Details via the Rotary Hawthorn Bulletin and direct emails.

M.C. : Tilak Dissanayake

Photo: provided by Bionics Institute 

Our guest speaker on Tuesday 30 July is Robert Klupacs, CEO of the Bionics Institute.

The Bionics Institute is an internationally recognised, independent medical research institute that solves medical challenges with technology. They lead the world in the research and development of innovative medical devices and therapies to improve human health, including Alzheimer’s disease, hearing impairment, Crohnʼs disease, chronic pain, Parkinsonʼs disease and arthritis. 

M.C.: David MacNamara 

Photo Credit: J Weeks 

Rotary Club of Hawthorn

Schedule of Club Meetings and Special Events

August to December 2024

Our guest speaker next week will be ROSS HEPBURN, CHAIR OF CRICKET VICTORIA.

Mr Hepburn has a long-standing association with Dandenong Cricket Club following a successful career in senior marketing and management roles in state and local government and small business. He was a consultant to former Victorian Premier, John Cain, on a number of key projects during his tenure.

Mr Hepburn is currently Chair of South East Community Links – a community universal service provider dedicated to achieving better social and economic outcomes for people in Melbourne’s south east.

Join Cheryl, Boroondara’s Home Library Service Librarian, to find out how you can make the most out of your library membership. Cheryl has been the Home Library Librarian at the Hawthorn branch of the Boroondara Library for 5 years and has held many roles throughout her career in public libraries.

She’ll be sharing her tips and tricks so that you can take full advantage of the library’s collection and services.

Cheryl will be sharing her expertise on things like accessing new releases; online newspapers, magazines, movies, documentaries; and how to get involved in volunteering.

Guest Speaker is Cheryl Walker.

Join Cheryl, Boroondara’s Home Library Service Librarian, to find out how you can make the most out of your library membership. Cheryl has been at Boroondara for 5 years and has held many roles throughout her career in public libraries. 

She’ll be sharing her tips and tricks so that you can take full advantage of the library’s collection and services. 

Cheryl will be sharing her expertise on things like accessing new releases; online newspapers, magazines, movies, documentaries; and how to get involved in volunteering.

Vasso is a Distinguished Professor in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences. 

'She is a world-renowned researcher who has been recognised with more than100 awards, including the Premier’s Award for Medical Research, Young Australian of the Year (Vic), Greek Australian of the Year, Woman of the Year was named one of the most successful Greeks abroad by the prestigious Times magazine. She was the first to develop a method of immunotherapy to stimulate the immune system in the early 1990s, which today is used by hundreds of labs around the world Vasso has applied several immunotherapies to other diseases including MS, diabetes,  Alzheimer’s’ disease. She is committed to driving her research and programs to help people age healthy. Vasso has recently moved to RMIT'.

M.C.:  Ian Bentley

Photo Credit: Chokniti Khongchum via Pexels 

Overview, Health and Biomedical Sciences, Immunotherapy

Speaker: Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos

Vasso is a Distinguished Professor in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences. 

'She is a world-renowned researcher who has been recognised with more than100 awards, including the Premier’s Award for Medical Research, Young Australian of the Year (Vic), Greek Australian of the Year, Woman of the Year was named one of the most successful Greeks abroad by the prestigious Times magazine. She was the first to develop a method of immunotherapy to stimulate the immune system in the early 1990s, which today is used by hundreds of labs around the world Vasso has applied several immunotherapies to other diseases including MS, diabetes,  Alzheimer’s’ disease. She is committed to driving her research and programs to help people age healthy. Vasso has recently moved to RMIT'.

M.C.:  Ian Bentley

Prof Clive May is from the Preclinical Critical Care Unit of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.

Clive: 'His team have made a very important discovery, he first treatment that reverses the effects of sepsis, a condition that is the main cause of death in hospitals and accounts for 20% of world deaths.
This treatment is now being tested in a clinical trial'.

'Septic patients commonly suffer a range of complications that can cause cognitive impairment and disability'. (Florey Institute)

M.C. : Kevin Rose

Photo Credit: The Florey via Prof. Clive May 

'Dr Elaine Saunders – Director, Entrepreneur, Commercialisation, Building sustainable companies BSc MSc, PhD, GAICD, Grad Dip Mgt (Technology) I'm a successful entrepreneur, and now sharing the magic. With my team, I help other entrepreneurs and researchers, I am a Biomedical Engineer, Audiological Scientist, business-woman, disruptor, author, speaker and professional Director, I've co-founded and led two award-winning companies which have changed the hearing industry: Blamey Saunders hears, a hearing aid and telehealth company; and Dynamic Hearing Pty Ltd (which became part of Cirrus Logic), I've led two teams to win the Australian Good Design Award and two companies to sustainability and exit. I've advised many companies through growth, from spin-off or start-up, or before'.

