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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

maloneltham@bigpond.com.au

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