Twenty (20) of us gathered on Tuesday, 12th March 2019 at the Belgian Beer Cafe in Southbank to hear Warren Sparrow talk about Angel Flight and how they assist in transporting rural Australians to medical appointments in major cities. Warren Sparrow (Earth Angel) retired from Air Traffic Control in 2010 and has been volunteering with Angel Flight for 10 years. He has completed over 300 missions and also volunteers as driver for a local Doncaster community health group. He shared some stories where patients he helped in transportation were grateful and blessed to have people like him and it goes a long way in being a giver than a getter. 

Angel Flight is a charity that coordinates non-emergency flights to help country people trying to deal with the triple trouble of bad health, poor finances and daunting distance. All flights are free and may involve patients travelling to medical facilities anywhere in Australia. Angel Flight pilots do not carry aeromedical staff or medical equipment so do not act as an alternative to the Royal Flying Doctor Service or Air Ambulance in that capacity. With its current resources Angel Flight can coordinate up to twenty flights per day and complementary ground transport from and to airports. It was launched as an Australian charity in April 2003, is the initiative of Bill Bristow AM a successful businessman, experienced pilot and very proud winner of the Australian of the Year Award Queensland 2005.

1. No upfront cost - Memberships are provided on consignment, so you pay as you go. The Melbourne Edition sells for $70, and you keep $14 per sale.
2. Easy to sell - The Entertainment Books practically sell themselves, as the average household saves $1,000 a year with their Entertainment Membership! It's the product people purchase year after year.
3. Marketing materials and support - All materials are provided free of charge. 

Entertainment Book invites us to join them to celebrate the launch of the NEW 2019-2020 Entertainment Memberships where we will get the first chance to see what's new this year, mingle with fellow fundraisers, and win prizes - be sure to RSVP by clicking on the image below. 

We also celebrated the formal nomination of Assistant Governor (Batman Cluster) Dale & Maureen Hoy from Rotary Club of Brighton as District Governor for the 2021-2022 Rotary calendar year - fifteen (15) days after the nomination was announced on Monday, 25th February 2019. Not forgetting, we also welcomed Rotarian Victor Augusteo from Rotary Club of Cupertino, California, USA (District 5170) who is here on a short visit and he works for Apple, USA! You can check out Victor's website for more information and perhaps you can try to Apple perks from him.

We like to acknowledge the visiting Rotarians & Guests that came:

Just a friendly hello and updates! Hope your training is going well.

We have raised $1910 which is really great as we had set our fund raising goal at $1000 but let's see if we can triple it and get to $3000 (that's $1090 to go - if you get corporate donations who do matching donations that would help a lot as the fundraiser is matching eligible).

Big shout out to Dion who has received 33 donations (maybe a future Rotarian!)

Team
We have 4 team members currently Dion, Liam, Amber (replaced Katie) and myself (Jasmin), and a fifth or sixth (Jacqui & Phillip) might be joining us! We have team members doing the 5km & 10km.

Fund raising Effort
It's not too late to raise more funds with 17 days to go! The event has only raised  $112,493 so far (which will no doubt help many people), so our contribution as it stands is pretty significant just under 2%. From experience and knowledge sharing, Dion has advised that email appears to be most effective way to fund raise (more so than social media and other promotions).

Group pic
On the day, Rotarian Action Group of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness (RAGMSA) are holding a BBQ to fund raise and Martin & Diana will be there. Both of them lost Jacob mid last year (2018) and they work tirelessly to raise awareness of MS plus fund raising for continuous research/treatment. We will meet him after the run to get a group picture and maybe to compensate our energy expenditure with some protein and carbs :)  Martin & Diana is still looking for a few more volunteers so if you know anyone who can help, please let Martin know at taurins3@vegas.com.au.

Start Times
The 5km starts at 8:30am and the 10km starts at 9:30am, both are taking place at Flemington Racecourse.

