It was a real pleasure to induct Peter Lugg. And I know we’re all going to make him very welcome!
I’m now sure that we will be creating a video (60 secs max) of our past year for use at district conference in March. And videoing our activities will then be a permanent feature. So we need to create a team of, say, 2 or 3 or 4 people who are capable of creating video, sorting video, and editing video. Who has a video camera, or a phone with video capability? Who has a computer with video editing capability? Who has the enthusiasm to learn or share these skills? Please let me know by the end of this week !
We are now searching for a President Nominee to hold office 2017-18. Members: please heed my separate email on this important topic.
No decision yet, but we are considering holding an informal BYO BBQ lunch on Cup Day 3 November. Perhaps at ‘Rocket Park’ near Swinburne.
What an amazing story told by our guest speaker Lynn Berry(above).
To hear how one seemingly localised suburban project involving a couple individuals could expand to the breadth of Melbourne, then Australia in a few months was fascinating. But then to consider further how in parallel this avalanche of generated community sentiment could promote input from several other countries, and thereafter now in the aftermath capture the attention and desire for input to international institutions such as the Chelsea Flower Show, and WW1 memorial authorities (associated with Belgium & the Flanders Fields) is remarkable.
Lynn and her sister-in-law Margaret Knight originally set out to make 120 crochet poppies for Remembrance Day in 2013, i.e. November. Achieving their goal they placed them on stems under her father’s Battalion’s tree in the Avenue of Honour at the Shrine of Remembrance. Exposure and interest from a simple radio interview gave rise to an informal "army" of helpers, mothers clubs, schools, interested fibre artists and just plain individuals with some measure of knitting, crocheting or simple tailoring skills.
So was borne the idea to have "5000" for Anzac 2015, the thought kicking off about three months earlier. The numbers grew as more people set about creating red remembrance style poppies of all types of construction.
The initial aim was to “plant” a massive field of handmade poppies in Fed Square Melbourne on Anzac Day 2015 as a stunning visual tribute to Australian servicemen and women for more than a century of service in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Help came from Phillip Johnson, Australia’s premiere landscape designer to develop the display. Expectations were surpassed, poppies and contributions came from everywhere even Singapore, New Zealand, and China for instance.
What next? There is an invitation to exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show and tour the WW1 western front battlefields.
There is no shortage of existing mats and assemblies of poppies, or future contributors to make more but Lynn explained that the management of the logistics in gathering and then exhibiting to the the world wide stage is the next big challenge. Cleary financial donations help. There is reasonable support already with a major financial sponsor identified and prospects for more, but the real need is for "service in kind" being the sheer man power from volunteers. Current estimate of effort for assembling displays, based on past experiences , is 20 to 40 volunteers each day.
Chairman Anne Scott sought questions from the audience. There were some interesting points made by Lynn in response.
First there were few male contributors, the project does not seek to compete with the annual funding raising "poppy' appeals -it does not sell poppies- , and at the height of the collection of contributions (mostly by mail) the local post office was swamped for room!
John Carre-Riddell took the opportunity to tell of the origins of the context of the poppy. It arises in the 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields" by the Canadian doctor Major John McCrae, with the lines "In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row,....." Rather than something negative or sad, it should be viewed as a symbol for re-growth.
Lynn and her close team, and their many contributors have shown that aspect of growth...The "5000 Poppies" project and its growth has been and still is phenomenal.
I'm looking for social and community engagement. I would like to be a member of a supportive group that highlights volunteer opportunities and cultivates a community of support for giving back.
Ed {This is a regular weekly item canvassing the views of each member---the answer is of interest. Looking for thoughts in our club members please }
The Shadow, not surprisingly, lives in the shadows. He is always afraid that his information may be inaccurate, or his observations too cruel, so as to offend the 4 way test. He remembers with shame how he once reported, on the basis of a report from a respected source, that a member had got married – only to have that member deny even an engagement!
So it was with some trepidation that The Shadow informed the President that Stephen Bowtell had got engaged. Was the report in the Herald Sun from “Stephen Bowtell, 25, of Hawthorn”, actually from our very own member of the same name?
