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President Hugh Stowell opened the meeting at 6.30pm.
The meeting opened with the National Anthem sung to Ann Bray’s violin accompaniment. It was a rousing rendition for Remembrance Day.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
The first impressionist exhibition opened in Paris and included artists such as Claude Monet and Berthe Morisot.
On which date did it open?
Answer: 15 April 1874. Correctly answered by John Murdoch
FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
- Peter Panek spoke of the flight simulator at the Men’s Shed, which is now up and running (pun intended). Peter successfully flew it to Perth Airport recently and was only 500 metres off the runway. Please get in touch with Peter if you would like to arrange a flight ppanek@merit-group.com.au
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: The following birthdays were announced by Nan Walker:
Members’ birthdays:
Leon Lorenzen, 64 years old, on 11 November 2024.
Bruce McGeorge, 84 years old, on 13 November 2024.
Partner’s birthday:
Shelley Smith on 15 November 2024.
Anniversaries:
Peter and Rebecca Robertson, 14 years old, on 13 November 2024.
John and Beth MacKinnon, 54 years, on 14 November 2024.
CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
• Charitable Trust AGM – Russell Hawkins reminded the meeting that the Charitable Trust AGM will be held on Monday, 18 November, at 5:30 pm in the Board Room of the Nedlands Golf Club.
• District Governor visit—On Monday, November 25, the District Governor, Pat Schraven, will visit our dinner meeting. Three other Clubs, Freshwater Bay, West Perth, and Mosman Park—Cottesloe, have been invited, too. It would be wonderful if as many members as possible attended that evening.
• Cans for Christmas – Anthony McGrath asked that everyone please pick up their bags for the Cans for Christmas campaign downstairs. Please let him know if you can take up extra areas. Ideally, please distribute the flyers and bags on Wednesday, 27 November, or the next day, Thursday, 28 November. The collection date of the food is Sunday, 1 December 2024. Ant’s email is anty@iinet.net.au
• Christmas dinner - On Monday, December 9, we will have our Christmas dinner at the Weld Club. Invitations will be issued shortly. Please reach out to past members and partners to invite them to this special event.
• Australian Wildlife Conservancy visit – John Bolto told the meeting about the visit to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy visit at Karakamia that he has arranged for Wednesday 12 March 2025. Please mark the date in your diary now, further details will be forthcoming. There will still be the usual Monday meeting on 10 March 2025.
• Bicycle count – Craig James thanked all those members who counted bicycles on Sunday, 10 March (or those who will this coming weekend due to the inability to access Fremantle because of the marathon). Due to their efforts, $1,600 was raised by the Club. Many thanks to Craig for organising this opportunity, which takes considerable time and effort, in the vicinity of twelve hours. Thanks to the volunteers John Bolto, Ann Bray, Jonas Edner, John Hopkins, Ken Ilett, Craig James, Tom Kendall, Mark Khangure, John MacKinnon, Bethwyn Miller, David Miller, John Murdoch, Peter Panek, Jaap Poll, Mike Snell, Nan Walker and Neil Wilkie.
ROTARY MOMENTS:
• October volunteer hours – In October, a total of 71 hours were contributed to volunteering at two events, Foodbank and Ronald McDonald House. This figure does not include the hours travelling to or from or planning the event. 52.5 hours were given by Club members and 18.5 hours by family and friends.
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Photos from Ronald McDonald cooking.
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• Grandcarers WA – Please bring in new toys to the meetings on 18 and 25 November to be given to the grandchildren of Grandcarers at Warwick. Thanks to those who have bought already at Toyworld Claremont and brought in tonight, including Kent Warburton, John Bolto and John Martin. The greatest need for toys is for children aged six and over, no guns please. Please do not wrap the gifts. Many thanks to Richard Ranshaw who has again managed to obtain a discount for those members who buy the toys at Toyworld Claremont. If toys are purchased from Toyworld Claremont, the shop will keep all the bought toys until collection at the end of November.
SERGEANT SESSION: The following members were fined by the Sergeant:
- Melbourne Cup sweep winners Lindsay Dry, John Martin, Neil Wilkie, Ken Ilett (for Helen), Kent Warburton and Craig James (and yes, the Sergeant did pay more than a tithe of her winnings too).
