1998-1999

The information on this page is from the Club's publication "A History of the Rotary Club of Brunswick" Golden Jubilee 2nd edition, 2003:

District Governor: Colin Gibbons (Rotary Club of Essendon)
President: John Hardwick
Secretary: Metta Hayes
Treasurer: Ted Bailey

The first meeting for the 1998-1999 Rotary Year was held on 2nd July. There was a slight increase in attendance at the Breakfast meeting, in comparison to prior ones, however, a few expressed the opinion that 7:30am is a difficult time to attend.

At his first meeting as President, John thanked members for their attendance, and was happy to welcome Joy Dale and induct her into membership. It is the first time that a husband and wife have become members of the Rotary Club of Brunswick. Jim Allan, Club Almoner, reported that Ian Kift is continuing to make progress and is looking forward to attend the Club meetings when he fully recovers from his illness.

At our meeting on 23d July Metta Hayes advised that "Allan House" has now been safely ensconced at 51 Stokes Street, West Preston, with the assistance of a very helpful landlord, who has renovated the property. Metta requested commitment from all Club members in the matter of providing furniture, goods and services, or volunteering regular assistance.

The official visit of the District Governor Colin Gibbons and his wife was made at our meeting on 13th August. He addressed us on the work of Rotary in the community and the theme of his year was "Follow Your Rotary Dream". Colin praised Peter Johnstone for his work on the recent Youth delegation to England and also congratulated Metta Hayes and the Club for the work on Allan House. Colin has retired from business and now spends most of his time working on Rotary Projects, and helping less fortunate people. He urged us to attend the Rotary District Conference in Adelaide commencing on 18'h March. He concluded his talk by stating that there are two major qualifications of a good Rotarian:

(1) Desire to help others in need.

(2) Willingness to participate in Rotary Projects.

President John was very disappointed with the number of our members present at our meeting on 27th August. Fortunately, 9 visiting Northcote Rotarians and 1 from Greensborough made up the numbers.

All members present at our meeting on 27th August were thrilled to welcome Ian Kift back after months of illness. It was most encouraging that Ian had walked to the Club from his home in Essendon, as he needed the exercise and felt fit enough to do it.

Members were sorry to hear that Jack Davis is still too ill to attend meetings. His doctor has stated that he is not to climb stairs due to his condition. Jock McInnes was not able to attend as his wife Alice had passed away. Our thoughts go out to Jock and his sons, Noel, Wayne & their respective families in their bereavement.

At our meeting on 10th September, Russel Dale reported that the "Toss the Coin" Raffle for the AFL Grand Final raised $668 through Brunswick Rotary for Rotary Foundation.

Members were pleased to welcome John Lazzaro back to our meetings. John had not been well for some time. It was good to see Jock McInnes at the meeting. Jock, on retiring, was accorded a vote of thanks for his 14 years as chairman of the Board of Brunswick Sheltered Industries. His replacement was Lauri Penttila.

At our meeting on 17th September, Doug Walsh talked about the good work carried out by the dedicated staff at our Medical and Healing Centre at Bagong Barrio in Manila.

The annual Golf and Fun weekend was held at Corowa, in the wonderful wine and golf territory of the Murray River on 9th October and 10th October. On the first day's golf tournament, Mick Leahy, Peter Randles and Bob Skidmore were tied after 9 holes, but Bob Skidmore finally won with a score of 44 points stableford. On the Sunday Bob Skidmore dominated the game again. On the Saturday night dinner was held at the Australia Hotel, in the Red Room and was served a Stone Grill Meal. Everyone enjoyed the weekend and special thanks goes to the co-ordinator, Mick Leahy.

The annual "Caulfield Cup Calcutta" night was held at Ardmillan House in Moonee Ponds on Thursday, 15th October. The cost was $50.00 per person. Special Guests were Australia's leading racing family, Hayes, V.R.C. Committee man, Rod Fitzroy and Rails Bookmaker, Graeme Sampieri. The evening was most successful and a profit of $6,302 was made, which exceeded budget expectations. Also, an anonymous donation for $1,000 was received. Congratulations must go to Les Gordon and his assistants for an excellent result, and many thanks to the anonymous donor.

