The Chair, Michael Cariss opened the meeting and welcomed President Denis Kosnar to the podium.
President Denis firstly warmly welcomed honorary member and Past President Neil Henderson to the meeting. Next he introduced and welcomed back one of our former International Exchange students from the USA. Randen nee Mains (now Kovacevic) was hosted by our club forty years ago. In fact she enjoyed her eighteenth birthday in our company and remembers fondly her time here, including driving under the guidance of Don and Janet Knee along the Great Ocean Road! Randy is so grateful for the time she spent here and will never forget her year here.
All Carlton supporters were congratulated (although some Essendon supporters may have mumbled something under their breath!)
Doriana Cooper was invited to speak about very successful MUNA weekend. Doriana noted that RCE sponsored four secondary schools to participate in this weekend event. Unfortunately one was not able to attend. The weekend was a UN simulation with students undertaking their roles as United Nations Ambassadors in teams having to grapple with complex issues. Doriana was lucky to introduce MUNA students over the whole weekend. Our three clubs did very well. Doriana commended the Rotary Club of Keilor East for doing an amazing job of organising the weekend.
Past President Michael Portelli updated the meeting on our Beehive Project and the Bee Keeping Club. Michael gave a detailed and interesting account. He firstly recounted that about 12 years ago one of his patients asked if any one wanted to keep bee hives. After some time Michael had to move the bee hives from his practice. Moonee Valley City Council put out a call for interested clubs to take some bee hives so he spoke to the Strathmore Men’s Shed (SMS)regarding its interest in making bee hives. Given that the one hundredth anniversary of Rotary in Australia was approaching it was suggested that 100 hives be constructed. Of these hives, RCE donated 60 to Gippsland to help compensate for the devastating bush fires.
RCE alo paired with local bee keepers to set up the Moonee
Valley Beekeepers, and Michael was the first President. In 2025 Michael and Marguerite prepared using honey 150 bonbonnières for wedding guests at three of their children’s weddings.
Steve Chandler updated us on our Duck race plans and getting sponsors for a potential corporate race. He proudly presented a time capsule buried underneath the Childrens Playground built by the RCE some 50 years ago in Ascot Vale, which was undergoing renovations.
There were many letters written by children at the time and we will try to trace them.
Kevin Carlisle-Stapleton, Unit Controller of the Essendon Unit, Victoria State Emergency Service, our guest speaker, presented on the services provided to the Municipality of Moonee Ponds and across the State.
His unit is made up of around 45 active volunteers, who handle storm damage, flooding, search and rescue operations, and assistance to partner agencies including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and Fire Rescue Victoria. One piece of advise was to be careful with ladders as there were too many mishaps.
The meeting certainly showcased our Club's activities.
