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
I have friends who cannot understand the amount of my life I give to Rotary. Their world in their 70’s is about self-preservation via Pilates, Tai Chi, reading and the list goes on. As a Rotarian, we chose along with self-preservation, the action of volunteering to give support to others less fortunate whilst seeking fellowship with like-minded people.
There has been a big change in volunteering since the 1950’s. While overall volunteer participation rates have generally declined over the long term compared to the 1950s, the nature of volunteering has completely changed. Rather than traditional, lifelong commitments to a single organization, modern volunteering is highly flexible, task-oriented, and increasingly informal.
‘D-Day was the biggest land and water invasion in history and would go on to be a huge turning point in WWII. And it all depended on a plant.
Specifically a leaf from a tree that grows on the east coast of Australia, that would treat soldiers and allow them to fight.
This is the story of how Indigenous Australian knowledge would shape WWII and make sure D-Day actually happened’.
Dr Chris Kavelin’s expertise is on the ‘hidden indigenous origin of modern medicines’.
Photo Credit: Nataliya Voitkevich via Pexels
UPCOMING CALENDAR
28 July:Dr Chris Kavelin, “The Secret Aussie Plant That Saved D-Day"
4 August: Towards Respectful Relationships Report from Sophia Mundi Steiner School, Abbotsford students and teacher. Plus Sebastian Flynn and Mattia Gaspardo, Exchange Students.
11 August: No Meeting.
18 August: Kevin Love, Chair Rotary Victoria Police Leadership Mentoring Program.
CLUB NEWS
WE ARE ALL NEEDED TO MAKE OUR ‘LIFT THE LID’ LUNCH A SUCCESS
Our Club will host its biennial Lift the Lid Lunch on Friday 2 October at Kooyong. Those of you who attended our previous lunch, when Craig Tiley of Tennis Australia spoke, will recall it was a fantastic event which raised over $24,000.
With members' help, we hope to match that amount, but it will need to be a team effort for us to succeed.
Our guest speaker this time will be Professor Jodie McVernon AO, Director of Epidemiology at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. Jodie's team has informed local and international responses to the 2009 H1N1 influenza and COVID-19 pandemics, so her topic ‘Preparing for uncertain futures’ should be of interest to us all. What you can do to help?READ MORE
MEMBER MATTERS
Former Director of Youth & Vocation has handed his portfolio to Min Bell who is as she often says about membership in RCH: “I’m doing my homework.” Min is working with Auburn High for a suitable candidate for Sponsorship to attend the National Youth Science Forum. She is also in talks with Scotch College re their request for an Interact Club and the Towards Respectful Relationships Program for the boys next year.
Following her recent visit to Portland Rotary, Dorothy is asking us to collect new or nearly-new bras to give to Rotary Portland in November. Their "Operation Uplift" initiative vacuum-packs donated bras for a Fijian Rotary Club, supporting local women who struggle to find their size in Fiji's humid, tropical climate. Watch this space!
PP Ian is working tirelessly creating a Communications network to cover promotion of Rotary Hawthorn, projects, events and social media. He has accepted the new Board position as Director of Communications. Peter Lugg has become our Director of International.
If you have some member news, please send to Editor, Dorothy.
ROTARY HAWTHORN BUSINESS BREAKFAST
The Membership Committee has arranged this event to attract new members to join the club and our Guest Speaker Microsoft’s Anshul Chopra will focus on the use of Artificial Intelligence for businesses.
The Breakfast will be held at Kooyong on Friday 21August from 7:30am to 9:00am and prior registration is essential.
If you know of anyone who may like to attend and may like to hear more about joining Rotary Hawthorn, please forward details to them. READ MORE
PROJECT UPDATES
SALVO HAWKS UPDATE
Updated Fixture for Rounds 9 & 10:
22 July - Training at Victoria Road Reserve
29 July - Home game @ Vic Road reserve
5 August - Away game @ Rosebud
19 August - Home game @ Vic Road Reserve
MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS
A MODEST ROTARIAN’S VIEWPOINT 21 JULY 2026
A Question of Leadership
One of the less attractive aspects of retirement is the increased exposure to talkback radio, television commentary, and the endless stream of social media.
No doubt many readers will share this observation. At times, however, I feel as though we are all on a treadmill that is continually gathering speed, and I cannot seem to find the controls.
Each day we are bombarded with opinions from media outlets of every persuasion. Increasingly, many of these commentators appear to see themselves as society’s leaders, while the rest of us are expected simply to follow. READ MORE
WHO AM I?
Clue 1: I don't seek the lime light!
Clue 2:Though I am always at Rotary Events!
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. Be afraid! Do not incur the wrath of DP!
DID YOU KNOW?
In 1979, incoming President John Urquhart appointed a committee whose task was to create an imaginative project to celebrate 75 years of Rotary.
At this time, there was a need for housing and other support for Indo Chinese refugees following the Vietnam war.
The Club bought a house in Survey Street, Richmond for $40,000.
Shortly after, the Luu family moved in and they were given ongoing support to help them establish themselves in Australia.
Maybe you thought she had control of her silly sense of humour? Well, sorry to disappoint: “Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing!”
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. 