14^th May 2012 - Adam Bandt To address Colling Rotary Information Evening

Adam Bandt was born in Adelaide, South Australia—a descendant of German immigrants who emigrated to the Hahndorf and Barossa Valley regions in the 1800s. As a child, his family moved to Perth, Western Australia where he attended high school and university before moving to Melbourne. Prior to his election to parliament, Bandt was an industrial, labor relations and public interest lawyer living in Parkville. He was a partner at Slater and Gordon and is currently completing his PhD in law and politics from Monash University. His PhD thesis was "Work to Rule: Rethinking Marx, Pashukanis and Law".

17^th May 2012 - Jennifer Elliott, dietitian and author, - Healthy Middle Age. (Dinner Meeting)

Jennifer Elliott, dietitian and author, from the NSW south coast. "Healthy middle age."

26^th May 2012 - Merridy Patterson, Principal, Abbotsford Primary School (Luncheon Meeting)

Children at a young age are wired to learn language, so the best time to get them to learn different languages is when they're young. And that development of language enhances their learning of all kinds of language, so it enhances their learning of English as well. So it's amazing when you see the children in the, in that bilingual classroom and see how they're performing in all aspects of their schooling.

31^st May 2012 - Noel Ashby (Dinner Meeting)

3^rd May 2012 - Associate Professor Gavin Wright - St Vincents Cancer Research Project (Dinner Meeting)

Associate Professor Gavin Wright, director of surgical oncology at St Vincent's. 

In what is being labelled the biggest breakthrough in lung cancer to date, cancer experts at St Vincent's Hospital have found a common gene in squamous cell lung cancers that makes the cells proliferate and spread through the body. Furthermore, the researchers have identified two drugs that have been shown to target the gene, killing the cells in the process.

26^th April 2012 - St Philip's School, Alice Springs (Luncheon Meeting)

Our Club funded the establishment of the school's horticulture program for three years.  This has been very successful and now integrated as a very popular part of the school's curriculum.  Additional outcomes are a wider based horticultural program, a "kitchen garden" home eco. stream, and the building of their own turf cricket pitch.  Chris expressed that their community is extremely grateful for our committment over the critcal l start-up period.  It is a program which will yield benefits for many years to come.

Some photos of the school and program plus Chris Tudor and Franca Friedrickson from St Philips, with Retired Rotarian Frank Collings who was a member of the team that championed the program four years ago.

19^th April 2012 - Jane Stott - Women’s Global Opportunity Challenge – a two week trek in India (Dinner Meeting)

Jane Stott (Director of Connecting Pty Ltd and Family Business Australia Victorian Council Member) is passionate about helping women realise their value in today’s society. She will talk about the Women’s Global Opportunity Challenge – a two week trek in India in February 2007. This is one of Jane’s favourite charities.

12^th April 2012 - Poraic Grogan - Happy Football Cambodia (Luncheon Meeting)

Paraic Grogan is the founder of HFCA. Paraic lived in Cambodia for eight months in 2003 and fell in love with the people and country. Deeply moved by the poverty he witnessed he helped set up the Happy School which officially opened in June 2003. Paraic will update us with news from Happy Football Cambodia.

5^th April 2012 - No Meeting

29^th March 2012 - Cafe International at International House

International House is proudly a bastion for upholding the principles, attitudes and activities of a truly global world that rears the next generation be equal, dignified, valuable and essential to a sound society. It is part of the University of Melbourne and accommodates 265 students from Australia and approximately 35 other countries.

Sussanah Tindall, invited us to Cafe International 2012, to be held at International House, Parkville on May 5 at 6.30 PM.  A great night of entertainment, good food and wine is guaranteed, and only $80.00 per head.There will be a silent auction and raffles to raise money towards a women's empoerment program in Timor Leste.

22^nd March 2012 - Dinner: Bruce Hearn Mackinnon - From Yuendumu to the MCG

Bruce Hearn Mackinnon is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Management in the School of Management and Marketing at Deakin University in Melbourne. He was formerly a union organiser with the Building Workers Industrial Union (NSW), and an economist with the Commonwealth Treasury.He is Author of Liam Jurrah - From Yuendumu to the MCG

15^th March 2012 - David Emerson and Bec Waley - Developments at Victoria Park

As Community Liaison Officer at the Collingwood Football Club, Bec will bring us up to date with current status and future plans for The Bob Rose Stand, as it is redeveloped as a community facility.

