BULLETIN 22 NovemBER, 2012

Rotary Club of Brighton IncP.O. Box 206 Brighton VIC 3186District 9800 Club Number 18309Chartered: 24 September, 1973www.rotarybrighton.com.auNo. A23508S ABN 29 236 561 983

President Peter Sherman H: 9593 1595 M: 0419 322 093President Elect Pat Kearns W: 9553 8038 H: 9553 8038 M: 0418 998 735Secretary Arthur Hubbard H: 9592 4465 M: 0411 124 204

www.rotarybrighton.com.ausecretary@rotarybrighton.com.auEditor, Designer: Max MartinPhone: 0409 822 378www.maxmartindesigns.com.aumax@maxmartindesigns.com.auPhotography last week: Ivan Vojlay

Rotary Club of BrightonVictoria AustraliaRotary Club of BrightonVictoria Australia

This week’s speaker:

Graham AshtonDeputy Commisioner of PoliceGraham Ashton was an Australian Federal Police (AFP) Officer for 24 years, departing in December 2004, after attaining the rank of Assistant Commissioner. He had undertaken a diverse range of operational policing roles including the investigation of drug trafficking, organised crime and money laundering, which included a lengthy secondment to the former National Crime Authority. Between 1999 and 2003 Graham was assigned to the role of General Manager, Southern Operations. In October 2002, Graham was tasked with Operational Command of the successful Australian Law Enforcement response to the Bali bombings, known as Operation Alliance. This was one of the largest police investigations Australia has conducted. Graham’s role as Police Forward Commander of this investigation resulted in him receiving an Order of Australia in October 2003. Between 2003 and 2004 Graham was appointed to the role of National Manager, Counter Terrorism. Graham left mainstream policing in December 2004, and accepted a position with the Victorian Office of Police Integrity (OPI). In December 2009, Graham accepted a position on the Victoria Police Executive. After initially working to improve the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department, Graham then assumed the role of Director, Corporate Strategy and Governance Department, and in April 2009, Graham commenced in the position of Assistant Commissioner, Crime. In February 2012, Graham was appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner, Specialist Operations.

LAST WEEK: Pres Peter Sherman presents eminent speaker Dr Barry Jones AO with the Club tie in appreciation for his wonderful talk, as Chairman PP Paul Nicholson looks on. See a summary of Barry’s talk on page 2.

The Rotary Club of Brighton

Next week: Maxine McKew (Former MP) and it is a Ladies Night so we want all ladies to attend.

“An invitation toChristmas Lunch”

See page 8.

Missed an issue of the Bulletin? You can find it on the websiteat www.rotarybrighton.com.auor contact the Editor by email to be sent a pdf.

NOVEMBER IS ROTARY FOUNDATION MONTH

Top front table at the John Ilhan Lunch - from left Pres Peter, Lindsay Fox, Ingo Reisch, Principal-Doncaster BMW, Simon Crean, Mr & Mrs Bill Kelty, MC Simon O’Donnell & PP David Efron - see back cover

DON’T FORGET!THIS THURSDAY IS

THE AGM ...BE THERE!

 

Last meeting’s Speaker - 15 November, 2012

Dr Barry Jones AO, FAA, FAHA, FTSE, FASSA ‘A Vision for Australia?’

2

Julie AveryYour local American Express

Travel Service

12 Church Street, BrightonTelephone 9591 9591

julie@brightontravel.com.auwww.brightontravel.com.au

Thinking of Cruising?Contact the “Cruise Wizards’.

Receive Qantas Frequent Flyer points for eachdollar spent on most cruises.

