Dear Rotarians and Friends,
Our last Friday Business Lunch Meeting, Dale Fisher AM as the guest speaker was an extraordinary meeting made all the more so because of the number of members and guests in the room. Your presence creates atmosphere, inspiration and ambience. Please join us this week and lets raise the roof once again - booking link, booking must close 3pm tomorrow. If you haven't joined us for lunch lately, perhaps this is the week to reconnect.
A huge congratulations to DG Veronica Lawrance and her Conference Team! Last weekend’s District Up, Up and Away Conference in Northam was fantastic—inspiring, enjoyable, and well-run (even if it took us a moment to find our bearings in town!).
We have included a full review of the weekend’s activities further down in this issue. It was a great bridge to what comes next: our own historic milestone. Please mark your calendars for the next District Conference, where we will honour "100 Years of Rotary Serving the Community of Western Australia" on 17 April 2027 with an outward reaching Expo showcasing Rotary in Forrest Place, Perth. More details will follow in the coming months.
Upcoming Rotary Events Are you up to date with your bookings? We have a busy March/April ahead. (Please note, due to the public & school holidays in April, we are meeting on the 2nd and 4th Friday's of the month).
- Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting | Friday 20 March 2026
- Perth Rotary Blessing of the Fleet | Friday 20 March 2026
- Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting | Friday 10 April 2026
- Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting | Friday 24 April 2026
Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting | THIS FRIDAY, 20 March 2026
Pierre Yang’s presentation traces his journey from migrating to Australia at age 15 to becoming a member of the Western Australian Parliament, highlighting milestones such as his education, joining the Labor Party, local government experience, parliamentary roles, and military service. It emphasises how living between Chinese and Australian cultures shaped his values of service, resilience, and inclusion, and how his story reflects the broader strength of Australia’s multicultural society.
Event Details
Date: Friday, 20 March 2026
Time: 12:15 PM for a 12:30 PM start (Conclusion at 2:00 PM)
Location: Parmelia Hilton Perth | 14 Mill Street, Perth
Cost: $60.00 per person (Cash bar available)
Secure your place here: Book via TryBooking Bookings close 3pm Tuesday 17 March 2026
The World's Brave Shave | RYE Elliot Notelaers
Our 2025/26 Youth Exchange Student, Elliot Notelaers, continues to make the most of his time in Perth. Last week, he was named Year 12 Champion Boy at the St George’s swimming carnival—he now has a fantastic trophy to take home as a souvenir of his achievement!
Elliot is also demonstrating the Rotary spirit by participating in the World’s Greatest Shave for cancer research. Thank you to the members who have already contributed toward the school’s $15,000 goal.
If you would like to support Elliot’s efforts, please scan the QR code below.
With thanks on behalf of Elliot and Perth Rotary
D9423 District Conference | It's a Wrap.... 
Blessing of the Fleet | Perth Rotary Club
There is nothing quite like a day on Perth Water, surrounded by friends and the rock 'n' roll sounds of our very own club band, The Rotars. Whether you are a long-time member or have recently joined us, this is a fantastic opportunity to come along and enjoy the best of Rotary fellowship. Partners are welcome.
BYO drinks and a plate of food to share with the group. To protect the decks, please wear bare feet or soft-soled shoes (white soles are preferred).
Cost: $15 per person, payable to your skipper to help cover the cost of diesel.
Please register via this link so that we know you are coming. We will then email everyone who is on the booking link with the pick up points & times along the Swan River. Please ensure you are registered by 2pm Wednesday 18 March. We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s location. Please be on time at your nominated pick up point, Friday 20 March 2025. Please note - we still have a business lunch meeting from 12.15-2pm that same day.
Swan 2 Surf Rotary Group.
Regional Community Group Leader (RCL) | Nominations are now being called. Is this YOU?
