President Denis Kosnar welcomed us to our first meeting of  the Rotary year and asked for  a rundown of each Committee’s objectives with current achievements and near term plans.

 

PP Michael Portelli introduced  Joe Tumburro. Joe has 35 years experience working in the IT industry and is now enjoying semi retirement.

 

 

Michael Portelli then spoke about projects that were initiated by our club and are now running under their own steam. Some of these include the Rowallan Scout camp, The Essendon Traffic school and the Moonee Valley Bee keeping club. He encouraged members to put forward ideas which might be taken up by the club. The sale of street signs was one our most successful projects which was proposed by Maureen Mollica, wife of past member Morris Mollica.

 

Valmae, Chair of Club Services spoke of an exciting evening on July 21, 7 - 8 pm as enumerated below 

We’re excited to invite you to a unique and interactive Olive Oil Bar Experience hosted by Ben & Lee from The Good Oil Club. 

This is not your typical tasting - it is a fun, hands-on journey into the world of premium extra virgin olive oil. On the night, you’ll: 

Discover why high-quality extra virgin olive oil is considered one of the healthiest foods in the Mediterranean diet (and the world). 

Bust the myth that you shouldn’t cook with olive oil - and learn how to use different oils with different foods. 

Enjoy an engaging, sensory experience designed to change the way you see (and taste) olive oil forever. 

As members of The Rotary Cub of Essendon., we are offering 30 spots gratis (Normally $30 per person) to the first to register via the club. 

At the end of the session, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase your favourite oils or join The Good Oil Club’s monthly subscription, where we deliver you some of the world’s finest olive oils straight to your hearts & kitchen. We look forward to sharing a delicious and eye opening evening with you. 

 

Please make a commitment by registering via our website as Val needs the numbers by 20th July, Monday prior to the meeting for Leanne to have the right number of tastings available on the night of our meeting.

Therefore RSVP asap Via Club Runner Invitation.
 

Treasurer Sunil update.

    Financial situation of the RCE 

     3. The Treasurer announced that progress has been made in arranging the "Curry                                     Night" The Treasurer also emphasised that the event was mainly a fundraising event to   h    help Youth who have been made homeless due to family violence and substance abuse.

     4. The Treasurer also stated that an email motion to the RCE Board will be presented   for approval prior to making any advance payment to the selected venue.

 

 

Christine Hilbert, Chair of  Community Projects gave an informative summary of this committee’s achievements and plans for the near term.

 

To explain, the context the International committee is one of the 5 Avenues of Rotary Service and comprises those activities that members do to advance international understanding, goodwill and positive peace by fostering acquaintance with people of other countries, their cultures, customs, accomplishments, aspirations and problems, through reading and correspondence and through cooperation in all club activities and projects designed to help people in other lands.

 

The committee members are myself as chair, Tim Anderson, Anne Ramsay, Sunil Prerera, Tim Anderson, Peter Halaseh, and John Odgers.

 

I acknowledge the work commitment and passion of former member Richard Lawrence.

 

The committee received around a $200,000 bequest many years ago and our humanitarian efforts and support has centred around the following: Noting at this time funds have been expended to the point that we have

   Myanmar/Kenya Account – JUNE 2026 Bank Balance $31,917.65

   Myanmar A/C Bank Balance $27,531.39

   Kenya A/C Bank Balance $4,386.26 – after paying Mukuru slum School Kenya $3,030

   TOTAL $31,917.65

 

- Collected 60kg of new syringes and needles in Australia for the MLF to use for vaccinations and “muled” to Myanmar- value $10,000. 6.5% of population Hepatitis B and approx 3 M chronic H B patients

- RCE funded the Padauk Vocational Training of 15-18 y/o for 2024 - 2025. Value

$36,000 with all students graduating and 30 new students starting in Dec 2025.

- Rotary Foundation District Grant approved for $8,000 for the above Padauk programme, payable in the next Rotary year.

- Royce and Jean Abbey Scholarship approved for Monica (Operations Manager) from SISU who spent 5 weeks in Melbourne training and presented to RCE.

- RCE with our RAWCS funds over 100+ Earthquake Kits supplied by SISU for the victims who are displaced after the Earthquake in April 2025.

- RCE funds sports balls and equipment for students at SISU. Value $300

- RCE funds 200 solar study lights for SISU students - $800 Kenya

- RCE sponsored Greg Barake from Kenya on a Vocational Training program to Australia for 3 months in conjunction with the Catholic Rice Foundation. Value $5500

- RCE funded the education of 6 students at the Mukuru Slum Primary School in Nairobi for their education expenses for 12 months value $3,000

- RCE funded the Dental Chair and the Medical waste incinerator at the Ruben centre in Nairobi. Value $5,000

Bahay Tuluyan instrumental in receiving a $50,000 grant for development of a self sustaining farm and training facility for young people

 

Other Activities

- (300.00) (726.00) Balibo community Timor Leste - motion 27/05/26

- RCE assists DIK with rental – value $3,500

- We considered a project in Jordan but it didn’t happen but may in the future

- Our Sri Lanka project from before Covid was completed and we are considering a new project initiative in that country.

 

Aim of committee:

 Consider further ongoing projects with the area mentioned above

 Consider fund raising initiatives, including foundation grants

 Explore other areas of global need

 

OFFICERS of the club are:

   Sam Tartaglia......Trusty vice President, Legal Protection Officer,

   Stephen Roe.......Incredible Secretary

   Lisa Lowcock......Contact, Men`s Shed, Duck Race 2IC

   Roger Leask.......Royce Abbey Awards

   John Odgers......DIK Representative

   Steve Chandler..Duck Race chairman, Historian

   Christine Hilbert..Comedy For A Cause

   Michael Portelli...Membership, Bee Club

 

presented by President Dennis are

   To stabilise our club

    promote goodwill

    cooperation and harmony

This has been proven in the last 6 months. He emphasised that we must have informative, enjoyable meetings and good social activity to promote commitment and enthusiasm.

 

We need to continue with our traditional charities which have achieved so much over the last year despite some difficulties. Many local projects have been successfully completed, including the following:

    Scholarships.....Myanmar, Ryla Mental Health

    Charities Duck Race

    Youth Projects Great social activities

    Days For Girls Milers Mckenzie Studies

Some International Projects include:

   Myanmar

   Kenya

   Sri Lanka Stroke Victims

   Polio.....Rotary Foundation

   DIK

   Balibo Community Learning Centre ( Timor Leste)

 

We probably have to shelve the Art Show this year and focus on the Duck Race as being our major event/income. This will involve the whole club to be engaged. Steve Chandler has more plans to improve /expand the duck race for extra benefit.

 

We should focus on .Youth & Mental Health

Find our ideal match charity partner.

Could be: Youth Projects (Hosier lane and Glenroy)

               Australian Rotary Health which have .....Mental Health Research

                      General Health research

               Indigenous Health Scholarships

               Rural Medical and Nursing Scholarships

Many other options......Helping Hands etc.

 

It is essential to compile and keep an up to date grants list with a Grant`s officer.....Jenny Mann, Shirley Kukk

 

Committee meetings as per Forum, at EFC every 2nd Tuesday. Benefits are:

1.organized & fuss free

2.can cross reference with others

 

Have a Membership Drive to increase support:

  Club members seek through acquaintance

  Something like “Farmer`s market”

  Speak at Trader`s Group

  Other groups?RSL?

  As well as new members, find a group of willing volunteers to help as needed.

 

To sum up: we do have an active year of activities

   We aim to enjoy the year ahead

   Together we hope to “Unite For Good” and “Create Lasting Impact” 

 

President Dennis looks forward to the year ahead with you.