Tony Hyams AM. Tony was born in Melbourne and was educated at Melbourne Grammar. He graduated in 1969 from Melbourne University with degrees in Law and Commerce.  Tony is married to Ann and they have 3 children and 7 grandchildren.

After a short stint in the legal profession Tony turned to international banking and finance becoming head of Credit Suisse in Australia for most of his career.

In recent years he has been a professional director of many companies including the Melbourne Airport, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, New Zealand’s largest printing company, the Military Superannuation Fund and as Chairman of the Commonwealth Government’s now $40 billion employee superannuation fund. He was involved with the World Economic Forum as a member of the Long-Term Investment Council and of the Role of Business Council and at annual meetings in Davos.

All of these activities stopped abruptly when in 2009 he was diagnosed with a rare incurable lung disease.  In his terms “a science fiction health adventure”.

Chair: David Pisterman

Photo Credit: Wayne Taylor 

Emmanuel (Emma), was born and raised in the largest slum located in the capital of Uganda. His wife, Anne-Marie Reddan, is originally from Healesville.

Their story is amazing. This inspiring couple have established 3 programs:

• An agricultural and farming project aimed at Youth in the city of Jinja
• The 2nd program and the largest one being a 12-month vocational training course in Tailoring, Fashion and Design
• The 3rd program is conducted by Emma - a Music Mentorship program.

Emma is Uganda's most recognised Gospel singer, specializing in reggae and dancehall music and reputation presents as a positive role model for those interested in music.   He has gone on to win many prestigious awards and continues to do so. For example:

• Olive Awards Male Artist of the Year (2012)
• Viga Awards Male Artist of the year (2013, 2014, 2016)
• DanceHall Artist of the Year (2015)
• Hit Awards Male Artist of the Year (2016)
• VIga Song of the Year (2017 and 2018)
• Music Video of the year (2018)
• Hipipo Video Trail Blazer Award (2019)

The Music program provides selected students with:  Guidance to help them to develop their art, A platform to record their music, Opportunity to distribute their music,
Access to the Ugandan music industry, Audio production training, Performance management,  Learning musical instruments (Western and Traditional) and Revenue generating and job prospects within the industry.

AFL Football Fans. Listen to an African version of the Essendon Football Club theme:   here
(Emma is also known as Cooply Bly) 

Chair: Noel Halford

Photo Credit: mywedding.co.ug

Emmanuel (Emma) Sserwanga & Anne-Marie Reddan

This song that started as an accidental collaboration in outback Queensland in 1895 caused the death of a seven-year relationship and went on to inspire a nation during World War II, following Banjo Paterson’s death in 1941.

Waltzing Matilda ─ Australia’s Accidental Anthem written by a criminal barrister, is a forensic history of the events, the people and the places that led to the writing of Australia’s internationally famous song. This evidence-based approach dispels many of the myths and historical inaccuracies that have become folklore.

The facts about the swagman, the contribution of Christina Macpherson and Sarah Riley and the timing and the place of the composition are all revealed.

Chair: Noel McInnes

Peter will update us on his work at the Khmer-Cambodia Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh, and the need for a new trauma ward in Kampong Spue.

My introduction to Cambodia came with a family visit to Siem Reap in early 2015 to see the temples.  We were exposed to the plight of a people that have experienced so much tragedy in recent years and were literally re-building their country from scratch. The land mine victims were the obvious casualties, the less obvious were those in the villages in the rural areas.

We met a dynamic tour guide with a compassion for his people. He made us aware of the need of clean drinking water for families in the villages around Siem Reap. I was moved by the plight of these people, stayed to help and established the Cambodia Clean Water & Toilet Project

There is no need so basic as having clean water to drink, but over half the population of Cambodia does not have access to clean water.  In the countryside, most people rely on water from rivers, streams and ponds. This water is often polluted and is a major cause of health issues in children. 

The lack of sanitary toilets exacerbates the water problems. Nearly 70% of Cambodia’s rural population have no toilet.

I firmly believe that the future of Cambodia is dependent on educating the young people. The challenge is to have them finish high school but a prerequisite to school attendance is being healthy.  

Clean water and sanitary toilets are essential for health. It is in this area of health and hygiene with clean water and sanitary toilets that I believe we can make a significant change in the lives of village families. To date, we have installed 234 Septic Tank Toilets and 86 Clean Water Bores.

Chair: Katrina Flinn

'In July this year a new visitor centre was opened at Phillip Island Nature Park’s Penguin Parade.  The new building and car parks replace existing facilities that were located in prime penguin habitat.  Funded by $48.2 million from the Victorian State Government and $10m from the Nature Parks, the project provides facilities for the up to 4,000 visitors who attend the parade each night while creating over six hectares of new habitat which will be the eventual home for over 1,400 penguins.  The centre has a high level of environmental performance and has already won an international architecture award.

