The Rotary Club of Kew Inc. 2009- 2010 President’s Report

 Past President Barry Minster

As I write this annual report, I look back to the time when then President Fred Payne telephoned me to ask if I was prepared to accept the position of President for the 2009/2010 rotary year. This was in November 2007 and looking back it seemed like a long period before I would even need to get concerned about this challenge. After all I had been involved in other organizations for many years. In Freemasonry I held the position of District Coordinator for 3 consecutive years and there I was looking after 35 lodges with over 1200 members. Being President of a Rotary Club was going to be a breeze. How wrong was I?

With pre pets training, pets training, district assembly, district conference and being bombarded from every angle I soon learned that the position of President of a Rotary Club was going to be an experience I had never felt before.

Rotary is possibly the best and worst organized group of people I have ever come across.

On one hand it is a voluntary group of people driven to do good in their community. On the other, each and every separate group wants the other groups to get involved with their pet programs.

We are left with organized chaos.

Not withstanding all of this I submit to you my report for the Rotary year 2009 ~ 2010

With my term as President following a Garden Design Festival [GDF] event, I felt that the main exercise would be to run a steady as she goes term, not to bite off more than any of us could chew. This meant we could not ignore the immense effort that running a GDF every two years requires extensive planning and by October 2009 I ensured that we had in place a committee who would prepare the project in a way that would allow me to hand over to my President elect Jonathan Shepherd without feeling neglected.

My thanks go to Jill Forsyth, Murray Chessell, Vin Doquille, Jonathan Shepherd and most of all to Graeme Sheehan who together have provided all the elements for what I know will be yet another successful event in the coming spring.

I also wanted to look at membership and some of the concerns I learnt from my links with the RSL and Veteran community. We too are an aging society and without looking at all elements one goes unprepared into the battle so to speak. I knew we might lose one or two through age related illness and I was right. In September Cliff Phillips passed away. Although Cliff was no longer an active member, we felt his presence and reports weekly from Dr Bill Pick and Allan Martin kept us all informed.

The second death also was not really unexpected – Jock Chudachek passed away in April. When we saw Jock in Hobart prior to the 2009 District Conference he was already very unwell. We chatted and he understood his fate. We have had others who have had periods of illness and we are pleased to know that as Rotarians they appreciate our ongoing care and thoughts. Thus we were fortunate to have Greg Rodsted – a Rotarian from Melbourne South join us early in the year and Andrew Dalziel a former Rotarian from East Kew who joined us in January. Both of these gentlemen have immediately joined in to our group and have shown what fine Rotarians they are.

A resignation from Leigh Matthews who apart from having difficulties in attending our meetings with her commitments in Cambodia – and beginning a family Leigh could not make the commitment needed from members. Additionally we know Andrew Kors who followed his wife Linda to Singapore where Linda took up a post with Mobil Exxon, will eventually not renew his membership with Kew.
I felt the club needed a refocus on to the value we hold dear – fellowship. We are like minded people who value others of like minds. Hence I was determined to re establish a level of fellowship which we could all enjoy. I asked Vin Doquille to arrange film nights with sandwiches and coffee. These have proved successful and allow every member to attend with his or her partner.
We also had a social event at Peter Hoban’s beachside home when many members and partners enjoyed fellowship.
We reinstated the Club’s birthday dinner – another social event which brought many members and partners together. Over 50 members and partners were there and all had a great time of fellowship. Even foundation member Keith Holdsworth attended with his wife.
I asked the board members to share their residences when a board meeting was being held. This too has been successful and I thank every one for opening their home to the club activities.
Within one month of my term beginning I had conducted a survey of members to ascertain their views regarding a wide range of subjects.
Overwhelmingly the members felt that they wanted to remain at Kew Golf Club for our meetings. The members agreed that the style and format of our meetings was on track and also they wanted more involvement in local community activities. We have been able to do this apart from four occasions when the Golf Club was pre booked for another event and we moved to the QPO Restaurant. This was a reasonable alternative but brings with it a parking and access problem. This needs further discussion in the future.
The Club’s administration was handled appropriately even with un necessary pressure from district and I thank retiring secretary Peter Stewart for his unstinting administration over the past three years. Nothing was ever a problem – he responded immediately to my every request and deserves recognition from all of the members.
Our treasurer Ron McCarthy also deserves recognition. Ron was proactive and at every opportunity would assist the decision making process by providing accurate financial reports gleaned from his fastidious record keeping. Thank you Ron, I wish you well in your retirement.
Whilst discussing Ron, I congratulate him and Don McKinnon who led Ron into the wilds of Cambodia where they met up with Andrew Kors on an eight day cycle ride raising money for Epworth Hospital. Well done Rotarians.
Guest speakers were to be a challenge which I felt I could easily overcome. However after exhausting my own resources quite early in my year, I fell upon Merv Williams who ably stood up and assisted by getting people for any vacant spot which occurred.
Our speakers were wide and varied which is the aim of a program director. We had informative talks from sleep apnea experts, port of Melbourne PR, flute playing priest, district directors informing us of rotary ventures, and I managed to get eight members to tell us “the Rotarian behind the badge” stories.

