It was my pleasure at today’s meeting to induct Angela Taft as a Member of Rotary Club of Hawthorn under the classification “Emeritus Professor Tertiary Education”.
Angela is an Emeritus Pr
ofessor at La Trobe University with a research focus on preventing violence against women and sexual and reproductive health.
The Taft family have a long association with Hawthorn Rotary; her late father-in-law Boyard Taft was Club President 1959-60 and brother-in law Rodney Taft in 1983-84. Angela has an interest in international community welfare projects and will join the International Avenue of Service committee.
Photo: Sponsor Dorothy Gilmour pinning on Angela's Rotary Badge.
Today’s guest speaker was Henry Drury providing an entertaining and insightful Member Behind the Badge presentation (in spite of a few technical issues). As a relatively new member to the Club I had no idea of how many roles Henry has had over the years, both within the Club and at District level, to support Rotary projects, in particular Youth Exchange.
Club Announcements
Salvo Hawks - The Salvo Hawks had an extra home game for the season on Wed 9th August against the Odyssey House team and appreciated the support and pizza lunch provided by Hawthorn Rotary memers Big Mac, Geoff Wright, John Perry and myself. The Salvo Hawks will play a Grand Finals match on Thursday 31st August at ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne starting at 11 am with David McNamara and hopefully myself attending.
Balwyn Rotary Youth Exchange Support - The Balwyn Rotary Club have agreed to host an inbound Rotary Exchange student, Hilla Karppinen from Finland, in 2023-24. Hilla arrived in Australia last week and will be attending Koonung Secondary College.
Russell Jones, President of Balwyn, has been in touch to inquire if any Hawthorn members would be interested in hosting Hilla for part of her time in Australia. Balwyn currently have one member family hosting her but would like to have a second or even two other Rotary families involved to enable Hilla to have a broader experience in Australia. If you would like additional information feel free to contact me and I will follow up with Russell.
Upcoming Meeting with Felicity Sinfield, Mayor of Boroondara - The Rotary Club Presidents within Boroondara have been invited to a meeting with Mayor Felicity Sinfield on Monday 21st August to discuss areas we can work with the local Council for the benefit of both Rotary and the local community. I will be attending the meeting with President Elect Dorothy Gilmour and will provide an update in next week’s Bulletin.
Rochester Flood Victims Relief Update - We have been working with the Rochester Rotary Club to identify areas of support for their community still trying to recover from the October 2022 flood event.
Bryan Griffith, Rochester Club President, has been in contact and suggested we look at providing local residents with support to re-establish their gardens; a $50 voucher from a local garden supply centre would be very much appreciated within the community. Hawthorn Rotary have agreed to provide 50 Rochester residents with a $50 voucher from either their local garden centre or the Mitre 10 Garden Centre to buy plants, seeds or other garden supplies.
Anne Scott and I will be visiting Rochester tomorrow to meet up with Bryan and provide them with a letter to include with the vouchers outlining the support provided to date by Hawthorn Rotary (blankets, doonas, children’s books, puzzles, battery sensor lights, kitchen fire blankets and small fire extinguishers) and our plan to continue working with the Rochester community.
Hawthorn Rotary Board Meeting 8th August Update - The August Board meeting covered a wide range of topics including two new potential awards we are investigating to provide within the local community.
One is within the Vocational Service area for a medical research PhD candidate and a second to recognise someone within the Boroondara community with a Rotary Senior award.
I will provide further updates regarding these potential awards as we move forward to the next stages.
The Board approved a $2,000 donation to the Mental Health Unit Care packs project as part of our Club’s ongoing commitment to this project and $1,500 to Chances Scholarships in support of students within the local community requiring support to complete their education.
Upcoming Events
Rotary Hawthorn 70th Anniversary Dinner - As you would know, the Club’s 70th Anniversary Dinner is being held on Thursday 24th August. We have 67 tickets sold including members, VIP’s and guests. Next week’s Bulletin will be delayed until Friday 25th to allow time for Gordon to include photos and an update on the event.
District Governor Ron Payne will be the guest speaker at our meeting on 19th September at Kooyong. The lunch meeting will be followed at 2pm by a Board meeting to be attended by Ron as well.
Auburn High School Mock Interviews will be held again this year with Year 9 students on 13th and 14th September; if you are available on either of these days please contact Rashi Kapoor to be added to the roster.
Rotary Club of Nhill Weekend 25th & 26th November. Save these dates in your diary as we are planning a Club visit and the Nhill Club will organise a special dinner with the local Myanmar community. Noel Halford has organised a group booking at the Zero Inn Nhill, contact details (03) 5391 1622.
We will not be having a regular meeting next Tuesday as the 70th Anniversary dinner will be taking it’s place on Thursday evening at Auburn Bowls Club. Terry and I are looking forward to welcoming you to this event as we recognise the contributions and achievements of the Club’s Members over the 70 year journey and to celebrate the future of the Club.
Doug McLean
President 2023-24