Welcome back to Rotary as we start our busy 2025.
We had our first event for 2025, The President’s Cocktail Party, 30th January 2025. There was a big Rotary family in attendance with 16-month-old Mansha to 106 year old Rabbi Shalom Coleman. The Weld Club was the venue for this year’s Cocktail Party, and we celebrated the wins from 2024 and some individual recognitions for the club members.
I share the highlights with you all as follows:
President Elect 2025-26
Past President, Jill Dawson OAM, becomes the first Past President of the club to take on the role of the President Elect for the second term at Perth Rotary after successfully delivering 2020-21 for the club. I call it history in making!!
David Reed Award
To recognise an outstanding person who has made an exemplary contribution to club life as decided by a committee which of course includes David Reed himself. I call it a clubman’s award for this worthy person to be showcasing his willingness to promote Rotary and live everyday by Rotary’s principals and the Four Way Test:
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all Concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all Concerned?
Past president, current Director for International services and the Shelterbox Representative for Rotary WA District 9423, Wesley Sim to be the David Reed award recipient for 2024-25.
David Reed OAM was present at the event and honoured Wes Sim with his own hands.
Paul Harris Fellow (PHF)
The presentation of Paul Harris Fellow recognition is The Rotary Foundation's way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution an individual has made to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.
The Very Reverend Dr John Shepherd AM, was recognised with a PHF +1 for the contribution he has made to the club and Rotary International. John has been a member of the Perth Rotary Club for 34 years during which time he has entertained and maintained a lively and witty introduction to each club meeting with a commentary and grace.
John Garland Membership Award
This particular award has been created to promote membership as a major drive to keep Rotary alive. There is one club member who has by far introduced more members to the club than all of us put together. He has dedicated 37 years of his life to build a network of true Rotarians and been the backbone of Perth Rotary for it’s membership strength today.
The club announced the inaugural John Garland Membership Award to be presented to the worthy recipient at the Changeover Dinner in June 2025.
Vienna Pops 2024-25
Vienna Pops Chair, Jill Dawson OAM, presented the Vienna Pops 2024 report to the club members on behalf of the Committee. After a record breaking 2023/24 year at the Perth Concert Hall, the Vienna Pops Gala Concert moved to Winthrop Hall due to the extensive renovation plans for Perth Concert Hall resulting in the entire venue closing for a period of three years as of 20 December 2024. The purpose of the Vienna Pops Concert is two-fold. Firstly, to showcase some of Western Australia’s (and Australia’s) best musical talent, and secondly to raise funds to support local community projects and beneficiaries administered through the Perth Rotary Club. The 2024/25 Vienna Pops Committee is very pleased to announce this year’s net profit being $25,000. Under some very challenging circumstances, this is an amazing achievement and we thank the Vienna Pops Committee and Musical Director Mark Coughlan for their dedication and commitment to the Vienna Pops Concert which enabled the club to bring about a successful outcome. This years beneficiaries are The Salvation Army, specifically Women & Children affected by family and domestic violence and Passages, Hub for Homeless Youth, a joint project between Perth Rotary Club and St Vincent de Paul Society.
Kirstin Reed
We also said farewell to Kirstin Reed after her dedication and unconditional service to the club for the last 161/2 years. Kirstin has made a significant contribution and I am sure she will be missed by everyone in the club. Thank you Kirstin and we wish you every success in your new position.
Finally, President Elect, Jill Dawson, spoke about her goal for the next year and thanked the club members for their support. She wants every Rotarian to give PRIORITY to Rotary as we build towards 2026-27 to celebrate our 100 years. A great evening of fellowship and it was thoroughly enjoyed.
If you are yet to book, our 1st luncheon for 2025 is this Friday, 7th Feb 2025 (booking link - https://www.trybooking.com/CWQII) as we celebrate the Lunar New Year. I look forward to seeing some of you on Friday and wish you all once again a happy and prosperous new year!!
