President opened the meeting at 6.30 pm with a rousing singing of Advance Australia Fair without the assistance of the song master, John Thornton. The club did a reasonable effort on their own and our effort was rated 7 out of 10.
The meeting is still being streamed on Zoom so that you may engage in that manner.
Even though we have not met here for a fortnight it doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy! We had a very good meeting at the Men’s Shed where we saw first-hand what a great project it has been.
On 24th September, Kevin Jackson organised for a group of our Members to attend the Ballet, Dracula. I trust it went very well.
Last Saturday we had our Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner event. From my perspective, Shelley & I had a great night. We had David & Tanya Ellis, Win & Margaret Jones, and Geoff & Marion Cahif. It was a fun night with lively conversation. I now know a lot more about Glasgow than I did before!
Thanks to Peter Panek for organising the event.
We also were awarded a Presidential Citation by Rotary International, to our Club for the 2019 -2020 Rotary year. Well done to our Club and to John Bolto as President during that year.
WELCOME GUESTS & SPEAKER:
Pres Anthony welcomed Mr Alan Briggs who will talk about Rotary’s Tree Mission.
We also have ADG Jeremy Wood & Stephanie Fryer-Smith. Welcome to you both. Great to see you.
VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS:
ADG Jeremy Wood
Stephanie Fryer-Smith – prospective new Club member.
APOLOGIES & LOA:
Apologies and LOAs at 23, with 3 guests hence we are expecting around 45 people tonight.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Question: What is the length of the WA Coastline?
The question was answered at 10.194 km, but this is the high tide number only.
The question was subsequently answered at 12,889 km, being the high tide number.
If one was to include the islands of WA as well, then the answer is 20,781 km.
Hence all of these answers are correct in some way.
However, to remove any claim of bias or controversy, the President awarded each respondent with a bottle of wine for their table.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
Any Rotarian who has news they would like to share regarding Family or Friends?
Neil Wilkie advised the club, that some 20 years ago we sponsored a Rotary Exchange Student named Sarah. Neil had not heard from Sarah for some years but had recently been contacted by Sarah who now lives in NZ.
ADG Jeremy Wood congratulated the Club and Past President John Bolto for achieving a Platinum Citation. This is the highest level of Citation that is awarded.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: ( Bob Davis)
Member Birthdays
John Lindquist 5 Oct 20, aged at 76 years
Partner Birthdays
Jomay Verrier (Panek) 11 Oct 20, age not discussed
Anniversaries
Brian & Fay English 7 Oct 20 with our records indicating 61 years of marriage, but Bob has been advised that the correct number is 60 years and still going strong. Either result showed great forbearance on the part of Fay
Peter & Deborah Marfleet 10 Oct 20, married for 49 years and still going strong
ATTENDANCE:
Kent would normally advise the Final numbers in attendance; however, these are still not available at this time.
CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Charitable Trust: (Russell Hawkins)
No Report
Secretary: (Craig James)
No Report
Treasurer: (Leon Lorenzen)
No Report
Club Service: (Peter Panek)
No Report
Community Service: (Tim Humphry)
There will be a meeting of the Committee next Tuesday at Little Way in Broadway Nedlands.
Vocational Service: (Trevor Gorey)
No Report
International Service: (Michael Bissett)
No Report
Public Image: (Kevin Jackson)
Kevin informed members of the free exhibition at the State Library of Reproductions of May Gibbs famous illustrations – Gumnut Babies. and include works from the various children’s books including Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. This is a great thing to take your grandkids along to.
Kevin also informed the club that this month at the John Curtin Gallery they celebrate NAIDOC week with an exhibition entitled Noongar Native Title: Noongar Works. The Noongar artists who have been influenced by artists of the Carollup School and members are encouraged to attend and view the stunning works.
Whilst on his feet, Kevin also recommended to members that the Netflix documentary “The Octopus Teacher” was well worth viewing.
