Dear Rotarians and Friends,
I'm currently enjoying a week in Tasmania, indulging in a mix of good company, some rather average golf, and an abundance of great food and wine. My apologies for being MIA—I'll be back on deck next week.
However, as we all know, Perth Rotary never sleeps! The last two weeks have been another amazing showcase of action, fundraising, meetings, and our unwavering commitment to "Service Above Self".
Items for your IMMEDIATE attention - please click on the links for more information;
Perth Rotary Business Lunch | Friday 5 December 2025 | Prof. Michaela Lucas.
Don't miss the opportunity to join us for Rotary Fellowship and hear from Immunologist/Immunopathologist and Clinician-Scientist Professor Michaela Lucas.
Professor Lucas will reveal the outcomes of her groundbreaking PERTH Trial (Plastic Exposure Reduction Transforms Health). This study investigates how common plastic chemicals like BPA and phthalates (known as endocrine disruptors) impact adult health and potentially contribute to chronic diseases.
Her research utilized a seven-week assessment—including analysis of blood, urine, and stool samples—to pinpoint everyday sources of exposure, track how the body processes these chemicals, and determine their possible role in inflammation and long-term illness. The presentation will also detail the ongoing, larger clinical trial with volunteers living with bigger bodies.
Please join us at 12:15 for 12:30 start and 2pm close. $60.00 per person with a cash bar available
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DHOKQ Bookings close 3pm Tuesday 2nd December
NYE: Vienna Pops Gala 2025!
Celebrate New Year's Eve in glamorous style at the Vienna Pops Gala! Enjoy world-class music led by Musical Director Mark Coughlan and sopranos Beth Redwood and Bella Marslen. Our Rising Star this year is Audrey Jarvis. A Christmas Gift that keeps on giving.
Your attendance supports vital initiatives:
The Salvation Army (Domestic Violence Support for Women & Children affected).
The Barry Marshall Research Institute (Rotary Centenary Project).
Tickets
Standard: www.ticketsWA.com
Limited VIP ($250/pp): Email viennapops@rotaryperth.org.au
Afternoon Matinee - TicketsWA.com Evening Gala - TicketsWA.com Evening Gala VIP - Please email - viennapops@rotaryperth.org.au
ROTARIANS Celebrated this week....
How many Rotarians does it take to put up a Shelterbox Tent? THREE!!
Every disaster is different so we have a flexible approach. We listen and learn from the communities we work with to make sure we provide the right support. We often go further, working with hard to reach communities who are overlooked by others. Before a disaster happens, we make sure we are ready to help. We store aid in strategic locations around the world so we can get it to the families who need it as quickly as possible.
We work with trusted local partners and we have a network of incredible volunteers who are ready to help at a moment’s notice. Our teams can travel by foot, boat, helicopter or tuk-tuk to get to the families who need your support – whatever it takes to get to the people who need us.
A HUGE Thank You to Rotarian Dr. David Preece and PDG Graham Peden for hosting the recent Stress & Wellbeing Masterclass.
Held last Saturday at the John McGrath Pavilion in South Perth, the event was a resounding success! Though a small, perfectly formed workshop, it offered immense value to all who attended. Dr. David Preece was exceptional, delivering a session that was both knowledgeable and highly engaging. His presentation on managing stress and maintaining well-being was truly thought-provoking, emphasizing that not all stress is detrimental and that understanding the nuances of stress is key to a balanced life.
A major takeaway for participants was the powerful connection between physical movement and mental clarity—underscoring that getting your body moving will often unlock your mind. We appreciate David and Graham dedicating their time and expertise to provide such a valuable service to our community.
Pirate Ship Cricket Success | Funds raised
A massive thank you goes out to PDG Graham Peden (a busy Rotarian!) and IMP Manu Gupta for their exceptional organization and support of the recent Pirate Ship Foundation Back Yard Cricket Match! We saw fabulous support for this great cause, with enthusiastic participation from the Elizabeth Quay Rotarians alongside the usual committed suspects from the Perth Rotary Club.
About the Pirate Ship Foundation
The Pirate Ship Foundation is a bold and passionate community dedicated to funding vital research into childhood brain cancer through a range of initiatives, adventures, events, and partnerships. This cause is critically important: Childhood brain cancer tragically kills more Australian children than any other disease.
The Foundation's primary objective—and ours, through supporting this event—is the identification of improved treatment options for children with brain cancer, ultimately leading to a cure. A rumour has it that in excess of $160,000 was raised at the event.
Commemorating the 2/2 Commando Squadron
Later that same day, I was privileged to represent the Perth Rotary Club by laying a wreath at the Memorial Service for the 2/2 Commando Unit (formerly the 2nd Independent Company). This unit stands as one of the most remarkable ever formed by the Australian Army. The 2/2 men were Australia’s first commandos, trained in guerilla warfare, and the first to successfully put those tactics into practice. Their contribution to the Second World War was immense.
Facing Japan's swift advance in 1942, the 270 men of this company achieved an extraordinary feat: they were the only integrated unit in the entire army to remain a cohesive force and continue offensive action while 22,000 other Australians were captured or killed nearby.
The memorial service was incredibly moving, featuring stories of their wartime efforts retold by the descendants of the original Squadron. It was noted that many of these men never spoke of their service, choosing instead to quietly get on with their lives upon returning home.
It was a sincere honour to be part of their day and to reflect upon the many sacrifices made by all Australians of that era, ensuring the freedom we enjoy today. More information about the 2/2 Commando Association can be found by clicking on this link - Double Reds
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.
The Rotary Foundation is proud to announce that we have recently received a four-star rating — the highest level possible — for the 17th consecutive year from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator in the United States.
We owe this success to the unwavering support and dedication of individuals like you. Thank you for being a crucial part of what makes our Foundation a powerful force for meaningful change and lasting impact through service.
Charity Navigator determines its ratings by examining how nonprofits use their funds, how sustainable their programs are, and how well they adhere to industry standards of transparency and accountability. You can learn more about how Rotary does that in our most recent annual report.
Your support of The Rotary Foundation inspires others and directly makes a difference with initiatives around the world as well as projects based in your local community.
We’re deeply grateful for donors like you, who are dedicated to Doing Good in the World.
Sincerely,
Eric Schmelling
Chief Philanthropy Officer
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
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
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
