Reading this Bulletin, I’m reminded again how active our Club remains. From recycled playgrounds and the Walk for REACH Siem Reap, to SAFE Families, Bookworms, and celebrating our Travel Prize recipient, there is a steady thread of service and fellowship running through all we do. Rotary is never just meetings — it is people working together to make practical differences in people’s lives.
Your Board meets this week with a full and constructive agenda focused on strengthening the Club and positioning us well into the future. I encourage members to actively engage in committee work and support their Directors — our effectiveness depends on broad participation across the Club.
This month, we adopt our new Strategic Plan, and it feels particularly apt that this has occurred during Rotary’s February focus on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention. The Plan is intended as a guide rather than a document for the shelf, and at its centre sits a linking theme of Peace.
A Rotary SAFE Families planning group has also met recently, with plans taking shape for the year ahead. Peace in families is a major step toward peace in our world, and this work reminds us that peacebuilding begins close to home.
Peace, of course, is more than the absence of conflict. It is something lived — peace of mind when needs are met, peace within families built on respect, and peace across communities through opportunity and dignity. Much of what we already do contributes to this, often quietly but meaningfully.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the Club. Let us carry that forward — onwards and upwards — and, as John Lennon reminded us in 1969, keep giving peace a chance through what we do together.
Ian Bentley
President 2025-26
NEXT MEETING – KOOYONG –17 February
Trudy Poole
Topic:Recycled Playgrounds, Play it Forward
Trudy Poole, Past President of Rotary Peninsula 2.0 will talk about Play it Forward a joint venture between, Heartprint (based in Siem Reap), Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds & Rotary Peninsula 2.0 to deliver playgrounds from Australian communities to disadvantaged areas in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The initiative aims to give underprivileged children access to safe and imaginative spaces for play.
M.C. Katrina Flinn
UPCOMING SPEAKERS
17 February:Trudy Poole, “Recycled Playgrounds, Play it Forward”
21 April: Annual Service to Senior’s Award, Ben Rogers, CEO COTA and Seniors Rights Victoria
28 April:Club Meeting at Kooyong
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAVE THE DATE for our first social activity for 2026:
Barefoot Bowlsfor members and guests at Auburn Bowls Club
Date: Tuesday 10 March (non-meeting Tuesday) from 3pm - 6pm
Come along for a fun bowling activity under supervision of our very own super bowler, Katrina Flinn
Early dinner will be supplied by Chargrill Charlie’s.
Booking info and a Trybooking link for pre-payment will be circulated to members shortly. Pic: Nick Page for Unsplash
Rotary Hawthorn Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Travel Prize
We are delighted to announce the inaugural recipient of the Rotary Hawthorn Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Travel Prize to Mohamed Hisham.
When members hear about the recipient’s research, its potential to influence future medical treatment, and the opportunities the Prize has afforded Mohamed to develop his knowledge and skills, they can take pride in the impact Rotary Hawthorn is having in supporting an early-career research scientist and advancing medical science.
Rotary Hawthorn Business Breakfast
We are planning to hold a Business Breakfast Event this year with the objective to attract potential new members.
We are seeking to have an inspiring Guest Speaker and thinking that a topic like The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Businesses would attract a large number of Small to Medium Business CEOs and their staff.
At this stage we are wondering whether anyone has knowledge of a speaker who may be willing to talk on this subject.
Other topics will also be considered by the Membership Committee if we can identify a suitable guest speaker.
If you can recommend someone please contact Mark Eldredge as follows:
The Club's International Committee invites you to join us for a meaningful and enjoyable community event — the 2026 Walk for REACH Siem Reap.
Whether you choose to walk alongside us or support our Rotary Hawthorn team with a donation, your involvement will help make a real difference.
Why this event? Reach Siem Reap was a great support in the World of Difference Police legacy tour lead by Katrina Flinn and we are considering partnering with Reach Siem Reap for another project in Cambodia.