Barry says that he is often asked how he came to be so heavily involved in Science policy and thinking about Australia’s future and the philosophy of science. As a child he says he read H.G. Wells, J.B. S. Haldane and Julian Huxley avidly. Bertrand Russell also had a profound influence on him.He admits to great satisfaction about being the only person to have been elected as a Fellow of Australia’s four learned Academies – Science; the Humanities; Technological Sciences and Engineering; Social Sciences. Despite having been a Member in State and Commonwealth Parliaments for 26 years and a Minister for seven, Barry left politics with a profound sense of frustration and unease. He believes that he was seen as too individual and idiosyncratic by political colleagues, lacking in the killer instinct and seen by many in the academic community as too political, even too populist.He claims to have put six or seven issues on the national agenda and to have started talking about them 10-15- 20 years before audiences and his political colleagues were ready to listen. The issues were: (i) Post-industrialism: the sharp decline in manufacturing as

an employment sector due to the globalisation of markets and revolutionary changes in production techniques;

(ii) Information Revolution: transition to the digital society;(iii) Climate Change: He gave his first major speech on this in 1984;(iv) Antarctica: He argued for the need to preserve it for science, as a

global climate laboratory. He applauded former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke’s role in securing a 50 year moratorium on minerals exploration in Antarctica (Madrid Protocol).

(v) Biotechnology and the implications of the DNA revolution: (vi) ‘The Third Age.’: The social, economic and political implications of the

steady increase in longevity; (vii) Heritage: Trying to understand our history, places, environment and

social context. He says that in Parliament he spent years ‘bashing his head against a brick wall’ trying to persuade colleagues to recognise the importance, even centrality, of Science policy. Some National PrioritiesBarry believes that we must redefine politics and grasp its importance, not just at election times. He describes politics as ‘the fault line between tectonic plates in society’ and the electoral struggle as an ‘expression of, or a metaphor for, unresolved, often unspoken, divisions within society’. This is the underside of politics. We see only the tip of the iceberg.Managerialism has largely pushed the politics (i.e. ideological commitment and dialectic) out of politics and is an attack on the democratic processes. Many important decisions are made without public debate, community knowledge or parliamentary scrutiny. Many elected leaders in 2012 are essentially process-driven managers or technicians who reject ideology and promote pragmatism.

Infantilisation of debate, with its emphasis on gross oversimplification, personal politics, tribalism, rejecting the need for an evidentiary base for argument, has become standard practice. Our Parliaments must conduct serious, comprehensive, evidence-dependent debates on major issues, such as refugees, population, water, violence, addiction, foreign policy. There is a disturbing conflict between evidence versus opinion (‘You have evidence, but I have strong opinions.’) and political processes tend to be driven by opinion rather than evidence in a short political cycle. He believes we should put science and research higher on the political agenda (as medical research already is). Research must be regarded as an investment (positive) not as a cost (negative), while recognising that there will inevitably be failures. Successful outcomes (Bionic ear, Wi-Fi, the Square Kilometre Array, cervical cancer vaccine, understanding the implications of research on dark matter and dark energy) have global potential. However, scientific vocations are falling in Australia, and this has important implications for our future economic and scientific capacity. Shared knowledge? Shared vision? Shared understanding? The presupposition that underlies our democratic practice and political discourse is that Australians share a common language (multiculturalism notwithstanding) and a shared memory about our history, where we have come from, and what events and personalities have shaped us. He cited some of the contemporary issues that shaped Australia including the post-World War II mass migration program, deeply unpopular with voters at the time and which would never have been adopted without bi-partisan support. The electorate was also hostile to John Howard’s GST but, once adopted, it ceased to be an issue and in 2012 no Government, State or Commonwealth, calls for its repeal. The Iraq War had some community support in Australia, even more in the United States, but few would admit to much enthusiasm now. Referenda to give the Commonwealth power over aviation, to guarantee jury trial for major offences and to hold Senate and House of Representative elections on the same day were overwhelmingly rejected. Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb (1912), points out that in our universities enrolments in ‘the enabling sciences’, physics and chemistry are flat lining, mathematics is in serious decline and biology is barely holding its own. However, numbers in medicine, dentistry and law continue to rise sharply. continued page 4

Rotary Club of BrightonVictoria Australia

Chairman: PP Ron SherSpeaker: Graham Ashton, Dept Commissioner of PoliceLocation: Milanos Terminus Room

