To borrow from Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Oh What a Night, Mid-November in '21, last Tuesday evening, President Mark inducted two new members, Oxana (Anne) Belyaeva and Paul Shekleton. As part of a very busy meeting our Guest Speaker, PDG Murray Verso, District 9800 Rotary Foundation Chair, as part of his presentation, welcomed Charles Tran and Robert Hogan to the Paul Harris Society (PHS); one of the many ways that one can financially support The Rotary Foundation and its many projects Doing Good in the World.
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Welcome to Rotary! The club welcomed new members Oxana Belyaeva, Dr Paul Shekleton and Amelia Anderson at the club meeting on November 16th, pictured here with Membership Development Director Elizabeth Dumonic (far left) and President Dr. Mark Ellis AM. |
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Murray, who is well-known to many of our long-term members, is a member of Williamstown Rotary but grew up in the eastern suburbs, went to Trinity Grammar and advised that he is a Hawthorn supporter, which raised scattered cheers from the audience. And as an example of just how small the world is, new member Dr Paul Shekleton remembered Murray from the days when they were both medical students.
After welcoming PP Charles Tran, PP Robert Hogan and Membership Development Director Elizabeth Dumonic to the Paul Harris Society, Murray gave a very comprehensive presentation on TRF, Our Charity. He congratulated Glenferrie Rotary on its club and individual giving to the Annual Fund and End Polio in the year 2020-2021. Of the more than 60 clubs in District 9800, thanks to the Farmers Market and the commitment of its members to this major fundraiser, Glenferrie is in the top 5 per capita fundraisers in the district.
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At the club meeting on November 16th, PP Robert Hogan (far left), Elizabeth Dumonic and PP Charles Tran were welcomed into the Paul Harris Society by District 9800 Foundation Committee Chairman PDG Dr. Murray Verso, and club Foundation Director PP Cheryl Pisterman |
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Murray outlined the (now) seven Areas of Focus (referred to as the "Critical Causes" to include End Polio) and concentrated on two areas: Humanitarian Aid and Education. TRF programs such as Peace and Global Scholars provide opportunities for suitable applicants to study in a number of universities world-wide. District 9800 has a 100% success rate selecting Peace Scholars since the introduction of the program in 2006, sending more that 30 scholars to extend their studies in peace and conflict resolution. In 2021, Biong Deng Biong (sponsored by Melbourne Rotary) will travel to Makerere University in Uganda. In addition, two Global Scholars from District 9800 will continue their studies at Oxford University.
Murray's presentation also covered the importance of clubs applying for District and Global Grants to facilitate local and international projects. He also commented on the importance that Richard Blakeman is doing as Chair of the District Grants committee. He explained how funds provided by the clubs can be returned to support such grants and used as an example the four clubs in Boroondara (which included Glenferrie), combining to provide funding, together with a district grant, to be part of a consortium creating a special interactive sculpture in the new playground at Yarra Bank Reserve in West Hawthorn.
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PP Richard Blakeman was presented with a District Service Award at the club meeting November 16th, in recognition of service to The Rotary Foundation as Chairman of the Humanitarian Grants Committee 2019-2022 |
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As Glenferrie's Foundation Chair, I would suggest that all "new" and "older" members have a look at Murray's comprehensive presentation on the following link: 2021 Foundation Update. It is well worth the time spent to learn more about just how Our Charity, The Rotary Foundation, can make your involvement in Rotary just that much more enjoyable. 
