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President: Boris M Struk Editorial Logistics: Daryl Lee

Volume 79 Issue 42 - Tue May 20th, 2014.

CHARTER NIGHT – our 79th Celebration It was the greatest honour to represent the Rotary Club Essendon as its President for the celebration of the Club’s 79th anniversary of Charter.

The personal highlight for me was the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow - Sapphire to Michael Pepi, and a Paul Harris Fellow to Judy Pepi. This may be another first for the Club having a husband – wife team presented on the same night.

Michael and Judy Pepi epitomise the best of Rotary, selfless, generous and one of the first to “step up to the plate” and lend a hand when one is needed. Their reaction was for me, “priceless”.

Another highlight was having Jean Abbey present the Royce Abbey Award to Grant Stephenson, who has also demonstrated all the attributes worthy of this award.

Our guest speaker was Ross Stevenson of 3AW Breakfast fame. Ross took us through the three phases of his life in a most humorous and entertaining way. With great appreciation to Ross for setting the scene and the biggest ‘thank you’ to VP Anne Rogers for securing Ross to add to the night’s success. We learnt somewhat surprisingly, that Ross and John Burns walk in each morning and adlib the entire show.

I also acknowledge Fellowship Chair Neil Henderson and his Committee for all the behind the scenes work ensuring the 79th Charter Night was the success.

I am now even more proud to be a Rotarian and the 79th President of this wonderful Club!

Guest Speaker, Ross Stevenson, VP Anne Rogers and President Boris M Struk

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Michael Pepi – Paul Harris Fellow - Sapphire

Judy Pepi – Paul Harris Fellow

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Michael & Judy Pepi

Michael Pepi was born on 10th of February 1951 in Alexandria, Egypt to an Italian father and Maltese mother. He is the youngest of three boys. When Michael was 13 his family arrived in Australia. His mother had recently passed away and after a short time living with relatives, they purchased a home in Milleara Road East Keilor. Michael attended Niddrie Tech and being the youngest child, he was the one to learn English quickly. After completing high school, Michael took up an apprenticeship as a radio and television technician, and worked with Judy's father.

Meanwhile, Judy was born in Footscray, to Evan and Margaret Phillips. She went to primary school in in Footscray where the family lived, before moving to East Keilor, from where she attended Penleigh. Evan was a very long standing member of the Rotary Club of Footscray, so Judy's introduction to Rotary was an early one.

Judy and Michael began dating in 1969, and their first, and many subsequent dates, was to attend ballroom dancing lessons at Frank South's (also an Essendon Rotarian). They married in 1972 and built their first home in Brees Road East Keilor. In 1974 Michael saw an opportunity to change course when the current owner of a second-hand furniture shop in Footscray was killed in a light plane crash. The store was renamed Michael's Furniture and Michael successfully ran and expanded the business over the years. In 1978 he was invited to join the Rotary Club of West Footscray as a charter member, was President in 1995/96 and awarded a Paul Harris Recognition in 2000. As the business expanded to other areas Michael spent time as a member of the Bacchus Marsh and Melton Valley clubs. He joined the Essendon club in 2009 after his retirement.

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In 1982 Michael and Judy made a tree change and moved permanently to their weekend property at Gordon. This proved to be a good move and now provides Michael with an endless amount of work to keep him occupied in retirement.

Michael and Judy have two children, Michelle and Steven and two grandchildren William 7 and Ella 3. Michelle is close to producing a third grandchild.

Because of its proximity to their Gordon home, Michael and Judy have a close affinity with the Rotary Club of Ballan, where Judy is an honorary member, and for whom they kindly host one dinner meeting per month at their home.

Michael and Judy Pepi epitomise the best of Rotary, selfless, generous and one of the first to “step up to the plate” and lend a hand when one is needed. In the Pepi’s case it’s two pair of hands.

The Rotary Club Essendon, recognises the valuable long-term contribution provided by Michael and Judy Pepi; to Rotary in general, through several past club memberships, and in our club in particular, a contribution which has made a measurable difference to the local, national and international communities.

President Boris M Struk VP Anne Rogers Rotary Club Essendon Foundation Chair

The Pepi Clan - All smiles following the receipt of PHFs

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DG Ross Butterworth –Toasting RI

Guest Speaker Ross Stevenson 3AW

Jean Abbey presents the Royce Abbey Award 2014 to Grant Stephenson

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Terri and Grant Stephenson

Visitors to the 79th Charter Night RC Essendon: DG Ross Butterworth and Annette, Assistant DG Austen Burleigh and Sue. Special mention also for Jean Abbey who assisted President Boris with presentation of the Royce Abbey Award to Grant Stephenson. Welcome to ‘The Club’ Grant and excellent work. Many partners, friends and relatives also joined the total of 85 to celebrate the Rotary Club Essendon Charter Night

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RCE Board and Committees for 2014-15: President Lisa Lowcock Vice president Shirley Kukk Secretary Rob Thomas Treasurer Sam Tartaglia Ass. Treasurer Michael Pepi

