It was an entertaining evening at Pres Colleen d'Offay's first meeting of her Presidential year on Thursday 3 July. Although not a big turn up, those who attended enjoyed hearing Tamer Burjawi's 'Member Behind the Badge' presentation, Stuart McIntyre's Survey results, Sgt PP Arthur's Sergeant Session and Pres Colleen's "The Year Ahead" presentation. More details below.
Chairman David Smyth introduced Pres Colleen and she welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave a special welcome to guests, Angie Biggin, Maria Hicks, Jan Thomas and Peter Sneddon.
Secretaries Announcements
Secretary Anthony then presented his session.
The apologies were:
PP Keith Cameron, PP Alan Pinkus, Wendy Davis
Graeme Watson, Di Allan & PP Donna Wright.
There were no other announcements.
Special Message to Members from Rob Pinchbeck
Rob's daughter Lauren passed this message onto the Editor.
"Thanks to everybody that has reached out with messages of support."
Update 4 July:
"Blood is behaving, will still take time to get to level required for kidney operation. Going home today. Have to isolate til op to avoid infection - sorry no visitors allowed. Kidney op is scheduled for 16 July. Will be in hospital for 1-2 weeks post op, then see how we go. Spoke to surgery team today and they confirmed that they believe cancer
is local to kidney only and after op we are are expecting it won't
be an issue. Rob"
PP Paul Nicholson spoke about Geoff McGeary OAM
Paul acknowledged the passing of his great mate Geoff. He said he was a shy man and always said he was only a humble bus driver. But he was more that that. He was a real legend and a pioneer in the Travel industry. Paul attended the memorial service for Geoff along with other Rotarians and said it was a fitting tribute to
this great family man and former President of our Club.
Tamer Burjawi
Member Behind the Badge
Tamer said he was very honoured to come to the meeting to tell his story. He said he currently works as a researcher in the medical field. Also he teaches a Masters Program at RMIT in Physiotherapy Research and he is currently doing his PhD at RMIT.
He was born in Brisbane. During his childhood his father used to travel a lot because he was a Director for TV stations he was good with movies and he would direct movies for various companies. He would go to different countries including Australia, France and Middle East. He really liked Australia the most and he decided to move to Melbourne as he thought it was the most artistic with a modern urban environment and he thought it would be a good opportunity
for his kids.
Tamer attended primary school in Melbourne, then high school at Albert College where he finished his VCE. During his high school he designed the school end of year magazine. He was also very passionate about music and he became a guitarist, and he was rocking the stage at Assembly and lunchtime. Sometimes it was too much. He played at their dances and when he played ‘Hotel California’ people were shouting and yelling in response. He said it was a really good moment.
After finishing his VCE he felt he wanted to get into something more practical although he continued to do music. He wanted to get into something more industry based. So he studied Health and Environmental Science. He did his Honors Degree and managed to publish one research paper. It was about biological changes in the body and how it’s related to ageing involving the chemical products
of the body.
He continued to study and do his Post Grad and he got into the Alfred Hospital in the Admin Operations area. He started off working at the Cancer Clinic where he met lots of amazing people and then in the hospital including doctors, staff etc. Later he worked with the surgical people and numerological clinics, orthopaedics and ophthalmology and he really enjoyed his time there.
Working there gave him a more realistic perspective about these things than studying at Uni but he wanted to continue his studies on health so he has applied for a PhD after doing his post graduate studies and working at the Alfred and he is now doing his PHD in Health Science and the project he is now working on is developing new technology that can help doctors particularly doing their assessment of people with back pain particularly with movement. One of the interesting things he saw was people back pain was that the doctors and physiotherapists who were really great but some of their approaches were modified.
He will continue to do research and his PHD but he is very thankful for the support that he has had through his journey and he thought it would be nice to give back. He came across the Smith Family, a not- for-profit organisation which is charity for kids. They give them funding and provide them with guidance. He joined the committee and he gets funding for the organisation. He said that Rotary is one of the largest donators to the Smith Family and he thought it would be nice to find and join a Rotary club near where he lives and that’s how he ended up at our Club. He said he already feels he is part of the family.
Sergeant's Session
Sgt PP Arthur Hubbard
1. Pres Colleen - Fined for the first meeting of her year;
2. Changeover - All those who didn't attend were fined - Steve Wolf, Tamer, PP Arthur Hubbard, Malcolm James & Peter Sneddon;
3. Last Year's Board - Donna advised at Changeover that her Board did an exceptional job. Should be $2 fine each;
4. This Year's Board - Sarg thought that they would do even better - $2 fine each;
5. Pres Colleen - At Changeover Colleen bid farewell and said that she would see us at her first meeting as President. Unfortunately she forgot one thing and that was to book for her first meeting;
6. Tamer Burjawi - Fined for doing 'Member Behind the Badge';
7. Anthony Langley - Fined for looking forward to being off on 3 weeks holiday;
8. Angela Biggin - Fined for being just back from 3 weeks holidays;
9. Malcolm James - Fined for being just back from 3 weeks holiday
at The Dolomites;
10. Lesley Kearns - Fined for being still on top of the Footy Tipping Comp;
11. PP Julie Avery - Fined for leading the Rotarians in Footy Tipping Comp, but from the rear of the field;
12. First of July has passed. All those who haven't paid their Rotary Subs were fined $1;
13. Max Martin. Fined for being his doppelganger at Changeover as Arthur wasn't there;
14. Glenys Hitchen. Back from Africa now off to South America;
15. Steve Wolf. Attended UAE then not able to go to Israel;
16. David Frauman. Fined for buying his wife a new car;
17. Seng Goh. Said he was too good to be fined;
18. Max Martin. Fined for attending 3 events in one day - George Jerzyk's Funeral, Geoff McGeary's Memorial and Changeover;
19. Stuart McIntyre. Had a procedure last Thursday - the curse? -
No drinking, or driving a car or operating machinery;
20. PP Cameron Ward. Fined for being late for the meeting and asking a question of Tamer which was longer than Tamer's Talk.
Survey Results
presented by Stuart McIntyre
Stuart McIntyre provided a summary of the recent Member Survey. The full report (summary results and not individual responses) is available for Club Members - contact Stuart (smcintyre000@gmail.com).
Pres Colleen's Presentation -
"The Year Ahead"
Colleen presented powerpoint on the Year Ahead especially the next 6 months. The following are her slides from that presentation.
District 9800 Changeover
What a wonderful celebration at this year’s District 9800 Changeover! Congratulations to 2024-25 District Governor Michael Lapina (and amazing family) who led and exemplified the Magic of Rotary year! Congratulations to 2025-26 DG Peter Shepheard who will lead the district to Unite For Good! Congratulations to 2025-2026 Rotary Club of Brighton President Colleen d’Offay who was awarded a double sapphire Paul Harris for her work leading Donations in Kind! Well done to Stuart McIntyre OAM for taking on the District Chair role for International Services. The Rotary Club of Brighton was also recognised for a number of the Club’s initiatives across Community, Youth and Vocational Services and Environmental Sustainability.
Last week's Raffle Results
The raffle last week was run by David Frauman with help from Malcolm James.
The winners were Maria Hicks and David Finney.
