CONTACT a newsletter of the Rotary Club of Essendon
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• Todays meeting
• Paul Harris Recognitions
• Committee Updates
• Restaurants to Support
• Past Presidents
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The Rotary Club of Essendon was Chartered on 21st May 1935
Volume 75 Issue 21, 1ST December 2009
What a huge meeting today.
Sergeant at Arms Simon
Cookson led the way by fining
almost all of us!
Once a month we have each
Committee Chairperson provide
an overview of what is
happening in the club. Contact
has a summary for you.
Two Paul Harris Recognitions
were awarded today. Noel and
Matt O’Brien both have made
wonderful contributions to
Rotary Foundation and also our
club and are worthy recipients
of Paul Harris Recognitions.
New member Nick Patinyotis
was inducted today under the
classification of Reception
Centre Management. Nick and
his wife Mary operate Ascot
House Receptions.
All in all a very big day!
38/78 MEMBERS
AT TODAY’S MEETING plus 6 guests
Today’s meeting – Club Day
Gerald and Lucille O’Brien, Noel’s siblings - Mary, Gerald, John, Anne, Matthew, Lucille and Kathleen all went to St
Therese’s primary school in Essendon with the exception of Mary who passed away as a baby from influenza,
then Noel went on to St Monica’s and then to St Bernard’s for his secondary education.
Noel met Carmel Pound from Essendon at a young age and decided very early that he would marry her;
however he would have to wait his time. He did and at 21 he Carmel were married, and after living in Sapphire St
Essendon for a short time, moved to their current home in McCracken St Essendon some 50 years ago and as in
the true O’Brien tradition started a big family. Noel and Carmel have 7 children, Peter, Brendan, Damien, Maria,
Paul, Patrick and Timothy. All went to St Therese’s, St Monica’s and St Bernard’s with the exception of Maria who
went to St Columba’s for her secondary education after primary school at St Therese’s.
Growing up through the depression years, Noel and his family saw plenty of hardship and through this brought out
unbelievable entrepreneurial skills that have been with Noel all his life. As young boys Noel and his brothers’
started selling Snowballs and Peanuts at the Essendon Airport to help put food on the table at home. This grew
rapidly to the idea that they could do the same thing at the Essendon football ground. Little did they know that
when they jumped the fence and started selling their goods where it would lead them.
Noel and his brother Jack formed a formidable Partnership that lasted over 40 years, becoming the largest
outdoor Catering Company in Australia. At one stage they were the Caterers for all the VFL grounds and many of
the horse racing/trotting tracks, catering for the Royal Agricultural Shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide as
well as many regional shows. They were the caterers at the Victorian Arts Centre and Leonda, to name but a few.
Jack retired in about 1979 and Noel, with the help of his son’s Peter and Brendan, went onto to expand the
business nationally. They bought an existing company in New South Wales and expanded the operation in
Sydney winning contracts at the SCG, White City and many other venues.
During this period of rapid expansion, Spotless Cleaning Company bought Nationwide Catering in an attempt to
get a foothold in the outdoor catering business, forming the Spotless Group, eventually they also acquired
O’Brien Catering. Noel then became a Director and major shareholder of the Spotless Group for more that 10
years. Noel continues to be a Director of the company that his sons own and operate, Redrock Leisure P/L which
has over 30 Hotels and catering business’ throughout Australia, which includes the very successful and unique
Colonial Tramcar Restaurant.
Noel and Carmel and his children have been very generous Philanthropists during their family and business life,
they have supported many charities both in Australia and throughout the developing world. Noel has always
been committed to giving to others in need and his key towards generosity is in his ability to enable people to do
more for others. He is the originator of making an offer and encouraging people to use the offer to a greater
advantage and thereby raising more for the particular cause.
Noel has a deep commitment to the Developing world and this has led him to travel throughout India, working
with groups helping to build hospitals, travelled on the back of a motorbike through Cambodia as part of a group
helping to remove the landmines, as well as helping people in Peru to name a few and he has had amongst
others, a real passion for the past 10 years to the plight of the people in East Africa.
Noel has been on countless Boards and Committees throughout his career, many for business but far more for
charitable causes. There would be few octogenarians who still have as much passion, acumen, and involvement
in business and charities, as well as the commitment to care for Carmel, whom he nursed at home until recently.
