Angus Mitchell Oration 2021ADJUCT PROFESSOR JOHN SKERRITTDeputy Secretary, Health Products Division (NTGA, Office of Drug Control)"The COVID-19 pandemic response in Australia and the region: vaccines, medicines and masks…where to from here?"Dr Skerritt has a high national profile dealing with the pandemic and generously agreed to fly down to delive…

"The Ethical Advantage: The Economic and Social Benefits of Ethics in Australia"Dr Simon Longstaff, AO, Executive Director, The Ethic Centre, SydneyIf ethics is defined as “a way of structuring human reasoning to help choose what is right or best”, how ethical is Australia? Only 56% of Australians think that most people can be trusted. In 2019, Aus…

"Is it detrimental to Australia's strategic national interests?"Salvatore Babones is 'Australia’s globalization expert'. He is an associate professor at the University of Sydney whose research takes a long-term approach to interpreting the structure of the global economy, with a particular focus on China.He is a fortnightly columnist for Foreign Po…

"Teen Mental Health First Aid - A program to train adolescents to better support their peers."Teen Mental Health First Aid is an age-appropriate training program for teaching secondary school students how to help their friends with mental health problems. Young people prefer to seek help for mental health problems from their peers, and teen MHFA wa…

The COVID 19 pandemic poses a fundamental threat to higher education in Australia. It has left a big hole in University finances which could see a significant reduction in the research capacity of the higher education sector for many years to come, and threaten Australia’s global competitiveness. However, the crisis also creates an opportunity for …

We are pleased to present our guest speaker, Professor Brett Sutton, Victoria's Chief Health Officer. Prof Sutton discusses the challenges of COVID-19, Victoria's response, and how he is coping with this daunting crisis.To celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand, we’ve teamed up with UNICEF to give life-saving vaccines to 100,000…

The Impact of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement on Australian BusinessesPhil Turtle is the National President of the Australia Indonesia Business Council and Director of Engenesis Pty Ltd, a boutique consultancy focusing on developing business opportunities in Indonesia.Phil has over 25 years’ experience in a broa…

Victoria's Post COVID Economic Resurgence through a Digital EconomyFormer Minister of Innovation & Digital Economy (Victoria)Von Rotary Club of Melbourne Inc

Kerry Cue, Humourist, Mathematician, Journalist and Author.She is the author of 20 humorous and eductional books. Her satirical novel about US Gun Culture, TARGET 91, Penmore Press Tucson, Arizona) was published in 2019. Kerry is also the maths blogger, her blog is called Mathspig, https://mathspig.wordpress.comShe has written columns for every maj…

Martin Forrest is the Health Promotion Programs Manager at Hepatitis Victoria.Martin is committed to the elimination of viral hepatitis and has seen the toll that the disease has on the community. Martin has worked supporting primary health in Victoria as well as many years in the Northern Territory, particularly with Aboriginal and remote communit…

As the world faces the largest global pandemic since the Spanish flu, amidst other humanitarian crises, conflicts and disasters, the work of humanitarians has never been more valuable. Kirsten Sayers, CEO of RedR Australia will discuss at the Rotary Club Melbourne meeting on the 22nd July, how RedR Australia is helping during COVID-19. She will dis…

Sarah Meredith is Global Citizen's Australian Country Director, overseeing the movement's efforts in Australia. She is a passionate advocate for gender equality, investment in universal health care, access to clean water and basic sanitation, breaking the taboo on menstrual hygiene, Australia’s role in the world and the delivery of the UN’s Sustain…

An eyewitness to six decades of News. A journey behind the headlines that shaped the News and the life of a Newsman.Author, Broadcaster and veteran Newsman - Mal WaldenMal Walden's career spanned six decades in broadcasting and television. On his retirement in 2013 he was reported to be the longest ‘continually’ serving face on Melbourne television…

‘Working in isolation – what’s been occupying Australia’s Chief Scientist in 2020?’Dr Finkel will present an overview of his work so far in 2020 – supporting the government’s response to COVID-19 including convening the Rapid Research Information Forum to provide rapid responses to questions arising from the pandemic; chairing the Expert Advisory P…

Neville Power Chairman, National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC)Nev is the Chairman of Perth Airport, the Foundation for the WA Museum and the Royal Flying Doctors Federation Board and is the Deputy Chairman of Strike Energy Ltd. Nev held the position of Managing Director and CEO of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd for seven years, having joined …

Dr Robert Webster, President RSL Victorian BranchRobert Stanley Webster was born in Melbourne in 1948. He is the eldest of five children, Rob’s parents both served overseas during World War II. A student at Deepdene State School and then Swinburne Technical College, the family shifted to South Australia in 1968.Rob was called up for National Servic…

Prof John Wilson AM, BSc (Hons), MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FCCP, MAICD.John Wilson graduated with a MBBS from the University of Melbourne in 1980. Following his physician training at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, with a special interest in intensive care and respiratory medicine John completed a PhD in the role of inflammation in asthma before moving to th…