Map
Here is a map of the course: https://assets.donordrive.com/msmelbournecycle/files/$cms$/100/3561.pdf

Training
I have not organised any team training days as everyone lives in different directions, but if anyone wants to get together after work or on the weekend to run the Tan or Albert Park Lake, just let me know and I will organise (or respond to this group email to coordinate).

DONATIONS OF ALL AMOUNTS COUNT but just to put it in perspective here is the social impact our contribution will make (all tax deductible).

• $50 could help pay for a person living with multiple sclerosis to attend a wellness workshop and learn how to live well with the disease.
• $75 could pay to educate a health professional about multiple sclerosis to enhance the quality of care and outcomes for people with MS.
• $150 could contribute to the cost of training an MS Peer Support volunteer to provide countless hours of support to many people living with MS.

Any other questions, please sing out.

Keep up the great work everyone and see you soon!

What do you reckon was the strangest item pulled out of the Yarra River on Clean Up Australia Day? Have a go!

On Sunday, 3 March 2019, the Melbourne City Rotaract Club organised a Clean Up the Yarra event for Rotaractors, Rotarians, and community volunteers. This annual event coincides with Clean Up Australia Day, a nation-wide initiative to inspire and empower communities to clean up, fix up and conserve the environment. Forty-five passionate "People of Action" stepped forward to clean a portion of the Yarra River from Princes Bridge to Punt Rd. Volunteers were organised into three teams to tackle separate areas of the shoreline and surrounding green space.

Fifty-seven different recyclable and rubbish materials were collected and categorised. The top three were:

1. Foil/confectionary wrappers 18.9%
2. Pieces of glass 11.6%
3. Bottle caps 9.6%

Nine syringes were also collected and disposed of properly.

The Melbourne City Rotaract Club greatly appreciates all the help from the community and local Rotary clubs that made this event a huge success!

Have you had a go with the strangest item pulled from the Yarra? It was a fully-functional trolley!

On a warm and beautiful Tuesday evening on 26th February 2019, we had Ayman Barbaresco who presented his topic on Limitless Boundaries. At birth, Ayman has dealt with many medical complications during his young years including two brain tumours and ongoing medical complications with a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis.

Born in Sydney to a Jordanian father and Italian mother and relocating to Coffs Harbour (Northern NSW) at the age of three (3), living in a regional town for most of his life was a challenge not only for his medical conditions but also for access to services and organisations to support him during the time he was 'coming out'. In 2013 after his second brain tumour operation, Ayman relocated to Melbourne, Victoria where he commenced working at Professionals Australia in their Outbound Call Centre, became involved in many organisations including JOY 94.9, Victorian Aids Council and GLOBE Melbourne as well as completing a Diploma of Business in 2014.

Most of times people with difficulties find it hard to overcome or share their challenges, however Ayman reminded us that he is not a person with disability, he is a person with DIFFability. We also celebrated Rotarian Kay Ledson's Rotary Hero award for her commitment, dedication and superheroic spirit to promote Spinal Cord Injury (SPI) awareness through her Warrior Mumz international support group.

We like to acknowledge the visiting Rotarians & Guests that came:

• Guest Speaker
  • Ayman Barbaresco
     
• Rotary E-Club of Latitude 38, District 9820
  • Anthony Meyer
     
• Guests
  • Peter Jacobsen
  • Jaqui Clark
  • Chris Wallis
  • Adam Breman

Remember to keep the following dates free and to RSVP on our website:

• 5 March - Southbank Conversations & Meetup (informal meeting)
• 7 March - International Women's Day Breakfast
• 11 March - Moomba Parade 2019 BBQ (event of Rotary Club of North Melbourne)
• 12 March - Angel Flight transporting rural Australians to medical appointments in major cities
• 19 March - Southbank Conversations & Meetup (informal meeting)
• 21 March - More Lives Than Your Average Cat (event of Rotary Club of North Melbourne)
• 26 March - EASE (Evolution of A Social Enterprise)
• 31 March - Team Rotary @ MS Melbourne Cycle + 1/2 Marathon
• 9th April - Zeenath Zareen (Member behind the Badge)
• 11th April - Rotary Club of Glen Eira Fashion Parade
• 16th April - Club Board Meeting
• 23rd April - Sally Page (Member behind the Badge)
• 28th April - Club Planning Day @ Tallarook

