THE WEEK AHEAD

5 August 2025

President’s Message

It’s been an excellent start to the Rotary year at Hawthorn, with strong momentum already building across our committees and the club as a whole.

A special thank you to Dennis Shore, who last Tuesday gave us a fascinating glimpse into his “other Rotary life” as a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation. 

His stories of travelling the world for high-level meetings and representing the RI President—complete with traditional dress, red carpets, and royal welcomes—were both entertaining and inspiring.  

We’re fortunate to have someone of       Dennis’s stature in our club. For our newer or younger members, his experiences offer a glimpse of the extraordinary opportunities Rotary can provide, connecting with remarkable people, seeing the world, and contributing to vital humanitarian work.

Closer to home, the Communications Committee met last week to shape our messaging and outreach for the year ahead. The Membership Committee meets this week to focus on welcoming and supporting members. International Service has already kicked off with fresh plans, and Youth Service is set to meet soon.

Looking ahead, please make sure Wednesday 15 October is in your calendar for our Connecting Communities Lunch. We’ll also need volunteers to help with food preparation on Tuesday 14 October, if you’re available for a couple of hours, I’d love to hear from you.

With active committees, plans taking shape, and events on the horizon, we’re set for a purposeful and rewarding year at Rotary Hawthorn.

NEXT MEETING – Kooyong – 19 August

The Reverend Natalie Dixon-Monu, Boroondara Community Outreach

“Supporting Vulnerable People in Boroondara”

Reverend Natalie Dixon-Monu has been the coordinator at BCO for 18 years. She holds a B.A., B.Theol. and a Grad. Dip. In Human Service-Counselling. Alongside a part-time employee she leads a team of 55+ regular volunteers to offer a variety of supports to vulnerable people in Boroondara.

Reverend Natalie has over 35 years of experience supporting people with complex needs in a variety of contexts from work in adult and juvenile correctional facilities, outreach in rooming houses, grief counselling, family and youth support.

M.C.:  Kevin Rose 

Photo Credit: Boroondara Community Outreach

REMINDER – Bionics Institute Visit & Lunch – 12 August

To our Members and Partners,  a last reminder if you haven’t registered for this fascinating tour of the Bionics Institute on Tuesday, 12 August. 

Address:  Bionics Institute has moved to St Vincent’s Hospital in Victoria Parade. This is easily accessible by tram along Victoria Parade or train to Parliament Station with a short walk.  Car Parking is available across the road.

Time:  Arrive in time for 10.30 am start. Duration will be between 1-2 hours.

Lunch: Square and Compass café just 3 minute walk from St. Vincent’s Hospital. 

RSVP:  We need to advise the Institute of our numbers. Members and friends are welcome to join. Please advise Terry Kitchen if you would like to attend, email terrykitchen57@icloud.com.

PROJECT UPDATES

SALVO HAWKS

Hi Hawthorn Rotary Team,

Next Salvo Hawks Home game Round 9: Ballarat Bushrangers/Salvo Hawks V's Southern Pen. Swans

Date: Wednesday 6 August 2025

Venue: VictoriaRoad Reserve (15 Victoria Road, Hawthorn East )

Volunteers Please - Looking forward to your assistance.

Pizza’s Ordered!  Ready for the Bounce!

Thanks, David McNamara

DV Safe Phones – Your old phone could save a life!

Have you a phone lying around that you don’t use now?  Please bring it to a meeting at Kooyong and place in the bag on the Rotary Hawthorn front desk. 

Rotary Hawthorn, Rotary SAFE Families are working with DV Safe Phones to collect and distribute these phones to victims of family violence.

International Service Update 

by Mark Pinoli, Director of International Service

We are thrilled to announce our latest involvement in a project set to transform lives in rural Cambodia: the Cambodia Clean Water and Toilets Project (CCWTP). We're partnering with fellow Rotary Clubs to build essential sanitation facilities in the village of Peam, near Siem Reap—a vital step toward better health, education, and community well-being.  READ MORE

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Note from Bulletin Editor: All copy and photos need to be sent to me by the Saturday - 6.00 pm please.  E: gilmour.dorothy@gmail.com

Who Am I? 

Email or message David Pisterman (pisterman41@gmail.com with your answer to this month’s Quiz. We have introduced a slightly different format.  If you are the winner of the Who Am I? Quiz, you donate a bottle of vino at the drawing of next month’s “Who Am I?” Quiz. Prize winner last month – Big Mac.

Clue 1:  She “communicates” very well!

Clue 2:  Is Chair of a new Rotary Hawthorn Committee!

Proposed Club Event with “It’s the Little Things” 

“Connecting Community Day Lunch”

Dates:  Tuesday, 14 October 2025 at 9.30 am – 12.00 pm (help set up lunch)

            Wednesday,15 October 2025 at 12.15 pm – 2.00 pm (lunch)

Venue: Memorial Hall – 2 Denham Street, Hawthorn

More will be announced but please diarise these two dates which are important for us to assist.

Proposed Club Event for End Polio Now

“Family Picnic in the Park”

Please diarise Sunday 26 October!  12.00 – 3.30 pm

Invite the grandchildren, children, (other people’s children) to a games and a picnic in the park - “Funday Sunday”. 

Watch This Space for more Details!

Would You Be Interested to Attend?

Noel Halford is seeking interest in this free exhibition which is receiving  outstanding reviews. He believes it might appeal to some of our Rotarians.

Marjorie Halford and a number of others are giving rave reviews and it could be a social event for us to consider.

The venue at Box Hill Town Hall is in close proximity to many places to have a light lunch.

If not Asian cuisine, there is always the Box Hill RSL which is good value.

Below is a link for a summary of the exhibition for your information.

https://creativewhitehorse.vic.gov.au/whats-on/annemieke-mein-nature-revealed-exhibition.

Annemieke Mein’s educational showcase for Owlet Nightjar, 2021 from 

https://creativewhitehorse.vic.gov.au/whats-on/educational-showcases-annemieke-mein

If you Google Annemieke Mein there is more detail.

I would be happy to organise something  but first I suggest we gauge the interest.  Please email me if you would like me to organise a visit to this Exhibition. 

Email:  noelhalford@gmail.com

       AUGUST is MEMBERSHIP & NEW CLUB                         DEVELOPMENT MONTH

ONWARDS & UPWARDS