PERTH ROTARY | PRESIDENTS UPDATE | 16 February 2021

 

This year, we began the meeting with a short update to members and guests from DGN Ineke Oliver regarding District 9455’s response to the Hills Bushfire.  The funds collected by the Lion Dancers in the red envelopes were to be donated to the District 9455 RAWCS Bushfire fund.  I am delighted to be able to say that $1703.25 was collected along with a further $385 from the sale of the table centre pieces.  The Board of Directors has agreed to ‘top-up’ the donation to $3000.  Funds will be deposited with the RAWCS account as soon as practical.   

 

 

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 .  The Committee is looking for a Rotarian/s who would be happy to join them, specifically for someone who would be happy to take on the role of Secretary of the WA Rotary Bushfire Appeal. 

 

Our Guest speaker last Friday was Dr Sandy Chong, a Harvard alumnus and founder of Verity Consulting.  Dr Chong provided an illuminating glimpse into the cultural differences between the East and the West and how this may impact or enhance negotiations and business dealings.  Dr Chong’s advice to members and guests was to get to know your Asian business colleagues, spend time with them and allow them to know the measure of the person they are about to do business with.  Rotarian Stan Peron AC sprung to my mind as Dr Chong explained, where a relationship is considered to be so special that you are part of the inner circle, no contract is required to secure the business deal.  Mr Peron AC is infamous for holding the Toyota agency for Western Australia with the arrangement based entirely on a hand shake – testament to the level of trust between Mr Perron AC and Toyota, Japan.

 

 

We were privileged to have a high profile and business-oriented guest list with Mr Richard Court AC, Mr Kerry Stokes AC, Mrs Christine Simpson-Stokes and Mr Brian O’Donnell as guests of Dr Tristan Campbell.  It was fabulous to see Tristan back at the club for lunch along with his nine guests from Australian Capital Equity and BC Iron.  It was also wonderful to welcome back Past President Rob Rose and his team from the Water Purified team along with many other Rotarians and guests of the club.

 

During the meeting Past President Stephen Inouye updated members on the outcome from the 2020 Vienna Pops NYE Gala Concert.  It was with a deal of relief, but also great pride that PP Stephen announced a net profit of $22,393.00 for the club.  Given the impacts of COVID 19 on ticket sales and only being allowed to sell at 60% capacity this was a remarkable result and testament to the hard work of the Vienna Pops Committee. 

 

The 2020 Vienna Pops committee was comprised of the following:

- Amanda MacGregor - Ticketing

- Ash Whitworth - Marketing Support

- Jill Dawson - VIP engagement & Rotary President

- Joseph Wambua - Committee Treasurer

- Leah Granucci - Marketing

- Marco Camer-Pesci - Marketing & Event Management

- Mark Coughlin - Music Director

- Nan Walker - VIP Engagement & Marketing Support

- Stephen Inouye - Committee Chair

 

Planning commences each year around May.  The committee undertook a risk-based approach to manage the event & minimise possible financial losses due to the impacts of COVID.  The Perth Rotary Board members were kept apprised of the risks and backed the committee in to proceed with the concert as planned.  Ticket sales were managed by Perth Concert Hall and sold incrementally (in accordance with capacity requirements) to minimise the need for refunding should restrictions be placed on capacities. It was agreed at Committee and Perth Board level that it was important to keep the concert running for our loyal fans and as an employment opportunity to those in the entertainment industry.  In recognition of the integral role our Music Director Mark Coughlan has in the success of the event and his commitment to the Perth Rotary Club, it was a great pleasure to be able to present him with a Paul Harris Fellow on behalf of the membership.  Similarly, our club recognised Amanda McGregor with a Paul Harris Fellow for her service above self, despite being locked down and isolated from her husband, family and friends over the Christmas/New Year period, Amanda’s commitment to ensuring that all was in place for the concert was unwavering and crucial to the success of the event. 

 

 

This week we induct Ms Lisa Halton, who is about to be the Worlds’ Newest Rotarian.  Lisa is already engaged with our club project, Tiny Houses and working with fellow Rotarians Lisa Kazalac, David Wee, Maree Masamayor and Philip Lako.

 

In Lisa’s own words:

 

I am an architect by profession however I grew up beef farming and working for my family’s construction company. I am the eldest of 5, my sisters all work in creative fields whilst my brother is a physical therapist. All live in Ireland bar one who is on her way to live in Perth. I moved to WA in 2012 and was head hunted for the role of design manager on Elizabeth Quay, following that I set up Studio Halton, a firm that develops inclusive environment’s that amplify people’s health and well-being using ancient principles of architecture and medical research.

 

I am probably one of the most curious people you will meet. I love learning about people, history, cars, you name it and adopt my father’s philosophy of ‘ Always know a little about a lot rather than a lot about a little, that way you will always connect with others’. I am a vintage car lover, I climbed Annapurna in the Himalayas, I shark cage dived in South Africa, I paraglided in Nepal, I am learning how to sail, I kayaked to Rotto, I learned how to drive in a truck and I recently won the 40 under 40 ‘Most notable role’ and the Woodside STEM award. I, in collaboration with Bunuba man Clifton Bieundurry designed the first Aboriginal Culturally Appropriate House which we recently patented and will build in Fitzroy Crossing. I did my architecture thesis on mine site rejuvenation with no inclination to move to WA at the time, it was meant to be.

 

Lisa is nominated by John Garland AM and will be inducted this Friday.  Interestingly and as I keep reminding everyone – “All Roads Lead to Quairading”, Clifton Bieundurry is the son in law of my Quairading neighbours, John and Gwen, an amazingly talented Bunuba Man who has performed with Hugh Jackman in New York and has his art displayed & sold internationally.  A small world indeed.  We look forward to welcoming Lisa to the Club and invite you all to congratulate and make Lisa feel welcome. 

 

 

 

The Rotary Bi District Conference to be held 5-7 March 2021.  I am very pleased to announce that at our recent Board meeting, the Directors nominated Mr Don Mazzucchelli, our longest serving Rotarian of 52 years (28 February 1969) as our club’s representative in the Centennial Baton Relay at the Opening Ceremony for the Conference.  Please see below an article written by Past President Wesley Sim hi-lighting Don’s service to the Perth Rotary Club and Rotary International.  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:

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.

 

Members are reminded of this weeks’ Business Luncheon at the Parmelia Hilton Hotel (booking link – https://www.trybooking.com/BNROQ)

 

 

 

 

The Family of the late Mr Harry Morgan AM respectfully advise that a Private Family Funeral will be held on FRIDAY ( 19.02.2021). A Memorial Service will be held for Harry's friends and former colleagues at East Fremantle Football Club on the same day from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

 

A reminder of our upcoming events -  Please remember to RSVP wherever possible as this helps us enormously with our planning.  We will always do our best to accommodate you.  Jill Dawson – president@rotaryperth.org.au

 

With this in mind, I would like to draw members attention to the attached articles which provide greater detail:

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

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