M.C.: Tamara Cannon

Our guest speaker this week is Dr Elaine Saunders, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science Technology and Engineering.

Experience includes: Director, Entrepreneur, Commercialisation, Building sustainable companies BSc MSc, PhD, GAICD, Grad Dip Mgt (Technology) I'm a successful entrepreneur, and now sharing the magic. With my team, I help other entrepreneurs and researchers, I am a Biomedical Engineer, Audiological Scientist, business-woman, disruptor, author, speaker and professional Director, I've co-founded and led two award-winning companies which have changed the hearing industry: Blamey Saunders hears, a hearing aid and telehealth company; and Dynamic Hearing Pty Ltd (which became part of Cirrus Logic), I've led two teams to win the Australian Good Design Award and two companies to sustainability and exit. I've advised many companies through growth, from spin-off or start-up, or before. 

MC - Tamara Cannon

This is the meeting to show off your best football club scarf, beanie, and more!

Graeme Jacobs offers a captivating look back at the evolution of Australian football, reflecting on the memories, passion, and milestones of the game.

Graeme played a total of 93 games at the highest level with  Melbourne and South Melbouyrne in the  VFL  during the 1960s.

Graeme was member of a Melbourne premiership side in his debut season, lining up at centre half forward in the 1964 CFL Grand Final.

This was a remarkable event in VFL/AFL history with Melbourne defeating Collingwood by 4 points in a titanic struggle that went to the wire.

He was one of the youngest members of a premiership team having played with the great Ronald Barassi  and coached by the  legendary Norm Smith.

He later struggled to make the team regularly due to injury and  and in 1968 crossed to South Melbourne  (later becoming the Sydney Swans) for greater opportunities where he played for the next three seasons.

Following his playing career he captained and coached Mitcham F.C. to the finals in the Eastern Suburban League and later served as Chairman of Selectors.

He also successfully coached Vermont F.C. winning two premierships.

He will discuss the many  challenges facing  footballers at the highest level and reflect on the evolution of our great Australian game.

You are invited to join our Zoom meeting to relive the great moments of footy history and drama including Ray Gabelich’s run and Neil Crompton’s match winning goal which made the 1964 Grand Final so memorable.

Attendees are invited to wear their team colours to make it a real celebration of the game loved by so many.

Rotary Hawthorn began it’s association with Graeme when the Cancer Relay for Life started in Hawthorn under his chairmanship. In those early years our Rotary members walked all through the night to successfully raise  funds for cancer research.  

M.C. Zoom Chairnan Noel Halford

Photo Credit: Damien Tait via Unsplash

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

Our guest speaker this week is the District Governor Michael Lapina 

THIS IS NOT TO BE MISSED!  

Rotary Hawthorn Werribee Zoo Safari

Once on board you will be transported through arid landscapes and savannah grasslands to explore the open plains and learn about some of the world’s most endangered species.

From the Critically Endangered Asian Wild Horse to majestic giraffe traversing the iconic savannah, the 40 minutes Safari Tour is one of the Zoo’s most popular experiences.

The tour includes live commentary from a Safari Guide as you move through the grasslands of Asia, North America and Africa, spotting bison, antelope, rhino, zebra and ostrich and you'll also learn more about the work of communities in Northern Kenya to help protect wildlife through the Beads for Wildlife program.

As you will see from the itinerary, this tour offers an opportunity to explore the Werribee Open Range Zoo, as well as enjoy a lunch time together.

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

The speakers this week include Katrina Flynn and Jemma Frew who will be introducing Police Legacy and the forthcoming "World of Difference" trip.

In November 2024 Victoria Police Young Adult Legatees (VPAL) are participating in a Victoria Police Legacy (VPL) humanitarian tour of Cambodia facilitated by Rotary’s World of Difference. 

VPAL Police Legatee Jemma Frew is one of the tour participants, Jemma will talk about Victoria Police Legacy and how the legatees are preparing for the trip and  how they plan to assist people in remote rural Cambodian villages.. 

Rotary World of Difference (WOD) responds to local areas of needs in Cambodia with continuous, sustainable projects, providing safe water, sanitation, education and maternal child and health. WOD has been takes participants on combined cultural and volunteering trips to Cambodia. WOD is a project of several Rotary Clubs including Hawthorn. Project work employs local Cambodians and will be monitored continuously and sustainably year after year, tour after tour.  On this tour,  Club member Katrina Flinn is joining the tour, leading a group of “retreads”, a group of legatees that are returning to Cambodia to concentrate more on the project work in local villages and schools.

Following this will be the induction of Mark Pinoli who will present "Member behind the Badge" with his talk on "Ten Years in Nepal"

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 

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