Members and visitors alike were held spellbound by this week’s speaker, George Petrou. After the meeting there was a very long queue of members waiting to purchase George’s book, "The Art of Humanity".

 

Guests John, Jules and Rod were enthusiastic additions to our Rotary meeting. I believe John is helping at this week’s FORaMEAL Food packing event and Jules is planning to volunteer at a future FAM event.

 

I will be very Rotary focussed this week, attending the annual City of Boroondara Rotary Presidents’ Network meeting on Thursday, then attending with Jillian Woinarski the President Elect Leadership and Engagement for the weekend, in Bendigo. Meanwhile John McCaskill and his team are preparing for our big event  Your Garden Our Future on Monday 7 April - please see the flier below (online bookings close on Thursday 3 April).

 

Elizabeth

 

George Petrou, our presenter on Monday evening, is a multi-talented individual who has appeared for the second time at our Rotary Club. He is an artist, graphic designer and portrait artist. During COVID, he put a book together, to tell people's stories with both words and in the form of images.

 

He has published two books now- one about sacrifice and the other about humanity. Humanity is defined as concern for other people. He also chose to focus on women. He highlighted the fact that twenty-six doctors and nurse went to World War One to assist.

 

Olive King, the daughter from a wealthy family who loved adventure, converted a truck into an ambulance ( she called it "Ella") and enlisted in the Serbian Army as an ambulance officer.

 

Themi Adams, a member of a sixties rock group, "The Flies", became Bishop Themi of Sierra Leone, sold all his possessions and now helps the poor.

 

Joyce Nankervis Loch, a writer, journalist and humanitarian is Australia's most decorated female doctor.

 

In a self-published, large and beautifully put together book, George has told the stories of people who made a difference. These are but three of the examples from what was an engrossing presentation. Thank you George.

 

Max Holland manages the "Tour de Canterbury Rotary" and provided this update of the recent adventures of the rotary bike group.

 

 

 

 

 

This year the environment, and threats to it, in many places around the world including Australia has been dramatically brought to our attention. There have been droughts, fires, extreme temperatures, cyclones, floods, an earthquake and more flooding rains. Rotarians in Australia and around the world are some of the people working to help those impacted by these lifechanging events by providing humanitarian aid, like this week’s FAM 15000 meals packed and destined for Ethiopia  or Rochester Rotary’s collection and distribution of blankets for flood victims. Others are researching and developing longer term strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events and threats to food supply.

 

At our  event on Monday night, "Your Garden-Our Future", we will hear from several eminent speakers about the role of gardens in promoting pollinators and food supply, current research and how we can safeguard these into the future.

 

I look forward to seeing you on Monday evening at Box Hill Golf Club for a most illuminating and enjoyable evening. Make sure you inspect the range of silent auction items and be competitive in your bidding for them, and in the live auction-there is something for everyone!