This week’s reflections from President Vijay Susarla
Meeting of 30 July 2025
The Chairs of three Committees, Nadia Hamilton - Community, Lyndon Joss - Youth & Vocation and Chris Carra - International) gave an overview of what they wanted to achieve in 2025 – 2026, along with a report submitted by Fabienne Nichola – Chair Membership, Image and Social Media, from Thailand !!
I have asked the Committees to consider applying for District Foundation Grants and focus on Peace awareness programs and potentially sponsoring a Rotaract Club (Community), as well.
It sounds like we will be gearing up for a Club Excellence Award this year !!
Second part of the meeting was for a discussion and voting for relocation of our venue for our Club meetings. It was anonymously voted to relocate to the Tower Hotel at 686 Burwood Road, Hawthorn East, as soon as possible. Thanks to Patrick and his team for their efforts in finding a suitable venue.
I attended a Cluster (Community Group 2) meeting last week, which was represented by five other Rotary Clubs (Kew, Balwyn, Canterbury, Hawthorn and Glenferrie), where a number of projects were discussed for a potential collaboration in some projects.
Please don’t forget to register for RC Lilydale’s 60th Anniversary which will be held on Sunday 10th August.
Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. In modern usage, the word "origami" is often used as an inclusive term for all folding practices. Yesterday, youngsters (including mums and dads) were invited to join us at the August 3 Hawthorn Makers Market to learn some of the basics of transforming a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques. It was a full house with experts from BLU. ArtStudio demonstrating how it's all done- step by step. The kids loved it!
Yesterday (as usual), some 50 skilled local stallholders had on offer an array of locally made arts, crafts, jewellery, homewares, fashion, accessories and so forth.
Combine this with the 'ankle biters' doing the folding, our resident face painter, fab volunteers and sunny weather, it was indeed a 'beautiful' day for all concerned.
We'll be back again:
SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER from 10-3 at the Hawthorn Arts Centre.
Come on down and meet the makers at The Hawthorn Makers Market.
It’s that time of year again, please put the dates 16 & 18 September in your diary for the Camberwell High School year 9 Mock Job Interviews. You will all be sent a Volunteer Signup Invitation shortly.
This year we have less students to interview: 64 on each day so we need 8 Desks each with 2 Interviewers, and each team will interview 8 Students over the course of the morning.
I will provide by email all the information you need for the process.
This is a call-out to all Members to create a strong presence from the Club. Everyone enjoyed this Rotary activity last year so please volunteer when you receive the Signup List Invitation.
Regionalization Update ZOOM from Rotary Community Leader –
Gary Goldsmith
WED 13 August – 7.30am Start – 8.30am Finish.
Southbank Elsternwick have invited Gary Goldsmith along to our clubs regular monthly virtual Zoom meeting to share with us any updates on how the regionalisation project is progressing. We have also asked Gary to share any words of wisdom or opportunities for the clubs in our group to collaborate on projects or friendship.
We are extending an invite to any Rotary club member in our group who may be interested in listening to Gary provide a regionalisation update. Details of the Zoom Link are:
Come and witness the official induction of members, the presentation of charters, and inspiring performances that reflect the unique energy and vision these clubs bring to our global Rotary family.
Together, we’ll set the stage for lasting impact and lifelong connections.
The Victorian Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards- (Vic RESCA) recognises the outstanding community Service of paid and volunteer members of Victorian Emergency Services making a difference in your communities and also supports Emergency Services Mental Health Research through the Emergency Services Foundation.
Patron: The Governor of Victoria- Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC
Join us for a memorable night of recognition and celebration.
Tickets are $100 per person.
"Tickets sales close midnight Thursday 28th August".
Saturday, 6 September, 6:30pm - 10:30pm AEST
Hyatt Place Event Centre - (entry at rear of building off Larkin Blvd)
