Our recent regional visit to Beechworth dominates this edition of the Bulletin. Whilst there is some overlap, each contributor has taken a different slant on the trip, but each has demonstrated what it truly means to unite for good.
Three Rotary Clubs—Wangaratta Appin Park, Beechworth, and our own Hawthorn—came together with a spirit of fellowship and shared purpose, leaving everyone upbeat. A fourth club, the Rotary Club of Lakes Entrance, whilst not present physically, was part of this union; contributing, along with each club, the funds necessary to provide a SkyHydrant for a village in Timor Leste.
The feedback from Harry Thomas, the President of Beechworth and his members, was overwhelmingly positive, as was that from the Wangaratta crowd. They spoke warmly of the atmosphere in the room at our combined meeting, the energy that our collective presence created, and the genuine sense of connection that emerged across our clubs. For them—and for us—the gathering reaffirmed that Rotary is at its best when we collaborate, support one another, and join forces to achieve good in the world.
The weekend itself was filled with moments of real fellowship. From the breakfasts we shared to the special tour of Beechworth’s historic buildings to the conversations held throughout the day, the visit offered connection, learning, and enjoyment. These interactions strengthen relationships and open the way for future cooperative projects.
A highlight of the combined meeting was JimJam Foods ' co-owner Maggie Mackenzie's address. Her talk, Cape Deim Seize the Day, traced her unexpected career path, unfolding through a series of unforeseen circumstances and opportunities she seized, culminating in her becoming one of the leading fine-food distributors in Melbourne. Her message about embracing opportunity, adapting to circumstance, and fearlessly stepping into uncharted territory resonated deeply with those present.
Our lunch in the garden at JimJam Foods was outstanding, and we are grateful for their hospitality and warmth. We were blessed with blue sky and mild temperatures. A perfect day.
My deepest thanks go to the indefatigable Noel Halford, whose capacity to form relationships helped bring our clubs together so seamlessly and to the other members who contributed in one way or another to the success of the venture.
In a time when many Rotary clubs face challenges, this weekend demonstrated what becomes possible through collaboration. When we unite—not just in name, but in action, generosity, and goodwill—we amplify our impact, strengthen our clubs, and reaffirm our shared purpose.
Let us continue to unite for good—for our communities, for each other, and for the future of Rotary.
NEXT WEEK’S MEETING Kooyong - 2 December
Charlie Allen
Building Resilience: Peace Building In Rotary
'Charlie is a facilitation, resilience, leadership, and peacebuilding professional with over 30 years’ experience. His early experience is grounded in the security sector, and over the past decade he has expanded his experience to include working in South, South East, and Eastern Asia, Western and Eastern Africa, MENA region and Oceania.
His areas of specialty include process facilitation, training design and delivery, resilience practice, leadership development, organisational and community systems change.
His experience expands through operational and strategic facilitation. Creating safe spaces and establishing connection between participants are key components to Charles’ approach.
Charlie’s personal education includes Leadership and Organisational Change, Peace and Conflict Prevention, Good Governance and Human Rights. Maintaining fitness, creating great and healthy food, trekking and music are the outlets that maintain Charles’ resilience and these outlets spill over into his facilitation practice'. (Source: Space Melbourne)
M.C. Dennis Shore
UPCOMING SPEAKERS
December 2 : Charlie Allen, Building Resilience
December 9 :Christmas Dinner
December 16:Last meeting for 2025
February 3:First meeting Kooyong for 2026
VALE
It is with sadness we note the death of our highly respected Hawthorn member Bernie Walshe.For members who knew Bernie, he represented a time in our history of a Rotary Hawthorn spirit and energy that typified our volunteering spirit and successful “giving” far and wide around the world. READ MORE
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bookings are now open for our Annual Christmas Dinner
Members and guests are invited to our Rotary Hawthorn Christmas Dinner on Tuesday 9 December at the Studley Park Boathouse.
Tickets are $80 per person for a 2 course dinner and a welcome drink. You can purchase your tickets online using this link:
WHAT HAPPENS ON ADVENTURE TRIPS DOES NOT ALWAYS STAY ON ADVENTURE TRIPS!
From Editor Bulletin
Our annual adventure, this year to Beechworth was a terrific success with our heartfelt appreciation of Noel Halford’s meticulous planning.
