Members of the Swan 2 Surf Rotary Community Group 2
came together at the Royal Perth Golf Club Friday 24 October 2025 to celebrate. The Liquid Gold Polio Dinner was a resounding success, bringing together our community for an evening focused on service, cultural understanding, and the fight against polio.
The evening was opened by Noongar Elder Sharon Wood-Kenney, who delivered a culturally sensitive and educational Welcome to Country. Sharon paid respect to the wisdom of First Nations Elders past and present and acknowledged the traditional lands and language groups of Australia. Sharon's extensive background as an Aboriginal Community Engagement Architect and the Founder/Chair of Djinda Bridiya Wellbeing set a reflective and respectful tone for the night.
Rotary's ongoing commitment to eradicating polio was powerfully highlighted with the Toast to Rotary International given by Polio survivor and Rotarian Merilyn Adamson. Merilyn offered a moving toast, acknowledging Rotary's tremendous global work for the world's children. PDG Geoff Simpson OAM in responding to Merilyn's toast on behalf of Rotary International, spoke passionately, detailing the continued fundraising efforts required to finish the fight against polio. Funds raised at the event will support Rotary International’s End Polio Now Campaign, helping us eradicate polio in the final two endemic countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Our guest speaker was Renee Kennedy, an award-winning Australian film producer and writer based in Fremantle. As the Founder and Managing Director of her company, Metamorflix. Renee is passionate about creating original factual and documentary content that focuses on humanity, transformation, and legacy.
Renee's talk provided a compelling connection to Rotary's mission, discussing her current feature film project, 'The Golden Age.' This adaptation of Joan London’s celebrated novel is set in a 1950s Perth children's convalescent home during the polio epidemic, linking a poignant piece of post-war history directly to the urgency of Rotary's ongoing eradication efforts.
The Heirisson Rotary Club, on behalf of the Homeless HUB, honored Rotarian Judith Pinczuk with a Paul Harris Fellow.
This prestigious recognition was for her instrumental support and financing of the Eye Contact Display at Parliament House Canberra. Judith's efforts created significant positive conversation at the highest levels of government, powerfully highlighting the national housing crisis facing homeless Australians. It was a wonderful opportunity to than Judith for her many years of service, particularly with the Homeless HUB.
These evenings do not occur without a huge effort behind the scenes.
A huge thank you to the following Rotarians for their dedication and incredible support in bringing the event together:
| Role | Rotarians |
| Masters of Ceremony | Sharon West & Manu Gupta |
| Registration Desk | Wendy Campbell, Helen Keane, & Jacques Phillips |
| Audio Visual | Ian Belton & Jacques Phillips |
| Polio Buttons | Warwick Smith |
| Opening & Welcome | Sharon Wood-Kenney |
| Toast & Response | Merilyn Adamson & PDG Geoff Simpson OAM |