Rotary Club of Hawthorn

Schedule of Club Meetings and Special Events

August to December 2024

Fun Day

M.C: President Dorothy Gilmour 

Melbourne Cup Day Theme - Fun and Games with many prizes, much laughter and special happenings!

Please register for this lunch as David Rush, Ian Bentley and President Dorothy have spent much time collaborating on this Event!​

MC: President Dorothy

CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

AED automated external defibrillator.

M.C.: President Dorothy Gilmour

Our Guest Speaker this week is our PDG Grant Hocking ASM.

Grant is visiting us to update us on administering CPR & Defibrillators to save lives. We all need an update especially as many of us have grandchildren in our care. This will be not only informative, but Grant assures me at the expense of one of our members, there will be fun! Grant is Regional Improvement Lead at Ambulance Victoria and was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) in the 2014 Australia Day Honours. He is Recipient of inaugural Stroke Foundation Presidents Award 2018.

MC President Dorothy

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

'EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GIRLS: EVERY GIRL DESERVES A CHAMPION', BY ZOOM

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.

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

This week's Guest Speaker is David Rush who will be providing an insight into "Standish".

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

Our guest speaker will be Pete Smith OAM and his topic will be Hilarious Events and Mishaps from the Early Days Of Entertainment

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 has 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.

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!

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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

Ben Rogers as Guest Speaker 

Special Guest – Mayor of Boroondara, Sophie Torney

M.C. President Dorothy Gilmour

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