I am quite pleased with the luncheon program which eventuated and I thank all the members who assisted in gaining speakers or participating. This is and ought to remain an important part of Rotary.
Sergeants - I decided not to appoint a single sergeant for my year but rather allocate the dutiesto twelve different ones – allowing each a four meeting opportunity to express them selves. This has had a mixed reaction but one needs to try different ways of doing things in order to advance the overall cause.

I thank each and every one of my twelve disciples who not only added to the meetings but increased the funds of the club by a diligent roasting of our members when appropriate.

Visiting – I attended all the incoming changeover nights with my lovely wife judith who did not once complain – not even at DG changeover when she was heard to remark when hearing the DG speaking “haven’t we heard this story before?”
Judith accompanied me to Pets training in Ballarat where we met the other members of our Yarra cluster – President Anne & Ed Brown, President Neil & Helen Roberts, President Ian & Fran Willmott ad Assist District governor Gabrielle Morgan & John McDermott.
[Ed & I served in the same signals unit in Sth Vietnam, Anne went to Sunday school with Fran Willmott, Judy went to school with Gabrielle Morgan, Ian and I were lodge masters together in 1987, John McDermott and Gabrielle are friends of Judy’s brother. The closeness of our group was amazing.]
Another successful social event was Moonee Valley racing night – again I thank the organizers who plan these functions. Everyone enjoyed the night and if you followed the rails bookie – you came out on top!
District conference was in Perth in March and several members attended.
I thank Mike & Sali McFarlane, Roger & Elaine Fasken, Jonathan & Elizabeth Shepherd, Jill Forsyth and myself included in that group for representing RC Kew. Although it is on the other side of Australia, as Roger Fasken said “once you get onto the plane – your costs are the same as if the conference was in Shepparton.” In reality the conference was a success with over 650 people attending and hearing from excellent speakers – Janet Homes a’Court, Dr Fiona Wood, experts in water management, mining chiefs and medical people. As well as hearing from that vast array of Rotary opportunities which keep being proposed by well meaning members.
I must single out Peter Hoban who took on the difficult task of community service and allowed us to take on another elderly pensioner’s garden in Canterbury. Over two days [a third day cleaning up] we laboured and cleared a property which had not been toughed for many years. We flew the Rotary flag and attracted much attention.
We also had secured our Rotary BBQ Trailer [assisted by a Government Grant] by then and it got its first outing. We need to use it more often to raise our profile in the community after all we are a service club and we like to get down and dirty. Thank you to Michael Conyers’s efforts in getting this valuable piece of equipment.
Quite recently we had the opportunity to be involved in the Sumba Indonesian night with the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. This again was a huge success with some $23,000.00 being raised by the 240 people that attended that evening. I thank those involved – as without their assistance it would not have been the great success that it was.
George Grant has continued to run our web site and some statistics he has given me are amazing. I could attach the 29 pages to this report but won’t however I can email them to you if you are interested.
I was unable to find a bulletin editor for my year so I began by creating a weekly letter from the President. This was produced by me and I feel a little disappointed in as much as it really did not hit the spot. Hopefully in the future the club will be able to get a volunteer member – not in office elsewhere to offer his or her services to create a necessary information page for the weekly report.
I also began a Facebook site for Kew Rotary Club. This fairly new social media has become a major avenue for many Rotary clubs to interact with their members and perhaps we could increase our awareness on there by becoming more involved. Our children and grandchildren are committed to Facebook – and they are the future Rotarians of the world.
I encourage all of us to get more involved there – after all ten years ago many members did not even have an email address and now they not only have one but are regular users of email.
Vocational visit. I thank Michael Stillwell for conducting a vocational visit to his family business corporation in Clayton. The 20 members who attended were taken on a journey of discovery through the intricate windings of a multimillion dollar business and a huge investment into motor vehicle selling and servicing. Well done Michael and thank you again.
Police Mentoring. Whilst discussing Michael – he volunteered to mentor another Police Inspector – Michael Sayer. Michael Sayer and his wife Bronwyn attend several meeting thru the year and recently I attended the end of year event at Melbourne Sunrise Club where all the attendees were recognised and acknowledged. The “pilot” program has been given the approval by the chief commissioner to continue across the entire district in the coming year.