Sunshine, camaraderie, tsunami of laughter (mainly at my expense!), shopping, sightseeing, walking and so much food, wine and coffee.
Our coffee stop at Euroa was rustic charm and time for connecting with our fellow 24 travellers. The noise in that normally peaceful café was awesome.READ MORE
ROTARY HAWTHORN REGIONAL VISITS - Noel Halford
It is amazing how from the thoughts of one person can changethe lives of so many.
This was particularly so in the case of John Millington a former President of the Rotary Club of Nhill. John’s search for employees to be employed in his Luv a Duck enterprise located in Nhill took him some 300km away to Melbourne .
His decision to provide employmentandassist in accommodating a family of Karen refugees from Myanmar was a turning point for so many. Today there is a thriving Karen communityin Nhill and neighbouring towns.
John Millington’s actions inspired so many, including your writer, who decided Rotary Hawthorn would benefit from seeing first hand one of our nation’s most truly successful immigration stories.READ MORE
Noel Halford’s JIM JAM STORY
“All about the food!" Jim Jam Foods is all about the way great food feels in your mouth and the comfort of those rekindled childhood memories of food forgotten.
Founded 16 years ago on a dare, the husband and wife team behind Jim Jam are passionate about every bit of Jim Jam Foods, chopping, mixing, heating, stirring, bottling and labelling all on their 60 acre property in Stanley, North East Victoria, where they married, and have lived for 12 years. READ MORE
ANNUAL SERVICE TO SENIORS’ AWARD 2026
We are seeking nominations for our Annual Service to Seniors’ Award and suggest you may have someone you might like to nominate. Please read the attached details for nomination and the Application Form.
Award will be announced at our Kooyong meeting 21 April 2026.Our Award recognises a volunteer “who flies under the radar” supporting an older person in Boroondara.
Please put on your thinking cap!
Photo shows last year’s Awardee Coralie White and check out the smiles!
Well, our President’s wife Jane Bentley had no problem! Jane is one of those fantastic volunteers who can locate items and create great collections of anything she finds.
Jane offered me 45 basketballs and netballs. Dorothy phoned the marvellous Fartun Farah, CEO of East African Women's Foundation at Braybrook and voila!
Fartun was so happy as she was trying to create another basketball team for East African/Australian young people.
A delivery down the highway by Dorothy and the basketballs are ready for play.
Thank you Jane Bentley!
Who Am I?
Clue 1:I spend much time hitting the little white ball!
Clue 2:When last ham is collected, I’ll be hitting the whiteball!
Clue 3: I serve on our Membership Committee.
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 16 December donated by the last prize winner.
THANK YOU HENRY DRURY FOR THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTION:
Beechworth Outing of ‘Yesterday’ – Henry Drury
“Like Noel and his non-disclosure of age, back in the 60’s, Jane and I would do what became a pilgrimage and drive the Hume to northern Victoria to buy cheap wine at the various vineyard cellar doors.
In those days, the cellars were usually not much more than a shed in the paddock and the door prices were genuinely cheap.READ MORE
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?
1962-63: Donations were made for new accommodation for the weight-lifting division of the Hawthorn Citizens’ Youth Club.
Over a two-year period, £650 ($23,000 in 2022) was raised and handed over to complete the Hawthorn Citizens’ Youth Club project, Hawthorn Community Chest, Hawthorn-Kew Girl Guides Group, Hawthorn Meals on Wheels, Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog Appeal, Freedom from Hunger and Angus Mitchell House for Crippled Children.
A Christmas toy appeal was again successful in providing toys to the Children’s Cottages, Kew.
OTHER ROTARY CLUBS:
Welcome to Rotary Glenferrie’s Sustainability Market, which stars members of Council's Circular Economy team demonstrating how to make your own lightweight reusable produce bag — ideal for carrying your fresh market produce.
As well, ACF and Lighter Footprints will be present. And to serenade you, we have Glee East Singers as well, whose happy photo appears above.
Christmas is coming, and we can help. We have Rotary Cakes and Puddings for sale, along with a special offering of books of all sorts!
All your favourite stallholders are expected, as well as some new ones.
The Market is held from 8.00am till 12.30pm in Patterson Reserve, 484 Auburn Road, close to the Toorak Road intersection. Please support our local farmers and producers and help to assist Rotary projects.
