Greetings! Well we have barbequed ourselves this week with two Bunnings BBQs!A huge thank you to Terry and her fantastic team of 21 members and partners on Saturday, who sausage sizzled (without gas for the first couple of hours!) and raised $2,200 on the day for our projects.
It was delightful to banter with the public and the energy in the Bunnings marquee was fun, friendly, and fast! It makes one appreciate being a Rotarian of our wonderful club.
Now our focus can return to selling our Raffle tickets and preparing for a lively, exciting Changeover Dinner on 10 June.
Incidentally, on Thursday night when Mark Pinoli, Patrick and I sausage sizzled at the Bunnings Mother’s Day Family Night, I even had time to ‘chat up’ a lovely young couple who reside in Hawthorn and are interested to join our membership and will attend our next meeting. Never miss an opportunity to promote Rotary!
Please note that Big Mac may need a volunteer for tomorrow’s Salvo Hawks Game.Please contact Big Mac if you might be available.
My quote for the week: ‘Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before.’ – Mae West
Our Bunnings BBQs Last Week
Terry Kitchen, Club Service Director
Bunnings Hawthorn offered us the opportunity to be part of their Mother’s Day Family Event on Thursday 8th May, by cooking their free sausage sizzle between 6pm – 8pm.
Dorothy, Mark Pinoli and his partner, Patrick, offered their services and we are very grateful to them for pulling up their sleeves and promoting our Club to the local community.
In return, Bunnings have provided us with $200 worth of gift cards that can be used as raffle items at our next Lift the Lid Lunch.
Our own Bunnings BBQ fundraising event was held on Saturday 10th May. My thanks to the 21 members and partners – Karun McNamara and Jane Bentley – who gave up their time to do a shift on what was a very busy Saturday.
Our team performed extremely well, despite several issues we had with the BBQ equipment – the Bunnings staff later apologised for the inconvenience their malfunctions caused – but we soldiered on and cooked our way through 15kg of onions and 45kg of sausages!
Our total profit was $2200 and our members enjoyed the opportunity to work and socialise together for a good cause.
Interesting to note that we had two inquiries from members of the public:
• A father and daughter asking whether our Club might be able to assist the daughter to undertake a Rotary Student Exchange in a year or so. I was able to tell them about our recent experience with Evie Flynn.
• A local Physiotherapy business owner who is holding an open day and wants to partner with a community group; she is going to email us with more information.
Two vegans, and a vegetarian at the Bunning's Mother's Day family night.
From L to R: Jane Bentley, Richard Logan, and Ian Bentley
From L to R: Richard, Terry, Ian, Sheridan and Doug
OUR CHANGEOVER DINNER
Please diarise and book now for our Changeover Dinner.
We are counting on you and look forward to your attendance!
Mezzo-soprano Karen Van Spall, a regular guest artist with Opera Australia, a soloist with Victorian Opera, and a performer at the Melbourne Recital Centre, will entertain us.
Simon J Costa AO seen here at George Petrou’s book launch, after George painted Simon’s portrait. He is a businessman and humanitarian.With 30 years executive experience, including 22 years as CEO/Director of large private, public and not-for-profit organisations, he understands the complexities of business and the critical importance of building a culture that unites people around an inspiring purpose.
As the head of one of Australia’s largest private companies, he was responsible for 32 operating entities, employing over 14,000 people.
In 2011 Simon changed his focus from pursuing success to pursuing significance. He left corporate life and took a voluntary role with the United Nations, concentrating on reducing food insecurity and poverty across sub-Saharan Africa. <READ MORE>
Project Updates
It's not too late to register for our Rotary SAFE Families second global Mega Meeting online: This Wednesday, 14 May at 7.00 pm.
We recently created a new promo video which is to be shown at the Multi-District Summit in May in Adelaide and the RI International Convention in June when Ian Bentley will be presenting Rotary SAFE Families to the world-wide audience.
Rotary Hawthorn is once again contributing to Camcare’s Non-perishable Emergency Relief Food Parcel Collection.
Please bring your contributions to leave at the desk when meeting at Kooyong. We are accepting your contributions till Tuesday 17 June which is our last Kooyong meeting for June. Please make sure you read the attached for important information on food and other goods.<READ MORE>
DV Safe Phones - Your old phone could save a life!
For domestic violence (DV) victims, access to a safe phone can mean the difference between life and death.
Perpetrators often use phones to control and monitor their victims, leaving them isolated and without a secure way to keep in contact with friends and family or seek help.
Rotary SAFE Families and their goal is to get a safe phone into the hands of every Australian DV victim who needs one. With over two million known DV victims in Australia, there is no doubt they have a significant challenge on their hands. However, they know that with your help, we can break down barriers to accessing vital help when it is needed most.
You can play a vital role in ensuring every call for help is heard. Bring your old phone to a lunch meeting and Jane Bentley and I will ensure it is used to keep a victim “safer”.
Our Collection boxes will be placed in Boroondara Council high traffic areas.
20 May: Simon J. Costa AO, Australian business executive, philanthropist, and humanitarian.
27 May: Zoom meeting with Dr Brad Tucker, Astrophysicist and Cosmologist from Canberra.
10 June: Our Changeover Dinner Ian is creating a beautiful Changeover celebrate Ian Bentley as our President 2025-26 – Please diarise this date!
24 June: Please note Care bag packing session is currently scheduled.
12 August - A visit to the Bionics Institute.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Who Am I?Email or message David Pisterman pisterman41@gmail.comwith your answer to this month’s Quiz. A prize is waiting for the winner at our lunch meeting 3 June.
Clue 1: “O” I can tell a good story!
Clue 2: Believe It or Not, I told a “porky pie”!
Clue 3: I could sell ice to the Eskimos!
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS - ARE YOU AVAILABLE?
Please note: Another care bag packing session is currently scheduled for 24 June 2025.
Also,
The Salvo Hawks are playing again and Big Mac is always on the ‘look out’ for an extra pair of hands.
If you would like some help with a Club project or event, you can post a notice in The Week Ahead and the Bulletin. Simply contact Ari Talantis at aritalantis2003@gmail.com with the details.
OTHER ROTARY CLUB EVENTS
The 2025 Camberwell Art Show is on again at the Advanced Technologies Centre at Swinburne University. So come along and experience the largest community Art Show in Australia where you can view and purchase artworks. Drop in on your way home from work! Your $22.00 Evening Session Ticket also entitles you to cheese & biscuits and a glass of wine.Ticket Prices: Public Entry $20.00 (no Concession available for evening sessions)Tickets: https://camberwellartshow.org.au/visitor-information/
