Dear Rotarians and Friends,
We are sending an additional newsletter this fortnight simply because we have so much going on at Perth Rotary—quite frankly, it’s hard to keep up!
It was a fantastic weekend for Western Australian football fans with both of our local teams securing a win. It is amazing what a lift to the spirits it gives you when you are on the winning side; life feels vibrant and all things seem possible. But what about when you are not on the winning side? What about those in our community facing homelessness, dealing with a family member suffering from a rare or terminal illness, or finding that work and career goals feel completely out of reach? This is the exact space that Rotary walks into. We focus on filling the gaps, creating opportunities, and helping where we can to ensure our community Unites for Good.
If you are not already a Rotarian, perhaps you might consider coming along to one of our upcoming lunch meetings to see if this is the right space for you—a place to truly connect with and impact your community. If this strikes a chord with you, please reach out. We would love to welcome you.
Upcoming Rotary Events Are you up to date with your bookings? We have a busy May/June ahead.
- Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting | Friday 5 June 2026
- Perth Rotary Vocational Visit, Passages Youth Engagement Hub | Friday 29 May 2026
- Perth Rotary Legacy Luncheon | Friday 19 June 2026
- Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting | Friday 3 July 2026
- D9423 Celebration | Saturday 11 July 2026
Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting | 5 June 2026
4 Women Who Have Never Rowed Before take on the World's Toughest Row for Charity
Rotarian Jeff Leach serendipitously met team members of the 'Blades of Oary' whilst on holiday this past January. Since this time we have caught up again to discuss how Rotary might support their effort to become the first Australian team of women to row a boat across the Atlantic Ocean whilst raising funds for RUAH Community Services and the Royal Flying Doctor. Perth Rotary is currently exploring ways in which we can get behind the girls. In the meantime, come along to lunch, Friday 5 June and hear about their preparations; training regime and logistics of getting ready to row across the Atlantic Ocean in the Worlds Toughest Row.Read more about the Worlds Toughest Row here.Event Details
Date: Friday, 5 June 2026
Time: 12:15 PM for a 12:30 PM start (Conclusion at 2:00 PM)
Location: Parmelia Hilton Perth | 14 Mill Street, Perth
Cost: $60.00 per person (Cash bar available)
Secure your place here: Book via TryBooking Bookings close 3pm Tuesday 2 June 2026
Perth Rotary | Vocational Visit Passages Hub for Homeless Youth
For over 25 years, the Passages Youth Engagement Hub has been a proud signature project of Perth Rotary. Its true success is measured not just in years, but in the countless young lives saved from the hardships of living on the streets.
We invite you to come and see firsthand what has been achieved since its inception, and learn how Passages will continue to serve the most vulnerable youth in our
community. Join us for what promises to be an inspiring insight into a truly special place that means so much to so many.
Event Details
Date: Friday, 29 May 2026
Lunch: 12noon at the Brisbane Hotel for lunch
Vocational Visit: 1.30pm - 3pm at Passages, Hub for Homeless Youth
Location: Passages | 143 Edward Street, Perth
Cost: $0.00 per person (lunch at own cost)
Secure your place here: Book via TryBooking Bookings close 3pm Thursday 28 May 2026
Perth Rotary | Centenary of Service: The Legacy Lunch
Friday, 19 June 2026. Booking Link. Rotarians can book individual seats or a whole table (10% discount for whole table bookings)
The Next Chapter This luncheon is the official launch of our 2027 Centenary program. We will share the roadmap for our second century, including our major commitment to the Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases at UWA. This project represents our focus on impactful medical research both locally and globally. Click Here for more information.
Tables are booking up fast. Members are encouraged to invite past members; business colleagues and community partners to join them at this launch event for the Perth Rotary Club as we celebrate "100 Years of Serving the Community of Western Australia".
A Centenary of Presidents | Perth Rotary Celebrating 100 Years of Serving the Community
SCAM ALERT.... its that time of year.
Please be aware that scam activity always spikes around the end of the financial year.
Recently, some members have received fraudulent emails falsely using my name as President to request the purchase of Apple Gift Cards.
This is a scam. Please delete the email immediately.
Be alert: Look out for messages demanding urgent payments, tax updates, or gift cards.
Verify the sender: Always check the actual email address, not just the display name. If in doubt, do not click.
Thank you for staying vigilant!
RYE Student Elliot Notelaers.
The Board and Members of Perth Rotary extend our heartiest congratulations to Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student Elliot Notelaers on gaining entry to Maastricht University in the Netherlands to study Law!
Securing a place in this program is a highly competitive process, and we are absolutely thrilled that Elliot has been successful in achieving his aspiration. We wish him every possible success as he embarks on this exciting academic journey.