Upcoming Meetings/Events:28/11/12 - The Elderly Citizens Christmas Lunch - Brighton International29/11/12 - Maxine McKew - Former MP16/12/12 - Christmas Lunch (Sunday) - Sandringham Yacht Club 20/12/12 - The Children’s Christmas Party

Rotary Club of BrightonVictoria Australia

Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd ABN 44 004 684 619 Lic. No. 30112 MKT9495

Kimberley KimberleyWiLderNess AdveNTures 2012

Exclusive Lodges and Camps | Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge | Custom-Designed 4WD Vehicles

Kimberleyures 2012

SMALL

GROUP

4WD &

AIR SAFARIS

CALL 1300 656 985 for a brochure or see your travel agent www.aptouring.com.au

APT also has luxury holidays in Russia • Europe River Cruising• Asia • Egypt • New Zealand • Australia

3

Week of 22 NovemberSergeant: Trevor Martyn Hosts: Paddy Michaelson, Noel WilliamsProperty: Ron Stark, Jim Hill Front Desk: Paul Laband, Glenn RossRaffle: PP Brett Parkin, PP Ivan VojlayWeek of 29 NovemberChairman: Cameron SpenceSergeant: Damien Hellard Speaker: Maxine McKew - Former Member of ParliamentLocation: Milanos Bayview RoomHosts: Lindsay Jones, David SmythProperty: James Tisdall, Barry Morris Front Desk: Paul Laband, Glenn RossRaffle: PP Brett Parkin, PP Ivan Vojlay

CAN’T COME? YOU MUST FIND A REPLACEMENT! ROSTERED ON PROPERTY OR FRONT DESK? PLEASE BE ON DECK BY 5.30PM.

ROSTERS:THIS WEEK’S MEETING 22 NOVEMBER 2012

The Rotary Club of Brighton

MC Simon O’Donnell addresses the big crowd at the very successful John Ilhan Tribute Lunch last Friday

4

SERGEANT’SSESSION

Sgt Jeff Bartrum * Greg Biggin: Back from illness. When asked“How are you?” answered. “I’m am here”;* Clyde White: Liquidation - socks wet;* Gerhard Sommer: Said ‘Life is boring’ and has no scandal to report;* Rob Foster, PP Julian Goglia: Approve of the new Chinese leadership and are

off to do the China golf tour:* PP Tom Buxton: Had a mental block when asked by the Sarg;* PP Arthur Hubbard: Stephanie minding young guide dogs who are getting

additional training when Arthur arrives home a bit “molly the monk”;* Late-comers Award: Alan Pinkus, David Smyth, Nic Mardling who spent

a long time searching for his badge which he thought may have been ditched in the recent purge;

* The Fashion Award: Mario Azzopardi - with the “Downtown Naples” look.* The Casual Award: Brendan Kierce with his “comfortable” jumper;* Pat Kearns: Chirpy at front desk - Lorne house on the market;* Rob Nicholes: When her grand son accidently locked himself in the bathroom,

Marian called the fire brigade. She did manage to free him before they arrived but they will probably send a bill;

* Ron Stark: At golf and went to retrieve his wood from the car when he attempted to leap a boundary rope unsuccessfully. Witnesses reported a rather limp fall rather than a commando roll;

* Barry Jones Quiz: Name of TV show he was famous for? Pick a Box, Compere?: Bob Dyer;

* Bill Jeans: Been fly fishing for bone fish on the other Xmas Island in the Pacific;* Michael Cassar: Disappointed by builders who have promised to finish 1 of 7

rooms before Christmas;* Bill Jeans: His son while training for the Sydney to Hobart aboard the yacht

Rush sustained a badly broken leg;* Graeme Watson: finished a 5 week world junket by just escaping from New

York before hurricane Sandy hit;* PP Stan Rankin: Second in the Wednesday wonders yacht race at SYC.

