RI survey, which he asked people to complete. It has only been sent to a relatively small number of clubs so it is important that we complete it.

• Advised that the AGM will be held on Tuesday 20th November.

• Thanked everyone for their efforts in raising funds to support the Bendigo-Strathdale Natalia project. Natalia is due to arrive in Melbourne in late November for treatment.

Rotary Citation

Peter Frueh presented the RI citation award for the 2017-18 year to immediate past President Frank O’Brien, to be accepted on behalf of the club. Only three clubs in our district received this award for the 2017-18 year. It was a great effort from the club.

Guest Speaker: Dr Tania Miletic

Dr. Tania Miltec is a Research Fellow with the Melbourne School of Government. Tania is currently engaged with the Australian International Conflict Resolution Project, undertaking research partnership with DFAT, that aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Australian diplomatic experiences in support of peace processes since 1990.

Tania was the first Rotary Peace Scholar from District 9800 and was nominated by Rotary Central Melbourne so it was great to complete the circle and have her return to the club to give her presentation. There are only 100 Peace Scholarships awarded each year and District 9800 has achieved an amazing unbroken record of accepted nominations since Tania.

The reconnection with Rotary Central Melbourne came about when Tania caught up with Frank O’Brien at a recent sausage sizzle.

Tania outlined the amazing range of programs she has been working on since 2003. A key focus of her work is conflict prevention and peace building in Australian foreign policy.

Tania left us with a quote from Paul Harris that, sadly, still holds true today: “The way to war is a well-paved highway, the way to peace is still a wilderness”. It reminded us of how important the work of Dr Tania Miletic, and others like her, is.

President Neville thanked our visitors for joining the meeting then closed the meeting by encouraging us to inspire others to service above self.