Participating in this fundraising walk is a way of expressing our gratitude for their support and to support the wonderful work that they do for children and families in Cambodia.
Our Hawthorn Bookworms have been “worming” their way through the myriad of fantastic books to make their selection for you to enjoy both “reading and sharing” your unique reflections together in lively discussion.
If you haven’t joined one of our Bookworms’ evenings, you are most welcome and we love to have new perspectives.Contact Charlotte England please.
Our calendar is the following:
Wednesday 25 March: “A Year of Wonders” by Geraldine Brooks at Pam and Andrew Crockett’s home
Don't forget to read “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D.Salinger so that we can add it to our meeting conversation when Vincent gets back from overseas.
April:“Cherrywood” by Jock Serong
May: “Sweet Sweet Revenge Ltd” by Jonas Jonasson
ROTARY SAFE FAMILIES LATEST NEWS:
Rotary SAFE Families representing Rotary Hawthorn, Caroline Springs and Melbourne, paid a visit to 50 terrific members and guests at Rotary Emerald and District. A very warm welcome and much fun and friendship was given to me presenting RSF to this group.
Great interest was given to prevention of family violence and our new program "Towards Respectful Relationships" involving local school Year 10 students talking to each other and producing short films in making respectful relationships whilst understanding the impact of family violence. Thank you Rotary Emerald.
Who Am I?
Clue 1: An academic with years of teaching young males!
Clue 2: An academic with years of teaching young males!
Clue 3: I am thrilled to be invited to join the Board as Director of Youth & Vocation in 2026-27
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: I would like to thank members who actually contribute to your Bulletin. Members like Katrina Flinn, Big Mac, Charlotte England, Andrew Crockett who help to make this weekly newsletter easier.
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?
In the 1950’s, we were greatly helped by regular visits from members of Rotary Melbourne who supported Horace Bedggood strongly to ensure our club did not lose its way in its first years.
So many clubs suffer an early death due to lack of interest and support.
It is said that the spirit of Rotary is like the measles – you must be there to catch it!
Multi-District IMPACT SUMMIT - in Horsham!
Imagine the true Rotary spirit of connection and collaboration, District 9800 is joining in March with District 9780 (Western Victoria & SE South Australia) and District 9510 (Adelaide, northern SA & southern NT) for a vibrant, multi-district Conference in Horsham.
This is a chance to broaden your Rotary world — meet inspiring Rotarians with diverse stories, spark new ideas, refresh your Rotary experience, and most of all, have a lot of fun.
What to expect:
Inspiring Speakers: Hear from visionary leaders who are making a difference in their communities and around the world.
Collaborative Workshops: Engage in hands-on sessions designed to help you develop new skills and innovative strategies for service.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow members from across the districts, forging new friendships and partnerships.
Celebration of Service: We'll be showcasing amazing projects and celebrating the impact we've all made.
Experience Horsham: Discover the best of the Wimmera region with a Paddock to Plate-themed Gala Dinner and more.
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.
Unite for Good. Unite in Horsham. Unite with us.
Note: There are five members and partners already booked so talk with President Ian if you are interested in attending.
Horsham is the home of the magnificent Mackenzie Falls
One of Victoria’s most iconic waterfalls, just a short drive into the Grampians. The viewing deck offers breathtaking photo opportunities.
Dedicated to Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution, highlighting the goal of world understanding and peace, marked by the anniversary of Rotary's founding on February 23, 1905, often celebrated with special events like the Presidential Peace Conference. It's a time for clubs to focus programs on goodwill and peace, linking to Rotary's core mission.
Key Aspects of February in Rotary:
Theme: Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution (or World Understanding and Peace).
Anniversary: Celebrates the first Rotary meeting on February 23, 1905.
Activities: Clubs organize meetings, programs, and events to promote peace and ethical standards.
In essence, February serves as a focal point for Rotary's commitment to fostering peace and understanding globally, tied to its founding principles and the anniversary of its inception.
