Newsletter #10 | President Jill

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;

Perth Rotary Annual General Meeting (AGM) | Thursday 30 October 2025

This is the most important club meeting of the year, and we are calling on ALL Perth Rotary members to attend!  The AGM is your chance to directly engage with our club's financial health, review the incredible project successes of the past year, and help shape our future. We deeply value your perspective and involvement.

How to Participate:

  1. Register to Attend (No Cost!): While there is no cost for members to join, your registration is vital for our planning (catering, room setup, etc.).

  2. Vote by Proxy: If you are unable to attend, please ensure your voice is still heard by submitting a proxy vote.

Your support for Immediate Past President Manu's board and your continued interest in our club's operational status are crucial.  We look forward to seeing you there for this important evening of review and planning!

On behalf IMP Manu Gupta and the 2024/25 Board.  

  

VIENNA POPS NEW YEARS EVE

Tickets are NOW ON SALE | Your attendance is vital for the success of this event and for the work of the Perth Rotary Club. Funds raised this year will support two crucial causes:

  1. The Salvation Army's program for Women and Children affected by Family and Domestic Violence.

  2. Continuing to promote and raise awareness for our Perth Rotary Centenary Project: "The Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases."

We are calling on ALL PERTH ROTARIANS to consider investing a minimum of $500/per family in this event.  Come and join us at the Afternoon Matinee or Evening Gala as a regular guest or as a VIP.  Bring the family to the afternoon matinee.  Consider this event as a Christmas Gift and Activity for the whole family.  We appreciate and need your support of this event.  Please help us to help those who are most in need.  

Booking Link :

Afternoon Matinee - TicketsWA.com      Evening Gala - TicketsWA.com     Evening Gala VIP - Please email - viennapops@rotaryperth.org.au 

 

ROTARIANS Celebrated this week.... 

President’s Update & Good News Callout

Path of Hope Recognized for McCusker Centre Internship Program Contribution

We are thrilled to announce that the Path of Hope team has been formally recognized for making a significant contribution to the McCusker Centre for Citizenship's award-winning internship program at the University of Western Australia (UWA).   Congratulations to Rebecca Tolstoy AM, Ray Simpson, and the entire dedicated team. Their tireless work ensures that the devastating plight of those affected by Family and Domestic Violence remains firmly at the forefront of public consciousness.

Through this vital partnership, Path of Hope works alongside UWA interns, achieving a real and positive impact against often insurmountable obstacles. Simultaneously, the program plays a crucial role in shaping tomorrow's Rotarians and Volunteers, embedding the values of community service directly into the next generation of leaders.  Please click on the following link to access the full story   https://bit.ly/4qa4ZhX  A link to the Hope Report - Path of Hope - The HOPE Report

 

Barry Marshall Centre | Community Engagement Day 

We kicked off our 2025/26 Vocational Visits with a highly engaging event at Forrest Hall, where several Perth Rotarians and community members gathered to hear from Professor Barry Marshall and Professor Mark Nichols.  Both professors provided valuable insight into their critical work on infectious diseases. Professor Marshall drew a powerful parallel to Rotary International's monumental success in nearly eradicating polio, emphasizing that the need for infectious disease research remains as vital and relevant today as it has ever been. This life-changing global effort serves as a clear example of what focused research and dedication can achieve. 

We look forward to continuing our engagement with the Marshall Centre as we actively work toward our goal of establishing the Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases by 2027.

Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Update

Our inbound exchange student, Elliot, is fully embracing the Australian lifestyle!  He recently started surf lessons at Trigg Beach and is already having some success. Despite challenging conditions over the past two weeks—including tough onshore winds and less-than-ideal waves—Elliot managed to stand up a couple of times! He has enthusiastically embraced the challenge and enjoyed the company of the other exchange students.

Tonight, Tuesday, October 28, Elliot will be the featured speaker at the Rotary Club of Subiaco’s Youth Engagement Evening. He will be sharing his exchange experience and his impressions of the program so far.  Elliot tackles these presentations with grace and good humour, helping to promote the exchange program and supporting a club that doesn't currently host an inbound student. Overall, he continues to be an excellent ambassador for his home country of Belgium, the exchange program, and the Rotary Club of Perth. We are truly fortunate to have him with us!

