Dear Perth Rotarians,
This week is Rotary Australia’s 100th Birthday and on behalf of the Perth Rotary Board and Members we have sent our very best wishes in particular to the Melbourne Rotary Club who are acknowledged as the first Club to charter on the 21 April 1921. As has been mentioned many times, Rotary’s Centenary is a time of celebration. It is a time to reflect on our past, and take pride in all that has been achieved. Congratulations & our very best wishes once again to Perth Rotary Member John Garland AM on making it through to the final three nominations for the inaugural Dr Ken Collins AM Cit.WA Award for Excellence in Service to Rotary. We wish John all the very best and hope that all those Rotarians from the Perth Club and Clubs across Western Australia enjoy a wonderful night of celebration at the Centennial Gala to be hosted at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. I would especially like to thank Nan Walker, Ashley Whitworth and George Etrelezis who have had pivotal roles along with Melville Rotary Club Members in organising this event on behalf of all Rotarians in Western Australia. It has been a wonderful collaboration of clubs across the two Rotary Districts in WA.
Thank you to all members for your best wishes during my latest health challenge and once again to President Elect, Reverend John for hosting our business lunch meeting last Friday in my absence. I understand that Rev John provided Sergeant Larry with ample fodder for his sergeants’ session and that Colin Pettit was an interesting speaker providing fodder of a different type for thought and discussion. It was great to see another great turn out and that the Perth Rotary Club is an inclusive club welcoming all members, guests and family members. I am so sorry I missed this wonderful meeting.
As you know ANZAC Day is just around the corner and Perth Rotary is looking for volunteers to help serve breakfast to the returned soldiers and their families. Please visit the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/tdrUY2ZYrR Your family, friends and work colleagues are welcome to join us on this occasion. Many hands make light work. Special thanks to Rotarians Wesley Sim and David Wee who coordinate our efforts along with the Heirisson Rotary Club. Wesley will provide full instructions to all volunteers well prior to Sunday 25 April 2021.
Please remember to register for the following events and note that due to the Centennial Gala on Friday 23 April, we have NO MEETING this week. The following week, we have a unique opportunity to visit the WA Museum on a Vocational Visit Friday 30 April along with our re-scheduled Blessing of the Fleet in the evening .of the same day. You are welcome to attend just one of these events or both, provided you register your intention in advance. We return to our Friday lunch meetings on 7 May 2021.
- Thursday 22 April | NO MEETING
- Friday 23 April | Centennial Gala Ball, Ritz Carlton Hotel http://bit.ly/R100Ball
- Friday 30 April | Vocational Visit, WA Museum rsvp: vocational@rotaryperth.org.au Guests will hear from senior curators from each discipline who will showcase and speak to some unique objects within their collection, explaining the provenance and relevance of the objects. The tour will include the Harry Butler Research Centre and Wet Store which contains over 2.5 million research specimens, including a number of unique, highly significant holotypes specimens discovered by scientists of the WA Museum.
- Friday 30 April | Blessing of the Fleet. larryh@chartermortgage.com.au
- Friday 7 May | Kristy Staples, Salvation Army - Kristy manages The Salvation Army’s response in WA to one of the most challenging social issues of our community. Once buried deep in the conversation, never really talked about, carrying both visible and invisible (to the eyes) scars, the topic of Family Violence must rise and remain at the surface of public discussion to generate real change. A national conversation needs to be led by example at all political levels as well as the need to have active conversations at home. Now is the opportunity and time to influence current and future generations to create change. Changes in attitudes, understanding and behaviours. Kristy brings her experience and skills into building sector leading and innovative services to both Perth and the Pilbara that can provide a therapeutic model of security, care and empowerment. https://www.trybooking.com/BQMXL
- Friday 14 May | Dr Jemma Green, Director, Power Ledger – Dr Green will be talking on the topic of “All Things Crypto”. Bookings are via trybooking - https://www.trybooking.com/BQNCS
The Centennial Gala Ball, Friday 23 April at the Ritz Carlton Hotel
In closing – this week is the birthday of Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris 19 April 1868. I wonder what Paul Harris would make of the world we live in today? I am sure he would agree, that the principals Rotary is founded on are as true today as they were when formed. In a week when Service; Dignity; Selflessness and History were hi-lighted and celebrated, it is good for us to also remember and celebrate our own history, our own service with dignity for the community in which we live.
Members are also reminded of the Path of Hope Gala Ball, Saturday 22 May 2021 at the Crown Towers. Tickets are on line and available by visiting www.pathofhope.org.au By securing your ticket to the Path of Hope Gala 2021, you are supporting our efforts to raise funds which are directed towards the Salvation Army in their incredible work with survivors of FDV. Please consider attending this magical evening and making a difference in the lives of so many.
Please not only put these dates into your calendar, but go on line to purchase your tickets and secure your place at the table.
PERTH ROTARY 2020/21 BOARD EMAIL - Our Next Board Meeting – Monday 3 May 2021
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