Membership and New Members: ( John Bolto)
John informed members that we have had 2 applications for membership, and these have been circulated to all members for consideration. As no objections have been received, John informed the Club that therefore the members have been approved and he welcomed Stephanie to the Club. A formal welcome will be held once all the formalities have been completed.
John advised that the state’s “Containers for Change” programme has been running for 5 days now. Greenbatch was active, on our behalf at the miny show held at the Showgrounds and had 20 bins placed around the Showgrounds to collect the containers.
Members can inform themselves about the programme here:
and members can leave their containers in the receptacle located just inside Gate 7/Gate 8 at the Showgrounds instead of putting them into their yellow bin.
Youth: ( Kim Smith)
Not to be outdone by Kevin Jackson's recommendations, Kim informed members of the great documentary called “The Social Dilemma”, also on Netflix.
Kim advised that applications are now open for the next RYLA course and he strongly recommended that members put forward the names of suitable applicants aged between 18 – 25 for the available positions. Nominations will close 30th Nov. Members have till approximately the end of October to nominate someone before we go out to others for nominations.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Footy Tipping winner for this year was Craig James. Congratulations! In Anthony’s view, it just goes to show that knowledge of football is not required to win the competition. A bit unfair on Craig and probably has more to do about Anthony’s own poor performance.
Second place was MJ Lindquist (3 behind Craig) (what happened John L?) and third place was Kim Smith on 107.
Two others were on 107 Lindsay Dry & John Hopkins but Kim had a better margin (398). Well done all and a big thanks to Kent for organising a great event for us.
PRESIDENTS REPORT: ( Pres Anthony McGrath)
- Please note that 24 October is World Polio Day. It is a time across the globe to raise awareness about Rotary’s great work over several decades.
Our Club has and still supports Rotary Polio Plus which feeds into these eradication programs in conjunction with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Camp Opportunity is having their annual Dinner on 13th January 2021. See me or the 9455 website for details.
- Rotary Down Under magazine is out now. You should have received your digital copy. It has a lot of very good articles about Australian Rotary Clubs doing a lot of great things. I commend it to you.
- Next week we were scheduled to have our District Governor join us for dinner. Unfortunately, he is unable to attend because a business AGM has been lobbed on him that he must attend. As such, we will re-schedule to either 30 Nov 2020 or early next year. As such, next week we will have a Club Forum and Fellowship night with the emphasis on Fellowship.
SERGEANT: ( Trevor Gorey) aided by Corporal Ivor Roberts
The Sergeant served to extract the following fines from members:
- Both Wine Tables and thank you, Peter Panek, for organising 2 winning tables.
- ALL Eagles supporters, for their loss last week by 1 point.
- Craig James for winning the Footy Tipping Competition.
- President Anthony and his wife Shelley, for their 2 pages spread in the paper which highlighted their lovely new “Downsizer”.
- Graeme Sansom received 2 fines. Firstly for his new jacket which replaces the old one that had holes in the elbows, and, Secondly for his newly established habit of not only leaving the lights on in his new car but also leaving the car running when parked.
- Michael Bisset, for seriously depleting the fish stocks at the Abrolhos islands during his recent trip to the islands, and finally
- Peter Panek, the new Manfred von Richthofen. Peter has just bought a new electric bike. The new bike is a laid back “cruiser” style and comes complete with Leather Helmet and goggles, reminiscent of the attire of the Red Baron, the famous WW1 fighter pilot.
GUEST SPEAKER: ( Alan Briggs - Rotary Tree Mission)
The speaker was eloquently introduced by John Hopkins. John noted that Dr Alan Briggs, was a recently minted PhD only last week. Alan has spent many years in the forestry industry and he is here tonight to talk about “Treemission”.
Treemisssion is a tree planting conservation mission and a Rotary International District 9450 programme.
Launched in Birmingham and attended by many dignitaries including Kerry Sanderson (then Agent-General of WA) and DK Lee (Past President of Rotary International).
