It was a wonderful meeting this week, even though numbers were a little down due to illness and the call of the Brownlow Medal for footy tragics.
It was good to see Karin and Rob Simpson back safely from their travels. We also welcomed Fiona Anderson and Michael Li. Michael will be inducted in the next few weeks.
George Dolezal was back in fine form, despite his hand being in a protective brace, to prevent any movement of his finger. He made a surprise presentation (on a year’s loan) to me of a Peace broach, which the inventor of Peace Poles had given to his Father-in -law.
This was very topical, following as it did, the unveiling on Sunday, the International Day of Peace, of the four Peace Poles at Victoria Park. The pleasing crowd of 40-50 people, including the District Governor, Peter Shepheard, the Mayor of Boroondara, Monique Ryan Member for Kew, Jess Wilson, Member for Kew (with son Patrick), Cr Shima Ibuki, the Presidents of the Rotary Clubs of Kew, Canterbury, Camberwell and Nth Balwyn and many rotarians , family and friends attended the moving ceremony, then enjoyed a sausage in bread.
Many thanks to all involved, especially David Chivers, Rob Simpson, Russell Hoath and Ray Norton who cooked the sausages and those who worked on the paving ready for the opening.
Nora reported that the FAM at Scotch College on Thursday was most successful, with 28000 meals being packed.
At Monday’s meeting, Alex Birnie informed and entertained us with a peek into her life - one of many challenges and achievements. We are lucky to have her as a member of our club. See later for a fuller report of her presentation.
Our speaker next week is Dr Margaret Murray, explaining “The Hype about Protein”. Also next week the team travelling to the Philippines Medical Mission are preparing to depart. The following week we will have a friends and partners social night at the Harp Hotel. Do let Alan know if you are coming .
President Elizabeth introduced our speaker Alex Birnie outlining how she had known Alex and her family since Alex was a small child and later met again through the rotary radio show.
Alex spoke about how having cerebral palsy has made her very determined and how that determination resulted in her receiving speeding fines at school for going too fast.
She has many passions one being singing that has turned from a fun hobby to her being in a number of choirs. Alex does classical signing and also appeared on an episode of the TV series Sea Change. She does not have a passion for sport and definitely is not a fan of wheelchair rugby.
After she finished high school she completed studies in public relations and music. This led to a role in community radio in admin roles. In 2019 she joined the radio station 3WBC and presents on Sundays and also a Friday morning session.
Alex's love a music revolves around country music and she regularly attends festivals across Australia.
She has performed with the Indies Voices choir and showed a video of a performance at Hamer Hall. She also has performed at the St Kilda Town Hall with a music video group.
Ales is now studying speech pathology at university and would like to work in schools or in rehab in hospitals.
Amongst all these activities Alex has am aim to record an album and learn the trumpet.
She concluded her presentation by doing what has not been done very often at the Club, signing a song called Angel.
What a great thrill it was to hear about Alex's life journey.
Our speaker next week is Dr Margaret Murray whi is a Senior Lecturer, Nutrition, with the School of Health Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology. She is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food at Monash University.
Her main research focus is investigating the health impacts of food, nutrients and food components with a focus on reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and mental health disorders. Her focus is on the human aspect of food, nutrition and health. She has run multiple human clinical trials looking at how food and nutrition influence health outcome markers.
Margaret is also interested in other areas of nutrition, including educating people about nutrition, and the bigger picture of our food system and the relationship between the food system, human health and planetary health.
Margaret holds a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics with Honours in Nutrition, and a PhD.
Many members and partners from the Canterbury and Kew Rotary Clubs attended the official unveiling of the peace poles at Victoria Park in Kew on Sunday 21 September, which is world peace day.
Club Co-President Elizabeth Shepherd and Pam Norton, past President at Kew RC performed the official duties.
Boroondara Mayor Cr Sophie Tornie performed the unveiling along with Elizabeth and Pam.
Kooyong Federal Member Monique Ryan and the Victoria Member for Kew and Canterbury RC member Jess Wilson along with District Governor Peter Shepheard and Councillor Shima Ibuki were part of the ceremony.
A background crew did a might job with the BBQ in what is a fabulous setting in Victoria Park.
Pam and Elizabeth thanked the many Club members and friends of the Clubs for their assistance in the heavy lifting to install the pavers and help with the landscaping. Jen Martin was also thanked for her landscape design for the site.
FORaMEAL Event held at Scotch College on Thursday 15 December 2025
Thanks again are extended to Pat, Helen, Alex, Alan, Rob, Kyle, Yidan and David x 2 for your assistance at the event. We really do appreciate your ongoing contributions and support.
A real surprise and welcome back to the team David C and Rob following your trip.
A pleasant day and the boys packed 26,880 meals. It is great to have the students help with the setup and pack up. We also acknowledge and appreciate that some of the Scotch teaching staff participated in the processes of the day.
Anne Orgeolet, the organising teacher, advised me that the students actually fundraised the full amount for their contribution for the raw materials.
We are having a break till now till November. The next one is at St Leonard’s on Friday 7 November.
Wishing the Philippines team a successful eye and ear mission and safe travels.
The Canterbury Rotary Club lunch usually meets bi-weekly at 12.30 for a meal and some fun. Above is the lunch group enjoying a meal on Wednesday at the Harp Hotel.
David Zrna looks after the reservations for the lunch group. Please contact David at david.zrna@canterburyrotary.org or on 0467033092 to advise that you will be coming to a lunch.
Spring is here and it is the time of year to think about getting outside with your family, friends and club members to participate in our Rotary Walk With Us fundraiser which starts on 1 October.
Please register yourself and your team to participate and fundraise for Rotary’s number one global project being the eradication of polio from the world. Dream up a catchy team name, garner support and start walking, running, cycling or any other movement that you wish.
What a wonderful way to get fit, collaborate and support this wonderful cause.
Please see the invitation below to the Paws for Polio Event. Bring your four legged furry friend and join in the fun. To register for this event click here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1459443
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