After a very lively start to the year, for a couple of days early last week, I felt that all had gone quiet, but not so.
Over the past few days, the Club has been actively involved in a variety of community and Rotary activities; a reminder that much of what we do occurs in waves rather than straight lines. Also, even when it seems like nothing is happening, there's a lot of planning happening behind the scenes.
This is exemplified by the Membership Committee, led by Mark Eldredge, which has been very busy, producing promotional materials, continuing discussions, exploring new opportunities, and helping to ensure growth and sustainability in our membership.
Recently, I had the privilege of representing the Club at the latest Citizenship Ceremony at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. These are always uplifting occasions and powerful reminders of the diverse and evolving community we live in.
At the end of the week, I also joined fellow Club Presidents and other Rotary leaders from across Boroondara at a breakfast meeting where we shared current projects and explored opportunities for collaboration. These gatherings continue to highlight just how much is happening across our local Rotary network, and how much potential there is when we work together.
On Sunday, I joined a group of Hawthorn Rotarians participating in the REACH Siem Reap Walk/Run, a fun way to raise funds for a very worthy cause, explained in detail at our Club Meeting this week. We were privileged to hear from Emily Williamson, Founder and Program Director of REACH Siem Reap, who spoke about the remarkable efforts underway to help lift impoverished Cambodian children out of poverty and empower them to become changemakers in their own communities.
And before our meeting today, a number of our members attended the Connecting Communities Morning Tea, where representatives of community organisations from across Boroondara gathered to connect and share their work — another excellent example of what can be achieved through our partnership with It’s The Little Things Community.
It seems the year had not gone quiet after all - simply gathering momentum before the next burst of activity.
21 April: Annual Service to Senior’s Award, Ben Rogers, CEO COTA and Seniors Rights Victoria
28 April:Club Meeting by Zoom
5 May:Assoc. Prof. David Szmulewicz, Principal research fellow Bionics Institute
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Note of Thanks
Editor received the following message via Rotary Melbourne’s Jo Mavros:
“Hiya, I was recently in the Alfred Hospital's psych ward and was given a care package from you. I want to say a huge thank you to the team who helped to put it together, it really meant a lot to me at an incredibly difficult time to think of the efforts that went into doing something like that.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
We thank this person who took the time to write to us.This is why we do what we do!Thanks to Katrina.
SPECIAL NOTICES from TERRY:
Social Bowling
We have had a slow response to our Social Bowling activity on Tuesday 10th March between 3pm - 6pm.
Please confirm your attendance by purchasing tickets using the link below. If you can’t bowl but would like to join us for dinner, there is a Dinner ticket option.
We are hoping to have 20 members and guests, given this is a non-meeting Tuesday.
https://www.trybooking.com/DJMOL
Pic: Nick Page for Unsplash
Storage of Rotary Hawthorn Material
Many of you would know that Noel Halford has, for many years, stored RCH material at his factory. That arrangement will soon come to an end as Noel is looking to sell the factory. We have a few items that need a new home, nothing too bulky. If you think you might be able to store something at your home or beach house, please let Terry Kitchen know ASAP.
Last Sunday morning, while many were enjoying their first coffee, a small group of Hawthorn Rotarians and their supporters gathered at Princes Park in Carlton for a walk to raise funds for REACH Siem Reap. Some participants ran 8 km, while others, including our Hawthorn contingent, chose the 4km walk. Despite being a small group, Hawthorn's team raised the most money overall exceeding our target.
Thanks to both the walkers and the contributors from the Club and beyond. Everyone had a wonderful Sunday morning .
If you haven't already indicated your intention to John Perry about volunteering at one of the DIK working bees that are held every second Thursday of the month, and even if you have, please indicate your availability by following this link and ticking the dates that you would be available to join the team at DIK over the next few months. CLICK HERE
Who Am I?
Clue 1: I am the “greatest” collector of anything that can be donated.
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 3 March donated by the last prize winner.
YOUR CLUB BULLETIN NEEDS YOUR STORIES!
Editor note: 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 know you have made a difference by contributing!
DIK VOLUNTEERS
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:
· 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.
Did you know that Rotary District 9800 has its own Community Radio Show?
Many of our more senior members have been interviewed on this program including Noel Halford, Dennis Shore, Tilak Dissanayake and myself.
Friday night, I was invited by Presenter Susie Cole to co-host the 2 hour program and I had so much fun.
It was great to give Rotary Hawthorn a “plug” too.
Rotary Community Radio is every Friday night from 6-8 pm and can be found at: 94.1FM 3WBC.www.3wbc.org.au
Pic. shows Susie Cole, Fiona Anderson and me.
ROTARY NOTICEBOARD
A little update from a much admired Guest Speaker and friend of Rotary Hawthorn – Dr Cameron Roberts
“Many of you will already know about my recent book, Optimizing Pianism – Evidence-Based Perspectives (Bloomsbury, 2025).
Feedback has been amazing (thankfully!), and it has prompted me to start writing a weekly newsletter to spread the knowledge further. Each week, my goal is to share a bite-sized piece of evidence-based information that pianists (and teachers) can apply directly to their daily practice.
As in the book, I’ll draw on neuroscience, physics, physiology and psychology to address the problems of advanced piano playing. The focus will centre on optimising the three essential elements of pianism — the 3 Ms: Musical, Mechanical and Mental. There’ll be a lot of useful and interesting myth-busting along the way too!
A request from a visiting Rotarian from Rotary Kew last week, Pennie Cornwell for their upcoming GardenDesignfest in November.
Kew Rotary are in the planning stages of our major fundraiser, to be held 21/22 November 2026. We have several great designers and gardens signed up, but always looking for more. If you have or know of a great designer, wonderful garden and owners willing to support Rotary, please get in touch with Pennie. 0425714316
Rotary Caroline Springs Charity Golf Day
Rotary Essendon has announced its Annual Duck Race on the Maribyrnong Riveron Sunday 1 March 2026.
ROTARY WERRIBEE’S ‘RHYTHMS & RIDES for CHANGE’
Sunday April 26 at Wyndham Harbour
Multi-District IMPACT SUMMIT - in Horsham!
Join us for the Multi-District Impact Summit in the vibrant regional city of Horsham, Victoria. This isn't just another conference; it's a powerful collaboration where Districts 9800, 9780 and 9510 will Unite for Good.
This year's summit brings together three districts to amplify our collective power and drive meaningful change. We'll be focusing on the incredible things we can achieve when we work together, sharing our successes, and planning our future impact. Check the flyer for information or click on: https://www.rotaryimpactsummit.org/
Don't miss this unique opportunity to CONNECT, SHARE, and LEARN how we can make an even greater impact together. Mark your calendars and be part of this unforgettable experience.
