PERTH ROTARY | PRESIDENTS UPDATE | 15 December  2020

It is hard to believe that December is upon us and that our 2020 Rotary Year is almost at an end – What a Year It Has Been!!  An extraordinary year in so many respects, one of great growth for our club, not only in membership (18% increase) but in innovation, activity and funds raised for the community.  To date we have collaboratively raised in excess of $130,000 which has been directly returned to the community for various projects, research and assistance.  Well done to all of our members, collaborating rotary clubs and strategic partners for working together to ensure that our community is all the better for Rotary being a part of their World.

 

I sincerely wish to thank all Perth Rotarians for their support and hard work during this year.  The club is a reflection of YOUR membership, YOUR Values, YOUR hard work and YOUR service to our community.  We could not be the successful, dynamic, innovative and fun club WE ARE.....  without YOU…. So thank you.

 

 

As I mentioned in my opening comments, This Friday is our last gathering for 2020.  We are utilising the opportunity to sell chocolates and appreciate your efforts to pre-order (& pay direct to our bank account) the chocolates to effect a quick transaction at our Breakfast meeting this Friday.  If for some reason you are unable to collect from the Breakfast on Friday, please order, pay and collect from my office in Como.  Please email me – president@rotaryperth.org.au and we can agree a time and date for collection post Friday 18 December 2020.

 

 

 

Chocolate is derived from the native tropical regions of the Americas and Asia.  Its seeds (or sometimes referred to as beans) are the source of Cocoa for the world-wide chocolate manufacturing Industry. 

 

Chocolate consumption goes back at least 4000 years, to the peoples of present-day Mexico: the Mayans, Aztecs and their predecessors, the Olmec. The fermented seeds from the cocoa pods were ground to a powder and then used to make a cold chocolate beverage, quite different to what we consume today.   Archaeologists have found evidence of the Mayan people using a chocolate teapot as far back as 2000 years.  It would seem that the chocolate beverage was served at the celebration of sacrificial victims from evidence found in archaeological diggings of these regions. 

 

The Spanish people are credited with bringing chocolate back to Europe along with the many spices also discovered in the Americas.  Chocolate drinking became fashionable as well as enjoyable.  It was thought that it might even increase one's virility. 

 

It is only in relatively recent times (200 yrs) that the chocolate could be separated into a powder, thus enabling the production of eating chocolate.  The taste of chocolate comes from a mixture of chemicals, many resulting from the roasting process. 

 

But why do we love to eat chocolate?  A mixture of naturally occurring psychoactive drugs; caffeine, serotonin, tryptophan and stimulants which all combine to affect our mood.  Bring on the Chocolate I say!!! A natural way to feel happy and what better time of the year than Christmas to be happy.

 

The Perth Rotary Board met on Monday 7 December and approved the following payments to Rotary International:

$7500 – Rotary Foundation

$2000 – End Polio Now Campaign    

 

I thank all members who contributed funds which allow us to donate on behalf of our club and meet our annual obligations to Rotary International.

 

A huge Shout Out to Mrs Betty Smith who has been collected used stamps from businesses for more than 40 years.  At age 90, Betty has finally admitted that perhaps age is against her and so Rotarian Ulrich collected the last box of used stamps from Betty this past week. 

 

 

Service Above Self comes in so many forms.  Betty was recognised by our club in 2018/19 by Past President Wesley when he presented Betty with a Paul Harris Fellow pin.  At the time Betty featured in the Community News for her work for the Community and Rotary. 

 

Congratulations once again Betty and thank you most sincerely for your many years of dedication and service. 

We continue to sell tickets for the  Vienna Pops New Years Eve Gala Concert.  We have approximately ten VIP Tickets left.  If you would like to join us, please contact the team direct by email for these premium tickets – viennapops@rotaryperth.org.au  All other tickets are sold via the Perth Concert Hall website – www.perthconcerthall.com.au

 

 

There are still some fabulous seats available, particularly for the afternoon matinee if you are interested.  We would really like to sell the both concert out so as to maximise the funds raised.  This is very important this year as we can only fill the hall to 60% capacity in order to comply with COVID distancing requirements.  Your support of this major Perth Rotary Fundraiser is greatly appreciated.

 

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 THIS FRIDAY at breakfast.