Suspected of crossing the palm of the handicapper;* PP Tony Nanfra: Berlusconi look alike;* PP Des Thomas: New apartment - on day release;* Robert Ward: 2 broken vertebrae. Will have to stop whatever he was doing;* Alex Spear: Cholesterol level up to 4.2. Advised to reduce drinking booze;* PP Jack Joel: ‘Battered husband syndrome’? - Bandage on hand;* PP Brett Parkin: Been to 2 weddings in Sydney - surprisingly neither was his!* PP Ron Sher: Wife in Queensland looking after grand kids. Ron looking after self;

A quote to members who claim “mental blank” when asked for sergeants gossip material: as light travels faster than sound, some people appear a lot better until they speak.

Ò All good Muslims go to Mecca once in a lifetimeÓ- PP Tom Buxton referring to Members going to the Conference. Ò When you talk about politics itÕ s as if you have

some communicable diseaseÓ- speaker Barry Jones.

Ò I was only asked to talk for 31/2 hours tonight - don’t think I will fit it all in!”

- speaker Barry Jones.Ò I donÕ t know why I decided to come tonight except

that this is probably the biggest suburban Rotary club this side of the galaxy!”

- speaker Barry Jones.

Quotes of the week!Quotes of the week! As heard during the meeting 15 November:

Barry Jones continued from page 2

Among Year 12 students between 1992 and 2010, enrolments in biology, chemistry and physics fell sharply, mathematics not so much. Despite our proximity to Asia, numbers of students undertaking foreign languages, including Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian, are falling sharply. A voracious media looks for diversity and emotional engagement, weakening capacity for reflection and serious analysis, compounded by some aspects the rise of social media where users, typically, seek reinforcement of their views rather than being challenged by diversity, and become sucked in to a narcissistic vortex. Social media, with its emphasis on immediacy of response (especially Twitter) may emphasise shallow and non-reflective communication without examination or analysis of data. Poisoning the well - and a way out.Barry also spoke on the ‘asylum seekers issue’, which he believes is poisoning our public life, turning the Parliament into a widely (but not deeply) reported bear-pit, with a daily diet of exaggeration, accusation, denigration and character assassination, an area where truth hardly matters and appeals to xenophobia have become commonplace, and beyond shame. He says that this controversy damages our Parliaments and the Courts as well. We are constantly exposed to a double standard, the disregarding of evidence and a complete lack of proportionality. In the calendar year 2010, the number of irregular arrivals by boat was 6879, a high point. Nevertheless, refugee statistics are rarely if ever examined in a global context. Australia ranks No. 46 in the numbers of refugees arriving unheralded on our shores. A double standard is being applied - ‘boat people’ treated in one way, refugees who arrive by air, another. The total number of asylum seekers who have arrived in Australia by ship since 1975 would not fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, many voters have come to accept without question that numbers of refugees are so large that we could be ‘overrun’.The period 1947-96 involved political bipartisanship on immigration, which was constructive and optimistic. Racism was not an element in the practice of politics. It was avoided, by consensus. Now racism is a powerful element, both explicit and implicit. Now the asylum seeker debate is dominated by negative bipartisanship, based on fear.Genuine bipartisanship to get the best outcome for the refugees, for the region and for Australia itself would be easy to achieve if leaders were not using the issue, in an election year, for partisan advantage. All it needs is moral courage. Barry’s talk was summarised by William Howley

Sec Arthur - Reminded us again that there would be the Annual General Meeting on 22 November.

PP Ivan Vojlay - Talked about Hacker’s Golf and the great fellowship they have each Saturday. On Saturday 3 November Bruce Newham won the ‘Lips of Venus’ trophy by scoring a birdie on on the 17th. All Members are welcome to join the Hackers.

Dale Hoy - Spoke about Rotary Foundation Month and the article in the Bulletin. Money received by the Foundation goes towards End Polio Now, life saving surgery, Education and clean drinking water. People can contribute individually any amount and it becomes recognised as a Brighton Rotary contribution.

PP Tom Buxton - Mentioned the Conference in Albury in 2013. He said in his first 10 years in Rotary he didn’t go but has attended ever since. He has had only 7 replies so far and he said he will be ringing everyone. He hoped to see us all there in Albury.

Greg Biggin - Back from a couple of weeks in hospital with complications of pneumonia Gregwished to thank everyone for their unbelievablemessages of support and best wishes. Good to see you back Greg.

