Paul is American by birth and currently hold dual citizenship with the United States of America and New Zealand, whilst his partner Sandra holds dual citizenship with Australia and the United Kingdom. Paul’s vocation is under mining industry, however, he has gone through a variety of industries during his career. From being a US navy submarine engineer, to forestry in New Zealand, to fuel and oil, to mining, and now to being fully retired, enjoying tennis, travel, and wine, and a bit of golf in between.
Dr John Basarin OAM – Founder of Friends of Gallipoli
"Friends of Gallipoli"
Friends of Gallipoli promotes friendship and understanding. More than 100 years ago, Australian and Turkish youths engaged in a military contest. Today, this shared history is the backdrop for mutual understanding.
The heritage of Australia, New Zealand and Turkey are forever linked in the 1915 Gallipoli campaign. Popular interest in the campaign has led many young people travel to Gallipoli as a rite of passage. But not all have that opportunity.
Friends of Gallipoli initiates learning programs and Youth Tours that give young people the chance to explore their mutual ties to Gallipoli. Australian and Turkish youths explore a shared history and the rich and rewarding bounty of international friendship.
Dr John Basarin was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He trained as a chemical engineer and migrated to Australia in 1973. Apart from Melbourne, he has also lived and worked in Norway, the United States, Brazil, Germany and the UK, mainly in the offshore oil & gas business.
After retirement from engineering and consulting, John became a mature age student at Deakin University completing his PhD thesis which is entitled “Battlefield Tourism: Anzac Day Commemorations at Gallipoli”, which investigated the motives of attendance at the Anzac Day events at Gallipoli.
In 2005, John received Victorian Premier's Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs for his long-time work on presenting the Turkish side of the tragedy at Gallipoli. John is also the recipient of the 2010 ANZAC Peace Prize which was awarded in recognition of his sustained and enthusiastic commitment to promote relationships between Australia and other communities around the world, with a significant emphasis on his commitment to Rotary Youth Exchange programs and building understanding of the Gallipoli Campaign. In 2015, the nation’s highest honour, the Medal of Order of Australia was awarded to Dr John Basarin for his many decades of excellent work on military history, assisting the Rotary community and enhancing relations with Turkey.
As the founding Chairman of Friends of Gallipoli, Inc. a not-for-profit organisation, John has been instrumental in providing a unique opportunity to many young students to go to Gallipoli and attend ANZAC Day Dawn and Lone Pine Ceremonies since 2009.
We will once again be involved in a morning of gardening in the magnificent sensory garden attached to the Royal Talbot Acquired Brain Injury Unit.
Saturday 18th May
8.30am and concluding by 1pm.
1 Yarra Blvd, Kew VIC 3101
[Melway 45 A1]
Mid-morning refreshment and a light lunch will be provided.
We will be under the supervision of clinical nurse specialist and horticulturist Steven Wells - 2012 ABC Gardening Australia ‘Gardener of the Year’ and in 2015 Steven was awarded a prestigious 50th Anniversary Churchill Fellowship to research the development, use and management of therapeutic gardens in healthcare settings.
Members should wear appropriate clothing and if possible bring gardening implements including spades etc. If you don't have gardening implements, don't worry Steven has a supply.
To assist with catering please register by Tuesday 14th May on-line or contact Lynne Webber.
Fine tuning travel directions; Enter Yarra Boulevard from Chandler Highway, opposite Guide Dogs. Hospital Drive is first turn on left, the entrance is signed but partially obscured. There is a boom gate at the top of the drive. Security have been alerted to raise the boom gate on request. When in grounds just follow the ABI signage and park nearby.
Tamirat with a group of Malaysian students visiting Melbourne
The finished mural
As mentioned in last week's bulletin, RC Docklands is teaming up with Educaring Africa, RC Central Melbourne and Rotary’s Donations in Kind (DIK) facility to transport donated medical equipment to complete a new medical clinic in Malawi. The 40 ft container will also send much needed school supplies to local Malawian schools.
A team of artists led by Tamirat Gebremariam has transformed the container into a giant African-themed mural on Harbour Esplanade, Docklands.
Tamirat is an Ethiopian-born Australia living in Melbourne's west. He has completed a Masters of Fine Art at the VCA in 2012 and received the Martin Foley MP Award for his work. He explores portraiture through the lens of his own migrant experience, bringing light and strength to his stories of Australians from all walks of life.