“The Message” Improve the Environment.
This will be achieved by Education - learn about the environment, what we can do and take action (plant trees) and
Offsetting your carbon emissions – vehicles, homes, travel – private and commercial
Education
Schools - informing about the environment
Partner local Rotary Clubs informing members
Community engagement in tree planting
Create a better Environment
Target Rotary International businesses and corporations.
Target and plant in the Eastern Wheat belt of Western Australia, and Perth Metropolitan areas (initially)
Community and Commercial planting opportunities
Ultimately, our plan is to have a Revolving Fund – buy, plan, repair and sell land
Why We Should Act
- Erosion
- Impacted vegetation
- Salinity
What We Have Been Doing
Tree planting for soil erosion control and for carbon capture projects
School education projects and tree planting days
What we want
- to present this project to your Club
- a treemission champion from your Club
- this to be a District and Rotary International project
- School and Business partners
Marketing
- Envelopes (Initially)
- Website (Facebook)
- Prospectus
- Presentations to communicate to WA Clubs
- Promote to Schools
- Connect with Businesses
Promotion
Get in front of:
- Clubs
- Districts
- School
- Businesses
People Involved
- Committee
- Clubs
- Schools
- Land-owners
- Plant providers
- Planting
Progress to Date
- Treemission board to guide development of the program
- Tax-deductible Conservation Appeal with National Trust
- Marketing material (posters, banners, recognition certificates)
- Initiated sponsorship and marketing package
- Tree plantings – Woodman Point, Trillion Trees, schools, Cottesloe and Canning River
Progress to Date
- Presented and engaged with Rotary Clubs
- Tree planting with R/clubs and property developers
- Liaison with Avongro “Activate the Wheatbelt” program for tree planting
- Pursuing Incorporation
Next Steps
- Sponsorship WA Rotary clubs ($20 pp pa donation (tax-deductible) per Rotary member – to offset attendance at meetings
- Presentations (Schools, businesses and corporate entities)
- Plants and planting areas (access to properties)
- Communicate successes – locally, in person, in media and in Rotary.
In a (gum) nutshell
- Much of the eastern wheat belt is sub-economic due to declining rainfall and previously, over-clearing, wind erosion and salt
- Many existing reserves are degraded
- Farmers were walking off their land
- Land is being cleared in the Metropolitan area for housing and roads
- The opportunity is about:
Planting trees
to address rising salinity and wind/water erosion
Offsetting your personal, rotary and business carbon emissions
Leaving a better environment for your descendants
All Appeal donations are tax-deductible!
Contact Details
Colin and Tina Arthur & Alan Briggs
colinart@iinet.net.au
alanbriggs@dodo.com.au
Pres Anthony thanked Alan for an informative and entertaining talk.
REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS : (Pres Anthony McGrath)
- 12th October 2020 - Club Forum & Fellowship Meeting
- 19th October 2020 - Ian Hardy - Warden St George’s College UWA
- 26th October 2020 - David Archibald, Anti-Cancer Garden
- 30th October 2020 - Club Golf Day.
THANKS TO:
|
NGC staff Denise, and Staff; and On Par Caterers for another fine meal.
Thank you to our Guests who attended this evening.
- Jeremy Wood
- Stephanie Fryer-Smith
|
|
RECOGNISE OUR VERY GENEROUS SPONSORS:
- Lizzy Bee-supplier of flowers
- Butler Settineri – Hon Club Auditors
- Paragon Consultants -Our Foundation’s Auditors
- PSZ Accounting for providing Xero Accounting software and
Sharesight Portfolio reporting software to the Charitable Trust.
MEETING CLOSE:
|
|
Recognise RI President’s Holger Knaack Presidential theme for the year
"Rotary Opens Opportunities" and Acknowledge the Flag.
______________________________________________________________________
Minutes: Peter Panek
Q of W: Peter Panek
Editor: Tom Langley
|
