Events

Dive deep into the goals for the coming year, focusing on creating an irresistible membership experience through understanding our 'ikigai', healing divides within our communities and clubs, and embracing youth as the "Now."

Learn about fostering trust in leadership, promoting mentorship, and playing the long game with strategic succession planning. Discover how sharing unique skills and vocations can create a sense of belonging and empowerment, ensuring a transformative and impactful year for Rotary.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of the magic!

M.C. President Dorothy Gilmour

Photo:  provided: Rotary District 9800

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

Described as one of Australia’s entertainment legends, Pete Smith OAM first joined the ABC after graduating from Wesley College. He worked his way to announcer on Radio Australia.

For more than 21 years, Pete's voice was well-known on the quiz show Sale of the Century.

Pete joined Channel 9, the home of In Melbourne Tonight, in 1964. He served as compere, presented advertising, and made appearances in comedic sketches. He has also served as a National Nine newsreader and was on-camera host for many programs.

He’s appeared on so many programs, and worked with many of Australia's top entertainers.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he appeared in many of the D-Generation  projects. He had a supporting role in Tony Martin's Bad Eggs and a minor part in Mick Molloy's Crackerjack. In addition, he appeared as a guest on the current affairs parody Frontline and did cabaret alongside Judith Lucy, Mick Molloy, and Tony Martin.

Pete Smith is a man of many talents.

M.C. TBA

Photo: Pixabay via Pexels
Bio Information: Various Sources

My subject is one of Rotary’s core value and that is the important topic of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.  These will be international projects in Zambia & Zimbabwe, Africa.

Join us as we uncover the extraordinary true story of a Rotary Hawthorn member, who endured time in a Turkish jail. This gripping tale is filled with twists, resilience, and revelations that will leave you speechless.

Plus....there's so much more 

Come and listen to this amazing firsthand account—a journey of survival, hope, and the unexpected. You won’t want to miss it!

M.C. Ian Bentley

Photo: Vojtech Okenka via Pixels

Katrina will be speaking on her recent experience leading a World of Difference social impact tour of Cambodia with a group of young adult legatees from Victoria Police Legacy.

Photo:  Vincent Gerbouin, via Pexels

Evie Flynn, our Exchange Student to France:  Doug McLean will conduct a 'Q and A' session with Evie. 
She will share a short update on her amazing journey as an exchange student in France—diving into the culture, school life, exciting travels, and, of course, the delicious food!  So don’t miss the chance to hear her stories firsthand!

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Dr Gula Bezhan, CEOP of the Afghan's Women's Organisation will then share insights into the challenges faced by women in Afghanistan and the work we are doing here in Australia.

'President Dorothy Gilmour writes:  Mark, Angela and I met with the CEO of Afghan Women's Organisation Gula Bezhan OAM, and members.  Dr Gula Bezhan spoke so well and has many stories to share about women's appalling living conditions in Afghanistan and her work here in Australia'.

'Gulghotai (Gula) Bezhan has been working to empower the Afghan community and more specifically Afghan women and children for more than 20 years through her work in community services and international aid. Gula has become one of the leading community workers in Victoria for her committed work in piloting and running projects, programs and workshops for newly arrived women and families, such as the provision of Victorian drivers’ licenses, Australian citizenships, legal and government support. Gula has been working as a refugee settlement support case manager for more than 14 years, where she provides culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities with support and guidance in their assimilation and transition into Australian society'.

Please see more here 

M.C. Angela Taft

Photo: Chris Montgomery via Unsplash

Rochna Banerjee, C.O.O. COTA (Council of the Ageing)
Special Guest – Mayor of Boroondara, Sophie Torney

The Rotary Hawthorn Service to Seniors Award is a heartfelt tribute, created by the Rotary Club of Hawthorn to recognize extraordinary individuals who dedicate their time and energy to enriching the lives of seniors in the Boroondara community. This special award honors those who embody Rotary’s spirit of “Service Above Self,” making a real and lasting difference through their kindness, generosity, and commitment to supporting our older community members.

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Speaker, Rochna Banjeree, is the Chief Operating Officer at COTA. She is an experienced commercially astute executive with over 20 years of experience leading teams in non-profit and for-profit organisations. She continues to serve on various NFP Boards. 

M.C. President Dorothy Gilmour

Photo: COTA (Vic)