I am quoting from Rotary Glenferrie’s President as his message applies to our members and I hope will provide some self-reflection:
'It is reasonable to say that Rotary’s attitude to attendance (at least in Australia) has become far more flexible. However regular involvement in Rotary activities is still an integral part of your Rotary membership. After all, why are you paying a membership fee if you are not making use of what Rotary has to offer?'
Rotary involvement can occur in many ways aside from attending our regular meetings. You can become an active, productive Committee member, ensure you attend at least 2 Rotary meetings a month, assist Big Mac with the Salvo Hawks, show interest in our new look International Service, Rotary SAFE Families, ensure you Accept or Decline our weekly Invitation to meetings. (Rather than having to chase you on a Sunday evening for your invitation response.)
If you are heading off on an extended break, at any time, please notify our Membership Director, Andrew Crockett so your absence can be noted. This can be extremely helpful in our event planning.
But most importantly, enjoy what Rotary Hawthorn membership provides, especially the friendship.
Last week’s lunch at the Auburn Hotel with 16 members was delightful and will be repeated.
My quote for the week: 'You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.'
NEXT MEETING
25 March on Zoom
We welcome home Evie Flynn, our returned Exchange student from France.
We look forward to hearing Evie’s experiences as an Exchange student.
Meet Dr Gula Bezhan
A medical practitioner forced to flee Afghanistan with the Taliban takeover in 1996, Dr Gulghotai (Gula) Bezhan established the Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria in 2009 and has worked to support and empower refugees for over 14 years.
Dr Gula is also well-recognised as a leader within the Afghan community and has made an exceptional contribution within the Casey and Greater Dandenong communities.
Today, we recognise Dr Gula’s voluntary and professional contributions as a Local Champion and inductee of the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
Dr Gula has been working to empower the Afghan community and more specifically Afghan women and children for more than 20 years through her work in community services and international aid. https://awov.org.au/
Project Updates
SATURDAY 10 MAY
IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER BUNNING BBQ!
Our Bunnings BBQ will be held. Terry Kitchen is looking for volunteers to assist in creating yummy sausage sizzler smells that will lure the public to our stand.
That means a great fundraising event whilst having fun together!
These Vaudeville sausage sizzlers above are: Doug McLean, Andrew Crockett, Terry Kitchen and Denbigh Richards.
Our Community Service Director, Kevin Rose and Club Service Director Terry Kitchen have conveyed the appreciation of our recent donation to Hope in a Suitcase.
Julie Armstrong sent a Certificate of Appreciation and wrote:
'With your contribution, we are empowering children entering out-of-home care by reinforcing values to each child that they are loved, worthy, and they matter. Children with a strong sense of self-worth feel competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and feel worthy of success and happiness. It gives them a solid foundation for their learning and development.'
We hope that our donation will convey love and comfort to a child who has been placed into foster care.
25 March – Volunteers needed for a packing session at Notting Hill
March 25 – Zoom with Dr Gula Bezhan – CEO Afghan Women’s Organisation
1 April at Kooyong: Awarding our Annual Service to Senior’s Award with CEO Senior’s Rights Vic. & COTA – Ben Rogers as Guest Speaker – Special Guest – Mayor of Boroondara, Sophie Torney
April 15 - Special guest, Michael Headberry – Sir John Monash Humanitarian at our ANZAC theme meeting at Kooyong
April 29 is a meeting where you must bring a guest. Grandchild, child, friend or foe! We shall be entertained with a 'Believe It Or Not!'
More fun and enjoyment:
Our Changeover Dinner will be a 'not to miss' event when we celebrate Ian Bentley as our President 2025-26 – Please diarise this date!
Our much anticipated adventures at Beechworth/Milawa 18-20 November. Note: This adventure already has 20 “adventurers” booked. Please contact Noel Halford immediately if you would like to join us.
Noel’s Adventures are very popular now so we are nearly fully booked 9 months ahead.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Who Am I? Email or message David Pisterman at pisterman41@gmail.com with your answer to this month’s Quiz. A prize is waiting for the winner at our lunch meeting 29 April.
Clue 1: Country Women’s Association is fortunate to have me!
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS - ARE YOU AVAILABLE?
The stock on the shelves needs to be repositioned and 4000 women’s briefs need to be put into boxes by size, as well as delivery packs for Upton House for all clothing.
Meeting Photographers needed – We need to capture our meetings and events and this is a very important role in our Club to maintain a record for our history – Please speak to Dorothy if you can assist.
Photos of travels, funny pics, member stories – Please members. I know you will have pics and stories from your Christmas holidays – share them with us via Member Contributions. Email: Editor - Dorothy Gilmour
Please note: If you would like some help with a Club project or event, you can post a notice in The Week Ahead and the Bulletin.
OTHER ROTARY CLUB EVENTS
The Multi-District Impact Summit PowerPoint presentation is available to us and is designed to inform, inspire, and encourage participation in this unique event.
It provides all the essential details about registering to attend the Multi-District Impact Summit. www.rotaryimpactsummit.org
A special evening celebrating gardens, bees and our shared environment
The event will feature distinguished speakers including Costa Georgiadis, Andrew Laidlaw, Fiona Chambers and Aris Petratis discussing pollinators and creating a more sustainable future.
There will also be auctions, raffles and lots more.