The Collingwood football Club Foundation has been given the responsibility to develop and manage the old social club building, now  the Bob Rose Stand, as a community Centre.  The foundation is raising money for the buildings refurbishment and selecting and managing not-for-profit organisations, such as  the Toy Library, Evolve and Headspaceas they make their home here; .  AFL Sports Ready, the League's youth support arm, is the major fee-paying tennant, and a number of other groups will move in during this year.

There will be nine Collingwood VFL home games at the ground this year, and this could provide Collingwood Rotary with a fund raising opportunity.  For instance, they would be interested in a community market on the morning of match Days.

8^th March 2012 - Induction of Joe Esposito

Joe has been with the Club for quite a while now and at the same time, very busy with his new business - a new Bank of Queensland Branch in Smith St.  Joe said that he looks forward to when things have settled down and he can become more involved in local community affairs. We wish him well in his new venture.

We now have an even stronger Italian heritage among members of our Cub, three of whom are pictured here- Joe, James and Larry: (AKA Curly Larry and Mo!)

1^st March 2012 - Gordon Little's outstanding service recognised

We can talk about our hopes, dreams or even plans for Rotary ...........or just chat and chew, and maybe drink a little!

23^rd February 2012 - The Man behind The Badge - Larry Sbisa

Larry was born in Reservoir of immigrant Italian parents, who came to Australia after the war, and who loved the place because it provided work, and reward for hard work. Larry seems to have inherited this ethic. He and Angela bought into a business in Swan St., Richmond, 25 years ago. "Lobers" was an engraving and rubber stamp business that had been in operation for over 100 years. Now operating as "Tigercorp" (woukd you believe, Richmond supporters!) it produces, in addition to stamps and engraving, trophies and signs of all sorts. Big customers are the Australian Grand Prix, Moto GP, V8 Supercars and the VRC.

They now employ six people, including some very long-termers, all of whom who are really part of their family.

Larry and Angela have two daughters, both at university.  They recently moved to Clifton Hill and both have joined Rotary as an opportunity to give back to the community.

Maybe, at a later date, we can get Angela to tell her side of the story!

16^th February 2012 - Jo Cowling - Women in Rotary

Celebrate International Women's day on Thursday 8 March with a dynamic breakfast Q&A.  A first class panel will tackle challenging issues facing men and women working together.

9^th February 2012 - Dinner - Rob Byrnes - End Polio Now

Rotarian Rob Byrne from the Rotary Club of Grafton is riding his bicycle in various parts of Australia to help End Polio Now (EPN). To date he has raised over $50,000 towards his target of $100,000.  He has been right up to Northern NSW and Queensland coasts (he  rode into Cairns with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott) before riding all the way down to Melbpurne with many stops on the way.
The riding position on his long-wheelbase recumbent bicycle  is  like driving a car or reclining on a lounge chair. This allows him to cover 50 - 100Km per day even with an arthritic back. 

He told us of his passion for the End Polio Now campaign; that this once global disease has been almost eradicated, but not quite, and that the world simply has not been able to make that last leap!  The levels of new cases, although very low by historical standards, have shown little improvement in 10 years!  The WHO fears that, without a great push, it may come roaring back.  And the world seems to have lost interest with the project's budget being more than 20% under-funded.EPN is an effort to raise awarenes, collect some money and contribute to that last push.

The Club presented Rob with a cheque for $500.00

Any small thing others can do to assist a very determined and gutsy Rotarian will be really appreciated.

Rob has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RobsBikeRideToEndPolioNow  and his email address is rob@tourvelo.com  with mobile 0403-238-852.

2^nd February 2012 - Greetings from Mely Sri Lanka

 Representing the Rotary Club of Kandy, Sri Lanka, on a recent visit to Australia, Mely Dharmasena exchanged banners with preident Buce. Subsequently our banner was past on to Leoned De Alwis, President of the Kandy Club. We also received this message of friendship.

26^th January 2012 - Australia Day

19^th January 2012 - Lunch at Cafe L'Incontro

15^th December 2011 - Lunch - Rupert Batheras

Rupert has spent some time with young aboriginal men around Alice Springs and has helped some adapt to life in Melbourne, usually following their footballing dream.  He visited us some time ago and will now give us an update of his recent activities.

8^th December 2011 - Dinner - Club Forum - Future Directions

A chance for members, old new and potential, to contribute to a discussion on where we want to go as a Club and how we might get there.

