11 Aug 2026 - Rotary District Governor

Michele Ellery

Guests are always welcome.

TBA - Update on Metabolic Health

Professor Katarine Samaras

Professor Samaras will give an update on metabolic health:

• What is it? 
• What has it to do with body and brain ageing? 
• What is all this fuss with fasting? 
• What is time restricted eating and how is it different? What is the fuss with metformin and Ozempic about?
• What can I do to live longer, healthier and really give my children and grandchildren something to worry about?

Background:

Professor Samaras is a senior staff specialist in Endocrinology at St Vincent's Hospital and is a Professor of Medicine at UNSW. She heads her own laboratory in the Garvan Institute of Medicine, where she held an executive position as the Theme Leader in Healthy Ageing. She has published over 200 scientific papers, led guideline development in metabolism and obesity. She is the Specialty Chief Editor for Obesity for Frontiers in Endocrinology, the world's most highly cited and ranked endocrinology journal. She has served numerous bodies in the promotion of medical science, including as Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and the National Health and Medical Research Council.

She has held positions at St Thomas' Hospital London and the Harvard School of Public Health, where she completed her PhD and post-doctoral studies.

Her research interests are how metabolism contributes to ageing, particularly brain ageing, cognitive decline and dementia. She is the lead investigator for the MetMemory Study, a 3 year clinical trial repurposing the diabetes medication metformin to prevent cognitive decline, being run at the Garvan and garnering international interest.

Guests are always welcome.

TBA - Where Australia collides with Asia

Ian Burnett

It was Alfred Russel Wallace, who, in 1856, based on his observations of the bird life and animal life in Eastern Indonesia, realised that the Lombok Strait represents the biogeographical boundary between the fauna of Asia and Australia. On the Asian side are elephants, tigers, monkeys and on the Australian side are marsupials such as possums and tree kangaroos. Consequently, he concluded that Australia had collided with Asia before there was any understanding of Continental Drift or Plate Tectonics.

His observations also led him to co-discover, in 1858, the concept of the Origin of Species, which forced Charles Darwin to publish his work that same year.

Ian Burnet has a combined Bsc. In Geology and Geophysics and has an interest in maritime history and historic maps. He is the author of six books on maritime history and the Indonesian archipelago including: Spice Islands, East Indies, Archipelago - A Journey Across Indonesia, Where Australia Collides with Asia - The Epic Voyages of Joseph Banks, Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, The Tasman Map and Joseph Conrad's Eastern Voyages.

Guests are always welcome.

TBA 2026 - 2026 Census

Tammy Yam

Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) counts every person and household in Australia through the Census of Population and Housing. The next Census is on Tuesday 11 August 2026.  The Census is a snapshot of Australia and helps us understand what we need now and into the future. This information is vital to ensure everyone is counted and the Census delivers high quality data to:

• set electoral boundaries
• distribute government funds
• inform decisions about transport, schools, health care and infrastructure
• plan services for individuals, families and communities.

Tammy will provide insight into this process and the plans for the 2026 census.

Tammy is the Census Engagement Manager for Western and Northern Sydney. She brings experience from previous roles at NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, Destination NSW, NSW Department of Customer Service and Black Dog Institute. Tammy Yam holds a Master's degree in Public Health from UNSW.

Guests are always welcome.

04 Aug 2026 - Mayor of North Sydney

Zoe Baker

Independent Councillor Zoë Baker was first elected to North Sydney Council in 2008 and was elected Mayor in January 2022.  She has a passion for urban design and planning and a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation in all aspects of Council decision making.

Throughout Zoë’s service as Councillor and Mayor, she worked to protect and expand open space, deliver environmental, financial and social sustainability and initiated progressive approaches to complex issues facing her community.

Guests are always welcome.

28 Jul 2026 - Osteoporosis and Bone Health

Charlee Mitchell

This talk will provide an

• An overview of bone health, osteoporosis, and
• the factors that contribute to reduced bone density and increased fracture risk
• explain how bone health changes over time and the impact this can have on confidence, independence, and everyday activities.
• Also information will be shared on the benefits of evidence-based strength training and weight-bearing exercise in maintaining and improving bone strength, along with practical guidance on safe movement, exercise, and lifestyle strategies to help protect and support long-term bone health

Charlee is the clinic lead and Exercise Scientist at Kieser Cammeray. Charlee’s passion lies in helping clients new to strength training achieve their goals and supporting members with changes to their goals. She’s particularly interested in women’s health and has recently completed professional development in menopause, enabling her to support clients experiencing perimenopause and menopause symptoms. 

Niall is a senior physio who trained in the UK prior to his move to Aus this year. His background is in orthopaedics, acute injuries and long-standing conditions like back pain, osteoarthritis and nerve conditions. 

Guests are always welcome.

21 Jul 2026 -Brain Health – Diana Zhang

Brain health has been recognised as the biggest predictor of longevity. Emerging research suggests that metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, cellular energy production, and the gut microbiome all play important roles in maintaining overall neurological health and cognitive function. The same biological pathways involved in metabolic conditions are increasingly being recognised as high-risk factors for brain ageing and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Understanding your metabolic profile may therefore provide valuable insights into your overall brain health. At Preview Health, we believe that brain health is modifiable and can be optimised based on our metabolic profiles. During this talk, I will share insights on the development of a new brain health blood test and how it can be used to unlock precision brain health care.

Dr. Diana Zhang is a professional musician turned multi-award-winning scientist. She is the Founder & CEO of Preview Health, an Australian startup that is unlocking precision brain health care using advanced AI and chemical methods. Diana ​received her PhD from UNSW Sydney where she investigated the use of machine learning and analytical approaches to improve disease diagnosis and has co-authored over a dozen peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific and music psychology journals including Nature Medicine, ACS Central Science, and Psychology of Music. 

Guests are always welcome.

