Last Thursday, I attended a lecture by international security analyst Dr Alan DuPont titled The New World Dis-Order, in which he argued that the world is facing conflict on a scale not seen since the years before the Second World War. He was not being alarmist. He was reading the evidence.
How does Rotary figure in such a world?
Rotarians know that Rotary explicitly promotes peacebuilding and conflict prevention as one of its central areas of focus and that Rotary’s understanding of peace does not simply mean the absence of war. Peace is the outcome of stable communities, when people have access to education, opportunity, dignity and human connection. Through service projects, scholarships, fellowships, and local partnerships, Rotary seeks to address some of the conditions that often lead to conflict: poverty, discrimination, exclusion, and lack of opportunity.
Denvor is one of the industry's most sought-after clinicians and a proudly independent member of NeuAudio. With years of experience presenting to groups he has a rare gift for making complex science accessible and engaging.
Denvor delivers fresh research and clinical insights that shed new light on what truly drives cognitive protection through hearing care.
The Hearing And Brain Health presentation is an inspiring and practical session that helps audiences understand the powerful connection between hearing, communication, and brain health—and how comprehensive hearing care can transform how we hear, connect, and age. Photo Credit: Kevin Malik via Pexels
UPCOMING EVENTS
26 May: Joseph Denvor - The Power of Sound
2 June: No lunch – Changeover Dinner at Kooyong
9 June: No Meeting
16 June: Elder Abuse (15 June is Elder Abuse Awareness Day)
OUR ROTARY HAWTHORN CHANGEOVER DINNER
Our Club Changeover Dinner will be held on Tuesday 2 June at Kooyong. Please members, let’s acknowledge and thank Ian for his outstanding contribution, and welcome incoming President Dorothy.
Our Mayor Wes Gault has registered along with many guests but not enough members have registered yet. Please help Terry to organise our annual event by registering here for yourself and your partner: www.trybooking.com/DLRWK
It will be an evening of lightness, melodies and friendship in lovely surroundings.
PROJECT UPDATES
SPECIAL THANKS to JOHN PERRY and THE TEAM
Thank you John Perry for gathering our Members for the monthly Rotary Hawthorn DIK packing morning.
There were all smiles from this month’s team of Vincent Chen, Doug McLean, Geoff Wright, Mark Eldredge and John.
Thank you for representing Hawthorn!
EPIC DAY OF SERVICE
Thank you Kevin Rose for implementing the Rotary Epic Day of Service – 16 May 2026. All Member would have received Kevin’s invitation to do something, no matter how small, for the community as a goodwill gesture.
Did you do something for community on Saturday 16 May? Please let Kevin know. I do know of three members who honoured the Epic Day of Service, how about you?
LATEST NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOM
Last week, Session 3 of the Towards Respectful Relationships program at the Sophia Mundi Steiner School, we were delighted to have two Senior Sergeants from the Victoria Police FV Community Liaison Team share and talk with the Year 10 students.
After a few minutes of subdued expressions, the students rallied and made the most of the fascinating information provided by Alex and Karina.
They all agreed that this visit has helped them with writing their film scripts with a much deeper understanding of the perpetrator and the victim in an abusive relationship. Thank you Rotary Hawthorn for sponsoring this school.
REPORT via NOEL HALFORD re. HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Noel Halford has provided us with a report from Malcolm Baird, Rotary Brighton North from the Rotary Club of Kathmandu for the installation of Computers and the commencement of training at the ASSN Safe House for training girls rescued from, or vulnerable to Human Trafficking.
Malcom appreciates the assistance from the supporting Rotary Clubs and the Rotary District Grant. He said it will have a significant impact, benefit and influence on many young women in the local Butwal Nepal community over the next few years.
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 June donated by the last prize winner.
Be afraid! Do not incur the wrath of DP!
DID YOU KNOW
Bern Hames was our historian for three decades and followed Tom Tylee as Director of Swinburne Technical College and President at Hawthorn in 1972-73.
Bern had a dry wit it appears which he demonstrated at our meetings.
As Bulletin Editor previous years, Bern included a pithy poem to collect ‘dues’:
Subs are due, from quite a few,
We know who, and so do you!
OTHER ROTARY EVENTS
Julie Mulhauser, PE Rotary Balwynhas given us the opportunity to comment about Boroondara Tree Canopy and Biodiversity Action Plans for 2026-28.
Julie wrote: “I have recently been appointed to the Boroondara Tree Canopy and Biodiversity Group. This is a new group composed of representatives from Rotary, Kooyongkoot Alliance and Lighter Footprints.
The group has been tasked with collating feedback on the draft 2026-28 Tree Canopy and Biodiversity Action Plans from our respective community groups .
Information on both draft plans can be found via the links below.
If you would like to have your feedback collated by me and communicated back to council officers - in addition to electronically lodging your feedback - please let me knowBEFORE Friday 22 May.All submissions are due 5 pm Tuesday 26 May 2026.
The plan is for the Boroondara Tree Canopy and Biodiversity Group to have further meetings with Amy Shaw (Coordinator Urban Biodiversity and Revegetation) and Alannah Matheson (Coordinator Trees) prior to the close of submissions.
