Rotary International's monthly theme for September is Basic Education and Literacy.
Rotary International's monthly theme for September is dedicated to Basic Education and Literacy Month: September centers on strengthening communities by improving access to education, enhancing literacy skills, and reducing gender disparities in schooling.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Greetings! Another week has slipped by and we are another week closer to Rotary Hawthorn’s major event on our calendar, our fundraising lunch. Have you registered? Have you invited a friend/s? As you know, I am an optimistic positive type of President. But I was dismayed to hear some members excuses for not attending our Club’s major fundraiser and as of Saturday, 13 members had not even responded.
We've all lived through a pandemic. Most of us hope we never have to again — but the honest truth is, we will face something like it in our lifetimes, or our children will. The question isn't if … It’s are we ready?
That's exactly what Professor Jodie McVernon AO will unpack for us. Jodie is Director of Doherty Epidemiology at the Peter Doherty Institute, and one of the people who has genuinely shaped how Australia plans for and responds to outbreaks. This isn't a textbook talk, it's a rare, direct chance to hear from someone who deals with this for a living, in plain language, about what's actually coming and what it means for the people we love.
Jock Serong “A Suitable Man, The Eccentric Empire of Fletcher Jones!”
From multi-award-winning author Jock Serong comes a fascinating biography of the remarkable Fletcher Jones. In 1924, into the tiny town of Warrnambool, which then had a population of a fraction under 4000 people, there came a travelling salesman... Many Australians know of Fletcher Jones - the stores, the clothing, the daggy dad slacks - but few know the extraordinary man behind it all.
Jock Serong is the author of seven novels and now a biography of Fletcher Jones. A former criminal barrister, he was also the founding editor of Great Ocean Quarterly, writes widely for media and for screen, and has a PhD in Creative Writing. Jock is a board member of Melbourne's Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, and he also teaches aspiring authors, and works with judges on their writing through the Victorian and national judicial colleges.
Photo: Harper Collins (as shown on AMAZON)
UPCOMING CALENDAR
22 September: Jock Serong, A Suitable Man, Remarkable and Fascinating
29 September: No meeting
2 October(Friday): Lift the Lid Lunch
13 October – No meeting– Special AVEO tour/morning tea at Fountain Court, Burwood – bring a friend
20 October:Tim Wilson, Director First Light Racing
LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS FOR LIFT THE LID LUNCH
3 DAYS LEFT to REGISTER! Before we decide to cancel!
Dorothy has organised a date for you and your partner /friends to take a tour and enjoy a morning tea at the Fountain Court in Burwood on Tuesday 13 October, commencing at 10.30 – 11.45 am.
Please let me know if you would like to attend. It means $500 for Rotary Hawthorn!
HAVE YOU PLACED YOUR NAME IN THE LINK BELOW?
We are letting John Perry and our reputation down by members not signing up for our monthly DIK packing.
We would greatly appreciate if you used the form below and showed your willingness to volunteer to a DIK packing day. This would make John’s job so much easier and give you time to plan.
Fourteen members and partners enjoyed a social get together at the Glenferrie Hotel last Tuesday. It is such a terrific way to really get to know each other over a lunch and drink without speakers and “Jokes on Us” occasionally.
Dorothy is organising the next social gathering at the Morang, Burwood Road Hawthorn but with our busy schedule, it won’t be until late January before we return from summer holidays. Here’s a snapshot of us at lunch last week.
DID YOU KNOW?
Vocational Service Committee in 1959-60 arranged ‘job talks’ at a luncheon organised by members of Hawthorn and leading apprentices from Swinburne Technical College. Several students were assisted in obtaining part-time employment in factories and offices during the Christmas vacation.
1960-61 saw several functions when Asians visiting Australia were entertained at the initiative of the International Service Committee.
A university professor from Burma, radio broadcasters from Ceylon, journalists from Sarawak and students from the Philippines and Pakistan were among the many guests of Rotary Hawthorn.
2026 Rotary South Pacific Zone Conference
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Vic 27 Oct – 1 Nov 2026
What… The world is changing – and so is Rotary!
As Rotarians, we know that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes vision, commitment and community. That’s why the 2026 Zone 8 Conference is focused on building a legacy that lasts.
The 2026 theme – Future in Focus: People, Planet, Peace – places our shared future at the heart of everything we do. It calls us to step up and lead in three interconnected areas: people, planet and peace.
Whether you’re a club leader, a project champion or a passionate community member, this is your opportunity to join fellow Rotarians from across Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and beyond, as we explore what it truly means to be future focused.
hy has organised a date for you and your partner /friends to take a tour and enjoy a morning tea at the Fountain Court in Burwood on Tuesday 13 October, commencing at 10.30 – 11.45 am.