CLUB SERVICE Lino Airo-Farulla; CHAIR John Chadderton Tony Colicchia John Gorman Jack Honson Neil Henderson Roger Leask Norman Mollica Maurice Mollica Sam Morello Michael Pepi Margie Sheldon Ian Thomas

COMMUNITY Glenn Smith; CHAIR Jane Carbone Simon Cookson Wal Dibben Jenny Foster Alistair Fraser Michael Mahoney Pat O'Connell Sunil Perera Roger Priestley Bernadette Schwerdt Graeme Wood

FELLOWSHIP Stephen Chandler; CHAIR Colin Bell Michael Cariss John Gilbert Peter Halaseh Don Knee Maria Kouppas Ray Landgren Fong Loong Eileen Ray Grant Stephenson Boris M Struk

INTERNATIONAL Steve Roe; CHAIR Tim Anderson Daryl Lee Connie Maina Cathy Nicou John Odgers Michael Portelli Alf Puglia Anne Ramsay Anne Rogers Anthony Taranto

YOUTH/VOCATIONAL Veronica O'Sullivan; CHAIR Peter Baker Peter Condos Andrew Ha Denis Kosnar Richard Lawrence John Marshall Matt O'Brien Henry Randell Grant Sheldon Barbara Wyatt

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For Your Diary: Sun Jun 1st:to Wed Jun 4th: Rotary International Convention – Homebush Sydney Barbara Wyatt for details or http://rotary2014.com.au/ Thu Jun 19th 3.30pm – 7pm approx. finish Murdoch Children’s Research Institute(MCRI) RCH Parkville – Vocational Visit

Fellowship Dinner after @:

Mercure North Melbourne, Cnr Flemington Rd & Harker St, Nth Melb.

Please visit www.meetup.com to confirm your attendance.

Sat Jun 7th Multi District luncheon with PRIP John Kenny Venue: Ultima Function Centre Cnr Keilor Park Drive and Ely Court, Keilor Melway Map 15 B8 Date: Saturday 7 June 2014 Arrival: 12:30pm for 1:00pm Cost: $50.00 per person (2 courses including drinks)

Sunday June 29th - President’s Day Neil Henderson that this year’s event will break with tradition and will be held on Sunday as a lunch event instead of usual President’s Night. Neil assured us all it will have all the usual Fun & Frivolity but with a slight different slant and involvement for members at around $75/head with Parking in Fitzroy.

IMPORTANT THINGS Rumour has it a certain ‘Roger’ left behind a rather important Award last night and needed to return home to retrieve it. That’s gotta be a Fine on The Sgt I would’ve thought!

TODAY’S RAFFLE Held over til next week ‘Thomo’ for your next chance at the $1,000. One Liner of The Week: I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle - Winston Churchill!

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Knitting Wool for Caroline Chisholm Society

President Boris and Maria Kouppas present Glenda Rumble, knitting volunteer coordinator, from CCS with $2,000 of knitting wool for the production of baby-wear. The donation by RCE has a retail value exceeding $6,000. Well done Community Committee, Maria and Sunil.

What are You? Man or Mouse!

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Meeting Program: May 27 – Doreen Schwegler from All Degrees Health, talking about genetic testing and how we can test for all sorts of diseases before we even know we have them.

June 3 – Jim Currell, Police Prosecutor at Broadmeadows Station will discuss ‘a day in the life of a police prosecutor’ – what he does, how he does it, challenges he faces, highlights of the job – and demystify how a case comes to court, what happens on the day and how the whole process works.

June 10 – Fiona Skene, from Wise Self Defence on how important it is to know how to deal with conflict in a public place. Using the Ron Barassi incident as her example, where an innocent bystander (Barassi) stepped in to break up a fight and got badly hurt, Fiona will outline how and why situations escalate, how to manage them if they do and how to avoid them in the first place.

June 17 – President Boris and his team will talk about Burma.

June 24 – President Boris’ penultimate meeting

July 1 – President Change Over

July 8 – Allis’s final presentation to Rotary as she prepares to depart Australia.

Boris’ Thought for The Week:

In the arena of human life, the honours and rewards fall to those who show their good qualities in action.

Contact is your Weekly Rotary Mag. Your contribution would be much appreciated. Please contribute to dmrlee1@gmail.com. Thanks.

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Til next week – Sayonara! Please remember our sponsors who follow – they support us - kindly Support them.

Help yourself and help the Club by banking with Strathmore Community Bank. For example, take out a home loan and the club will receive up to $500. Take out a 3 month fixed term deposit and the club will receive up to $50.

For more details drop into the branch at 337 Napier St or call branch Manager Philip Stewart on 9374-2607.

Incorporating John Gregory PO Box 163, Essendon North,

VIC 3041

askbmr@bmrgroup.com.au

Telephone: 03-8378-3600 Facsimile: 03-9379-8621