7 Jul 2026 -Small is Beautiful – the New Nuclear

Tony Irwin

There are exciting new developments in small reactors with construction now taking place in the western world. Also, there is an increasing interest in very small reactors – microreactors – where the whole plant is factory built and delivered to site in a shipping container for quick plug and play.

What is the status of electricity supply in Australia and could these reactors play a part in our low emissions future? 

Tony Irwin is a Chartered Engineer, Technical Director of SMR Nuclear Technology Pty Ltd and Honorary Associate Professor at the ANU where he is the principal lecturer for Nuclear Reactors and the Nuclear Fuel Cycle. Tony worked for British Energy in the UK for more than thirty years commissioning and operating 8 nuclear power reactors.

In 1999 he moved to Australia and joined the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) where he was the first Reactor Manager of ANSTO’s new OPAL research reactor which produces medical isotopes. Tony is a technical adviser to NuclearForAustralia, the movement that is building public awareness of the benefits of nuclear power.

Guests are always welcome.

23 Jun 2026 - Brain Aging Update

Matt Lennon MD, PhD

This talk will provide an update on what has been achieved in dementia research in the last 2 – 3 years, including

• new and improved tests,
• progress around potential drug interventions,
• what has been learned about key risk factors, and
• why prevention is such a critical focus.

Matt is a medical doctor and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) within the Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health at UNSW.

Matt's work focuses on risk factors for dementia (primarily hypertension and head injuries), as well as emerging novel therapies for dementia. He has worked on several clinical trials for novel therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Dementia (RETAIN and TRAVELLER Studies). He has an interest in the flourishing of older persons, in particular doing research into the effect that a sense of meaning and purpose has on the happiness of older persons.

Guests are always welcome.

16 Jun 2026 - Seniors Safety

Dominic Trevor

The talk looks at the North Shore Police Area Command and the various roles within the command including:

• general duties,
• youth officer,
• crime scene,
• detectives etc

and briefly what each role entails. 

Senior Constable Dominic Trevor moved into the Crime Prevention Unit as the second Crime Prevention Officer in September 2022. He started in General Duties – responding to day-to-day jobs such as traffic accidents, domestic violence, stealing’s, break and enters, neighbour disputes etc He also did rotations through the North Shore Street Police Team (High Visibility Policing) and North Shore Proactive Crime Team (Plain Clothes).

Guests are always welcome.

26 May 2026 - Streetwork

Helen Banu 

Helen leads Streetwork with a strong commitment to supporting vulnerable young people facing challenges and disadvantage in their lives. Through early intervention and prevention programs, practical support which includes mentoring, case work, and goal planning, and connection to community, Streetwork supports vulnerable young people in the community to turn their lives around through building confidence, making positive choices, and creating safer, more hopeful futures.

Helen will be speaking about Streetwork’s Change Your Course program, which engages vulnerable young people who have come into contact with police and the juvenile justice system. This important program provides support, guidance, and positive pathways to help young people make lasting change in their lives, with the aim of reducing recidivism by building their protective factors.  Helen will also share insights into the work of Streetwork, the challenges facing young people in our community, and the powerful impact that support, connection, and opportunity can have on a young person’s future.

Helen Banu OAM is CEO of Streetwork Australia. As CEO, Helen brings leadership, compassion, and a deep belief in the potential of every young person, regardless of the circumstances they currently find themselves in.  Her work reflects the values that are so important to Rotary - service, community, opportunity, and creating meaningful change where it is needed most.

Guests are always welcome.

19 May 2026 - KYDS

Helen Jarvis & Anne-Marie Basset 

KYDS is a community-based non-profit that has provided free, accessible mental health support to countless young people and their families since 2005. They ensure young people aged 10-18 can reach out for support without the need for a Medicare card, GP referral or mental health plan, delivering about 10000 counselling sessions annually.

Helen will provide a broader update on KYDS and the work KYDS is doing to support young people. Anne-Marie is a young adult and former client of KYDS Youth Counselling.  She will share her personal story of the difference that KYDS has made in her life. 

Helen Jarvis - joined the KYDS Management Committee in 2017 as Chair of the Clinical Sub-Committee and served as the KYDS Chair from 2020 to 2024.  She has overseen a period of rapid growth for KYDS and is motivated by a desire to make it as easy as possible for young people to connect with effective mental health support.   

Anne-Marie Basset  - Youth Advisory Member and past KYDS client.

Guests are always welcome.

05 May 2026 - How do Supermarkets really work

Kurt Preshaw

Every week Australians walk into supermarkets and choose from thousands of products, yet very few people understand how those products actually make it onto the shelf. Behind every item is a complex system involving farmers, manufacturers, logistics networks and retailers, all working together to deliver food reliably and at scale.

In recent years there has been significant public debate about the role and power of supermarkets in Australia, including Senate inquiries, ACCC investigations and extensive media coverage about pricing and competition. This discussion often focuses on the impact retailers have on suppliers, farmers and consumers.

In this talk Kurt will provide a supplier’s perspective on how the supermarket system actually operates. He will explain how products earn shelf space, why items regularly go “on special” and the role promotions and pricing play in influencing what shoppers buy. He will also discuss the economics behind supermarket shelves, the relationship between retailers and manufacturers and why some products succeed while others disappear.

Kurt Preshaw is currently the CEO and Chairman of Intersnack ANZ, which is Australia and New Zealand’s second largest snack company. The company sells some of the most popular brands of chips, muesli bars and biscuits, generating over a billion dollars in revenue. Intersnack ANZ employs more than 1000 people who manufacture most of its products in Sydney, Auckland, Wellington and Nelson.

Kurt began his career as a truck driver selling potato chips and corn chips to milk bars, pubs and petrol stations on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. He later joined PepsiCo, where he spent many years in senior sales and marketing roles, including leading the company’s food business across Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Prior to his current role he was also General Manager of the New Zealand snacks business and led the Quaker Foods business in Australia.

Guests are always welcome.