- Stephanie Fryer-Smith for gallivanting around the US and finding her inner Rotary Exchange Student again.
- Michael Bisset for an arrival tax and posting photos of nude statues on Facebook;
- Ann Bray for baking such delicious chicken at Ronald McDonald House that she has been offered a job at KFC.
- Bruce Fiegert for his bowling prowess.
- Craig James for being a trainspotter.
GUEST SPEAKER: John Murdoch – introduced by Ann Bray
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John Murdoch carrying the Australian flag on ANZAC Day 2023 marching with the 2/16th Battalion Association.
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- The 2/16th Battalion was originally raised from Western Australian volunteers and began with the Great War. Though the battalion’s history mentions taking part in the Boer War, no records of its involvement can be found.
- During World War I, the battalion fought on Gallipoli, France, and Belgium along the Western Front. Its battle honours include the landing at Anzac Cove, Sari Bair Ridge (1915); Pozieres (1916); Bullecourt, Messines, Ypres [Passchendaele] and Polygon Wood (1917); Hamel and Mont St Quentin on the Somme (1918).
- Early in 1942, the battalion returned home to man the ‘Brisbane Line,’ but in August, they were hurried to Papua and sent into the Owen Stanley Ranges to repel the Japanese drive towards the vital Port Moresby airfields. What followed was weeks of fighting withdrawal along the Kokoda Trail, which was vital in delaying and finally turning back the Japanese advance.
- Afterwards, the unit was inserted into a fierce battle at Gona Beach in December, where, again, they suffered heavy losses. In late 1943, the 2/16th was sent into the Ramu/Markham Valley Campaign against Japanese forces. The heroism of the Battle for Shaggy Ridge and the Battalion’s part in that series of actions have since become legend in Australian military history.
- John’s father, Ken, fought in World War II. During his service Ken was promoted to Lieutenant in June 1940, Captain in March 1941 and Major in November 1944. He was Mentioned in Despatches for “Gallant and distinguished services SWP Area”. Ken was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) for “Meritorious service and ability MOROTAI Apr/Sep 1945”.
- Ken served under the leadership of Arnold Potts, later a Brigadier, who was so loyal to his troops that he was relieved of his authority and sent home because he did not want to send them on another suicide mission, contrary to the powers above who ordered further attacks into open ground. After the Kokoda Trail and Gona Beach, there were only 143 survivors from the original 1,500 troops of the 2/16th Battalion; of them, only 50 were deemed fit. His troops revered Brigadier Potts for his actions, which only came to light after his death.
- John is a member of the 2/16th Battalion Association, which plays an important role in ensuring and promoting greater awareness, understanding and recognition of the service and achievements of the 16th Battalions during the Great War and World War II.
- Thanks to John for his interesting, evocative and moving talk on the 2/16th Battalion and the service and sacrifice of his father, Ken.
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REMINDER OF NEXT ROSTER:
Monday 18 November 2024
David Ellis Welcoming members and guests.
Lindsay Dry Table duty.
Neil Wilkie Registrar 1.
Geoff Cahif Registrar 2.
Anita Bourke Introduction of guest speaker.
Bruce Fiegert Pass the microphone.
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REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS:
Monday 18 November Jerry Pilcher, Australian Rotary Health.
Monday 25 November District Governor visit.
Monday 2 December Andre Morkel, WA Rogaining Association.
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THANKS:
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Thanks to the Nedlands Golf Club staff, Sean and Matt, for their service tonight and Chef Zamry for dinner.
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WE RECOGNISE OUR VERY GENEROUS SPONSORS:
- Lizzi Bee - supplier of flowers
- Dry Kirkness Chartered Accountants (Butler Settineri) – Club Auditors
- Accura Accounting & Advisory Services for providing Xero Accounting software and
Sharesight Portfolio reporting software to the Charitable Trust.
- Dirk Vanderstruyf from Euroz Hartleys.
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MEETING CLOSE:
President Hugh closed the meeting recognising the Rotary International presidential theme for 2024-2025 THE MAGIC OF ROTARY
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Meeting Notes: Jill Elias
Photography: Jill Elias
Editor: Tom Langley
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