1^st December 2011 - Lunch - Sophie Dowse, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar

Sophie  visited us soon after her arrival in our country and as she now nears the end  of her stay, she and will share her experience of this great adventure with us.

24^th November 2011 - Dinner - Emily White - Active and Able

Emily White, principal consultant and service provider

Emily is a qualified Physical, Health and Aquatics Education teacher with extensive experience in working with young people with disabilities in a range of environments.  She has worked as a Physical, Health and Aquatics Education teacher in mainstream, specialist and special developmental schools, as well as through programs and organisations such as Vision Australia, the Statewide Vision Resource Centre, the Support Skills Program, and Blind Sports Victoria.  She coaches Blind Tennis, teaches swimming through Vision Impaired Swim Victoria’s Learn-to-Swim program and presents on inclusive physical and aquatic education for young people with a vision impairment.

Emily is also currently working as a Visiting Teacher in Vision Impairment within the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in Victoria. She is an active member of the Australian Council on Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER), the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) and the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI).

17^th November 2011 - Lunch - Grace Bull - Everyday Rights

       Grace informed us of the history of this organisation, from its begnings under the auspices of the Neighborhood Justice Centr,e through its launch as a stand alone community service and support group.

Everday Rights, works with a wide range of structured and unstructured groupings withis the community to :
* Encourage open discussion of Human Rights
* Educate people about Human rights, and
*Build a culture of Human Rights and the responsbiilies that that go along with these rights.

Her group holds regular meetings and discussion groups at the Fitzroy Town Hall and has held an art show there with each community group submitting works with "Human Rights" as a theme.  They are looking for help and a more suitable venue for a show early next year

We also had a briefing fro Rotarian Philip Morrisey (pictured) on plans for the District Conference in Melbourne over the March long weekend next year.

10^th November 2011 - Joel Beasant - The Success of

Joel is picture, far right with the production's director, Yma Zammit, left, President Bruce and guest and prospective member Larry Sbisa.

The Mill Boys, written and produced by Joel was staged in the underground carpark below the Harmsworth Ministry flats. Joel considered it a great success because of the results achieved artistically, financially and as a community event.
The largely inexperienced cast and crew performed to a very high standard, according to the critics, and it was well received by the public.  The result was that the actors received meaningful financial returns for their work.
A number of local people were engaged in  building the stage a and theatre seating. The Collingwood Men's Shed, who organised  this, said that such meaningful work gave great satisfaction to its  members.

The next play will be quite different. Presented from January 25 to 29, 2012, during the school holidays, it is written to engage and challenge children particularly, though not exclusively.   

3^rd November 2011 - Lunch - Stuart Davey - The Athol Gill Community Centre

Stuart has taken up the reins from Ian Mack.  He brought us up to date with activities and plans for the centre.  They have installed a resident story teller and initiated " A bit of a chat...." ; a series of community conversations about topical issues and grand Ideas.There are a number of evening activities and their soon to be relaunched website will have all the details.

In response to his request  for suggestions for daytime activities, we thought a chat with Bobbi Cheatham at The WEellington  Centre could be worthwhile plus a "Mums and Bubs" Clothing and Toy exhchange market could be interesting.

27^th October 2011 - Dinner - John Liddell - Beyond Zero Emissions

Come and hear how Australia can make the switch to 100% renewable energy in 10 years. Beyond Zero Emissions is an independent, volunteer-based research group. Their award-winning plan was developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne Energy Institute. The plan specifies using technology that is commercially available and is already being built overseas. It is fully-costed and provides baseload power. This is our blueprint for a future freed from climate-changing fossil fuels.

20^th October 2011 - Lunch - Alicia Liley - Soul Theatre

Alicia Liley, pictured centre, and her colleagues Monica and Michael, joined us for lunch and treated us to an an inspiring story of one person's  life's journey, from near tragedy to spiritual fulfillment.

Alicia was involved in an horrific car accident in 1988 which almost claimed her life and left her with Acquired Brain Injury.  You would not recognise this in Alicia these days, but it has concentrated her life since. After a long rehab, she recommenced her drama studies and subsequently formed a theatrical production company, dedicated to exposing this syndrome to the public.  Her other passion, climate change, has laterly been incorporated into the theme within the Soul Theatre's programs. 

The Climamania Project, Soul Theatre Incorporated’s new creation, was chosen to reflect the somewhat manic response to the climate pattern changes that we're starting to experience.

