Dear Perth Rotarians,
 
Last week we were privileged to have Kristy Staples, State Manager of the Salvation Army Family Domestic Violence Unit speak to us on the value and importance of our continued support via Path of Hope for the Salvation Army outreach services and refurbishment of the women's refuges here in Perth and regional WA.  We were fortunate to also have Di Gipey, Salvation Army State Manager | Family Domestic Violence Unit NT & QLD also visit with us.  Di left our lunch meeting inspired and on the phone to Rotary Clubs in the NT before she was even out the door to share the message of “Hope” for those who are affected by Family and Domestic Violence.   
Over the weekend Path of Hope Foundation Chair, Rebecca Tolstoy AM and I spent some time reviewing the seating plan for the Path of Hope Gala, Saturday 22 May.  The Gala is shaping up to be another magical evening, whilst raising "Hope in the hearts and minds of those experiencing family and domestic violence".  There are limited tickets available for this Perth Rotary | Path of Hope event and I urge all Rotarians and friends of Perth Rotary to consider joining us at Crown Towers, Saturday 22 May 2021.  Tickets are available – www.pathofhope.org.au
 
In support of those who would like to attend the Gala or any other special occasion, but for whom a new gown is the straw which breaks the camel’s back - Members are encouraged to bring along any pre-loved ballgowns to lunch THIS FRIDAY – the gowns will be donated to the Salvo's Stores and made available at an affordable price to women and girls looking for that very special dress for that very special occasion.  It may be that they are attending the Path of Hope Gala along with the rest of us, or they may have some other special occasion for which they wish to look and feel the very best that they can be.  We have a unique opportunity to help them FEEL and LOOK gorgeous.  Funds raised at the Salvation Army Stores are channelled back into their various programmes, so in effect – two good deeds for the price of one!
 
 
This week we look forward to Dr Jemma Green speaking on the topic of Blockchain, Bitcoin and all things Crypto.   Is the old adage, “If you don’t understand a commodity, don’t invest” or “Is this the way of the future?  Invest away – you can’t loose?”   Perhaps the future is here already?   
 
 
After completing a business degree majoring in finance at Murdoch University, Perth, Jemma joined J.P. Morgan in London. One of the biggest challenges at the time was the explosion in exotic and hybrid equity derivatives which was bringing in $700 million profit annually for the bank. This scalability challenge demanded an automated systems response, and Jemma oversaw a large software development project to achieve this. Developing, delivering and implementing the project with a 25 strong team across different time zones became a norm and a decade, the system is essentially the same and still performing. Looking for a fresh challenge, Jemma got involved with setting up the new Global Environmental Risk function at JPMorgan. This was something that investors were increasingly demanding and the new function launched in 2007.  During that time she also completed two post grad diplomas in sustainability with a Masters at Cambridge University. She returned to Perth in 2013 to do a PhD in electricity market disruption at Curtin University.  This PhD was in effect an embryonic Power Ledger project, and she and her co-founders set up the new venture on a commercial footing. Since then, Jemma has overseen the development of numerous software projects that integrate blockchain technology with transactive and market layers. Please remember to go on line and pre-book your ticket to attend this lunch - www.trybooking.com/BQNCS 
 
Before we get bogged down in “To buy or not to buy…. Bitcoin; Doge; Ethereum, Crypto….” It is with pleasure that we have the opportunity to induct our 21st member for the year in Raffaele Iannizzotto introduced to the Club by Rotarian Giuseppe Pantano.  Raffaele is an electronic engineer with over twenty years’ experience in the management of complex projects and extensive senior management experience. Raffaele is the co-founding director of Innovatech Group, a global business consultancy dedicated to helping organisations expand into new markets.  Raffaele is the President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce & Industry here in Perth.  We look forward to a more in-depth introduction to the club this Friday by Giuseppe and getting to know Raffaele and his wife Qianli through our fellowship events and club projects.  A huge benefit of the Perth Rotary Membership is the broad reach of our members and additional opportunities which are presented to members by association with the Club.  It is through these strategic partnerships that we are able to not only increase our membership but enhance the value of the membership and opportunities for business and personal growth.   With this in mind, I would like to remind  those members who were interested in attending the Italian Research Day | WA Maritime Museum Fremantle, it has been rescheduled for Tuesday 11 May 2021 (TODAY) commencing at 3pm (due to the snap lockdown).  If you are interested in attending or had RSVP'd previously, please confirm your attendance with an email to perth.edu@esteri.it.  All contents will be presented in English. 
 
 
Yesterday, I wrote to members of the Perth Rotary Club advising them that we hope to finish the Rotary Year with a Whole Club Photo of Perth Rotary Membership in Rotary Australia's Centennial Year.  The photo shoot will be at 12 noon sharp, Friday 11 June at the Parmelia Hilton Hotel. 
 
