Last Sunday, a few of us from the club attended the celebration of life for Past President Lawrence Reddaway. It was one of those occasions that reminds you just how fortunate we are in Rotary — to meet, work alongside, and come to know so many extraordinary people.
I’ve often stood in front of our President’s Honour Board and felt humbled, realising that I’m walking in the footsteps of remarkable individuals who have each left their mark on our club’s story. Lawrence was certainly one of them.
But his impact went far beyond Rotary. Lawrence was an accomplished engineer with a Master’s degree from Cambridge and a true pioneer in fire safety engineering. His work changed how buildings are designed and constructed across Victoria, Australia and most probably, the world. Thanks to him, architects gained greater creative freedom without compromising safety. His legacy quite literally stands all around us, in the buildings we use every day.
Lawrence once described his father, an esteemed Cambridge academic and economist, as “thoroughly English by both birth and habit, but thoroughly international in his outlook.” Although a two-pound Pom, who became an Australian citizen, he might just as well have been describing himself.
In the best English tradition, Lawrence had his quirks — those gentle idiosyncrasies that so often accompany intelligence and originality. One of his endearing habits was labelling almost everything he owned with his name and address. The photo of a USB stick marked “Stuff for Pres Elect” says it all: a touch of eccentricity, a dash of humour, and an underlying desire to be helpful. That combination captured Lawrence perfectly.
Behind his quiet eccentricities was a man of genuine depth and warmth - thoughtful, kind, intelligent, witty, creative, courageous, curious, adventurous, and unassuming. Lawrence’s quiet confidence and generosity of spirit enriched everyone who knew him. His life and example remind us of the finest values we strive to live by as Rotarians.
NEXT MEETING – Kooyong – 21 October
Topic: Optimising Pianism... and the science of thinking and doing better at ANYTHING
Dr Cameron Roberts is a world-class pianist and teacher. He is also a practising medical doctor. Further, he holds a PhD on the physical and perceptual aspects of touch. He is based in London and teaches advanced principles of piano performance and technique optimisation to talented and professional pianists. Passionate about piano playing and the magic that it can create, he is equally passionate about helping pianists achieve their potential and not suffer from the pitfalls of misguided practice time and injury.
He is frequently engaged to present at schools, universities, conservatories and conferences on the topic of Optimizing Pianism. He works with both talented students and professional pianists who strive for the highest levels of pianistic excellence, whilst offering specialist consultant services to pianists who suffer from technical problems, performance-related problems and injuries. He welcomes enquiries from pianists who strive for excellence in pianism, or who seek help with the diagnosis and management of pain or injury.
UPCOMING SPEAKERS
October 28: ZOOM - Melbourne Cup Theme speaker
November 4: Melbourne Cup Day – No meeting
November 11: TBA
November 18: No meeting (Beechworth Adventure)
November 25: Kooyong Roger Hunt, Author – Live from UK
MEMBER NEEDED
Every October, Phil Stewart and Richard Logan generously organise our terrific Fund Raiser in the form of selling Christmas Hams, Cakes and Puddings. Richard has been organising this now for 18 years!Please put up your hand if you are willing to help Richard now so he can take a well-earned break next year from our Christmas Fund Raiser organization.
17 DAYS LEFTtill the End Polio Now Campaignends on 31 October this year. The Hawthorn Walkers Team has been established on the End Polio Now Website.
All members are encouraged to support this vital International campaign.Every dollar raised is matched 2 for 1 from the Gates Foundation.
Rotary Hawthorn’s goal is to contribute $3,000 in donations for this year’s campaign.
Our marvellous Hawthorn Walkers, Charlotte England and David Pisterman have raised $2,801 of their $3,000 goal. Go online and give our two courageous members your support.
PROJECTS UPDATE
Big thank you to John Perry and Richard Logan for supporting our Rotary Hawthorn Monthly DIK Packing initiative.
Both look pretty happy with their contribution which is much appreciated by DIK.
Please speak with John Perry to give a morning at DIK in November.We would like four members/friends at each packing morning.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Last week’s meeting with a visit from our District Governor Peter Shepheard was anopportunity to really get to know Peter who is known as the “man behind the scene” normally.Peter has stepped into a public role and was fascinating in his stories of careers and pathways.
It was lovely to see Min Bell inducted to our membership and we are all looking forward to working with Min who has an embedded volunteering spirit and energy.Welcome Min.
Who Am I?
Clue 1:I am a recognised walker!
Clue 2:I am a Past President
Email or message David Pisterman (pisterman41@gmail.comwith your answer to this month’s Quiz. A bottle of the best is waiting for the winner at our lunch meeting 11 November donated by the last prize winner.
Congratulations to Keving Rose - last month's winner.
YOUR CLUB BULLETIN NEEDS YOUR STORIES!
Please send a travel story, project update, story of interest and photographs to Editor, Dorothy Gilmour by Sunday afternoon and you will be Bulletin celebrity and be able to tell your children your stories are in print!
DID YOU KNOW?
Noel was named Hawthorn Rotarian of the Year in 2004-05 and as PP Simon O’Donoghue wrote in his Annual Report: "Not only was Noel Secretary for the year, where he has excelled as Secretary, but he has further been involved with every activity that benefits Rotary Hawthorn.
He has been there for all members, and whether it was the Centennial project, a matter of membership, or whatever, Noel has always been there to support me, our members and the club."
More examples of Noel’s unflinching support for our club were noted by PP Katrina Flinn in 2017-18 where she wrote: “Noel was the lead organiser of the inaugural Golf day raising money for Chances Scholarships.
He is chief organiser of the Christmas lunch for the socially isolated, he is primarily responsible for getting our Thursday group up and running as well as coming up with the concept of the Boab Foot Care Project plus the trivia night fundraiser, fundraiser car parking, Club Service Director and it goes on. Noel’s support and contribution this year has been invaluable.”
As President, Noel was one of the driving forces when Hawthorn was host club for the District Conference which was held in Canberra in March 2007.
The unmatched success of this conference was in no small way due to the untiring efforts of Noel and the inspirational Conference Chair, Noel McInnes who rallied the Rotarians to ensure this Conference was attended by the largest record number of Rotarians and partners.
Acknowledgement to PDG, PP Bernie Walshe, PP Ian Warren and Noel’s friend, the late Tony Charlton, who organised the most impressive range of Guest Speakers ever seen at any D9800 Conference.
In addition to receiving a Paul Harris Award, Noel Halford was also named President Katrina’s choice of Rotarian of the Year for 2017-18 and was presented with the perpetual trophy with his name engraved on it. Well done Noel, this award has been most deserved!
