Well, it’s been another great month. We had our annual changeover dinner and a great club discussion. The club is growing in membership (3 new added this year) and the club energy and community is strong. I plan for this year to be one of consolidation, building on the strong foundations and achievements of the past year while continuing to strengthen our impact and effectiveness.
Our key priorities will be to:
Maintain a strong focus on meaningful community projects and ensure we remain more than just a fundraising club.
Continue to grow and strengthen our membership.
Broaden participation by sharing skills and responsibilities across the club, while actively supporting succession planning.
Enhance our public image through improvements to our website, Facebook presence, and wider community engagement.
Keep Domestic Violence awareness and support initiatives as a key priority.
Continue collaborating with neighbouring Rotary clubs through joint activities and projects.
The club discussions have been very engaging, with several initiatives now taking shape. Looking ahead, the District Conference will be held in Mudgee next March. Angelo is coordinating a group from our club to attend, and all members are encouraged to join. If you're interested, please let Angelo know.
The District Youth Policy was also tabled for discussion. George will provide an update once further consultation with the district has been completed. Finally, Angelo and I will once again lead the club's annual Melbourne Club Trifecta adventure. Please also note that the minutes from the last Board meeting are now available via the club link.
We were pleased that Willoughby Council, at its most recent meeting, paid tribute to Tom Sweeny, recognising his significant contribution to the community and the lasting impact of his service. It was a well-deserved honour.
We have a number of community events coming up and look forward to seeing you there:
Crows Nest Fair – 18 October
End Polio Train Ride – 23 October
Mary House Walk & BBQ – 25 October
I hope to see many of you at our next club meeting on August 4.
What a fantastic evening! Filled with energy, laughter, and a wonderful sense of community, it was the perfect celebration of both new member inductions and the recognition of outstanding contributions to the club.
A special thank you to Mark and Angelo, who did a superb job leading the evening. Their enthusiasm created an atmosphere that was welcoming, making everyone feel part of something special. We were honoured to have dignitaries District Governor Michele Ellery and her husband Paul, PDG Gina Growden and Cathie Glinka President of North Sydney Sunrise in attendance.
Dr Ian Kerridge, one of Australia’s leading haematologists and bone marrow transplant physicians delivered a fascinating presentation on the remarkable advances in haematology treatments and the growing role of stem cell research in transforming patient outcomes. In recognition of his outstanding service to the community, his life-saving contributions to haematology and cancer care, and the profound impact he has had on countless lives, Dr Kerridge was presented with Rotary’s highest honour for a non-Rotaria, the Paul Harris Fellow Award
We also celebrated new members and awards. Our new members are Andre Chinnery, Bev Carylon and Jane Duckworth. All were awarded their Rotary pins by Mark and the DG. We also welcomed Wes McNight who has joined us from the Ballart club. These new members have already made an impact, and we look forward to more success.
The Cyril Clark Award was presented to Angelo Raveane in recognition of his outstanding service, dedication, and continuity of leadership within Rotary. Described by the late Tom as “the backbone of the club” for more than 40 years, Angelo continues to play a vital leadership role and remains one of Rotary’s most committed volunteers.
Among his many contributions, Angelo oversees the RYLA program in Timor-Leste, coordinating annual visits
and securing approximately $50,000 in corporate funding each year to support the initiative demonstrating his ongoing commitment to strengthening Rotary’s impact and fostering leadership development both locally and internationally. His unwavering dedication, generosity, and service exemplify the very spirit of Rotary and make him a most deserving recipient of the Cyril Clark Award.
Paul Harris Fellowship award. There were three recipients:
George Condell has provided outstanding support to the club over many years, including leading key fundraising and community activities such as the Crows Nest Fair and the MH BBQ. He has regularly attended Presidents’ Meetings and has been an active member of the Board for many years while also managing the club’s insurance matters. His unwavering commitment, reliability, and willingness to take on both leadership and operational responsibilities have made a significant contribution to the club’s success and sustainability.
Ross Gugliotto, a recent Past President, has made an invaluable contribution to both Rotary and the wider Crows Nest business community. He has representing it at Rotary International Conventions and always stepping forward to support club initiatives whenever needed. Ross was presented with this award in recognition of his many years of dedicated service to Rotary and his tireless work behind the scenes. His leadership, commitment, and willingness to contribute—often without seeking recognition—have played an important role in the success and vitality of the club. His ongoing support and enthusiasm exemplify the spirit of Rotary service.
Gloria received this award in recognition of her support to both the club and the President over the past year. Her contribution has been above what is traditionally expected of a secretary. As Sam remarked, “A better Secretary than Mark!”. Gloria has played a role in improving the way the club operates and helped strengthen club administration and governance.
The club continues to thrive thanks to a wonderful community of volunteers whose enthusiasm and willingness to help make all the difference. The evening was a fitting celebration, concluding with lively banter. As the conversations continued, Angelo found it no easy task to convince everyone that the evening had finally come to an end.
MEETINGS
LAST MEETING: Changeover dinner.
NEXT MEETINGS:
August 4 - Club discussion
August 25- Guest speaker Catherine DeVrye. Please see email for registration
September 1 - District Governor Michele Ellery will update on "Our Future. Our Choice. Our Rotary".
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS
The club is growing and we are wanting to expand our activities. We do need volunteer help. Specifically, we need volunteers for:
Club Flyer needs updating & online version
Social co-ordinator
Payment process tabled- volunteer to assist with Payments.
T
George Condell has provided outstanding support to the club over many years, including leading key fundraising and community activities such as the Crows Nest Fair and the MH BBQ. He has regularly attended Presidents’ Meetings and has been an active member of the Board for many years while also managing the club’s insurance matters. His unwavering commitment, reliability, and willingness to take on both leadership and operational responsibilities have made a significant contribution to the club’s success and sustainability.
Ross Gugliotto, a recent Past President, has made an invaluable contribution to both Rotary and the wider Crows Nest business community. He has representing it at Rotary International Conventions and always stepp