21 Apr 2026 - Mary's House & the effects of Technology

Janine Wood

Janine Wood is the philanthropy and communications Manager at Mary's House.

Janine has been doing a lot of research into technology facility abuse.  In the past year, there have been a 222% increase in the security plans and checks.  From smart cars to smart fridges, smart vacuums and smart phones, Janine will explain how these devices are used to cause harassment. 

Giving insights into these trends, Janine will also play two videos, one which shows how the community around Northern Sydney supports Mary’s House and the other showing three Mary's social workers talking about the work they do.

Guests are always welcome.

14 April 2026 - NSW Planning Changes

Clay Preshaw

Planning in NSW has become too hard, too complex and too slow for everyone involved, communities, councils, applicants and government agencies.

Last year, Parliament passed major planning reform legislation with bipartisan support, and the reforms will be progressively rolled out this year.

The reforms are designed to make the system clearer, more consistent and easier to navigate, while keeping strong environmental protections and community input.

Clay Preshaw leads Planning System Reform in the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, responsible for implementing these changes across the state.

Guests are always welcome.

31 March 2026 - Kin College

Kristian Blaszczski & Jacqui Cashmore

Kristian and Jacqui will share their vision of “KIN college” and why it will be such a great school which will not only support the student but their entire family.

KIN College will

• be a K-12 school for children with neurodiverse needs. 
• also providing a wraparound service for parents and siblings
• support the child in collaboration with their families to grow and develop skills to live a fulfilled life.
• add a year 13 and 14 to support young people transition into adulthood with confidence.

They have initially secured a building to lease in Sydney Olympic Park to start operating in 2027 and will look at purchasing land to purpose build a school.  

They envision a world where neurodiverse learners are celebrated for their strengths, equipped with the tools to succeed, and supported to become confident, compassionate changemakers.

Kristian Blaszczynski  is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Morpheus Ventures, an early-stage technology US venture capital firm, where he focuses on global sourcing and portfolio growth..

Jacqui Cashmore is a visionary educational leader with over 35 years of experience supporting students with disabilities. She has served as principal of three special schools (K_12) and as a disability consultant at the Association of Independent Schools.

Guests are always welcome.

17 March 2026 - The Moritz Story

Moritz Keonig

This will be a short interactive trivia-style presentation. A light and engaging format that encourages participation from the audience. The questions will touch on a mix of general topics (including Rotary, fun questions, and a few personal ones about Moritz’ background so that the participants will get to know him better.

To make this format work, everyone should bring their mobile phone so they can participate in the quiz. The goal is simply to make the talk interactive and fun while also creating an opportunity to learn more about Moritz.

Moritz studied Finance and Economics in Germany, Sweden, and Italy. After completing his studies, he worked for one year as a researcher at the University of Kassel in Germany. Then he joined ING Germany and worked as a Treasury Specialist in the Netherlands and Belgium. In this role he focused on interest rate risk management and the management of the High Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA) portfolio. He is currently on a one-year assignment in Australia and will return to Germany at the end of May.

He joined Rotaract at the age of 18 and was an active member of the Rotaract Club Bad Hersfeld-Rotenburg in Germany for many years.  During his studies, he visited the Rotaract Club Trento in Italy and the Rotaract Club Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Guests are always welcome.

10 March 2026 - The Rotary Police Officer Award

Trina Phillips

Trina is a full time mortgage broker with her own business.  She joined Rotary in January 2010 and is presently Joint President for the Rotary Club of Macquarie Park for this year with Dr Heather Knox. She has been a Rotary judge of the Rotary NSW Police Officer of the Year Awards since 2015 and is the Joint Chair of the event for the past 4 years. She also attends many local Rotary Police Awards event across Districts 9685 and 9675.

In November 2025 the event was attended by 450 people and raised over $430,000 that was donated to The Rotary Foundation and NSW Police Legacy.

All guests are welcome.

Trina  will talk about

• the state awards event,
• local Rotary Police Awards that feed into the State event,
•      her 2 day experience with the Police,
• how we can help support the event and
• how we can connect with our Local police command.

Guests are always welcome.

03 March 2026 - RYLA & Science Forum

Presentation by the attendees at the courses

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a transformational 7-day program facilitated by Rotary. It is open to young people with leadership potential.  North Sydney Sunrise sponsored Nathan Turner to RYLA 2005. He will talk about his experience.

The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program gives students that are about to start year 12 a broader understanding of study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

North Sydney Sunrise sponsored Assad Rizvi to NSYF 2005 in Brisbane.  He will talk about his experience.

Guests are always welcome.

17 February 2026 - Wyargine Aquatic Reserve

Duncan Adams

Duncan Adams is a dedicated advocate for aquatic conservation with three decades of global ocean swimming experience included swimming The English Channel in 2010 and the Gibraltar Straits in 2025. 

Duncan identified that despite the natural beauty of Balmoral Beach and Chinaman’s Beach, both areas face significant ecological challenges. Overfishing and the depletion of marine life have resulted in a marked decline in biodiversity, with many native species now absent.

Duncan will explain his vision is to establish an aquatic reserve encompassing Rocky Point Island at Balmoral, Edwards Beach, Wyargine Point, and Chinaman’s Beach, aiming to restore marine biodiversity to levels comparable with Cabbage Tree Bay at Manly’s Shelly Beach Precinct.

Duncan Adams spent 25 years as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and Investment Banker with Deutsche Bank and JBWere specialising in mergers and acquisitions.  Currently Duncan is a joint owner of Astra Apartments franchisor, a nationwide Corporate Accommodation specialist.

Guests are always welcome

Guests are always welcome.

10 February 2026 - Artificial Intelligence: From Science Fiction to Your Front Pocket

Nick Pape

Artificial Intelligence often feels like a futuristic "monster" or a sudden wave of confusing technology, but the truth is it has been quietly assisting us for over 40 years. In this interactive session, Nick Pape will demystify AI, moving beyond the media hype to demonstrate exactly how it works and why it is nothing to fear.

