Newsletter #7 | President Jill

Dear Perth Rotary Members and Friends, 

On Friday, September 5, 2025, we were honored to host Emeritus Professor Barry Marshall as our guest speaker. He attracted a large crowd and did not disappoint.

Professor Marshall began by sharing a personal glimpse into his life, including his wife Adrienne, children, and grandchildren, all of whom he says kept him grounded after receiving the Nobel Prize. He delighted the audience with an amusing story about his grandchildren creating their own science laboratory on the family farm, which still retains the remnants—and associated odor—of their experiments.

He then delved into his professional journey, discussing the process, obstacles, and eventual success of proving that he and Professor Robin Warren had found the cause and cure for stomach ulcers. It was a truly inspirational story of grit, determination, and self-belief. His talk was a powerful reminder that perseverance pays off and that when you don't succeed at first, the lesson is to try, try, and try again.

The meeting opened with Past President Don Mazzucchelli providing a brief overview of the history of the WA Medical School and the Perth Rotary Club's involvement. Don shared personal memories, recalling his parents' active participation in the fundraising efforts for the school and noting that his classmates were among the first intake. For those interested, the full brief can be read at: https://rotaryperth.org.au/Stories/wa-medical-school-a-rotary-project.

It was a great honor to have so many distinguished guests in the audience, including Vice Chancellor of UWA Amit Chakma, former Chancellor of UWA Dr. Ken Michael AC, Director of the Marshall Centre Professor Charlene Kahler, former Mayor of Subiaco Heather Henderson OAM, and visiting guests from New Zealand Sue Gardner and Graeme Prince, among many others who joined us that day. We were also joined by our very own RYE Exchange Student Elliot Notelaers.

We look forward to continuing to work alongside the Marshall Centre as we endeavor to establish the Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases as the next Perth Rotary Legacy Project.  

Upcoming Marshall Centre Event

Looking ahead, we are delighted to announce that the Marshall Centre will be hosting a Community Engagement Event. Members of the Perth Rotary Club are invited to join us on Monday, October 13, at 2:30 PM. The event will feature presentations from Professor Barry Marshall and Professor Mark Nicol. Please note that members must register to attend as spaces are limited. You can find full details and registration information at the following link: https://rotaryperth.org.au/Stories/marshall-centre-community-engagement-event.

 

We meet this FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2025 | Bookings must close at 3pm, Tuesday 16 September. 

Please join us for our fortnightly Perth Rotary Club Meeting at the Parmelia Hilton Hotel.  Our Guest Speaker is Darren Reynolds - Every Daughter Matters; Human Trafficking | Making it Personal

Darren Reynolds - Head of Engagement for Every Daughters Matters - will enlighten us about the crucial efforts of this organisation to intercept vulnerable Nepali women and girls at risk of human trafficking, and stop the abuse before it begins.  The international border between Nepal and India is one of the busiest human trafficking routes in the world with over 20,000 young Nepali women and children being trafficked into India each year.  Every Daughter Matters runs operations along this border, intercepting at risk girls and assisting them with post-rescue care and community reintegration with over 1,700 documented rescues in 2024 alone.

Perth Parmelia Hilton 14 Mill Street Perth

Friday 19th September 2025

12:15 for 12:30 Start

$60.00 per person

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DEZBB

Booking Procedures for Perth Rotary Members

To ensure a smooth experience for everyone, please remember to adhere to our booking process.

  • Meeting Days: Rotary luncheons are held on the first and third Fridays of each month.

  • Booking Deadline: Bookings must be made by 3:00 PM on the Tuesday before the event. This allows us to confirm numbers and dietary requirements with the Parmelia Hilton.

Your timely booking and consistent attendance are vital to the success of our meetings. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to seeing you there!

Fathers Day 2025

As we reflect on a recent Father's Day, we hope all the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures in our lives felt celebrated and appreciated. It was a day to honor those who have guided, supported, and inspired us. We send our best wishes to all the dads who continue to make a difference in our lives.  

ROTARIANS ON THE MOVE THIS WEEK.... 

Peter and I enjoyed a fabulous week touring the Southwest of Western Australia with friends visiting from Victoria. It was a wonderful experience seeing our "backyard" through their eyes, and they were absolutely captivated (& at times amazed) by everything from the lively atmosphere and music at the Duke of George in Fremantle to the beauty of the South Coast beaches and the Karri forests.

