Volunteer Opportunity – Ultimate Backyard Cricket | Sunday, 16 November 2025  

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.

Want to win a double pass to each concert in 2026?

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind."

Often attributed to author Clare Pooley, this quote serves as a powerful reminder of a fundamental value. Kindness is defined by the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate, not only to others but also to ourselves. It’s an essential practice that acknowledges our differences, celebrates our similarities, and shows empathy in both our successes and our setbacks. Let's strive to lead with kindness in all that we do.  

Congratulations Izabella Kodituwakku, St Georges Anglican Grammar School who progressed through to the State Finals of the 4 Way Speaking Competition.  Izabella's topic was "The Media and The Illusion of Truth."  Izabella spoke well, knowledgeably and passionately about her chosen topic.  We wish Izabella all the very best at the State Finals to be held in Geraldton, Saturday 20 September 2025.  Anyone wishing to travel to Geraldton to support Izabella, please liaise with Kathryn Wacket, Youth Portfolio Director.   E:  youth@rotaryperth.org.au  or PDG Hugh Lavery,  E:   4wtsc@rotarywa.au

Standing with the Men We Love: A Walk to Fight Prostate Cancer

This time of year is all about the men in our lives—our dads, sons, brothers, and friends. We celebrate them, and we want them to have long, healthy lives, free from the shadow of cancer.   Date:  Sunday 21 September;   Time:  9am;    Meeting Place:  Mends St Jetty, South Perth 

Guest Speaker: Acting Lord Mayor Cr. Bruce Reynolds

We were honored to host Acting Lord Mayor Cr. Bruce Reynolds as our distinguished guest speaker on Friday, July 18, 2025. Cr. Reynolds provided members with an insightful and candid address, sharing details of his background, strong work ethic, and the business acumen that informs his approach to community engagement. He also highlighted the numerous dynamic projects currently underway within the City of Perth. Cr. Reynolds emphasized Perth's evolution into a modern, globally connected city, asserting its position not as the most isolated city in the world, but rather as a prominent gateway to international opportunities.  As we watch the struggles along the Thai/Cambodia border unfold, it is timely to reflect on how fortunate we are and what can we do to make the world a better place in every corner.  Our International Portfolio Members are in touch and monitoring the situation to see what support we might be able to offer to those affected by the unrest.   

Celebrating NAIDOC Week and Embracing "Makuru" in Our Rotary Year 

We kicked off the Rotary year with a meaningful celebration of NAIDOC Week, an event that set an inspiring tone for the months ahead. Our guest speaker, Gordon Cole, Chair of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce, provided an overview of the Chamber's work with First Nations businesses. He highlighted the profound impact of empowerment in driving positive change within these communities.

One particularly insightful aspect of Gordon's presentation was how the Chamber thoughtfully integrates the six Noongar seasons—Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba, and Kambarang—into their business planning model. This unique approach resonated deeply with our commitment to community-centric development.

Coincidentally, we find ourselves currently in the season of Makuru. While Makuru is traditionally known as the wettest and coldest time of the year, often accompanied by gales and storms, it also carries a powerful symbolism: it's the Fertility Season. This period signifies the natural early gathering of ideas and the crucial scoping of project themes and narratives.

In alignment with the spirit of Makuru, Perth Rotary is actively in an incubation phase for new ideas and initiatives. We're currently nurturing and developing several promising concepts, much like the fertile ground of Makuru bringing forth new life. We look forward to sharing more about these exciting developments as they mature.

Kimberley Dental Team Ltd was founded by Jan and John Owen in May 2009 as a result of their experience in Halls Creek.

In May 2009, Dr. John Owen accompanied his wife Jan, dental nurse and dental health educator in her earlier career, to Halls Creek. The visit occurred because of Jan’s participation in the choir Madjitil Moorna: Singers of Aboriginal songs, who had been invited by an Aboriginal school teacher, Doreen Green, to sing with the children of the Halls Creek District High School. The school welcomed their dental expertise as they had been without a dental therapy service for a considerable time and many children suffered dental disease and pain. This afforded the opportunity for Jan and John to provide dental screening and dental health education (DHE) to the local school children during the week of the choir visit.

 

If you know someone who is 14-17 years of age who is

• Wanting an opportunity to develop and challenge themselves
• Looking to develop their self-esteem and confidence
• Interested in developing skills including leadership, teamwork, communication, goal setting and problem solving
• Wanting to build a network of young people and to make new friends
• Excited for a weekend of fun

Written by Suzanne John and sung at the Perth Rotary Celebration Dinner, led by John Garland, to the tune of Volare