 Greetings to our members and friendsWelcome to the beginning of a new Rotary Year 2020/21 This is the first time I’ve put pen to paper as your President and wondering where to start! The highlight of my week was our club Change Over meeting, Monday 29 June. A special highlight was hosting guests from overseas and Clubs around Melbourne. We welcomed Dale Hoy now District Governor Elect 2021/22, Rosemary Waghorne our outgoing Assistant Governor and Lili Teichman incoming Assistant Governor 2020/21. Lili gave an inspirational toast quoting incoming RI President: 
Holger Knaack R I President 2020/21 “We believe that our acts of service, big and small, create opportunities for people who need our help. Everything we do opens another opportunity for someone, somewhere,” said Knaack. For more information on Holger follow this link: As a Club we acknowledged the outstanding representation of Service above Self in 3 of our Club members with the presentation of Paul Harris Awards. President John Wall was awarded a double sapphire pin presented by DGE Dale Hoy who commented on the large number of Community and Youth projects and programs that John has been involved and initiated and so deserving of such an Award. Sue Foley was awarded a triple sapphire pin for her tireless endeavours to help raise funds for the Rotary Health initiative Lift the Lid on Mental Health and to provide ongoing assistance to communities devastated by both the drought and subsequent Bushfires. Sue’s skill has been recognised at District level with her appointment as District Chair of Community Services. Julia Topliss received her award a triple sapphire pin from John for her ongoing commitment to Community and the marathon effort over 5 years to get CoPP to retain the name Rotary Park at Catani Gardens, St Kilda when the Park was ear-tagged for redevelopment. Presidents Overview of the past year. John spoke with passion of the many projects undertaken by our club, noting that for a small club we have achieved a lot.. punching well above our weight. Many of the earlier initiatives had to be put on hold due to Covid 19 lockdown. The conversation with Wesley College in March about starting up an Interact Club will resume when face to face meetings are permitted. As some projects were put on hold others required immediate attention. Assistance with a Community Pantry run by the Empower Charity needed help in securing enough food for the increasing demand, 6 times the need pre-Covid. John is a strong believer in the power of engaging Cluster and Cross Cluster clubs and community partners. Writing a splendid Business plan on the Empower Charity to present to Cross Cluster Clubs, two more clubs came on Board with resources and donations. Reaching out via Facebook for beanies to go into Care Packs for Seafarers stuck at sea, mobilised knitting groups from Mornington Peninsula to Brisbane to knit beanies.
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First past the post in paying membership subscriptions was Bob Iversen. Thank you Bob so very much. A great example to us in so many ways. For those of you who haven’t yet contributed to the Club subscriptions, please do. Insurance, Rotary International and District dues have been paid and administration funds need to be replenished.