Paul Harris Recognition – Noel O’Brien
Paul Harri Recognition – Matt O’Brien
International Committee
Projects for the year
Philippines:
Trip to Philippines has final numbers of 29 comprising 6 students and 23 adults made up of 4
Rotarians, 4 Kangan and 15 friends and family members.
Safe House construction has begun.
Can we buy some goats to replace those that died in the recent storms? Thought we could
buy at least 3 and donate them from members of the International Committee as a good will
gesture.
Myanmar:
Some good news regarding Dr. Philip Seeley and family donation of some new medical
equipment and the club has agreed to provide money for the necessary consumables
associated with the equipment.
Sue Duras has donated $500.00.
Kenya:
This year’s trip to Africa was deemed to be a wonderful success and all enjoyed the
experience. Matt and Tim were able to conduct some firm and serious negotiations regarding
the completion of the project.
It is proposed that a trip in the middle of 2010 be considered.
Community Committee
Christmas Trailer Raffle:
Following significant efforts from Roger, Henry and Alistair we are now ready to commence raffle
tickets sales at Essendon DFO on Saturday 14 November and continue at this location every
Saturday and Sunday until Sunday 13 December.
Camp Getaway: Action: Wal to speak to his contact at Camp Getaway.
Traffic School: Await return of Roger who is our representative on the Council’s Traffic School
committee.
Gellibrand Residential Services: Watching brief at this stage.
Rowallan Working Bee: Wal and Lino , plus two more volunteers to repair patio brickwork. at
Rowallan, estimated at $400. Committee agreed that, as part of 75th Anniversary celebrations, a
picnic and family day in March/April be scheduled at Rowallan (Riddell’s Creek).
Moonee Valley Council: Alistair advised that Club was in discussion with Council on our 75th
Anniversary celebrations, restoration of the Municipal Fountain and other suitable community
projects. The 75th Anniversary celebrations will be in two parts, the Re-Enactment on Friday, 21 May
2010 at the Clocktower Centre, which will include Council involvement and a more formal
celebratory event at Moonee Valley Racing Club on Sunday afternoon, 23 May 2010.
It is planned that the Municipal Fountain will be refurbished and rededicated as part of our 75th
Anniversary event.
The Sound Shell in Queen’s Park is being dismantled and a new facility is being constructed on the
edge of the lake. Our Club is in discussion with Council about selling commemorative pavers to go on
the floor of the new facility and having signage installed outlining our Club’s role in this project
Action: Alistair to continue discussions with Council about Municipal Fountain and new Sound Stage
at Queen’s Park
Committee Update
Committee Update
Community Committee continued:
Caroline Chisholm: Maria advised any toys in good condition always required. Caroline Chisholm Society will
forward a wish list of toys they require.
Action: Maria to liaise with Caroline Chisholm Society on this project.
Rural Drought Relief: Due to difficulty in getting relevant feedback from Murrindindi Shire it was recommended
that focus on more local issues.
Action: Committee agreed to remove this item from the agenda.
Membership Update:
Relay for Life Fundraiser: Henry indicated that preparations were proceeding to schedule. There was discussion
about accepting a donation from an individual who is not a member of the Club; however, committee agreed
that this would be acceptable. The event is scheduled for 19/20 February 2010 at Windy Hill Essendon. Regular
sponsors will be approach again this year and suitably recognised for their donations.
General Business: 1. Future projects: There was discussion on performance of the Club in the past when it
developed community projects such as Rowallan, Traffic School, Royal District Nursing Service and others, and
how we should go about this in the future. It was agreed that a sub-committee be established to research
suitable future community projects for the Club to support. It was also agreed that this year’s Trailer raffle funds
be held in trust for use with the specified project/s. Action: That a sub-committee be established to research suitable community projects and make
recommendations within three months. The sub-committee to be comprised of Maria, Pat, Henry and Alistair.
Committee thanked Lino for constructing the DONATION BOX to be used with Trailer raffle.
Committee discussed email request from Moonee Valley Council to provide our food service again at this
year’s Carols by Candlelight on 13 December in Queen’s Park.
