Centenary Year Newsletter #1

 

A grand celebration marked the beginning of Perth Rotary's Centenary Year on 19 June 2026, with 184 guests attending the Legacy Lunch at the Parmelia Hilton, including Rotarians from across Western Australia.

 

As Rotary celebrates 100 years of service in Western Australia, the occasion commenced with District Governor Veronica Lawrence proposing a toast to Australia and Rotary International, followed by a moving Welcome and Acknowledgement to Country by Aunty Sharon Wood-Kenney and Grace delivered by The Very Reverend Dr John Shepherd AM.

 

Our Perth Rotary President, for 2027-2028, was announced by President Jill Dawson to great applause - long-serving club member Ashley Whitworth. 

 

 

A major highlight was the launch of the Rotary WA Centenary Project by the current President Jill Dawson OAM in her formal address – a proposal to support the development of the Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (BMRIID) in partnership with The University of Western Australia and the Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training.

 

 

 

The keynote address by video was from Richard Goyder AO, who highlighted the importance of community service and paid tribute to Stan Perron's enduring legacy. Basil Zempilas also delivered a congratulatory address, while fellow Rotarian Dimitri Tsagaris shared an inspiring reflection on the impact Rotary has had on his life.

 

The event celebrated the launch of the "Book of Graces", honouring three decades of wisdom and humour from Rev. Dr John Shepherd AM.

 

 

Several outstanding Perth Rotary members were recognised, including Ashley Whitworth as President-Elect 2027–28, Phil Harvey with Honorary Membership, David de Vos and Dean Alston as Paul Harris Fellows,  President's Awards presented to Rev. Dr John Shepherd AM and Nan Walker and The John Garland AM Membership Award to Immediate Past President Manu Gupta. 

 

 

 

 

Our very first centenary year lunch was held on 3rd July at the Parmelia Hilton. Past President David Reed OAM hosted the Vinnies WA team. The focus of this event was the Passages Youth Engagement Hubs.

 

Club member Ian Belton kindly facilitated a visit to the newly opened ECU City Campus.  Our host and guide was Andrea Burns, Academic Lead of the WA Screen and Media Academy at ECU, who generously gave her time to walk us through one of the most significant buildings ever constructed in Western Australia.

 

 

 

 

As we reflect on a century of service, friendship and community impact, we celebrate 100 years of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

 

The first century of Rotary in Western Australia was built by people who dared to dream beyond what seemed possible. As we begin our next century, let us continue to dream boldly, serve passionately and build an even greater legacy for generations to come.

 

Because if our dreams don't scare us, they simply aren't big enough.

 

Here's to the next 100 years of Rotary.

 

Past President Manu Gupta (2024-2025)