2020 ANGUS MITCHELL ORATIONTopic: "How to fix a leaky pipe, providing equity in eye health”Professor Hugh R. Taylor AC, MD, LLD(Hon), FAAHMS, FRANZCOOur Honorary Member Hugh Taylor is the Melbourne Laureate Professor and the Harold Mitchell Chair of Indigenous Eye Health at the University of Melbourne.…

Survive, revive, thrive - The road ahead for the Australian Olympic swimming team! Tokyo 2021John Bertrand AO, International Sportsman, Businessman and PhilanthropistHe is the Australian who skippered the winged keel Australia 2 to victory over Dennis Connor’s Liberty to win the 1983 America's Cup, breaking 132 years of American domination and in t…

Meeting of Wednesday, 8 April was Chaired by PE Marion Macleod, member D9800 Bushfire Response Committee.Additional panelists: Jim Orchard (D9800), Bob Glindemann (DIK) and DGE D9820 Mark Humphries will lead the exploration and latest updates on Bushfire Recover and Rotary.Von Rotary Club of Melbourne Inc

Laureate Professor Peter Doherty AC speaks on the Impact of the Covid-19 Virus, why flattening the curve matters and how we can best protect ourselves and the community.Professor Doherty made a breakthrough in discovering the role of T cells in the immune system, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1996, and was named Australian of…

Helen Leake is one of Australia’s most accomplished creative producers. Her feature credits include HEAVEN’S BURNING with Russell Crowe, BLACK AND WHITE starring Robert Carlyle, SWERVE with Jason Clarke, and WOLF CREEK 2. Her films have been selected for over 30 international Film Festivals, including Venice, Toronto (twice), London (twice), Karlov…

"Multi-culturalism in Melbourne. How the city is changing and what lies ahead."Viv Nguyen is a passionate advocate for diversity and multiculturalism. A business executive and community leader, she has more than 25 years’ experience in the corporate, public and community sectors. In her previous role as President of the Vietnamese Community in Aust…

Recognising that mental health will be the major ongoing concern from the recent bushfires in Victoria, the Rotarian Action Group for Family Safety, with the support of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, invited members of the District to meet with Dr Derek Farrell to learn about international programs designed to build the capacity for communities to h…

"Melbourne Cricket Club - A Private Club with a very public purpose - Managing the MCG"Michael is the President of the Melbourne Cricket Club- one of the oldest and largest sporting Clubs in Australia, with over 130,000 members. The Club also has the responsibility of managing and developing the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the biggest stadium in the …

Professor Len Harrison is a clinician-scientist and NHMRC Senior Investigator in the Population Health and Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (‘WEHI’). From 1987-2010 he headed the Autoimmunity and Transplantation Division at WEHI and was Director of the Burnet Clinical Research Unit and Department of Clinical Im…

The founder and CEO of Thirst, Mina Guli is a global leader, entrepreneur and adventurer committed to making a difference in the world. Following a 15-year career in climate change, Mina established Thirst – a non-profit changing the way we think about water.Since its launch in 2012, Thirst has educated more than 2 million students in China, has ha…

Robert Klupacs has been CEO of Bionics Institute since 2017.A highly experienced professional, with over 30 years corporate experience, uniquely experienced in translating and commercialising early stage intellectual property into commercial product or investable corporate vehicles.He is an Australian registered patent attorney who has had a wide a…

Jeff Floyd is an Adjunct Professor in the College of Business at Victoria University. He runs a successful consulting business in the areas of strategy, governance, risk management and issue management.Jeff has had an extensive career as a CEO in areas including planning, park and environmental management, tourism, and automotive services. His prev…

District Governor AddressGrant joined Woodend Rotary in 2004 and has been President in 2007- 2008 and again in 2015-16, as well as Vice President, Community Service Chair, Foundation Chair and Bulletin Editor for many years. Grant has served at District level as Community Service Director (2011-2013) and as Assistant Governor Goldfields Cluster (20…

Rotary Melbourne: Vocational Service Award recipient, 2016/17Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, Deakin University​Dr. Catherine Crock is a medical pioneer, producer of music and theatrics, humanitarian, mother and advocate for change. ​A Physician at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Catherine has successfully implem…

Speaking on: ‘Land and Water Degradation – Turning a Threat into an Opportunity’Major General Jeffery was born in Wiluna, Western Australia in 1937 and educated at Kent Street High School and the Royal Military College, Duntroon.He graduated into Infantry and served operationally in Malaya, Borneo, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam, where he was awarded…

"The Elimination of Viral Hepatitis as a Public Health Threat – Think Global, Start Local." Professor Margaret Hellard AM is a Deputy Director at the Burnet Institute, Head of Hepatitis Services in the Infectious Diseases Unit at The Alfred Hospital and an Adjunct Professor of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology at Monash University and the University…