The presentation will move from theory to practice, featuring a live, real-time demonstration where we will plan a complex travel itinerary in seconds. Nick will also demonstrate how he applies this technology in practice, using drones to assess property damage without anyone climbing a ladder. Attendees will leave with a simple printed guide (the SOTAC method) to help them start using these tools immediately to save time in their daily lives.

This session aims to answer these questions

• Is AI a new phenomenon, or have I already been using it for decades?
• How can I use a simple computer program to plan a two-week fly/drive holiday to Italy... in seconds?
• What does AI look like in the physical world?
• How can I interact with these tools safely to make my life easier?

Nick Pape was formerly Head of E-commerce for Glasshouse Fragrances, and working in Performance Marketing for R.M. Williams. Nick Pape is pivoting from 15 years of digital marketing to the frontier of AI and robotics. He now combines his data expertise with drone technology to launch a new venture dedicated to solving practical problems through intelligent automation.

Guests are always welcome.

27 January 2026 - Climate Change & Our Role

Dr Ashak Nathwanid

Ashak’s presentation will cover:

• What is Climate Change?
• What are the fossil fuels causing Climate Change?
• What is our role in minimising the impact of Climate Change?
• What are renewable energies?
• What is Net Zero?
• What are the current rebates on solar panels and batteries?
• What does it mean when the government is talking about 'potentially free electricity' for three hours during daytime when there is excess solar energy in the grid?

Dr Ashak Nathwani AM is Adjunct Professor - School of Architecture, Design & Planning, University of Sydney.  He is the author of 'Defeating Mr CO2 - Energy Saving Guide to Achieving Net Zero Homes & Buildings'.  Also he is a- Paul Harris Fellow, and Past President (Rotary Club of St Leonards)

Guests are always welcome.

20 January 2026 - Captain Cook

Andrew Phippin

Come and hear about Captain James Cook, possibly the world’s greatest explorer.

This talk will look into

• his early life and Scottish connection,
• his merchant navy career
• his move to the Royal Navy.
• discuss who the influences were on his life and career
• each voyage to give you an understanding of just what a remarkable man he was
• the causes that lead to his untimely death in Hawaii

Andrew Phippen started his professional life as a mineral and engineering geologist but has spent over 30 years working for major Information Technology and Teleco companies, in sales and marketing. He consulted to Australian companies in the export of their unique technologies to telecommunications companies around the world. Andrew is happily retired now and is a volunteer guide at the Australian National Maritime Museum. He has been a volunteer crew member of the James Craig. 

Guests are always welcome.

13 January 2026 - Sydney to Hobart 2025

Lindsay May

Hear all about the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart from Lindsay on Tuesday 13 Jan 2026.

Min River was declared the Overall winner of the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, making her owner, Jiang Lin, the first woman to ever win the race and together with her co-skipper Alexis Loison they also became the first double handed crew to lay claim to the famous Tattersall Cup – a day of historic significance in the race.

Lindsay’s talk will include

• some of the video of the race
• the conditions, and
• a discussion of the protest

Guests are always welcome.

09 December 2025 - Walking Safely

Yoshi Okubo PhD

Walking Safely: Empowering Older Adults to Stay Active and Fall-Free

In this talk on falls prevention, Yoshi will explore practical strategies to help you stay safe and steady on your feet. He will focus on

• how to minimize trips and slips,
• key causes of falls, and
• how to improve your reactive balance - the ability to recover quickly if a slip or trip happens unexpectedly.

By working on balance and strength, you can improve your body's natural responses and increase your chances of preventing a fall.

He will also share tips on how to walk safely to reduce the risk of tripping, keeping you active and independent for longer.

Dr Yoshi Okubo completed his PhD (Sports Medicine) at the University of Tsukuba, Japan in 2015. He is a Senior Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia and a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at UNSW Sydney, School of Population Health. His research interest includes falls, balance/gait, exercise, perturbation training, augmented and virtual reality. Dr Okubo has developed an innovative Trip and Slip Walkway which is a breakthrough approach for elucidating the mechanisms of trip- and slip-induced falls, effective stepping strategies and motor skill learning fundamental to effective fall prevention in older adults.

Guests are always welcome.

25 November 2025 - Why it's worth studying the American Civil War

Peter Zacharatos

Peter Zacaratos is a lawyer who works in financial regulation at the Commonwealth Treasury. His true passion has always been history.  He has been a member of the “American Civil War Round Table of NSW” for 18 years.

Peter will explore

• why the American Civil War stands as a pivotal event in world history.
• its role in shaping American identity,
• its contribution to ending slavery,
• the remarkable innovations that emerged from the conflict.

He will also touch on why the war continues to capture global interest and remains a subject of enduring study.

Guests are always welcome.

18 November 2025 - Plan for Berry's Bay

Claudia Wright

The key topics talk will be an update on  

• The Berrys Bay foreshore parkland design
• An update on the Berrys Bay construction
• A Western Harbour Tunnel tunnelling progress update

The Speakers will be:

Meagan Schlecht – Project Manager – Berrys Bay – ACCIONA

Claudia Wright – Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Manager – Transport for NSW

Steven Andrew – Design and Technical Director Transport for NSW

Guests are always welcome.

04 November 2025 - Ageless Transformation

Jan Herdman

What: 

• Interactive and inspiring session with relatable and uplifting stories 
• Actionable health and mindset tips you can take away immediately
• An engaging, inspiring session that encourages people to see possibility rather than limitation. 

Why this could inspire you: 

• Proof that it’s never too lateto start fresh, chase a dream, or reinvent yourself. 
• Lessons in resilience, adaptability, and reinvention that align with Rotary’s values of service and leadership. 
• Practical strategies for living with health, strength, and vitality at every stage of life.

