Welcome back to our editor.
The meeting of 1 September was inspiring with Sara Murdock a pharmacist, motivational advocate and member of the Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale. She was warmly welcomed by President Denis.
Valmai Burns introduced our guest speaker Sara Murdock. Sara is an award-winning pharmacist, advocate and community leader who is helping audiences to rethink how healthcare is led, delivered and experienced.
At the age of thirteen Sara arrived in Australia as refugee, after fleeing with her family from Iraq during the war. Like many immigrants she experienced displacement, bullying and uncertainty in her early times in Australia. Fortunately, she also experienced the kindness of those who opened doors for her and who fundamentally shaped the ways she sees healthcare and leadership.
Sara believes that health care has the power to transform lives— but only when people can truly access it. For more than two decades, Sara has worked to reimagine what healthcare can look like when it is designed around people, not just systems. Her tireless work has been recognised nationally and internationally through honours including
• Silver Stevie Award Winner – Woman of the Year, Healthcare
• International Pharmacist of the Year
• PSA Victorian Pharmacist of the Year
• Patients Australia Outstanding Community Pharmacist
Whilst these recognitions are deeply appreciated, Sara believes that her greatest measure of success is the number of lives improved, the leaders developed and the communities strengthened through her work.
A snap shot of her conversation with this reporter included her challenges, her achievements and her resilience.
Tonight I have the privilege of speaking at the Rotary Club of Essendon about my journey, what has shaped me, and why I care so deeply about healthcare, access and community.
I spoke about arriving in Australia as a refugee, the struggles and opportunities that followed, and the responsibility I now feel to hold doors open for others.
These are values I am privileged to put into practice every day through Pharmacy 777 Pascoe Vale and the Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale working within community to improve health literacy, create access and help people feel seen and supported.
These conversations are important because they challenge perceptions and remind us what refugees can contribute when given opportunity, what women can achieve when given a seat at the table, and what healthcare professionals can do when we think beyond the walls of our clinics and pharmacies.
I will never take for granted the opportunities this country has given me. The best way I know to honour them is to use my voice, my profession and my experiences to create opportunities for others.
Sara spoke warmly of her two children. Her son, Jude has on his own initiative started a project to raise $7500 for neonatal intensive care research Sara handed out copies of the poster on the next page. People can donate by scanning the QR code.
Sara offered her five health principles based on het extensive pharmacological experience.
• Protect yourself with vaccinations
• Sleep like it matters
• Keep breathing actively for about 20 minutes per day
• Feed your immune system
• Stay connected
President Denis thanked Sara for her inspiring talk and offered her a small gift of appreciation
CLUB REPORTS
1. Doriana updated progress on the Comedy for a Cause and asked members to support this project by attending and supporting our Mental Health cause.
Roger Leask reported on a trip to Rotary Club of Bacchus Marsh, that celebrated its seventy first anniversary. Roger spoke of the benefits of interclub cooperation.
In terms of a wellness report, fortunately Steve Chandler is at home and work after his bicycle fall. He won’t be able to drive for six weeks. Lisa Lowcock is healing as well as can be expected. Unfortunately Maria Kouppas is recovering as best she can but is quite limited in her movements. Past member Simon Cookson’s mother Shirley passed away.
President Denis is very keen to promote friendship with like minded people and proposes
THE BREWERY EXPERIENCE !
Everybody and anybody are welcome. Feel free to invite friends/family.
DATE THURS 1st OCT at “THE BEER FACTORY “
THE DEAL. A 2 hour experience where you are shown how to brew, and then how to put into cans. Starts 5pm till 7pm. You get half a dozen big cans to take home. Finger food supplied; + 1 glass of beer to enjoy. Cost about $50. TBC. After the event friends, guests and members then welcome for dinner at;
www.LUSHrooftopandbar.com.au
BOOK a spot now !! Those already booked with me at the meeting....no need to re book. I have your name. BUT let Dennis know who wants to come to dinner afterwards
deniskosnar@kosnar.com.au
The meeting was closed and convivial fellowship continued downstairs
The next meeting is on 15 September 2026.