Host Family Needed!

We are still urgently looking for one more host family for Elliot.   This is a great, short commitment: six weeks maximum, starting February 1, 2026.  Is this you and your family? Hosting Elliot will be an unforgettable experience, creating lifelong friendships and connections. He will be an asset to your home!

If you are interested in learning more, please contact our Youth Director, Kathryn Wackett, who can walk you through the requirements and details:

 

ASHDALE SECONDARY COLLEGE | STAN PERON AWARD 2025. 

Youth Director Kathryn Wackett and President Jill Dawson had the pleasure of attending the Ashdale Secondary College Yr 12 Graduation and Awards Evening, Tuesday 21 October 2025.  During the evening President Jill presented the Stan Perron Award to School Captain Cameron Bahr.  Cameron's citation read as follows: 
 
"The late Stan Perron lived by strong ethics and values guided by Rotary's Four Way Test for the things we think, say or do, and became one of WA's most successful business men.  Rotary wishes to commemorate an outstanding Rotarian by making awards to students who are very good all-rounders, have made a contribution towards the school community through service, and have emulated the elements of the Four Way Test with their teachers and fellow students.  This award is to seek out a student who will be of the same calibre as Stan Perron and likely to succeed in their future business or profession. 
 
This student has excelled in academic, sporting and community service fields.  They have consistently achieved A Grades across Year 11 and Year 12 demonstrating a strong work ethic and commitment to their studies.  As a key member of the College Student Leadership Team this student has contributed to both the College Community and the wider community through charities like 'No Limits'.  This student has balanced his studies and leadership commitments with his many sporting achievements representing at local, state and national levels.  
 
The Award consists of a $500 scholarship with a gold Stan Perron Medal.  For this year, it is with great pleasure that I can announce the recipient of the Stan Perron Award to be Cameron Bahr.  " 
 

It was an absolute joy to be a part of the Graduation and Awards Evening at Ashdale Secondary College.  The atmosphere was unique and so very warm. We were delighted to witness the students' genuine appreciation for one another, their enthusiastic celebration of shared successes, and the clear camaraderie they share with both their peers and the staff.   The evening was a fantastic testament to the spirit and dedication within the College community. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to working even more closely with the Ashdale Secondary staff and students throughout 2026.

 Perth Rotary Board 

Virma Symons has joined the Board of Perth Rotary - Director for the Environment Portfolio.

Pocket Forrest... This project involves creating "Miyawaki forests"—a method for rapidly planting dense, biodiverse green spaces in urban environments.   If you are interested in getting to know more about Pocket Forests, please get in touch with Virma and/or attend the Swan 2 Surf Planning Meeting, Wednesday 12 November 2025.  Booking link - https://www.trybooking.com/DGYJP 

 

 
The Board next meets Tuesday 4 November 2025.  The September Quarterly report has been emailed to all members Thursday 2 October.  Hard copies of the report are available for members should it be required.  Please email - president@rotaryperth.org.au.   Portfolio Directors are calling members to committee meetings so as to progress our various projects.  You are asked to please attend when invited so as to share the load of our Community Engagement and Project Work.  
 

Perth Rotary AGM -

Thursday 30 October 2025.  5.30pm for a 6pm prompt start.  This is a FREE event, however your RSVP and registration via the try booking link is vital.  Please RSVP on line at the following link:  http://www.trybooking.com/DGGWR  Should you not be able to attend, please complete and return your proxy to secretary@rotaryperth.org.au.  

WELLBEING AND STRESS MASTERCLASS | Saturday 22 November 2025

Perth Rotarian, Dr David Preece is offering a FREE Wellbeing and Stress Masterclass, Saturday 22 November 2025.  This 3 hr workshop is open to ALL Rotarians, family and friends of Rotarians.  The workshop is for adults and uses advances from psychology to help boost your long term well being and emotional health.  
 
During the workshop, you will learn to reflect on what matters to you and to pursue meaningful goals; you will also learn to effectively manage stress, burnout and worries.  
 
The workshop provides effective tools to maximise YOUR WELLBEING and coping skills into the future.  
 
