Dear Rotarians and Friends,
As we approach the final quarter of the 2025/26 Rotary Year, it is remarkable how quickly the months are progressing. While tomorrow marks the traditional light heartedness of April Fools' Day, some of the broader challenges currently facing our community both here and overseas, serve as a reminder of the important work we continue to do.
Revised April Meeting Schedule Please note that due to the Easter period, Perth Rotary will adjust our meeting dates for the coming month. We will meet on the second and fourth Fridays of April (10 April and 24 April) at the Parmelia Hilton. We will return to our standard first and third Friday schedule in May.
Special Guest Speaker: Dr. David Mountain | 10 April I encourage all members to make a special effort to join us on Friday, 10 April, for what promises to be a highly significant luncheon. We are privileged to welcome Dr. David Mountain, a practicing Emergency Consultant Physician and former President of the AMA (WA). With a long history of public health advocacy, Dr. Mountain will provide an expert perspective on the current challenges facing Western Australia’s public health system. His address will explore the drivers behind the current crisis, the impact on local patients, and the interventions required to secure the system's future.
Given the importance of this topic and Dr. Mountain’s standing in the medical community, this is an excellent opportunity to invite guests and prospective members. I look forward to seeing you all on the 10th.
Upcoming Rotary Events Are you up to date with your bookings? We have a busy 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 | NEXT FRIDAY, 10 April 2026
Our Health System: Are We in a Healthy State?
Event Details
Date: Friday, 10 April 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 7 April 2026
Blessing of the Fleet | Friday 20 March 2026
What a privilege it is to belong to a club that fosters such incredible fellowship. We couldn’t have asked for a better day—perfect weather, wonderful company, and the kind of music that brings us all together.
A heartfelt thank you to our skippers—Larry, Jeffrey, and David—for so generously providing their boats and hosting us. The day was made even more memorable by our very own rock 'n' roll band, The Rotars. It’s hard to say who had more fun: the band performing or those of us dancing along! We were also able to sing Happy Birthday to PDG Jon Bilson.... 21 again?
Catch up on all the highlights and see the gallery here: [read more]
Out and About celebrating Perth Rotarians
March Birthdays .... celebrating Judith Pinczuk
Sunday, 29 March, was a wonderful day of celebration for Judith. She was treated to a beautiful surprise when her son arrived from Melbourne, bringing with him a delightful array of treats, flowers, and balloons to mark the occasion.
Judith was in top form—at her signature witty best—and thoroughly enjoyed catching up on all the latest Perth Rotary news. We wish Judith the happiest of birthdays and a magnificent year ahead!
Leading by Example: Past President Jeff Leach Takes a Stand Against Homelessnes
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Imagine my surprise as I was sitting outside enjoying the last of the Perth Summer watching the news, and there was Perth Rotarian and Past President Jeffrey Leach on the Channel 7 News, advocating for the 2026 Vinnies CEO Sleepout at the Perth Zoo.
Jeff’s dedication to this cause has been remarkable; this year marks his 15th Sleepout, having already raised an astounding $163,000 for Western Australians in need. As Jeff prepares to spend the night at the Perth Zoo on Thursday, 18 June, we invite the Rotary community to once again get behind his efforts.
Across Australia, over 122,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness. This includes families impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, 17,000 children under the age of 12, and a rapidly growing number of older women. Whether sleeping in cars or on the streets, most never imagined they would be sleeping rough.
How You Can Help:
Support Jeff: Help him reach his 2026 goal as he continues his 15-year legacy of impact.
Join the Movement: If you are an executive or community leader, consider joining Jeff and other CEOs at the Zoo this June to provide essential meals, emergency assistance, and long-term support.
To support Jeff or check your eligibility to participate, please read more here.
RYE Student Elliot | The Hair Style of a Philanthropist is ever changing .....
A philanthropist is defined as an individual who promotes human welfare by donating their time, talent, and resources to charitable causes. Our Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student, Elliot, is embodying this definition and living the Four-Way Test through his recent participation in the World’s Greatest Shave.
Representing St George’s Anglican Grammar School, Elliot raised an incredible $1,536. This outstanding effort saw him ranked as the 3rd highest fundraiser at his school and 123rd in the entire State of Western Australia—a remarkable achievement for a student visiting our shores. St Georges Anglican Grammar Students collectively raised $17908.00 - a huge effort.
Elliot celebrated his transformation with a bold new hair colour. While he humorously admits it may not be his "most handsome" look, he views it as a fun reminder of his fundraising adventure and the impact he has made on the community. We congratulate Elliot on this selfless achievement and THANK all those Rotarians and friends of the Perth Rotary Club who supported Elliot with cash donations.
Perth Rotary | Centenary of Service: The Legacy Lunch
Friday, 19 June 2026. Bookings have opened. Rotarians can book individual seats or a whole table (10% discount for whole table bookings)
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
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.
LIFT THE LID WALK | save the date, Saturday 18 April 2026
- Individual and Team registrations [via GiveEasy]: https://australian-rotary-health.mygiveeasy.com/university-of-wa/uwa2026 (Targeted donations can be made by clicking the list scrolling at the end of the page.)
- LTL Walk Overview: http://www.liftthelidwalk.com.au/uwa provides basic background on this walk.
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 Thursday 30 April 2026 rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au
- Perth Rotary Strategic Planning Meeting | Friday 10 April 2026
- 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 10 April 2026
- Business Lunch | Friday 24 April 2026
- Past Presidents Dinner | Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Century of Service: The Legacy Lunch | Friday 19 June 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
