Events

In  Susie's talk she inspires and motivates aspiring writers, who would like to write their stories, whether they take the shape of fiction or memoir.  

Everyone has a special story to tell.

Susie inspires people to start on this literary adventure by sharing personal experiences, helpful tips, and a profound passion for the craft of writing. 

M.C. Terry Kitchen

Photo:  Nick Morrison via Unsplash

More details to come.

Jacqueline has completed a PhD at the University of Melbourne. Her greatest passion is improving children’s health and well-being.

M.C.:  Angela Taft

Photo Credit: Australian Rotary Health

Not to Be Misssed.

Come and hear from the very interesting and dynamic Rotary Hawthorn member, Noel McInnes.

There's lots to hear from Noel: (eg: business person, jazz enthusiast, organiser and volunteer, creating a positive impact on the community).

M.C. Dennis Shore

Marine Biomedical is a Western Australian biotech company dedicated to developing and manufacturing innovative and life-changing medical products sourced from the pristine waters of Western Australia, in particular the Kimberley coast.

We believe Australia’s marine environment offers a unique bounty of materials yet to be explored by medical science. Through a collaboration between leading orthopaedic researchers and marine biologists, guided by an ethos of sustainability, we aim to harness the full potential of our oceans to revolutionise the biomedical sector and benefit patients worldwide.

Patrick Moase  (B.A.S., Dip Mgmt., GAICD) Chief Executive Officer
With over 24 years marine biological experience as a scientific researcher, Patrick Moase has extensive knowledge of the Australian marine commercial sector and has advised on legislative direction and research programs.

Patrick has worked directly in the pearling and fishing industries for the past 30 years and sees the vision for medical device development of some of Australia’s greatest sustainably certified and ethically sourced marine resources.

Patrick is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds various Board positions, and is the current Chair of Broome’s St Mary’s College.

M.C,:  Noel Halford

Photo: Marine Biomedical

Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou, is the Founder and Chair of the Food for Thought: an inclusive Greek Australian Women’s Network.

She is a multi award winning educator who has left her imprint indelibly marked in many sectors. For the last 21 years, she has devoted her life to the promotion of women’s issues. Her latest achievement is the publication of an oral history book, 'Her Voice, Greek Women and Their Friends', about the personal and professional lives of 42 women living in Australia.

This  ground-breaking  collection of stories features relatable role models, whose strength and resilience will inspire anyone who reads it. It is aimed to be read by everyone, men and women. 

'Life for many of these women has not been easy; starting over in a new country, or born here to migrant parents, with heightened expectations, experiencing bullying, racism, sexism,  disengaged partners, domestic violence and mental health issues just to name a few. At points, some lost their way – and their voice. I was inspired to help them find it.'

The women featured in the book, from all walks of life, are academics, educators, entrepreneurs, writers, municipal counsellors, journalists, lawyers, scientists, politicians  and more. Selected with a diversity lens in mind, the women featured present an intersectionality of age, class, marital status, sexuality, faith, disability and race, representing different professional and business backgrounds. Everyone will know someone in the book and relate to many of the stories and  issues raised. It is a conversation starter.

M.C.:  Charlotte England

Photo Credit: Permission by Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou

Inaugural Award For Seniors

MC: Dorothy Gilmour

'Sophie Flynn is a lawyer with around 20 years of work, mainly in international humanitarian programming and policy.'

The presentation will focus on Rotary and UNICEF's strong partnership, against the backdrop of UNICEF's role within the United Nations and UNICEF's mandate and work around the world.

Further, the presentation will zoom in on the work of UNICEF Australia (where Sophie works as a Child Safeguarding Specialist), and spotlight Rotary and UNICEF Australia’s flagship 'Give Every Child a Future Program'. The Program, started in 2021 to mark the centenary of Rotary in Australasia, focuses on strengthening healthcare and saving lives of children and women in the Pacific'. 

(Sophie is also the mother of Rotary Exchange Student, Evie).

Photo: Musa Ajit via Pexels

'A rollicking account of a little-known event that changed the course of Australian history. 
How a motley crew of merchant seaman walked 600 miles to save 7000 gallons of rum.
'When, in 1796, Calcutta-based Scottish merchants Campbell & Clark dispatched an Indian ship hurriedly to the colony of New South Wales, they were hoping to make their fortune. But when the Sydney Cove went down north of Van Diemen's Land, the cargo master and 16 other crew members were compelled to walk 600 miles to Sydney Town. 

The rum? Find out by listening to Adam. 
Adam Courtenay is a Sydney-based writer and financial journalist. He has had a long career in the UK and Australia, writing for papers such as the Financial Times, the Sunday Times, the SMH/Age  and for magazines including Forbes and Company Director. Adam has a love of Australian history and biography and has written six books, including The Ship That Never Was, The Ghost and the Bounty Hunter and Three Sheets to the Wind. 

Adam is the son of Australia's best-loved storyteller, Bryce Courtenay.

M.C. David Rush

Photo:  via Harper Collins

M.C. David Rush 

Photo: Troy Mortier via Unsplash

In January of 2024, Mark participated in the Ride for Rotary motorcycle ride in India. It was the 8^th such event run by Rotary District 3181 and in total has generated US 150k for ARH.

46 participants (most on 350cc Royal Enfield motorcycles) from 14 different countries rode from Udaipur in the NW down to Goa in the SW. A fantastic experience with motorcycling, dodging of tuk tuks, warm rotary hosting, fellowship with other participants and some real cultural engagement.

Mark, current president of Glenferrie club, has ridden motorcycles since the age of 10 when he bought for $10 a scooter from a mate who had given up getting it going. Other motorcycling adventures included rides in the USA and Mongolia.

M.C.: Noel Halford

Photo Credit: Fazail Ahmad via Pexels

Member Behind The Badge talks are not to be missed!

This is your chance to hear from Peter England, his experiences, accomplishments and  insights.

M.C. Charlotte England

Neil Cole is a multi-award winning playwright and author has won the Aspire Award in 2017 from the Supreme Court of Victoria for his ground-breaking work on psychiatry in the theatre.

He’s also a former criminal lawyer, mental health advocate, former member of parliament and Alzheimer's researcher

M.C. Andrew Crockett

The Werribee Open Range Zoo, of over 200 hectares, is tucked away just outside Melbourne and offers a fascinating voyage into the animal world.  Zoos Victoria properties include Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram Fauna Park and Werribee Zoo. 

Jacinda assists in overseeing the whole natives team working with a variety of native Australian species, including - Tammar wallabies, koalas, orange bellied parrots, kangaroos, emus, tortoises and some reptiles.

She is is part of a team at Werribee Open Range Zoo that does incredible work with a very endangered species: the final remaining members of a genetic line that traces its origins to around 100 million years ago, when Australia was joined to Antarctica and South America.

M.C.: Pam Crockett

Photo Credit: Aris Cologon via Unsplash