The Rotary Club of
West Perth

 
Message from President Stephen Lee 
 
Sometimes it feels like the wheels are falling off.  Obstacle after obstacle continues to present and just after you put one issue to bed along comes the next and the next.  It isn’t difficult to become overwhelmed. All the planning and expectation that goes into what you are trying to achieve and the timelines in which you want (or need to achieve it) – its a wonder we are not all basket cases.
 
Here come more simple but wise words from my Nanna, “Don’t worry, life goes on....”  Ah context is restored.  Life and living is complex. Probably more because we make it so through the importance we place on so many different things where we seek to build our identity or legacy, but the reality is, free from all the angst, efforts, crusades we undertake, life continues in spite of what we do.
 
Could be the ultimate get out of jail free card – don’t worry about anything because it doesn’t matter in the end anyway!
 
Fortunately, I’m sure that is not where any of us sit as we carry a sense of purpose.  The fact that you are Rotarians speaks to the desire you carry to leave the world a better place than you found it. A mission of Service Above Self.  We see need and opportunity and are called to act - An ever present invitation to be better.... and the act should happen now - and thus we come full circle....

As a club, we have set a strategy around how we can collectively deliver on our mission.  This brings with it many frustrations as we evolve practices and work to embed a new framework, we trust, will result in a stronger more vibrant Rotary club.  Of course nothing sustainable is built in a day, so as we continue our course with verve and vigour may we remain forever mindful as we are challenged, to trust in our path and know that, in the end, life goes on....
 
Yours in Rotary Service,
 
Stephen
President 2020-21
Breakfast Meeting Overview  - Thursday 3rd December 2020
 
Apologies: Sandy Gray, Hayley Lethlean, John Tick Ian Hutton, Steve Wilton, Solomon Mbunsa
Make Up: John van Vliet and those on Swapmeet duty
Announcements: 
  • Stephen made mention of the importance of member’s dues which are paid to the Australian Rotary Foundation Trust and the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. Further donations can be made through Geoff Hick.
  • Stephen welcomed past member Alex Rorrison who will be joining the club.
  • Stephen noted request from UWA for support for a student project/initiative. A group of students will undertake a strategic review/analysis of the club and identify challenges and opportunities. The membership supported the initiative and David Arrowsmith will coordinate.
  • Stephen noted our RYLA student will attend RCWP breakfast next week.
Fines: 
  • Mally and Elizabeth – late last week;
  • Bernie – brew for dandruff;
  • Gary Leighton itchy woollen suit;
  • Geoff Woods and Pat Emery – Eagles masks;
  • S Lee and Dennis – Dockers masks;
  • All who has eggs for breakfast (testing the freshness of eggs)
 
Project updates:
  • Tony Delich reported on the Magic Show 12 December and the need for volunteers (please nominate by next Wednesday at latest).  The show can be viewed on video.  If attending, members will need to download the Safe Ap from the govt website.  
  • Tony also reported on the Swap Meet – takings down a bit lately but overall the activity is going well.
  • Any members requiring a RCWP shirt should see Geoff Woods.
  • Mally thanked everyone for the Christmas gifts and to Bernie, Guy and Angus for helping with deliveries. 
  • Arthur noted that Ric hand delivered a number of books (excess to requirements at Swap Meet) to the Lancelin book store.
  • Geoff Hick noted there will be a meeting with RFDS in the New Year to progress the joint project.
  • John Van Vliet spoke to the Nedlands Rotary Club recently raised $21,000 at a dinner auction evening. John provided an overview of the event which is a fundraising dinner where Rotarians and guests come along with their work and business associates to raise funds for the Club. Club Members make a donation of goods that they can offer towards an auction - John offered the use of his boat as a prize. There are also door prizes, raffle tickets and hampers for purchase on the night. 
 
Guest speaker: Andrew Hall from PICYS (Perth Inner City Youth Service)
Andrew was introduced by Peter Blockley.

Andrew has managed orphanages and other similar services over 30+ years. 
PICYS was started in 1982.  with a focus on young people in the inner city - to ‘give young people the opportunity to make positive choices and realise their potential’.
 
Andrew uses a non judgemental and holistic approach.  The organisation has 15 properties for homeless people (‘Household Services); mental health services (‘Pillar Services’) and ‘Base Camp’ (drop in services).  They also offer services to the highest ‘at risk’ population.   
 
Andrew emphasised the application of values in delivering services – critical in gaining the trust of clients.
 
