Guest Speaker: Steve Ballinger ‘Cleared Ground Demining’
Steve delivered a most compelling presentation. He and Vanessa have travelled the world during the past 20 years (Steve 86 countries and Cassandra 92!) working as part of a humanitarian organisation (Cleared Ground Demining) which works in countries clearing (demining) ordnances where ‘forgotten conflict’ has left traumatic legacies. Their organisation is deliberately small, flexible and adaptable, preferring to work with the local community to train workers, add to economic development and ensure the land clearing continues after the team have departed. In order to locate the weapons and ammunition, the organisation selects from a toolbox of methodology—drones, detectors, radar and the human eye - locating the ordnances, then setting up controlled explosive demolitions. Steve focussed on three ’forgotten conflicts’ Jordan, Guinea - Bissau and Palau (Peleliu Island) in the Pacific Ocean detailing for each locality, the research, risk assessment and how the demining was carried out. Future plans include working in Vanuatu, Kiribati and the Solomon islands.
After questions from the floor Rotarian Terry thanked both Steve & Cassandra for their very interesting presentation.
Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Lodge CEO Children First Foundation.
Elizabeth spoke of the strong support provided by Rotary to the CFF since its establishment in 1999. CFF is an Australian based charity which facilitates life changing surgery in Australia for disadvantaged children from developing countries. These children are unable to access the surgical procedures they require in their own countries. The relationship with Rotary and D9790 has continued to grow from strength to strength. Throughout the past 20 years, CFF has enabled over 450 children from 32 countries to receive the treatment and care they need. (This includes Kingsford from PNG, who thanks to the determination of Catherine & Charles Rattray was accepted as a patient at CFF and thus received life altering surgery).Elizabeth’s address was accompanied by a moving video which highlighted individual children’s stories and the amazing work of so many volunteer medical and health professionals (many of the referrals come from Doctors undertaking humanitarian work in developing countries).
Rotarian Catherine thanked Elizabeth highlighting the wonderful work that CFF did to change Kingsford’s life and provide a future for him. Elizabeth accepted a gift of a Four Fathers CD.
Our Youth Exchange Students and School Bursaries
Youth Exchange: Long Term Reece Hargreaves.
Reece is the club’s sponsored exchange student in 2020 and will be hosted by the RC of Turku in SW Finland. He is the 2nd son of Jill and Peter of Limestone and has 4 siblings. Reece delivered his presentation in Finnish accompanied by powerpoint slides which provided information on his family, home, interests and school. He has made contact with his first host family and is very excited about his exchange experience.
Short term Exchange: Lulu Moon
Lulu will be spending 6 weeks in Cologne Germany in Dec/January. She is very much looking forward to a cold 
Christmas, enhancing her language skills, meeting new people and becoming more independent.
Christmas, enhancing her language skills, meeting new people and becoming more independent.Johnny and Grace Hamilton are also participating in the Short term Exchange program and will be hosted in Germany and Italy respectively. Johnny and Grace were unable to attend the meeting but they will visit the club on their return.
Louis (France), Reece (Finland), Lulu (Germany) & Pres. Sue
Guest Speaker: Michael Trembath
Michael firstly thanked the clu
b for the opportunity to speak to the members-he and Elizabeth were asked by Russell Hogg to share their journey in Italian wine importation and distribution.
b for the opportunity to speak to the members-he and Elizabeth were asked by Russell Hogg to share their journey in Italian wine importation and distribution.Michael studied science at Melbourne Uni and eventually secured a job in wine marketing– due to his impeccable hand writing necessary for invoices and accounts! At 24 years of age he was asked to represent the company at a conference in Florence and in all stayed in Italy for 2 and a half years developing his skills in the business. He bought into the business and moved to Milan exporting wines to 22 English speaking countries. In 1994 Trembath & Taylor was establis
hed and now has 82 Italian wineries on their books with 450 wines available. Michael described the Italian wine industry as ‘dynamic’ with 48,000 wineries listed (Cf 2,700 in Australia). Many of these are family owned with no cellar door.
hed and now has 82 Italian wineries on their books with 450 wines available. Michael described the Italian wine industry as ‘dynamic’ with 48,000 wineries listed (Cf 2,700 in Australia). Many of these are family owned with no cellar door.Michael and Elizabeth have also branched out into cultural tours of Italy, offering highly specialised and personal tours of wine producing areas in Tuscany and Piedmont.
After a number of questions, particularly around storage and transport of the wine to Australia, Michael and Elizabeth (also a chocolate maker) were thanked by Russell Hogg.
Guest Speaker: Sam Cusumano Senior Lecturer in Sports Law at Deakin Uni.
Sam gave a most interesting and informative address about his pathway from private law practice to lecturing in Sports Law at Deakin combining his teaching with voluntary participation of a number of AFL Appeals Boards and Tribunals. Sam emphasised that Sports Tribunals are ‘Domestic or private’ bodies and operate in an inquisitorial manner rather than an adversarial one. Courts won’t interfere or get involved in a Sports tribunal unless the tribunal exceeds its powers or wrongly interprets its powers. Natural justice must prevail and the Tribunal must afford fairness to the players.Sam referred to a number of case studies and the recent trade period in the AFL describing how contractual matters may play out when a player wishes to move clubs whilst still a contracted player.
Sam concluded his presentation by revealing that despite being a ‘Mad Pies’ supporter he can’t watch them play (even on the TV) as he tends to put the ‘mozz ‘ them!
Sam answered a range of questions from the members and was then thanked by Gary Fitzgerald.
Club Assembly
President Sue welcomed 
everyone to Club Assembly with a special welcome to daughter Jess and grandson Logan.
everyone to Club Assembly with a special welcome to daughter Jess and grandson Logan.Sue’s announcements: Thank you to Bobby for a great night last week $810 raised for Polio Plus. The coin toss also raised $126 for Lift the Lid research
BBQ raised another $260 – thank you to members and Yea HS students .
Secretary: David Anderson
· Kathy Mills (RC of Seymour) seeking donations of second hand musical instruments for students in drought affected areas. Donations accepted by Bobby D or Terry.
· Phil Clancy D9790 Resolutions Chair seeking notification from clubs in regard to any proposed amendments to the District By Laws. Proposals must be received by 30/11/19.