It is hope this time frame will allow those members who cannot escape work for the afternoon, to come in their lunch hour and be a part of the photo.  Please rsvp direct to my email to let me know if you are able to attend.  http://president@rotaryperth.org.au   Our guest speaker for this day is former Premier of Western Australia, Richard Court AC.  Bookings for lunch can be made via  https://www.trybooking.com/BRCDL
 
I thought I was an original thinker, until Past President Rob Rose posted a memory to his face book page on 30 April of the last time Perth Rotary Club took a whole club photo - 30 April 2012 with Past President Kathy Kusinski at the helm.  Personally I feel these opportunities to capture the membership of the club are imperative to preserving the history of the past so we may see where to go in the future.    I look forward and hope to have as many of our members as possible in the next photo of our club.  A prize for the first Rotarian who can name all of the members in the photo below.  Photo credit, Michael van der Zanden.
 
PERTH ROTARY CLUB MEMBERS
30 APRIL 2012
 
 
 
Another very important WHOLE CLUB occasion is the 2021 Club Changeover Dinner.  I am excited and looking forward to celebrating the year that was whilst looking forward to an even busier year ahead with President Elect Rev John at the helm.  The Fellowship Committee will be in direct contact with members in the very near future in regards to the details of the Changeover Dinner.  
 
 
The District Changeover is yet another very important celebration for us as Rotarians within our District.  There have been challenges throughout the year particularly in relation to COVID, how to run meetings and impart the training necessary for Club Officers to effectively and efficiently run their clubs.  The District has risen to the occasion and been a tremendous support to all clubs.  An opportunity to acknowledge and thank DG Jon Bilson and to get behind DGE Dee Buckland to ensure she knows she has our support in the year ahead. 
   
ROTEX CHARTER EVENING | Saturday 26 June 2021.  Please see details below for the Rotex D9455 Charter Night. Rotex is a Rotary alumni association that exists to establish and maintain a common bond among Rotary Youth Exchange alumni, as well as to provide past exchange students the opportunity for involvement in Rotary service directly relating to Youth Exchange programs. Rotex is open to all former Rotary Youth Exchange participants who have successfully completed the program, including long term and short term exchange.
 
Perth Rotary Members are invited to attend their Charter Night to show our support for those who have participated in the RYE and so as to provide them with some encouragement to consider joining a Rotary Club in the future.
 
 
The West Perth Rotary Club are working to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctors Service, an incredibly important service to all those who live, work or holiday throughout regional Western Australia.  The Rotary Club of West Perth and the RCWP Trust have joined as an “RFDS Champion” with Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) to support RFDS Flying Doctor Day appeal on 17th May 2021. Flying Doctor Day celebrates the anniversary of the first RFDS flight 93 years ago on the 17 May 1928. From 1st to the 14th May your tax-deductible donations to the Royal Flying Doctors Service through the RCWP Trust Account will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000. The RCWP Trust will donate the total contribution to the RFDS Flying Doctor Day Appeal.
 
 
Donations made to this appeal will be similarly matched dollar-for-dollar by RFDS Matched Giving Partners (Rio, CBH and IGO) further doubling the contribution!  The West Perth RC  are working together to turn $1 into $4.  Your donation will go towards purchasing essential equipment and developing a Training Centre of Excellence to ensure their teams can remain experts in their field with consistent training and development opportunities.
 
Donations are to be made to the RCWP Trust
BSB: 036011
Account #: 405139
 
Please include the following reference: [Your Surname RFDS]
 
A receipt for your tax-deductible donation will be issued by the RCWP Trust as part of this appeal.  Please provide the following contact details to our secretary: your email or postal address via secretaryrotarywestperth@gmail.com
 
 
PERTH ROTARY 2020/21 BOARD EMAIL - Our Next Board Meeting – Monday 5 July 2021
President:   Rev Dr John Shepherd AM    president@rotaryperth.org.au ;  john.h.shepherd@bigpond.com
Past President:         Jill Dawson               jill@quairadingearthmoving.com.au
President Elect:        Maree Gooch           maree@valuecreators.com.au 
Treasurer:                  Joseph Wambua      treasurer@rotaryperth.org.au
Secretary:                  Jacques Phillips      secretary@rotaryperth.org.au
Rotary Foundation  Emma Cork               emma@oneenergyfps.com.au
Club Service:           Darren Perera           clubservice@rotaryperth.org.au
Fellowship Chair:    Jo Morris                    fellowship@rotaryperth.org.au     
Media Chair              Barry Thornton         barrythornton@hotmail.com
Speaker Program     Nicola Johnston       programmechair@rotaryperth.org.au
Membership              Ashley Whitworth    membership@rotaryperth.org.au
Vocational                 Jonas Edner             vocational@rotaryperth.org.au
Community               David Wee                community@rotaryperth.org.au
International             Wesley Sim               international@rotaryperth.org.au
Youth                                                          youth@rotaryperth.org.au