Dear Perth Rotary Members & Friends,
 
Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
 

Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world.

"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world, it will be known by the results it achieves." 

Paul Harris, Founder of Rotary.  Excerpt taken from Rotary International - History of Rotary

 
This ongoing commitment to serving the community is still evident today and most recently in Rotary WA's response to the Hills Bushfires. A reminder to members, if you would like to personally donated to the  RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) Bushfire fund please click on this  RAWCS | Donation link. Should you wish to email the committee directly with offers of assistance or queries – please use the email recovery@rotarywa9455.org .  
 
 
Last week our guest speaker, Mr Zak Kirkup MP provided an insight into his life growing up and his lifelong passion for politics and desire to serve the community.  Mr Kirkup has been in the background of State Politics for many years, but only recently in the forefront of the public's reach.  Whilst Rotary remains a-political, we do from time to time invite our public figures to visit with us so we might have an opportunity to meet the person behind the public image.  Members at Perth Rotary Club are privileged to enjoy a wide ranging speaker programme with a constant array of public figures from all sides of the political & social spectrum presenting to the club.  The Q & A session on this occasion was lively, thoughtful and educational.  My apologies that we were not able to field all questions from the floor, we will look at ways to better manage that aspect in future meetings and thank you for your understanding. 
 
This week we look forward to hosting the first of our Perth Rotary 'After Business Networking' events.  These evenings are designed to provide an opportunity for those members who find it difficult to attend our usual Friday lunch meetings.  The networking events are less formal, but just as informative.  This week we have an International Melody of Speakers with President Joe Cairns, Rotary Club of Perth | Scotland joining us along with our D9455 Global Citizen Graduates, May Jeong; Rochelle Goticoe and Girish Jkhurt.  I particularly wish to thank Rotarians Manu Gupta and Wendy Campbell who both put an extraordinary amount of time into this programme.  Wendy in the initial stages when the pilot programme was getting off the ground, and Manu, who has inspired, mentored and taken care of the Global Citizens to successfully enable them to complete the programme and gain maximum benefit from their involvement.  I am pleased to say that all three Global Citizens have joined the Perth Rotaract Club and so their involvement with Rotary is on-going. 
 
I invite all members to consider coming along to the Parmelia Hilton Hotel, enjoy a drink on the new Piazza and support our speaker program.  For our counterparts in Scotland this is a much anticipated break from their usual program and a sneak peek into a meeting structure which they look forward to returning to once the COVID vaccination program is completed in the UK and life is able to return to some normality.  Bookings are on line - https://www.trybooking.com/BOVWC. 
 
                                                                  Perth Rotary | Scotland UK                                      

 
Unfortunately March and April are a little topsy turvy with respect to our meetings as we enter a phase of disruption due to public holidays & other Rotary events.  Please get your diaries out and mark the following dates. 
 
  • Friday 5 March | Rotary Business Lunch.  Elly Williams, Walk Free.  https://www.trybooking.com/BOZCN
  • Friday 12 March | Rotary Business Lunch.  We have a trio of guest speakers for this occasion
    • Past President of Perth RC, Maureen McDaniell;
    • Rotary International Zone 8 Director Dr Jessie Harman; and
    • District 9455 21/22 DGE Dee Buckland.
    • A Celebration of Women in Rotary in recognition of International Women's Day.  
    • Please go on line to book your ticket - https://www.trybooking.com/BPCSJ
  • Friday 19 March | Presidents Cocktail Party.  Crystal Club, Crown Towers.  https://www.trybooking.com/BNGXY (4 tickets available) 
  • Friday 25 March | Joint Meeting with Crawley Rotary Club.  One In A Million, raising funds and awareness of Men's mental health.  Please go on line to book your ticket in support of the Crawley Rotary Club.   https://www.rotarycrawley.org
 
Please not only put these dates into your calendar, but go on line to purchase your tickets and secure your place at the table.  
 
The Rotary Bi District Conference to be held 5-7 March 2021.  Congratulations to our longest serving Rotarian of 52 years (28 February 1969), Mr Don Mazzucchelli, who will be our club’s representative in the Centennial Baton Relay at the Opening Ceremony for the Conference.  I encourage members to consider coming along to the Opening of the Bi-District Conference, to cheer Don on and celebrate Rotary in this Centennial Year.  Tickets are available by clicking on the link https://events.humanitix.com/rotarywa-joint-district-conference
 
 
Perth Rotary currently has three videos circulating on facebook as part of the Bi-District Conference Video Project Competition.  The Video with the most ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ will not only win $500 towards their project but also enjoy a wider circulation and free publicity and engagement.  Members are encouraged to like and share as much as possible.  The videos submitted are:
  • Cambodia Family Support
  • Vienna Pops
  • Centennial Gala Ball.
In addition to the above, the Path of Hope Foundation are posting 30 second ‘grabs’ and promotional videos for the Path of Hope Foundation Gala Ball, Saturday 22 May 2021.  Tickets are now on sale and we are looking forward to celebrating Victory over Violence with members, guest and Victors at the Crown Towers.  Please get your tickets by visiting www.pathofhope.org.au .  Tickets are $250/pp and include everything you need to experience a magical evening – fine wine, fine food and fine company!
 
 
Conference organizers are desperately in need of volunteers to assist in a wide range of areas such as parking, exhibition room, supporting the Baton Relay; delegate registration.  An email was sent to members on Monday 15 February and should you be able to assist, please contact
Bill Richardson on Mob: 0429373788 or Email: mim.bill3@bigpond.com.
 
Centennial Gala Ball | Friday 23 April 2021. 
 
Perth Rotary Club is well represented at this occasion, however, if you would like to join us, please go on line at http://bit.ly/R100Ball to purchase your tickets.  The Committee is bringing out a commemorative bottle of wine which will be available for sale at the District Conference and/or by mail order.  Funds raised from the sale of the wine will be directed towards costs associated with the running of the Centennial Gala.  Your support of this fundraiser and the Gala, Celebrating 100 Years of Rotary in Australia is greatly appreciated. 
 
As all Rotarians are aware, 2020/21 is the Centennial Year of Rotary in Australia.  To commemorate and celebrate this achievement members can purchase a book on the Centenary of Rotary in Australia.  Advance orders are now being received for the soon to be published 'Humanity in Action - Celebrating 100 years of Rotary Clubs in Australia and it's near island neighbours'.  Pre-orders for this hard cover book should be addressed to PDG Harry Durey – hdurey@bigpond.com as soon as possible.  Books are limited and cost  $25 plus postage. 
 
In addition, a pair of commemorative coins will be released to “put Rotary into the hands of every Australian”. 
 
The Royal Australian Mint has announced that they will launch a $1 coin into general circulation as well as being available in a commemorative pack - $15.  The Royal Australian Mint will also mint a silver $5 coin which will retail at $100 marking 100 years of Rotary Service. 
 
The new coins were launched in Sydney on 4 February along with a set of commemorative stamps. 
 
 
 
 
 
PERTH ROTARY 2020/21 BOARD EMAIL - Our Next Board Meeting – Tuesday 9 March 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