Michael & Bronwyn Sayer even attended our club birthday party.

Peter Hoban excelled again whilst we were in Perth by arranging to get involved with clean up Australia. We were given a part of the Yarra near the guide dog centre and several members got down and dirty. Thanks to all who did their bit whilst we swanned around in Perth.
Whilst on community service I would like to thank John and Judy Savage for their work on Boroondara Cares over the past three years, this inter community program has assisted the emotional welfare of hundreds of rural people in the Cobram district and we have showed we care.
John & Judy Savage along with Judy and I attended the annual Rotary trots event in May where we were all taken to the cleaners but had a great day.
Shelter Box Australia fell apart early in my term, however I thank both Roger Fasken and Bob Crozier for their efforts in promoting this part of Rotary and they deserve greater recognition than I can offer. We attended several Camberwell Market display days and raised many hundreds of dollars and showed people that Rotary has a very strong side when it comes to assisting in times of disaster. At time of writing there is some light at the end of the tunnel for shelterbox but I am not certain when it will become viable here again.
Roger Fasken has also been honoured by joining “The Paul Harris Society” and was awarded with his membership recently. We all admire Roger’s example of leadership with esteem.
We were also still shell shocked from the February 2009 bush fire which devastated Kinglake and Marysville. A lot of our attention in district 9800 has been on assisting the people of those towns and DIK store was called on to assist. I thank Ma Hoon tan, Merv Williams, Jill Forsyth and Graeme Lindsay for assisting there. I also not that Bill Dagg has finally called it a day and his farewell was this week.
We were also able to assist Anne and Denis McDonald move unwanted furniture from their home in the country at Ancona by travelling up there in two 4WD with trailers to shift beds and cupboards and table to DIK store where they were packed into containers for East Timor. Thank you Roger Fasken and Graeme Lindsay.
We met our annual contribution of US $100 per member to Rotary Foundation – fortunately the exchange rate has fallen in our favour so it was not as painful as previous years.
Jill Forsyth has continued with her monthly Timor Leste soap wrapping classes with volunteers attending to assist the process. This not only speeds up the job but gives some members an opportunity to meet on a semi social basis. Thank you Jill.
I decided to offer soaps in lieu of glasses to our guest speakers when appropriate.
I thank Mah Hoon Tan for his fund raising by selling his seafood at Christmas – keep fishing Mah Hoon – it is always great quality and worthwhile.
Murray Chessell sold a few puddings and cakes and the club resolved NOT to continue this program as often we are purchasing too many and unable to on sell.
Our annual golf day was conducted with expertise unknown to me – not being a golfer. However I appreciate that it raised several thousand dollars to assist us in our programs. Thanks to Peter Stewart and Harry Belli to name but two. Unfortunately it clashed with the annual Boroondara Paper event at which recently retired Judge Frank Vincent was the guest speaker.
He spoke on law and order and his experiences of being a Supreme Court justice for over 24 years. This event will be hosted by us in 2011 so we need to start planning for it soon.
Our Assistant Governor Gabrielle Morgan has attended several meeting of our club but ran cluster meeting of presidents every two months. This initiative allows each club president to be aware of other activities in the zone and often assists all by planning events not to clash or interfere. The Yarra Cluster consists of Kew, Kew on Yarra, Glenferrie and Hawthorn. A great idea and I hope will be continuing into the future.
I thank Gabrielle for her knowledge of Rotary and the way in which she has assisted e and our administration in this year. Gabrielle is not continuing as ADG but will be assisting District as RYLA director. Rotarian Neville John is her replacement.


