Last week, through two programmes that Rotary Hawthorn supports, I spent time with secondary school students in very different settings and came away with a more optimistic picture of the future than the one painted by the media.
Recent media coverage would have us believe that Australian schools are in serious trouble; teachers leaving in numbers, driven out by student misbehaviour and aggressive parents, and youth violence making regular appearances in the news. It’s a disturbing situation, and it gets a lot of airplay. Those stories should not be dismissed, and the challenges they describe are real. But they are not the whole story. Last week’s experiences offered a different perspective, one that was considerably more encouraging and a reminder that, alongside the challenges, many schools continue to develop young people with the skills, attitudes and values our society will need in the future.
From Mountain Streams to Safe Water: Rotary Delivers Hope in Karen State
A Rotary-led partnership has brought safe drinking water to 789 people in a remote village in Myanmar's Karen State, reducing the threat of deadly waterborne diseases and creating a sustainable, community-managed solution for future generations. In a region where clean water can mean the difference between health and illness, this project is not simply providing water—it is helping to secure a healthier future for an entire community.
The main fundraising for this project was the fundraising dinner of Karen food and dancing in Nhill. Members that journeyed to Nhill would have fond memories of this evening.
M.C. Katrina Flinn
UPCOMING CALENDAR
30 June: Fleur Maidment, From Mountain Streams to Safe Water in Myanmar 7 July: Our Doherty Travel Prize awardee, Hisham Shakir Hussain 14 July: No Meeting 21 July: Assoc. Prof. David Szmulewicz, Device Mediated Solutions for Falls Prevention.
PROJECT UPDATES
Thank you Katrina Flynn for your marvellous article about the successful provision of safe drinking water in Myanmar.
In the remote, mountainous terrain of Karen State, Myanmar (Burma) a life changing transformation is underway. For the first time a village of 789 people has access to safe drinking water.
This is thanks to a collaborative effort of Rotary Clubs of Hawthorn (lead club), Nhill, Central Melbourne, Greater Dandenong, Endeavour Hills and Phutaluang (Thailand), working alongside Disaster Aid Australia, Disaster Aid Thailand and local Karen communities to install a SkyHydrant water filtration system. This project was delivered with the support of a Rotary Foundation District Grant.READ MORE
AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL ADVANCES TO STATE FINALS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING CHALLENGE
The annual Science and Engineering Challenge held at Deakin University last week was organised and strongly supported by members of the Rotary Clubs of Brighton and North Brighton, with additional support provided by the Rotary District 9800 Foundation. Rotarians from several other clubs also joined them over the two days to assist with the event. Representatives from the Rotary Clubs of Melbourne and Woodend were present, and I had the pleasure of representing Hawthorn.
Next Home Game -Wednesday 22 July - Round 8 - Vs Bendigo HOME at Victoria Road Reserve with a 12.00pm Start.
WHO AM I?
Clue 1: Prisoners were in awe of me!
Clue 2: I don’t play in playgrounds, I dismantle them!
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 1952, after World War II, there was consideration as to why Rotary was taking so long to expand within the eastern suburbs.
At that time, membership of Rotary was possible only if one’s place of business was in the club’s territory; there was no residential qualification.
There is a “story” that Melbourne was slow to cede their territory for the formation of suburban clubs as its bankers and company directors, for example, would not be happy meeting branch or regional managers at Rotary functions and being addressed by their given names!
DISTRICT CHANGEOVER
If you would like to join the group of Rotary Hawthorn members attending the District Changeover, please register as soon as possible and ensure you fill out the question of your membership at Rotary Hawthorn so we can have a fun day together. We already have a few members registered. Let’s make it a date!
Date: Saturday 27 June
Time: 12.00 pm
Venue: Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
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. 
