PERTH ROTARY | PRESIDENTS UPDATE | 10  November 2020

Posted on Nov 10, 2020
Members & Friends of the Perth Rotary Club,
 
“Climate is what we expect | Weather is what we get.”  Mark Twain…. And so the “Blessing of the Fleet” has been postponed until further notice.  In the mean time we count our blessings; our Family; our Friends; our Work; our Health and Rain ….. which makes our gardens grow and puts water in the dams ahead of a long dry summer. 
 
 
We are already so ‘Blessed’ here in Western Australia and still have an event to look forward to when the stars align (& the rain stops 😊).  Having said that, a lot of time and effort, not to mention logistics goes into coordinating boats, skippers, Rotarians and guests and I do thank Larry Hirsch and his skippers Nigel Barker & Norm Roberts/West End 2; Jeff Leach/Maria; Larry Hirsch & Ross Norgard/Pollyanna; Kerran Campbell/C’est La Vie; Mal Taylor/Detour; Frank & Lucinda Daly/Manta Ray and Ivan Bennett/The Big Easy for providing this opportunity for Rotarians.  We certainly look forward to re-scheduling the Blessing and will keep you informed.
 
This week we welcome the US Consul General, Mr David J Gainer to the Perth Rotary Club as our guest speaker and we look forward to hearing him speak on his topic of “U.S. Foreign Policy Goals with Australia”.  We are very grateful to Mr Gainer for taking time out of his busy schedule and look forward to your company.   We also look forward to inducting Maree Gooch and Sagar Badve into the club as the world's newest Rotarians.  
 
Sagar has a long history already with Rotary International Programs and is a graduate of District 9455 RYLA Program.  Sagar comes to Perth Rotary via his association as a Volunteer with the Path of Hope Foundation.  Sagar brings across both a youthful perspective and strong leadership qualities having been the Head Boy of Perth Modern School, a Georgia Rotary Student Program Scholarship Recipient and John Curtin Undergraduate Scholar. 
 
Maree Gooch is one of WA’s most engaging and successful entrepreneurs and management consultants with more than three decades of experience spanning business and government.  Her strengths are in Business Strategy, Business Transformation and Financial Management for small and medium sized businesses based on personal experience and her entrepreneurial business ventures across multiple industries and experiences working with and for government agencies.
 
This is a lunch meeting where we ask you to pre-book – www.trybooking.com/BLWTL as soon as possible to assist us with our catering and seating arrangements. 
 
 
This week is NAIDOC Week | A week in which we acknowledge and celebrate our first nations people.  NAIDOC – National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee can be traced back as far as the 1920’s and it’s purpose was always to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.  Perth Rotary Club has worked alongside the Nyoongar Outreach Centre this year to source funds through the District Grant System to repatriate Aboriginal people to country, particularly those who were most affected by COVID and were most at risk of sleeping rough.
 
The grant supports one of Rotary International’s principal area of focus: “Promoting Peace” along with understanding and compassion.  The Perth Rotary Club continues to seek understanding and to leverage our networks and connections in collaboration with government and non-government agencies to ensure that Aboriginal people(s) social and welfare needs in public spaces are met.  As a humanitarian organisation, Rotary has the opportunity to engage its members and the community by creating an environment of peace by taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.  NAIDOC week provides an opportunity to focus on work and strategic partnerships which are in operation all year round.
 
We also commemorate Remembrance Day on Wednesday 11 November, 102 years after the guns on the Western Front finally fell silent.  So many men, women and families affected by four years of Service, Courage, Bravery and Loss. 
 
At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to remember the courage and sacrifice of so many who gave their lives so we might live in freedom.  It was a hard-fought fight for our happiness, security, safety and way of life which is perhaps not always remembered in our fast paced, modern world.  I urge all Rotarians to lead by example, reflect, remember and honour those who gave everything.
 
Lest we Forget….
 
In Flanders Fields
 
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
 
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
 
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
 
 
Other events for Perth Rotary Members to consider supporting and/or attending:
 
Saturday 21 Nov         Steeltoes & Stilettos - is a building and construction industry event bringing the risk of asbestos to the big stage. Tradies are dobbed in and sponsored to walk the catwalk with a model.  Reflections, a not-for-profit which is working to reduce the impact of asbestos on our community, is offering you the opportunity to join us in bringing this landmark event to life. With the highest rates of the asbestos-related terminal cancer, Mesothelioma, in the world and significant amounts of in-situ asbestos in our built environment, asbestos has left a devastating legacy in Western Australia. Raising awareness in the building and construction industry is crucial, and this unique event also spreads the message to the wider community.
 
Tickets include a red-carpet entry, canapes, drinks and live entertainment.   Early bird tickets are on sale for a limited time.
 