VOX POP ( not a breakfast food but some social media thing) notes this comment to a query re the absence of football last weekend. The Shadow is up with these modern things! Stephen Bowtell 25 replies, Hawthorn No, I'm not really a footy fan and I just got engaged so we'll be celebrating that instead.
The Shadow continues to live in fear but warmed by VOX POP. Still when will our Stephen Bowtell be home from holiday, and able to respond definitively?
Glenferrie Rotary Club is celebrating at an evening dinner its 40 years of existence on 20 October.
Congratulations on a wonderful 40 years Glenferrie!
Originally sponsored by our own club it was great to note that many Rotary Hawthorn members plan to attend. Already it seems that the table for our fellows, being co ordinated by David Pisterman, is probaby full. No problems other seating options are available.
Please link in with David to confirm your booking.
The official opening of the Greenhouse Project at Romano House 13-15 A'Beckett St, Kew is due for 2pm on Friday the 9th October.
Come along and see some of the fruits (see below photos of the workers....is that a greenhouse structure in progress?) of some members' volunteering efforts. Could make the memory of a sore back worthwhile.
Yarra Bend Rotary has initiated a number of awards to recognise members of Police, Ambulance, SES and fire services who do so much to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our local communities.
The Boroondara Emergency Services Awards are being held again this year at the Amora Hotel in Richmond on Wednesday 28 October 2015, 7pm.
Designed to recognise members of our emergency services who exceed the normal demands of their employment and deliver “Service!Above!Self” to the benefit of the local community, the Awards are judged by a panel comprising senior officers of the emergency services and Yarra Bend Rotary officials.
The awards will be presented at a gala dinner by the relevant State Ministers and the Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Mr Craig Lapsley. Members from neighboring Rotary clubs are invited to attend.
Ceremony and three course dinner a $50.00 per person.
Bookings via Try Booking http://www.trybooking.com/151850
Payment by bank transfer to the account of Yarra Bend Rotary BSB: 633 000 A/C: 129220828
Email yarrabend@rotarydistrict9800.org.au for more info.
Invitations are extended to attend a movie night at the Balwyn Cinema, 231 Whitehorse Road, on Friday October 30.
The movie is The Dressmaker. It is set in Australia and was filmed in Victoria, starring Kate Winslet and an array of renowned Australian talent. Not sure if it has a happy ending but it is described as a bittersweet, comedy-drama about love, revenge and haute couture.
Costing $20 per ticket proceeds are in support of the Bulleen Heights School which is a Dept. of Education and Training specialist school for students with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
RSVP to Anne Scott or Jenny Crofts jennycrofts@ozemail.com.au
Still looking for HR members who may want to help.
This year Super Sunday Count is being held on Sunday 8 November. It aims to collect data on the number of cyclists using or frequenting recreational trails, off road or major intersections. This data helps to build the case for better recreational infrastructure across our community.
Registrations are now open for potential counters. The count period is 9AM to 1PM.
Similar to last year, appropriate nomination of Rotary Hawthorn can see us gain the $120 (per site for a 4 hour counting stint) , if one successfully completes the count and submits the data to the central group.
If you think 4 hours is too long a stint, we can share it with fellow members and split the burden of enjoying the spring fresh air and sunshine.
One registers online, it's easy, one picks a spot and nominates the Rotary Club of Hawthorn as your preferred charity.
Let me know who is available and I will assist and coordinate our the registration processes.
“To sleep, perchance to dream – what’s really happening during general anaesthesia?”
Professor Kate Leslie is a specialist anaesthetist and head of anaesthesia research at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Kate has done extensive research in awareness and dreaming during anaesthesia and sedation.
Tuesday, 24th November 7.15 for 7.30 till 9.00am RC Central Melbourne Sunrise
The RACV Club, 501 Bourke Street
$ 65.00 per head or $600 for a table of ten
RSVP 16th November 2015
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Roy Garrett 0438 178 844 Email: roy@mingrit.com.au
Vic Burns is still in Box Hill Public Hospital, but his lung condition is improving. He has some aspects of dementia, and living at Corpus Christi "low case" Clayton with Betty. She is well and her Mobile is 0419 508 811. Vic is too confused to visit.
John Urquhart (President in 1979-80) died about a month ago. The club extends our sincere condolences to his family.
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It was a real pleasure to induct Peter Lugg. And I know we’re all going to make him very welcome! 
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