Events

Peter is the owner and principal optometrist of Pezzimenti Nixon Optometrists.  Prior to joining Pezzimenti Nixon Optometrists in 2013, he was the Lead Optometrist of Children’s Services at the Australian College of Optometry. Peter has a strong interest in children’s vision, development and welfare.

He has managed projects working with disadvantaged primary school children as well as students from a specialised deaf school. He also has extensive experience in contact lens fitting, in particular, for keratoconus, corneal grafts and aphakic children.

Peter volunteers as an optometrist in Nepal with Rotary International every year, working in remote villages under the shadow of the Himalayan Mountains. He finds working with people of all ages to be a fun and enjoyable experience, with enormous satisfaction achieved when vision improvement is found. He strives for excellence and a holistic approach to optometry practice.

M.C.:  Pam Crockett

Photo: Courtesy of Pezzimenti Nixon Optometrists

Our next meeting at Kooyong will be on Tuesday 2 May when the guest speaker will be Optometrist and Rotary International volunteer, Peter Nixon.

Peter is the owner and principal optometrist of Pezzimenti Nixon Optometrists in Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn.  Peter has a strong interest in children’s vision, development and welfare and, prior to joining the Hawthorn practice in 2013, he was the Lead Optometrist of Children’s Services at the Australian College of Optometry.

Peter volunteers as an optometrist in Nepal with Rotary International every year, working in remote villages under the shadow of the Himalayan Mountains. 

I hope you will join us on 2 May and hear about Peter’s work in Nepal.

The team from Cambodia is very inspirational and will speak about their journey from poverty to empowerment and inspiration as they lead hands-on projects which now reach 20,000 (!!) beneficiaries annually.

Quite incredible for a group of university students and a real credit to the Rotary family.

Rotary Passport Melbourne are closely involved as mentors for the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap. We will have 5 young, inspirational speakers from this club, including the President, arriving prior to the International Conference. They are enthusiastic and motivated to serve. Also, they have extensive experience in project work on many levels.

Our next meeting will be at Kooyong on Tuesday 16 May. Join us for an inspiring meeting with 5 young speakers from the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap in Cambodia. Doeb, Lita, Phanich, Sokal and Tola will tell us about the work their club is doing to empower girls and women, improve water, sanitation and hygiene, support basic education, and promote a healthier environment.

Gemma is a fifth year PhD student working in the Pasricha Lab with Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha who heads the WHO Collaborating Centre for Anaemia Detection and Control at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute..

Before moving to Melbourne to join his laboratory, Gemma met Sant-Rayn during her time as a Research Assistant at Oxford University where her work contributed to the understanding of rare anaemias.

Nowadays, instead of studying how iron deficiency gives rise to anaemia, she is characterising a hormone that causes iron overload in anaemias.

Iron overload can lead to organ damage, particularly in the heart, liver and endocrine system, but current therapies are limited and poorly tolerated.

Gemma's work aims to contribute new insights into drug targets for iron-loading anaemias. 

Anaemia - a reduction in the blood's oxygen carrying capacity - affects up to 800 million women and children worldwide, with the majority of this burden falling in low income countries. However, anaemia also affects 4.5 per cent of Australians. Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anaemia. Our lab seeks to discover new therapies to prevent and treat anaemia by making fundamental discoveries into how the body regulates its iron stores. The Lab also undertakes field studies in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia to test new solutions and influence policy to address anaemia in babies and pregnant mothers.
 

M.C. Tilak Dissanayake

Photo: Cameron Wells, one of the WEHI photographers 

VIA ZOOM 

IRON AND ANAEMIA: A CAREFUL BALANCING ACT BETWEEN HEALTH AND DISEASE

SPEAKER: GEMMA MOIR-MEYER     (RESEARCH SCIENTIST (PHD CANDIDATE) - WALTER AND ELIZA HALL INSTITUTE)

Gemma is a fifth year PhD student working in the Pasricha Lab with Professor Sant-Rayn Pasricha who heads the WHO Collaborating Centre for Anaemia Detection and Control at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

Before moving to Melbourne to join his laboratory, Gemma met Sant-Rayn during her time as a Research Assistant at Oxford University where her work contributed to the understanding of rare anaemias.

Nowadays, instead of studying how iron deficiency gives rise to anaemia, she is characterising a hormone that causes iron overload in anaemias.

Iron overload can lead to organ damage, particularly in the heart, liver and endocrine system, but current therapies are limited and poorly tolerated.

Gemma's work aims to contribute new insights into drug targets for iron-loading anaemias. 