Tony Rouse - Told us that the rosters for the next 1/2 year had been decided. If you would like to be a sergeant or computer operator let Tony know. If you can’t make it to your rostered position please let Tony know or find someone else.

Geoff Cunningham - Pointed out that he is taking bookings for the Christmas Lunch on 16 Decemberat the Sandringham Yacht Club. Angela Biggin has been working hard taking bookings as well and you can contact her or Geoff. See advert p6.

GADS: Rob Nicholes is looking for volunteers for one hour on the weekend to help hand out flyers for the Great Australia Day Swim 2013. Please contact Rob if you can help.

Editors note: If any member would like to receive the full script of Treasurer Kim Well’s talk on 8 November please email the Editor and he will send you the Word doc. Thanks go to Glenn Corey JP Senior Advisor to Kim Wells who forwarded the file. Unfortunately it arrived too late to appear in last week’s Bulletin.

I want to thank all members who participated in such numbers in the process and now that all Three of the current and next two President elect have endorsed the Plan we will chart our road map to ensure we remain the largest suburban Rotary in Australia and achieve the principles and objectives of Service above self in the Community.We also spent some time planning our drive for new members which is already bearing fruit. Our Fund Raising Plans to achieve us raising over $200k again this year are in full swing with all the Chairmen of various events actively engaged. Our Community Services Committee is investigating various causes which we will support and the theme of supporting disadvantaged Youth in our Community. The Board is actively supporting our involvement in Timor Leste with various projects. Harold Mitchell has offered us his support and his close involvement with Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao we hope to actively support more programs through our International Committee in that country. Lastly as you know we are funding our Exchange student Max Kroening from Germany and I hope members will remember to engage with and support him over the next 12 months. Please contact Damien Hellard on this matter.

5

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

SECRETARY’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Peter welcomed everyone:

Secretary Arthur Hubbardintroduced his segment.

Front Desk Report from last meeting 15 November Attendance: Members: 61 Percentage: 68% Make-ups: 5 - Pat Kearns @ District 28/10, Ilhan Foundation 7/11 & Board 12/11, David Smyth @ Bright x 2, Ron Stark @ District & Bayswater;Apologies: PP Merv Deutsher, Lindsay Jones, PP Tony

Nanfra, Glenn Ross, Norm Thomas;Member’s Partners: Helen (PP Tom Buxton);Club Guests: Barry Jones;Member’s Guests: Steven Psoras (PP Ivan Vojlay);Visiting Rotarians/Visitors: Nil.

I would like to welcome Helen Buxton and Paul Psoras to tonight’s meeting and

particularly we are very pleased to have Dr Barry Jones to speak to us. The very name of Barry Jones conjures up

everything that is respected in Politics and In the social mores of our Society. Barry is on the National Trusts list of Living Treasures and that is indeed a rare honour. For those of us of that generation Barry will probably never escape being a Quiz champion on the Bob Dyer Pick-a- Box Show but it is for his huge achievements as a Humanitarian, Minister in the Hawke Government and true intellectual in our Politics and social causes that has given him his reputation. We held our Board Meeting this week and Norm Thomas presented the draft Strategic Plan for the next three years which arose out of our Workshop and Club Forum over recent months. The Board will finally approve the Plan at our next meeting and send it to Members with the Action Plan that we will undertake over the three year period of the Plan.

Some Highlights of last Meeting 15 November!

6

DO YOU ACCEPTEUROS MAX?

THAT GRANDSON OF YOURS IS A BIT TRICKY

ROB!

PROBABLY A BIT OVER THE TOP SAYING ‘THISSIDE OF THE GALAXY’!

SO YOU LOOK HAPPY PAT! LORNE GOT ANYTHING TO

DO WITH IT?

YEAH BUT I FEEL REALLY COMFORTABLE

ROB!

YOU LOOK A BIT CASUAL BRENDAN!

AHH, TO MARKET TO MARKET!

JEEZ! DID BARRY JUST SAY HE WAS TALKING FOR 3 1/2

HOURS?