On Saturday 21st November, several members of our Club and guests gathered at "Allan House" for a barbecue and were pleased to report that everything was going well. The two boys and one girl seemed to be serious about getting on with their studies, and amicably with each other.

On Sunday 29th November a family Christmas party was held at the Portsea holiday home of John and Louise Higgins. Father Christmas Jim Allan enjoyed himself. He talked to the children and gave them their presents, and he greeted some of the ladies in the traditional Christmas spirit, as they sat on his knee. It was a lovely family day enjoyed by everyone. Our thanks were expressed to John and Louise Higgins for their hospitality, and to John Hardwick and his helpers for organising the barbecue and drinks.

On Thursday 3rd December an extension of the Annual General Meeting was conducted, continuing from 26th November. The nomination of Terry O'Meara as president for 2000-2001 was approved.

On a very sad note, President John led a minute's silence in honour of Beryl Gordon who passed away this week after previously reported serious illness. We are all sad at the loss of this caring lady who was experiencing the excitement of a move to a new home. We send our thoughts and prayers to past President Les and his family for their sad loss.

The Launch of "The Brunswick Book" by the Minister of Health, Rob Knowles, was held at the Brunswick Town Hall on 9th December from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to "Allan House", a Brunswick Student Refuge Project by the Club. On 10th December Metta Hayes appeared on the Terry Laidler Program on Radio 3LO to promote "The Brunswick Book", which was enthusiastically launched by her host as she had promoted it so well. Metta received many phone calls requesting copies of “Brunswick Book".

Once again District 9800 was asked to provide 380 volunteers to assist in the staging of the Variety Club of Victoria's Children's Party “The Project of a Million Smiles” on Thursday 10th December 1998 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 2 Clarendon Street, South Bank. The 5000 "Special Needs Children" (Physically disadvantaged, mentally disabled, or terminally ill) together with about 3500 carers are bussed into the Exhibition Centre (Jeff's shed) from 120 of the various States, City and Country Special Development Schools. This alone is a major logistical exercise, before adding the planning of the entertainment, the provision of food, drinks and individual presents, sweets, balloons and hats for each child. It really is huge and requires enormous resources and volunteers. Rotary's task is to provide volunteers on two days set-up day December 9th from 9:00am to 2:00pm to unpack toys, arrange the lay-out of tables for the toys which are arranged by age group, arrange pot plants and decorations. The Christmas Party was held on 10th December from 8:30am through to 3:30pm. Brunswick Rotary Club's ten volunteers were Jim Allan, Ted Bailey, Bob Jamieson, Ian Kift, Rada Lehman, Jack and Betty Luke, John and Sylvia Lazzaro and Doug Walsh. They assisted with joy rides, distribution of toys, marshalling fairy floss, ice creams and drinks, face painting, Harley Davidson rides, computer games and other party activities. All agreed this project really does provide the opportunity for Rotary to work in a rewarding and fulfilling environment for these special children.

Emmanuel Tsakis and Danny Millman reported that Christmas Cakes had been given to the residents at Marjorie Nunan Memorial Homes and the Brunswick Sheltered Workshop costing $668. They also organised the distribution of 150 kits of toiletries, soaps etc. to the Homeless Street Kids of Brunswick at a cost of $2,774.

On behalf of the Club, Terry O'Meara gave thanks to Christine Dunsford of L.J. Hooker, Coburg for her work in typing the weekly Bulletin. He also thanked Sue Pickles of Melbourne Institute of Textiles for formatting, copying and posting the weekly Bulletin.

At the breakfast meeting on 17th December, Christmas Carols were sung under the leadership of Barry Cross, Ted Bailey and Colin Simpson and all present were in a jolly frame of mind.

