The Rotary Club of Perth has members from many of WA's leading businesses, government, academic and not for profit organisations. We all share a passion for making a positive difference for local, national and international communities.
Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world?
Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back. Of course it is also about fun and there are plenty of opportunities for social and business networking at club meetings and events.
The Rotary Club of Perth is pleased to announce the appointment of Virma Symons as the Director of the Environment portfolio. Virma is currently establishing key strategic relationships and identifying substantive opportunities for member engagement in environmental stewardship.
We are pleased to introduce two immediate engagement opportunities for members:
1. Black Cockatoo Forest Site Tour & Discussion An opportunity to scale up the Black Cockatoo Forest site tour, documentary, and panel discussion on Monday, 24 November.
2. ReWild Perth Project The ReWild Perth Project is an initiative designed to enhance biodiversity and habitat access across the metropolitan area while promoting sustainable, localized gardening practices.
Dear Rotarians and friends,
Each fortnight, I am sure the calendar could not get any busier... and then it does. Another actioned packed two weeks. Please see a slightly altered format for this fortnights newsletter, I would be pleased if you could provide feedback as to whether it is easier or more difficult to navigate.
Items for your IMMEDIATE attention - please click on the links for more information;
came together at the Royal Perth Golf Club Friday 24 October 2025 to celebrate. The Liquid Gold Polio Dinner was a resounding success, bringing together our community for an evening focused on service, cultural understanding, and the fight against polio.
Dear Rotarians and friends,
Get ready for an exciting fortnight culminating in World Polio Day on Friday, 24 October 2025. This is our time to recognize the incredible progress we've made in the fight to eradicate polio and focus on the final steps.
Rotarians have two fantastic opportunities to celebrate and raise crucial awareness:
Musical Director Mark Coughlan is once again curating an unforgettable musical journey—a treat for the mind and soul. Whether you choose the festive Afternoon Matinee or the glamorous Evening Gala, this is the perfect, beautiful way to celebrate the New Year.
On Friday, September 5, 2025, we were honored to host Emeritus Professor Barry Marshall as our guest speaker. He attracted a large crowd and did not disappoint.
Professor Marshall began by sharing a personal glimpse into his life, including his wife Adrienne, children, and grandchildren, all of whom he says kept him grounded after receiving the Nobel Prize. He delighted the audience with an amusing story about his grandchildren creating their own science laboratory on the family farm, which still retains the remnants—and associated odor—of their experiments.
He then delved into his professional journey, discussing the process, obstacles, and eventual success of proving that he and Professor Robin Warren had found the cause and cure for stomach ulcers. It was a truly inspirational story of grit, determination, and self-belief. His talk was a powerful reminder that perseverance pays off and that when you don't succeed at first, the lesson is to try, try, and try again.
Perth Rotary is thrilled to be working alongside the Salvation Army and the RAC Arena with the hugely successful Concert Superpass charity raffle. For the price of just two barista coffees, one lucky winner will walk away with two tickets to each concert on the 2026 calendar at Western Australia’s home of live entertainment.
The Arena’s annual raffle has raised more than $677,000 for its community partners since its inception in 2013, with this year’s fundraising drive once again supporting The Salvation Army.
"In a world where you can be anything, be kind."
Often attributed to author Clare Pooley, this quote serves as a powerful reminder of a fundamental value. Kindness is defined by the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate, not only to others but also to ourselves. It’s an essential practice that acknowledges our differences, celebrates our similarities, and shows empathy in both our successes and our setbacks. Let's strive to lead with kindness in all that we do.
Congratulations Izabella Kodituwakku, St Georges Anglican Grammar School who progressed through to the State Finals of the 4 Way Speaking Competition. Izabella's topic was "The Media and The Illusion of Truth." Izabella spoke well, knowledgeably and passionately about her chosen topic. We wish Izabella all the very best at the State Finals to be held in Geraldton, Saturday 20 September 2025. Anyone wishing to travel to Geraldton to support Izabella, please liaise with Kathryn Wacket, Youth Portfolio Director. E: youth@rotaryperth.org.au or PDG Hugh Lavery, E: 4wtsc@rotarywa.au
Standing with the Men We Love: A Walk to Fight Prostate Cancer
This time of year is all about the men in our lives—our dads, sons, brothers, and friends. We celebrate them, and we want them to have long, healthy lives, free from the shadow of cancer. Date: Sunday 21 September; Time: 9am; Meeting Place: Mends St Jetty, South Perth
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We recently hosted the first heat of the Four-Way Speaking Competition, an event for Year 10 students that helps them develop their public speaking skills and confidence. The competition challenges students to consider Rotary's Four-Way Test as they prepare their speeches. This test was first introduced to Rotary WA by Past District Governor Fred Marsh during his tenure in 1988/89.
