President Jenny opened the meeting by warmly welcoming everyone. Rtn Ron Tweedie then welcomed the guests attending tonight’s meeting: Kristine Abalos; Judy Friedlander (our speaker tonight); Vijai Singhai; Hazel and Graham McNamara; David and Philippa (Pip) Paull; Nickie Thorpe.
 
President Jenny reported on the Hunters Hill High School Speech Day ceremony and presenting the Year 7 prize for excellence (the prize being sponsored by the Club).  She then reported on Lawrie Sullivan’s amazing feat of scoring a hole in one on the 6th hole at the age of 91 years.
 
President Jenny then conducted the Induction Ceremony for Hazel McNamara who was roundly welcomed, provided with Rotary orientation package and allocated to the Youth Service Committee, led by Co-President-Elect Margaret Silink.  Co-President-Elect Tania was appointed as her mentor.  Hazel’s partner, Graham, was also presented with a dinner badge and invited to attend whenever he wished.
 
Kristine Abalos was introduced to the Club as our RYLA student. Kristine thanked the Club and provided a brief CV.  At the age of 21 years she has completed a course in Photoimaging and a Diploma in Event Management, is a trained barista and has a passion for connecting with the community.  She has been asked to provide a report after her RYLA camp experience.
 
PP John Palmer reported on the AGM of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Council.  He was congratulated for being elected to the National Board of PCFA.  The PCFA indicated their appreciation of the Club’s continued support.
PP Roger reported on the last week’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Lane Cove when Dr Tania Hossack provided a detailed update on prostate cancer.
 
Co-President-Elect Margaret provided a brief report on the RYLA camp to which Kristine Abalos would be attending.  The camp will be held on 10-16th January at Elanora Heights.  Volunteers were asked to contact Margaret if they were able to drive Kristine to and from the camp, and also to attend the RYLA dinner on Tuesday 12th January 2016 at Pittwater RSL ($45 cost).
 
PP Chris Curtis reported on attending the RC of North Sydney Sunrise breakfast meeting where he spoke of the NTT project in West Timor and Flores. He was hopeful of their continued support. He indicated that the NTT project now has its own Facebook page.
 
The Sergeant was Rtn Adrienne who fined numerous people for dubious reasons, but as usual, they paid up anyway.  Rtn John Cronly reported on his transfer to the RC of Turramurra.  He indicated he had participated in their Qantas 747 trip for disabled children.  He thanked members of the RC of Lane Cove for their friendship over many years.  Co-President–Elect Tania then fined her Co-President-Elect (Margaret Silink) as this was Margaret’s first meeting since the election (at which she had been absent).
 
PP Roger then introduced Judy Friedlander who grew up in Lane Cove, had a career in journalism as a journalist and media analyst and was now doing a PhD at UTS at the Institute on Sustainable Futures.  Judy spoke of her childhood in Lane Cove and how there was a balance of nature and development.  Her presentation focused on the need to respond to climate change, which has many dimensions including diverse but inter-related issues such as food security, global warming, water shortages, endangered species and species extinction.  Judy spoke of her PhD thesis topic which is centered on trying to better understand why bad news sells.  She has come to the realization that probably people are attracted to bad news because it makes people appreciate their lot in life.  She spoke of the reluctance of people to talk about and consider climate change but noted that the tenor of the reporting on climate change has suddenly changed since the Paris Summit.  A more optimistic approach is evident and it seems there has been a turning point in how we engage with this topic.  Perhaps now people realize that environment is as much a local issue rather than being a problem in distant lands.  The news now seems to be selling a message of hope rather than portends of doom.  Judy spoke of her experience with the Sydney Power House vertical wall garden initiative which was such a success.  The concept of people’s delight in growing their own food has led the development of the FoodFaith initiative, a community market garden which brings together faiths, cultures and different parts of society.  This was launched in March this year by the Mayor of Lane Cove.  The FoodFaith garden is an interfaith garden encompassing people from such diverse faiths as Hindu, Islam, Jewish, Buddhism, Christianity as well as Indigenous peoples.  Various Councils representing different ethnicities, faiths and cultures have all committed themselves to supporting this unique initiative.  The overall concept is to blend the sharing of meals and planting food seeds among diverse faiths in the new community garden in Hughes Park.  The initiative is receiving sponsorship from industry which has allowed the development of garden beds in shape of flower petals.  Members are encouraged to visit the website www.foodfaith.com.au for further information.
 
Judy’s presentation was very well received. PP John Palmer then thanked Judy for a truly inspirational and educational talk and presented her with a Rotary calendar.
 
The raffle was won by Dick White who presented it to the speaker.  The Sergeant’s fines yielded $103 which is to be donated to the Australian Health Research.  The meeting was attended by 19 Rotarians and 9 guests
 
The meeting finished by President Jenny thanking Rtn John Cronly for his service, thanking all for attending, and wishing everyone Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year.