Tim Dawe gave vote of thanks.  Stephen Lee presented a cheque to Andrew on behalf of the RCWP which will go towards their Monday Brunch for Youth program.
EARLY BIRD ENDS SOON - BOOK IN ASAP - Joint District Conference 2021 

As you are all aware, the District Conference in March will be the first joint District (meaning our first Rotary WA) Conference in a decade.

With 100 years of Rotary in Australia to celebrate, we have selected the perfect venue for such a big celebration - Optus Stadium.

The will be ideal to get over 500 Rotarians, along with family and friends to experience what will be a very memorable, not to be missed weekend.

Get your tickets before the Early Bird ends on Christmas Eve

Breakfast Meeting  Thursday 10th December 2020  - AGM
Join us for breakfast for our Annual General Meeting for 2019/2020. 
 
Zoom Meeting Details
Meeting ID: 252 587 9631
Passcode: WPRC1954
 
Any apologies, please confirm to David Arrowsmith - secretaryrotarywestperth@gmail.com
 
 
SOME NEWS FROM THE PERRON INSTITUTE 
 
The Perron Institute are pleased to share with you in this news update some positive announcements and exciting developments.
 
These include the official opening of their GMA Garnet Group Laboratory, the coming together of years of vision to provide their researchers with world class facilities. The marking of this important milestone had been delayed because of COVID-19 restrictions so last week’s small celebration was a very welcome opportunity to acknowledge the support of the GMA Garnet Group in addition to key supporters – people and organisations they wanted to thank for enabling the institute to gain not only this excellent new facility but also those involved in expanding the Perron Institute’s capacity for high quality laboratory research in the neurosciences field.
 
In particular they thanked Torsten Ketelsen OAM, Perron Institute Board member and previous Chair of the Fundraising Committee for his valuable and steadfast support in this regard.
 
They also highlighted the acknowledgement of Professors Steve Wilton and Sue Fletcher and Founding Director Emeritus Professor Byron Kakulas AO by the new WA Museum. Items relating to their outstanding research achievements are on display in the Innovations Gallery of the new Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip.
 
A well-deserved recognition and honouring of extraordinary innovation, perseverance and achievement.
NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 
 
Pease accept this as formal notification to all Members that we have received a membership application from Alex Rorrison.
 
Alex originally joined the Rotary Club of West Perth in 1978 at a time when he was operating a very successful legal practice in West Perth originally operating from premises in Hay St then in Ord street next to the Ord  Street café ( now Black Toms). President of the club in 1984 - 85 and very active in many of the clubs projects during the period 1978- 96. 
 
Alex moved to the Kimberley‘s in 1996 where he became an advisor to many of the indigenous communities. Two years later he returned to Yallingup where he joined the Rotary club of Dunsborough during the period 1998 -2000.
 
Alex is married to Marie with four adult married children and seven grandchildren. His daughter Becky was an outbound exchange student to Austria in 1989. Both Alex and Marie are Paul Harris fellow’s.

We look forward to welcoming Alex And Marie back into the club and hearing many of the tales they have to tell of their experiences over the past 20 years.
 
 
Should you have any queries or concerns regarding this membership application, please direct these to the Secretary prior to Thursday 31 December 2020. 
December Birthdays & Club Anniversary Celebrations 
 
Birthdays: 
Name:                    Birthday: 
Nigel Blacklock         11 December
Geoff Hick                29 December 
 
Joined the Club: 
Name:                    Date:
Tony Delich             1 December 1989
Geoff Hick               1 December 1978
Hayley Lethlean       17 December 2015
 
Duties for the following two breakfast meetings: 
 
Thursday 10 December  - AGM 
Welcome:      Neville Clare 
Toast:           Tim Dawe 
Duty:           Pat Emery   
 
Thursday 17 December - Christmas Meeting  
Host:           President Stephen Lee 
Welcome:     Tim Dawe 
Toast:          Tony Delich
Thanks:        Pat Emery  
Bulletin:       Bernie Foley  
Duty:           Elizabeth Gorey  
 
A massive big THANK YOU to all those Members who contributed towards the Angel Tree Project this Christmas. We received gifts for 39 children and hampers for 21 families.
 
It's heart-warming knowing that on Christmas Day, 39 children will open a present from their father, mother or grandparent who is not there.
 
If it weren’t for Angel Tree, and the contributions of our Club, these children would miss out on a gift from their missing relative.  
 
So thank you to each of you for spreading Christmas cheer. 
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.ca to your safe sender list or address book.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
 
ClubRunner
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
ClubRunner Mobile