Jan is passionate about shattering the stereotypes of ageing. In her 60s, she stepped on stage and won bodybuilding competitions, became a finalist in the Mrs of Australia Pageant, and built a thriving online community of more than 90,000 people in just two years. . 

With humour, wisdom, and real-life stories, Jan challenges you to step into the life you truly want. No matter how many candles are on your cake.

Guests are always welcome.

28 October 2025 - Scam Awareness

Charles Fellner

Charles Fellner is a retired IT professional from Sydney. After seeing various friends being scammed, he wanted to do something to fight back. Rather than creating yet another website on the topic, he decided instead to conduct thorough research and then present at various clubs on the subject of scam awareness. He has since followed on from this with teaching Scam Awareness at WEA Sydney Adult Education.

In this presentation, his focus will be on the more common scams. He will explain

• what goes on behind these scams,
• the steps one should take to avoid being scammed,
• and what to do if you have been scammed.

Charles also has a strong interest in the psychology of scamming and believes this is a significant and often neglected part of the puzzle.

Guests are always welcome.

07 October 2025 - Modern Slavery

Ade Feben

Modern slavery still exists in homes, businesses, supply chains, and communities across Australia. It can take many forms: forced labour, domestic servitude, human trafficking, or forced marriage. And often, it hides in plain sight. 

Estimates vary, but the 2023 Global Slavery Index suggests that around 41,000 people were living in modern slavery in Australia in 2021, that's approximately 1.6 people for every 1,000. The Australian Government identifies around 1,500 victims, but research from the Australian Institute of Criminology suggests only one in five victims are never detected.

The Freedom Hub is a social enterprise dedicated to ending modern slavery and supporting survivors to rebuild their lives. Based in Sydney, it runs a Survivor School that provides tailored education, mentoring, and employment pathways for people who have experienced trafficking, slavery, or exploitation in Australia.

Through its ethical café, event venue, and corporate training programs, it raises awareness about modern slavery in Australia and globally, while generating sustainable income to fund survivor support.

Their mission is twofold: to

• restore dignity, hope, and independence for survivors, and
• to unite businesses and communities in building a slavery-free future.

Ade Feben (National Charity Manager) is an experienced leader with a background in emergency services, operations management, safety, and community impact. Having served diverse communities across Australia, he now leads growth and fundraising initiatives with The Freedom Hub, supporting survivors of modern slavery.  

Guests are always welcome.

30 September 2025 - Transitional Housing

Ian Thomson 

Our member Ian will talk about the housing crisis being experienced in Sydney and its nature, then turn to how transitional community housing with partners is working to offer women secure safe and stable transitional housing so they can wait for social housing or re-establish themselves.

Ian Thomson, Chair of Transitional Community Housing, a charity developed in the Hills and Northern Sydney which is providing rental support so older women and women who have experienced DV facing homelessness and their children can secure and stable home.

Guests are always welcome.

23 September 2025 - Fastnet Race

Lindsay May

The man who holds the record for sailing the most consecutive Sydney-Hobart races will describe his experiences in the 2025 Fastnet Yacht Race.

The meeting will be held at Piato Restaurant 123 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point at 7:00 am for 7:15 a.m. start. We finish promptly at 8:30 a.m.  At about 7:30 a.m., Lindsay will talk for about 30 minutes, followed by questions and breakfast is served during the talk.

Guests are always welcome.

9 September 2025 - North Sydney Community Centre

Sarah Cunningham

North Sydney Community Centre is a dynamic, responsive and independent not-for-profit community organisation. Its programs and services foster social connection and wellbeing. Its independence enables it to offer integral, varied and inclusive services to the local and wider community. By listening to community needs and interests, it acts responsively through its programming.

Its vision is to Connect, Care, Collaborate and Create.

Sarah will review the activities offered at the centre including:

• Classes and workshops
• Northside Produce Market
• The Bag Depot 
• Free Bicycle Check In & Tune Up
• Kids programs
• Venue Hire

Sarah has a mixed background both in corporate Australia and USA tech companies, as well as most recently in the not-for-profit sector, most recently as Head of Business at Jigsaw Australia; a social enterprise supporting employment pathway development for people with disability. She has led multidisciplinary teams across multiple states, built strategic partnerships, and worked to grow impactful, sustainable programs. She is passionate about inclusive community spaces and brings experience in operational leadership, stakeholder engagement, and governance.

Guests are always welcome.

2 September 2025 - Hearing Loss

Oskars Stubis

Oskars "Hearing Loss" presentation will explore

• the different types of hearing loss
• how to manage these, and
• the practical information around how to navigate the decision-making process of choosing and trialling hearing aids. 

Oskars has practiced audiology since 2012 and has worked as a clinical audiologist and clinical educator at MQ Health Speech and Hearing Clinic, Macquarie University, since 2016. The role involves seeing both adult and paediatric clients for hearing assessments and hearing rehabilitation, including the fitting of hearing aids and other devices. One of Oskars' areas of interest is the assessment of "auditory processing" - a specific set of auditory functions that underpin the way the brain interprets and makes sense of sounds. As a clinical educator, Oskars is regularly accompanied by audiology masters students undertaking clinical placements as part of their studies. 

Guests are always welcome.

26 August 2025 - Nusa Tenggara Association

Phil Domaschenz

For decades now, NTA has channelled development support, expertise and assistance to poor farming families and especially their children in Flores and West Timor, Indonesia. Activities include Water, Sanitation and Health, Capacity Building, Education and improved livelihoods and food security.

NTA meets Australian expectations for governance including financial control and protection of vulnerable people. Its strong volunteer support base means that the vast majority of is funding goes direct to activities in Indonesia.

Phil will provide an update including the following:

• Recap on NTA’s mission and purpose,
• An overview of proposed NTA activities in the coming year
• A report on the success of the School Festival supported by RCNSS

Phil Domaschenz has been the Executive Officer of NTA for 11 years. His experience includes Manager for Ashmore Reef Nature Reserve, and Program Management Specialist for an Indonesian national coral reef program. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his work on Rotary funded projects in Indonesia.