Action: Maria to advise President we will participate provided we have support from other
committees. Community can provide four volunteers and we will need at least eight more to ensure
the project is successful.
Youth Committee:
Computers for Kids & Community: 2 computers already received and one promised sourcing possibly many
more.
Jarrod French attended RYPEN
Seeking potential candidates for Shine On awards.
Rotary Presents 16 March 2010
Kensington Community High selling raffle tickets to help surfing program, we are attempting to source surfing
equipment for them
Etihad stadium vocational visit Thursday 18 February 2010
Rotary exchange student arrives in our care 8 January 2010 host families sought especially if have children of
approx. age 17/18
Fellowship Committee
November:
1. Kangan Batman Tafe Cocktail and Art show planned for Friday 13th with proceeds to BahayTulyan.
2. Trivia night now booked for Friday 27th @ the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 111 Boundary Rd, Nth.
Melbourne 7.30pm start. Minimum number of 40 required to run the night, entry fee to be $10. BYO
finger food and drinks, coffee and tea available at the venue.
N.Henderson to provide party pies and sausage rolls – cook required.
Prizes of theatre tickets and chocolates to each couple on the winning table.
Bottles of Baileys and Scotch required for coin toss.
A flyer advertising the night to be emailed to all members with a copy in Contact.
Cut off date for numbers is Tuesday the 24th.
December: Tuesday 15th Dec. annual evening Christmas Dinner. M.Baker has booked Fredricks for the
evening , price $47 . Costing for the night to established before setting members price. R.Carter has agreed to
the donation of Plum Puddings , thanks Ray.
Drinks and nibbles included on arrival, no drinks on the tables but available at bar prices.
Suggested we provide soft drinks on each table.
Volunteer Santa required for the night. Gifts budgeted at $5 per head ( 50 ).
R.Brown can provide the Santa suit.
E.Ray provided an overview of a possible Xmas skit requiring 4 people ( E.Ray, M.Cariss, D.Kosnar and R.Brown
to play the donkey) .
Carols : each table to sing one verse of a carol aptly led by H.Randell. Has Henry been approached ?.
January: Australia day 26th , proposed to have a BBQ @ the home of R&J Thomas in lieu of our regular lunch
meeting ( a Family Day ), wear your RED, WHITE and BLUE.
Club to provide meats, basic salads, bread and sauce, BYO drinks , should consider providing ICY POLES for
the young ones.
Club BBQ has been booked. Charges : $15 per Couple or family.
Possibility of theatre nite also.
February: “ Rotary is Going to the Dogs Nite “, moved to a daylite savings time slot. Every Saturday nite at the
Meadows, either min 30 adults @$35 / head with 3 course meal and race book or min 20 adults $60 / head
including drinks.
Saturday 27th has been suggested.
March : R.Thomas to investigate availability of a Boat trip up the Maribyrnong.
May: 75th Anniversary celebrations.
Being handled by a separate committee.
June: Major function Sat 26th June - Presidents Night. Boris has booked the Supper Room at Melbourne Town
Hall and forwarded costs and catering to N.Henderson
Other Business:
1. Lino Airo-Farulla is available on the front desk each to accept deposits from members wishing to
contribute to the Functions Bank.
2. 75th Anniversary contacts list – suggest that the list be emailed to all members as well as left on the
tables each week.
Committee Update
Committee Update
Marketing Committee
Donations In Kind update
The Rotary Club of West Footscray has bought into the process and Laurie Fisher has taken over the
day to day running from Bill Dagg
Bill Dagg will concentrate on all other aspects of DIK
The Freemasons have expressed a keen interest in supporting DIK and have offered to pay part of
the annual rental if they can gain access to some of DIK’s services.
The Review committee appointed by current DG Colin Muir has recently met and believe that:
o Contacting all clubs for support would be a waste of time
o The current setup and operation of DIK should continue
o The possibility of integrating Pakenham and Geelong DIK’s into one is being investigated
o That the five (5) largest clubs, Melbourne, Balwyn , Essendon, Melbourne Sunrise and
Hawthorn ultimately be sought as facilitators of the lease and form a sub committee to
manage DIK
Royce Abbey Award
Roger Leask and Michael Mahoney traveled to Newcastle to do a presentation to the Zone 8
Institute. The Zone 8 Institute is a meeting for all Australian District Governors and District Governor
elects. As a result of the presentation, a motion was put to the conference that the Royce Abbey
Award be adopted as a national award to be voted a next years conference in December 2010.