As we move toward our Centenary Year, we have a unique opportunity for a dedicated member to step into a key leadership role: Rotary Community Leader for the Swan 2 Surf Group (Group 2). Members are asked to nominate themselves through the Nomination Form by 23 March 2026. ALL nominations must be endorsed by a Club Officer (which includes Club Presidents, Secretaries or Treasurers).
Youth Exchange Update: WESTERN AUSTRALIA | RYE APPLICATIONS HAVE BECOME CENTRALISED.
The Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) program offers students aged 15–18.5 a transformative year-long international exchange. Living with Rotary host families, students experience a new culture within a highly supportive and safe environment.
We are pleased to announce that applications are now officially open for the Outbound Exchange departing in January 2027.
Updated Application Process
As previously communicated, the RYEWA Committee is trialing a new streamlined process for the 2027 intake:
Application Window: Now open until 24 March 2026.
Initial Submission: All applications must be sent directly to the RYE District Committee at applications@rotarywa.au.
Review & Allocation: Following a desktop review, the Committee will allocate candidates to an appropriate Club for interviews by 30 April.
District Interviews: Candidates recommended by their local Rotary Club will proceed to the District Interviews in June
Contact Information
Should you have any questions regarding the 2027 Outbound Program or the new application trial, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Jill Hanna ryechair9423@rotarywa.au Mobile: 0409 232 752
Perth Rotary Board | 
Shaping the Future: Perth Rotary Strategic Planning
The Board will convene for a full day of strategic planning on Friday 10 April. As a result our next Board Meeting will not be until Tuesday 5 May 2026. Please forward any agenda items to our Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
Our focus is clear: defining the trajectory of Perth Rotary beyond our first 100 years.
We extend our thanks to Rotarian Ian Belton for facilitating the session, and to the Parmelia Hilton for providing the meeting room facilities. Their support allows us to conduct this vital planning while still joining you for our regular club lunch.
In preparation, the Board recently conducted an in-depth SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to identify key areas for action. I look forward to sharing our preliminary findings in the March Quarter update. To move our various projects forward, Portfolio Directors are currently convening committee meetings. I encourage you to attend these sessions when invited; your participation is essential to "sharing the load" of our community engagement and project work as we enter our second century.
Perth Rotary | Centenary of Service: The Legacy Lunch
Save the Date: Friday, 19 June 2026
For nearly a century, Perth Rotary has led service projects across Western Australia. As we approach our 100th anniversary, I invite you to join us for a significant event at the Parmelia Hilton to mark the start of our Centenary celebrations.
Event Format & Changeover Update Please note that this Legacy Lunch will take the place of our usual Changeover Dinner. For the 2026/27 Rotary year, our business lunch meetings will be hosted by our Past Presidents. Because of this shared leadership structure, there will be no formal changeover event this year.
The Next Chapter This luncheon is the official launch of our 2027 Centenary program. We will share the roadmap for our second century, including our major commitment to the Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases at UWA. This project represents our focus on impactful medical research both locally and globally.
Booking Information
Price: $135 per person.
Table Discount: 10% discount for full table bookings.
Inclusions: Two-course meal, wine, beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee.
We look forward to seeing you there as we begin these celebrations.
Jill Dawson | President, Perth Rotary Club 2025–27
LIFT THE LID WALK | save the date, Saturday 18 April 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.
Sincerely,
Jill Dawson OAM | President Perth Rotary 2025/27
- Perth Rotary Centenary Meeting Wednesday 25 March 2026 rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au
- Perth Rotary Board Meeting 5.30pm, Tuesday 5 May 2026. Any agenda items, please send to Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
- Business Lunch | Friday 20 March 2026
- Blessing of the Fleet | Friday 20 March 2026
- Century of Service: The Legacy Lunch | Friday 19 June 2026
- D9423 Conference | 13 - 15 March 2026
- Foundation Grants Seminar | 8 March 2026.
- District Assembly Training | 12 April 2026
- RI Conference, Tapai | 13 - 17 June 2026
- Zone 8, South Pacific Conference, Melbourne | 30 Oct - 1 Nov 2026
