Dear Rotarians and friends,
During the month of November, we pause to honour Remembrance Day, 11 November 2025. A time dedicated to acknowledging the incredible sacrifices and unwavering commitment of our armed forces. It is a moment to reflect on the deep value of service, dedication, and putting the community above oneself.
This spirit of selfless service resonates profoundly with the mission of Rotary. As the Perth Rotary Club approaches its Centenary Year of Service, we reflect on a century of commitment to Western Australia. Like the dedication shown by those in uniform, Rotary’s work requires consistent effort, determination, and a shared belief in the power of giving back. Whether it’s the quiet courage of a service member or the tireless efforts of a Rotary volunteer, true community leadership is built on this shared foundation of dedication.
Items for your IMMEDIATE attention - please click on the links for more information;
A Historic Vocational Visit to St George's Cathedral
Last Friday, November 7, around 30 Rotarians enjoyed a wonderful afternoon combining fellowship and history. We kicked off the event with a relaxed, pub-style lunch and fellowship at ANZAC House. From there, we made our way down the Terrace to the stunning St George's Anglican Cathedral for a guided tour.
The visit was so interesting. The Cathedral holds incredible depth and breadth of history, and the space felt profoundly spiritual regardless of one's personal belief system. A real highlight was the light cascading through the clerestory windows—a spectacular sight!
A huge thank you goes to Rev John Shepherd, Wendy Campbell, Helen Keane, and Jacques Phillips for organizing the afternoon, ensuring everyone was well-fed, and getting the group where they needed to be. Thank you also to our tour guides Jim and Joanne who took time out of their day to show us around the Cathedral.
I hope all who attended thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, even though I missed getting a final group photo!
Perth Rotary Business Lunch | Friday 21 November 2025 | Groundbreaking Parkinson's Research and Advocacy
Join us for our next fortnightly club business lunch meeting on Friday, November 21, at the Parmelia Hilton. Enjoy Rotary fellowship and hear from our guest speakers who are making a real difference in the fight against Parkinson's Disease: Dr. Tristan Campbell (Give Parkinson's the Axe) and Kerrin Girando (Parkinson's WA).
As many will be aware, Tristan is a Perth-based physicist and researcher who received an Early Onset Parkinson's diagnosis at age 40. Inspired by this life change, he turned a unique form of physical therapy—axe throwing—into a powerful platform to raise awareness and funds through his initiative, Give Parkinson's the Axe.
Tristan will update us on the groundbreaking developments in treatment, from exercise that slows progression to promising clinical trials involving vaccines and stem cell treatments.
Kerrin Girando of Parkinson's WA is a tireless advocate whose passion for people underpins the organization's strategic vision.
Kerrin will expand on Parkinson’s Western Australia's crucial role in delivering these cutting-edge developments to West Australians and supporting their day-to-day lives.
Tristan and Kerrin are a formidable team, blending innovative research, hands-on support, and unique advocacy. Come and join us to hear their story! Please remember to book your ticket to attend by 3pm, Tuesday 18 November 2025. Booking link - https://www.trybooking.com/DGWHQ
Vienna Pops Concert: Celebrate New Year's Eve with Heart
- The Salvation Army's essential programs for women and children affected by domestic violence.
- The establishment of the Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases—a major Perth Rotary Centenary Project honouring WA's Nobel Laureate.
Meet the Stars of the Show | Musical Director - Mark Coughlan and Sopranos Beth Redwood and Bella Marslen.
Vienna Pops New Years Eve Concert/s are back – Have you booked your date with Musical Director Mark Coughlan?.
Beth Redwood is a highly accomplished Perth-born soprano and a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where Beth majored in Classical Voice. In 2025, she portrayed Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro at the Lyric Opera Studio Weimar in Germany.
Her operatic highlights include Adina (L’elisir d’amore) and Gretel (Hansel and Gretel). She regularly performs as a soloist with professional ensembles like Perth Symphonic Chorus and OpusWA, where she also serves as a Board Member. Beth recently made her American debut singing in Mozart's Requiem at Carnegie Hall, New York, and debuted with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra chorus in Mahler’s 8th Symphony. She is also committed to music education and conducting, serving as Assistant Conductor with Perth Symphonic Chorus.
Afternoon Matinee - TicketsWA.com Evening Gala - TicketsWA.com Evening Gala VIP - Please email - viennapops@rotaryperth.org.au 
ROTARIANS Celebrated this week....
Hat's Off to Nan Walker!
It comes as no surprise to anyone who knows her: Nan Walker was the undisputed winner of the best fascinator (or rather, BIG Hat) competition at the Royal Perth Golf Club Melbourne Cup luncheon this week! Nan looked resplendent all in white and happily received a bottle of Janz Sparkling Wine as her prize. (While she was seated at table #14, she didn't manage to draw the winning horse!)
Judith Pinczuk | Paul Harris Fellow
A transcript of the Citation read out by Dr Ken Mullins at the Liquid Gold Polio Dinner is attached for Members interest. A direct link to the story is here - https://rotaryperth.org.au/Stories/judith-pinczuk-paul-harris-fellow Once again, the Board and Members of Perth Rotary not only congratulate Judith, but we sincerely thank her for her dedication, generosity and commitment to Service Above Self. Judith is a shining example of what it is to be a Rotarian.