Contact
History almost exhausted of current photos
Revamped look in 2010
Trailer Raffle
Two banners were developed an printed display at DFO
75th Anniversary Committee
To prepare static display of clubs achievements over past 75 years
To develop in conjunction with Paul Dalmau new club video
To approach local paper to develop a four page supplement
Marketing Fundraiser
Discuss with Hilton Hotel Airport re potential fundraiser.
Restaurants in our area to support
Looking for a great place to have dinner. Why not support these Restaurants that support
our club activities. It will make it easier also the next time we ask them for assistance.
Over the next few months we will feature those Restaurants that participated in our Great
Restaurant Raffle. Enjoy………………
Windy Hill Restaurant
Windy Hill Venue,
Cnr Brewster & Napier Street, Essendon, Vic, 3040
03 9230 0335
The Terrace Bistro is located on the Ground Floor,
situated near the Bar. Extremely popular amongst
members and guests, it boasts the professionalism,
dedication and tastes of a five star restaurant,
however, packaged into a compact Bistro decor.
Club History – Founding Past Presidents 2001,2002, 2003
65th President
Alan Murphy
66th President
Ian Singelton
67th President
Jim Saunders
Moonee Valley City Council has obtained funding from VicRoads for a motor vehicle which will be used to help learner drivers attain the government-mandated 120 hours of driving practice. The project is aimed at new drivers under 21 years of age who have no access to a private vehicle and no familial supervisory driver.
Council is seeking community sponsorship of the vehicle and are approaching a number of local organisations including Westpac. The Rotary Club of Essendon may assist in this regard at some stage. They are also looking for volunteer supervisory drivers who will complete a Council-funded, VicRoads training course. If you would like further information about the training or would like to assist in this worthwhile community project, please contact Steve Roe.
VOLUNTEER DRIVERS FOR MOONEE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
L2P PROJECT
A place to put things
2010 Relay for Life
Those Rotarians and family
members who would like
the polo shirt with the club
sponsors overprinting are
required to return the
response sheet completed
by 8th December 2009 so
that registration can be
effected, polo shirts
obtained, and delivered to
the printer. Any problems
please telephone Henry
Randell.
Carols by Candlelight
13th December 2009
Moonee Valley’s annual Carols by Candlelight program is a free community event that reflects a traditional and family oriented experience. The event is about the municipality’s diverse community coming together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to share the spirit of Christmas, and community singing of course!
This year’s Carols at Queens Park event will not disappoint! Special guests, local schools and community groups – including the Essendon Choral Society and the Moonee Valley Brass Band – are preparing now for a magical evening in Queens Park, Moonee Ponds.
A full program with performance details will be available on this website in late November.
When: Sunday, 13 December 2009 - 7pm to 9:30pm Candles, refreshments and songbooks will be available for purchase from 6pm. Where: Queens Park
Corner Alexander Rd & Kellaway Ave Moonee Ponds, Vic 3039
Each committee is requested to arrange to have two (2) members of each committee
to assist with the stand from 4.30 pm onwards.
Committee chairs please arrange and let Maria Kouppas know who will be attending.
A place to put things
In conjunction with the Rotary Club of Essendon North,
we are hosting a 17 year old Polish exchange student,
Maciej Kiedrowski. Maciej arrived in August for 11
months and is attending Essendon-Keilor College in
Buckley Street.
Essendon North are looking after Maciej until January
when we will take over. To that end, we are looking for
four families to host for six weeks each. The aim is to
share the responsibility throughout the Club and not
place the entire load on our four families. All members
will be encouraged to welcome Maciej into their homes
for a meal or invite him along on a family outing.
Many of your own children will have participated in
school-based, international exchanges and know how
invaluable it can be for the student and host-family alike.
It makes the world a smaller and friendlier place and
can be a life-changing experience for all involved.
Please let Steve Roe know if your family would like to be
involved in this important activity.
Myanmar
Don't miss out !
Have ever thought about going to Myanmar (Burma) ?
