Speakers Program

"Climate change and eco-socialism as an alternative future scenario"

"Life after Stroke" 

"Aussie battler amongst the disabled children of India". 

Usha is a senior academic at the School of Property, Construction and Project Management at RMIT. She has worked in architectural practices in India, Canada and Australia. Her expertise in this area has extended to her work in encompassing sustainability in issues related to building and its connection with the built environment. A direct outcome of Usha’s influence from her work with triple involves bringing practical knowledge of energy, efficiency and conservation to triple bottom line sustainability in the buildings and the built environment.

One of Usha’s major strengths lies research. Her interests include Policy and Regulation, Built Environment Design/Form, Heritage Issues and Smart Cities. Usha has promoted her work in a number of key forms. For example, Information Technology, Conference Presentations, Seminars etc, all of which have involved students both from Australia and overseas tertiary institutions, including India, Canada and Asia.

Usa’s présentation was comprehensive, professional, engaging and was received extremely well by Rotarians and guests.

"Motor cycle travels through Africa & Asia".

Heather discussed with us about Flat Tyre then on to Cold Beer and Hotel April 1993 over 40,000 kms in 15 months, solo. Heather worked in London for 12 months as a Motorcycle Courier to raise the funds for her trip.

"Moreland L2P" 

"working meeting", 26th Feburary

Anne- Youth Homeleesness in Melbourne

TOPIC: Evidence on the benefits of exercise and physical activity programs

"Ageing of Australia" 

“Wikipedia”

Working Meeting- Website & Social Media

"Anti Crime Education" 

Maternal and Child Health

No Meeting -Easter Tuesday

Working Meeting

"The 2nd Amendment-The Right to Keep and Bear Arms".

Paul has had some 22 years in various capacities in District 9800 over the years.

His main involvement at present is in the ongoing organisation of the District 9800 "World of Difference" 

Conscription and the Vietnam War

One of the thing for which I am most grateful is the fact that I was born in the second half of 1946.  With the end of World War II in 1945, and men returning from overseas, the second half of 1946 saw the start of a population explosion.  But to know the reason for which I am most grateful we must fast forward 18 years. 

In 1964, the Menzies government supported the United States in its actions in Vietnam.  We talk about large demonstrations against Government policy today, but these pale into insignificance compared with those against our involvement in the Vietnam War.  Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated in all capital cities and major regional centres to convey to government their disagreement with this decision. It has been the only occasion that I have marched to demonstrate my disagreement with government policy.   On 5 November 1964 (the anniversary of Guy Fawkes attempt to blow up the British Houses of Parliament) conscription was introduced.  I had resolved myself to comply with conscription, although I did not agree with Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

In January 1965, 20 year old males were required to register if their birth day occurred in the first six months of the year.  Similarly in July registration was required for those turning 20 in the last half of the year.  Conscription lasted for 8 years; a total of 16 ballots 

The ballot was conducted based on birth dates.  For the first half yearly ballot, 181 marbles were placed into a container.  For the second half yearly ballot, there were 184 marbles.   Each marble represented two birthdays.  Marbles were extracted until a quota was obtained.

For the first three ballots (those born during 1945 and the first half of 1946) more than half the marbles were extracted in order to get the quota.  But for the fourth ballot only 30 marbles were needed to get the quota.  None of the subsequent ballots had such a low number of birth dates.

Over the 8 years there were 16 ballots.  804,000 twenty year old males registered for National Service.  69,000 were conscripted, and 16,000 served in Vietnam.

It is for this reason that I am grateful for having been born in the second half of 1946.

Jeff is the president of the Carlton Community History group and a researcher at Melbourne University

He leads historical walks in Carlton and advises on heritage

Topic today is “Crime in Carlton – a snapshot”

The 1850s saw gold discovered in Victoria. All types of people were attracted to Carlton from interstate and overseas as people headed to the Ballarat and Bendigo goldfields. Many left jobs to search for gold even members of the Police force. South Carlton with less police attracted many law breakers. The St Kilda Convict Centre released prisoners and many former prisoners from Tasmania also made their way to the area.

In the mid 1880s Carlton saw poverty and hardship conditions. Prostitution thrived in the laneways and alleys, parlours, hotels and boarding houses. Larrikins (both young men and women) were attracted to the Gangs where pickets and chairs were used as weapons in battle. Disturbances, drunkenness and violence were rampant keeping police active.

In the 1920s police cars were fitted with wirelesses helping alleviate some crime – this was the time of Squizzy Taylor and his associa

Australian Rotary Health Chair