The New Chapter of Perth Rotary
 

 

In a packed room of more than 70 participants we welcomed the President of Rotary Club Melbourne Kevin Sheehan and his wife Lisa. President Kevin, invited by our Past President John Garland AM, impressed us with his history in Rotary and his in-depth knowledge about Rotary. In a perfectly articulated presentation, he spoke about the importance of the Centenary Anniversary of the Rotary Australia and New Zealand and the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne. His narration was also rich in personal stories from his Rotary career and nicely delivered with humour and pride for his Club, their projects and their accomplishments.

 

Another highlight of that meeting was the induction of the Hon Judi Moylan AO, the first woman to be elected to a House of Representatives Seat for the Conservative parties in Western Australia and former Minister for Family Services and Minister for the Status of Women. Through Judi’s induction we realised how small is this world under the Wheel of Rotary, when we saw that Judi and President Kevin knew each other from the past as they were both real estate professionals.

 

Judi was inducted by Past President George Etrelezis who performed a very creative and inspirational introduction about Judi, using her initials JEM to a metaphor about the Club having a “gem-member”!

 

Rebecca Tolstoy AM updated us on the latest news from the Path of Hope team who are extremely busy this time of the year, ensuring that the victims of domestic violence have a peaceful and festive Christmas time in the refuges. Also we met Caroline Pecotic, representing the Empire Financial Group who are strong supporters of Path of Hope.

 

Among the other special guest that we had in that meeting were: Our District Governor and Past President Graham Peden, our DG Elect Jon Bilson, the DG Nominee Dee Buckland and our Assistant DGs Dave Taylor, Alisson Kirby, Bruno Fic and Warwick Smith

The former member for Perth and CEO of the 500 Club who is also a very good friend of Perth Rotary, Eleni Evangel.

The President of the United Nations Association of Australia WA division, Dr. Sandy Chong.

From the International Rotary family Annegrete and Martin Braun from the beautiful Bavaria and the Rotary Club of Dachau in Germany.

 

Last Friday’s meeting was also our inaugural luncheon at the Westin Perth, our new meeting venue for the new year. We met Peter Brampton, the hotel manager who welcomed our Club and unfolded the amenities and the features of this 5 star hotel which will be our new “home” for 2020. I heard a lot of positive comments and enthusiastic remarks about the menu, the very professional hotel staff and their service, the beautiful aspect of the meeting rooms with the abundance of natural light and the city views.   

 

Friday 20/12, Perth Rotary Christmas Breakfast at the Hilton. This Christmas Breakfast will be more celebrational than ever. Get ready to sing and probably even to dance…! The morning will be full of Christmas surprises, appreciation, fellowship and entertainment for your family and friends.

 

New Year’s Eve Vienna Pops Matinee and New Year’s Gala Concert. The most elegant and inspirational New Year’s Eve event in Perth having the signature of Perth Rotary, available again in two performances: Matinee 2:00 – 3:00 pm and the Gala: 9:00– 12:15 pm

 

As we close the chapter of this year and we are ready to get to 2020, we are confident that this new chapter will be even more prosperous, generous and successful for our Club. Against the general trend that wants the traditional Club entities to be challenged by the influence of the new lifestyle and technology, Perth Rotary will keep on growing through Connecting the Leaders and Inspiring the Community.