About us

People working together for a better world

The Rotary Club of Hawthorn has been part of this community for generations. We're a diverse group of professionals, business owners, and community leaders who share one belief: that when people of good character work together, they can change things for the better.

We're part of Rotary International — the world's largest volunteer service organisation — which means our work here in Hawthorn connects to a global network spanning more than 200 countries. If you're looking for a partnership, a grant, or simply want to understand what we do — you're in the right place.

Many of our projects — and particularly the larger ones — are backed by the Rotary Foundation, the financial engine that multiplies member contributions into something far greater than any single club could achieve alone. It's what allows a club our size to take on work of genuine scale.

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200+

Countries in the Rotary International network

1.4M

Rotary members worldwide giving their time

3

Active project areas — local, national, international

D9800

Our district — serving Melbourne's inner east

Our work

Where we make a difference

Three flagship projects — one local, one national, one international — each backed by Rotary's network and our members' commitment.

 

Local community

Supporting families in crisis

Hawthorn Rotary is the host club for Rotary SAFE Families — a program that promotes peace in the home by raising awareness of family violence and connecting families with practical support before crisis takes hold.

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Health & wellbeing

Mental health support that reaches further

As lead club of a multi-club consortium, we provide care packs for mental health inpatients at the Alfred, Box Hill, St Vincent's, and Royal Melbourne hospitals — the kind of support that clinical pathways alone can't provide.

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International

Safe water in the mountains of Karen State

Collaborating with five Rotary clubs across two countries, we brought safe drinking water to a village of 789 people in Karen State, Myanmar — a project born of our friendship with the Karen community of Nhill.

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Latest news

Recent highlights

A snapshot of what the club has been doing — in Hawthorn and beyond.

 

Community

Service to Seniors Award

Each year we recognise individuals and organisations that make a real difference to the lives of older people in our community. We were pleased to have Steve Wright from Senior Rights Victoria present this year's award to Hilary Salmon.

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Vocation & Education

Peter Doherty Institute Travel Prize

Hawthorn Rotary is proud to support outstanding research through a travel scholarship to a PhD scholar at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity — one of Australia's leading centres for infectious disease research. The first recipient is Mohamed Hisham, who has travelled to work in a laboratory in Tours, France.

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Youth Exchange

Sebastian heads to Trieste

Hawthorn Rotary is host club for Sebastian Flynn, who will spend three months in Trieste, northern Italy as part of the Rotary Youth Short Term Exchange Program. Later this year, Sebastian's exchange partner Mattia Gaspardo will make the return journey to Melbourne.

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Get involved

Ready to make a difference?

Whether you want to volunteer, partner on a project, or simply find out more — we'd like to hear from you.

Visitors welcome

Come along as a guest

The best way to understand what Rotary is about is to experience it firsthand. We welcome visitors to any of our Tuesday lunches — come as a guest, meet our members, and see for yourself what we do.

There's no obligation and no sales pitch. Just good company, a guest speaker, and a chance to find out whether Rotary might be for you.

Get in touch

Meeting details

When

Tuesdays at 12.30 pm

Except the second Tuesday of the month

Where

Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club

489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong

Cost

$45 — lunch included

Bookings

Please contact our Club Service Director at least two days before the meeting to allow for catering.

Upcoming events

What's on

Our regular lunches, guest speakers, and special events — all in one place.

Chances, Mark Anderson, At Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
Sep 01, 2026
Second Tuesday Of The Month
Sep 08, 2026
The Power of a Football, At Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
Sep 15, 2026
A Suitable Man, Remarkable and Fascinating!
Sep 22, 2026
Lift The Lid Luncheon On Friday 2nd October
Sep 29, 2026
TBA, Note: No Meeting on 29th September
Oct 02, 2026
Second Tuesday Of The Month
Oct 13, 2026
TBA, At Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
Oct 20, 2026
TBA
Oct 27, 2026
Melbourne Cup Day
Nov 03, 2026
Behind The Badge, At Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
Nov 10, 2026
Road Trip
Nov 17, 2026
‘Create Lasting Impact’ – District Priorities. At Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, Not A Zoom Meeting
Nov 24, 2026

Rotary Hawthorn Bulletins     

                                             

August 2026

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