President David opened the meeting at 6.30pm on 7th January.
In the absence of John Thornton, members sang the National Anthem leaving room for improvement during the year.
Although this meeting was originally designated as a Fellowship Meeting, President David welcomed Guest Speaker, Win Jones, who will speak to us on ‘John Fawcett Foundation’. Jon Steward will be formally introduce later.
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VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS:
New member inductee Laurie Hegvold and wife Phillippa.
Greg Hart (guest of Trevor Gorey).
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Question: Which is Western Australia’s oldest Inland town?
Answer: York – declared a town in 1831.
Anita Bourke correctly answered the question.
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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
Lindsay and Helen Dry (42 years).
Kevin Jackson, Bob Davis and Jackie Ritchie.
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FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
John Bolto reported that Michael Bisset had been involved in a cycling accident at Margaret River. He is recovering well but will be absent for some weeks.
John MacKinnon reported that he had visited Ian Ritchie.
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NEW MEMBER INDUCTION:
Kevin Jackson introduced Laurie Hegvold, who was inducted by Peter Panek. President David presented Laurie with his Rotary lapel pin, and welcomed him as the World’s newest Rotary member. Laurie has been allocated to Rotary Foundation and International Service Committee. He was welcomed by Peter Webb.
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Win was introduced by John Steward.
Win commenced by reading a letter from Amy Hedevang Fris, the daughter of our 1987/88 Danish exchange student Heidi Fris, who is an inbound Exchange student currently hosted in Queensland, but visited our Club late last year.
Win then explained the formation of the Bali Eye Clinic with the support of RI. The withdrawal of RI funding in 2000 led to the formation of the John Fawcett Foundation. The Kuta bombings in 2002 put a lot of pressure on the clinic, but they were supported by many donations from Australia.
The clinic’s services include cataract surgery, spectacles, eye drops and prosthetic eyes.
They receive very generous donations, bequests, and have supported ‘Adopt a Village’ program utilising Corporate sponsorships.
Win showed a video that left many moist eyes in the room as members saw reactions of patients as they regained their sight.
The bus for the Clinic, partially funded by RCD and an RI grant is having signage applied and delivery is imminent. (next week).
Kevin Jackson conveyed his personal recollections of John Fawcett.
Win answered several topical questions from members.
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CLOSE:
President David thanked Win for his talk, our guests Laurie, Phillippa and Greg, the NGC staff Emma and Dom, and Bunch Caterers. He acknowledged Sponsors Lizzie Bee Florists, Butler Settineri (Club Auditors), Paragon Consultants (Charitable Trust Auditors) and PSZ Accounting (Charitable Trust software).
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