Club Meeting August 6 2025 Conference

Jo Impey was chairperson for today's club meeting at Cilantro.  Charles joined the meeting via Zoom, and Gary Ramage was a guest.  Jo acknowledged the staff at Cilantro.

 

INTERNATIONAL CLUB TOAST - Rotary Club of Makati, Philippines

Ian B introduced a return to our club's past practise of international club toasts, and conducted a toast to R.C. Makati in the Philippines.  The R.C. Makati commenced in 1966 and has 130 members - the majority of whom are in business or hold professional positions.  They seek sustainable projects with a high impact and meet many of the 7 areas of Rotary focus with projects in health, environmental programs, educational and vocational programs.  The club commenced the Eradicate Polio pilot program in 1979 to immunise children in the Philippines, and which became the forerunner to the Polio Plus program launched by Rotary International in 1985.   A video was shown on one of their educational programs.  The club has sponsored 12 new clubs, received many awards, and is a large contributor to Rotary Foundation.  Four club members are current contributors to the Arch Klumpf Foundation. 

Their website is here.

A copy of Powerpoint Presentation can be found here. To keep file size down, it excludes this video.

 

Linda and Karin conducted a presentation outlining the details of the next District Conference that will be held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Hobart 13 - 15 March 2026.

Linda outlined the history and purpose of conferences, who attends, and the benefits for attending.    Conferences are a great way to meet and mingle with other Rotarians from other clubs in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, and come away with a broader knowledge and appreciation of Rotary.  In addition to having fun, conferences have something for everyone, and Linda commended club members to attend - particularly new Rotarians,

Karin attended the Conference District launch on 26 July, and outlined the topics covered.

(Ed: The Powerpoint Slideshow of pics from previous Conferences featuring our own members can be downloaded here.)

 

Next year's conference is a joint conference between D9815 and D9830 (all clubs in Tasmania) with a conference theme - Be Inspired. 

This is the standard 3 day conference with optional (ticketed) programs held on Friday 13 March (golf, bowls, historical storytelling, gin tastings, and pre-conference welcome/drinks) followed by club dinners on Friday evening.  An alternative option to club dinners this year for members, if they so wish, is to attend a meet and greet "Making Connections' cocktail/dinner at the Waterline Lounge Bar & Eatery on Brooke Street Pier, Hobart.   The conference's official opening is on Saturday morning 14 March - a little later in the morning than usual this year to provide time for conference attendees to visit the famous Salamanca Market before returning to The Grand Chancellor for the opening.  Plenary sessions will be held during the morning and afternoon, including lunch,  before attendees return to the Grand Chancellor in the evening for the Gala Dinner which this year has a Nautical Theme  - a great opportunity to dress up and have fun with prizes for clubs with the 'best costumes'. More plenary sessions will be held on Sunday morning, followed by lunch, after which the conference will close.

Keynote speakers listed so far include: Emily Willliamson, CEO of Reach Shem Deap, Cambodia (breaking the poverty cycle in Cambodia); Rob Pennicott, Young Australian of the Year, and who circumnavigated Australia in a dinghy, Dr Kirk Willliams - a plastic and reconstructive surgeon from NZ for Interplast; and Saroo Brierley, author of his true story as boy in India (and depicted by Dev Patel in the movie Lion that also included Nicole Kidman).  Other speakers will be announced closer to the conference.  

Conference Registration is currently early bird $295 p.p. and covers all plenary sessions, morning/afternoon teas, lunch (Sat & Sun), and the Gala Dinner on Saturday evening. The registration cost will increase to $340 from 1 January 2026.  All other optional events are ticketed events at additional cost.

Accommodation is readily available in Hobart with discounts available for conference attendees at The Grand Chancellor (though all booked), the Henry Jones Art Hotel, MACq01, and the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel as noted on the conference website.

Club members planning to attend will need to register their attendance via the District 9815 website AND book their own accommodation. If wishing to check where others are staying - refer Linda or Karin.  

Deals are listed on the Conference website - and include discounts for:

Spirit of Tasmania (Geelong to Devonport)

Pennicott Wilderness day trips

Restaurant deals

Special travel deals for Pre & Post Conference travel within Tasmania

The expo room will showcase and promote Rotary programs

Our club will host the stand for Interplast.   Club members attending the conference are being sought to help out at the stand when the expo room is open (morning/afternoon tea and lunch breaks)

The Conference website for 2026 on the District 9815 website has very detailed information for next year's conference, and club members are strongly encouraged to check the conference website for all relevant information. 

Linda or Karin are available for assistance if required. 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BMC Website  - Ian reminded everyone that all club events are listed on the club website.  Club members should check the website for any upcoming events and register for any they plan to attend.

Friday 15/8 - is a social Pasta and Poetry night at Kings Tennis Club.  Attendees planning to attend are asked to Register here and come along with a poem to recite.  

Thursday 21/8 - is an evening club meeting at Cilantro, and replaces the Wednesday 20/8 morning meeting. Register here

Club Committee Budgets - Grant advised the committee budgets were finalised at the board meeting held 4 August

Wed 13/8 - Bert d'Unienville will be our guest speaker as Member Behind the Badge. Register here

Monday 25/8 - RYDA event at Sandown Greyhound Racing Track for Cheltenham Secondary College.  Volunteers are being sought to help out on the day.  Ian and Grant advise this is a very rewarding activity.  Register here

 

President Grant closed the meeting.