Fellows, we have had an enjoyable year and I am proud of the effort that all members have made during this time.
We had quite a number of barbecues for which many members, partners and supporters attended. Particular thanks to Alf and Keith.
I would also like to thank Anna-Marie for her organising skills during the year, especially our very successful Vocational Excellence Awards.
My thanks also go to Rob Whitney for organising the various youth projects. (I wish he would accept the board position of New Generation Director.)
I would like to thank all Board Members for their support during the year.
I must specifically thank however, three Board members:
Firstly Fred Walker for his dexterity has taken on the duty as Treasurer. Besides getting the Club's accounting records up to date for the previous year, he has regularly produced up to date treasurer's reports to the board.
Secondly, I thank PP John Mansour for his guidance and support.
And lastl but not least, I heartely thank Peter Moore for continuing as Secretary for another year and his dedication to his duties, (even whilst on holiday overseas). He has given more than necessary to his role. On top of that, he had produced our bulletin SPOKE. Thank you so much Peter.
Well, we have survived another year and I wish your new President Hugo Robinson a very successful year ahead.
Present: PP Hugo Robinson, PP Peter Moore , PP Walter Bock, Rob Whitney, PP Keith Weeding, PDG Paul Sarks, PP Fred Walker, Anna-Marie Sanni
Apologies: Pres John Kane, Marilie Bomediano, Patricia Abraham, PP John Mansour, James Boggs, PP Fuad Jaafar, PP Irene Giardino PP Sana Kamalesan Alf Dimarco
Visitors: Lynn, Edmond Teperski, John Tague, Peace Scholar Oliver Wellesley-Cole
Guest Speaker Olivia Wellesley-Cole was introduced by PDG Paul
Olivia reflected on a career focused on peacebuilding, humanitarian work, refugee issues, and public health. Before undertaking a fellowship, she had already gained significant field experience, which shaped their understanding of how international organisations can unintentionally influence conflicts. She highlighted the importance of neutrality, cultural understanding, and recognising how decisions can affect different groups.
During her fellowship, COVID restrictions prevented completion of the planned fieldwork, but she conducted doctoral research on displacement and refugee experiences. Her thesis, “Why Are We Displaced?”, examined why people from different sides of conflicts felt they had been forced to leave their homes. Through interviews with refugees resettled in Australia, they found that displacement was not caused by ethnicity alone but by deeper issues such as structural discrimination, inequality, exclusion, and lack of access to services.
After completing her doctorate in 2022, She worked with the United Nations on pandemic preparedness in South Sudan and had previously contributed to the Ebola response in Sierra Leone. These experiences expanded her expertise into public health and emergency response.
Olivia has also remained actively involved with Rotary by assessing applicants for the Rotary Peace Fellowship and later becoming Chairperson of the Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee. Her role is to promote the fellowship, support applicants, and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to pursue peacebuilding opportunities.
Living in a highly multicultural Australian community has strengthened her commitment to promoting the fellowship among communities that may not otherwise know about it. She believes the Rotary Peace Fellowship provides not only academic training but also practical skills, international networks, and a lifelong commitment to creating positive change.
PDG Paul thanked her for her presentation.
Pres Report
Intends to set up a Whats App group for the Club for better communication. Please buy your Tickets for Changeover. Please make an effort to attend. I will circulate a draft calendar for our meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month. I am suggesting we move the Board meeting to a Zoom every third Monday.
Directors Reports
Secretary: PP Peter Moore
Correspondence In: :
Updated contacts with the ATO now Public Officer Keith Weeding, myself as Secretary, Changed the Club adddres to my Home address and new PO Box Number. PP Fred as registered Tax agent. It is now on my personal portal so future chnages and contact will be simple.
To update membership this evening, District Invoice issued tomorrow. Likely to lose two members
pp Keith presented John Tague with his Vocational Excellence Award. John is a constant helper at our Sausage Sizzles.
Treasurer: PP Fred Walker
Report circulated.
Community: PP Sana Kamalesan
New Generations: Anna-Marie Sanni
Application from Rosebud, Lachlan whom we sponsored to the Science Experience
MUNA - BGHS- competed at MUNA representing Iran. They will attend and report
RYPEN in August looking for applications
Public Image: Marilie Bomediano
Membership: PP Hugo Robinson
Vocation: Patricia Abraham
Foundation: PP John Mansour
International: PP Walter Bock
Renga term coming to an end. With baratjhie they ran every day raising money for the foundtaion
General Business
pp Keith Bunning BBQ on 5th September. PRISCA 23rd November. Liam to organise with lots of helpers from RC Burwood
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.00
Raffle raised $54.00:
If you WWCC has expired, please go to the Office of the Children's Guardian on the link below to renew. Apparently you can renew without going to ServicesNSW by using Face recognition on your phone.
District Governor Final Message 
