Bulletin 

Rotary International's monthly theme for September is Basic Education and Literacy.

Rotary International's monthly theme for September is dedicated to Basic Education and Literacy Month: September centers on strengthening communities by improving access to education, enhancing literacy skills, and reducing gender disparities in schooling.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Greetings!

Thank you to all the members who stepped up and increased the number of registrations for our Lift the Lid Lunch. I mean it when I say: "Thank you!" I identify with the changes that have taken place in our lives since the aftermath of COVID.

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped society, affecting work, education, health, social trust and daily life, and many of those changes have proved lasting. One of them was the impact on fundraising, with fewer people taking part in traditional events.

Most Australians still give back in some form, but fewer join formal organisations than a decade or two ago, and those who do volunteer are giving more. As President of a Rotary Club, I find it disappointing and challenging to have to rally numbers for events and meetings. But the result is inspiring, and it creates the energy that shows Rotary is truly a fantastic conduit to friendship and to giving to disadvantaged communities around the world.

NEXT MEETING – Lift the lid lunch replaces 29 September Meeting

13 October  there is no meeting, but AVEO has invited us to morning tea/tour of the Fountain Court, Burwood. See Notice in Bulletin

20 October we will meet at Kooyong for lunch.

UPCOMING CALENDAR

29 September:  No meeting 

Friday, 2 October - Lift the lid Lunch

13 October – No meeting– Special AVEO tour/morning tea at Fountain Court, Burwood – bring a friend

20 October: Tim Wilson, Director First Light Racing

27 October:  Zoom Meeting TBA

3 November: Melbourne Cup Day (no meeting)

10 November:  Member Behind the Badge – Anne Scott

AVEO ARE OFFERING US $500 and MORNING TEA/TOUR

We need you and your partner or a friend to help us receive $500 from AVEO. All we need to do is visit Fountain Court in Burwood on Tuesday 13 October, commencing at 10.30 – 11.45 am and have a short tour and morning tea together. 

Please save me from sending reminder emails and text messages!  Contact me to accept AVEO’s invitation: Gilmour.dorothy@gmail.com

HAVE YOU PLACED YOUR NAME IN THE LINK BELOW?

We are letting John Perry and our reputation down by members not signing up for our monthly DIK packing.

We would greatly appreciate if you used the form below and showed your willingness to volunteer to a DIK packing day.  This would make John’s job so much easier and give you time to plan.

Sign up: CLICK https://forms.gle/TjVNCqnQB75Vodt46.

VIEWPOINT of a MODEST ROTARIAN

Your MR and his Good Wife were travelling through Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs a few weeks ago when we came across an incident that has remained with your MR ever since.

It was late afternoon, the traffic was busy and, quite unexpectedly, a cyclist came off her bike and landed rather awkwardly on the footpath.

Now, one would have thought that on a busy suburban road, with plenty of people passing by someone might have stopped to see if she was alright.

But no. It seems everyone had somewhere else to be.

Everyone, that is, except your MR.

 Read more…

WHERE IS DAVID RUSH?

Your guess is as good as mine! Hint:  Cycling clothes and French vineyard. Give me a break!

DID YOU KNOW?

PP Anne Scott in her Annual Report (1999-2000) referenced the work of versatile poet and Rotary Footscray member, John Granger. (Editor believes Anne was the poet too!) John (and Anne), with tongue in cheek and much candid background information, encapsulated the following lucky candidates to a tee:

TERRY PERREE -Vocation

Terry Perree will control" Vocation"

And he's done himself out of a job ~

With his new, relaxed bearded image '

He’s escaped from the 'coat and tie’ mob.

But it’s not fair Terry, we're jealous

This idleness is such a sin

Put your life on the line ... be a martyr

Go out and caddy for Lyn!

SIMON O’DONOGHUE - Youth

Simon O’Donoghue heads up youth

With a heart that’s bigger than Texas

A symbol of Rotary at Hawthorn

With his wife, his house and his Lexus.

A heavy at First National Real Estate

He understands markets and timin'

When he says, "Are you all done and silent"

I think we are ... thanks, Simon! 

Read more..

2026 Rotary South Pacific Zone Conference

Join Rotary Hawthorn Members at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

30 Oct – 1 Nov 2026

Saturday 31 October Morning – PEOPLE

• Presidents Breakfast with RIPE Larry Lunsford (ticketed event)
  (Club Presidents, Presidents-Elect & Nominees)
• Keynote Address: Closing the Gap, (announcement coming soon)
• Rotary Project Case Study: Ending Trachoma in Australia, Robert McGuirk, Rotary Club of Melbourne
• Panel: Building Community Resilience - Rotary's Role, (announcement coming soon)
• Rotary South Pacific Update: Membership Focus