Members & Friends of the Perth Rotary Club,
Ciao, Buongiorno, buonasera, A presto! ….. Last week an unusual phenomena seemed to affect many Perth Rotarians as they all started speaking Italian….. It was such a delight to Welcome Mr Nicolo Constantini, The Italian Consul of Western Australia as our guest speaker.
Mr Constantini took members on a pictorial tour of Italy’s regions, industry, wine and food. He also provided an insight into a Diplomats Life which from all accounts is not always as glamourous as one might imagine, but many long hours on the end of a phone. Thank you Giuseppe Pantano for introducing Mr Constantini to the club as a guest speaker.
We also welcomed Nicola Johnston to the club as a new member. Nicola is already hard at work on behalf of the club in her role as Chair of the Speaker Programme. Should you wish to contact Nicola to recommend a guest speaker to her committee, please email: programmechair@rotaryperth.org.au. Please find a copy of Nicola’s bio at the end of this presidents message.
This week we are looking forward to Fadzi Whande, A Global Diversity & Inclusion Strategist and recipient of 2019/20 Perth Rotary District Grant Funding. I urge all Rotarians to rsvp via the paperless post email invitation (or email me direct president@rotaryperth.org.au) with your rsvp, 12.30 lunch, Friday 17 July at The Westin Hotel.
A little more about Fadzi Whande – Fadzi is an award-winning social justice advocate; a graduate and valedictorian of her cohort at Leadership WA and a recipient of Rotary District Grant Funds. We live in one of the most culturally diverse nations on this earth. It is topical and right for us to ensure we are informed; aware and cognisant of how all members in our society are affected by the actions and attitudes around them.
We also look forward to inducting our first Corporate Member for 2020/21, Di Wilcox of The Magic Coat for Kids. The Magic Coat is a tool that has been developed by Di and her team so they can go into our Community and work with children, families and community leaders to create calm, confident and caring future members of our society. Corporate Membership is a focus of the Membership team this year and we’re very excited for the Magic Coat to join HHG Legal, Veritas and Candy People with more members in this category coming on board in future meetings.
Last Friday, 10 July 2020, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Mr David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda Hurley officially launched Rotary’s centenary year in Australia at Government House, Canberra with the commencement of the Rotary Centenary Baton Relay. Our Rotary Centenary is a time to celebrate the past and to create the future. The Rotary Centenary Baton is an important symbol of how we connect today and pass on our legacy to future generations.
Not only did we participate in an important event that makes a mark on history, we were also entertained with three world class and famous performers. If you missed the launch you can catch-up at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdFSoWuKA6U&feature=youtu.be.
Our outbound exchange student, Caitlin Schmitt continues to enjoy her cultural exchange in Japan. Caitlin has now taken up the sport of Kendo which she really loves. Kendo is a form of martial arts. The people at the Kendo Club in Japan have made Caitlin feel very welcome, she continues to feel settled and very safe in Japan. It is wonderful to see that even despite all that is going on in the world with Covid, the RYE program has prevailed with both Laura and Caitlin enjoying very successful years.
A reminder that District Governor Jon Bilson will be the guest speaker at our After Business Drinks Meeting (5.30pm – 7.30pm) Thursday 23 July and I urge all members to please set this time and date aside. DG Jon has assured me his visit will be an interactive Q & A session and the feed back from clubs who he has already visited backs this claim. He wants to hear from members, get to know you and enrich your Rotary experience. RSVP for this event is via a trybooking link www.trybooking.com/BKHZY and tickets are $40/pp. Your ticket includes canapes & cash bar available.
NEW MEMBER | NICOLA JOHNSTON | CHAIR OF THE SPEAKER PROGRAMME, PERTH ROTARY CLUB:
PP Jeff Leach and Members of the Perth Rotary Club it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Nicola Johnston. It has been my privilege to know Nicola for quite some time and I am honoured that she has agreed to join the Perth Rotary Club.
Nicola has shown herself to be highly adaptable within the workplace, a keen humanitarian, traveller and friend. Nicola is keen to be a part of Perth Rotary because it enables her to become more involved in humanitarian projects that make a positive long term impact to other communities through building capacity.
Nicola is also keen to be part of Rotary’s varied social and community service activities. Nicola and her husband Mike have attended each of the Path of Hope Gala Balls and our wine tasting evening with Hay Shed Hill Winery last year. Nicola has tertiary qualifications in Public Health, Public Relations and Dental Therapy and is also a qualified and experienced ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher. Nicola has worked in various industries throughout her professional career ranging from most recently, oil and gas, education, dental health, and the not-for-profit sector.
Nicola comes to Rotary with many years of volunteering. Nicola was President of the WA Dental Therapy and Hygiene Association, Participated in volunteer dental teams to India, Cambodia and the Kimberley and Worked at UWA’s Centre for Rural and Remote Oral Health in an academic/dental health promotion and cross cultural communications role. The last 15 years has been in recruitment in oil and gas in Australia and overseas. Nicola founded and operated a small international recruitment company operating out of Kuala Lumpur.
I sincerely believe that Nicola will make a valuable contribution to the club through her experience in project coordination, public relations and health promotion. I am delighted to announce that Nicola has taken up the role of Chair of the speaker programme. Nicola aims to work with the committee to deliver a diverse portfolio of speakers and topics.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Jill Dawson
Perth Rotary | President | 2020-2021
PERTH ROTARY 2020/21 BOARD & CONTACT EMAIL:
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 Services : 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