All meetings held during January were held at the Lomond Hotel and attendances were very good, taking into account that it was the holiday period. Our meeting on 40' February was held at the usual time of 1 pm at the Abruzzo Club. President John informed members that the first meeting of each month, which was held at 7:30am during the past years, has now been terminated, unless otherwise announced. Jim Allan advised members that Eric Gowers and Jack Davis were on the sick list and would be pleased to receive calls from Members. A letter was received from Tom Lavaro of Marjorie Nunan Homes, on behalf of all residents, thanking the members of the Brunswick Club for the gift of Christmas Cakes they received.

On 11th February our Club hosted a combined meeting with the Coburg, Moreland and Pascoe Vale Rotary Clubs, which was held at the Abruzzo Club at 6:30pm. The meeting was well attended with over 100 Rotarians. The happy event turned to tragedy as it came to a close when Lyle Bicknell, the Coburg President, collapsed and died while thanking the Brunswick Club for arranging the combined meeting. All present were stunned that a wonderful night could end in such a sad manner.

The Pear Pick was held on the weekend beginning 13th February with 29 Rotarians, family and friends participating. 3 tonnes of pears were picked and were distributed to various charities, including the Salvation Army Food Bank. Dinner was held in the Motel Park Lake dining room, with the Rose family as guests of the Club.

At our meeting on 18 March, President John welcomed back Les Gordon who, while overseas, visited Bagong Barrio in Manila to have a look at our Medical Centre, which was completed in June 1995. Les was very impressed by standard of the Medical Centre, which cost our Club around $45,000.

The District 9800 Rotary Conference for this Rotary year was held in Adelaide from Thursday, 18th March to Sunday 21st March. The Brunswick members who attended travelled by coach from Melbourne. On Monday 15th March we travelled to Robe, and stayed at the Guichien Bay Hotel. Breakfast and dinner was also provided for us. On Tuesday 16th March we left Robe and travelled to Victor Harbour. We stayed at the Apollon Motor Inn, which also provided breakfast and dinner for us. On Wednesday, 17th March we left Victor Harbour and travelled to the Barossa Valley. We stayed at the Barossa Junction Resort, which also included breakfast and dinner. On Thursday 18th March, we went on a tour of several wineries in the morning and arrived at the Hyatt Hotel in Adelaide in the afternoon. The cost per person was $517, which included luxury coach travel, dinner, and bed and breakfast for 3 nights and 4 days. This also included economy airfare from Adelaide to Melbourne on Sunday afternoon. The Rotary Conference Program was an extra to the above. President John reported that the conference was "sensational". He thanked Peter Johnstone, Mick Leahy and Max Fremder for their contribution to a successful conference.

The Brunswick Rotary Club sent two Brunswick Secondary College Students to represent Brunswick at the Junior United Nations Conference.

The Club meeting of 1st April was a breakfast meeting due to the start of the Easter Holidays.

Our meeting on 29th April was held at the Abruzzo Club and was combined evening meeting with the Rotary Clubs of Brunswick, Moreland, Pascoe Vale, Craigieburn and Broadmeadows. Over 120 Rotarians attended and President John Hardwick expressed his thanks to Mal Dubock for the excellent organisation of the evening.

The Brunswick Rotary Club Charity Golf Day was held on 3rd May at the Northern Golf Club, and was a very successful day. 84 played golf and 90 people attended the dinner afterwards where the M.C. was Peter Randles. The speaker was Neil Longden who was paid a fee of $1,000. Peter Randles won the longest drive, while his brother Paul won the straight drive. Peter's other brother won nearest the pin. John Higgins won the Club Cup, however, Les Murphy, John's friend, won the gold putter. All enjoyed a happy day. Congratulations to Bob Skidmore and his committee for the excellent day. Thanks go to Lucy Skidmore who cajoled diners for a further $215. Overall, the sum of $3,481 was raised for Club funds.

