President Jonas Edneropened the meeting at 6.30 pm and led everyone in the National Anthem.
President Jonas welcomed the guest speakers, Emma Cork, Oliver Cork, Natalie Frost and Max Castellini together with a number of other guests including Emma’s parents Rob and Rhonda Brandli, President of the Perth Rotary Club, Jill Dawson, together with Helen Keane, Jacques Phillip, Steven Stanbrook and Catherine Stubbs.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
How many hearts does an octopus have?
Answer: Three. Correctly answered by John Bolto.
FAMILY NEWS:
There was no family news brought forward.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: Susan Watson announced that, sadly, there were no birthdays or anniversaries to report.
CLUB AND COMMITTEES:
David Millerreminded everyone to supportthe“Daffodil Days”” on 15,16 and 17 August at the Claremont Bunnings and Subiaco Bunnings. He went on to acknowledge the 24 members and family who have agreed to volunteer over the 3 days. The goal is to beat last year’s total and try and raise $10,000.
John Linquist drew everyone’s attention to the letters circulated to each member prior to the meeting, which included the “Procedures for Introducing New Members" together with a new member proposal form. The Membership Committee encourages every member to seek out a new member amongst their own circle of friends.
President Jonas read an email from Jill Elias, who is still in Hobart. She has met a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Sullivans Cove, and their Club organises parking on Saturdays at Parliament House for $10 a car, next to Salamanca Market. There are 16 members in the Club. It makes about $500 per week from the parking. There is a plaque affixed on the Parliament House gates acknowledging half a million dollars raised over 24 years. There is also a sign at thee markets that reads “No Smoking, No Dogs and No Smoking Dogs Allowed”.
John Bolto read out the footy tipping results for the previous week’s round of fixtures. Susie Davies was the winner with 8. Overall, Craig James remains in first place, Paul Lambert second place and Kent Warburton in third place.
He also announced there will be a further Sorrento tree planting day this Thursday, and any member wishing to volunteer should contact him at the end of the meeting.
SERGEANT SESSION: The following members were fined by Sergeant Graeme (Sansom).
The Wine Table led by John Bolto.
Arrivals & Departures Tax for Anthony McGrath for going to Sydney, even though he denied he had been to Sydney.
President Jonas and Craig James were fined for going to the West Coast Eagles Game on the previous day.
Richard Ranshaw for sucking up to the Sergeant on arrival.
Fashion Award to Susan Watson for her “blingy” cardigan.
Bruce Fiegert for the Dockers winning their game on their weekend.
Paul Kestell for complaining about the road works in Dalkeith rather than getting in to help with a shovel.
Two lawyers talking together, namely Stephanie Fryer-Smith and David Miller. David Miller then pronounced he is not a lawyer, but still had to pay the fine.
Craig James for clearly having lost his razor.
GUEST SPEAKERS: Emma Cork, Oliver Cork, Natalie Frost and Max Castellini on the Cambodia Family Support Project.
John Bolto introduced the guest speakers, who in turn talked about their recent trip to Cambodia to see how the Cambodia Family Support Project (CFS) they contribute to is performing.
The Cambodia Family Support Project has been in operation for almost 20 years, providing education to children in part to break the poverty cycle. The key focus is the building of a Literacy School and five houses on CFS land. The goal to raise $27,0000 AUD needed for the school and houses together with livestock, water and sanitation was achieved before they left on their trip.
The two boys on the trip, Oliver Cork and Max Castellini, were struck by the chaos on the roads, the harsh living conditions, the lack of safety, and the amount of rubbish. Overall, everything seemed disorganised, and there is a high need for support in education, health and infrastructure.
Pleasingly, they observed the poor helping each other where they can, and playing soccer is life for the children in the villages.
CFS self-help meetings are an essential part of the interaction with Cambodian families. This includes families displaced by Chinese developers moving in to redevelop land for factories. Fortunately for CFS projects, there is long-term security as the land they control is vested.
On the trip, the speakers were witnesses to the current tensions between Cambodia and Thailand. The conflict that took place recently displaced 300,000 people, and even though a ceasefire has now been declared, families remain in overcrowded camps needing food, water and shelter.
One of CFS’s big focuses is the basic need for clean water. More than 10,000 people have benefited from their mission to provide all families in villages with clean water. Another focus is education and helping children learn English.
Seeing is believing, and CFS invites members of RCD to consider joining them on a future Mission Leisure Trip to Cambodia.
REMINDER OF NEXT ROSTER
Monday 18th August 2025
Russell Hawkins Welcoming members and guests .
Steve Halbert Table duty.
Bruce Fiegert Registrar 1.
David Ellis Registrar 2
Lindsay Dry Introduction of guest speaker.
Susie Rich Pass the microphone.
REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS:
Monday, 18 August 2025 - Dean Dell'Oro, Hale School Principal, The most connected and disconnected generation.
Monday, 25 August 2025 - Fellowship Evening.
Monday, 1st September - Dr Igor Bray AM, Physics of Life.
THANKS:THANKS:
Thanks to the Staff of the Nedlands Golf Club, Joel and Anton, for their service tonight and Chef Zamry for dinner.
WE RECOGNISE OUR VERY GENEROUS SPONSORS:
Lizzi Bee - supplier of flowers.
Dry Kirkness Chartered Accountants (Butler Settineri) – Club Auditors.
Accura Accounting & Advisory Services for providing Xero Accounting software and Sharesight Portfolio reporting software to the Charitable Trust.
Dirk Vanderstruyf from Euroz Hartleys.
MEETING CLOSE:
President Jonas closed the meeting by recognising the Rotary International presidential theme for 2025-26, "Unite for Good"