The last 3 Bunnings Sausage Sizzles have been held on Saturdays at Bunnings Collingwood’s home ground (16th & 30th March and 13th April) to complete its season.
After combating sometimes inclement weather and kicking against the wind, Collingwood came out on top. Collingwood’s final score was $2,730.60, that’s kicking goals!!!
Best Players: Representing the AFL, in no particular order, were John Hinrichs, Stuart Ellis, President Neville Taylor, David Jones, Rohan Williams, Alan Seale, Herb Greenwood, Peter Duras and yours truly. Representing the AFLW team were Yanpu, Anne King, Therese Robinson, Lynne Webber, Leonie Greenwood, Sue Duras and Pauline O’Brien.
President Neville opened the meeting with a toast to Rotary International and welcomed guests and visiting Rotarians:
Jian and Sedrick from Oakland California – exchanged flags with Oakland RC#3
Amrit from RC of Southbank
Des introduced guest Andrea Heffernan from Funding Network
Sarah introduced baby Adelaide
welcomed Malcolm back
Announcements
Frank – volunteers for event with Echuca RC on Queen’s birthday weekend
Peter - ‘Oh Kolkata’ evening on the 4th of May, with Frank showcasing a Sikh turban
President’s Announcements
RI convention delegate is Alan Seale
Welcomed newest member Paul and newest Friend of Rotary Sandra
Club Forum
President Neville started by highlighting the 2 strategic approaches of where we need to be, emphasizing that awareness and celebration of “what has been achieved” is just as important.
Fundraising – Herb
Bunnings BBQ lead by Peter and Frank has raised approx. $18k. This event also increases visibility and exposure to the community.
Opera on the Yarra raised approx. $3k which is lower than expected and needs to reconsider the event.
Other committees also hold fundraising events to fund specific committee projects
Garden DesignFest which happens every 2 years raised approx. $20k this year, where proceeds are split between 2 rotary years.
Amrit asked about openness of the club to co-share fundraising events. President Neville responds that other events and partnerships are sought as we are moving towards the direction of partnerships and we are open to every opportunity.
Community – Therese
Highlighted major impacts brought about by projects such as planting of 180,000 trees by Philip Island Landcare per year due to donation of Community Trailer.
Hope scholarships continuing to impact 8 young people in 2019
Partnership with Caprice resulting in support for 400+ families
Other projects supporting the vulnerable members of the community
The committee is working towards engaging with the community more broadly.
International – Rob
Global grant approved with RC Calcutta Victoria and RC Sierra Madre California to provide funds to train 500 underprivileged students in vocational skills to become productive members of the community
Completed Sister Club relationship with RC Rabindra Sarobar (Suvam’s father’s club) and have partnered towards clean water project by contributing funds to a deep-tube well
Sky-hydrant project with Disaster Aid Australia for Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami victims which could provide 5000 litres of clean water.
Completed 5th primary school in Luang Prabang region of Laos and looking to build a community library next
DIK working bees – success last December and one coming up this June
Youth – Elias
Success of RYPEN delegates – police legatees – resulted in youth inspired to join Rotaract Clubs and be more involved
Reports and feedback from Oscar Clift’s RYLA experience – Highlighting how this was a very introspective experience for him, inspiring him to create his own path and be more involved.
Silk-Miller Scholarship
National Youth Science Forum
Continued relationship with PHSC thru Frank and Bernie
Exploring further development of youth engagement in RCM
Vocational – Sarah
Progress achieved via relationship with Be Collective as volunteering platform – shout out to Alan and his efforts in pushing this
Design Jam participation in Design Thinking Session with 7 other NFPs
Business Partnerships – connected with 8 SMEs aiming to develop mutually value-adding partnerships
Continued success of Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police Leadership Mentorship program
Sending James Young to Germany
Foundation – Frank
Paul Harris Breakfast raised approx. $9k
Rotary Peace Scholarship – in the process of seeking suitable candidate via Red Cross, for study of Peace & Conflict Resolution in Chulalanghorn University in Bangkok for 3 months in 2020
Wrap-up
President Neville shared his sailing story.
Meeting closed.
Club Forum is very informative and I find it inspiring to get a peek of what happens behind the curtain outside the fancy Tuesday breakfasts and cuppa catch-ups at RACV. Listening to all these, my heart is filled with awe and inspires me to do more for our community. And sometimes, this is all we need to remind us of how lucky and blessed we are to be part of RCM.