Four key focus areas stood out at the RI Convention: Disease Prevention and Treatment, Sanitation and Hygiene, Environmental Sustainability, and Peace. These are not just aspirational themes—they are pressing global and human challenges that Rotary clubs everywhere are actively working to address.

Here at Hawthorn, we have built a strong record over the past decade in Disease Prevention and Treatment and Sanitation and Hygiene, and we can be proud of those achievements. Yet, apart from some tree planting and a few smaller initiatives, we have not yet engaged deeply in Environmental Sustainability or Peace. Rather than a shortcoming, this is an opportunity for us to explore new directions.

This Tuesday’s speaker focused on electrifying homes in Boroondara, looking at both environmental and economic aspects. It is a great example of how global priorities can inspire meaningful local action—and how local efforts, together, can shape a broader global impact. Rotary clubs are well placed to foster and support projects like these.

As I mentioned at our last meeting, we are in a time of renewal, building on the strong foundations already laid. Some long‑running projects have come to their natural close, and we are ready to launch new initiatives that respond to today’s needs. Some will be led by the Avenues of Service Directors, but many should come from members who see a need and feel inspired to act.

In Rotary, everyone is a leader. If you have an idea—large or small—please share it. Every project begins with one person’s vision. 

NEXT MEETING – Kooyong – 29 July: TBA

INVITATION

To our Members and Partners, You are invited to an exciting, fascinating and inspirational tour of the Bionics Institute on Tuesday, 12 August. Do you recall the wonderful presentation by Robert Klupacs, Director of the Bionics Institute in Dorothy ‘s Presidential year?  We also met Sam McLarty, Robert’s colleague who has invited us to visit the Bionics Institute. 

During our visit, researchers will speak in detail about the following topics which may be of great interest to us all:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Balance disorders
• Hearing loss

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: We are checking out a little café just 3 minutes walk from St. Vincent’s Hospital.  Watch this space!

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 or 0419 508821.

PROJECT UPDATES

SALVO HAWKS

David McNamara is looking for assistance on Wednesday 23rd July 2025.

VENUE: Victoria Road Reserve (15 Victoria Road, Hawthorn East )

RECLINK have scheduled the Geelong team to play the Gippsland team with the Salvo Hawks to make up the numbers.

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

Please remember to bring your old phone/s to next meeting at Kooyong for collection. 

International Service Committee

Mark Pinoli reminder that an International Service meeting will be held at 2.00 pm after lunch on Tuesday, 29 July. 

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 are expected to donate a bottle of vino at the drawing of the next month’s “Who Am I?” Quiz. Thank you Members. Thank David Pisterman for this idea!

Clue 1:  Short hair is THE look!

Clue 2:  Spent a night in a Turkish jail!

Clue 3: Feels like a feather duster!

Clue 4:  I am not overweight, I am “under tall”!

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

At last week’s lunch meeting, we met Jane Stewart – joint CEO of a fantastic organisation It’s the Little Things. We were joined by CEO of Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club’s Ian Robson who is a volunteer with It’s the Little Things.

President Ian is negotiating an exciting “hands on” Rotary Hawthorn event: “Connecting Community Day Lunch”.

This will be a relaxed and meaningful gathering for volunteers and outreach organisations to connect, share, and build lasting community partnerships – over a shared meal and heartfelt conversations.

More will be announced but please diarise these two dates which are important for you to be available to assist:

Wednesday, 15 October 2025 at 12.15 pm – 2.00 pm

Venue: Memorial Hall – 2 Denham Street, Hawthorn

AND

Tuesday, 14 October 2025 at 9.30 am – 12.00 pm to help set up the lunch 

JULY is LEADERSHIP MONTH

As I write this from 123.12 degrees West, it’s early morning on the first day of my second term as President of the Rotary Club of Hawthorn. The weather here in Vancouver is perfect - hopefully a good omen for the year ahead.

Thanks to PP Dorothy, you’ve likely been kept up to date on Jane’s and my travels with Vincent and his wife, Chen — including our time at the RI Convention in Calgary, where the weather was less than kind, but the experience more than made up for it.

The Convention certainly lived up to this year’s theme: Unite for Good. Nearly 16,000 Rotarians from more than 120 countries came together in a powerful celebration of Rotary’s global reach and shared purpose.

The program was packed, with something for everyone - from spectacular general sessions, to practical RI ‘chats’ and more substantial breakout presentations. A focus that resonated strongly with me, and which I’ve identified as a priority for 2025–26, is membership, including optimising social media use, a topic Ari Talantis will have recently introduced to you. I did, however, ensure that I attended presentations on a wide variety of topics spanning Rotary’s focus areas.

Rotary membership is intricately linked to Rotary action. To attract and inspire new members, we need to demonstrate Rotary in action - both within our Club and across the world. The Convention gave me the opportunity to meet many truly inspirational Rotarians - people who are changing lives through projects in health and hygiene, clean water, education, community development, and peace building.

It was a privilege and a reminder of the impact we can have, locally and globally, when we unite for good.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

President Ian Bentley
 

NEXT MEETING – Kooyong – 15 July

Jane Stewart, Co-Founder of It's The Little Things

'At It’s the Little Things Community, our meals are more than just nourishment—they are a symbol of care, dignity, and human connection.

Each dish is thoughtfully prepared in a home-style manner, using fresh, wholesome ingredients and guided by compassion.

We craft every meal with the goal of bringing comfort, warmth, and a sense of normalcy to those experiencing hardship.

Whether it’s a hearty casserole for a family seeking refuge from domestic violence, a nutritious lunch for someone experiencing homelessness, or a lovingly packed dinner for a child in hospital care, our meals reflect the kindness of the volunteers, schools, and businesses who come together to make them possible'.

Please note: If you haven’t received your invitation to our lunch meeting by Thursday, please check your SPAM box or contact Terry Kitchen.

May/June Camcare 2025

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 appropriate food and other goods.   <READ MORE> 

IMPORTANT DATES:

24 June: Zoom -  Ross Nancarrow: Every Daughter Matters - Rotary Action Group Against Slavery

1 July: Ari Talantis, Our Public Image and Website Chair. 

Join us for an engaging and informative session as Ari presents an interesting, motivating and helpful talk so our club can make the most of our club’s website and social media presence.

Don't pass up this chance to gain knowledge from a social media enthusiast and leave with immediately useful information.

12 August - A visit to the Bionics Institute.