Don't Miss Elliot's Presentation: Members are reminded that Elliot will be presenting to the Club on Friday, 5 June 2026. We encourage as many m
embers as possible to come along and hear him reminisce about his exchange year, the lessons learned, his favorite experiences, and what lies ahead for him. He is a remarkable young man with a bright and interesting future, and it promises to be a wonderful presentation.
Membership Update
Passing of Former Rotarian, Ron Whitelaw
We were saddened to share the news that former member Ron Whitelaw passed away on Sunday, 10 May 2026. Ron is remembered within Perth Rotary as a dedicated and steadfast member who contributed many years of service before relocating to Pingelly. One of the outstanding legacy projects overseen by Ron, was the Operation Livewire Scheme sponsored by oil company Shell, managed by the Rotary Club of Perth, and supported by the State Government through the Department of Training and the Small Business Development Centre. Outside of Rotary, many will remember him as a talented sportsman who played State Hockey for Victoria.
Memorial Service Details
Members wishing to attend the memorial service are advised of the following details:
WHITELAW: The Memorial Service for Mr. Ron Whitelaw and Mrs Beverley Whitelaw will be celebrated at St Georges Anglican Cathedral, 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth, commencing at 1:30pm on FRIDAY, 22 May 2026.
Out and About with Perth Rotarians:
- Thursday 14 May: Gift of Hearing Appeal Dinner - I was privileged to be the guest of Indian Consul General Kajari Biswas at the Gift of Hearing Appeal Dinner, hosted by the Ear Science Institute of Australia. It was an absolutely inspiring evening, made all the more memorable by a presentation from a young man named Kealan Doak, who beautifully reminded us all that "he was enough"—just as he is. The medical research currently being carried out right here in Western Australia is not just world-class; it is leading the world. We have so much to be proud of in our own backyard.
- Friday 15 May: Welcoming the Parmelia Hilton Club Services Director Wendy Campbell and I met with the new General Manager of the Parmelia Hilton, Mr. Oliver Schwartz. We look forward to continuing the strong relationship Perth Rotary has enjoyed with the Hilton Group for over 50 years. Mr. Schwartz will be joining us at The Legacy Luncheon on Friday, 19 June 2026, and I highly encourage our members to introduce themselves and make him feel welcome.
- Monday 18 May: BioDesign 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner Perth Rotary was delighted to be the guest of the Marshall Centre at the BioDesign 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner. It was another amazing evening spent in the company of some of the most creative and inspiring minds in Western Australia. Looking ahead, PP John Garland, Rotarian Sruti Simon, and I will be meeting with the Marshall Centre this Friday. Our goal is to strategize our partnership and map out a clear pathway forward as we work toward establishing the Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, honouring Western Australia's own Nobel Laureate.
- Friday 18 June: Past President Jeff Leach will once again sleep rough raising funds for the homeless. Please click on this link to read Jeff's story and the remarkable fund he has raised. If you are in a position to support him once again this year, please click here.
Perth Rotary Board | 
Board Meeting | Tuesday 2 June 2026. agenda items to our Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
Our focus is clear: defining the trajectory of Perth Rotary beyond our first 100 years.
As we look toward Perth Rotary’s next century, our priority is the disciplined execution of our Strategic Plan. To maintain this momentum, we begin each meeting by reviewing the Perth Rotary Board Strategic Dashboard. This dashboard serves as our roadmap, outlining our specific targets and indicators for success. We are collectively refining our proficiency with this new framework, and the results of this transition are already becoming evident in our strategic outcomes
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE PORTFOLIO | GLOBAL GRANT COMPLETED.
PERTH ROTARY | FELLOWSHIP DATES for your diary.... 
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 colour combinations.
Sincerely,
Jill Dawson OAM | President Perth Rotary 2025/27
- Perth Rotary Centenary Meeting Thursday 27 May 2026 rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au ** Please note the change in time - 3pm.
- Perth Rotary Board Meeting 5.30pm, Tuesday 2 June 2026. Any agenda items, please send to Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
- Perth Rotary Vienna Pops Meeting 5.30pm Monday 25 May 2026 via ZOOM.
- Business Lunch | Friday 5 June 2026
- Century of Service: The Legacy Lunch | Friday 19 June 2026
- Business Lunch | Friday 3 July 2026
- D9423 Monthly Chat | 5pm Sunday 7 June 2026
- RI Conference, Tapai | 13 - 17 June 2026
- D9423 2025/26 Celebration at the Mecure Hotel | Saturday 11 July 2026
- Zone 8, South Pacific Conference, Melbourne | 30 Oct - 1 Nov 2026