Whenever you pass or walkthrough the hospital areas in Parkville, Victoria; you will see the Rotary emblem and you ask yourself how did this all happen? A number of Rotarians and guests gathered at the Bone Marrow Donor Institute (BMDI) Rotary House in North Melbourne on Wednesday evening 27th February 2019 where Managing Director of Fight Cancer Foundation (and a new Rotarian with Rotary Club of Melbourne), Eric Wright shared with us the journey which started way back in early 1990's.

Rotary, in partnership with Fight Cancer Foundation, has made an enormous difference to the lives of people living with cancer since 1990. District 9800 helped fundraise $4M to create a world-class Cancer Research Centre in Melbourne, which continues to produce results that improve the outcomes of cancer patients around the world.

The centre comprises thirteen (13) self-contained apartments for regional, rural and interstate families who must travel to Melbourne to access specialist cancer treatment. Close to three major treating hospitals, more than seventy (70) families find a home away from home at BMDI Rotary House each year, helping to alleviate some of the financial and emotional stress and uncertainty brought by a diagnosis of cancer. Most importantly, it keeps these families together during the toughest battle of their lives.

The need for comfortable, affordable accommodation for rural and interstate families requiring treatment for cancer is high. BMDI Rotary House is always at capacity and the waiting list of families desperate for a safe place to stay for up to six months is long. What happens to these families if they can't access accommodation like that of BMDI Rotary House? They might spend their life savings on motel rooms, couch surf or decide to skip the treatment they need all due to the prohibitive cost of accommodation.

Rotary House, Rotary and Fight Cancer Foundation's ambitious new project, aims to provide more families going through cancer with a home away from home. With 30 custom-built apartments that cater to the specialised needs of people recovering from a bone marrow transplant, each year the new facility will provide almost 11,000 nights' accommodation to families who need it most.

This year in June 2019, a planned annual fundraiser breakfast in Crown will be held to raise awareness and gain support from the public in Fighting Cancer - stay tuned on this space! 

Southbank Conversations & Meetup is our club's 'informal meeting' where it gives an opportunity for club members to catch-up (including Rotary Family & Friends) and to also discuss about projects (planned or idea initiation) at the Belgian Beer Cafe, Southbank when we don't have our formal meetings scheduled.

On Tuesday 19th February 2019, we caught up with Past President Wendy Bennett and Vice-President Elect Nicholas Kane to share highlights from the recent Victorian Multi District Conference and to converse on various topics like the in's & out's of the financial sector, environment sustainability and many others.

Remember to keep the following dates free and to RSVP on our website:

• 26 February - Limitless Boundaries
• 27 February - Fight Cancer Foundation Dinner (event of Rotary Club of Laverton Point Cook)
• 2 March - Opera on the Yarra (event of Rotary Club of Central Melbourne)
• 3 March - Clean Up the Yarra (event of Ocean CleanX & Rotaract Club of Melbourne City, Australia)
• 5 March - Southbank Conversations & Meetup (informal meeting)
• 7 March - International Women's Day Breakfast
• 11 March - Moomba Parade 2019 BBQ (event of Rotary Club of North Melbourne)
• 12 March - Angel Flight transporting rural Australians to medical appointments in major cities
• 19 March - Southbank Conversations & Meetup (informal meeting)
• 21 March - More Lives Than Your Average Cat (event of Rotary Club of North Melbourne)
• 26 March - EASE (Evolution of A Social Enterprise)
• 31 March - Team Rotary @ MS Melbourne Cycle + 1/2 Marathon

Number of us from Rotary Club of Southbank attended the first ever Victorian Multi District Conference (MDC) at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 15th February 2019 till 17th February 2019.

