Events

Mark has worked with not-for-profits and universities for over 25 years. Currently, he is a consultant and lends his expertise as a member of RMIT’s Human Research Ethics Committee.

His love of the Himalayan region began in 1997 when he spent six months travelling through Northern India and Nepal. Since then, he has returned numerous times to travel and trek in the remote mountain regions of India, Tibet and Nepal.

These experiences motivated Mark to devote 10 years to helping Nepali children. He founded the Logged On Foundation Ltd, which provided computer centres and education programs to rural schools. The Foundation has helped thousands of children in 30 villages in eight Districts of Nepal, including several women’s cooperatives.

He completed a documentary about the 2015 Nepal earthquake, its impact on rural communities, and their struggles to provide quality education for their children. The film won a film award and was screened at the ACMI and at UK, US, and Nepalese film festivals. Mark also created pathways for volunteers to spend time in Nepal.

M.C. Katrina Flinn

Photo Credit: Volker Meyer via Pexels

Discover more about this wonderful luncheon featuring the inspiring speaker, Craig Tiley, Australian Open,Tennis Australia CEOplease visit the link below.

Lift The Lid Luncheon

Fun Day

M.C: President Dorothy Gilmour 

CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

AED automated external defibrillator.

M.C.: President Dorothy Gilmour

Julie Armstrong is the Victorian Manager of Hope In A Suitcase.

'Hope in a Suitcase Australia is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers who are incredibly passionate about showing every child who enters the foster care system that they are loved and valued by their community.

We aim to do this by giving them a suitcase of their very own to ensure they have a safe and secure place in which to pack their belongings and take with them wherever their journey may lead.

The suitcases are filled with essential items such as toiletries,underwear, a set of pyjamas and a change of clothing. They also include something to cuddle for the younger children, a toy, a book to read, a journal or colouring-in books and pencils to encourage creativity and provide a distraction away from their turmoil.

In 2021 we provided 3024 suitcases, in 2022; 3817, in 2023; 5013, to worthy children in Australia. Sadly the demand is increasing every year but we will continue to endeavour to provide EVERY child who enters out-of-home care, a suitcase of HOPE of their very own'.

M.C.: Susan-Gaye Anderson

Photo Credit: Hope in a Suitcase

'Getrude Matshe is an international speaker, celebrated author, and philanthropy consultant renowned for her dynamic energy and inspirational presence. A three-time TEDx speaker and Rooney International Scholar, Getrude is also the president of the South West USA e-club Rotary. With a vibrant passion for empowering individuals to achieve their full potential, she has founded numerous successful companies and authored several books, now serving as a book writing coach.

Her professional journey began in Norway in 1989, and she has an extensive background in IT as a systems analyst, support manager, and project manager. After immigrating to New Zealand in 2001, she established eight successful businesses across various industries, including diversity and inclusion, talent agency, medical recruitment, and property investment.

Getrude is also deeply involved in philanthropy, supporting organizations like the Africa Alive Education Foundation and Walk on the Wild Side Tours, which aid HIV orphans in Zimbabwe. She has been featured on numerous platforms, including CNN iReport and the Huffington Post, and has spoken at significant events like the UN Annual Summit on the Status of Women.

M.C.: Anne Scott

Photo Credit: supplied by Gertrude Matshe

Professor Hoy is a leading clinical researcher and has been awarded three sequential NHMRC Fellowships; an NHMRC excellence award (Top Ranked CDF); and a 2017 Victorian Telstra Business Women’s Award.

Her vision is to transform the existing therapeutic landscape for cognitive disorders by developing, for the first time, truly effective therapies.

Over the last 15 years, Professor Hoy has built an internationally unique program of clinical research investigating non-invasive brain stimulation for the treatment of cognitive impairment.

Her research has investigated novel therapeutic targets for cognitive impairment in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, Huntington’s disease, head injury, and schizophrenia.

Building on this work, she has led a number of world-first brain stimulation clinical trials, including trials for the treatment and prevention of dementia.

Prof Hoy’s depth and breadth of experience in the field of non-invasive brain stimulation is largely unparalleled, having worked with a variety of stimulation methods, diverse patient populations, and a wide range of research methodologies.

Professor Hoy’s reputation as a leading clinical brain stimulation researcher is internationally recognised.

Photo: provided by Bionics Institute 

M.C. Tilak Dissanayake

Frederick Charles Standish was the Chief Commissioner of Police in Victoria from 1858 to 1880.  Why did he come to the colony of Victoria in 1852? What did he do in his early years in Victoria? What were his major interests?  His story tells us much about life during the gold rush period and in the era of Marvellous Melbourne.  And what was his fate? How is he remembered today?

M.C.:  Noel Halford

cambodia?

More to come