President David opened the meeting at 6.30 pm on 14th January.
With the assistance of John Thornton, members sang the National Anthem, improving on last week’s performance.
President David welcomed Guest Speaker, Patricia Lavater, who will speak to us on the Esther Foundation. Accompanying Patricia were Jillian and Ashleigh. John Saleeba will formally introduce Patricia later.
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VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS:
Cadu (our RYE student).
Greg Hart (guest of Trevor Gorey).
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Cadu correctly answered the question. The three parts of Rotary are our Clubs, Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation.
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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
Leon and Ilsa Lorenzen, and Terry and Joan Rogers.
Tanya Ellis, Janice Jackson and John Martin.
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FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
Stuart McCoubrie walked his daughter down the aisle last week.
John MacKinnon visited the Esther Café in Kalamunda, and gave a strong recommendation.
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CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
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Charitable Trust:
Ken Ilett reported that application had been submitted to renew registration.
Secretary:
Craig James advised of a Board meeting tonight. At the December meeting, the Board decided that the John Fawcett Foundation would be the principal recipient from the Club’s Wine Night. As part of the celebration of the Centenary of Rotary in Australia the Club’s project will be Rotary For Melanoma Research. There will be a Mandurah to Perth bike ride (100 km) to support the Men’s Shed. Dalkeith Primary School is in interested in EarlyAct.
Treasurer:
Anthony has been conscripted as Chairman of Rotary For Melanoma Research.
Attendance:
44 members and 5 guests.
Club Service:
John Bolto reminded members of the Family Barbecue on 21st January. Attendance board being circulated. Numbers to be confirmed by Friday.
Community Service
Nigel Johnson advised that RCD collected 2874kg of food, and the other three Clubs 5000kg during the Cans for Christmas project.
Pek Goh advised of the International Dinner at Chopsticks Restaurant on 25th February. This will be in lieu of the normal meeting.
Vocational Service
Nil report.
Rotary Foundation and International Service
Ken Ilett and Anita Bourke advised of a Cocktail Party on Saturday 9th February at Anita’s residence, to support an equipment project for the Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital in Cambodia. Attendance board being circulated. Tickets are $60 per person. Anita has approached many businesses for support for the raffle and silent auction, and for loan of equipment for the night.
Public Relations
Kevin Jackson has continued contact with Post Newspapers. At the Golf Day, there will be a prize for the most authentically dressed golfer.
Membership and New Members
Peter Panek advised of the Renoir and Rose Night to be held on Saturday 2nd February.
Youth
RYE student Holly Frederickson returned on Saturday 12th. President David attended Perth Airport to meet her, along with her family and friends, and District RYE Officers. Glowing reports have been received from District on her year overseas. Holly will be visiting the Club in the next month to both thank us and enlighten us on how her time overseas was well spent.
Men’s Shed
Nothing to report.
National Youth Science and Engineering Challenge
Richard Gorham advised that there were excess schools and excess funds.
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SERGEANT:
Sergeant Trevor Gorey enforced the usual fines for the wine table, birthdays and anniversaries,
Greg Hart for failing to ‘unclip’ and put his foot down when stopped at traffic lights during a bike ride from Falcon to Perth. He fell over, much to the amusement of fellow riders and nearby motorists.
Bob Davis and Bruce Fiegert – Bob is going on holidays and Bruce will mind Bob’s chooks and the eggs.
Michael Bisset for damaging public property by falling off his bike.
Richard Ranshaw for hitting off from the blue tee instead of the white.
Lindsay Dry for a good day at golf.
President David for not wearing the Presidential Chain.
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GUEST SPEAKER:
Patricia Lavater Esther Foundation
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Patricia was introduced by John Saleeba. He explained how Patricia had started Esther 26 years ago, and her husband Rod had first spoken to RCD in 2012.
Patricia explained how Esther House started as they had seen a need in the community that was not being provided. Originally there were 15 houses in the South Perth/Como area, but more recently they had moved to Kalamunda into a renovated convent. It is a residential program providing a safe place and support for women and girls suffering from addiction, mental health issues, depression or domestic violence. Currently, they are supporting 72 women and 14 children between 12 and 33 years.
Patricia introduced Ashleigh, a 14-year-old from Dublin to tell her story. Her father lost his job in Ireland 8 years ago and the family moved to Australia. Ashleigh was bullied at school and changed schools often, eventually attending John Curtin due to artistic interests. She started using marijuana at 12 and was introduced to meth at 13. She had mental health issues and contemplated suicide. She ran away so many times (100?) that the Police nicknamed her ‘Frequent flyer’. It was her choice to go to Esther, and she has now been there for 11 months. It was tough, with lots of challenges, but she has restored some relationships with her family and was back at school.
Patricia told the members that Ashleigh had a beautiful singing voice and persuaded her to sing a verse. Patricia was right; a beautiful voice.
Jillian is 22. The family moved from Sydney when she was 5. The family was dysfunctional; her father autistic and unable to cope. There was violence within the family. Her brother started on drugs at 12. They did not go to school; they had no friends. She became suicidal at the age of 8. Contacts within the church and school helped her move out of home at 14. Her parents were stalking her for money, and her mother even attempted to run her down with her car.
During one of her stays in hospital, a friend suggested the Esther Foundation. Two years she gained a home and a family. It has transformed her life. She now wants to live and help others.
One of the first tasks given to her at Esther was making phone calls soliciting assistance. She is now involved in events and marketing, fundraising for the Foundation. Jillian also speaks at meetings (such as ours).
She now sees the positive in life.
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Patricia explained that the Foundation does not seek Government funds as there is always ‘red tape’ and conditions attached.
Whilst the contribution of the RCD is small in comparison to their total budget, she sees the RCD as their favourite Club.
Esther has social enterprises in Kalamunda. The Esther Café (in the main street) trains the girls to get jobs elsewhere. They also do all the baking (apparently the chocolate brownies are superb),
Next door is Recycle Boutique where the girls get retail experience.
Catergirls provides staff and catering for functions. Some of the girls could not believe they had progressed from a prison cell or hospital bed to serving corporate staff and politicians.
Patricia answered several topical questions from members. Anita asked re the origin of the name ‘Esther’. Patricia said it was biblical. Esther was an orphan who became a queen, and that is the aim of the Esther Foundation.
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CLOSE:
President David thanked Patricia for her talk, Ashleigh and Jillian for their words, our guests Cadu and Greg, the NGC staff Denise and Chris, and Bunch Caterers.
He reminded members of upcoming events:
- Rotary Leadership Seminars recommence in February.
- Next Monday is the Family Barbecue.
- No meeting on 28th January due to Public Holiday.
- Normal meetings resume on 4th February.
- International dinner at Chopsticks Restaurant on 25th February.
He acknowledged Sponsors Lizzie Bee Florists, Butler Settineri (Club Auditors), Paragon Consultants (Charitable Trust Auditors) and PSZ Accounting (Charitable Trust software).
He called on members to recognise RI President Barry Rossin’s Presidential theme for the year, Be the Inspiration. Members were asked to acknowledge the Flag.
Meeting closed at 19:40.
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