Dear Rotarians and Friends,

Last Friday, we had the privilege of hosting our annual Liquid Gold Polio Dinner to mark World Polio Day, celebrated in collaboration with the Surf 2 Swan Rotary Community Group.

It was a fantastic evening, bringing together nearly 100 Rotarians to hear Nobel Laureate Emeritus Professor Barry Marshall AC share the inspiring story of his and Professor Robin Warren’s discovery, innovation, and curiosity-driven research. The atmosphere at the Royal Perth Golf Club was vibrant, optimistic, and united in our shared resolve—we are so close to eradicating polio worldwide, and every dollar raised brings us one step closer to a polio-free world.

A highlight of the evening was inducting Professor Marshall as a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his outstanding service to Western Australia. He is a truly deserving recipient and a wonderful exemplar of Service Above Self.   

This week, I am traveling to Melbourne for the Australian Rotary Foundation Board Meeting and the 2026 Pacific Zone Rotary Conference.    In my absence, IMP Manu Gupta and PE Ashley Whitworth will co-lead our Club Meeting on Friday, 30 October.  Please note: This week's meeting will be held at Royal Perth Golf Club (12:15 PM for a 12:30 PM sit-down), as the Parmelia Hilton is unavailable.  Members are requested to book their attendance by 3pm Tuesday of this week. 

Perth Rotary Business Lunch Meeting | Friday 30 October 2026

The Perth Rotary Club invites all members and friends of the Perth Club to join us at the Royal Perth Golf Club for our 9th Club Meeting in our Centennial Year.   

This is your opportunity to support the three Year 10 students who will present their speeches to us, based on the Rotary Four Way Test.   

Mercedes College                                   - Emma Caporn          topic    A Fair Go for the Creative Arts.
Ashdale Secondary College                    - Kanchi Dave            topic    Diversity and Belonging.
St George’s Anglican Grammar School  - Lucy Hatton             topic    TBA.
 
Rotarian Kim Hurley and Youth Director Kathryn Wackett have been liaising with the schools to ensure that despite the challenges of running the 4 Way Speaking Competition this year, our schools and their students still have an opportunity to participate.  Please put this date in your diary and plan to come along to the Royal Perth Golf Club (Parmelia Hilton is not available on this date) for a lively display of public speaking; community advocacy and implementation of the Rotary International 4 Way Speaking Test.     You are promised abundant inspiration from these emerging speakers.     BOOK HERE
 
 
Kim Hurley & Kathryn Wackett. 

Friday 6 November 2026 | Perth Rotary celebrates Diwali. 

 
Diwali | Festival of Lights.  A festival celebrating the victory of Light over Darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.  Who better to lead this Centenary Lunch meeting than IMP Manu Gupta.  Professor Amit Chakma, Vice Chancellor of the University of Western Australia is our guest speaker.  Given UWA’s expanding engagement with India, Professor Chakma will share with us his perspective on education and institutional partnerships within the growing Australia-India relationship. 


Come and join us for our Diwali Celebrations, and hear this important message of international collaboration.    BOOK HERE   

Perth Parmelia Hilton | 14 Mill Street Perth

Friday 6th November 2026

12:15 for 12:30 start and 2pm close

$65.00 per person with a cash bar available

Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/DQHJC

 
 
Membership in the Rotary Club of Perth is more than a line on a resume or a weekly lunch meeting—it is an invitation to belong to a legacy of leadership, service, and deep-rooted community impact.  Perth Rotary continues to attract new members of quality who wish to make a positive impact in our community.  Dr Rajiv Shinde will be inducted to membership of the Perth Rotary Club at our 10th Centennial Meeting, Friday 6 November 2026.  
 
As one of Western Australia’s premier service organizations, Perth Rotary connects professionals, leaders, and change-makers who share a common purpose: to lend their skills, time, and influence toward solving local and global challenges. Whether joining as an individual or through a corporate membership, becoming a Rotarian means stepping into a vibrant fellowship that values ethical business standards, fosters lifelong connections, and actively shapes a better future for Perth and beyond.
 
RYE Students of days gone by - James Verstegan updated members at last weeks club meeting of his recent return travels to Switzerland his host country when he was on exchange.  James spoke of the positive impact the exchange had on him and of the joy in reconnecting with his host parents and extended family.  Rotarian Kathryn Wackett and her husband Andrew leave for the States today to reconnect with Kathryn's host families who she has remained very close to over the years with multiple visits back and forth.  We wish Kathryn and Andrew safe travels and look forward to hearing of their adventures on their return. 

PERTH ROTARY CENTENNIAL PROJECT UPDATE

Last Thursday evening Perth Rotary hosted a dinner with the UWA  at the University Club of Western Australia.  
The evening brought together a small group to discuss and think about Western Australia’s medical research landscape, specifically, the potential to expand the UWA Marshall Centre into a dedicated Research Institute for infectious diseases.  Our goal for the evening  was simply to foster great conversation, spark thoughtful ideas, and look at what is possible when we invest in research, from medical breakthroughs and patient outcomes to driving economic growth and supporting our brightest students.
 
Nobel Laureate Professor Barry Marshall AC joined us to share his insights on the pressing need for expanded infectious disease research.  We greatly appreciated the opportunity to share our vision with those gathered and highlight why investing in the Marshall Centre and establishing the Marshall Warren Research Institute for Infectious Diseases is so vital.
 
 

Vienna Pops NYE 2026 - tickets are selling, have you got yours?  