The second annual Brunswick Community Ball was held on Saturday, 29th May 1999 at Empire Receptions, Sydney Road Brunswick. It was organised by a sub?committee consisting of John Higgins (Chairman), Russell and Joy Dale, Mick Leahy, Graeme Theakstone and John's secretary, Kerrie Gordon. They put in many hours of organisation. Gentry provided the 50's rock 'n' roll band and approximately 190 people attended at a cost of $65 per head. Raffle tickets and silent auctions raised $15,253 for Allan House, our accommodation for Brunswick Homeless Students Project.

Our thanks goes to the hard working and dedicated sub-committee for organising such a wonderful night of fun and fellowship which was enjoyed by all.

A C.P.R. Training Course was organised by our Rotary Club and was conducted at the Abruzzo Club on the evening of 10th June by the staff of Brunswick Baths. The initial session involved learning the basic instructions required: D.R.A.B.C.

D. DANGER: Check for danger to yourself, the injured person and any onlookers.

R. RESPONSE: Can patient respond to me in any way.

A. AIRWAY: Ensure the airway is clear.

B. BREATHING: Look, listen and feel for breathing.

C. CIRCULATION: Check pulse.

Dummies were supplied with lungs attached to practice E.A.R. (Expelled Air Resuscitation). It was stressed that a blockage in the airway is the most common cause of death in many patients. Often the patient can recover normally if the blockage is cleared. If no pulse is present, then C.P.R. must be performed. It was a most interesting and instructive session for those who attended.

The Brunswick Rotary Club 1999/2000 Changeover Luncheon was held on Sunday, 27th June from 12:45pm to 3pm at the Atrium in Melbourne Zoo, Parkville. For the Rotary members who attended, as well as family and friends, the lunchtime venue made a change from the traditional evening functions. The relaxed atmosphere did as much for fellowship as it did for adhering to the customary formalities.

Our retiring President John Hardwick, after thanking the members of the Board and all members of the Club, during his term as President, handed over the reigns of office with the usual good humour and warmth to our incoming President, Warren Maloney.

Warren mentioned quite a few of the projects that the Brunswick Rotary Club had produced over the years, and said that this was not the time to detail the work ahead. The Club, Committee and Board Meetings will do this. Warren then thanked the members for asking him to be the President.

FUND-RAISING PROCEEDS

• Brunswick Ball $15,253
• Calcutta Dinner (including $1000 donation) $7,302
• Golf Day $3,481
• Football Tipping $1,200
• Fellowship Dinners $1,100
• Pub Raffle $435
• Fiddler on the Root $300
• Sale of Christmas Cakes $172
  Total: $29,243

Unfortunately, the Brunswick Book fund-raising project was a disaster and resulted in a loss of $30,010, after writing off the cost of 850 unsold books.

DONATIONS RECEIVED

• Marjorie Nunan Memorial Homes Society $20,000

DONATIONS AND PROJECTS

• Computer Training for Cerebral Palsy Sufferer $500
• Bagong Barrio (Philippines) Support for Student $360
• Rotary Foundation $2,000
• Youth Project to Bridge Poverty Gap $200
• Flood Relief - East Gippsland $500
• Sheltered Workshop - Christmas Cakes $344
• Marjorie Nunan Memorial Homes - Christmas Cakes $324
• Homeless Youths - 150 kits of toiletries (Christmas) $2,774
• Model United Nations Assembly $400
• Papua New Guinea - Tidal Wave Appeal $256
• RY.L.A. $500
• Sydney Road Special School $686
• Young Achievers $3,300
• Allan House $24,279
  Total: $36,423

INDUCTIONS

• Joy Dale (Risk Management) 2 July 1998
• Frank Petrolic (Property Development) 6 August 1998
• Danny Millman (Hospital Administration) 12 November 1998
• Helen Adams (Employment Services) 23 Decmeber 1998

RESIGNATIONS

• Agostino Giramondo 31 July 1998
• Bob White 31 July 1998
• Chris Cookson 30 June 1999
• Joy Dale 30 June 1999
• Pat Lennon 30 June 1999
• Jack Luke 30 June 1999
• Maggie Yoko 30 June 1999.