It was a great pleasure to have member Ted Baillieu address us in expectation of Remembrance Day, which is on the Thursday Nov 11th. This was the occasion of presenting him with a Club Paul Harris Fellowship recognition for his service above self to our club and, to the community by his numerous roles in our society. Ted has been a member of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie since 2006 and when he is able, he has participated in many an event within our club, in particularly Farmer’s Market duties.
However, as Chair of the Victorian Government’s ANZCA Centenary committee and his influence in these areas, he was asked to give his thoughts on Remembrance Day.
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Ted outlined how organisations like Rotary are important in our society to promote issues that are of concern. He spoke about our youth as essential to the growth of Victoria.
He pointed out that of all issues, the connection we all feel to our ancestors’ involvement in World War 1 and 11 is becoming more important to shape our society, since we can learn from the footsteps of out ancestors. There is a longing to know more and note how the huge loss of life impacted on the growth of our nation.
A great example of this connection is how 2 people began knitting remembrance poppies for their father’s grave, which expanded to a world phenomenon of 50 to 5,000 to 5,000,000 non identical poppies. These were crafted and merged into meaningful symbols of our remembrance of the deeds of past ancestors.
 |  |  5,000 Poppies Project Founders: Lynn Berry & Margaret Knight |
 |  2016 RHS Chelsea Flower Show London 300,000 poppies on nets & 28,000 on planted stems |  |