Events

Dr Tucker is urrently a Fellow at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mt. Stromlo Observatory at the Australian National University.

'I have my hand in a variety of things, but the majority of my work involves Exploding stars called Supernova and Cosmology, the study of the Universe. A certain type of supernova, called a type Ia, can be used as a standard candle that can trace our Universe's history.

For this work, I am involved with a number of supernova surveys. I have been working on the ESSENCE Project, The CfA Supernova Search, The Carnegie Supernova Project and also using Mt. Stromlo's new SkyMapper telescope. I am one of the leads of the Kepler Extra-Galactic Survey, KEGS, a Kepler Space Telescope Key Program, to understand why and how stars blow. I am leeading a project to build a network of ultraviolet telescopes in the upper atmosphere which are being built at Mt. Stromlo.

I originally hail from Sacramento, California, USA. I did my undergraduate studies in Physics, Philosophy, and Theology at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, and my PhD at Mt. Stromlo Observatory, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. In addition research, I frequently give talks to school groups and the general public about Astronomy and have regular segments on various radio stations talking about Astronomy news and events. Among other things, I have developed a series of Astronomy coins in conjunction with the Royal Australian Mint, consulted on science fiction movies, advised on Astronomy-themed art projects, and has been featured in specials on the National Geographic Channel'. 

M.C.  Noel Halford

Photo Credit:  anu.edu.au 

Gareth Andrews is a former Geelong and Richmond footballer who appears to have led a fortunate life.

He had a successful VFL/AFL playing career for 11 years, including a Premiership with Richmond in 1974. His life in the AFL has continued to this year-52 years-having been CEO for Richmond in the late 1970’s, ABC radio and television commentator for a decade, including a time hosting the National TV Show the Winners in 1986, journalist for The Age for another 10 years, Vice-President of the Geelong Cats alongside Frank Costa and Colin Carter for 15 years during which time the Club has become one of the success stories of Australian sport, both on and off the field, including 3 Premierships.

He is a joint-founder of the AFL Players Association. He is a Trustee of both the Cats and the AFLPA.

Beyond football, he has had a happy and fulfilling marriage and family life, run a series of successful businesses, travelled extensively around the world.

But like most men, there have been many challenges which have tested him. His marriage ended, he has almost gone broke, he has been depressed and suffered extreme anxiety.

He has searched for more. He is living proof of Thoreau’s famous quote that: 'most men lead lives of quiet desperation'.

Five years ago, he recognised that he wasn’t alone in the forest. His search has taken him to interesting places - counselling, meditation, medication, massive amounts of reading, desert retreats, ashrams, mountain tops, homeless kitchens and new affairs of the heart.

In 2012, Gareth established Life Again, a registered Not for Profit charity that educates and helps men to change and lead more fulfilling and purposeful lives. Through writing, public speaking, taking men to the Outback and working with Aboriginals, workshops and personally challenging men, he asks the powerful question, 'Have You Done Your Best Work Yet?' The answers will surprise. He is a story-teller at heart and is with us today to tell his story.

M.C.  TBA

Photo Credit:  Adam TYrafford / AFL Media

Rotary Hawthorn member, Phil Stewart's talk on the panel beating industry has been described as: 'wonderfully entertaining educational and enthralling. It's also a great story of a successful Richmond business'.

M.C.:  TBA

Photo Credit: cottonbro

Celebrating the iconic Melbourne Cup.

Dust off your top hats, bring out the fascinators, flowers, beads and feathers.

Bring out your biggest and fun fashion.

Melbourne Cup Day is Australia’s best known horse racing event. Since 1861 it has been held on the first Tuesday of November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. It is an annual public holiday in the state of Victoria. This event, popularly dubbed as “the race that stops the nation”, is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over, is said to be the richest ‘two-mile’ handicap in the world and is one of the richest turf races.  More than 100,000 people usually attend Flemington Racecourse, and the race is televised live to an audience of about 650 million people worldwide'.

Did you know? The 1875 winner, Wollomai, came from Phillip Island?, (which is located around 135 kilometres south-east of Melbourne and is better known for its penguin colonies). In earlier days, prior to a ferry service between Phillip Island and San Remo, animals were swum across to the Narrows.

It was thought that Wollomai had very little chance of winning, but jockey Bob Batty rode the horse to success, in a time of three minutes and thirty eight seconds, before a crowd of 70,000 people.

The owner, John Cleeland, returned to Cape Woolomai  with £22,000 pounds, having given the jockey and trainer £500 each.

Photo:  fauxels

M.C. Dorothy Gilmour