 
Thursday 26 Nov        The Brave Shave – Word is out!  President Jill, along with Past Presidents Wes and Larry, and ROC President Karin and ROC Members Shane and Blake, have committed to the Brave Shave!   On November 26, you’re invited to take part in an event that will impact pioneering WA cancer research at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research.  The aim is to raise $100,000 to boost a cancer breakthrough, join us and the team in making a difference for friends and family facing cancer. You don’t have to shave your head, just provide financial and emotional support to someone who is! Your donation is helping keep families together for longer, Your presence at the event is giving us courage to go ahead with the shave.
 
1 - Show your Support
                           Donate to
 
2 - Attend the Event
 
The Bald & The Beautiful Brave Shave
 
But we don’t want to do this on our own.  We would love your company and invite you to:
Thursday 26th November, 6:00pm
The Duxton Hotel Perth
1 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

Ticket includes complimentary drink on arrival and canapés.
Cash bar available.
 
 
 
Friday 23 April 2021   Members of the Perth Rotary Club have been collaborating with the Melville Rotary Club on behalf of District 9455 and 9465 to create an event worthy of celebrating the Centenary of Rotary in Australia.  It is with a great deal of excitement that we can announce on behalf of DG Jon Bilson and DG Colin Burns, Rotary WA will host the Rotary Centennial Gala Ball, Friday 23rd  April 2021 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. 
 
                                   
The Theme is “Puttin on the Ritz” and we look forward to a large contingent from the Perth Rotary Club at this event.  As this is a Western Australia wide event, and numbers are limited, we urge you to book your tickets asap via the try booking link below.  This also helps to alleviate the financial pressures associated with hosting such an event and your cooperation in this regard is gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.
 
 
VIENNA POPS NEW YEARS EVE GALA CONCERT | 31 DECEMBER 2020
 
Tickets are on sale and we thank all Rotarians and members of the Community who have supported us with purchases of tickets.  If you are unable to attend Vienna Pops but would like to “gift” tickets to our strategic partners and/or to your family, Xmas Gift Packs with tickets to the Afternoon or Evening Concerts will be available for purchase at lunches. 
 
Please come and see a member of the Vienna Pops Committee at the registration desk who will assist you. 
 
We have three Concert options available for you:
 
 
Can you Help?? The RC of Heirisson are desperately seeking a location for the two eye contact storage boxes.  Do you have a warehouse, shed or garage that you are not using and where frequent access is possible?
The boxes are about 2.20 metres long x about 1.20 metres wide x about 1.40 metres high. The boxes are quite heavy but are on wheels and can be pushed around on a smooth hard floor surface quite easily. The storage space would need to be dry.  The boxes are transported on a trailer, therefore, it would be good to just be able to back the trailer up to the boxes.  Ideally it would be better if the storage shed was in the central metro area rather than too far out in the ‘burbs’.  Please contact PDG Graham Peden if you can help.  Graham@wwperth.com
 
Rotary Clubs of Mt Lawley and Cambridge
Smile for a Reason Lottery
 
Win some incredible prizes in the Smile for a Reason Lottery conducted by the Rotary Clubs of Mt Lawley and Cambridge in conjunction with Telethon Speech & Hearing. Prizes include:
  • An exquisite diamond pendant from Matusik Jewellers valued at $5,250
  • A $1,000 Priceline Pharmacy voucher to spend in-store
  • $500 in Bodhi J vouchers for the ultimate luxurious pampering experience at this renowned day spa.
  1. Get your tickets online today for only $5 at https://www.tsh.org.au/smile-for-a-reason/
  2. Don’t forget to share raffle details on your Club’s Facebook page, and on Instagram and Twitter with your Club members, family and friends.
 
Purchase your ticket
 
 
 
PERTH ROTARY 2020/21 BOARD EMAIL - Our Next Board Meeting - Monday 7 December 2020
 
President:                  Jill Dawson               president@rotaryperth.org.au
Past President:         Vangelis Katsaitis    vangelis@excellenceps.com.au
President Elect:        Rev Dr John Shepherd AM john.h.shepherd@bigpond.com
Treasurer:                  Joseph Wambua      treasurer@rotaryperth.org.au
Secretary:                  Jacques Phillips      secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
Rotary Foundation  Emma Cork               emma@oneenergyfps.com.au
Club Service:           Darren Perera           clubservice@rotaryperth.org.au
Fellowship Chair:    Jo Morris                    fellowship@rotaryperth.org.au     
Media Chair              Barry Thornton         barrythornton@hotmail.com
Speaker Program     Nicola Johnston       programmechair@rotaryperth.org.au
Membership              Ashley Whitworth    membership@rotaryperth.org.au
Vocational                 Jonas Edner             vocational@rotaryperth.org.au
Community               David Wee                community@rotaryperth.org.au
International             Wesley Sim               international@rotaryperth.org.au
Youth                         Kelly Gibson             youth@rotaryperth.org.au