My plan for each bulletin was to not to focus on the speaker for the past week, rather Rotary and coming events. However, this week I couldn't resist the temptation to make an exception. Why, you ask? Well, last Thursday we were fortunate to have a really outstanding speaker - Peter Clague, Principal of St. Leonards. Peter's talk revolved around the life, philosophies and achievements of Kurt Hahn, an extraordinary educational visionary, whose influence in the realm of learning is legendary.
Hahn, a true trailblazer, championed a philosophy that education should be a crucible for fostering resilience, self-reliance, and a profound sense of responsibility in our youth. His core beliefs included emphasizing service to others and the cultivation of unwavering social responsibility – traits he deemed essential for both personal and societal well-being. Hahn's legacy includes the founding of the first Outward Bound School, aimed at equipping the youth with essential life skills and an unwavering moral compass. He was also the force behind the renowned Gordonstoun School in Scotland, and the creation of the Duke of Edinburgh awards.
Peter's narrative painted an incredibly vivid picture of Kurt Hahn's visionary principles – principles that continue to echo powerfully in our world today, and certainly resonating with the spirit of Rotary.
And guess what, good news doesn't stop there. This week, we're in for another treat as our own Matt Nichols is taking the stage. Be sure to secure your seats early; this is one event you won't want to miss!
Now, onto a topic that's been at the forefront of our Club's, and Rotary's, concerns – Membership. On Saturday, Anthony, Colleen, and I attended a seminar on membership in D9800. One speaker, in particular, cast a stark light on the challenges we face and the areas where Rotary must evolve. One of his many key messages was that the decline in membership isn't so much due to our lack of knowledge on how to grow, but rather a lack of will to take on the challenges Club’s face, to address the problem, and the necessary changes we need to make to enable growth. His view is that we must be willing to shift our attitudes, redefine our relevance, and break free from the shackles of outdated processes. An obsession with meetings must make way for a laser focus on tangible outcomes.
Interestingly, these insights were broadly in line with the thoughts provided by our upcoming speaker, Matt Nichols, when I asked for his wisdom on Membership. So, stay tuned, we have work to do!
Hope to see all of you at Rotary this Thursday 26 October.
President Arthur Hubbard
"The last time I caught up with John was Tuesday week ago at his new home at Mayflower. On entering his room, he was sitting in a chair, head down dozing, immaculately dressed as always. I said hi John, he looked up smiled, shook my hand and then went back to dozing. The similar smile to the front cover the program. After my visit, I arranged with Elaine to visit him the following Friday morning. When I arrived on Friday morning and went up towards his room, I was told John had passed away a couple of hours earlier. Outside John’s room I sat down and spoke to Elaine, daughter Julie, daughter in law Alison and granddaughter Laura. We reflected on John’s life and the positive impact he had on so many people in the community.
Something Julie said struck a chord with me. Julie said her father’s approach to life was reflected in Rotary’s motto “Service above Self”. “Service above Self is the DNA of Rotary’s approach to community service and it summarised John’s approach to life. I could add “Service above Self” with humility. There were so many parts to John’s community service impact.
Rotary: John joined Rotary in 1965 in Warracknabeal, undertaking many roles including president of the club, directors of community service, international and youth. During that time, John and Elaine were running a highly successful stud sheep and later Angus cattle farm near Warracknabeal. Julie mentioned to me John was fanatical about not missing Rotary meetings or Rotary commitments.
John and Elaine decided to sell the farm (selling at the top of his game) in early 70s relocating to Brighton.
He joined the Rotary Club of Brighton in 1974, a member of 49 years and the Club recently celebrated 50 years of community service. John did so much in the club often below the radar in his own humble respectful way.
In 1986/87 John became a Rotary District Governor for what is known as Rotary District 9800 today. A leadership and support role leading approximately 65 Rotary Clubs in Melbourne and regional Victoria. During John’s year as Governor he lead the sponsorship of 6 new Rotary Clubs and I understand two others under development. I know there are Rotarians here today from a number of those successful Rotary Club of Central Melbourne, Woodend and Altona City.
After John’s Governor year, he undertook various international roles working with the Rotary International Presidents including traveling to South America with Rotary for the Polio Plus campaign in Chile.
John was also involved in other community service separate from his Rotary work.
Association for the Blind/Vision Australia: John was heavily involved with the “Association for the Blind” now known as Vision Australia in Kooyong including Chair for 10 years. During his time as Chair he lead the establishment of the “Low Vision Clinic” a world class initiative at the time, as well as the radio for the blind 3 RPH.
Mayflower Aged Care: John was also involved in the aged care sector. John could see the ageing demographic trends and recognised some elderly in the community unable to fund their retirement. John headed up a committee for major fund raising at Brighton Mayflower, Aged Care operation at Marriage Road, Brighton. John was a major fund raiser and benefactor along with good friend who I would like to acknowledge Judee Stevenson (whose late husband Ian was another Brighton Rotarian) . Mayflower was ultimately John’s final home , the John King wing of Mayflower.
John was involved in so many other community and business initiatives. I can only mention a few today:
King Centre: One example, due to John’s business experience in various sports complex initiatives (another story), the predecessor to the Bayside Council approached John to rescue a significant sports centre in Tulip Street Cheltenham (where many Bayside residents including my son Alex spent many sporting years). The centre was renamed the “King Club“ still the name of this expanded facility today.
John and Elaine King Foundation/Equity Investments: Over recent years I had many coffees with John at one of the coffee shops in Church Street Brighton, beyond his love for Elaine and family John had two other passions
i) The John and Elaine King Foundation
With his foundation the focus was on Youth, education., elderly and financially disadvantage people. The foundation enabled John to target support areas of need. The aim was always giving beneficiaries a “ hand up” rather than a “ handout”.
ii) Equity investment often supporting startup businesses
The financial skills and capital from his equity passion, contributed to the Foundation and its community impact.
Another passion of John’s has been equity investments. John was a substantial shareholder in multiple public companies .
A passion for startup businesses, his latest investment supporting companies based in Australia, Israel listed on the Australia and US Nasdaq stock markets. John would say he will not invest in any business unless he meets the people involved, the CEO the board. He would often say to me Dale, “I do not always understand the technology of a business but I need to understand the person”.
Order of Australia: In recent years, John was awarded an Order of Australia for his community service efforts.
In many ways public recognition of many people already knew the enormous positive impact John had had in the community.
Final thoughts: John was a humble, respectful statesman that had such a positive impact on so many lives. He had a wonderful strategic mind. He was always looking for ways to do things better.
In negotiations whether in Rotary or Business he was always respectful of the other person, may not always agree. There is another guiding principle in Rotary called the "The Four-Way Test", offering a guide to high ethical standards in your dealings. That personified John’s approach to dealing with people. For me he was a wonderful friend, mentor and someone I admired greatly for the humble way he had such a positive impact on so many people’s lives.
He will be missed by family, friends and the community. Rest In Peace John."
