PP Anne Scott (1999-00) was a terrific, proactive President and during her year, Rotary Hawthorn’s International team successfully applied for a Matching Grant from Rotary International for a project in Zambia. This is still ongoing in our District.

This project ran over 2 years training 30 young orphans from the township of Mumbwa in skills in tailoring and raising chickens and basic business skills. 

The partners in this project were the Rotary Club of Lusaka Central and the Peoples’ Action Forum an NGO working in education and welfare in rural communities.

A second project was created in a 3H Literacy program in Turkey for illiterate Kurdish women refugees and children. This project had the potential of opening into parts of adjoining countries where illiteracy is commonplace. 

In 2000-01, Anne was the instigator of another International Project matching grants for projects in Lusaka Zambia.

Rotary Hawthorn was part of an international partnership with a district and club in Turkey and the district of Bangladesh. 

The project was designed to run over 4 years with the combined contribution of US$25,000 and Rotary Foundation 3H grant contribution of US $265,000.

Anne, at the Hobart District Conference 2015, was presented with Rotary's "Service Above Self" award. 

A summary of her involvement in club activities cannot hope to do justice to her overall commitment, imaginative can-do attitude, and achievements. 

Anne has served on most committees and served as President in 1999/2000.

(At lunch meeting with Robyn Sparks 2024)

At District, Anne has been a member of the Youth Exchange Committee and the RYLA Committee and has been Assistant Governor for the Burke Cluster. She introduced the "Shine On Awards" to Victoria.

Anne became actively involved in the "Life After Stroke" project as well as being the driving force behind combining Rotary and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to establish, with great effect, Guiding and Scouting for girls in Myanmar.

Anne was awarded an OAM in 1986 and named "The City of Boroondara Citizen of the Year" in 2005, both very well-deserved honours.

Anne at a meeting in 2025 with Guest Speaker Cameron Roberts and his mother.

Human trafficking remains one of the most confronting human rights crises of our time, and Nepal is among the countries deeply affected.

Every year, girls are lured, deceived, or forcibly taken by traffickers who prey on poverty, displacement, and vulnerability. These children are transported across borders into India and beyond, where they face exploitation and abuse.

Rotary Hawthorn is a proud supporter of a remarkable international initiative giving young survivors of human trafficking a pathway to safety, dignity, and independence.

ROTARY SAFE FAMILIES End of Year Report 2025

RSF Co-Chair Peter Berg is not well enough to continue co-chairing with me and is having to limit his work.  Min Bell has proven a great asset and I greatly appreciate her support.

It has been an extraordinary past 12 months.  Our team at Rotary SAFE Families is delighted to convey their achievements at this time of the 2025 end of year.

Two Global Mega Meetings with a following of 48 countries and wonderful Rotarians who support our campaign of prevention of family violence

Rotary Hawthorn’s Important Role in the Rejuvenation of Fritsch Holzer Park

Take a stroll around the gravel walking track, have a picnic, or join the many locals who walk their dogs through this popular native setting. Fritsch Holzer Park features Australian native plants and is a great spot for picnics and dog walking. 

The Fritsch Holzer Park was named after Augustus Fritsch and the Holzer brothers who formed the Upper Hawthorn Brick Company in 1883. Council bought the area in 1972 and used it as a landfill site until 1986, then as a temporary waste transfer station until 1989.

Council, together with the Victorian Government and the Rotary Club of Hawthorn, reconstructed the area into a park in 1995.