Newsletter #15 | President Jill

First Meeting of 2026: Friday, 6 February

Our journey toward Perth Rotary’s landmark Centenary is gaining momentum, and it’s wonderful to see our Friday lunch attendance trending upward.   Please note a special change of venue: Due to availability at our regular spots, we are kicking off the year at the Royal Perth Golf Club (61 Labouchere Road, South Perth).

Guest Speaker: Dr. Qiaoyun Xie – "Australia from Above" Australia is on the frontline of climate change, and Dr. Qiaoyun Xie is at the forefront of monitoring it. Using cutting-edge satellite technology and drones, Dr. Xie will reveal how we track the health of our landscapes—from the resilient Tropical North to our own Jarrah Forests.

Join us to discover how "Earth Observation" is solving the critical challenge of managing Australia’s changing environment.  Booking link:  https://www.trybooking.com/DISPA

Vienna Pops: A Grand Performance at Winthrop Hall

Our premier fundraiser, the Vienna Pops New Year’s Eve Concert, recently filled the historic Winthrop Hall with music and glamour. While we await the reopening of the Perth Concert Hall in 2028, the stunning architecture of Winthrop Hall provided a beautiful alternative for our celebrations. 

Transitioning to a new venue always brings unique marketing challenges, and our attendance figures reflected this shift. However, the quality of the performance remained world-class. David Cusworth, Music Critic for The West Australian, once again provided an outstanding review, praising the artistry of the evening.

[Click here to read the full review in The West Australian]

Our 2026 Resolution: Let's Fill the Hall! We are more determined than ever to see every seat filled for our next concert. We invite all members, colleagues, and friends to mark your calendars now. As we charge toward our 100th year of service to Western Australia, the 2026 Vienna Pops will be a milestone event you simply cannot miss.

Let’s work together to make our next New Year’s Eve fundraiser a record-breaking success!

Thank you to our Musical Director Mark Coughlan; Concert Master Paul Wright; Guest Performers Beth Redwood and Bella Marslen; Rising Star Audrey Jarvis; Members of the Vienna Pops Orchestra; Perth Rotary Vienna Pops Committee Members - Robin McClellan; Harsha Gupta; Manu Gupta; Marco Camer-Pesci; Viola Belton; Ian Belton; Wesley Sim; Joseph Wambua and Jill Dawson.  Special thanks and acknowledgment to Angelique Lee, Brandaid Solutions for her photography and graphic art skills and Nan Walker for attending on the night to assist with the VIP's.   Thank you also to all those who work behind the scenes at Uni Theatres and who were so supportive and helpful in bringing all of the logistics together including Ros | Food by Ros and Alex | GSD Lighting.   Bring on 2026!!! 

Youth Exchange Update: A Season of Transitions

The world of Rotary Youth Exchange is buzzing with activity this month as we welcome home familiar faces and bid farewell to new ones!

Welcome Back, Eva Sussex! After an incredible year in Denmark, our 2025 Outbound student, Eva Sussex, has returned home. We look forward to hearing her stories and exchange highlights when she visits the club in the coming months. Welcome back, Eva!

Buon Viaggio, Justice Dale! Our 2026 Outbound student, Justice Dale, began his Italian adventure on Saturday, 17 January. Armed with a new camera and a suitcase full of handmade badges and gifts to share, Justice was a mix of nerves and excitement as he headed off. We can’t wait to follow his journey through Italy over the year ahead.

A Grand Slam Experience for Elliot Our current Inbound student, Elliot Notelaers, is currently ticking off a major bucket list item! He is in Melbourne with his host parents, Kathryn and Andrew Wackett, attending the Australian Open. Seeing his tennis idols "up close and personal" is a dream come true for Elliot. A huge thank you to the Wacketts for including Elliot in this special family trip.

With Sincere Gratitude On behalf of the entire club, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Youth Committees at both the Club and District levels. These volunteers work tirelessly to provide our students with life-changing and life-shaping experiences. By opening their homes and hearts, they are truly advancing peace and global understanding.

Fremantle in the Global Spotlight: Our SailGP Experience

Fremantle was buzzing with adrenaline over the weekend as it hosted the inaugural Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix. As the opening event of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship, Bathers Beach was transformed into a world-class maritime stadium. It was a spectacular sight to witness 13 national teams—the largest fleet in SailGP history—literally flying across the water at speeds exceeding 100km/h!

Some of our members were lucky enough to enjoy a "front-row seat" from Suzanne J’s balcony, situated perfectly behind Bathers Beach. A huge thank you to Suzanne for her wonderful hospitality; her home provided the ultimate vantage point to witness these high-tech yachts at close range.

Between the near-misses on the water and the gasps from the crowd, we were all amazed by the sheer skill and speed on display. While Australia secured a very respectable second place, they were just pipped by Great Britain for the win. Of course, a few of our members were happy with the result regardless of who took line honors—we won’t mention any names, but he plays a mean bass guitar for The Rotars and is rarely seen without his cap!

If you missed the action this year, it is definitely an event to add to your 2027 calendar.

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Perth Rotary Board 

Centenary Merchandise

1. Perth Rotary Centenary Meeting Wednesday 28 January 2026   rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au
2. Perth Rotary Board Meeting  5.30pm, Tuesday 3 February 2026.  Any agenda items, please send to Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au

• D9423 Conference | 13 - 15 March 2026
• PETS Training | 21-22 February 2026
• Foundation Grants Seminar | 8 March 2026.  
• District Assembly Training | 12 April 2026