Newsletter #24 | President Jill

Posted on Jun 02, 2026

Dear Rotarians and Friends,

Perth Rotary is thrilled to announce that our spectacular annual Vienna Pops New Year’s Eve Concert is moving to a magnificent new venue for 2026—the iconic His Majesty’s Theatre.

As we celebrate our landmark Centenary Year, we invite you to ring in the New Year inside one of Western Australia’s most treasured heritage landmarks. The Edwardian grandeur and world-class acoustics of "The Maj" will provide the ultimate, breathtaking backdrop for an unforgettable afternoon and evening of musical brilliance.

Under the exceptional leadership of our Musical Director, Mark Coughlan, this year’s performance will feature an extraordinary lineup of world-class artists, delivering the soaring melodies, vibrant energy, and classic Viennese charm you have come to love.  Pre-sale Tickets will be available from 10am Monday 15 June 2026 and to the General Public from 10am Friday 19 June 2026. 

Upcoming Rotary Events Are you up to date with your bookings? We have a busy  June ahead.  

Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting | 5 June 2026  

HAVE YOU BOOKED YOUR TICKET????   You will be inspired. 

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 | Centenary of Service:      The Legacy Lunch is almost SOLD OUT - You do not want to miss out on celebrating with us as we launch 100 Years of Serving the State of Western Australia. 

Friday, 19 June 2026.  Booking Link.  

The Next Chapter This luncheon is the official launch of our 2027 Centenary program.   

As Perth Rotary approaches its centenary in 2027, it is seeking to establish a legacy initiative that delivers lasting benefit to Western Australia. Through discussions with the Marshall Centre, a shared vision has emerged to strengthen Western Australia's leadership in infectious diseases research while building upon UWA's globally recognised research excellence and Nobel legacy.
 
The collaboration draws inspiration from Rotary's instrumental role in helping establish the UWA Medical School in the 1950s, which contributed to generations of medical innovation and helped create the environment that enabled Professor Barry Marshall's Nobel Prize-winning discovery.

A Centenary of Presidents | Perth Rotary Celebrating 100 Years of Serving the Community

The Concept: An Inclusive Celebration
 
To honour our rich history, we are introducing an inclusive hosting initiative for our Centenary Year. We have invited all active Past Presidents to take a turn hosting a Perth Rotary lunch meeting during the Centenary Year.  Please click here to read more
 

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!

 

 

Membership Update

Invoices will be sent to members by Friday 19 June 2026.  Any members not wishing to renew their membership subscription during our Centenary Year must notify our Club Secretary (secretary@rotaryperth.org.au) or Membership Director (membership@rotaryperth.org.au) in writing (email) by Monday 15 June 2026.   It is expected that all members will pay their membership dues in full or under the terms of an agreed payment plan negotiated with Club Treasurer.  
 

D9423 CELEBRATION | 11 July 2026

DG Veronica is continuing in the role of District Governor in 2026-27 so we are holding a celebration instead of a changeover on 11 July. Join us for an evening of fellowship and fun to celebrate our achievements in 2025-26 and look forward to Creating Lasting Impact in 2026-27. Details and the booking link for the District Celebration are in this week's Round Up. You can also book here.

Out and About with Perth Rotarians:

  • International Director Wesley Sim and Grace are enjoying some sunshine and rainbows in the far north as they visit their son Daniel.  Wishing them safe travels and an enjoyable time with family. 
  • 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

Please feel free to contact any of the Directors as listed below with your views and/or comments.  
 
Perth Rotary Board Members
President | Jill Dawson           president@rotaryperth.org.au          
IMP | Manu Gupta                   manu.gupta@rotaryperth.org.au
Treasurer | Joseph Wambua    treasurer@rotaryperth.org.au           
Secretary | Jacques Phillips    secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
Foundation | Rodger Gibson   rggibsonacct@gmail.com                 
Sir Norman Brearly Trust | Ted Wilhelm      ewilhelm@iinet.net.au
 
Club Services Director | Wendy Campbell          clubservices@rotaryperth.org.au
Community Services Director | Graham Peden   graham@wwperth.com
International Services Director | Wesley Sim      international@rotaryperth.org.au
Membership Director | Nan Walker                     membership@rotaryperth.org.au
Youth Director | Kathryn Wackett                        youth@rotaryperth.org.au
Environment Director | Virma Symons                 vzafra@iinet.net.au

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

Friday 19 June 2026 |               Century of Service: The Legacy Lunch 
Saturday 22 August 2026 |       Perth Rotary Bonfire Night at Jeff & Helen
Friday 18 December 2026 |      Perth Rotary Family Christmas Breakfast.
Thursday 31 December 2026 | Vienna Pops NYE Concert, His Majesty's Theatre
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 colour combinations.  

 

Sincerely, 

Jill Dawson OAM | President Perth Rotary 2025/27

 
 
 
PERTH ROTARY CLUB COMMITTEE & SUB COMMITTEE MEETING CALENDAR
  1. Perth Rotary Centenary Meeting Wednesday 1 July 2026   rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au   ** Please note change of date/time
  2. Perth Rotary Board Meeting  5.30pm, Tuesday 2 June 2026.  Any agenda items, please send to Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au  
UPCOMING EVENTS - PERTH ROTARY CLUB
  • Century of Service: The Legacy Lunch  | Friday 19 June 2026
  • Business Lunch | Friday 3 July 2026
  • Vienna Pops NYE Concert | Thursday 31 December 2026
UPCOMING EVENTS - D9423 AND BEYOND
  • 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
 
 
PERTH ROTARY CORPORATE MEMBERS