Anaemia - a reduction in the blood's oxygen carrying capacity - affects up to 800 million women and children worldwide, with the majority of this burden falling in low income countries. However, anaemia also affects 4.5 per cent of Australians. Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anaemia. Our lab seeks to discover new therapies to prevent and treat anaemia by making fundamental discoveries into how the body regulates its iron stores. The Lab also undertakes field studies in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia to test new solutions and influence policy to address anaemia in babies and pregnant mothers.

A Crockett sugg...voice

or

?visit to M,Airport...tbc

Ageism is discriminating against someone purely because of their age. 

To the individual it can be a life debilitating and devastating prejudice. 

To business it robs workforce enrichment, capability, stronger competitiveness, productivity and profitability. 

Overall, it weakens and threatens the wellbeing of the community. 

Martin Coleman is the  Founder and CEO of Your Age Advantage.

He is an experienced business leader with an impressive track record at achieving steady organic growth and expanding company/organisation opportunities. 

For over two decades Martin has run an integrated, digital advertising and social media company, assisting start-ups to listed companies in Australia and overseas. He has also worked closely with Government, large corporations, primary utilities and peak industry associations separately and together to shape and influence government direction and decision-making.

On discovering the waning of intergenerational teams in Australian companies/organisations, Martin Coleman is alarmed at the soaring level of Ageism in this Country, confirmed by the World Health Organisation and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

With his deep sense of Community, Martin, together with an Advisory Counsel has developed Your Age Advantage: 

> To help employers transform their workforces into innovative, multigenerational teams.

​> To advise businesses on how to attract and retain a diversely aged workforce for a stronger and more effective workplace.

​> To re-skill older adults and retirees in Australia by introducing an entrepreneurial mindset and

​> To help the Australian community recognise that contributed wisdom and experience can come from any age no matter what stage in life.

M.C. Dorothy Gilmour

Photo: Provided by Martin Coleman

The next Club meeting is at Kooyong on Tuesday 20 June when Martin Coleman, founder and CEO of not-for-profit organisation, Your Age Advantage Australia Inc, will speak on the topic ‘Let’s end Ageism’.

Martin will explain what ageism is and how it affects us; the importance of developing intergenerational, diverse teams, and how this can make business more robust and contribute to a stronger economy. He will also explain how ending ageism and ageist behaviour will make a happier and healthier community for all Australians. 

From conducting top-secret missions to making history commanding the farthest deployment
of Australian submarine service, Commodore Peter Scott depicts what it takes to be a
Submariner.
Over a decorated 34-year career, Commodore Scott served in 10 submarines, passed the most
demanding military command course in the world and served as the Head of Profession of
the Submarine Arm of the Royal Australian Navy. During that time his character was forged
by the challenges of naval service, success and failure as a leader, catastrophic onboard
disasters while dived, and life-threatening traumas. Along the way, he also endured personal
battles with self-doubt, addiction, depression and anxiety.
In this honest and enlightening tale, he shares his quest for self-acceptance, and for the
courage, commitment and compassion to lead the warriors of Australia’s Silent Service.
Please join us on June 27 to hear about the extraordinary story of an Australia submariner,
Commodore Peter Scott.

Not to be missed!

Come and hear the very interesting story of President Doug, his background on growing up in Canada, his journey to Melbourne 

and much more!

M.C. Peter Lugg

The next Club meeting will be at Kooyong on Tuesday 4 July when our speaker will be new President Doug, who will tell us all about the ‘President Behind the Badge’. His theme will be "Growing up in a Border Town".

Next week is also the start of our winter campaign to support Camcare’s Emergency Food Relief program so please bring along your donations of non-perishable foods to that meeting.

30 minute guided tour of the Moorabbin Airport Aviation Museum.
Following a light BBQ lunch self-catered by our Rotary Club, those attending will be addressed by the General Manager who will cover the early history, present and the future of the airport that provides an extensive range of civil aviation services.

Moorabbin Airport is the second busiest airport in Australia, averaging 295,000 movements per year. There are approximately 3,300 people directly employed at the airport and 6,000 people indirectly employed. It is estimated that one third of all airport jobs are aviation-related. 1,200 student pilots are trained at the airport each year by a dozen flight schools, with 50% travelling from regional areas or overseas. The airport and its businesses provide $50+ million in exports through flight training services.

Cost: $25.00 per head will cover the guided tour, museum entrance and our lunch that the Vocational Service Committee will provide. '

On Tuesday 11^th July, your Vocational Service Committee warmly invites you, your partner and friends to visit the most interesting aviation museum in Moorabbin Airport.

