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

Locked Up in a Turkish Jail: A Tale of Mystery and Danger

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

Plus ..... there's so much more

---- a journey of survival, hope, and the unexpected. 

You won't want to miss it!

Guest Speaker:  Mystery Member

Guest speaker for our International Women's Day Lunch will be Abiola Akinbiyi.

Abiola Akinbiyi is an award-winning healthcare professional, entrepreneur, speaker, and community leader. She has over 20 years of experience working in the health sector and with different Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities and not-for-profit organisations in Australia. Abiola is an experienced board member leading and chairing many community committees and initiatives that enhance the lives of migrant and minority groups in Australia. As the president of Changepreneurs, her passion for advocating for people from multicultural communities, aged care, women, and youth is evident in her work, particularly in her role as a commissioner and mentor to young  CALD and African-Australian women. Abiola holds undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Mathematics, Nursing, Gerontology, Mental health and information systems. 

She founded Changepreneurs, a not-for-profit organisation that mentors young women of colour through education and outreach to achieve their career goals. She aspires to lead with a culture of excellence and compassion for the community. She served as a Commissioner on the Victorian Multicultural Commission from 2021-2023. As an experienced board, she is currently on the board of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and NWMPHN, As a lifelong learner and a Rotarian, Abiola continues to participate and volunteer in different multicultural initiatives, events, and programs that promote social cohesion and peace in the community, a winner of many awards, including the Spirit of Victoria University Alumni Award in 2021 and a Paul Harris Fellow. 

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

Our guest speaker next Tuesday will be Katrina Flinn. 

She will speak about her recent experience leading a World of Difference Social Impact Tour of Cambodia with a group of young adult legatees from Victoria Police Legacy.

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!

---

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.

--
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)

Next Tuesday's meeting at Kooyong will be our Service to Seniors Award Lunch, a special event on Rotary Hawthorn's calendar. Our second Annual Award will be presented to Coralie White, who has volunteered at Boroondara Community Outreach for 25 years. The Award will be presented by Rochna Banerjee, Chief Operating Officer of COTA (Vic).

We will also hear from special guest, Cr Sophie Torney, the Mayor of Boroondara, about Council projects that our Club might be able to participate in.

Please join us on Tuesday and bring a guest along too.

This is a test meeting to see if we have mastered the Nova system.

Michael is a foundation student of Monash University and chairs the alumni group The Monash Pioneers comprising students from the first five years 1961-65. In 2022 he was made a Fellow of the University.

His professional life included the cofounding of the Australian Centre for Retail Studies at the David Syme Business School at Monash University and from 1995 - 2014 Managing Director of Retail Synergy Group Pty Ltd.

In 2013 he initiated the Sir John Monash Sculptural Project at Monash University and chaired the Project Board.  The statue by Peter Corlett OAM was unveiled by the then Governor of Victoria the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC in April 2015.

In 2016 former Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Tim Fischer AC asked Michael to join the newly formed Saluting Monash Council as the Victorian Director with the objective to obtain an honorary rank of field marshal for Sir John Monash.

Michael is a former member of Military History and Heritage Victoria and is currently a member of The Spirit of Australia Foundation, an Affiliate Member of Box Hill RSL Sub- Branch and recognized authority on Sir John Monash.

M.C. Ian Bentley

Photo Credit: Australian War Memorial, ART 02986
 

Prepare yourself for a mind-blowing and funny storytelling session in which three imaginative brains will conjure up an incredible story around their mystery objects! 

The catch? While some aspects may be purely fictional, some may be accurate! Whether you believe it or not is up to you. Bring your creativity, put your investigative abilities to the test, and take pleasure in an exciting, surprising, and magical storytelling session!

This is also a fantastic opportunity to invite a special guest and share the excitement!

M.C.:  TBA

Photo:  Anna Shvets via Pexels

Chris Banks has worked in zoos since 1969, based mostly at Melbourne Zoo. From 1969 to the late 1980s, reptile and amphibian husbandry and management was a major focus, as keeper and curator. He initiated Zoos Victoria’s international conservation engagement in 2000, commencing with a suite of project support in south-east Asia in 2000. 

Chris transferred to Zoos Victoria’s Wildlife Conservation & Science Department in 2012 and now manages international conservation partnerships in Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Uganda, Rwanda and French Polynesia; and two sister zoo  partnerships in Papua New Guinea and Uganda. His portfolio also includes Zoos Victoria’s annual international conservation grants program.

M.C.: TBA

Photo: Zoos Victoria   www.zoo.org.au 

Simon is a businessman and humanitarian. With 30 years executive experience, including 22 years
as CEO/Director of large private, public and not-for-profit organisations, he understands the
complexities of business and the critical importance of building a culture that unites people around
an inspiring purpose.

As the head of one of Australia’s largest private companies, he was responsible for 32 operating
entities, employing over 14,000 people. In 2011 Simon changed his focus from pursuing success
to pursuing significance. He left corporate life and took a voluntary role with the United Nations,
concentrating on reducing food insecurity and poverty across sub-Saharan Africa. He remained in
Africa without his family for 8 years.

Simon is a problem solver on a global scale. He has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to
successfully lead commercial teams in overcoming seemingly impossible tasks. His leadership of a
global consortium, responsible for identifying and overcoming the systemic issues causing food
loss and poverty in developing countries, resulted in over a million families living significantly better
lives today.

Simon now shares his knowledge and proven expertise to develop successful managers into
inspiring leaders. His clients in Australasia, USA, Canada and UK range in scale and scope from
sole proprietorships to large, international corporations in a broad range of industries. 100% of
Simon’s coaching fees are given to charity.

• Simon was appointed Senior Officer of the Order of
Australia for outstanding service to business and
humanity.
• He was finalist in the Australian of the Year Award.
• He received the Pride of Australia Medal for selfless
service to the disadvantaged internationally and
within Australian society.
• He received the Global Humanitarian Award (UN) for
impact and innovations in undeveloped countries.
• His work in combatting hunger was a critical
component of the UN/WFP being awarded the 2020
Nobel Peace Prize.
• He has led teams awarded the Australian Family
Business of the Year and the Leading Supply Chain
Company (Australasia).

M.C : TBA

Photo:  Provided by President Dorothy Gilmour

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:  The Australian National University, Dr Brad Tucker

D.Shore

Ross from Auburn HS?

Ross from Auburn HS?

Ross from Auburn HS?