"Why Does Fertility Decline in Older Women and What Can and Should be Done About It? "
Over the last five decades there has been a steady increase in the age at which women are giving birth. While it was common for our grandmothers to have their first child in their 20s, many women in modern day Australia do not become pregnant until they are in their 30s. Perhaps even more striking are recent data showing that 1 in 7 Australian women are 35 years of age or older when they begin their families.
This dramatic increase in maternal age is the result of a number of medical, social and societal changes, including widespread availability of a variety of birth control measures and improved career opportunities for women. Illness or lack of a suitable partner are also common reasons behind delayed pregnancy.
Dr Karla Hutt leads the Ovarian Biology Laboratory at Monash University and is the inaugural Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Outstanding Women in Science Fellow.
Dr Hutt obtained her PhD from the Australian National University in 2006. She then undertook her postdoctoral studies at the University of Kansas Medical Center (USA) and the University of Minnesota (USA). In 2008 she returned to Australia to join Professor Jock Findlay's laboratory at Prince Henry’s Institute (now the Hudson Institute of Medical Research). In 2015 she relocated to Monash University and established her own research group.
Barrie Tassell, a charter member of our club from 1987, retired at Tuesday’s meeting. He is 85. Remaining charter members still with the club are Terry Cocks, Frank O’Brien, Tom Callander, Herb Greenwood and Dick Mitchell.
Main plans of Barrie and Helen are to spend more time at their one acre block and beach house at the Rye back beach.
He has worked on just about every office in RCM, with fund-raising as a prominent role. Although he was never President, said he filled in as “acting” at various times. “The best part about RCM is meeting and working with fellow Rotarians,” he says. “Plus enjoying our terrific range of speakers. It’s a great club."
“My advice to all members is to enjoy the club for as long as you can hang on for. Get involved, meet members and learn a lot, and do your bit for philanthropy. Always take advantage and reinforce anything you enjoy.”
Despite his age, he is chuffed that his health has remained excellent. “I’ve had a good run,” he says.
Barrie at 17 started his finance career at a bank in Wangaratta. He worked his way up in predecessor banks to the Big Four and then became a financial adviser to broking clients at Citi.
Barrie’s hobbies have included collecting rare footie and other memorabilia and classic military toys. He is no longer active there. In his youthful days he was until 30 a keen footballer in senior AFL leagues, but because his bank was continually transferring him around, he switched teams often. He usually played half or full-back. “I got banged around but nothing serious – no broken bones,” he says.
"Melbourne – the Screen and Arts Capital of Australia"
Rod spoke to us about the establishment of Dockland Studios Melbourne in 2002.
Melbourne has a important place in the history of film production- Melbourne produced the first feature film produced - The Story of the Kelly Gang in 1906. Melbourne, and wider Australia, have some of the best film crews in the world and this attracts foreign productions to Australia.
Docklands Studios Melbourne is part of Creative Victoria (alongside NGV, Film Victoria et al) and focuses on the production of small to medium films, TV productions and advertisements.
One of the more recent productions was the movie “Oddball”. This film was set in Warrnambool with some night-time outdoor filming inside the Dockland Studios. This presented some challenges including calling in penguins from SeaWorld to assist with filming! And penguins are apparently better actors than dogs, but Queensland penguins find Melbourne too cold.
After several questions President Justine thanked Rod and presented him with the usual token gift produced in East Timor.
"The Story of the Kelly Gang is a 1906 Australian silent film that traces the exploits of 19th-century bushranger and outlaw Ned Kelly and his gang. It was directed by Charles Tait and shot in and around the city of Melbourne. The film ran for more than an hour with a reel length of about 1,200 metres (4,000 ft), making it the longest narrative film yet seen in the world. It was first shown at Melbourne's Athenaeum Hall on 26 December 1906 and premiered in the United Kingdom in January 1908.] A commercial and critical success, it is regarded as the origin point of the bushranging drama, a genre that dominated the early years of Australian film production. Since its release, many other films have been made about the Kelly legend.
In 2007, The Story of the Kelly Gang was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register for being the world's first full-length narrative feature film."
Each Queen’s Birthday weekend is the date Echuca comes alive as the Echuca-Moama Rotary Club hosts the annual Steam Rally at Rotary Park on the banks of the Campaspe River.
And that also means that members of Rotary Central Melbourne travel to Echuca and assist our Sister Club by volunteering in various capacities over the 2 days. This year we were represented by DG Neville and Rebecca, Tom and Anne Callander, John and Lorraine Meehan and Pauline and Frank O’Brien.