While it was a great break, I'm now playing catch-up, and this week is proving to be quite busy. I'll be working through all emails and messages, so if my response is a little delayed, please feel free to send a follow-up email or text if your query is urgent. I appreciate your patience. During our trip, we had a delightful surprise in Pemberton while riding the tram to the Cascades. We had a brief but lovely chat with fellow Perth Rotarian Warren and his wife Helen, managing to squeeze in a quick photo before we had to board again. 

Reflections through Reality | Perth Rotary Corporate Member      

a big week ahead for all those at Reflections.  We wish you all the very best for a successful week and look forward to providing members with a full update once all has been revealed.  Look out for social media updates Thursday/Friday of this week.  

Rotary Youth Exchange | The Adventure continues....  

 "Alone you can go FAST, Together we can go FAR...." a quote originating in France but told to me by our current INBOUND RYE Student Elliot after returning from 3 days camping with his classmates in the South West.   A fantastic time was had by all, returning to Perth a little tired, in need of a shower and looking forward to a comfortable sleep, but full of energy, stories and gratitude for the opportunity to do something Elliot had not expected.  There is no doubt the Rotary Youth Exchange Program is a brilliant program changing lives, growing citizens of the world, creating peace... We have also received an update from our current OUTBOUND RYE Student Eva who is spending 2025 in Sweden.  Please click on the following link to get the full story, however below is a snap shot of August - https://rotaryperth.org.au/Stories/rye-student-eva-sussex---august-update

 

4 Way Speaking Competition | State Final in Geraldton

We wish Izabella Kodituwakku, St Georges Anglican Grammar School Student and Semi Finalist in the State Finals of the 4 Way Speaking Competition all the very best and she and her family travel to Geraldton this weekend.  Thank you to Kathryn Wackett, Youth Director and her husband Andrew who are travelling up to support Izabella and represent the club.  Izabella's topic is "The Media and The Illusion of Truth."   
 

D9423 | UP, UP and AWAY... 2026 Conference. 

Registrations are now open.  Join us in Northam from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th March 2026, for a weekend of fun and fellowship whilst celebrating 80 years of service to the Avon Valley Community.   More information regarding booking procedures and list of speakers can be found by clicking on the following link: https://rotaryperth.org.au/Stories/district-conference-march-2026

Please save the date - Friday 24 October 2025, World Polio Day. 

Perth Rotary Club in conjunction with all other Clubs in the Swan to Surf Rotary Community Group #2 will be hosting a fundraising dinner at the Royal Perth Golf Club.  More details to come.  We are this | | Close to eradicating Polio from the World.  Lets all do our part in raising the funds necessary to rid the world of this debilitating disease. 

PERTH ROTARY | FELLOWSHIP UP DATE.

The Long Walk - raising funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer is on - Sunday 21 September 2025.  Please see the link here for the full story:  https://rotaryperth.org.au/Stories/the-long-walk-....-is-on-again.-raising-awareness-of-prostate-cancer

Centenary Merchandise

In the meantime, you can show your support and pride by ordering our special Centenary Shirts and Caps.

Please click on the following link to place your order: https://shop.fullypromoted.com.au/perthrotary. You have the option of ordering shirts in either Blue/Yellow or White/Navy color combinations. A special thank you to Ashley Whitworth for his dedication in developing the logo and ensuring these items are available at an affordable price.

For members of other Rotary clubs, Ashley can also include your club's logo in place of Perth Rotary's. The Centenary of 100 years of Rotary Service to Western Australia is a celebration for all in WA Rotary, and we encourage everyone to join us in marking this significant milestone.

 

 
Kind regards,
Jill Dawson OAM | President Perth Rotary 2025/27
 
 
 
PERTH ROTARY CLUB COMMITTEE & SUB COMMITTEE MEETING CALENDAR
  1. Perth Rotary Centenary Meeting Date tba.   rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au
  2. Perth Rotary Membership Committee Meeting | Tuesday 16 September 2025, 7.30am, Garage Cafe, West Perth. 
  3. Perth Rotary Board  Meeting, 6.00pm, Tuesday 16 September 2025.  Any agenda items, please send to Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
  4. Perth Rotary AGM.   Friday 17 October 2025.  
UPCOMING EVENTS - PERTH ROTARY CLUB
UPCOMING EVENTS - D9423 AND BEYOND
 
 
 
PERTH ROTARY CORPORATE MEMBERS