Rotary Central Melbourne Face-to-Face meeting at the RACV Club on Tuesday, 6 August 2024
Chair: Warwick Cavell
Reporter: Rob Hines
Photographer: Roger Thornton
The chair of the day Warwick Cavell opened the meeting with a recognition of Rotary International.
President Rhys Wiliams acknowledged the traditional owners of the land upon which the meeting was conducted and welcomed members and guests, which included:
• Guest speaker, D9800 Governor Michael Lapina.
• Ben Harrington (District Chair Vocational Services and Deputy Chair of DEIB)
• Melinda Dobai from Rotary Activate
• Nori Maruo Nephew of a member of our Japanese sister club
• Charlie Allen (Rotary Club of Sydney – Immediate Past President and current Foundation Chair). Charlie was the recent recipient of the Bob Fels Peace Award.
• Alex Lapina – Rotary Activate and sone of Michael
• Andrew Coracoglia – Rotary Activate
• Patricia Wilson – Belonging Matters and future RCM Member
Warwick then introduced our Guest Speaker, District Governor, Michael Lapina
District Governor Michael Lapiña: Unlocking the Magic - a Year of Transformation with Governor Michael
Governor of District 9800, operatic tenor Michael Lapiña began his professional career in 1988 performing in musicals, touring extensively in Australia and Asia, and being engaged with many of Australia’s leading opera houses to perform some of the most coveted tenor roles in the operatic repertoire. His Rotary career began in 2005 joining the Rotary Club of Central Melbourne Sunrise, a breakfast Club that suited Michael’s corporate role as an Executive Coach & Project Director at the National Australia Bank that was situated across the road from where Rotary met.
Transferring his membership to the Rotary Club of Wyndham in 2018, he juggles his professional opera career with being a Music Tutor at the prestigious Haileybury College, as well as his Rotary commitments, which has seen him hold several District Leadership roles, including Assistant Governor, Team Leader of the Group Vocational Exchange, Artistic Director of several District Conferences, and Artistic Consultant for the Next Generation Service Exchange sending aspiring young Opera professionals to Bayreuth, Germany annually. Recently, he has was invited to sing at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Rotary International Convention in Singapore.
Michael’s passion and success stems from the support of his wife, Niña, and his three adult children, Mikey, Alex and Brianna – all of whom are Rotarians.
Michael’s passion and success stems from the support of his wife, Niña, and his three adult children, Mikey, Alex and Brianna – all of whom are Rotarians.
Michael spoke about the deep dive into the goals for the coming year, focusing on creating an irresistible membership experience through understanding our "ikigai," healing divides within our communities and clubs, and embracing youth as the "Now."
He talked at length about Peace and Rotarians role in promoting peace.
He mentioned learning about fostering trust in leadership, promoting mentorship, and playing the long game with strategic succession planning. He talked about discovering how sharing unique skills and vocations can create a sense of belonging and empowerment, ensuring a transformative and impactful year for Rotary.
Michael concluded his talk by reinforcing the value of attending the Multi District Conference in Adelaide, South Australia from the 16th to the 18th of May 2025.
Chair Warwick invited Member Announcements:
• Neville John, on behalf of Peter Duras, thanked members for their attendance at the Five Rings over Paris event hosted at Peter and Sue’s apartment on the eve of the Olympic opening ceremony.
• Neville John advised that the rosters are full for the upcoming Bunnings BBQs, including attendance of students from St Aloysius college.
• Neville John advised that Patricia Wilson of Belonging Matters has submitted her application for membership of RCM
• Roger Thornton thanked everyone who attended the tree planting at Phillip Island for their contribution to planting over 1500 trees on 30 acres.
• Elias Lebbos is still looking for home hosts for our NGSE student, Julia Ogas. Hosting is required from September 23 to August 8. If you can help please contact Elias.
• Kerrie Hicks reported on the Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards night that she attended on Saturday evening. More information later in this Bulletin.
• Fleur Maidment is planning to attend the Disaster & Gender training course organised by Mary Barry. If you would like more information or are interested in attending a future course, please contact Fleur.
• John Illot put out a further call for unused smartphones to be donated to the DV smartphone project. This provides an alternative means of communication for victims of Domestic Violence or Coercive Control. Please contact John to donate any unused phones.
• PP Michelle Crawford took the opportunity to award Yanpu with a Distinguished Service Citation for her contribution during the last Rotary year.
President Rhys then summarised the meeting and talked about his recent trip to Vietnam with the Build the Future Scholarship Program. He then showed a short video made by one of the program’s participants.
Rhys attended a dinner with representatives from local Rotary clubs while in Vietnam where the possibility of RCM joining a local project was discussed. Rhys will bring a proposal to the International Service Committee in the first instance.
Rhys also talked about a potential project to support those affected in Gaza by the ongoing conflict.
He closed the meeting with thanks to members, visiting Rotarians, guests and friends of Rotarians.
Next meeting will be an online meeting on Tuesday 13th August 2024. The Zoom room will be open at 7.30am, with the meeting commencing at 7:40am.
Rotary theme - “The Magic of Rotary” – Celebrating the magic of Rotary. Members create that magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member of Rotary.
