Dear Rotarians and Friends,
It is hard to believe we are already a quarter of the way through our Centenary Year! Spring has sprung, and Perth Rotary is buzzing with activity—meetings, committee projects, and fundraising events are in full swing.
My recent holiday feels like a distant memory, but I want to extend a sincere thank you to PP Manu, Club Services Director Wendy, and all our Rotarians who kept the wheels turning while I was away. I spent my extended leave celebrating 60 laps around the sun with my husband, Peter. We had an incredible trip traveling through the UK and Ireland—where we miraculously enjoyed twenty days of glorious sunshine without a drop of rain—followed by a cruise through the Baltic Sea to catch up with our former exchange students Anna, Astrid, Mads, and Elliot. Meanwhile, we were delighted to welcome our incoming exchange student, Julie from Denmark, who has arrived in Perth for her exchange year!
The four weeks since my return have been a complete blur of activity, and I apologize for the lull in our newsletters. I am fully back in the swing of things, and so are our regular updates!
Here is a quick look at what’s coming up—click the links below for details:
The Long Walk | Sunday 13 September 2026
Calling all Rotarians, family, and friends! Join us as we walk together around the bridges to offer our support, solidarity, 
and comfort to families affected by a cancer diagnosis.
Event Details
When: Sunday, 13 September 2026 (Meet at 8:15 AM for an 8:30 AM start)
Start Point: Mends Street Jetty
Finish Point: Atomic Cafe, Mends Street at 10:30 AM (for a well-earned coffee
and catch-up)Distance Options: Choose your own pace and route—3 km, 7 km, or 10 km
Support the Cause We are aiming to raise $3,000 to support cancer patients and
their families. If you are able, please consider making an online contribution to help us
reach our target.
Will YOU walk with Us?
Nepal - Urgent appeal
Flash floods in northern Nepal have swept away entire communities, claiming lives, destroying homes, and washing away critical infrastructure. The scale of the disaster is still unfolding, leaving thousands of families vulnerable and uncertain about their future.
Perth Rotary in Action In response to this crisis, Perth Rotary has immediately donated $5,000 to ShelterBox, Rotary International’s official disaster relief partner.
ShelterBox teams are currently deployed on the ground in Nepal assessing critical needs so they can direct emergency shelter, essential supplies, and resources directly where they are needed most.
How You Can Help If you would like to make a personal donation to support these vital disaster relief efforts, every contribution helps bring immediate shelter and hope to affected families.
👉 [Click HERE to make a personal donation]
A Centenary of Presidents | Perth Rotary Celebrating 100 Years of Serving the Community
Perth Rotary Business Lunch | Friday 18 September 2026
Vienna Pops NYE 2026
Elevate your New Years Eve with the Platinum VIP Reserve experience
New Years Eve only comes once a year, so join us in making the most of New Years Eve 2026. Under the direction of Musical Director Mark Coughlan, this year’s Vienna Pops Concert promises to be bigger and better that ever, at our new home - His Majesty's Theatre.
To ensure your evening is one to be remembered, reserve you Platinum VIP Reserve ticket. But hurry because seats are limited to the capacity of the famous His Majestys Theatre Dress Circle.
Platinum VIP Reserve guests will enjoy:
- Premium Dress Circle seats in the President’s Gallery.
- An invitation to the pre-show cocktail on the balcony.
- An exclusive opportunity to the Musical Director, Mark Coughlan.
- An invitation to intermission drinks and New Year’s toast.
- An invitation to the post-show after-party with the concert performers and musicians.
After the pre-show cocktail party, you will enjoy, the show from best seats in the house in the Dress Circle, Presidents Gallery. In addition to a magnificent program of music and entertainment, provided by soon to be announced special guests, you will enjoy premium drinks and canapes while you mingle with other Platinum VIP Reserve guests in an exclusive lounge and on the balcony of the Maj. Then the festivities continue with our exclusive post-show after-party, where you can enjoy late-night drinks and the rare chance to chat with the Vienna Pops performers and musicians. Please click this LINK for VIP Tickets.
Blades of Oary - are getting ready to leave our shores for an Adventure of a Lifetime. 
Four Women Who Have Never Rowed Before Take on the World's Toughest Row for Charity
Four incredible women who had never rowed before are gearing up to take on the World’s Toughest Row across the Atlantic Ocean this December. Their journey is a powerful testament to grit, determination, and raising vital funds for charity.
Join Us for Their Final Farewell Event Come celebrate and send them off before they set sail!
Location: Seaview Golf Club
Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
Tickets: [Ticket Link Here]
Come be inspired and become part of their extraordinary story.
Follow the Journey Track their progress every step of the way across the Atlantic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube by searching Blades of Oary.
Centenary Launch: 'The Book of Graces'
We officially launched The Book of Graces at our Legacy Lunch, and we extend our deep gratitude to Reverend John for his humor, dedication, and decades of service to our club. We are equally grateful that he meticulously saved all of his witty commentaries over the years to make this publication possible!
Support Our Centenary Project We aim to sell 1,200 copies, with additional books designated as gifts for our guest speakers. All proceeds directly fund Perth Rotary’s Centenary Project: the refurbishment and upgrade of the Barry Marshall Research Institute for Infectious Diseases.
How You Can Help We are making a BIG ASK of our members: please consider purchasing 10 copies each. Meeting this challenge will put us well on track to hit our 1,200-copy goal and secure vital funding for our project. At $25 per book, they make fantastic Christmas gifts and a wonderful way to promote Perth Rotary.
Get Your Copies Today See Nan Walker, Rev. John, or the Club Services Team to purchase your copies.
Membership Update
Invoices were issued early July. Can you please check to ensure that you have paid your 2026/27 membership dues. All renewing members are expected to pay their dues in full, or under the terms of a payment plan negotiated with the Club Treasurer. Should you be uncertain, please reach out to Club Treasurer Joseph (via email ) or Membership Director Manu Gupta (via email)
A Night of Service - Bicycles for Humanity | Elizabeth Quay Satellite Club
Rotary of Elizabeth Quay kicked off the weekend by volunteering at #bicycles4humanity. Such an amazing organisation helping communities here in Australia and abroad one shipping container filled with bicycles at a time! Volunteers check and pump up the tyres, remove the pedals and lower the seat; remove the front tyre and then tie it off so that the maximum number of bicycles can be transported within the containers. 430 bicycles per container and 3 to 4 containers filled and shipped each year at an average cost of $12k for International destinations.
SWAN 2 SURF WORLD POLIO DAY DINNER | Friday 23 October 2026
Perth Rotary Board | Board Meeting | Thursday 10 September 2026.
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. Members are requested to attend Committee/Portfolio Meetings when called upon to do so by Board Directors. Should you feel under-utilised or not connected to a portfolio area, please reach out so we can ensure you are engaged with our club.
Please feel free to contact any of the Directors as listed below with your views and/or comments.
PERTH ROTARY | FELLOWSHIP DATES for your diary.... 
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 colour combinations.
Sincerely,
Jill Dawson OAM | President Perth Rotary 2025/27
- Perth Rotary Centenary Meeting rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au ** Please note change of date/time
- Perth Rotary Board Meeting 5.00pm, Thursday 10 September 2026. Any agenda items, please send to Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
- The Longest Walk | Sunday 13 September 2026
- Business Lunch | Friday 18 September 2026
- Vienna Pops NYE Concert | Thursday 31 December 2026
- RMB | Tuesday 8 September 2026
- Zone 8, South Pacific Conference, Melbourne | 30 Oct - 1 Nov 2026
