With my Presidential Theme being “Honour the Volunteer” I wish to honour and acknowledge the presence of you all here today with a particular welcome to:-

My wife Kaye, son Brett, daughter Lisa and her partner Bruce, grandson Callum, District Governor John Davis and Joan, District Governor Elect Jim Studebaker and Carol, Past Rotary International World President Royce Abbey and Jean and Assistant District Governor Gary Goldsmith.

Rotarians, partners and special guests:-

One of my favourite verses from the Bible comes from the Shepherd and the prophet Joel;

“And the old men shall dream dreams and the young men shall have visions”. 

That verse so aptly applies to the ambitions of a newly inducted President of Rotary.  A short 52 weeks ago I stood before you, feeling more like a young man than I do today, with a vision expressed as a list of challenges to Committees – ‘Visions to make a difference’.

The challenge laid down to the Membership Development Committee to have a membership of 300 has been realized today with the Induction of our two newest members.  Well done to Peter Rogers and all of his team.

The challenge to establish a meaningful working relationship with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence with projects to break the cycle of homelessness in our community  and to inspire disadvantaged youth are well under way with a substantial grant from the Lord Mayors Fund equaling a grant from this club.

Father Gerard Kennedy Tucker, Founder of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence would be pleased, I’m sure, with the efforts made to date. I hope that he will be more formally recognized as these programs progress.

The Health Issues Committee have concluded a major initiative in conjunction with our long term partners, the  Baker Institute, leaving the health of the broader Victorian community in better shape than previously. The invitation for all members to have a complete heart health check at the Baker Institute is extended and should be accepted.

The Arts Committee accepted the challenge to work with the arts community of Melbourne and there are a number of initiatives being explored. The Acclaim Awards is but one great program this committee is involved in.

I acknowledge the amount of information disseminated regularly through the publication of the Weekly Bulletin, the Club web page and the broadcasting of our weekly addresses through radio 3RPH.  Information is paramount and this club is well served by a small group of dedicated members including Phil Bowley and Bernie McIntosh as well as Alistair Urquhart and his hard working dedicated folk.

The proper functioning of any energetic organization is the quality of the members of its Board.  I have been blessed with a strong committed group of Rotarians who joined me on the journey twelve months ago and I thank them all for their work and guidance. 

My Executive has been exemplary, my two Vice-Presidents John Tozer, also the Club Photographer and Jeremy Oats both who have very generously provided quality sustenance on the occasion of each Board Meeting night, the Honorary Secretary Barry Murphy who is living proof that the ‘Pen is mightier than the Sword’ and the Honorary Treasurer Michael Selth who brings impeccable financial skills to the Club. 

The Board has prudently managed the funds of the club. I am pleased to advise with constant wise counsel from the Investment Committee, the club commences a new Rotary year on a financial footing that is very strong particularly given the current state of the Australian share market.

To all Office Bearers during my year I pay my respects, give you my gratitude and acknowledge your valuable contribution to our club.

Well done to you all. Thank you.

The quiet achievers who go about their tasks each week with a minimum of fuss are recognized and acknowledged.  The Luncheon Committee who decorate the room and tables with banners from around the world, ensure the sound system is working, all relevant documents are in place and the tables flagged with appropriate information are at the top of all lists for endurance.

Thank you.

There are four women in my life, yes four. I’m not a Mormon just a most fortunate man that enjoys the company and support of a dedicated team of wonderful women headed by my beautiful wife of 45 years, Kaye, also my two Personal Assistants Erin and Raelene and of course, the corner stone of this great club , our Office Manager Jo Mavros.  Each of these very special human beings have delivered more than was asked and have remained calm, loyal, considered and devoted their time to the work of Rotary.

The projects of the Club that are so readily embraced by the members are going from strength to strength – I will mention only three of the many important projects we undertake. ‘Second Bite’ that in the last twelve months collected close to 200 ton of quality food that was heading for land-fill.

The genesis of this great achievement came from this club and the generous stall holders at the Prahran Market.

The Donydji Project in the far north of the Northern Territory is proceeding at a rapid pace and funding has been received for the next phase of this most worthwhile support program.  This is a truly remarkable project with us working with the Vietnam Vets, Latrobe University and the local Donydji community.  Our sister club Osaka is an active partner in Rotary Grants to this project.

