Dr Amanda Scardamaglia is the Department Chair of the Swinburne Law School. Amanda’s area of research is intellectual property law with a special focus on empirical and historical studies in trade mark law, branding, advertising and the consumer.  As guest speaker she gave us a preview of her second book, Charles Troedel: From Stone to Print, which will be published by Melbourne Books in 2019, in collaboration with the State Library of Victoria.

One notes that Charles Troedel a German-born lithographic printer prominent in Melbourne in the late 19th century bears the same surname of HRC member Bill hence the presence of many “Troedels” and friends of at the meeting.  Charles was apprenticed to his father at the age 13 and at the age of 24, emigrated to Melbourne in 1860 and was the founder of a printing firm which ultimately evolved to that modern unit with which Bill was involved.

Amanda’s address quickly demonstrated the brilliant and complex artistic aspects of the early lithographic and printing business.  To most in the audience it seemed so on viewing early colored posters and obvious acknowledgement that the firm at various times had employees with names such as “Streeton” and “Roberts”.   Amanda described the processes involved as shown in the linked video  https://www.slv.vic.gov.au/asset/video/2039

 Equally interesting was Amanda’s demonstration of how these posters gave an historical picture of society at the time.   Focused on advertising some product related to say leisure, fashion, medicine and food for example one saw how times have changed and yet also human behavior has not---many ads were plagiarizing and asserting/implying false facts.

Hawthorn Rotary’s connection with Reclink Australia comes from its support of the Salvo Hawks football team.     Recent guest speaker David O’Halloran is the current CEO of Reclink having spent many years with that group He has a long list of other worthwhile community activities including efforts in co-founding the “Choir of Hard Knocks” and Salvo-Hawks, two such entities now in the Reclink stable. 

Reclink is an Australia wide volunteer organization which aims to help “disadvantaged people” (not necessarily disabled) to regain a meaningful place in society.   Hence those who it helps are typically in need of or seeking rehabilitation from drug abuse. alcoholism, past criminal or stressed circumstances.   Such individuals are perceived to be in need of a purpose and/or have a sense of belonging.   It provides this with numerous arts and sporting programs in which the disadvantaged can participate (for free).   The individuals gain from regular commitment to these pursuits.

The Reclink group which has evolved and grown to an annual budget of near $7 Million (it enjoys significant State and Federal government support).    It has 110 staff and had 105,000 participants last year.

Essentially an umbrella organization. it ties together other volunteer and community groups (as Rotary) with its structure to contribute to the overall cause.   HRC’s direct part funding and participation (on the sidelines!) with the Salvo Hawks players each football match is a classic example of the Reclink approach.   

David’s address on Reclink was inspiring.   Adding flesh to the presentation we had his colleagues Peter and Tehan (the latter is the captain coach of the Salvo-Hawks) giving accounts of their story, and of course most of all displaying that football sweater.   One got the feeling that there will several more HRC observers at the next Salvo Hawks match.