YEAH YOU SURE HE’S NOT RELATED

TO HOUDINI?

SOMEBODYRING THE

BELL!I CAN LOOK AFTER MYSELF YOU KNOWAND JAN IS DOING A GREAT JOB IN QLD!

You are all invited to a fabulous lunch and great entertainment on Sunday, 16 December at 12 pm for 12.30pm. It’s at The Sandringham Yacht Club, the perfect location to celebrate Christmas with your Rotary friends and their spouses. Great Value at $80pp (all inclusive).For bookings contact Greg Biggin 0418 384 288or Geoff Cunningham 9592 4953 to confirm your attendance.

Brighton Rotary Christmas Lunch Sunday, 16 DecemberIVAN’S HACKERS

Saturday, 17 NovemberIVAN’S HACKERS

Ian Cole featured big time this week, firstly for offering to compile and report on the scores, which was appreciated by all and secondly

to acknowledge his Venus scored on the 3rd November. Well done Ian, and off the Blue markers of course. Ian’s fortunes continued with the best round of the day with 42. No sooner had Ian circulated the scores when the improving Paul Nicholson was given a 50 instead of 48. Well, Paul showed his disappointment by immediately going to the Tribunal, which is in current session. It centres around an inability to read the card and guess who scored on the day..... yes it was Paul. The only disappointment with Ian and his Venus was Bruce Newham who relinquished the Trophy. He had been wanting to show it off to his Mother In Law and as you know it can be hard to impress them. Ian Jamison and Sven-Eric did themselves proud as well. The scores were: Ian Cole 42, Ian Jamieson 43, Sven-Eric Bredenberg 44, Julian Goglia 44, Kavin Crundell 45, Graeme Wallace 45, Cameron Spence 47, Daryl Forge 47, Ivan Vojlay 48, Paul Nicholson 48*, Arthur Hubbard 51, Bruce Newham 52 & Ron Stark 57.George Jerzyk is threatening to come back big time and I wonder if he has any time (at all ) to chase our Golf Tees whilst in Boracay. I believe he is there on essential business.

NO REALLY! I DID IT OPENING A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE!

BayviewTravel

7

Birthdays Brett Parkin 22 November William (Bill) Howley 24 November Bruce Newham 26 November Ken Paterson 27 November

Anniversaries Peter & Kay Grey 16 November Alan & Evette Marks 25 November Bruce & Sue Newham 29 November

Birthdays & Anniversaries

The Club meets Thursdays at 6pm for 6.30pm at Milanos Hotel, The Esplanade, Brighton Beach.

Rotary Grace “For good food, good fellowship and the privilege

of service, we give you thanks O Lord.”Rotary Toast

“To Australia, The Queen of Australia,Rotary International & the Rotary Club of Brighton.”

Welcome to all visiting Rotarians & Guests

The Raffle is back & so is the wine!

IT’S EVERYTHING YOUTHOUGHT WE WEREN’TThe Pursuit of Excellence

Auto dynamicsMelbourne’s premier service centre for prestige European cars.BMW l Mercedes l Audi l Porsche l Volkswagen

Free pick up and delivery service for Rotary Members Courtesy vehicles I Log-Book Servicing ElectricalPre-Purchase inspections I Roadworthy testing I Brakes Mechanical I Qualified Factory Trained Technicians

Contact Erik Vandenbergon 0413 576 600 or 9585 1676Cheltenham: 228 Centre Dandenong Rd, CheltenhamClearwater Brighton: 43-47 Nepean Highway, Elsternwick Phone: 9014 9492www.autodynamics.com.au

DAVID EDENCONDUCTOR/FUNERALÊ CONSULTANT

WWW.TOBINBROTHERS.COM.AU

100%Ê AUSTRALIANÊ OWNED

Children’s Christmas PartyBring your kids, grandkids to meet Santa Claus direct from the North Pole.Thursday night 20th December. Note meeting commences at 6.00pm.Bring a pre wrapped and labelled gift for your guest (less than $25) for Santa to hand out from his sack.All members may wish to bring a wrapped gift for an underprivileged youngster as well (make sure you identify the gift outside the wrapper).Kids eat for $10.