The third major project I mention is our commitment to East Timor.  Much has been said on this very important program and there will be more said in the future.  The generosity of the Shell Foundation and the amazing commitment of so many members in this club and others have seen the East Timor community, particularly in Bacau, receive support both in training and employment to make their lives more meaningful.

The construction of the East Timor Embassy in Canberra, a four and a half million dollar project, has commenced and the building should be ready for official occupancy in late November.

The Rotary Club of Melbourne is a “Can Do” club. It is a club that enjoys a quality of membership both in experience and commitment to address and support the task at hand.  Without these qualities the many projects, large and not so large could not succeed. A particular example of this Club’s generosity was the Dust Bowl Appeal at Christmas which raised $35,000 dollars for our destitute and long suffering cousins in the Goulbourn Valley, or as it was always known until the devastating drought, the Food Bowl of Victoria.

Some Dedication – Some Club.

I have enjoyed two most worthwhile International journeys during my Presidency.

In November I had the personal pleasure of representing the Club at one of our sister clubs, the Rotary Club of Osaka, Japan on the occasion of that club’s 85^th Birthday.  That was a very special occasion where I had the pleasure of presenting to President Kotani a special gift from the Rotary Club of Melbourne, a handsome mounted brass bell to be used by the President to commence their weekly meeting.

Recently I joined with a number of our members in travelling to East Timor to carry out a number of community support tasks including building a training room on site at the East Timor Roofing Company, meeting with senior military personnel and seed funding a micro-credit union for the women of Bacau. 

We have had a large number of eloquent and quality speakers address the club during the past twelve months culminating in a visit by the Governor General of Australia, His Excellency Michael Jeffrey AC who delivered the Angus Mitchell Oration entitled ‘Volunteers in the Community’. A short time later we were honoured to have the Governor of Victoria Professor David de Kretser AC visit us and present the Young Achievers Award to three most worthy recipients. 

There are two kinds of success – initial and ultimate.  The Rotary year that is fast drawing to an end had an initial flood of thoughts, ideas and energy that created a foundation of strength and security that gave us the capacity to achieve our ultimate successes.

 My greatest ambition as President was to leave the Rotary Club of Melbourne in better shape than when I commenced my term as President.  I would like to think that ambition has been achieved, but I will leave that to you to judge.

It has been a wonderful twelve months as President, a great privilege and a pleasure to have had the opportunity to lead this great and honorable club to ‘Service Above Self’.

For me, it has been the experience of a life time.

Ladies and Gentlemen – The King is Dead, Long Live the Queen.

Please allow me to introduce you to the President of the Rotary Club of Melbourne for 2008-2009, Pauline Burren.

Pauline has been an active member of our Club since 1997, serving with distinction in many roles including membership of the health issues, public issues and horizons committees as well as vice president 2002/03.  She has two married children and a grandson.  Pauline has degrees in Arts and Education and a Masters in Business Administration. She also has a Company Directors Diploma from the University of New England.

Pauline’s career has been one of much interest commencing in teaching attaining the Vice Principals role at Mentone Girls Grammar School for 10 years before becoming involved in a number of Health Sector roles as President of the Royal Dental Hospital Melbourne, President Dental Services Victoria and Member of the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria. 

Pauline then turned her management skills to local Government becoming a Commissioner for the City of Casey in 1994 and Vice President of the Municipal Association of Victoria in 1995.  She was a Tribunal member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal from 1997 to 2002.

Pauline has been involved in a large number of community groups including The Mount Eliza Community Association, Methodist Ladies College, Member, of Women of Note a support group of Guides Victoria, National Council of Women Vice President and a member of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.  Her professional memberships include Australian Institute of Management, Fellow Australian Institute of Company Directors and Life Member of the Australian Council of Educators.

In Pauline’s free time (which she will have very little of after today) she enjoys the theatre, travelling, reading, public affairs and membership of the Lyceum Club.

Knowing Pauline’s enthusiasm, drive and commitment to the principles of Rotary, I am sure she will be a great President of this great Club.

Peter McCall

President 2007/2008