President Anthony McGrath opened the meeting at 6.30 pm on 15^th March 2021.

 

We welcome Sir John Thornton (OAM) and invite him to lead us all in a rousing chorus of Advance Australia Fair! Possibly due to the combined meeting and superior numbers of Rotarians present, the rendition was judged to be of outstanding quality and awarded a 9/10.

 

A lot has happened over the last few weeks with the District Conference, our Fellowship Dinner last Monday, the annual bike count and everything else that has been happening.

 

 

This is a joint Rotary Meeting with the Rotary Clubs of Nedlands & Dalkeith. I would like to offer a very warm welcome to all Nedlands members. I believe we have around 17 Nedlands members attending tonight which is fantastic. I would like to especially Nedlands President, Melissa Roosendaal.

 

Also, a warm welcome to our guest Speaker tonight Mr Michael Morgan who is the Principal of Shenton College. Both our Rotary Clubs support student within Shenton College under the various Youth programmes that Rotary runs. The school also supports Rotary’s Youth Exchange Programme when it is operating. As such, our relationship with Shenton College is mutually beneficial. As such, it is highly appropriate for Michael to speak to us tonight.

 

Also welcome to Samantha White who is a Shenton College teacher, and no doubt has a role to play in Youth programmes at the college.

 

Welcome to any other guests.

 

 

We have 15 apologies & Honorary, 8 LOA plus 19 guests hence around 61 people in attendance tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In keeping with the intent to only report on pressing matters, the following committees provided no reports.

Charitable Trust: (Russell Hawkins)

Secretary: (Craig James)

Treasurer: (Leon Lorenzen)

Community Service: (Tim Humphry)

Vocational Service: (Trevor Gorey)

International Service: (Michael Bissett)

Public Image: (Kevin Jackson)

Youth: (Kim Smith)

 

Peter advised that the recently completed Bike Count undertaken by the club’s members will result in $1,940 being added to our Fundraising total. In addition, the bike count also raised $540 for the Showground’s Community Men’s Shed for the sites they counted.

 

The Club has received a call for help from Solemen in Bali, a charity we have supported in the past, seeking emergency assistance to provide much-needed funds to help them continue with their programmes. More information will be provided to the club at next week’s meeting. Their fundraising is mostly from Tourists visiting Bali, and this has all but stopped due to the Pandemic.

 

John advised that the Rotary Club of Crawley will continue with their Blue-Sky Initiative and are organising additional tourist visits to parts of WA including Karratha and Kununurra. If you need more information, please reach out to John.

 

 

Steve Halbert informed the Club about the need for volunteers to assist with the Back Yard Cricket match to be held at the Governor’s House. If anyone can help please look to your recent emails regarding this fundraising, high profile event for Rotary or contact Steve.

 

Andrew Baird has an announcement regarding their Easter Raffle which he wishes to share with us. Nedlands is holding an Easter Raffle, cost is $20/ticket with a $500 hamper as first prize. Please support them and buy some tickets.

 

 

 

Easy fruit first: the wine table Bruce Fiegert for his unique Bowling style which causes mayhem and destruction to the greens. Nigel Johnson and anyone else wearing a red shirt in support of the recent Labour Party victory. Andrew Baird who had to return home to collect the Nedlands Club badges which he left at home. Ray Walker who joined the Seniors Athletic Competition at the age of 93years and in his first ever event ran a time of 17:32 and just missed out on the record by 17 seconds. Fantastic effort. Jason Van Straleen who at the auction held at the District Conference bought 3 items. Mike Snell who won last years Nedlands Rotary Club raffle All members of our Club who previously were members of the Nedlands Club.

Kim Smith (RCD Youth Director) introduced Mr Michael Morgan. Kim provided a pocket history of Michaels achievements and resume which listed a long set of awards and recognised many outstanding achievements.   Michael provided insight into Shenton College with its 2,600+ students and well on their way to being the biggest school in the state in the next couple of years. It has an annual budget of $29,000,000 which puts it into perspective. Michael grew up in Crawley, schooled at Dalkeith primary and Hollywood High School. Studied at the University of Zoology and Human Movement which has set him up well as a teacher, since it is a jungle out there. The biggest problem they have at schools is to ensure every student needs to belong and have a feeling of connectedness with the school community. Grading schools by their ATAR achievements is only one measure of success and probably not the most important measure. Need to look at how students are engaged and their sense of belonging. Students need to have the courage to speak out and find their voice when needed. They need good judgement to know when to speak out and when not to do so. We need to allow students to fail and ensure they can get up and try again. Michael always seeks to ensure that there is a Fair. Just and Even approach in everything they do. A lot needs to be done as a community in order to ensure resilience in our children. Regarding the use of mobile phones at school, Michael used the quote that “A fool with a tool, is still a fool”. We need to educate our children to use the tool correctly and not be the fool.

President Anthony invited Charles Bro to propose a vote of thanks to Michael Morgan.

Charles Bro advised that the Rotary Club of Nedlands provides an annual award to a person who either lives in or works in the Club’s District or who’s service to a youth organisation is related to the Club District.

The Award is known as the Charles Smith Award for Service to Youth in honour of the Club’s Charter President.

Charles Bro advised that this year Michael Morgan has been the recipient of this award and presented the award to Michael Morgan, too much appreciative applause from the combined Clubs.