It has been two weeks since our last meeting and it has really been a quiet time. The meeting Monday night was also very relaxed with Steve Clarke acting as chairperson, and John Wolmesley relaying his story about being an disinterested student to becoming an expert in insurance, ensuring that each workplace was close to a local pub. He is now a happy house husband with his prime responsibility being caring for his 15 year old daughter, Penny, and preventing the pets from killing each other.
We have had two activities since the last meeting, with a very successful For a Meal packing event at Caulfield Grammar School, and the completion of the Peace Poles garden in Victoria Park Kew, under the supervision of Elizabeth Shepherd. We will need to have some continuing involvement in the garden, such as keeping the peace poles clean, watering and maybe weeding.
The next For a Meal packing will be held at RMIT on the 23rd of March. Please help if it is at all possible.
Other events coming up include a visit to Rimern on the 4th of May, with a follow up meal at Darebin RSL. This event is specially designed for new members to learn about Rimern. On the 25th of May we will be having a new members evening- and we plan to make this a very special event! The next important event will be Changeover, which will be held at Studley Grounds in Studley Park Rd. Kew, on the 29th of June. An invitation should be coming shortly.
Enjoy the rest of the week and I'll see you on the 20th of April, and please remember to bring some groceries.
THE NAMES MAY CHANGE, BUT THE STORY CONTINUES : MEMBER BEHIND THE BADGE
John Wolmersley is a great father and a family man. He also volunteers at the RSPCA. His wife, Andrea, comes from a Lebanese Maranite Christian family. Photos from his wedding give us lots of details, from the Arabic language to placing many coloured streamers around the bride and groom as they danced at their wedding.
John is a very practical person, who learned these skills working beside his father, a mechanical engineer. Being active and making things is an essential part of his life. Although he has very fond memories of this time in kindergarten, he recalled, as the years went by, that he was not academic. He made the choice to turn his mind , and studies, to business. However, by the time he reached VCE, he did not obtain what was required to undertake an accounting course. Instead, he went to Holmesglen, and undertook a bridging course in accounting. After Holmesglen, he went to Deakin University in Burwood. At the height of the recession, in the eighties, he continued to apply for jobs in accounting. His first job was at Harry Heaths in Balwyn.
Eventually, John gained a job at AMEV Insurance. There, he implemented and improved a direct debit system which was not functioning properly. Fortis bought AMEV, and rationalised all the departments. It was full of young people, all around the same age. John became a Team Leader in the Accounts Department, along with access to many leadership courses.
CGU took over Fortis. Many people were made redundant as result of this business takeover. John was directed to Swann Insurance - moving it from St Kilda to Melbourne. This was the beginning of John's project management career.
He met his wife, Andrea, at work and they had a daughter, Penny. She, now fifteen years old, is a student at Strathcona. He also has a cat, named Astra and a dog, named Molly, as well as two birds.
While IAG has bought out CGU, it has sustained a consistent team of people. Eventually, IAG began offshoring administrative jobs. John took a redundancy and six months later, returned as a contractor. During that time, he experienced a lot of stress and then came COVID19.
Andrea, his wife, has worked with technology and works from home via the computer. John has become the household dad, and spends a lot of time with his daughter, Penny. As a result of the long hours of work, Andrea does, he began to seek out opportunities in volunteering. After visiting The Rotary Club of Canterbury stand at the Boroondara Volunteer Expo, John very happily joined us.
Presentation title: My National Youth Science Forum Experience
Yee Lin Ang recently attended the National Youth Science Forum thanks to a sponsorship from the Rotary Club of Canterbury. She loved being able to dive into potential STEM career opportunities and meet new friends that shared an equal love for STEM. She is grateful that she was able to attend such an amazing youth program and can't wait to share her experience!
Some time ago, last year, with the persistent direction and focus of Elizabeth Shepherd of The Rotary Club of Canterbury, it was decided that four peace poles would be constructed in the Victoria Gardens (Kew), near the children's playground (commonly referred to as Possum Corner). That vision has been completely accomplished. On Saturday 11th April 2026, a group of members from both The Rotary Club of Canterbury and The Rotary Club of Kew, came together to plant indigenous and native plants in the area surrounding the four peace poles. I met Jen Martin, the designer of this garden zone, who runs a business called Jen Martin Landscape Architecture (JMLA). It is a beautiful location in a wonderland part of Kew, just off High Street and adjacent to Adeney Avenue. The Boroondara Council prepared the site for the plantings which included pollinator friendly plants.
A lot of hard, creative work was completed by members of both The Rotary Club of Canterbury and The Rotary Club of Kew. A big thanks goes to Jill Woinarski, Elizabeth Shepherd, Cathie Macmillan, Michelle Critchley, John Womersley, Steve Clarke, John Pocock and Joe Flinn from The Rotary Club of Canterbury. A big thanks goes to Russell Heath, Andrew Dalziel, Hengameh Amiry, Pam Norton and Cam Dias from The Rotary Club of Kew.
The four peace poles, surrounded by the plantings, is a beautiful, natural feature of the Victoria Gardens. It also reminds us of one of the avenues of service within Rotary International - that of programs in which participants learn ways to encourage peaceful interconnections with individuals in all parts of the world. While children and families quietly and happily play near these peace poles, they and their adult carers and family members will be reminded of the message which Rotary International inspires.
While the weather may have been inclement towards the end of the planting session, the good will inspired by these peace poles is an enduring fixture of the way an organisation like Rotary International continues to send out positive messages to the world.
Over the past several weeks, we have shared with you some of the stories behind the research, the people, and the impact made possible through your support. There are many more to share and we will continue to do so.
And, what has been most clear throughout this time is that meaningful change doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because people choose to care, to contribute, and to invest in a better future.
Across Australia, we continue to see increasing demand for mental health support, particularly for children and young people. At the same time, we recognise that many individuals and families are navigating a period of economic uncertainty, where decisions about giving are not always straightforward.
And yet, sadly, it is in uncertain times like these that the importance of our work becomes even more evident.
Because of you, researchers are continuing their work - exploring new ideas, strengthening early intervention, and developing innovative approaches that have the potential to change lives. This is work that not only responds to today’s challenges, but helps to prevent those of tomorrow.
As we move into the coming months - a time when many supporters reflect on how they can make a difference - we invite you to continue being part of this work.
If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a contribution. Your support will help ensure that our research continues - building knowledge, strengthening communities, and creating better outcomes for future generations.
Because of you, research can continue. Because of you, progress is possible. And because of you, lives will continue to be changed.
The Canterbury Rotary Club lunch group usually meets bi-weekly at 12.30 for a meal and some fun.
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.
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