Kind regards,
Manu Gupta
President | Perth Rotary 2024 - 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS - PERTH ROTARY CLUB
- February 7th: Lunar New Year and the first Perth Rotary Business Luncheon for 2025. Lunar New Year Business Luncheon
- February 14th: Perth Rotary Home Movie and Pizza Night. A club fellowship event for members and their family. Come and enjoy a relaxed evening in the backyard of Andrew & Kathryn's home.
- February 21st: Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting: Mark Naglazas, Journalist and Movie Critic. When Hollywood comes to WA.
- March 7th: Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting - Martin Crabb, Chief Investment Officer at Shaw & Partners.
- March 28 - 30th: District 9423 Conference, Margaret River. Join us in Margaret River for a weekend of fun, fellowship and to hear some inspiring speakers.
There will be golf during the day Friday. The Rotary Showcase opens late Friday afternoon, followed by the Conference opening Friday night, with finger food and a drink included. The Rotary Showcase continues on Saturday and Sunday. We'll have some great speakers Saturday followed by a concert and picnic in the park Saturday night. The Rotary Showcase will continue on Sunday along with some more inspiring speakers.
PRESIDENT MANU'S CHALLENGE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE PERTH ROTARY CLUB - CAN WE RAISE $40K from Perth Rotary via the Cash for Cans/Containers for Change?
Past Presiden
t Jeff Leach grew a moustache for the month of November to raise funds for PROST - a not for profit charity assisting men to recover from prostate surgery. We want to help PP Jeff and our community by raising funds to set up another PROST group within Perth. President Manu will personally collect cans from your work place or home over the festive season and deliver to the recycling outlet. All you have to do is collect the cans and keep them aside. Ask your neighbors, family and friends to help. Lets see what we can achieve when we all work together.
I am committing to raising $40K from Perth Rotary in Cash for Cans in my year and help Jeff set 1 PROST up from Perth Rotary funding via the cans?
This is my appeal to YOU, the members of the Perth Rotary Club.
Further information
The PROST! website provides all details of locations, registration, required pre-exercise assessments, and other details at: www.prost.com.au
2024 Perth Rotary Christmas Breakfast - Its' a Wrap!
A fabulous morning with 117 attendees. The Salvation Army Band ensured everyone was in the Christmas Spirit as they played Christmas Carols. Father Christmas made an appearance with lollies and good cheer for all. The Very Reverend Dr John Shepherd AM provided a Christmas Message and funds were raised to support the Salvation Army Just Brass program for children. Our Rotary Youth Exchange Student Abby baked ginger bread biscuits as a Christmas gift from her to each and every attendee. A mammoth task! A successful event with 117 attendees.
President Manu presented Rotarian Don Mazzucchelli OAM with a Paul Harris Fellow for his dedication and service to the Perth Rotary Club over the past 55 years. Don is our longest serving Perth Rotary Club Member. As always, behind every great Rotarian, is a very patient and supportive partner, none more so than Don's wife Maxine. Together they have hosted exchange students, attended club meetings & events and volunteered countless hours on the very many projects the club has been involved in.
Helen Leach led the Path of Hope collection and donation of gifts to the Salvation Army once again this year. A truck load of gifts left Helen & Jeff's House in the week preceding the Christmas Breakfast for special delivery to those in our community who are doing it tough. It is particularly special as the children are able to select gifts for their Mothers as well as vice versa and participate in the joy and excitement of giving as well as receiving at this special time of the year.
Rotarians Wesley Sim and Suzanne John led the carol singing with joy and gusto. IMP Linken Fragomeli and Father Christmas also worked the room to ensure all enjoyed the festive atmosphere.
A special thank you to our RYE Exchange Student Abby who helped with the room set up; Wendy our Club Services Director and Kirstin for her assistance in bringing together all of the details and preparing the flyer and booking system.
Jill Dawson
Chair | Fellowship Committee
Perth Rotary Club
PERTH ROTARY CORPORATE MEMBERS
