It was a pleasure to welcome District Governor Peter Shepheard to our meeting this week. Peter spoke with energy and enthusiasm about his life and career, and how his professional experience has blended naturally with his Rotary journey. His passion for Rotary and belief in the power of belonging were clear. He reminded us that when people feel connected, respected, and valued, Rotary thrives.
The same message was echoed at the well-attended District Annual General Meeting on Monday. Past District Governor Michael Lapiña spoke about belonging as the foundation of Rotary’s success and the importance of continuity in leadership — between successive District Governors and within clubs — to sustain long-term strategies. The ideas Michael promoted last year continue to be developed under Peter’s leadership, providing a steady and optimistic direction for the future. Peter also spoke about Rotary’s renewal, emphasising the need to find innovative ways to strengthen membership, such as by fostering links with Rotaract and Interact by harnessing the energy and skills of youth with the wealth of life and vocational experience within Rotary.
The District Treasurer reported on ongoing efforts to keep the district levy low, helping make membership more affordable.
Within our own club, the induction of Min Bell, our first new member for 2025–26, brings fresh energy and new talent to our ranks, while the return of long-term members such as Phil Stewart reminds us of the enduring fellowship and connection that define Rotary. Both renewal and continuity are vital to a strong and thriving club. I’m also looking forward to our Connecting Communities Lunch next week, which promises to be an exemplary collaboration between a Rotary Club and a community-based volunteer organisation.
NEXT MEETING – Kooyong – 21 October
Topic: Optimising Pianism... and the science of thinking and doing better at ANYTHING
Dr Cameron Roberts is a world-class pianist and teacher. He is also a practising medical doctor. Further, he holds a PhD on the physical and perceptual aspects of touch. He is based in London and teaches advanced principles of piano performance and technique optimisation to talented and professional pianists. Passionate about piano playing and the magic that it can create, he is equally passionate about helping pianists achieve their potential and not suffer from the pitfalls of misguided practice time and injury.
He is frequently engaged to present at schools, universities, conservatories and conferences on the topic of Optimizing Pianism. He works with both talented students and professional pianists who strive for the highest levels of pianistic excellence, whilst offering specialist consultant services to pianists who suffer from technical problems, performance-related problems and injuries. He welcomes enquiries from pianists who strive for excellence in pianism, or who seek help with the diagnosis and management of pain or injury.
UPCOMING SPEAKERS
October 14: No meeting
October 21: Cameron Roberts, Optimising Pianism... and the science of thinking and doing better at ANYTHING
October 28: ZOOM - Melbourne Cup Theme speaker
November 4: Melbourne Cup Day – No meeting
IMPORTANT DATES
Connecting Community Lunch (see flyer below)
Tuesday 14 October: 9.30 am – 12.00 pm volunteers needed to help set up lunch
Wednesday 15 October: 12.15 pm – 2.00 pm volunteers needed to serve lunch and tidy up
The End Polio Now Campaign commences on 1 October and end on 31 October this year. The Hawthorn Walkers Team has been established on the End Polio Now Website.
Message from Charlotte England: “The Rotary Walk With Us starts on 1st October. I plan to walk 120 kms and raise $1000 for this event to support the eradication of Polio. All donations are very much appreciated.”
Let us all get behind Charlotte and her commitment to walking 120 kms for End Polio Now. Simply go to the website below and help Charlotte raise $1,000.
All members are encouraged to support this vital International campaign.Every dollar raised is matched 2 for 1 from the Gates Foundation.
Rotary Hawthorn’s goal is to contribute $3,000 in donations for this year’s campaign.
So, let’s get fit and ready for Christmas!You can run, walk, cycle, golf, swim and jog and raise some money to make sure the next generation does not have to battle this horrible disease!
Unfortunately, due to lack of numbers and interest, this event has been cancelled.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Who Am I?
Clue 1:I am a recognised walker!
Email or message David Pisterman (pisterman41@gmail.comwith your answer to this month’s Quiz. A bottle of the best is waiting for the winner at our lunch meeting 11 November donated by the last prize winner.
YOUR CLUB BULLETIN NEEDS YOUR STORIES!
Please send a travel story, project update, story of interest and photographs to Editor, Dorothy Gilmour by Sunday afternoon and you will be Bulletin celebrity and be able to tell your children your stories are in print!
MAY BE OF INTEREST?
Editor noted the following story from our Rotary District 9800 Annual Report 2024-25.Our Membership Committee led by Mark Eldredge have planned a Mentoring program for any of our members who would like to become official club mentors.Dorothy Gilmour has created a Mentoring Program for Rotary Hawthorn and newest member Aminda Bell has agreed to be our “guinea pig”.
The following has been taken from the Annual Report for your reading:
Establishing a District-wide mentoring program
“One of the most important ways we strengthened the long-term health of our Clubs this year was by nurturing new members from the moment they joined. We knew that while attracting new members was a challenge, retaining them was even more difficult.
Too often, new Rotarians had previously been left to work out for themselves how the Club functioned and where they fitted in. Without guidance, many risked becoming disengaged within their first year. To address this, District 9800 introduced a District-wide mentoring program, building on the well-tested model developed by the Rotary Club of Melbourne.
The program recognised that every new member brought unique talents, skills, and passions to Rotary. By pairing each new member with an experienced Rotarian, we ensured that no one felt alone as they navigated their first steps.” READ MORE
DID YOU KNOW?
In 1956, President Ern Braithwaite asked Boyard Taft to be International Service Director because he had studied in the UK after gaining his medical degree in Australia and knew what it was to be a student far from home. Boyard met with a large intake of students from Malaysia studying at Swinburne.
There were nights of dinner and entertainment, and later, when club members invited a student home for dinner, some students were reduced to tears from receiving Rotary Hawthorn friendship.
MEMBERS BIRTHDAYS and ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES for OCTOBER
Message from Charlotte England: “
ector because he had studied in the UK after gaining his medical degree in Australia and knew what it was to be a student far from home. Boyard met with a large intake of students from Malaysia studying at Swinburne.