Guests are always welcome.

19 August 2025 - Western Sydney Airport

Catherine Payne

Australia’s newest airport is also its most seamless and stress-free. We’re committed to making every trip a smooth one – with a terminal design that makes the passenger experience faster, easier and more reliable. And a world-class digital capability that helps airlines deliver flights on-time and above expectation.

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) will be the gateway of choice to Australia and the world – connecting people, places, and opportunity. Opening in late 2026, WSI will cater for up to 10 million passengers a year and eventually grow to become Australia’s primary gateway with capacity to handle 82 million annual passengers. 

As Sydney’s new 24-hour domestic, international and cargo airport, WSI will finally put Australia’s global city on a level playing field with other major cities around Australia and the world.    

Catherine Payne (General Manager Corporate Affairs - Western Sydney International Airport) is responsible for leading the strategic communication and engagement with media and other stakeholders to enable Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird-Walton) Airport (WSI) to deliver on its purpose of generating social and economic prosperity for the region by delivering a thriving airport precinct in Western Sydney.

Catherine joined WSI in January 2023 enthusiastic about contributing to such a large and legacy project. She has worked at senior levels in both federal and state government, global telecommunications, water, energy, oil, agriculture and the environment. Australia’s new airport is built for the future, and when it opens in late 2026 it will be a global gateway that connects the world to Western Sydney.

Guests are always welcome.

12 Aug 2025 -Aging and Health

Hamish McConnell

We lose 3-8% of our muscle mass per year over 30, yet less than 5% of adults over 50 participate in strength training. The benefits of strength training extend to increased bone density, improved balance and protect us from many chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline.

Senior Exercise Scientist, Hamish McConnell, will explore:

• What you need to know about the impact of ageing on our health
• How you can benefit from strength training
• How to start your strength training journey and be guided safely

Hamish started working with Kieser in 2017 after prior careers in Personal Training, Sports Coaching and Hospitality. Hamish has worked across several Kieser clinics in Victoria and NSW with roles including Principal Exercise Scientist, Clinic Leader and now Regional Leader.  He has a passion for strength training and the science that leads to great outcomes no matter what your experience level. Hamish most enjoys training clients who have never strength trained before and those looking to take their training intensity beyond their current limits. In his spare time, he enjoys food, surfing and working on his classic Ford.

Guests are always welcome.

29 July 2025 - KYDS

Helen Jarvis

KYDS is a community-based non-profit that has provided free, accessible mental health support to countless young people and their families since 2005. They ensure young people aged 10-18 can reach out for support without the need for a Medicare card, GP referral or mental health plan, delivering about 10000 counselling sessions annually.

This unique service helps youth and families facing multicultural barriers, stigma, lack of parental support, transportation challenges and financial constraints to access counselling support. KYDS also increasingly works with the ‘forgotten middle’ – young people who have been referred from other services due to the complexity of their need for support, but do not require the level of care provided by organisations likethe Child and Youth Mental Health Service.

KYDS collaborates with other local youth mental health services and community organisations such as Lifeline, Headspace, StreetWork and Mission Australia to ensure young people receive the best possible care. With a focus on strengthening the quality of the therapeutic relationship, KYDS draws on real time feedback from young people to improve services, and capture comprehensive data and outcome measures, which show the effectiveness of this vital work.

Helen Jarvis - joined the KYDS Management Committee in 2017 as Chair of the Clinical Sub-Committee and served as the KYDS Chair from 2020 to 2024.  She has overseen a period of rapid growth for KYDS and is motivated by a desire to make it as easy as possible for young people to connect with effective mental health support.   

Helen will share information about the history of KDS and the work KYDS is doing to support young people.

Guests are always welcome.

22 July 2025 - Vision for 'Australia - KA5'

Peter Stephinson

Originally ‘Australia’ was owned and commissioned by Alan Bond for his 1977 and 1980 America 's Cup challenges. She was helmed by Noel Robins (1977) and Sir James Gilbert Hardy (1980).  'Australia' is the only yacht throughout the history of the America's Cup to have challenged on two occasions.

'Australia' travels over the last 50 years have been long, far and varied. Her most recent journey was from Pittwater to Sydney Harbour where she is now moored west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Lavender Bay.

'Australia' has been gifted to Peter Stephinson by Philip Williamson, a citrus farmer from Barham NSW.  Philip owned the yacht for more than 20 years. Peter Stephinson has a vision to repurpose the classic 12 Metre yacht to contribute to the health and well-being of Australia’s military veterans. The plan is to establish a Charitable Trust (having DGR - Deductible Gift Recipient status), where any funds raised through chartering, advertising, and donations will go towards maintaining the yacht and restoring it to its original glory.

The principal charitable objective is to support the health and wellbeing of military veterans and others who have contributed to our community. In the future, he also hopes to provide sailing experiences to disadvantaged and marginalised youth, broadening their social and educational opportunities.

Peter is looking for expertise, skills, and connections in areas such as legal, financial, marketing, promotion, internet, and social media. This will ensure that the legacy of this sailing icon continues to benefit the broader community.

 Guests are always welcome.

15 July 2025 - RYPEN   

Speaker - Imogen Kee

RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) is a program for young people aged 14-17, designed to build confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills through various activities.  Teenagers today benefit greatly from opportunities to develop "life skills" and motivation to help them cope with the challenges of a very competitive future.

North Sydney Sunrise Rotary Club nominated Imogen Kee to participate in RYPEN 2025. Imogen will tell us about her experiences at RYPEN

 Guests are always welcome.

08 July 2025 - ROMAC      

Speaker -  Anita Robinson

ROMAC facilitates medical aid for children in Oceania in the form of life saving and/or dignity restoring surgery, not accessible to them in their home countries.
ROMAC is a project of Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand. Anita will discuss the work of ROMAC and the need for funding

Guests are always welcome.

