I hope members were able to enjoy the Christmas and New Year period as a time to rest, reconnect with family and friends, and return refreshed for the year ahead. Sadly, this has not been everyone’s experience.
In the early hours of last Sunday morning, I woke to the smell of smoke. I climbed out of bed and went in search of the source, only to quickly realise that the smoke was coming from outside - the Otway Ranges bushfires. For me, it was a momentary feeling of relief, followed by the realisation that, for many people, that smell hasn’t been fleeting or distant; it’s been an urgent call to evacuate, a source of fear, and the threat of losing everything.
As we all know, the bushfires of two weeks ago and again this last weekend have caused extensive damage across parts of Victoria. Even where towns and houses have been saved, livelihoods have been severely affected, and 2026 will be a year of hardship.
In my years as a Rotarian, we in Victoria have experienced years of unrelenting drought, followed by floods and periodic catastrophic bushfires. On each occasion, Rotary Clubs across Victoria have risen to the occasion to assist those affected. Let’s stand ready as Hawthorn Rotarians to do what we can to help those in need.
Looking forward to seeing you at Kooyong next week.
NEXT MEETING – KOOYONG –3 February
Let’s commence our year with our first Guest Speaker
Ed Kitchen, Managing Director, Uber Eats Australia and New Zealand
Topic: “Uber in the Community
Uber have recently announced a 3 year partnership with Australian Red Cross and also provide support to Jawun, an Aboriginal community based program.
UBER and AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS entered a major 3 year partnership in 2025 building on the success of their longstanding collaboration – including the groundbreaking Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive, which began in 2016 and saw the collection of 80,000kg of clothing in 2024 alone.
This partnership is helping Australian Red Cross members, volunteers and staff access reliable transport and meals. With a footprint in over 51 towns and cities, and Uber Eats expanding to more than 100 locations by the end of 2025, Uber is uniquely placed to support Australian Red Cross members, volunteers and staff. By connecting people, platforms and partners, this partnership will help power the essential work of one of Australia’s most trusted charities.
17 March: Assoc. Professor David Szmulewicz “Device Mediated Solutions for Falls Prevention” – Bionic Institute
24 March:Zoom Meeting, TBA
31 March:Bronwyn du Preez, FREO2 Foundation
7 April:Easter Tuesday, No meeting
14 April: No meeting
21 April: Annual Service to Senior’s Award, Ben Rogers, CEO COTA and Seniors Rights Victoria
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAVE THE DATE for our first social activity for 2026:
Barefoot Bowlsfor members and guests at Auburn Bowls Club
Date: Tuesday 10 March (non-meeting Tuesday) from 3pm - 6pm
Come along for a fun bowling activity under supervision of our very own super bowler, Katrina Flinn
Early dinner will be supplied by Chargrill Charlie’s.
Booking info and a Trybooking link for pre-payment will be circulated to members shortly. Pic: Nick Page for Unsplash
Thank you Richard and Phil
What a fantastic effort from Richard Logan and Phil Stewart who organised our Christmas Ham and Produce Fundraiser late last year.Do you know how much these members raised in sales?
$21,268.08!!!!!!!After costs were removed, Rotary Hawthorn received a wonderful $8,488.37.
Thank you Richard and Phil for your achievements.We greatly appreciate your time and work.
Update from Katrina:
It has been a busy week for the Small Comforts from Community project team.On Tuesday an experienced team from multiple clubs packed care bags for the inpatients of the mental health units of Box Hill and The Alfred public hospitals.
Then on Thursday a small team repacked track tops into smaller delivery packs ready for delivery. Feedback from the hospitals is that the donated care bag is so important during the time of admission and the new clothing provides some dignity during a stressful time.
The project is a collaboration of Rotary Hawthorn, Rotary Albert Park , Brighton North Rotary , Rotary Club of Glenferrie, Rotary Club of Malvern, Port Phillip Rotary, Rotary Club of Williamstown & Rotary Donations in Kind West Footscray.