A morning well spent and not to be missed.  Registration is essential, please click on the following link for this workshop -  https://www.trybooking.com/DGJDN
 
On behalf of the Board and Members of the Perth Rotary Club, we thank David for giving of his time and skill to provide this opportunity to our members.  
 

D9423 | UP, UP and AWAY... 2026 Conference. Have you registered?  

Registrations are now open.  Join us in Northam from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th March 2026, for a weekend of fun and fellowship whilst celebrating 80 years of service to the Avon Valley Community.   More information regarding booking procedures and list of speakers can be found by clicking on the following link: https://rotaryperth.org.au/Stories/district-conference-march-2026

Vocational Visit #2 |A Special Heritage Tour: St George's Cathedral | Friday 7 November 2025

Join us for a unique journey into Perth’s history, personally arranged by long-serving Rotarian Dr. John Shepherd, who served as the Dean of St George’s Cathedral for 24 years before his retirement in 2014.

This is a rare opportunity to explore one of Perth's most beautiful and historically significant sites. Built between 1879 and 1888 in the magnificent Victorian Academic Style, the Cathedral is a centre piece of the city’s heritage precinct. During the tour, you will learn about the church’s central role in Perth’s history, including the story behind its locally made rose-coloured bricks and its spectacular stained-glass windows.

Event Details | Date: Friday, November 7, 2025

Lunch Gathering | 12.15 at ANZAC House, 28 St Georges Terrace, Perth 

Cathedral Tour | 1.45pm for 2pm start, St Georges Cathedral, 38 St Georges Terrace, Perth

Come share a great lunch and gain a personal, insightful perspective on this historic place of worship and the vibrant history of our city.   Too busy for lunch - just come along to the tour at 2pm.  
 
Cost per person: Your choice from the ANZAC House special menu Bookings essential:   https://www.trybooking.com/DGWHQ  Bookings close 3pm Tuesday 4th November
 

PERTH ROTARY | FELLOWSHIP DATES for your diary.... 

 
Friday 19 December | Perth Rotary Family Xmas Breakfast @ the Parmelia Hilton Hotel. 
Saturday 20 December | Carols in the City.  More details to come. 
Wednesday 31 December | Vienna Pops New Years Eve Concerts.  www.ticketswa.com  | Vienna Pops Afternoon Matinee or Vienna Pops Evening Gala. 
Thursday 29 January 2026 | Presidents Cocktail Party TBC. 
 
 

Centenary Merchandise

In the meantime, you can show your support and pride by ordering our special Centenary Shirts and Caps.

Please click on the following link to place your order: https://shop.fullypromoted.com.au/perthrotary. You have the option of ordering shirts in either Blue/Yellow or White/Navy color combinations. A special thank you to Ashley Whitworth for his dedication in developing the logo and ensuring these items are available at an affordable price.

For members of other Rotary clubs, Ashley can also include your club's logo in place of Perth Rotary's. The Centenary of 100 years of Rotary Service to Western Australia is a celebration for all in WA Rotary, and we encourage everyone to join us in marking this significant milestone.

 

 
Kind regards,
Jill Dawson OAM | President Perth Rotary 2025/27
 
 
 
PERTH ROTARY CLUB COMMITTEE & SUB COMMITTEE MEETING CALENDAR
  1. Perth Rotary Centenary Meeting Date tba.   rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au
  2. Perth Rotary Board Meeting  5.30pm, Tuesday 4 November 2025.  Any agenda items, please send to Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
  3. Perth Rotary AGM.   Thursday 30 October 2025.  5.30pm Board Room of Mortgage Choice, 350 Hay Street, Subiaco.    
UPCOMING EVENTS - PERTH ROTARY CLUB
  • Perth Rotary AGM | Thursday 30 October 2025.    Booking link:  http://www.trybooking.com/DGGWR 
  • Perth Rotary Vocational Visit #2 - St Georges Cathedral | Friday 7 November 2025.   Booking link:  https://www.trybooking.com/DFQXT
  • Ultimate Backyard Cricket Match | Sunday 16 November 2025.  
  • Christmas Breakfast | Friday 19 December 2025 
  • Vienna Pops NYE | Wednesday 31 December 2025 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS - D9423 AND BEYOND
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PERTH ROTARY CORPORATE MEMBERS