Donations: We have as a club been generous to many charities through the year.
Cakes & puddings $ 524
Life Education Caravans $1000
Alola Foundation $3000
Cancer Council Victoria $1000
Interplast $1000
Mesothelioma Research $1000
Odyssey house $1000
Boroondara Cares $8371
ShelterBox Australia $7571
Moira food vouchers $4125
RAWCS Cambodia $ 500
Royal Childrens Hospital $ 200
Sumba Eye project $9000
Rotary Foundation $5000
Rotary Overseas Aid Fund $1000

Our members have been generous not only with their time but also by having deep pockets are:
Sameer Babbar who makes his journey to the club as often as his career permits, we enjoy the commitment he offers to Kew. Thank you.
Harry Belli a Rotarian at heart but his business precludes him from a regular attendance – thank you or your support of the club and the newsletter.
Leo Blake for his sponsorships of golf, newsletter and other events when we need food and or money.
David Bloom for his insight into local government issues by offering an avenue to Boroondara Council.
Peter Carrigan – a support from a distance but a supporter none the less. Thank you Peter.
Bob Crozier – a little off colour lately but a firm committed Rotarian – long may it continue and thanks for your Shelter Box work.
Andrew Dalziel a former Rotarian but new to Kew – already putting his foot in the water – welcome aboard Andrew.
Maurice Di Marzio for assisting with GDF advertising and promotion.
Michael De Vincentis – for keeping us honest with regard to supporting the CFA and SES after the bush fire disasters.
Vin Doquille – never backward in suggesting social events thank you Vin
Hillary Ellis for his support in sponsoring the newsletter and GDF.
Roger Fasken another with deep pockets and willing hands –Thank you Roger for Shelter Box and RAWCS
Beth Foley who would never miss an opportunity to sell raffle tickets at GDF events.
Jill Forsyth whose commitment to GDF and Timor Leste is magnificent.
George Grant – Web Master extraordinaire – well done George – you manage to do much more that I could.
Harry Higgins – who’s health is not all that good – but a strong supporter who attends when he can.
Peter Hoban – the life of RC Kew – keep it Peter – we need more Rotarians like you.
Susan Holliday who continues to inform us about local needs of Boroondara citizens and attends every event she can.
John Kennedy by being a regular attendee and supporter of our club.
Andrew Kors – unavoidably detained overseas – however a welcome addition to our club when ever he wishes.
Geoff Laver always finds it difficult to get to lunch but never missed an evening event – thanks you Geoff
Robert Levin with his deep pockets and extreme senses of humour.
Graeme Lindsay who volunteers us to assist with school events and community service.
Allen Martin with his corporate knowledge of Local Government.
Ron McCartney a stalwart Treasurer – fine detail necessary in that task – well done and thank you.
Dennis McDonald – suffering ill health but a strong supported of our aims.
Mike McFarlane by restructuring membership planning and representing us at District by being an ADG
Don McKinnon with his wide outlook towards assisting other – thanks you Don.
Frank O’Sullivan with his annual on to conference organization as well as the golf event.
Fred Payne who never misses a meeting and his well organized mind and attention to detail for our GDF and Golf events.
Bill Pick who looks after all of us in a health sense.
Meron Power – never misses our meetings and will continue to offer her support at events we run.
Greg Rodsted a long term Rotarian but new to Kew – we look to you for leadership in overseas work.
John Savage – Boroondara Cares says it all – well done that man [and woman]
Graeme Sheehan with his knowledge of GDF as well as his prior experience as Secretary.
Jonathan Shepherd who steps up to the plate as an auctioneer raising funds and the level of fun.
Peter Stewart – for being an amazing man – SUMBA says it all. Thanks for being our Secretary
Michael Stillwell who although still well entrenched in business never misses an opportunity to assist by funding the newsletter as well as mentoring schemes.
Mah Hoon tan – who is as regular as clockwork – a fine Rotarian always willing to put up his hand to assist.
Judith Voce – although not a regular attendee – she is a strong supporter of the RC of Kew
Nick Waters a new member still learning our values but already putting in to assist. Thank you Nick
Merv Williams – anchor man and organizer of great skill for speakers.
I hope I have not neglected anyone item or person who has contributed to the success of my year as president – if I have, please accept my humble apology as when reviewing the past 50 plus weekly meetings –it is difficult to cover every detail.
In closing I thank each and every one of you for your support and assistance in allowing me to be your president through 2009/10.
It is and will always remain with me as a remarkable year in my life.
BARRY MINSTER
July 1st 2010