The Steam Rally is one of the regions longest running major events. There are over 700 exhibits including a number of massive Steam Rollers and Steam Wagons, well over 100 years old, which featured in the daily Grand Parade. Of special interest was the Log Buggy drawn by 11 Clydesdale horses, 5 of which were supplied by Brenton Taylor, brother of our own Neville Taylor. Sunday also has the “famous” Burning of The Dunny, a real crowd pleaser which sees this outside burning toilet in the main arena miraculously extinguished by a horse drawn coal fired pumping vehicle.
Our tasks this year were centred on being the backbone of the Country Kitchen. For 2 days, the ladies prepared scones, the guys kept the wood stoves burning, scones cooking and turning the scone trays. Thereafter, other ladies took over and filled the scones with jam and cream. Tea and coffee was always on the boil and by the end of the second day, some $9000 was grossed in takings. All in all a great effort much appreciated by the Echuca-Moama Rotarians.
The Rotary tradition of giving back exceeded all expectations at the recent Rotary Foundation Centennial Celebration Dinner, hosted by Rotary International District 9800 and managed by Southbank Rotary.
Held at the unique and spectacular Peninsula at Docklands on Wednesday 31st May, 380 Rotarians and friends enjoyed an evening of world-class entertainment, including inspiring guest speakers, exquisite food and wines and lively auctions. With the goal of achieving $1 million in donations and bequests to the Foundation at this event, a staggering $5 million was raised.
The night was simply incredible. The technical brilliance of the Rotary brand visual displays with rotating wheels really set the scene as guests entered the room. The uplifting opening performance from the Choir of Hard Knocks, directed by Dr Jonathon Welch AM, was both appropriate and the perfect reminder of why believing in people and investing in communities changes lives for the better.
Master of Ceremonies was leading international business journalist and ex Rotex President, Amanda Drury, with the keynote speaker being incoming Rotary International Foundation Chairman, Paul Netzel. As Netzel shared the statistics and video footage on polio eradication, it was clear that everyone was overwhelmed at seeing achievements since the Foundation dedicated itself to the cause in 1985. Also speaking was Alistair Gee, Chief Operating Officer of the Institute for Economics and Peace who managed its strategic partnership with Rotary, and was Co-Convener of ‘Make Poverty History’ campaign.
President Justine Murphy opened the meeting and offered a toast to Rotary International
Guests:
Ludovic Grosjean from Melbourne City Rotaract and Kate Strain (AG - Batman)
Magic from Rotoract
Alison Chan from RC Docklands
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pres Justine introduced the lucky dip as the Swindle went off last meeting
David Jones called for raffle prizes for the Changeover Raffle, by next week please
PE Frank thanked those who attended the Steam Rally at Echuca last weekend, and advised that the Country Kitchen grossed over $9,000
PE Frank advised that the Kickstart 2018 meeting next Sunday 18 June had 25 expected attendees.
PE Frank called up Tom Callander, as the other charter member present, to announce the retirement from Rotary of Barrie Tassell one of five remaining charter members of the club. Frank thanked Barrie for his service since 1987 and conveyed the club's best wishes to Barrie and Helen.
Editor: Terry Cocks, Dick Mitchell and Herb Greenwood are the other charter members remaining active in club after 30 years.
Marjorie advised Bernie has a fractured a femur and will be absent for around 6 weeks.
Pres Justine announced that the Rotary Foundation Centennial Dinner on 31 May, had a goal to raise $1m. The function actually raised $5m!
ROTARACT
Ludovic spoke to us about the work that Melbourne City Rotaract does and asked for donations for their homeless clothing drive.
Ludovic is the incoming President for next year, and would like to partner with our Club for mentoring programs.
Suggested “Friday at Five” – our Club & Melbourne City Rotaract meet for a drink one Friday per month
AG Kate called for a representative to head Steering Committee for mentoring program. Would prefer someone to be appointed by end of year. Contact Justine if interested.
GUEST SPEAKER
Please refer to separate report, this BULLETIN
MEETING CLOSED
Pres Justine closed the meeting at 8.45am.
Photo; Barrie is farewelled after the meeting by other 1987 Charter Members present - Frank and Tom.
Over the last five decades there has been a steady increase in the age at which women are giving birth. While it was common for our grandmothers to have their first child in their 20s, many women in modern day Australia do not become pregnant until they are in their 30s. Perhaps even more striking are recent data showing that 1 in 7 Australian women are 35 years of age or older when they begin their families.
Barrie Tassell, a charter member of our club from 1987, retired at Tuesday’s meeting. He is 85. Remaining charter members still with the club are Terry Cocks, Frank O’Brien, Tom Callander, Herb Greenwood and Dick Mitchell.
"Melbourne – the Screen and Arts Capital of Australia"
.jpg)
The Rotary tradition of giving back exceeded all expectations at the recent Rotary Foundation Centennial Celebration Dinner, hosted by Rotary International District 9800 and managed by Southbank Rotary.
ROTARACT
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