The Rotary Four-Way Test asks the following questions:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
We were honored to host Acting Lord Mayor Cr. Bruce Reynolds as our distinguished guest speaker on Friday, July 18, 2025. Cr. Reynolds provided members with an insightful and candid address, sharing details of his background, strong work ethic, and the business acumen that informs his approach to community engagement. He also highlighted the numerous dynamic projects currently underway within the City of Perth. Cr. Reynolds emphasized Perth's evolution into a modern, globally connected city, asserting its position not as the most isolated city in the world, but rather as a prominent gateway to international opportunities. As we watch the struggles along the Thai/Cambodia border unfold, it is timely to reflect on how fortunate we are and what can we do to make the world a better place in every corner. Our International Portfolio Members are in touch and monitoring the situation to see what support we might be able to offer to those affected by the unrest.
We kicked off the Rotary year with a meaningful celebration of NAIDOC Week, an event that set an inspiring tone for the months ahead. Our guest speaker, Gordon Cole, Chair of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce, provided an overview of the Chamber's work with First Nations businesses. He highlighted the profound impact of empowerment in driving positive change within these communities.
One particularly insightful aspect of Gordon's presentation was how the Chamber thoughtfully integrates the six Noongar seasons—Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba, and Kambarang—into their business planning model. This unique approach resonated deeply with our commitment to community-centric development.
Coincidentally, we find ourselves currently in the season of Makuru. While Makuru is traditionally known as the wettest and coldest time of the year, often accompanied by gales and storms, it also carries a powerful symbolism: it's the Fertility Season. This period signifies the natural early gathering of ideas and the crucial scoping of project themes and narratives.
In alignment with the spirit of Makuru, Perth Rotary is actively in an incubation phase for new ideas and initiatives. We're currently nurturing and developing several promising concepts, much like the fertile ground of Makuru bringing forth new life. We look forward to sharing more about these exciting developments as they mature.
Kimberley Dental Team Ltd was founded by Jan and John Owen in May 2009 as a result of their experience in Halls Creek.
In May 2009, Dr. John Owen accompanied his wife Jan, dental nurse and dental health educator in her earlier career, to Halls Creek. The visit occurred because of Jan’s participation in the choir Madjitil Moorna: Singers of Aboriginal songs, who had been invited by an Aboriginal school teacher, Doreen Green, to sing with the children of the Halls Creek District High School. The school welcomed their dental expertise as they had been without a dental therapy service for a considerable time and many children suffered dental disease and pain. This afforded the opportunity for Jan and John to provide dental screening and dental health education (DHE) to the local school children during the week of the choir visit.
An update from Shelterbox Australia CEO, Mike Greenslade regarding the constant challenges faced.....
This year marks a significant transition as we move toward retirement, with a consolidated schedule featuring two intensive clinical weeks in May.
Vienna Pops Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve Gala saluted the past with a glimpse of the future, moving to UWA as Winthrop Hall replaces Perth Concert Hall during three years of renovations. Musicians warming up in the undercroft, ice-cream on the lawns and drinks under the portico were a taste of things to come, but the formula on stage was constant with Mark Coughlan conducting and Strauss to top and tail the bill.
As we prepare to celebrate Diwali – Festival of lights around the world, I am really looking forward to the celebration this year with the members of Perth Rotary on Friday, 1st November 2024. I will be attending the lunch with my family and hope I get to celebrate it with lots of members of my Rotary family.
RAC Concert Superpass 2024 Tickets now on sale!
Go to https://perthrotary.auraffles.com.au/ and click in the ‘buy tickets’ button.
The proceeds of this year’s raffle will once again assist The Salvation Army in providing urgent care and long term support to people experiencing hardship and disadvantage.
The prize entitles the winner to a double pass to one performance of each concert at RAC Arena for 12 months, commencing on 1st January 2025 and ending on 31st December 2025.
What more could you ask for!
Ticket sales close on 12 November, so be quick to buy your tickets!
Kym will receive a double pass to each concert at the arena in 2024 PLUS a $1000 food and bev voucher 
"I extend an invitation to members across Western Australia to participate in the Rotary Leadership Institute Training. It is a great opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills and learn more about Rotary with likeminded people."
Ineke Oliver, District Governor 9423.
Written by Suzanne John and sung at the Perth Rotary Celebration Dinner, led by John Garland, to the tune of Volare
Perth Rotary’s 95th President, Linken Fragomeli, was raised on the grazing lands of Mount Barker and Albany and wants to inject that passion for growth and community spirit into his new role.
Linken was sworn in as President last week at a gala dinner at the Claremont Sailing Club attended by more than 200 members.
Service Above Self
Perth, WA 6000
Australia