Welcome
Guest speaker Matthew Shawcross (Principal, Sacred Heart Fitzroy and St Joseph's Collingwood) was warmly welcomed and introduced by President Rohan.
District Governor Peter attended and led the meeting's opening toast to Rotary International, noting this was his third visit to Central Melbourne and expressing his appreciation for the club.
Visiting Rotarian Ephrem Berhanu, from District 9150, Pattawa Central Lamela (Ethiopia), introduced himself to the club; he was in Melbourne attending the Women Deliver Conference and was delighted to join a club meeting as a guest, bringing greetings from his home club, which was chartered in 2008.
District Governor's Acknowledgements
DG Peter warmly recognised PDG Michael (Vice Governor and Director of IT/Communications) as a key driver of the district's success, describing him affectionately as his "brother from another mother".
PDG Neville John was thanked for his steady leadership of the district Finance Committee. Marjorie Gerlinger OAM was acknowledged with particular warmth for her indispensable service as District Secretary, drawing a well-deserved round of applause.
International Service Director Fleur Maidment received specific praise from DG Peter for a standout presentation she delivered at the recent multi-district summit, with Peter noting he received a great deal of positive feedback from attendees.
Avenues of Service Awards (presented by DG Peter)
Frank O'Brien received the Club Service Award, with President Rohan specifically recognising the Bunnings BBQ sausage sizzle initiative Frank introduced during his year as club president, now a cornerstone fundraiser for the club's projects.
A second award was prepared for an absent member; DG Peter opted to withhold the announcement and present it on a future occasion when the recipient is present
Milestone Recognition.
Russell Rolls was called forward to celebrate 30 years of Rotary membership; he shared that he originally joined when the Rotary Club of South Yarra was chartered, was on the list of local business people invited to join, and transferred to Central Melbourne when South Yarra folded, and has loved every moment since.
39th Charter Anniversary Reflections
The club was chartered on Friday 1 May 1987, with over 300 Rotarians and guests gathering at the (now demolished) Southern Cross Hotel to welcome 39 founding members; charter president Terry Cocks, who turns 100 next week, was specifically acknowledged.
Three charter members were invited to share personal reflections:
Tom Callander emphasised that fellowship has always been the foundation of everything the club achieves; recalled proud initiatives from the 1990s including international youth exchange, the Paint Your Heart Out project (painting the homes of pensioners who couldn't afford it), international water projects in Papua New Guinea, and well-attended Paul Harris lunches and breakfasts held at venues including the MCG and World Trade Centre.
Herb Greenwood identified the club's decision to admit women as members as the single most significant moment in its history; revealed it passed by just one vote, with considerable nervousness on his part as president at the time, and that he remains convinced it was the best decision the club ever made; awarded a bottle of wine to Marjorie Gerlinger for correctly guessing the moment.
Frank O'Brien traced the full arc of the club's fundraising history, from a spinning wheel at Queen Victoria Market in the club's earliest weeks, through wine auctions at the RACV Club, and a long run of charity auctions raising up to $50,000 each; concluded by noting the Bunnings BBQ sausage sizzle, introduced during his presidential year, now generates approximately $35,000 annually and will soon pass the $250,000 cumulative milestone.
President Rohan tasked President-Elect Paul with beginning to think ahead to the club's 40th anniversary celebrations in 2027.
Member Announcements (Neville John)
The Port Melbourne Bunnings BBQ held on the weekend raised just under $2,000, considered a solid result for what was regarded as a quieter day.
Two upcoming BBQ dates have been cancelled: Port Melbourne on 12 July (no replacement offered yet) and Collingwood on 16 May (a replacement date of Saturday 25 July is being pursued); Neville will contact rostered volunteers directly once confirmed, and will also circulate remaining 2026 roster dates to the full club shortly.
222 sleeping bags were raised or purchased for the 2026 Sleeping Bag Appeal, benefiting 222 individuals sleeping rough this winter; 89 of those were funded through a $3,000 Rotary Foundation grant; Neville noted that when Bunnings customers learn the BBQ proceeds go to the sleeping bag appeal, their generosity increases noticeably.
President's Closing Notices
Rotary Central Melbourne car stickers, provided by Peter Duras, are available from the President and Secretary, with plentiful supplies on hand.
Next social event: Tuesday 26 May at Young and Jackson; bookings via the link included in the President's recent email.
Next fortnightly meeting: Tuesday 19 May, same venue; guest speaker will be Liz Williams (Rhys' wife), drawing on her career at the Victorian Electoral Commission to speak on the topic of election integrity.