Ring in the New Year in spectacular style! We are looking forward to hosting our sensational guest artist for 2026—internationally acclaimed soprano Sky Ingram!  Flying direct from London for an exclusive Perth performance, Sky will take the stage alongside Musical Director Mark Coughlan at our magnificent new home, His Majesty’s Theatre. Trained at WAAPA, the Guildhall, and the National Opera Studio, this phenomenal Western Australian talent brings world-class vocal brilliance home for one unforgettable night.

Both the Afternoon Matinee and Evening Gala are selling fast! We encourage all members and friends of Perth Rotary to secure their seats today:

🎟️ Book Online: 

📞 Book by Phone: (08) 6212 9292

📖 Elevate your New Years Eve with the Platinum VIP Reserve experience


Rotary Wine Club - Become a Member..... IT'S FREE. 

 
Scan the QR Code, go to the site, join up for FREE and order your wine.  This offer is available to all ROTARIANS in Western Australia in gratitude for your service to the State of Western Australia over the past 100 years.  Wise Wines congratulate us on achieving 100 years of service and hope you will enjoy a discounted wine.   A special thank you to Helen & Jeff Leach and Ron Wise of Wise Wines for hosting an advanced wine tasting of the wines available.  Helen & Jeff opened the doors to their beautiful home; Ron filled it with delicious wine.  The end result - We could not get anyone to go home; resulting in pizza's being ordered for dinner on top of the delicious canapes provided by Nan Walker and Jill Dawson.   A wonderful evening and opportunity for Rotarians to sample some of the best wines that Western Australia has to offer.  Ron gave us a magnum of their finest RW Series of wine which we raffled at the Liquid Gold Polio Dinner last Friday raising funds for the End Polio Now Campaign.  The support of community members such as Ron Wise, Helen & Jeff Leach makes all the difference and enables our club to go above and beyond in supporting our projects.  Please scan the QR Code to the left, sign up for free and order your wine which will be delivered to your front door at no additional cost. 
 
 
 

PROSTATE CANCER FUNDRAISER UPDATE - We reached our goal of raising $3000.  

Thank you to all those Rotarians who donated, walked or did both in support of our fundraiser for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.  We reached our target of $3000 thanks to the generosity of our members and supporters.  As usual we meet at the Mends Street Jetty before setting off on a 3km; 7km or 10km walk pending time available and fitness level.  Afterwards we all gathered at Atomic Cafe for a well earned cup of coffee and chat.  It was a great morning of fellowship, fundraising, family time and fun together as a club of community members aged 2yrs - 90yrs.  
 
 
 

'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.


RAC ARENA CONCERT SUPERPASS RAFFLE IS BACK

Raffle Details
  • Prize: Two tickets to each concert at RAC Arena for 2027 (including acts like Radiohead, Bryan Adams, Empire of the Sun, and Westlife) plus a $1,000 food and beverage card.
  • Cost: Tickets are $10 each.
  • Dates: Entries close at 9:00 AM AWST on Monday, 16 November 2026.
  • Beneficiary: All proceeds support The Salvation Army WA Christmas appeal.
  • Where to Enter: You can buy tickets HERE.   
     
     

    Perth Rotary Board | AGM  | Thursday 12 November 2026. 

    agenda items to our Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au

    The Notice of Meeting has been sent to all members.  Please RSVP your attendance to THIS LINK.  If you cannot attend, please email your PROXY form to secretary@rotaryperth.org.au.  

    Please feel free to contact any of the Directors as listed below with your views and/or comments.  

     
    Perth Rotary Board Members
    President | Jill Dawson           president@rotaryperth.org.au          
    IMP | Manu Gupta                   manu.gupta@rotaryperth.org.au
    Treasurer | Joseph Wambua    treasurer@rotaryperth.org.au           
    Secretary | Jacques Phillips    secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
    Foundation | Rodger Gibson   rggibsonacct@gmail.com                 
    Sir Norman Brearly Trust | Ted Wilhelm      ewilhelm@iinet.net.au
     
    Club Services Director | Wendy Campbell          clubservices@rotaryperth.org.au
    Community Services Director | Graham Peden   graham@wwperth.com
    International Services Director | Wesley Sim      international@rotaryperth.org.au
    Membership Director | Nan Walker                     membership@rotaryperth.org.au
    Youth Director | Kathryn Wackett                        youth@rotaryperth.org.au
    Environment Director | Virma Symons                 vzafra@iinet.net.au

    PERTH ROTARY | FELLOWSHIP & VOLUNTEER DATES for your diary.... 

    Sunday 15 November 2026        | Jacaranda Festival. 
    Saturday 21 November 2026     | Pirate Ship Foundation Back Yard Cricket Match
    Friday 18 December 2026          | Perth Rotary Family Christmas Breakfast.
    Saturday 19 December 2026      | Carols in the City.  
    Thursday 31 December 2026     | Vienna Pops NYE Concert, His Majesty's Theatre
     

     

    Sincerely, 

    Jill Dawson OAM | President Perth Rotary 2025/27

     
     
     
    PERTH ROTARY CLUB COMMITTEE & SUB COMMITTEE MEETING CALENDAR
    1. Perth Rotary Centenary Meeting    rsvp - president@rotaryperth.org.au   ** Please note change of date/time
    2. Perth Rotary Board Meeting  5.00pm, Tuesday 6 October 2026.   Any agenda items, please send to Club Secretary - secretary@rotaryperth.org.au  
    UPCOMING EVENTS - PERTH ROTARY CLUB
    • Business Lunch | Friday 18 September 2026
    • Vienna Pops NYE Concert | Thursday 31 December 2026
    UPCOMING EVENTS - D9423 AND BEYOND
    •  Zone 8,  South Pacific Conference, Melbourne | 30 Oct - 1 Nov 2026
    PERTH ROTARY CORPORATE MEMBERS