Dorothy’s View of Australia Day 2026
Yesterday, representing President Ian and Rotary Hawthorn, I was surprised to be quite emotional welcoming 130 new citizens from 38 countries to the City of Boroondara’s Citizenship Ceremony.
The bagpipes always make me choke up with emotion and the Hawthorn Pipe Band achieved that very well.
Along with a few Rotarians and politicians, Boroondara councillors and Mayor Wes Gault, the Hawthorn Arts Centre was packed and the sense of belonging and pride were evident.
We were entertained by the Australian Girls Choir who were fantastic. But it was the Pledge of Commitment read by all 130 new Australians that touched my heart. I turned around and shook hands with the row behind me and welcomed them and they appeared astonished by the warmth of our greeting.
At the completion of awarding Certificates of Citizenship, we were invited to stand and repeat the Australian citizenship affirmation:
As an Australian citizen,
I affirm my loyalty to Australia and its people
Whose democratic believe I share,
Whose rights and liberties I respect,
And whose laws I uphold and obey.
I am looking forward to next year’s Boroondara Citizenship Ceremony which is a reminder of our freedom in what we have, how we live, who we are.An aid-memoire that I am, You are, We are Australian.
Who Am I?
Clue 1: An academic with years of teaching young males!
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 3 March 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!
DID YOU KNOW?
The 1980’s saw Rotary Hawthorn’s impact in Rotary Foundation programs, moving them from their original form of almost exclusively tertiary and post-graduate scholarships for students from wealthy countries, toward more Health, Hunger and Humanity programs to assist people in developing countries to help themselves.
This shift was commenced by Australia’s second World President, Clem Renouf (1978-79) with the gathering of impetus with the PolioPlus campaign.
This lifted RF donations to new heights from a level of about US $25 million per annum to US $240 million over the three-year period.
Australia helped by donating $10 million and gave Australia more recognition as a country with generous and willing donors to appeals of such importance and magnitude.
Multi-District IMPACT SUMMIT - in Horsham!
Imagine the true Rotary spirit of connection and collaboration, District 9800 is joining in March with District 9780 (Western Victoria & SE South Australia) and District 9510 (Adelaide, northern SA & southern NT) for a vibrant, multi-district Conference in Horsham.
This is a chance to broaden your Rotary world — meet inspiring Rotarians with diverse stories, spark new ideas, refresh your Rotary experience, and most of all, have a lot of fun.
What to expect:
Inspiring Speakers: Hear from visionary leaders who are making a difference in their communities and around the world.
Collaborative Workshops: Engage in hands-on sessions designed to help you develop new skills and innovative strategies for service.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow members from across the districts, forging new friendships and partnerships.
Celebration of Service: We'll be showcasing amazing projects and celebrating the impact we've all made.
Experience Horsham: Discover the best of the Wimmera region with a Paddock to Plate-themed Gala Dinner and more.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to CONNECT, SHARE, and LEARN how we can make an even greater impact together. Mark your calendars and be part of this unforgettable experience.
Unite for Good. Unite in Horsham. Unite with us.
Note: There are five members and partners already booked so talk with President Ian if you are interested in attending.
Horsham is the home of the magnificent Mackenzie Falls
One of Victoria’s most iconic waterfalls, just a short drive into the Grampians. The viewing deck offers breathtaking photo opportunities.
Dedicated to Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution, highlighting the goal of world understanding and peace, marked by the anniversary of Rotary's founding on February 23, 1905, often celebrated with special events like the Presidential Peace Conference. It's a time for clubs to focus programs on goodwill and peace, linking to Rotary's core mission.
Key Aspects of February in Rotary:
Theme: Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution (or World Understanding and Peace).
Anniversary: Celebrates the first Rotary meeting on February 23, 1905.
Activities: Clubs organize meetings, programs, and events to promote peace and ethical standards.
In essence, February serves as a focal point for Rotary's commitment to fostering peace and understanding globally, tied to its founding principles and the anniversary of its inception.