Perth Rotary Featured on 'Colors of Perth' Podcast
Last week, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Yamuna Nyaichyai Prajapati, host of the Colors of Perth Podcast. Yamuna aims to make a positive community impact by interviewing and highlighting the great work carried out by various organizations. The podcast is an excellent platform for sharing multicultural stories and voices across Perth, delivered via YouTube.
We encourage members to subscribe to learn more about our diverse community!
Do you know a great fit? If you know someone who would be an excellent guest for this program, please reach out directly to Yamuna via email: colorsofperth@gmail.com
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Update
Our inbound exchange student, Elliot, has moved to the Gupta Family for a period of six weeks. Elliot is in the final term of year 11. He is participating in the transition program along with his classmates, Year 12 beckons. In the last week of November, Elliot will travel to Albany via Kojonup with his other inbound RYE students. He will get to experience harvest along with the natural beauty of our south coast.
Host Family Needed!
We are still urgently looking for one more host family for Elliot. This is a great, short commitment: six weeks maximum, starting February 1, 2026. Is this you and your family? Hosting Elliot will be an unforgettable experience, creating lifelong friendships and connections. He will be an asset to your home!
If you are interested in learning more, please contact our Youth Director, Kathryn Wackett, who can walk you through the requirements and details:
Email: youth@rotaryperth.org.au
Path of Hope | Christmas Appeal 
Each year, as Christmas approaches, I invite the wonderful Perth community to join me in spreading hope and joy to women and children displaced due to Family Domestic Violence. We do this by donating a gift to the Christmas Appeal.
I started this special project for the Path of Hope many years ago by simply asking friends and family to contribute a gift or two. The joy of giving quickly grew, and now it’s something much bigger!
This year, we’re excited to have pharmacies from all over the state as collection points, making it even easier for more communities to get involved. Together with your local pharmacy, Perth Rotary and the Path of Hope, we can help support the incredible work of The Salvation Army, who bring much-needed help to those in need—24/7.
I’d love for you to join us in making this Christmas brighter for those who need it most. Every gift counts!’
Helen Leach
Contact Details: helenleach@yahoo.com | 0419 - 173 692
Pharmacies | Collection Points
Below you will find local pharmacies who are the Champions in our Perth Community during Helen’s Christmas Collection.
Thank you for your kindness and compassion for women and children who are displaced this Christmas due to Family Domestic Violence. Click on this link for the list of collection points My Christmas Gift Collection Appeal for Path of Hope — Path of Hope
Perth Rotary Board
The Board next meets Tuesday 2 December 2025. Portfolio Directors are calling members to committee meetings so as to progress our various projects. You are asked to please attend when invited so as to share the load of our Community Engagement and Project Work.
The Rotary Club of Perth is pleased to announce the appointment of Virma Symons as the Director of the Environment portfolio. Virma is currently establishing key strategic relationships and identifying substantive opportunities for member engagement in environmental stewardship. Please read the story below for more information regarding opportunities for member engagement.
Perth Rotary AGM - another successful year.
Congratulations IMP Manu Gupta on presenting a successful AGM report to members, Thursday 30 October 2025. Following Treasurer Joseph Wambua's comprehensive explanation of the club's financial position, Manu then provided an overview of club hi-lights; projects completed and KPI's achieved. Perth Rotary was the recipient of a Rotary International Club Excellence Award for achieving all 18 goals as set out by the Board.
WELLBEING AND STRESS MASTERCLASS | Saturday 22 November 2025
D9423 | UP, UP and AWAY... 2026 Conference. Have you registered? 
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
Surf to Swan | Rotary Community Group Update
Pocket Forest Movie Night | Monday 24 November 2025. 
Join the Surf 2 Swan Community Group on a site tour & discussion about scaling up the Town of Vincent's Black Cockatoo Forest project. This is a rare opportunity to explore a unique solution to increasing our urban tree scape.
Program of events:
5 - 6pm Black Cockatoo Forest Site Tour
6.30 - 7.50pm Mini Forest Documentary Film Showing
8 - 8.30pm Panel Discussion.
Tickets and RSVP - https://events.humanitix.com/transition-town-vincent-movie-night-making-a-mini-forest-9cdzh4cs/tickets
Rotary Community Group | Planning Meeting, Wednesday 12 November 2025. ALL Members are welcome and encouraged to come along and find out what we're about, where are the synergies and what can YOU do to help our Club and Rotary thrive. RSVP link - https://www.trybooking.com/DGYJP
PERTH ROTARY | FELLOWSHIP DATES for your diary.... 
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.
- Perth Rotary Centenary Meeting Date tba. rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au
- Perth Rotary Board Meeting 5.30pm, Tuesday 2 December 2025. Any agenda items, please send to Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
- Ultimate Backyard Cricket Match | Sunday 16 November 2025.
- Christmas Breakfast | Friday 19 December 2025
- Vienna Pops NYE | Wednesday 31 December 2025
- D9423 Conference | March 2026