After arrival 12:00 noon at the Administration Office, those attending will be welcome and addressed by the General Manager, Paul Ferguson who will cover the early history, present and the future of the airport that provides an extensive range of civil aviation services.

Then you will be provided a 30-minute guided tour of the aviation museum on site, followed by a light BBQ lunch self-catered by our Rotary Club.

I am sure you will find this a most interesting vocational visit.

Tamara is the founder and executive director of Lille Fro.

In 2008, Tamara packed up corporate life to work on her own project. While in Asia and with time on her side, Tamara pulled out a map, closed her eyes and pointed to a spot. Her finger landed on Mt Everest, Nepal.

Captivated by the Himalayas, Tamara was inspired to climb the perfect peak. A search which lead her to Ladakh in the north of India.

On one climbing trip, Tamara met a little girl living in destitute circumstances. Like many children in her village, this child had never been to school. Tamara decided to pay for her education.

Seeing first hand the difference she had made to this child's life, Tamara realised she could not turn her back on other children in similar circumstances. The seed had been planted and Lille Fro had begun.

M.C.:  Henry Drury

Our guest speaker next week will be Tamara Cannon, a lawyer who founded an Australian charity, Lille Fro Foundation (Lille Fro), in 2008.

On one climbing trip in the north of India, Tamara met a little girl living in destitute circumstances. Like many children in her village, this child had never been to school. Tamara decided to pay for her education.

Seeing first hand the difference she had made to this child's life through the simple gesture of sponsorship, Tamara realised she could not turn her back on other children in similar circumstances. The seed had been planted and Lille Fro had begun.

How does a forensic investigator catch a person committing fraud?  What are the warning signs that something is not as it seems?  What techniques are available to detect misconduct and analyse information?  What happens once the evidence is obtained and collated? 

DARREN PARK:  TO CATCH A THIEF

How does a forensic investigator catch a person committing fraud?  What are the warning signs that something is not as it seems?  What techniques are available to detect misconduct and analyse information?  What happens once the evidence is obtained and collated? 

All of these questions and more are answered by Darren when he reveals what happened behind the scenes in a number of real fraud investigations in Australia and overseas.

Susan-Gaye Anderson worked as a tv presenter in the early pioneering days of television. She worked primarily on the children’s show with GTV9.

Susie later worked as a freelance writer and published feature articles for the Age and Home Beautiful magazine. 
She has had stage plays workshopped and performed at Theatre Works, the Malthouse, La Mama and the Griffin theatre in Sydney.

She recently published a collection of poetry 'On Roll The Days' and  a novel, 'A Red Hibiscus.'
Susie is currently working on a new play,

M.C. Terry Kitchen

Our guest speaker on Tuesday 1st August will be Susan-Gaye Anderson, who worked as a TV presenter in the early pioneering days of television. She worked primarily on the children’s show with GTV9.

It seems a century ago when people stood in the street looking in a shop window at a box with flickering lights and a test pattern. This was the 1950s, this was television and they said it would never last! Susan-Gaye Anderson will take you down memory lane back to those early pioneer days of TV.

Susan-Gaye has many happy memories of her time working with stars like Geoff Corke, Happy Hammond, Bert Newton, Graham Kennedy and many more!

Our speaker next Tuesday will be Henry Drury, experienced Member Behind The Badge, a talk not to be missed!

Come and hear from one of our experienced members. Past President, District Chair of Youth Exchange 1997-2000, GSE Team Leader 2001, District Chair Club Service, Assistant Governor, District Secretary...just some of his Rotary roles.

Plus architect, traveller, husband of Jane, father of youth exchange student....

And..that's just a snippet.  There's lots more to hear!

Members and guests are invited to celebrate our Club’s 70th Anniversary.

Similar Natural Climate Cycles of the Past Millennium in Central Europe, the Poles and East Asia; what do they tell and foretell about global temperature change?

Quantitative study of climate cycles shows that much of the warming of the past century appears to be independent of changes in atmospheric CO2; while CO2 is a greenhouse gas and must influence global warming, the natural cycles indicate that future warming will not be solely a function of CO2.  A projection to year 2100 predicts global temperature changes different from those provided by current climate models.

Michael Asten is a Professor of geophysics, now retired after 23 years in School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University, Melbourne. 

Prior to that he was a Senior Principal Geophysicist in BHP with 18 years experience in world-wide programs of research and practice of methods for the search for new mineral resources.