Kevin Love has been a board member of Phillip Island Nature Parks for the last six years.  He chaired the project control group for the project.  Kevin will talk about the reasons for the project; the business case; the design and how the project met its objectives'.

Chair: Ian Bentley

Adjunct Associate Professor Rob Hess is an historian and a former staff member in the College of Sport and Exercise Science at Victoria University.  He has a long-standing interest in the social history of sport and his PhD was the first ever doctoral study of the history of Australian Rules football.  Rob is a past president of the Australian Society for Sports History and he currently serves as a regional academic editor for the International Journal of the History of Sport.  He is also a member of the Australian Football Heritage Group, an honorary heritage consultant with Netball Victoria and a Board member of the History Council of Victoria.  His most recent book (co-written with Brunette Lenkić) is Play On! The Hidden History of Women’s Australian Rules Football, published in 2016.

**Wear your favourite football scarf or hat!**

Chair: Geoff Wright

Photo: Newspapers Collection, State Library of Victoria

Meeting Speaker

Associate Professor Rob Hess

Not to be missed. Behind The Badge talks are always popular.

Come and hear from one of our new members.

Chair: Ian Bentley

Photo: Lee Soo hyun

Leigh’s goal as a public speaker is to successfully inspire people to develop courage, strength and persistence, especially in times of adversity.

'Leigh Woodgate and is an inspiring, honest goal-orientated speaker. Tom Burlinson, who played the lead role in The Man From Snowy River, introduced her in the ABC’s Australian Story, as follows:

…A fearless horsewoman who grew up just down the road from the Snowy, who beat the men at their own game. They breed them tough in those mountains, and Leigh Woodgate’s experiences have been epic. 

Do your people hesitate at hurdles? Do they struggle to get back on the horse after setbacks? Leigh might have the story and the old-fashioned, pigheadedness to help them overcome anything!

Growing up, riding was her life. She was a natural rider and from a young age developed into a champion; a proud and proficient professional jockey. One race changed all that. She had a horrific fall, broadcast on national TV. With the racing world watching and fearing the worst, she survived, but it took her 15 years to repair her shattered body and mind – 15 years of perseverance and dedication – to get back on the horse, literally.

Leigh’s spent the last 5 years riding track work, as well as sharing her story with corporate and community audiences. As Leigh says; I’ve harnessed this experience to share my story and inspire audiences around the world.

The story of the only woman ever to win the Great Mountain Race at Mansfield, as well as countless other awards and accolades as a professional rider, is one of determination. The accident changed the course of her life forever. At the 2nd last jump my horse stumbled and fell. The rest of the field was unable to avoid my body on the track. The resultant injuries were almost fatal; hardly a bone in my body was left unbroken.

Leigh was in a coma for 17 days, then in hospital for 6 months. The whole time she believed passionately that she would ride again. Leigh had to learn how to eat, talk and walk again. Step by step, she strengthened her body and her resolve. Leigh’s received great support overcoming profound hurdles. 15 years after her accident, she finally received clearance from doctors to ride again, which she does professionally 2 mornings a week for the trainer Eric Musgrove. In 2012 she was recognized as the National Jockeys’ Celebration Day Ambassador, and was featured in an episode-long story on Australian Story.

Leigh’s will and determination to get back on the horse have got her through daunting adversity, and she inspires others to overcome the obstacles they come up against in their own lives and careers.

What people have said about Leigh:

‘Leigh is a fine example of a woman who has risen above her hurdles, and fearlessly steps forward. I certainly recommend her as a unique speaker with a compelling story.’

‘Leigh’s story is one of extraordinary courage, determination and hope. Every man, woman and child in the room was deeply moved by her journey and we were all left inspired to make the most of our dreams and ready to tackle the insurmountable. I strongly recommend Leigh Woodgate as a powerful motivational and inspirational speaker whose story is relevant to all age groups.’

Wally is  part of the nbn local Community Affairs team in Melbourne.

He writes:   'My role is to meet with local community and residential groups to help educate them about nbn and what it means for them. The purpose of this initiative is to ensure the community has all the necessary information during the rollout of the nbn network and have the ability and a forum to ask any questions and troubleshoot any problems you might have.

The presentation will be followed by a Q&A that covers some critical areas such as: • What is nbn • What it means for the members and how to connect • How the nbn affects your existing landline phone and medical alarms • Power outages • Scams to be wary of.