“Soul Theatre Incorporated creates community based, high quality productions of a professional standard that are entertaining and thought provoking. We represent the misunderstood, the disadvantaged and the disenfranchised by educating and enlightening our audience with confronting attitudes of narrow mindedness, bigotry, injustice and ignorance.”

13^th October 2011 - Dinner - Sprit of Sharing - Peter Cole and Greg Wragg

Peter Cole is a member of the Rotary Club of Knox and was awarded an OAM for his charity work, particularly the Spirit of Sharing initiative in Fiji.

Since 2000, The Spirit Of Sharing childrens charity has sent over $1 million dollars worth of donated brand new and second hand sporting equipment to over 300 Fijian schools & into the hands of delighted children. They rely on community support, be it from a school, organisation or individual, and accepts monetary donations and donations of new or good condition second-hand sports equipment.

Peter was asked if he could take on a major project that was in urgent need, to fund a 40 bed dormitory at a secondary college on Fiji's garden island, Taveuni.He  immediately agreed, when he was made aware that it had been identified as the number one most urgent project for the Taveuni Rotary Club. That group has stringent criteria on project application so that the most urgent projects are completed first.

Greg Wragg, of Hampton Rotary has a long history of community service in Fiji and has joined with Peter to raise the money needed for this project.  His club has committed $60 000!!

6^th October 2011 - Lunch - Fr Ernie Smith OAM - Anzac day at Galipoli

Fr Ernie was part of the Rotary Anzac Peace Peace Tour to Gallipoli ths year.

A small goup of Rotarians was hosted by the Rotary Club of Istanbul Goksu, and visited all the historical sites of the Gallipoli campaign. They also joined many thousands at the main on Anzav day services at Anzac cove and Lone Pine.  Fr Ernie found it all  very moving, and an experience he will never forget.

The group also spent time in Istanbul and visited the ancient city of Troy

This Rotary Anzac Peace Tour has been undertaken every two years since 2000, however the next one is the biggy, planned for the 100th anniversary in 2015.  A huge crowd is expected and the Rotary touring party will be accommodated on a cruise ship, which will anchor off Anzac Cove.

29^th September 2011 - Anniversary Dinner at The Leinster

The Club's Birthday will be celebrated over dinner at The Leinster Hotel. 

Special guest  speaker will be Rev Peter Hollingworth AC OBE, Chair of the Wellington Centre Committee of Management.

This is an opportunity for family, friends and colleagues to enjoy an relaxed, entertaining and informative evening..

22^nd September 2011 - Lunch - District Governor's Visit-

Distrct Governor, Keth Ryall pictured at left with President Bruce, Gabrielle Butler and AG John Mc Morrow, was our speaker last week.  He commended the club on their continued commitment to local programs, and recognised the great contribution we have made to international projects . As well as this year's RI theme, " Reach within to embrace humanity", he spoke of the District mission, to "Celebrate the past and commit to the future".

As governor of the largest district in Victoria he encouraged the club to
* recognise what we do well and continue with those programs and activites
*embrace change which leads to improvement: think about modern technolgies which can present our club to a wider more diverse audience, particularly amongst the young: Yes! That's social networking.  GET INVOLVED.

He encouraged us to embrace in the 2012 Conference in March 2012, all details of which are on the website 2012melbourne.com.au.

15^th September 2011 - Dinner -Joe Arcuri - Smith St

Joe is President of The Smith St Traders Association and spoke about the revitalised Smith St. He has been in insurance broking for 30 years, and his first job was working in Johnson St ! He has moved about a bit since, for both home and work, and now has his business AND home in Smith St.

  There have been a lot of changes in the area over the years.  Smith St was once THE premier shopping location outside the CBD.  Things changed socially and economically and people became more mobile. Hence the growth of major shopping centres like Chadstone and the demise of Smith St.  At its low it was a haven for drunks and druggies.

In more recent years, the street has gone through a renaissance, and is now firmly positioned as a community shopping strip with a village feel.  It's still a bit down at heel and grungy, but this is part of its charm. Joe hopes that the unique atmosphere of Smith St will not be lost as new developments come to the area.

 The Smith St Traders are planning a footpath market, on a Saturday towards the end of the year. All shopkeepers will be encouraged to set up on trestle tables on the footpath to promote their businesses  and sell their wares.

President Bruce inducted Joe, as the newest member of our club.