In 2021 he served as an Expert Reviewer for the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report on climate change. He has published 214 scientific papers and has various research awards from the Australian SEG, BHP and CSIRO for various innovations.

M.C. Charlotte England

Photo Credit: Speaker Supplied

Our guest speaker next week will be Dr Michael Asten and his topic will be "What Is Foretold About Global Temperature Change?"    

in Central Europe, the Poles and East Asia; what do they tell and foretell about global temperature change?

Quantitative study of climate cycles shows that much of the warming of the past century appears to be independent of changes in atmospheric CO2; while CO2 is a greenhouse gas and must influence global warming, the natural cycles indicate that future warming will not be solely a function of CO2.  A projection to year 2100 predicts global temperature changes different from those provided by current climate models.

Michael Asten is a Professor of geophysics, now retired after 23 years in School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University, Melbourne. 

Prior to that he was a Senior Principal Geophysicist in BHP with 18 years experience in world-wide programs of research and practice of methods for the search for new mineral resources. 

In 2021 he served as an Expert Reviewer for the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report on climate change. He has published 214 scientific papers and has various research awards from the Australian SEG, BHP and CSIRO for various innovations.

'The Education CHANCES Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students who live or study in Boroondara and whose families are experiencing financial hardship.In Boroondara approximately 5,900 young people live below the poverty line. It is essential that these young people be given every opportunity to maximise their potential, achieve their educational goals and fulfil their ambitions.

Although Boroondara is one of the wealthiest municipalities in Victoria, it contains many neighbourhoods with pockets of poverty, in which a high proportion of young people aged 0-25 live in households whose income is below the poverty line'.

This presentation highlights the organisation's outstanding efforts to elevate and empower young people. The presentation skillfully illustrates the remarkable work done by the organization to provide opportunities, and assistance to the younger generation. 

Speakers: Elida Brereton  is the Chair of Education CHANCES Foundation and Helen Worladge is the Program Manager/Board Member of Education CHANCES Foundation.

M.C. Denbigh Richards

Our guest speakers at Kooyong on Tuesday 5 September will be Elida Brereton, the Chair of Education CHANCES Foundation and Helen Worladge, the Program Manager/Board Member of Education CHANCES Foundation.The Education CHANCES Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students who live or study in Boroondara and whose families are experiencing financial hardship. In Boroondara approximately 5,900 young people live below the poverty line. It is essential that these young people be given every opportunity to maximise their potential, achieve their educational goals and fulfil their ambitions.

Although Boroondara is one of the wealthiest municipalities in Victoria, it contains many neighbourhoods with pockets of poverty, in which a high proportion of young people aged 0-25 live in households whose income is below the poverty line.

This presentation highlights the organisation's outstanding efforts to elevate and empower young people. The presentation skillfully illustrates the remarkable work done by the organization to provide opportunities and assistance to the younger generation. 

M.C. President Doug McLean

Photo Credit: Rotary District 9800 site

District Governor Ron Payne will be the guest speaker at our meeting on 19^th September at Kooyong.  

We are also fortunate to have Dr Billy Lugg, a psychiatrist and Peter’s son, as a speaker at this meeting. Billy works at Alfred Health and will provide some feedback on how important the Mental Health Unit care packs that we provide to the Alfred and Box Hill hospitals are to incoming patients. Over the past couple of years, Billy has done locum work in regional Australia so he has had some interesting experiences.

'For almost 100 years, the AFL competition has been deemed to have started in 1897 when the VFL was formed after eight clubs seceded from the VFA.
But new research, by former AFL Commissioner Colin Carter, makes it clear that the VFL’s founders, the VFL clubs and media commentators agreed that 1870 was their competitions, and thus the AFL competition’s, first season. A lot of football history has been misplaced and this book outlines why these foundation years must be included in the AFL competition’s history, and the players and administrators who set up the game during those years be recognised for their pioneering achievements'.
Colin is the author of 'Footballs' Forgotten Years'

Colin Carter is a former AFL Commissioner (1993-2007), and Geelong President (2011-2020). Before he joined the AFL Commission he was a strategic planning consultant to the VFL, responsible for such seminal issues as the structure of the national competition, the draft and salary cap, and the restoration of relations between the League and the Melbourne Cricket Club which saw the development of the Great Southern Stand. In 2021, he was commissioned by the AFL to write a position paper on the potential of a Tasmanian-based AFL club. Although born in Western Australia, he is a true-blue Geelong supporter.

