Rotary International's monthly theme for July is Maternal and Child Health!
Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth and millions of children die each year from treatable, preventable causes. At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, Rotary provides immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improves access to essential medical services, and supports trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Rotary’s projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs.
Maternal and Child Health Care is also recognized as one of Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Friday morning at 7.00 am, I found my way to a Balwyn café for an early morning breakfast, chaired by Michael Stilwell and along with 7 Rotary Presidents from our cluster group, we shared our Club projects and focus for this year.
Rotary Hawthorn members, please take note that apart from a low membership, we are achieving in most areas of our club. This has been affirmed by a fascinating video: “How to Kill Your Rotary Club?” I plan to show you this video in a couple of weeks for your reference.
The key areas that resonated with me from both the video and the President’s breakfast were the importance of gaining the attention of young people. We are certainly achieving this at Hawthorn with the chartering of our Interact Club at Scotch College and the Towards Respectful Relationships’ program commencing in Term 1 next year, our support for Education CHANCES and hopefully the commencement of Noel Halford’s “Waste to Wonder” project, along with planning activities with Auburn High School and Auburn Primary School.
Incidentally, the Presidents all asked for an Invitation to our Lift the Lid lunch in October and three Presidents asked if they could collect bras for our Operation Uplift project! I am very glad I dragged myself out of bed early morning to attend this breakfast. Onwards and Upwards Rotary Hawthorn!
NEXT MEETING 15 September - Kooyong
Peter Cullen AM, CEO Reclink: “The Power of a Football”.
'The Power of a Football’ is a riveting collection of over 30 personal stories from all walks of life in the 30 years of Reclink footy - stories about Reclink’s impact on lives. The big names, the unsung heroes and everyone in between – from the early days of its grassroots in St Kilda, to the football league it is today around the country.
Throughout these stories are the recurrent themes of hope, passion, inspiration, confidence and the transformative nature of connection and purpose which AFL football provides. The Power of a Football is an uplifting and important book which reminds us all that something as simple as a football holds the power to change lives.
With testimonials inside from Rev Tim Costello AO, Andrew Gaze, Doug Hawkins, Andy Maher, Tim Watson, Sam Kekovitch, The Power of a Football is an uplifting and important book which reminds us of all that something as simple as a football holds the power to change lives'. Words and Photo: Reclink Australia
UPCOMING CALENDAR
8 September: No Meeting – Social lunch at venue to be decided
15 September: Peter Cullen AM, CEO Reclink – “Power of a Football”
22 September: Jock Serong
29 September: No meeting
2 October(Friday): Lift the Lid Lunch
AVEO ARE BACK SUPPORTING ROTARY HAWTHORN
Not only have Aveo invited us to visit two of their new residences, but they have stepped up to be Gold Sponsors at our Lift the Lid Lunch on 2 October. We greatly appreciate their sponsorship, and Dorothy has organised a date for you and your partner to take a tour and enjoy a morning tea at the Fountain Court in Burwood on Tuesday 13 October, commencing at 10.30 – 11.45 am. Dorothy.
Think about friends you can invite to make up a table at our Lift the Lid Lunch, our major fundraiser. All members are expected to support our biennial fundraiser!
Download the attached Flyer and email it to your friends or print out and give it to your friends!
We desperately need raffle items:
Do you have a favourite cafe/restaurant that you frequent? Ask them to provide a gift voucher and we will promote their business to 200 guests at our event.
A favourite business that you use like a florist, Scicluna’s green grocer, a gym, pub, wine bar? Can they provide a gift voucher in return for us promoting them to 200 guests?
We need auction items:
· Sporting memorabilia
· Artwork
· A Holiday apartment or flights from your travel agency
· A unique experience (e.g. a drive in a sports car)
· Vintage wine
Please contact Terry if you have any ideas or suggestions.
Clue 3: I make sure everything is organised for every meeting at Kooyong!
Clue 4: Every Monday is her Grand mothering Day!
Email or message David Pisterman (pisterman41@gmail.com with your answer to this month’s Quiz. A bottle of the best is waiting for the winner at our lunch meeting on 21 July, donated by the last prize winner. This is the final Who Am I? President D has another challenge for you all commencing at our meeting on 18 August. Clue: Bring some $2.00 coins but note, that if you forget, Doug McLean has his ATM machine ready for action!
Another clue: Gordon Cheyne and David Pisterman are involved!
DID YOU KNOW?
PP David Rush (1991-92) initiated in 1986-87, one of Rotary Hawthorn’s most innovative international projects – the Hawthorn Kitchen Project in Phuket, Thailand.
David and his wife Sue visited Phuket in 1985, and they learnt that poor children were too embarrassed to go to school because their parents could not afford to supply lunches or suitable clothing for them. The children’s health was poor, and they were missing an education.
David suggested that our club and Rotary Club of Phuket raise funds to assist these children.
A self-help program was developed. A cashew plantation was established and farmed in Phuket.
The children harvested the nuts and from the proceeds purchased chickens and fresh vegetables for a daily hot meal (until then they were receiving just one hot meal a week!)
The children’s health improved, they were able to attend school regularly and there was an increase in literacy in the area. The program was designed to ensure that the children felt they were making a worthwhile contribution to their futures.
In later years, shipments of high-protein biscuits were supplied by our club to Rotary Club of Phuket with the help of two Special Grants from Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Club of Phuket monitored the progress of the health of the children for six months and the results disclosed an increase in weight and general improvement in the standard of health of the many children who received the biscuits.
Note: The Thai Government in 1987-88, gave the program an award for being the best disadvantaged children’s project in Thailand.
Incidentally, the Presidents all asked for an Invitation to our Lift the Lid lunch in October and three Presidents asked if they could collect bras for our Operation Uplift project! I am very glad I dragged myself out of bed early morning to attend this breakfast. Onwards and Upwards Rotary Hawthorn!
Email or message David Pisterman (pisterman41@gmail.com with your answer to this month’s Quiz. A bottle of the best is waiting for the winner at our lunch meeting on 21 July, donated by the last prize winner. 