*Just to clarify, this service is purely for the benefit for the members. We are not here to sell anything as the nbn is the wholesaler (not a phone or internet provider). ' *

Chair:  Andrew Crockett

more detalis to come

Grant Hocking joined Woodend Rotary in 2004 and has been President in 2007- 2008 and again in 2015-16, as well as Vice President, Community Service Chair, Foundation Chair and Bulletin Editor for many years. Grant has served at District level as Community Service Director (2011-2013) and as Assistant Governor Goldfields Cluster (2013-2015), Executive AG for the same period and AG mentor (2017-18). Grant has also been active for many years as a Foundation and Grants cluster advisor, Club Vision facilitator and supporting the D9800 Learning and Development team with RLI and New Member seminars.

Grant is a Clinical Manager (MICA Paramedic) with Ambulance Victoria where he has worked for 33 years in most operational areas of the organisation. He has an interest in clinical quality and was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) in the 2014 Australia Day recognitions for development of Clinical Quality Improvement processes.

Chair: Charlotte England

https://trybooking.com/BEFS

Fr Joe Giacobbe has been a Catholic Priest for 45 years and currently works in the Western Suburbs – St Augustine’s parish, Yarraville. 

Joe began his pastoral work in the inner suburbs in the high rise housing estates in Flemington, North Melbourne and Fitzroy.

In 1972 with the help of many friends in the Racing Industry the Doxa Youth Foundation was launched for the purpose of establishing a residential complex at Malmsbury to provide educational and recreational programs for these  children.

Over 200,000 children have attended the Malmsbury Complex. Doxa has initiated other activities, namely, providing residential City programs for children from poor rural areas in Victoria, a University program launched in 1993,  whereby Doxa has sponsored in partnership with major corporates 500 graduates and a philanthropic partnership at the Doxa School, Bendigo for children who struggle in the mainstream school system.

Over 8,000 children participate in Doxa program each year. As a fund raising project Joe established the Winning Post form guide in 1988 which was sold by the Foundation in 2007 when circulation reached 35,000 per week.

Chair: David Rush

This is a working bee for Hawthorn Rotary, in the Medical Aisle and selecting content for the Cambodian containers,  first Saturdays in November (2nd)

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.

Ravi is CEO of a publicly listed company which he founded with a worldwide clientele in the tea packaging industry. He also serves on the board of several other companies and charitable trusts.

He is the founding president of the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association.

As his country’s national PolioPlus chair, Ravi headed a task force consisting of the government, UNICEF, and Rotary and worked closely with UNICEF to successfully negotiate a ceasefire with the northern militants during National Immunization Days.

A Rotarian since 1974, Ravi has served RI as treasurer; director; Foundation trustee; committee member, vice chair, and chair; task force member; RI training leader; and district governor.

He also chaired the Schools Reawakening project, sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts in Sri Lanka, to rebuild 25 tsunami-devastated schools to benefit 15,000 children. 

*See further details here

bookings https://trybooking.com/BEYOD

RSVP by 5th November 

tickets $60 per person for a 2 course dinner with 1 included drink on arrival . Then cash bar.

Scott has returned from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Scott is 'an educator with a track record of working to further the Rotary Foundation’s goal of improving basic education and literacy in disadvantaged school contexts, and a clear commitment to building a career as a reforming school leader in Australia’s public school system'. Australia needs a coalition of public school system leaders, committed to improving student outcomes by investing in teaching and school communities'.

Past District Governor, Bronwyn Stephens said: 'What an inspirational and aspirational goal for the recipient of the 2018 global scholar program'. 

Chair: David Rush

Annual General Meeting

Photo: Dyland Gillis

'Seda has worked as a broadcaster with Radio Australia since the inception of its Khmer broadcasts in 1992. Prior to this, Seda worked as a community health educator with various health agencies in Australia and in a refugee camp in Thailand, where she was herself a resident. Seda holds a Post Graduate Diploma of Asian Studies and a Master of Development Studies from Monash University, Melbourne'.

Chair: Katrina Flinn

                              Cambodia...  Seda Douglas

'Seda has worked as a broadcaster with Radio Australia since the inception of its Khmer broadcasts in 1992. Prior to this, Seda worked as a community health educator with various health agencies in Australia and in a refugee camp in Thailand, where she was herself a resident. Seda holds a Post Graduate Diploma of Asian Studies and a Master of Development Studies from Monash University, Melbourne'.

Chair: Katrina Flinn

The Rotary Clubs of Hawthorn and Glenferrie

Christmas Party 

We are celebrating Christmas with Rotary Glenferrie.

At: Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.Date:  Tuesday 17 December 2019
Venue: Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
Time: 6:30 for 7:00 pm
Cost: $65 per person
Entertainment: Michael Lapiña (Tenor) and the Glenferrie Hawthorn Rotary Choristers.
Payment: At Club Meetings or by Bank Transfer to Rotary Club  of Hawthorn  BSB: 083-166   A/C: 53254 5861
(please identify your payment with the code “CP - Surname” on the  EFT)

Stay tuned.

More details to come.

Photo Credit: Vincent Keiman