Over 1,500 Rotarians and guests attended who came from the Victoria state, interstate and overseas. Rotary International Director-Elect Dr. Stephanie Urchick who is a member of the Rotary Club of Canonsburg-Houston Southpointe, USA (District 7330) was the Rotary International President Representative for this conference who was referred by Immediate Past Rotary International President Ian Risely himself!

Several keynote speakers like Lord Mayor of Melbourne Sally Capp, Founder of Pride Cup Jason Ball, Victoria's former Chief Commissioner of Police Christine Nixon and others spoke at the conference to share their stories and success that has a positive impact to communities dear to our heart.

At the start of the conference, the Peace Through Service Summit was held that brought together academics, political leaders, businesses, community leaders and peace activists to explore building peace and how Rotary can work with others to prevent and resolve conflict from international and local perspectives. It also highlighted the areas in which Rotary does its most significant work and by looking at Peace through Rotary's six (6) Areas of Focus to best leverage our service.

In addition to the conference, Youth Social Impact Forum were held featuring a range of inspiring speakers who work across a variety of community groups, non-profits and social enterprises, to learn from the very best when it comes to creating positive change within communities. This wouldn't be possible without the stewardship from Assistant Governor (Batman) Dale Hoy and his team members who made this a success - massive congratulations!

Towards the end of the conference, we celebrated Past District Governor (1992-1993) Gordon McKern, OAM from Rotary Club of Eaglehwak Service Above Self award for his contribution to Rotary particularly in championing the Bone Marrow Donor Institute (BMDI) Rotary House in North Melbourne back in 1999.

All of us from Rotary Club of Southbank thank the four (4) district governors and their respective organising committee's for a successful MDC:

• District 9790 - District Governor Malcolm Alexander Kerr
• District 9800 - District Governor Bronwyn Stephens
• District 9810 - District Governor Russell Gurney
• District 9820 - District Governor Janne Speirs

Picture taken from the Victorian Multi District Conference Gala Dinner

Past President Steven Aquilina, Rotarian Judy Parslow and President-Elect Sally Page doing food packing at the end of the conference.

Coinciding with the Victorian Multi District Conference, we hosted fifty-five (55) Rotarians and guests across District 9800, interstate and overseas for our Club Conference Dinner at the Belgian Beer Cafe in Southbank on Friday 15th February 2019.

It was a memorable evening as we had Sameer Vikram Babber (guest speaker) who spoke about "How small and medium businesses leverage data and technology to scale up business with ease", raised over $300 through raffles + auctions and celebrated birthday's for the February babies with a humongous Brunetti cake which amazed Immediate Past President Liam Jones!

We like to acknowledge the visiting Rotarians & Guests that came:

• Guest Speaker
  • Sameer Vikram Babber - Managing Director & CEO of SVB Group
     
• Rotary Family & Guests (6)
  • Saira Griffin - Zaparas Lawyers & Club First Lady      
  • Dr. Balvindar Kaur - Sister of President Amritpal Singh      
  • Jim Chronopoulos - Brother-in-law of President Amritpal Singh     
  • Jaqui Clark - Allianz        
  • Dean Fakira - Past Member       
  • Bharadwaj Swaminathan - KPMG Australia & Former Interactor from Malaysia
            
• Rotary Club of Melbourne South (2)
  • District Governor Bronwyn Stephens
  • President John Wall
     
• Rotary Club of Brighton (2)
  • Assistant Governor (Batman) Dale Hoy
  • Maureen Hoy
     
• Rotary Club of Brighton North (1)
  • Past Assistant Governor (Batman) Kate Strain
     
• Rotary Club of Melbourne (1)
  • Katie Wilford - Rotary Global Scholar from Iowa, USA
     
• Rotary Club of Cruzeiro, Sao Paulo, Brazil (1)
  • Manoel Felipe - Hononary Member 
        
