Valedictory Address By 2010/2011 President Philip Endersbee

Fellow Rotarians and guests.

What a wonderful year it has been.

What an honour and a privilege it is and has been to be President of such a great Rotary Club.

I have loved every minute of the past year and I will miss being your President.

Today we have a very busy program so this will not be a long speech because I am mindful of that “Rotary Classic” comment:

“Past Presidents are like old sand shoes – the bodies are all worn out but the tongues just keep wagging !!!”

So what were some of the highlights, some of the lessons learnt and most importantly some thankyou’s to those who made it all possible.

Two weeks ago our Vice President’s gave a marvellous presentation on what all our members have been working on and it does highlight that the theme we embarked on for the year, namely “participation and enjoyment” was taken on by all.

Two highlights that spring to mind are:

·         The celebration of our Club’s and Rotary in Australia’s 90^th birthday, and

·         In Community service turning $250K into $1.25M and in particular our work with the homeless.

In our Community Services area we have had 66 projects on the go and from $250K of Club funds we managed to leverage off that with generous donations from Philanthropic Trusts, bequests, matching grants etc and turn this $250K into $1.3 M of actual funds expended on projects over the last 12 months.  This is the power of Rotary, one of the great strengths of our Club and most importantly a wonderful reflection on our members.  The person who has been in the driver’s seat for keeping this all under control was Vice President Trevor Nink.  Trevor is holidaying in Europe at present so as much as I might be singing his praises he is having a well earned break.

Our other Vice President Kevin Sheehan – Kevin please stand up and take a bow.

Yes my neighbour and friend whom I nominated into the Club in 1996.  Kevin took on Club Management and Fellowship this year and oversaw all the activities that fit into that arena.  A new activity we tried was the “White Elephant Sale” taken on by Bev Brock and her merry band of helpers.  What a great initiative this was and it will be developed even further in years to come.

There is no doubt that as Chair of the 90^th Anniversary Committee Kevin had the chance to show us what he is capable of and what a fantastic performance that was.  Yes, he had a first class committee but like Trevor, Kevin was in the driver’s seat pulling all the levers & pushing the buttons.

How good, and what a surprise for all, to be able to present the Paul Harris Fellow to our very own Governor General at the 90^th Anniversary.

Imagine what we could be doing in 10 years time – presenting to the new President of Australia or maybe even King William!!!  We could have a national Rotary Centenary event and hook every Australian club up via satellite with surround sound etc etc – the technology in 10 years time will be staggering.

Yes it is all about vision & being bold enough to seize the opportunity.  The great thing about this Club is we can make it happen and we have the membership who want to make it happen.  Whilst talking vision how good would it be to be launching a national Rotary project for the Centenary – it could Apprenticeships for Aborigines & every club in the country had to sponsor at least one in their area & even more depending on their membership numbers.  1164 clubs = 1200 plus new apprentices.

Just think about this – yes, very achievable indeed.

During Past President Barry Watts year he and his Board wanted to engage more with the philanthropic sector and at the same time we started on some collaborative work with like minded organisations such as the Brotherhood and Homeground Services.  Over the last 12 months we have worked very hard to bring this on and we have been very successful.  The accommodation centre at 660 Elizabeth St had so many members participating with the fit-out and there is no doubt this is what builds a Club – those shared, frustrating and funny experiences of assembling 60 coffee tables & 60 TV modules made by Ikea!!!

More seriously though our work with the “homeless” is now a key theme in our work going forward which I believe is such an important area for us to build our capacity and expertise for years to come.

Just this morning at 3.37am I had an email from the Ryan Hyland ,Web Content Producer for RI, who has heard about our work at 660 Elizabeth St and has said they would like to do a feature article on a Model Project for RI News and they have chosen our project.

Well enough of the work we need to say some thankyou’s.

DG Iven McKay and Marilyn – thank you for being an important part and great support in our Clubs year.

AG Alan Freedman – always there to answer those curly questions you get from District and yes we got those early breakfasts down to a fine art!!!

Our Board of Directors – it is a good thing we never read reports at Board meetings because we would still be there!!!  Yes a terrific group of Directors who all know what it is about and quietly just get on with the job.

Our Treasurer Robert Read – I love the way you make those numbers go from red to black as the year progresses.

Our Honorary Secretary Garry Fowler – someone who is right on top of the rules and stops all of us from drowning in the semantics of Rotary.  It needs to be done by someone with an eye for detail and Garry you have that in spades.

Our Web Master Phil, Bulletin Editor Peter, Captain of Groups David, Conference Chair Bob, Sergeant Nic and the Luncheon Committee - thank you.

Jo – Please come forward. We all need eyes in the back of our head but Jo is also that extra pair of arms and legs as well.  She has the running of our office down to a fine art and does it all with a smile on her face.  Nothing is ever too much trouble.  Please accept these flowers on behalf of all the members.

Jane Endersbee – yes how could it all happen without having such a great Chief Financial person in control of the business let alone making sure the home front was all in order whilst the bull was in the bottom paddock creating mayhem.  Jane, you have been terrific and I just want to say thank you.

May I take this opportunity to say to all members a big thank you.  Your support, cajoling, encouragement, frankness and enthusiasm have been a great help to ensure we have all had a great year.

We should now move on to what we are all here for – the changing of the guard!!

I wish to now introduce our President for 2011/2012 – Austen Burleigh.

Austen joined the Rotary Club of Canberra in 1998 and then in 1999 joined the Rotary Club of Melbourne when he transferred with the National Bank to Melbourne.

Austen has been a career banker with NAB having spent 40 years with them until his retirement in 2006.  During this time he has lived and worked in all of the eastern states in Australia as well as spending time in New York and Los Angeles.

Married to Sue they have 2 grown up children Andrew and Sarah.

Whilst with our Club Austen has served on a range of Club committees that include Public Issues, Community Welfare, Reception, Sergeant at Arms as well as being Minute Secretary to the Board.

Over the last 12 months I have got to know President Elect Austen quite well as there has not been a Club project or function, a District engagement, Conference etc that we have not both been part of.

What I can say is we now have before us a person who really understands what it is to be a Rotarian.  He is a person who has a great understanding and knowledge of Rotary, he knows the District Directory back to front, let alone the District and RI websites.  More importantly he is someone whom I do admire and trust to take on this very important role.

Austen, it now gives me much pleasure to pass on to you the Presidential Chain of Office, the President’s lapel pin and most importantly the key to the Rotary office.

Austen, I know you will be a great President and we extend to you our heartiest congratulations and best wishes for what we all predict will be a wonderful year ahead for the Rotary Club of Melbourne.

Rotarians and guests – I give you our new President Austen Burleigh.

Philip Endersbee

President 2010/2011