THE WEEK AHEAD

12 August 2025

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Truth in an Age of Noise

The first of Rotary’s Four-Way Tests asks, “Is it the truth?” This question reflects Rotary’s commitment to promoting ethical behaviour and honest dealings. As Andrew Crockett noted in a Bulletin article in 2023, truth and how it should be acted upon are not always straightforward. Nevertheless, in much of civilised society, truth remains essential, especially in science, where progress depends on systematic inquiry and the scrupulously honest pursuit of understanding.

For a growing segment of society, truth has lost its sanctity. Opinions are often regarded as equal to verifiable facts, and louder voices can drown out careful reasoning. While social media helps connect people and share valuable information rapidly, it also speeds up the spread of misinformation, making it harder to distinguish fact from fiction. 

Most of the things we use in everyday life—from smartphones to medical treatments—exist because of the application of knowledge grounded in fundamental scientific principles. The fact that these technologies work is, in itself, proof of the validity of those principles. Yet, despite this constant, lived evidence, some still reject scientific explanations and evidence-based medical treatments when they conflict with personal beliefs or rest uneasily against weakly supported opinions. When science is dismissed, the gap is quickly filled by pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, and quackery, which thrive in the absence of trust in genuine scientific inquiry.

During our vocational visit to the Bionics Institute, we saw and heard about scientists and engineers tackling some of medicine’s more significant challenges firsthand. Their work depends on thorough, evidence-based research where honesty and respect for data are crucial. At the Bionics Institute, ignoring inconvenient facts or compromising integrity has no place, as only a disciplined pursuit of truth can lead to real progress. 

Thanks to Vincent Chen and Terry Kitchen for organising our visit to the Bionics Institute, and to Dorothy Gilmour for arranging the café gathering afterwards: a perfect chance to reflect and connect.

Is it the truth? The answer matters.

Link to Andrew’s article from 2023

https://hawthornrotary.org.au/Stories/rotary’s-four-way-test

NEXT MEETING – Kooyong – 19 August

The Reverend Natalie Dixon-Monu, Boroondara Community Outreach

“Supporting Vulnerable People in Boroondara”

Reverend Natalie Dixon-Monu has been the coordinator at BCO for 18 years. She holds a B.A., B.Theol. and a Grad. Dip. In Human Service-Counselling. Alongside a part-time employee she leads a team of 55+ regular volunteers to offer a variety of supports to vulnerable people in Boroondara.

Reverend Natalie has over 35 years of experience supporting people with complex needs in a variety of contexts from work in adult and juvenile correctional facilities, outreach in rooming houses, grief counselling, family and youth support.

M.C.:  Kevin Rose 

Photo Credit: Boroondara Community Outreach

PROJECT UPDATES

SALVO HAWKS

It was a very pleasant and sunny winter’s Melbourne day ( No Rain ) that greeted all players with the temperature reaching 17C, Wednesday 6 August 2025 for the Ballarat Bushrangers/Salvo Hawks v’s Southern Pen. Swans for the Home Game - Round 9 - Victoria Road Reserve Hawthorn East.

Two top quality Field Umpires with senior experience controlled the game giving each player a chance to perform to their skill level with particular importance with involving the not so skilled and the female players.

The ground was in excellent condition.

Free Pizza and Drinks supplied to all after the game which was devoured in very quick time and appreciated by all.

1^st Quarter:

Ballarat Bushrangers/Salvo Hawks - 2.0 (12)

Southern Pen. Swans – 6.2 (38)

Southern Pen. got away to a Flyer in the 1^st Quarter.

2^nd Quarter:

Ballarat Bushrangers/Salvo Hawks – 2.1 (13)

Southern Pen. Swans– 13.5 (83)

Ballarat Bushrangers/Salvo Hawks were held goalless.

Southern Pen. continued domination in the 2nd Quarter kicking 7 Goals to 1 Point.

3^rd Quarter:

Ballarat Bushrangers/Salvo Hawks – 5.6 (36)

Southern Pen. Swans – 14.7 (91)

Ballarat Bushrangers/Salvo Hawks outscored the Southern Pen 3 Goas to 1 in the 3rdQuarter.

4^th Quarter:

Ballarat Bushrangers/Salvo Hawks - 8.9 (57)

Southern Pen. Swans– 16.9 (107)

It was an  even final Quarter with Ballarat Bushrangers / Salvo Hawks scoring 3 Goals to Southern Pen. 2 Goals.

Football was the winner.

50 (Points) comfortable winners to Southern Pen.

Many thanks to Hawthorn Rotarians Doug McLean (Timekeeper), Geoff Wright (Goal Umpire 1^st Half), Kevin Rose (Goal Umpire 2^nd Half) and Big Mac (Co-Ordinating).

Next Home game details will be Wednesday 20 August 2025. Full details to be advised.

Thanks, and Best Regards

David McNamara (Big Mac)

DV Safe Phones – Your old phone could save a life!

Our President’s wife Jane has done a fantastic job in having our DV Safe Phone Boxes placed by Boroondara Council at three libraries:

• Camberwell 
• Hawthorn 
• Trentwood at the Hub

Thank you Jane for your tireless support of collecting old phones to be cleaned off and provided to women living in unsafe homes or without a phone due to family violence.

So far, we have collected just one phone at the desk at Kooyong meetings.  Have you a phone lying around that you don’t use now? Please bring it to a meeting at Kooyong and place in the bag on the Rotary Hawthorn front desk. 

Rotary Hawthorn, Rotary SAFE Families are working with DV Safe Phones to collect and distribute these phones to victims of family violence.

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Note from Bulletin Editor: All copy and photos need to be sent to me by the Saturday - 6.00 pm please.  I need time on Sunday to create the Bulletin/The Week Ahead for Vincent Chen to work his magic and upload into ClubRunner for a Tuesday safe arrival to you, members and friends.  

E:gilmour.dorothy@gmail.com

Who Am I? 

Email or message David Pisterman (pisterman41@gmail.com) with your answer to this month’s Quiz. We have introduced a slightly different format. If you are the winner of the Who Am I? Quiz, you are expected to donate a bottle of vino at the drawing of the next month’s “Who Am I?” Quiz. 

Prize winner last month – Big Mac.

Clue 1:  She “communicates” very well!

Clue 2:  Is Chair of a new Rotary Hawthorn Committee!

Clue 3:  Speaks Greek, her language of origin!

Proposed Club Event with “It’s the Little Things” Community

“Connecting Community Day Lunch”

Dates:  Tuesday, 14 October 2025 at 9.30 am – 12.00 pm (help set up lunch)

             Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at 12.15 pm – 2.00 pm (lunch)

Venue:   Memorial Hall – 2 Denham Street, Hawthorn

More will be announced but please diarise these two dates which are important for us to assist.

Proposed Club Event for End Polio Now

“Family Picnic in the Park”

Please diarise Sunday 26 October!  12.00 – 3.30 pm

Invite the grandchildren, children, (other people’s children) to a games and picnic in the park - “Funday Sunday”. 

Watch This Space for more Details!

AUGUST is MEMBERSHIP & NEW CLUB DEVELOPMENT MONTH

membership resources

Our newly created Membership Committee first meeting was on 6 August.  

The eight member group discussed strategies for promoting membership through business engagement and professional development initiatives, including breakfast meetings with CEOs and targeted recruitment approaches. Technical and administrative matters were addressed, including meeting format decisions and concerns about Zoom recording security settings, while the team also explored community engagement and mentoring programs to improve member retention.

         ONWARDS & UPWARDS