We gather together on the lands of the traditional custodians, the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people. We pay our respects to all of Melbourne’s First Peoples, to their ancestors and Elders, and to our shared future together.
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As the club’s last meeting for the Rotary year, we gathered at the Zelman Room, Hawthorn Arts Centre. It was a beautiful venue matched with great catering. Members were briefed by three members of the Camberwell Art Show Executive Committee in preparation for the upcoming Gala night just over a week from now (at the time of writing).
Alan Lorenzini outlined operations related matters complemented by Lynne Bertalli who covered the vital role of the curator. Importantly, Murray Anderson reminded members of the need for all volunteers to complete the online Swinburne University Induction process. This is a mandatory requirement. He also advised that the roster schedule will be sent progressively, with the first week locked in and advised to all participants. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the committed group who has been working so hard for the past few months to deliver the 2023 Camberwell Art Show. We acknowledge the additional work being undertaken by Alan, Lynne and Murray as a result of the recent absence of two key team members who are away overseas.
Our guest speaker, Dr Murray Verso was awarded the prestigious Citation for Meritorious Service on 1 June 2023 for decades of leadership for The Rotary Foundation. This Rotary International award is made to only one Rotarian in each District each year and only about 100 awards are received annually. He is also the recipient of multiple Paul Harris Fellow recognitions and is a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation. Murray was remembered as the District Governor who supported the club’s ANZAC centenary commemoration project named ‘Seeds of Peace’ in 2015. Seven young local secondary school peace ambassadors travelled to Gallipoli after being selected based on a peace essay competition. On their return, they participated in the planting of lone pine trees in Boroondara. A book capturing the club initiative was published entitled ‘Seeds of Peace’. The club’s proudest moment in 2017 year was being awarded the RSL National Anzac Peace prize. The only Rotary club to ever receive this award. We reminded Murray Verso of our gratitude of his encouragement of the project as District Governor.
The topic of Murray’s presentation was an update of the End Polio Now project, Rotary International’s highest priority. Murray informed us that it was the inspirational Sir Clem Renouf, OAM, the second Australian born Rotary International President in 1978-79, who led Rotary's polio eradication efforts worldwide. As a retired medical practitioner, Murray also clearly explained how polio affects the human body and its devastating impact on mainly children in their early years, often robbing them of a fulfilled life.
In late 1980s Rotary International and the World Health Organization launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. At the time, there are an estimated 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries. Along with Rotary partners, more than 2.5 billion children have been immunised against polio in 122 countries. Together with contributions of more than US$350 Million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in excess of US$1.5 Billion has been raised, coupled with countless volunteer hours from more than one million Rotarians.
With the assistance of further grants from the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation who will match Rotary’s fundraising 2 for 1 and a concerted effort to eliminate polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the only two countries with polio in its community, there is great optimism after more than 35 years that Rotary will win the fight. Murray invited members to join The Polio Plus Society (launched in April 2023) which involves contributing US$100 per annum. The PolioPlus Society Commitment Form can be found at: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/Polio Plus Society
Two other guests at our meeting were M’ia McCann, Founder and Principal of Hearing and Beyond, a school for deaf children. We also welcomed visiting Rotarian Kantheepan Vaiyapuri from the Wattala Rotary Club, Sri Lanka.
We were all saddened with the recent fatalities of the Hunter Valley wedding bus tragedy. Our condolences and thoughts are with their loved ones. It was a proud moment to hear that RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) is the trusted organisation tasked with receiving and managing all donations for the victims of the tragedy. Singleton Sunrise Rotary Club led the way as the sponsor club. The NSW Government donated $100K and encouraged the community to direct donations to RAWCS. Donations to the RAWCS Hunter Valley Bus Tragedy Fund is tax deductible.
Thank you to members who assisted at the Sunday market on 18 June – Yvonne Wills, Nav
Muniratna, Brett Campbell and Phil Young.
Although my presidency ends on 30 June 2023, due to our focus on the Camberwell Art Show, last week was my last formal club meeting. This Bulletin is also my last for the Rotary year. May I take this opportunity to thank you for reading my weekly reflections. I hope it captured the spirit of the goings on at each of our meetings.
The next meeting will be at the Camberwell Art Show, Swinburne University, Burwood Road, Hawthorn to assist with setting up the venue in readiness for the opening Gala night on Friday 23 June 2023. If you have not yet booked for the Gala night, please book your tickets at www.camberwellartshow.org.au
The club’s most significant event, the Changeover will be held on 12 July. Please see below for booking details. The first meeting of the Rotary year is on 7 July 2023. In the likely event Conochie hall is still not ready for occupation, an alternative venue will be advised in due course.
A couple of flyers were distributed at last week's meeting that some may have missed. You can access these via the below link and download them to your own device.
The Gala Opening of the Camberwell Art Show is an event not to missed - fabulous food, good wines, and of course the first opportunity to purchase your favourite piece of art.
June 23 at 6:30PM
Swinburne University - Advanced Technologies Centre
427 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
On this night we will farewell and thank outgoing President Fabienne Nichola and welcome incoming President George de Souza. This is the Club's Premiere Event for the year, so dress to impress and come along to thank our two Presidents.
Jul 12, 2023 6:00 PM
Kew Golf Club
Tickets: $70 Per person
Registrations must close at 6pm Wednesday 5 July 2023 for catering purposes.
Refer to your email for your invitation to register.
Congratulations to Joseph de Souza, father of our President-Elect George, who has been recognised with an OAM for his decades of community service.
Joseph de Souza is reaping what he has sowed in his 93 years of age filled with experiences, hardships and satisfaction through his multiple roles in the community.
This is just an update & another "Thankyou" from the people of the Kon Tum villages.
I recently asked my Project Managers, Mr John & Mr Hau, to visit the wells that I & Camberwell Rotary have been involved in establishing in Kon Tum to ensure they were functioning & in good working order. There are now eight wells in total providing filtered drinking water to between 2000 & 4500 people at each site.
I am very pleased to advise that there are no issues. At Kon Hodram Well a few months ago, a water pump was not working & required replacing. The villagers (of approximately 4000 in number) pooled their resources & provided the funds themselves which was 4,000,000vnd (~A$270.00). This is a large sum of money when you consider that for those that are employed, the average wage is $50 per month. Most villagers live a self-sufficient existence in the Central Highlands. It is wonderful to know that the local people are taking responsibility for maintaining the wells & truly value the gift of clean water.
Camberwell Rotary has been the supporter of a large percentage of the wells listed below:
Kon Jodreh Well 2015
Kon Hongo Kotu Well 2016
Kon Toneh Well 2017
Kon Hodram 2018
Kon Trang Kola 2019
Dak Rochat Well 2020
Kon Trang Kep Well 2021
Kon Donang Well 2023
(A few photos of well sites attached + one an extra photo taken at DIK 17th June, where Mai McCann (from Hearing & Beyond Viet Nam) & a couple of other Nursing friends, sorted & packed medical equipment).
Thank you again, for the support of my projects in Viet Nam.