'Colin Carter is a decorated football administrator who has turned his mind to the history of the game, explaining in clear terms when Victoria’s football competition began and why it is the precursor of today’s AFL competition. Colin’s case for recognising the years from 1870 to 1896, an important history lost through politics and time, is supported by facts. Supporters should approach this book with open minds and lift their eyes to the great truth—the AFL is the oldest football competition in the world.'
Mike Fitzpatrick, AFL Commission chair, 2007 to 2016.

'The Carter argument is compelling. Clearly the AFL was born of the VFA. The defection of eight clubs didn’t erase their histories pre-1897. Colin’s push maybe unpalatable with clubs whose place in premiership tallies will be adjusted negatively but a true history of the game’s origins is far more important. Clearly 1870 is the AFL competition’s birthdate.'
Mike Sheahan, sports journalist and media commentator.

M.C. David Rush

**Please Wear Your Football Colours: eg: scarf, beanie**

Photo Credit : Rodger Wang

Colin Carter, a former AFL Commissioner and Geelong Club President, has written a book that challenges the AFL’s view of its history. The book is titled Football’s Forgotten Years – Reclaiming the AFL Competition’s Earliest Era – 1870 to 1896.
 
For almost the past 100 years, the AFL competition has been deemed to have started in 1897 when the VFL was formed after eight clubs seceded from the VFA. But new research makes it very clear that the VFL’s founders, the VFL clubs and media commentators agreed that 1870 was their competition’s first season.
 
A lot of our football history has been misplaced – 27 years of it - and Colin’s book outlines why these foundation years must be included in the AFL competition’s history, and the players and administrators who set up the game during those years recognised for their achievements. 

'The content of his talk, and his entertaining style, certainly had the audience laughing. But his talk had a more serious message, presented in an engaging manner, of how humour can be used as a management tool'.
President Russell Jones, President, Rotary Balwyn 2023-2024

While it means something different for each of us, it opens our thinking in how we communicate whether it is in a work, volunteer or family setting.Something in it for everyone'.
Past District Governor Peter Frueh

M.C. TBA

Photo:  Supplied by Michael Valos

The next meeting is our annual Hat Day Lunch at Kooyong on Tuesday 3^rd October and we encourage members to wear a hat - sophisticated or funny! We will be holding a raffle to raise funds for mental health, so please bring cash or you can purchase tickets using the EFTPOS machine. There will also be a prize for best man’s and lady’s hats.

Guest speaker will be Dr Michael Valos, with the theme Humour for Leaders. Michael has spent 30 years in academia, one of the few professions suitable for a slightly eccentric person. There has been a lot of academic research into the benefits and risks of humour and academic theories have developed. Research shows both creativity and humour can be improved with training by observing role models and understanding the formula anyone can increase to a degree their ability to observe, create and share humour.

His new life combines honorary work at Deakin University and developing a number of talks and short courses.

Many of us will remember the generous gift from George to Rotary Hawthorn that we raffled:
a copy of his beautiful, poignant book, The Art of Sacrifice.

Renowned Melbourne artist George Petrou is a successful graphic designer and acclaimed portrait artist. George assists in supporting the interests and welfare of ex-servicemen and women, their families, and dependents. 

In June 2020 George was awarded an OAM for 'Services to the Visual Arts and to Veterans', and in the same year he released The Art Of Sacrifice – a haunting and poignant exploration of a spirit like no other: The Anzac Spirit

George’s portraits proudly hang in museums in France, Government House Canberra, and a range of military institutions across Australia.

George has been described as one of the most inspirational speakers. 

George says: 'I am extremely passionate about the sacrifices made by our wonderful Australian men and women, especially our women who have been ignored for the last 100 years, (I would like to change that).

Have a look here at some of George's works of art.

M.C. Dorothy Gilmour

Photo Credit: Supplied by George Petrou

Our guest speaker next Tuesday will be renowned Melbourne artist George Petrou, a successful graphic designer and acclaimed portrait artist. George assists in supporting the interests and welfare of ex-servicemen and women, their families, and dependents. 

In June 2020 George was awarded an OAM for 'Services to the Visual Arts and to Veterans', and in the same year he released The Art Of Sacrifice – a haunting and poignant exploration of a spirit like no other: The Anzac Spirit. George’s portraits proudly hang in museums in France, Government House Canberra, and a range of military institutions across Australia.

George has been described as one of the most inspirational speakers. George says: 'I am extremely passionate about the sacrifices made by our wonderful Australian men and women, especially our women who have been ignored for the last 100 years, (I would like to change that).

M.C. Dr Peter Lugg