Dear Perth Rotarians,
 
Thank you......... And just like that, my year as President of the Perth Rotary Club is almost done! I chaired my last business lunch meeting last Friday with the Hon Richard Court AC as our guest speaker and just the Changeover Dinner this Friday 18 June to look forward to before handing over the reins to President John.
 
It has been a joy and a privilege to lead the Perth Rotary Club these past twelve months and I will forever be grateful for the friendship and support of my fellow members and Past Presidents. We finished the year with a whole club photo in recognition of Rotary Australia’s 100 Years of Service.  I want to sincerely and personally thank each and every Rotarian who was able to be present.  We had 77% of all members present for the photo and it was our highest attended lunch meeting with a 75.53% attendance rate.  It was lovely to have our Honorary Members, Bob Mickle; Barry Levin; Kerry McAuliffe; Ross Robertson & Ellis Kiel join us for the photo and then stay on for lunch.  
 
 
 
 
I was amazed over and over at the opportunities, the projects, the targets - many of them surpassed, the energy - unparalleled in this club.  I can only hope - first to make it to my 80's and then to have the level of energy exhibited by many of our more "Senior Rotarians" as well as the younger brigade..  They are an inspirational bunch to keep up with!
 
At a time when the world feels like it has been turned upside down, many members with families and friends overseas have experienced a high degree of anxiety and uncertainty.  The Perth Rotary Club has remained a beacon of light and hope for many.   This year, we have focused on continuing to maintain a strong club by strengthening and extending our strategic community partnerships with other organisations.   As a club, we have also focused on collaborating with other Rotary Clubs whenever possible, in the belief that "Together, We are Stronger".   In collaboration with the Crawley Rotary Club, we have raised in excess of $113,000 for the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and more than $3,000 towards the End Polio Now Campaign.  Two major events that had an enormously positive community impact.  In the past twelve months, we have raised in excess of $350,000 in cash donations alone which have gone towards our projects and NFP organisations.  An additional $20,000 was injected into three project areas via the District Grant System.  This was achieved through Perth Rotary teaming up with other Rotary Clubs - Heirisson, Dalkeith & Broome along with the District Grant Committee.   
 
 
2020/21 has been an exciting time for Rotarians across Australia as we celebrated 100 years of service to the Australian Community.   Rotarians are justifiably excited and proud of their achievements and contribution towards a happier, healthier and better community.   The Perth Rotary Club and Melville Rotary Club have come together across two Districts to facilitate a celebration for Rotarians in April 2021 of this year and what a celebration it was.  With all guests home by midnight and uncertain as to how long the impending lock down might last, All who were in attendance made the most of the opportunity to kick up their heels and celebrate Rotary Australia.  
 
The above figures do not include the volunteer hours for projects like the Path Of Hope Gala; Vienna Pops Concert; Passages; Greenbatch; Tiny Homes; Kimberly Dental Team; Cambodia Family Support; Bali Projects; House that Jack Built and the Nok Tor Women's Hospital.  The social impact of this club is enormous - here and abroad. 
 
 
 
I urge members to stay engaged, enthused and energised.  For our club to remain a force to be reckoned with, it is important that we take care of each other first.  Ensure that we are inclusive, mindful and caring towards each other.  When the team is strong, anything is possible.  Thank you again for a wonderful year.  I am excited for the Very Reverend Dr John Shepherds year at the helm and wish him an equally rewarding year.  I know that he is about to experience a year like none other, however, with the unfailing support of the Perth Rotary Members behind him I am confident that he too will emerge from his year fulfilled and ebullient in the positive impact of this club. 
 
With heartfelt thanks,
 
Jill Dawson 
President Perth Rotary 20/21
 
Last week, our meeting was very well attending due to the whole club photo and quality of speaker in the Hon Richard Court AC.  There was absolute silence as the audience of 110 members and guests listened to Mr Court recount his experience as Ambassador to Japan.  He also spoke of the connection of his Farther, Sir Charles Court to Japan and the relationships that Western Australia enjoys throughout the Asian region.   His take home message was that building & maintaining relationships across culture and countries is vital to our ongoing prosperity and healthy living.  We must find a way to regain our good relations with our international neighbours.
 
It was also an opportunity for the Chair of  Path of Hope Rebecca Tolstoy AM to present a cheque to the Salvation Army in the sum of $112,134.78 in support of the Salvation Army's work with Women and Children experiencing Family & Domestic Violence.  With special thanks to the POH Gala Committee and to Mrs Rinehart, Roy Hill and HPPL Pty Ltd who are the major sponsors of the event.  Congratulations and we are already looking forward to the 2022 POH Gala Ball | Saturday 22 May 2022.
 
