QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
It was proposed that a candidate called Snæfellsjökull run in the 2024 Icelandic Presidential elections. What was unusual about this candidate?
Answer: The answer "it was a glacier" was correctly answered by Anthony McGrath.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
Kim Smith announced he has been granted French citizenship.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
Susan Watson announced that Igor Bray and Jane Sansom were celebrating their birthdays.
CLUB AND COMMITTEES:
Anthony McGrath reminded everyone there are still places for the next Foodbank Volunteer Day on Thursday 24 April and to please contact him if you can assist.
ROTARY MOMENTS:
President Hugh announced what an incredible week, two weeks ago, with $4,700 donated from the golf Day to the Angelman Foundation and $6,200 to Grandcarers’ WA. This is over $10,500 raised by members in one week, and he thanked everyone for their enormous generosity.
SERGEANT SESSION:
The following members were fined by Sergeant Jason:
- The Wine Table.
- Kim Smith for becoming a Frenchman.
- Neil Wilkie for getting his deposit back on a property.
- Kevin Jackson for cancelling an event after taking a deposit from Susan Watson.
- Departure tax from several members including President Hugh.
- Nigel Johnson for turning his lawn into a sea of how to vote flags.
- President Hugh again for having two fancy meals in one day.
VOCATIONAL AWARDS:
President Hugh invited Craig James to outline the meaning and importance of the Vocational Awards. Vocational service is at the core of Rotary, embedded in its history, present and future. It calls on Rotarians to foster high ethical standards in business, recognise the value of all occupations, and dignify our occupations as an opportunity to serve our communities.
Rotary International has established the Vocational Awards programme for Clubs who wish to honour and affirm vocational excellence and service to mankind in and through one's vocation.
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Anita Bourke read out the citation for the of Pride in Workmanship Award to be presented to Paul Haddad. Excerpts of the citation read:This award is in recognition of your exceptional contribution and dedication to excellence. As part of the SCGH hospital equipment services team run by Jacqui Lofthouse in the role of Training and Quality Officer you are one of those people who goes above and beyond the call of duty in how you help others.
Nothing was too much trouble for Paul. He would facilitate our Rotary work by clearing work areas to allow us space to sort items, having trolleys and access ready, arranging parking for sea containers in car park 7 at SCGH grounds for easy loading, receive and store medications, even take our coffee orders. Through your efforts we sent Beds, mattresses, wheelchairs, ultrasound machines, anaesthetic machines, dressings, surgical equipment, PPE, items no longer required in WA and you assisted us in filling several sea containers bound for Cambodia, Africa and Ukraine.
An additional aspect of this work was saving on landfill. This was all done with amazing obligement, coordination and communication skills showing total understanding of what we were trying to accomplish.
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Paul Haddad receiving his award from President Hugh.
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Craig James then read out the citation for the Vocational Excellence Award presented to David Bean OAM. Excerpts from the citation read:
David Bean OAM has been chosen as the recipient in 2025 of a Vocational Excellence Award in recognition of his outstanding professional achievements, commitment to high ethical standards and significant contribution to the advancement of education in Western Australia.
David was Deputy Headmaster of Hale School for 18 years, Hale’s Director of Curriculum for 30 years, a teacher of English Literature and a rowing coach for 38 years, retiring in 2022.
As an educator, David maintained and enhanced a strong culture of academic excellence and exceptional learning opportunities for all boys. In the classroom, David shared his passion for English and Literature with all his students. David nurtured and supported the academic goals of students at every level.
Outside the classroom, David held many leadership positions at Hale School. For 38 years, he coached rowing and mentored many young sportsmen. In addition to his roles as Director of Curriculum, and Deputy Headmaster, David led a team which introduced many innovations to transform the School’s academic culture and the range of opportunities for learning.
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David Bean OAM receiving his award from President Hugh.
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In 1998, David was instrumental in the development of the Indigenous Scholarship Program at Hale School which positioned Hale at the forefront of providing educational opportunities for young Indigenous boys in Western Australia. His deep commitment to this program had a transformational effect on the lives of many young men and their families. As well as his guidance during their time at Hale, David remained connected to many of these young indigenous men after graduation, continuing his personal support and interest in their futures.
David is currently Deputy Chair of the Teacher Registration Board of WA, he is also on the Board of Governors of St Mary's Anglican Girls' School and the Board of St Catherine's College, the university student residential college at both UWA and Curtin University. He was formerly a Director of the social enterprise Teach Learn Grow.
David’s other passion is rowing. He has served the sport of rowing not only as a coach at Hale School but as a past vice president of Rowing WA and an Editor of Australian Rowing Magazine and as a member of the Board of the University of Western Australia Boat Club, of which he is a Life Member. In March 2023, David was made a Co-Patron of Rowing WA.
Through his vocation he has:
- used his unique skills to address community needs;
- empowered young students through training and skill development; and
- inspired generations of young men to act with integrity.
David Bean OAM is a worthy recipient of the Vocational Excellence Award.
President Hugh presented both awards and then thanked Craig James for all his excellent work on the preparation for the awards. Members gave a standing ovation to the two recipients.
REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS:
Monday 21 April 2025 – No meeting, Easter Monday Public Holiday
Monday 28 April 2025 – 41st Anniversary Dinner, Weld Club
Monday 5 May 2025 – Darren Reynolds, Every Daughter
