Newsletter Date: 24th August, 2009 Not the Toorak Times Volume 3, Issue 9 - it’s the Rotary Club of Toorak Bulletin! Program 31st August 7th September 14th September Speaker Ross Garrett Siana Madden TBA Subject "Rotary Anzac Peace Tour National Youth Science - 2009" Forum Venue Quaff Quaff Start Time 6.00 for 6.30 pm 6.00 for 6.30 Chair Person Russell Forge Ian Kirk Welcome Suzy Moir Suzy Moir Cashier Justin Meadows Russell Forge Attendance Anna Wong Justin Meadows Cannot attend? Apologies: contact our Attendance Officer, Lalanah Brujah on 0403 375 553 For make-ups see: http://www.rotarydistrict9800.org.au/Members/WhereDistrictClubsMeet

Ambassador Yuval Rotem has had a long and illustrious career in the Israeli Foreign Service. Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in , Rotem has worked as chief spokesperson of the Israeli Mission to the UN and to the of Israel in New York; as senior advisor to former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ehud Barak; and, from 1996-1999, Chief of Staff to former Ministers of Foreign Affairs David Levy and . Prior to his posting in Canberra, Yuval Rotem was the General of Israel in Los Angeles, for five years. In this role, he was the senior representative of the State of Israel in the western United States. In 2003, Foreign Minister Netanyahu promoted Rotem to the rank of Ambassador making him the youngest Israeli career , an accolade which he still holds. In his speech during the lunch at the Governor- General’s residence, Ambassador Rotem pledged to bring ‘a rejuvenated sense of energy and spirit’ to the embassy and to ‘set an agenda which will involve all people, from all political inclinations, cultural heritages, and religious faiths’. At the end of the speech, Ambassador Rotem expressed the wish that during his tenure, he would be able to invite the Governor-General to ‘come to Israel to participate in a ceremony that puts the Arab-Israeli conflict to rest’. Ambassador Rotem is 47. He is married to Miri Rotem and has three children

In his dissertation tonight , Ambassador Rotem described the challenge of an ambassadorship which was exacting, and which entailed much hard work. His description of Israel as “having more History than Geography” , and the middle east as being divided into “holy land” and “oily land” kept the evening from being too serious. He sklllfully fielded a number of questions from PP John Edhouse, Mark Knapp, and Peter Allen of Camberwell RC, and proved to be an competent and entertaining speaker. Right: President Russell Walker thanks Ambassador Rotem for his presentation: Higgins Electoral Candidate Andrew Abercrombie with District Governor Colin Muir. Bottom right: The Camberwell contingent: thanks for your enthusiastic support, guys!

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LEFT: John Spencer, Julie Poumes and Mark

Knapp. Then ADG Barbara Adams with Jan and Richard Trebilcock and Gill. Carole

Edhouse entertaining Tony Leech, and then a tablefull of diners: Mark Knapp, Justin

Meadows, Tony Leech and Peter Byrne. Above: Kevin Dale from Brunswick Rotary

Club, Russell Forge closing in on Sue Wolper, and PP Lesley Martin.

Lower: PP Peter Byrne with Charter Member Ted Berman and Sheila Cheyne.

It was a great pleasure to see some of our former members dropping to support this

enjoyable and enlightening function.

Yes, the climate does change. It always has, and always will. http://rightviewpoint.com/2009/08/03/hannibal- glaciers-and-global-warming/ 2

Readers of “The Age” may have read on 20th August of our member Allan Zavod’s Doctorate of Music. Only the fourth to ever be granted by the University of Melbourne! (Nice photo, Allan!) But it is old news: Allan’s Doctorate of Music was given prominence in the ToorakTimes away back on 27th April 2009.

Yes, we at the ToorakTimes are always first with the breaking news! – Ed.

President Russell circulated the Third District 9800 Bushfire Recovery Report to all members. Chairman Mev Connell comments: In a year of economic havoc that rocked global Rotary activities aimed at assisting bushfire survivors and markets and shook consumer confidence, their communities continue unabated. There is loose Rotary International’s most important asset – coordination of this work through the Unified Rotary Districts of Victoria and Tasmania Bushfire Recovery its members – steadily grew. Committee (the Unified Committee); however, most of the As of 30 June, the end of the 2008-09 RI year, activities have been initiated by Rotary clubs, with major there were 1,234,527 members in 33,790 projects being supported by districts. The aim to provide Rotary clubs. That’s an increase of 3,044 Rotary assistance where there is greatest need is being members and 520 clubs from the previous year. observed and no artificial barriers are being applied in “Rotary clubs must continue to build relation to that approach. The combined districts have raised in total about $3.5 membership during the 2009-10 year”, said RI million through their individual Bushfire Recovery Funds. President John Kenny: Many clubs in these districts have also contributed directly "Whether Rotary will thrive, or whether it will to the recovery operation, in funds and donations-in-kind, falter; whether our service will mean much to to an estimated value of $800,000 in total. Some Rotary many, or little to few; whether Rotary is known Clubs have also retained significant funds in their own accounts for support of bushfire recovery projects as the with respect, or seen as a relic of days gone by: Program continues. all this is up to you. The Future of Rotary Is in

Your Hands."

South Yarra Library Book Sales: Once again, a great result! $596.60 was raised on Saturday, by Russell Walker and his Rotary Leadership Institute team of Cyril Lee and Betty, John Spencer, Mina Armstrong, This is a really worthwhile course for potential Ross Garrett, Alan Freedman and Tony Leech. Well done, guys Rotary Leaders. Just ask Svetlana or Gordon! - Funds for our Rotary projects! Part 1 September 20 Part 2 October 11 Friends of Baguia announce a screening of “Balibo”, You must attend Part 1 then Part 2 followed by Part a political thriller starring Anthony LaPaglia. See 3 to graduate. Register with Vicki Teschke on over for details. [email protected]

The Rotary Club of Toorak is a club within District 9800 of Rotary International. Our club President is Russell Walker (Tel 0418 531 343). Postal address: PO Box 42, Toorak, Vic, 3142. Our District Governor is Colin Muir (email [email protected]) and our World President is John Kenny. Bulletin Editor and Producer: Gordon Cheyne. See www.rotary.org for more information 3

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