17 June 2025 - How to improve your mental Health      

Speaker -  Suraj Samtani

Dr Suraj Samtani is a researcher at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney. He researches how social interactions keep our minds and bodies healthy. Dr Samtani will share the latest insights from his studies which include over 30,000 people from around the world. What types and frequency of social interactions do you need to stay mentally healthy, prevent dementia, and live longer? Come along and hear practical information you can start using to lead a happier and healthier life. 

Guests are always welcome.

10 June 2025 - Woodside Project Update      

Speaker -  Patricia Veale

Patricia will provide an update on the funding for Solar power at Woodside which our club supports

Guests are always welcome.

03 June 2025 - Voluntary Assisted Dying   

Speaker -  Penny Hackett

Dying with Dignity NSW is an advocacy organisation committed to supporting voluntary assisted dying laws and other end-of-life choices for residents in NSW.

For nearly 50 years we pursued a change in the law to allow competent adults experiencing intolerable suffering, from a terminal or incurable illness, to receive medical assistance to end their life peacefully, at the time of their choosing. In May 2022 we achieved our primary goal when NSW Parliament passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022. That law took effect on 28 November 2023.

 Guests are always welcome.

27 May 2025 - Ukraine Update      

Speaker -  Jerry Duma

Is there a road to peace in Ukraine?

Join us to hear a briefing by Jaroslav Duma OAM (the Emeritus Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney).

Hear about the war - 3 years on from the full invasion by Russia.

What are the chances for peace?

You will hear about

• what is happening in the war - beyond what is in the media.
• the support provided by the Australian and NSW governments, Rotary, the Australian people, and other groups around the world.
• the Ukrainian displaced people in Australia and how they are being helped.

Jaroslav Duma OAM was the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney, and an active member of the Australian Ukrainian community. In the Honorary Consul role, he represented Ukraine at official consular functions. He also provided support to Ukrainian citizens when required.

Guests are always welcome.

20 May 2025 - HMAS Waterhen      

Speaker -  Commander Lucy Frauenfelder

HMAS Waterhen was commissioned in December 1962. It is located in Waverton on Sydney's lower north shore, within Sydney Harbour. 

Waterhen is Navy's lead establishment for mine warfare. The base is occupied by many professional sailors and home to some of the most advanced mine countermeasure equipment and technology.

Commander Lucy Frauenfelder assumed command of HMAS Waterhen in 2025. She will talk about leading people in a changing world

Guests are always welcome.

13 May 2025 - Power of Perserverance      

Speaker -  Paul Upham

Paul Upham will provide insight into the life and achievements of Sir Mahesh Patel.  This talk follows the life of Sir Mahesh Patel through his business triumphs, philanthropic endeavours and personal struggles, and gives a peek into the mind of this extraordinary entrepreneur, who truly embodies the spirit of perseverance.

• From building multimillion-dollar companies (like the CPL Group)
• To receiving honours from both Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III
• to helping improve the lives of women, children and communities through his CPL Foundation in Papua New Guinea,
• Sir Mahesh Patel’s life is a testament to his strategic and visionary thinking.
• His deep sense of social concern as well as his inspiring style of business leadership find root in his humble beginnings in the Pacific island of Fiji, where he was born into a hard-working family of Gujarati immigrants.
• His personal and professional achievements have, however, been tempered by times of hardship and some regrets.

Paul Upham has been a journalist with print, radio, television and online media for twenty-five years. He has written for The Australian newspaper and the prestigious magazine, The Ring. He has also regularly appeared as a television studio commentor for Fox Sports, ABC News and SBS News in Australia.

Guests are always welcome.

06 May 2025 - Faroe Islands     

Speaker -  Alfonso Calero

The Faroe Islands are a remote archipelago located halfway between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean. The islands are volcanic in origin, with steep cliffs, deep fjords, and rugged landscapes. The climate is mild and temperate, with frequent rain and strong winds.

The capital and largest city is Tórshavn, which is home to around 13,000 people. The total population of the Faroe Islands is approximately 50,000.

Using his photos and personal experiences Alfonso will provide a unique insight into these islands  

Alfonso is a multi award winning travel photographer based in Sydney. He was born and raised in the Philippines of Spanish descent but moved to Australia at 15 years of age. He has been a Japanese and Spanish speaking tour-guide, and a Professional Photographer for the last 30 years.  He specialises in People and Places as a travel photographer. This has given him the experience and versatility to shoot in different genres such as Landscape, Astrophotography, Street Portraits, Nature, Wildlife and Architecture."

Guests are always welcome.

22 April 2025 - Rotary Regionalisation 

Speaker - Jade Catherall 

Come and hear 

• an overview of the Rotary Regionalization Pilot
• the different aspects of what is happening with the Regional Council,
• what and who Rotary Specialists,
• what is our Rotary Community Group. 
• What are other clubs doing that is different? 
• What can she do for us?

JADE CATHERALL, has been a Rotarian for 22 years, and over this time has been a member of several Clubs and President 4 times. Prior to joining Rotary, she was a Rotaractor for 6 years. She is currently President of Ryde RC, District Public Image Chair. Over the last 12 years she has held numerous District roles

Guests are always welcome.

15 April 2025 - Cyber Security & AI

Speaker - Nasim Islam 

Nasim will talk about

• targeted cyber scam and fraud leveraging artificial intelligence
• what to do to be protected from these emerging threats.

Nasim Islam is a cyber security professional with many years of cyber and threat protection experience. He specializes in translating complex technical threats into actionable insights. His expertise includes developing strategic cyber security roadmaps and enhancing threat detection capabilities. 

As a security evangelist, Nasim fosters a culture of security consciousness through targeted awareness training, successfully reducing organizational risk across his tenure in both the USA and Australia.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ He currently works for Audinate an Australian Software, hardware and networked Audio and video distribution company.