• Rotary E-Club of Melbourne (2)
  • President Gabe Hau (Past President of Southbank in 2008-09)
  • Past Assistant Governor (Stonnington) Caroline Ord
     
• Rotary Club of Beecroft, New South Wales (1)
  • Immediate Past President Mark Anderson
     
• Rotary Club of Altona City (1)
  • President Bronwyn Fanning
     
• Rotary Club of Laverton Point Cook (2)
  • President Catherine O'Connor         
  • Rotarian Fay Lunn   
     
• Rotary Club of North Melbourne (12)
  • President-Elect George Zindilis
  • Past President Neville Page
  • Rotarian Judy Page
  • Past President Andrew Georgiou
  • Amanda Georgiou
  • Rotarian Larry Robb
  • Susan Robb
  • Immediate Past President Manjula Pragasam
  • Subu Pragasam
  • Rotarian Sainab Sheikh
  • Hassan Sheikh
  • Genny Degasperi
     
• Rotary Club of West Footscray (13)
  • President Adam Gray
  • Angelika Gray
  • Past President Greg Ollett
  • Sue Ollett
  • Past President Denis O'Brien
  • Mary O'Brien
  • Rotarian Gabrielle Morgan
  • Past President Roger Climie
  • Jenny Climie
  • Immediate Past President Cecil Schmalkuche
  • Jane Schmalkuche
  • Rotarian Ian Johnson
  • Betty Johnson

The Rotary Club of Melbourne Young Achievers awards recognise and honour three outstanding young Victorians with an award and a cheque for $1,500.
Awardees are invited to a luncheon meeting where a cheque and a Certificate of Achievement are presented.

In 2019, the awards are expected to be presented in May. Awardees briefly address the Club on their experiences and aspirations.

The following criteria are considered when deciding the successful recipient:

• candidate must be between 18 and 26 years of age;
• candidate must have demonstrated outstanding success in vocational training, academic, sporting, artistic or business pursuits;
• candidate must have also made a significant contribution in the form of service to the community;

Expressions of interest are called for by the 28th February 2019.

Nominations may be made by email to the Vocational Service Committee (office@rotaryclubofmelbourne.org.au) or preferably through the Club website.You will need to download the required nomination form - click here.

It should include a CV, an outline of educational and vocational achievements, details of community service activities, and be supported by a nominator and referees who can attest to the merit of these achievements.

To access the RCM website please click on the hyperlink provided here: http://www.rotaryclubofmelbourne.org.au

Southbank Conversations & Meetup is our club's 'informal meeting' where it gives an opportunity for club members to catch-up (including Rotary Family & Friends) and to also discuss about projects (planned or idea initiation) at the Belgian Beer Cafe, Southbank when we don't have our formal meetings scheduled.

On Tuesday 5th February 2019, we had Rotary Club of North Melbourne (President-Elect George Zindilis & Past President Neville Page) together with Assistant Governor (Batman) Dale Hoy from Rotary Club of Brighton and Past Member Dean Fakira to have a robust conversation on how our club can assist with North Melbourne's digital presence and to consider participating in each others projects/events where possible. Dean also shared with us his understanding and insights to the recent Royal Bank Commission report which came out recently. 

Remember to keep the following dates free and to RSVP on our website:

• 6 February - Telling the Real Rotary story and how to get more people involved with Rotary (event of Rotary E-Club of Melbourne)
• 15 February - Conference Club Dinner at the Belgian Beer Cafe, Southbank
• 16 February - Meeniyan Garlic Festival in Meeniyan, South Gippsland
• 19 February - Southbank Conversations & Meetup (informal meeting)
• 20 February - 2019 Angus Mitchell Oration; Topic on "The Humanitarian Imperative to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons" by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr Tilman Ruff, MB, BS (Hons), FRACP, AM (event of Rotary Club of Melbourne)
• 26 February - Limitless Boundaries
• 2 March - Opera on the Yarra (event of Rotary Club of Central Melbourne)
• 7 March - International Women's Day Breakfast