Contact Damien Hellard on 0407 345 234 with the name of your guest to help with catering.

PP Brett Parkin & PP Ivan Vojlay introduced the ‘NEW’ unimproved Raffle. 100 tickets were distributed around the room and these will be issued every meeting and sometimes you might get 2 tickets. Wayne Styles& Nic Mardlingwere 2 of the winners of a bottle of wine. Sorry but Editormissed the other butyou know who you are!

Environmental Print congratulates the Rotary Club of Brighton on their sustainable approach to printed material. t 9555 1244 | f 9873 8845 | steve@enviroprint.net.au | www.printeasy.com.au

The John Ilhan Tribute Lunch which was held at the MCG Friday 16 November was a great success. 350 people were there and the Lunch will produce a significant profit to the Club. Thanks go to PP David Efron for organising this Event which promises to become an even greater Fund Raiser for our Rotary Club. We also thank Pat Kearns and Graeme Watson for helping with the tables. Also Rob Nicholes who helped while Graeme and David were away. The food and wines were excellent and Simon O’Donnell did a sterling job as the MC and interviewed guests Lindsay Fox, Bill Kelty and Simon Crean in a forum format. The crowd loved it. Patricia Ilhan then delivered a fine speech once again confirming her desire to find a cure for peanut allergy through the Ilhan Foundation and announced an immunisation would be introduced next year. They are also looking into cures for other nut allergies. Nick Giannopoulos entertained us with his quirky if not bizarre skit on a Greek taxi driver. Jonathan Dixon also ran a great raffle with Nick’s help. Dipper even dropped in!President Peter Sherman delivered the following speech:“On behalf of the Rotary Club of Brighton I must say how proud we are to be associated with this John Ilhan Tribute Lunch.The Rotary Movement is very much an organisation of leading businessmen joining together to provide funding for important causes such as the funding for the Ilhan Food Allergy Lunch. This brings the symmetry between this tribute fundraising Lunch for John Ilhan and the principles which Rotary stands for. In fact our link is even greater than that. John was very well known at our Club and gave generous donations to our Rotary Club. In many discussions many of us had with John he wanted to support our Club because he believed so passionately in the principles, the causes which we supported and the objectives for which our Club stands for. The link between us became so strong that our Club awarded John the highest Honour that a Rotary Club can give by appointing John a Paul Harris Fellow. This award is presented to people who have given great service to Rotary. That was John Ilhan. It is therefore with a great pleasure that we can join with the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation to organize this fundraising lunch. In this way we can in part repay the memory of how John Ilhan assisted our Club with Fundraising by us assisting in raising funds to the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation. All the proceeds from today’s Lunch will go towards to that Foundation to finance ground breaking research at the Alfred Hospital to bring the world’s first nut vaccine to clinical trials which Patricia has already spoken about. This is the 5th year of this Event and each year it becomes bigger. Patricia and her team at the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation have always managed to attract wonderful speakers for this Lunch but none so eminent as those today. Our Guest Speaker today is Lindsay Fox AC who like John is a self made hugely successful businessman and a great Australian who has made such a great contribution to Australian Society. Joining him in a panel discussion are also two of the most eminent politicians of our time The Hon Simon Crean and Bill Kelty, friends of Lindsay whose reputations and achievements requires no introduction from myself.In closing I would like to thank the organising Committee from both the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation and the Rotary Club of Brighton. From the Rotary Club PP David Efron with great help from Pat Kearns and Graeme Watson. From the Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation, Mariella and Steve Dabkowski.Thank you all for attending today and giving so generously and have a wonderful day.”

The John Ilhan Tribute Lunch

The Forum

Patricia Ilhan

MC Simon O’Donnell Pres Peter addresses the crowd

David & Lilian Efron with Patricia Ilhan

Pres Peter chats with Lindsay Fox

Nick Giannopoulos - Greek tragedy?

Jim & Erik Angela & Greg with Paul Julie & Anthony - Btn Beach

Table 19 takes a break