We had hoped to have Dr Billy Lugg join as well to provide some feedback on the MHU Care packs we supply to the Alfred and Box Hill Mental Health Units, but he was unable to make it at the last minute.  Dr Lugg did send through some comments provided by fellow staff at the Alfred on how incoming patients very much appreciate the clothing and other goods we provide. In many cases the patients arrive with only the clothes they are wearing and the alternative is to wear hospital pj’s all day; the patients also feel someone outside the hospital is thinking about their wellbeing which lifts their spirits. We plan to invite Dr Lugg to another Club meeting in the near future to talk about the current trends in mental health care.

I provided the meeting with some feedback on my experience at the Auburn High Mock Interviews last week, and how appreciative the staff are of the work put in by Rashi and Geoff.

DG Ron Payne started his presentation with a video from RI President Gordon McInally (who sounded a bit like our Gordon C) on the key goals for his term in RI, which led to the theme “Create Hope in the World”.  Ron provided an overview on his plans to improve the role of the District Support team and how he changed their title from “Leadership” to “Support”.

Following the lunch meeting DG Ron and ADG Anne Frueh joined our monthly Board meeting. The Board meeting covered a number of topics, which I will highlight for Members.

A Nominations Committee has been appointed for 2024-2025 Board roles with PE Dorothy Gilmour as chairman and including Andrew Crockett, Ian Bentley and Doug Mclean.

As part of the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot a number of roles on the Regional Council will require Hawthorn Rotary to vote on candidates that have been nominated for those roles.  The plan is to circulate all the candidates’ bios to the Board and, based on the feedback from Board members, we will submit our vote for the preferred candidates.

A review of the fundraising activities for the year was discussed with a focus on increasing the Christmas hams, cakes and puddings sales, running another Bunnings barbeque in April 2024 and hopefully a Lift the Lid lunch in mid-2024.  It was decided the Kooyong Classic car parking was becoming too difficult to organise and the funds raised did not justify continuing this activity.

Club sponsorship funding will also be an area of focus, with a working group to be lead by Terry.

The Board has agreed to a proposal from Dorothy to establish an Annual Rotary Hawthorn Service to Seniors Award.  The award will recognise the work of a person within the Boroondara community who provides outstanding support and assistance to Seniors. The award will be organised by the President Elect each year and nominations will be encouraged from Club Members and the local council.  The recipient will receive an award and be invited to attend a Club meeting to talk about their work in the community.

Upcoming Events

·      Rotary Clubs of Boroondara Networking Business Breakfast Thursday 12^th October at Hawthorn Arts Centre: the organising committee have asked Clubs to send two members as their representatives (Doug and Vincent have registered) and to invite small business owners who might benefit from the guest speaker panel discussion; this week’s Bulletin will have further details.

·      October is Walk With Us Month to End Polio:  Anne Scott will provide additional information in upcoming Bulletins and this year a special Walk with Paws is planned for Saturday 14^th October in Elsternwick Park.

·      Rotary Club of Nhill weekend 25^th and 26^th November.  Save these dates in your diary as we are planning a Club visit and the Nhill Club will host a special dinner with the local Myanmar community. Noel Halford is preparing a program for the weekend and will provide updates in the Bulletin.

·      Club Christmas Dinner Tuesday 12^th December (note the new date). The Social Committee is planning a special Christmas Dinner at the newly renovated Studley Park Boathouse. Put the date in your diary now and watch out for further details elsewhere in the Bulletin.

·      Rotary District Conference Bendigo 12^th – 14^th  April 2024. David Pisterman has agreed to act as our Club’s coordinator for the event and will provide updates as we get closer to the time. Early registration will be open in November.

·      Rotary International Convention Singapore 25^th - 29^th May 2024. Bookings are open now for members considering attending next year’s event.

The next Club meeting via Zoom is on Tuesday 26^th September when the guest speaker will be Colin Carter, former AFL Commissioner, Geelong President and author of Football’s Forgotten Years. David Rush will be MC and I’m sure this presentation will cover a lot of footy history; members may like to wear their footy colours to fit in with the Grand Final theme.

Doug McLean

President 2023-2024