 Guests are always welcome

8 April 2025 -  Tasmania   

Speaker -  Richard Vahtrick

Richard will focus on

• what makes Tasmania different,
• why it has so much appeal to so many tourists,
• who are some of the people who have made such a difference in creating the Tasmania we all know today.
• Using the Huon Valley as an example he will also talk about factors which influence how rural communities can change over time.

Richard Vahtrick spent almost 35 years with IBM in a range of roles across many areas of IBM, living and working in every continent except Africa and Antarctica.  Since leaving IBM, he has had senior executive roles at Perpetual Limited and Telstra Corporation and has also run his own consulting business. He met my wife Julie at IBM and they have 3 wonderful children and 3 amazing grandchildren. 

 Guests are always welcome.

25 March  2025 -  The Fathering Project   

Speaker -  Josh Wiggins 

This presentation will provide an overview of the Non for Profit that is “The Fathering Project”. Josh will talk about

• the goals and missions,
• the multiple areas they operate within to achieve those goals,
• the current outcomes that they have seen
• their plan of action moving forward and the challenges they are facing
• his role and the current groups that he is working with across NSW, QLD and the Territories.

Josh Wiggins is a former Australian soldier who has been in the health, fitness and mental wellbeing space for over thirteen years, working with high school students, sporting teams and corporations to promote a healthy way of thinking and being.  has since stepped into the Community Dads Group Manager role with “The Fathering Project”, supporting Dads in NSW, QLD, The ACT and the NT.

In this role his goal is to spread the mission of The Fathering Project around the community, create more Dads Groups, partner with more schools and really change children's lives for the better.

 Guests are always welcome.

11 March 2025 - Looming Energy Crisis    

Speaker -  Alan Lawrensen

Alan Lawrenson, after tertiary studies, spent almost his entire working life in the commercial side of the science industry, marketing scientific and medical equipment and running the peak industry association for laboratory technology in Australia. He also served on a number of Australian Government-initiated reviews and committees.

 Guests are always welcome.

04 March 2025 - Demographics of the North Sydney Community   

Speaker -  Eric Poulos

• North Sydney is going through substantial changes – population growth, residential and commercial development, new Metro and transport corridors!
• How are changes affecting the character of the area?
• Do you know what is happening with people, housing, facilities and what strategies are in place to address these challenge?

Come & hear Eric Poulos discuss what is going on in the demographics of the North Sydney Community. Eric is North Sydney Council’s Community Worker - Social Planner and he’ll take you through the latest data. He’s worked in North Sydney for 9 years and has a wealth of experience in managing projects in the social and welfare field. He is strategic and creative, with particular interests in social planning, cultural diversity, community development, capacity building and community engagement.

 Guests are always welcome.

25 February  2025 - Domestic Violence   

Speaker -  Mandy Ellis 

Dr Mandy Ellis is passionate about helping children, adolescents, families and couples cultivate healthy psychological growth and improve relationships post separation.

Mandy has a Doctorate in Educational and Developmental Psychology, a Masters in School Psychology, and a BSc in Psychology and also has extensive experience working with the Family Court of Australia as a Child Expert. Mandy currently works as a psychologist on the Northern Beaches assisting children, adolescents and families, providing family therapy and running child educational and group programs such as Circle of Security, Tuning Into Kids, Tuning Into Teens, Parenting Coordination and Positive Behaviour Strategies.

 Guests are always welcome.

04 February  2025 - RYLA experiences    

Speaker -  Mingyuan ZHANG (Micardo)

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) Is a transformational 7-day program facilitated by Rotary.  It is open to young people with leadership potential.   RYLA 2025  was held at Knox Grammar School from 12th-18th January 2025.

North Sydney Sunrise Rotary Club nominated Micardo to participate in RYLA 2025. Micardo will tell us about his life & experiences at RYLA:

• His background including
  • where grew up in China
  • his life at high school and day to day life in Singapore
  • his time at University of NSW
• the content of the program
• the key experiences during the week
• the people that he met.
• How he will use his new skills in the future

 Guests are always welcome.

28 January 2025 - Chinese New Year Dinner    

Location  -  Fortuna Court

 We are delighted to have as our special guest, Patrick Mayoh, the CEO of Australia China Business Council (NSW).  Patrick will speak about Australia’s economic and trade relationship with China and its challenges and opportunities.

Patrick is a former Australian diplomat with extensive experience working in China.  He served in the Australian foreign service for a decade, across the North Asia Division and Free Trade Division.  He was posted to the Australian embassy in Beijing and Tel Aviv.

21 January 2025 - How & When to use Bonds    

Speaker -  Harrison Moore 

In this age of uncertainty across the global economy, it is challenging for retirees to derive sensible investment opportunities that take the hassle out of investing when retired. Fixed income or “bonds” are an integral asset class for any retiree portfolio. Many people do not know how bonds work or how they fit into an investment portfolio.

This presentation will introduce

• fixed income or “bonds”
• provide an insight into the current bond market,
• explore the benefits of holding bonds in an SMSF or investment portfolio,
• outline the key differences between stocks and bonds,
• and explain how retirees can access bonds that protect capital and provide a reliable income stream in retirement.

Harrison Moore is a financial market professional with over five years experience.  He completed a Commerce degree in May 2022 and immediately commenced working in the FX and Global Markets trading division at Macquarie Bank. Since leaving Macquarie, he took up an interest in fixed income at BGC Fixed Income Solutions (FIS). He has been working at FIS for just under two years and has helped preserve his client's capital and deliver reliable income.

Guests are always welcome.

14 January 2025 - Sydney to Hobart review   

Speaker -  Lindsay May

Hear all about the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart from Lindsay .

Although Lindsay was unable to sail to Hobart this year, he will present a review of Hobart 2024 from his shore side aspect

His talk will include

• some of the video of the race
• the conditions, and
• a discussion of how “Love & War” planned and sailed the race (winning Division 4)

 Guests are always welcome.