 
We also had the opportunity to hear from our 2020 Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange Student, Caitlin Schmitt who gave a very interesting sketch of her twelve months in Japan. Caitlin not only had to cope with a huge cultural change, but also a pandemic.  Caitlin had four host families, enjoyed her school and immersed herself in the culture of Japan.  Whilst there she took up the sport of Kendo, a modern Japanese martial art originating from the use of swords (now bamboo).    It was wonderful for our club to watch Caitlin grow in confidence these past two years and we look forward to welcoming her back to the club as a friend in the years ahead.  The Club thanks our Director of Youth Services | Kelly Gibson, Youth Protection Officer | Bruce Henshaw, D9455 Placement Officer | Joanne Bowen and the D9455 Rotary Youth Exchange Committee for enabling this opportunity to go ahead for Caitlin and so many other students, particularly in 2020 under very difficult circumstances.  We look forward to the return of the RYE Program in 2022. 
 
 
This week, Our "Club Changeover 1966 Carnaby Street" themed event will take place at the Parmelia Hilton Hotel.  If you have not already done so, can you please go on line https://www.trybooking.com/BRIPO to purchase your ticket ASAP. 
 
 
Club Services Director Darren Perera, Fellowship Chair Jo Morris and her committee have been pulling out all the stops to create a celebration that is fun and enjoyable for all members.  Ashely Whitworth, Ashley Ladner, Brendan Watson, Stephanie Sim and Bodi Ledwij have been rehearsing and are ready to back down memory lane as we sing and dance to all of those 60’s hits – “These Boots Are Made For Walking”; “Walk on By”; “Wouldn’t it Be Nice”; and so the list goes on.   Members and guests are encouraged to come dressed up in their best 60’s outfit.  Door Prizes to give away and an opportunity to recognise and thank our members for their work this year.
 
The Parmelia Hilton have extended a discount code for booking rooms should members wish to make a night of it and stay the night in town.  Please note when using the booking link, you must change the date to the 18 June by clicking on the ‘edit stay’ button.   http://group.hilton.com/GSMRF  
 
Next week – President John’s first meeting, Friday 25 June 2021.  Please go on line to secure your ticket at https://www.trybooking.com/BRYRM for this Perth Rotary Business Lunch.  Our guest speaker is Ms Louise Pekan representing ARK Ltd,  (Aussies Responding to Kids).  
 
 
In Australia the out-of-home care system is at breaking point.  Families in the ARK network gather together, forming small, local communities, to find and provide support for each other. An ARK community has families involved in foster care, permanent care, respite care and/or adoption, all with the desire to show these kids belonging, unconditional love, a new hope and a brighter future.
We seek to be part of the answer, raising awareness of the need for brilliant families to step into the care of these precious kids, and to provide stable support for those who choose to step up. We want to see families who engage in out-of-home care succeeding, thriving, persevering and raising kids who are well equipped for adulthood.
 
Please also note club events and meetings that are coming up listed below. 
 
  • Friday 18 June – Perth Rotary Changeover Dinner at the PARMELIA HILTON HOTEL.  Evening Event and a fun event for members and partners. Booking link - https://www.trybooking.com/BRIPO
  • Saturday 26 June 2021 – Freshwater Bay Rotary Club Changeover at the Holiday Inn, City Centre.  $75/pp 3 course meal; Entertainment by Chris Wilcox.  RSVP to President Di Collins, Freshwater Bay Rotary Club. collinsd@bigpond.net.au
  • Saturday 26 June – Rotex D9455 Charter Night.  Prince Lane Rooftop Bar, 356 Murray St, Perth  WA  6000.  Booking link – https://www.trybooking.com/BPEXG
  • Thursday 1 July – Crawley Rotary Club Changeover Night.  join us for dinner as we celebrate the Rotary new year. You are welcome to a arrive from 5:30pm for a 6pm sit-down. This will be a dinner to reflect the year past and hear the vision for the year ahead. We look forward to celebrating the Rotary new year with you!  https://www.rotarycrawley.org/
  • Friday 2 July – Meet the new District Governor, Dee Buckland.  Dee will speak to us about Rotary – the next 100 Years….  $50/pp.  Lunch meeting at the Parmelia Hilton.  Booking link https://www.trybooking.com/BSELI
  • Saturday 3 July – District Changeover.   Burswood on Swan, 1 Camfield Drive, Burswood.  6.15pm – 8.30pm.  Light cocktail food and welcome drink.  $60/pp  booking link – https://www.trybooking.com/BRITD
 
 
Thank you again for your friendship and support these past twelve months,
 
Sincerely,
Jill Dawson
President Perth Rotary Club 2020/21
 
 
 
 
 
 
PERTH ROTARY 2021/22 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              pastpresident@rotaryperth.org.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              ecork@hphsolutions.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                                              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                        Manu Gupta              youth@rotaryperth.org.au