Well my presidency is about to come to an end and I can feel the feathers of my lame duck status sprouting already. It's time to roll out the cliches. As they say time flies when you are having fun and I find it difficult to believe that my year as President is already coming to an end. I was and am still surprised that I was tapped on the shoulder by Teresa and Mark for the role. I didn’t feel that I knew enough about Rotary and I had a few other issues going on. I was very nervous but a little less so after undergoing training.
This story, first published in The Glenferrie Rotarian on May 26th 2017, was written by Honorary Member PP John Suriano in preparation for Changeover 2017. The sentiments expressed remain very true today. If you haven't already booked for Changeover 2025, there is still time to do so. Bookings close at 12 midnight tonight. Book now, celebrate your club, thank club leadership for their dedicated contribution and give your appreciation and encouragement to your fellow Rotarians who have stepped up for club leadership in the year ahead.
Changeover is one of the great nights in the Rotary year. It is the time when you dress up, bring your partner and enjoy the Changing of the Guard as it were.
The Rotary Year starts in July, following the financial calendar. Towards the end of June a special night is organised to mark the end of a Rotary year and the beginning of a new one. It is a time when appreciation is extended to committees for the work they have achieved and maybe to members who have earned the respect of the club by the awarding of a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition or a certificate of appreciation. The Paul Harris Fellow Recognition is one of the highest awards the club can bestow on a member.
At Changeover we induct a new president and thank our outgoing president for the work they have done. It is also a time for the incoming president to introduce to the club his or her new team that will carry the club forward for the new year and to give a brief overview of what the club should look forward to in the new Rotary year.
I therefore encourage all members to attend and join with other Rotarians not only from our club but the visitors from our neighbouring clubs. It is a wonderful experience not to be missed.
Geoff Widmer was contacted by Kerry Salinger, a resident at 1A Munro St, Hawthorn East (Housing Commission), requesting to have a garden established. The Community Service Committee agreed that it would be a worthwhile project as we felt it would improve the morale and health of the residents by giving them a pleasant area to sit in and enjoy.
On 1st May, I took the project over and organised twelve free plants from Bunnings Hawthorn, 3 ½ cubic metres of soil from Fulton’s Garden Supplies (at cost, no delivery charge) and three cubic metres of free mulch from Same Day Tree Works.
Thank you Bunnings Hawthorn
Rotarians Christine McCann, left, and Maria Pantling, extreme right, presented Hannah at Bunnings Hawthorn and Ciara and Kelsie at Same Day Tree works with a Certificate of Appreciation on Wednesday, 11th June 2025. Bunnings Hawthorn have been strong supporters of community projects in Boroondara over many years and have a long association with the Rotary Club of Glenferrie.
The club meeting June 10th, attended by 31 members and guests, celebrated this years ride in support of research for ovarian cancer, organised by Rotarians Against Ovarian Cancer (ROCAN). Past Presidents Mark Ellis and Thelma Hutchison both particpated in the ride from Geelong to Adelaide. The meeting heard from John Boyle of the Rotary Club of Altona, organiser of the ROCAN ride, and Debbie Shiel, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Australia.
From left, Damien Hynes (Rotary Williamstown), Andrew Rothfield, PP Thelma Hutchison, President Peter Moore, Debbie Shiel (CEO Ovarian Cancer Australia), PP Don Moore (Meeting Chairman), John Boyle (Rotary Altona, organiser ROCAN ride), PP Mark Ellis AO, Eddie Knight (Rotary Williamstown).
The club's experiment with a farmers market on the first Saturday of every month ended on June 8th, with the agreement of the City of Boroondara. The first market never reached the heights of the established 3rd and 5th Saturday markets and was tending to undermine the success of those markets. Nevertheless, a number of improvements were made to Market administration as a result of the additional market, and much has been learned. The club will now focus on growing the established markets back to the level of success enjoyed in past years.
The happy crew on duty at the final first Saturday Farmers Market on Saturday June 8th 2025. Lawrie Mann, PP Mark Ellis, Wendy Cross, Paul Shekleton, Garfield Lee and Wayne Worladge.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Pablo Picasso
Come along to this special Rotary Glenferrie event: “A Night of Fine Art” at the Camberwell Art Show and “…wash away…the dust of everyday life.” Admire over 1,000 paintings, with many from leading and established Australian artists, overall presenting a diverse range of mediums and genre styles, that cater to different tastes and preferences. All partners and friends are also warmly welcome.
A jaunty Frenchman on holidays in Australia walks into a pub at midday for a cognac and coffee and takes his place at the bar, right next to an Aussie nursing an ice cold beer. The Aussie notices the accent and turns to the visitor and says: "Listen mate, I couldn't help but notice your accent. We like the French, you know, French fashion, French wine, good food and all that. But one thing I really don't understand and that's the weird things you eat. I mean, how come you guys eat snails"?
"Oh, that's easy", replied the Frenchman. "We don't like fast food".
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie acknowledges the traditional owners as the custodians of this land, recognising their connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Australia's First Peoples, and to their elders, past, present and future.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie | PO Box 2134 | Hawthorn Vic 3122
Register now for the next meeting of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie
At Changeover we induct a new president and thank our outgoing president for the work they have done. It is also a time for the incoming president to introduce to the club his or her new team that will carry the club forward for the new year and to give a brief overview of what the club should look forward to in the new Rotary year.