Never got around to it, well knows the time to plan for
March next year. The RCE trip to Burma leaves March
27th 2010 and has lots to offer for a two
week extravaganza into what was once the British
Empires' Jewel.
Your trip will take you to Bagan said to rival and exceed
Angkor Wat, then back to Rangoon for some serious
Rotary work at schools, hospitals and charitable groups.
hen down to the Delta to review the RCE housing
project. Finally having completed our official work we
travel to the Bay of Bengal and Ngapali Beach for
some well earned R&R.
See Richard Lawrence or Tim Anderson
- numbers are limited.
Computers for Kids and Community’ is a
collaborative District 9800 project. It involves
collecting, refurbishing and distributing
superseded computing equipment to
underprivileged people both in the local
community and overseas. Our Club has already
been involved with the project as 40 computers
have been obtained through C4K&C and sent to
Bahay Tuluyan.
The project coordinators have a workshop and
storage area at the DIK shed in West Footscray.
All computers received are formatted and
licensed Microsoft software is then installed.
The minimum standard of computer needed is
Pentium 4. Laptops and MACs are also
accepted, plus peripherals including working
printers, monitors (older type CRTs are fine),
keyboards, leads etc.
If you know of any businesses, friends or family
members who are updating computing
equipment and would be willing to donate their
old machines to the project, please contact
Steve Roe who will arrange collection.
Computers for Kids and Community
DATED EVENT VENUE
Sunday 13th Dec Carols by Candlelight Queens Park
Tuesday 15th Dec Annual Christmas dinner Fredrick’s Restaurant
Tuesday 26th Jan 10 Family BBQ Rob and Jan Thomas
Social Corner Rotary Club of Essendon
P.O.Box 171
Essendon, 3040
Phone: 0417352190
Club President
Anne Rogers
Club Secretary
Tim Anderson
Contact Editor
Michael Mahoney
Web Editor
Grant Sheldon
Website
www.rcessendon.com.au
Up and Coming Events
Norm Mollica
It was great to see Norm Mollica attend our
meeting today. Welcome back Norm!
Ian Thomas
Ian heads into St.Vincents tomorrow for an
operation. All the best we will be thinking of
you.
Sad news
We have been informed by our past ADG
Vanda Mullen that her father past away on
Thursday afternoon. He had a stroke and
did not recover in spite of a determined
and courageous struggle. The funeral is on
Friday at Le Pines in Box Hill at 12 noon. I will
really miss my Dad.
Raffle
Lino Airo Farulla drew the lucky ticket, but
failed to pick the Joker so the jackpot
increases to over $330
Rotary Toast
The Rotary toast today was to the Rotary
Club of Oakland, USA
Exchange Student
In conjunction with the Rotary Club of
Essendon North, we are hosting a 17 year
old Polish exchange student, Maciej
Kiedrowski. Our club looks after him after
January, so please let Stephen Roe know if
you can help.
DFO Raffle Tickets
Have a few hours to spare on the
weekend on the 5th and 13th of
December?
We have a stand at DFO selling trailer
raffle tickets and we need as many
helpers as we can get. Let Henry
Randell know ASAP please.
Riddle
At a family reunion were the
following people: one
grandfather, one
grandmother, two fathers,
two mothers, four children,
three grandchildren, one
brother, two sisters, two sons,
two daughters, one father-in-
law, one mother-in-law, and
one daughter-in-law. But not
as many people attended as
it sounds. How many were
there, and who were they?
Birthdays
Roger Leask 69Y
Ian Munro 59Y
Club Anniversaries
Paul Dalmau 15Y
Club History – Old photos of Club Rotarians in action
Vocational visit to Air traffic
control 2005 Rotary Fountain in Moonee
Valley
Stephen Roe as a policeman
at Presidents Night 2009
Rotary wishing well in
Queens Park
Wal Dibben and Bill Molinaro
Matt O’Brien with Kenyan
Soccer team members
Club History – A year that was
2000-01
President: Alan Murphy
Secretary: Jim Saunders
Michael Maloney Bendigo Bank
Phone 93742607 E-mail
9381 0288
More sponsors needed
More sponsors needed
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Riddle Answer: There were two little girls and a boy, their parents, and their father's parents,
totaling seven people