Shani commenced in as the CEO in February 2019 after a tenure at the Centre of Multicultural Youth (CMY) as a Refugee and Asylum Seeker Youth Worker and Case Manager. She has also worked for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, World Vision and has worked on secondment in development in a number of countries including Argentina, Kenya, Malawi, I…

Jason Marriner has twenty-six year’s experience in theatre management and leads Australia’s largest privately owned and operated theatre company, Marriner Group based in Melbourne.Responsibilities include programming, producer relations, stakeholder management, show investments and theatre operations. Marriner Group venues comprise the heritage Pri…

Gary D Bouma AM is the UNESCO Chair in Intercultural and Interreligious Relations – Asia Pacific, Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Associate Priest at St John’s Anglican Church, East Malvern.He was Director of the Global Terrorism Research Centre at Monash University, the Australian Node of the Religion and Diversity Project, University of Ottaw…

Speaking on “Unlocking Potential – BSL Advantage Thinking and Community Investment Committees”.Conny Lenneberg is the Executive Director of The Brotherhood of St Laurence, a role she took up in January 2018. Conny has 25 years’ experience in the development and social justice sector, in Australia and internationally, from service delivery in the fi…

Speaking on "Senior Naval Officer Victoria – Supporting Navy’s Strategic Objectives".Commodore Yorke first joined the Royal Australian Navy from Sydney in January 1974 and is a Principal Warfare Officer, specialising as a Gunnery Officer. His sea postings include HMA Ships Perth (II), Ibis (II), Townsville (II), Parramatta (III), Brisbane (II), Gla…

Speaking on "Human Rights in the Australian Context''Hugh was a board member of the Human Rights Law Centre when it was established in 2006 and joined the staff team in 2013 as the Executive Director. Under his leadership, the Centre has more than tripled in staffing and resources and continues to extend its positive impact on human rights in Austr…

Professor Susan Davis MBBS FRACP PhD FAHMSSpeaking on “Inequitable Equity” Professor Susan Davis MBBS FRACP PhD FAHMS is an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Principal Research Fellow and Director of the Women’s Health Research Program in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Melbourne.S…

Speaking on "Freemasonry in the 21st Century"When Keith Murray moved from Scotland to Australia he had few acquaintances, but as a member of Freemasonry he knew he had little to worry about. Being a member of the organisation gave him the ability to understand all sorts of different aspects of Australian life and it also gave him Brethren he could …

Angus Mitchell Oration: "The Humanitarian Imperative to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons"Tilman Ruff is a public health and infectious diseases physician; Co-President of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War since 2012 (Nobel Peace Prize 1985); and co-founder and founding international and Australian Chair of the International Campai…

Speaking on “Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA): protecting and enhancing Australia’s reputation for quality higher education”.Before joining TEQSA as CEO in October 2015, Anthony McClaran was the Chief Executive of the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) for six years (2009-2015) and prior to that the Chie…

Rob joined the Board of YHA Victoria in 1989 when the CEO was John Mitchell a long-standing member of the club who passed away in 2016. Rob became the Chair of YHA Victoria in 1992 and a member of the National AYHA Board. He served as Vice Chair of AYHA, and in 1998 was the first Australian to be elected to the International Board. In 2004 and agai…

Benetas is one of the leading not-for-profit providers to older Australians of residential care, in-home care, respite care, allied health and retirement living in Victoria.Sandra Hills joined Benetas in 2009 with career experience in local and state government and the not for profit sector and has qualifications spanning: nursing, psychology, rese…

Laura Cavallo, Chief Executive, Destinations MelbourneLaura Cavallo is Chief Executive of Destination Melbourne, an independent tourism organisation for the Greater Melbourne region. The organisation’s vision is to maximise Melbourne’s visitor potential by championing visitors’ needs, the visitor experience and the visitor industry.Laura’s career s…

Commander Stuart Bateson comes with a diverse and broad range of experience with Victoria Police. Since his promotion to Detective 22 years ago, he has worked in a number of investigative areas including organised crime, counter terrorism and homicide.He was actively involved in resolving the Gangland murders and has been Police spokesperson on TV …

Speaking on "Housing for all Australians, rich or poor, should be considered fundamental economic infrastructure for Australia. Just like roads, hospitals or schools".Robert is an engineer by background, having graduated with Honors from Monash University. He has been active in the property industry for over 30 years, most recently as General Manag…

Andrew Lemon, LittD, MA, BA Hons (Melb), FRHSVHistorianWith the 2008 completion of his trilogy The History of Australian Thoroughbred Racing, Andrew Lemon is acknowledged as the foremost expert on the history of racing in this country. Andrew has enjoyed a long career as a professional historian, has published books on topics ranging from schools, …

Speaking on “Deaf Australians – a Cultural, Linguistic Minority or a Disability Group?”This presentation will be interpreted in Auslan.Brent will speak about the Australian Deaf community and the importance of community, culture and language in empowering Deaf Australians in the modern connected world we live in. Brent will also discuss how the Dea…