President Jonas Edner opened the meeting at 6.30 pm.
Welcome to our guest speaker, Matthew Meszaros.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Cacti have spines, not leaves, so how can photosynthesis occur?
Answer: Cacti perform photosynthesis in their green stems, which contain chlorophyll, because they have evolved spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss.
Correctly answered by John Bolto.
CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
• Business lunch – The business lunch will be held on Thursday, 20 November 2025, at noon at the Royal Perth Golf Club in South Perth. Please organise your tables as soon as possible through John Bolto, or come along alone or with a friend, you do not need to organise a whole table. John’s email is rj.bolto@gmail.com The guest speaker is Amanda Lacaze, CEO and Managing Director of Lynas Rare Earth.
• Fruit cakes and puddings – Richard Ranshaw is placing the final order before Christmas for fruit cakes this THURSDAY, 6 November, $25 per cake, please email Richard with your order on richard@ranshaw.com.au
Cans for Christmas – Anthony McGrath asked for the members who do not yet have their bags and flyers to collect them from him. Distribution into the community of the bags and flyers is suggested for Wednesday 26 November and the collection date is Sunday 30 November.
• Christmas toy drive for Grandcarers – Please support this initiative again by donating new toys over the next meetings on 10 and 24 November and 1 December. The most needed toys are for ages seven and up to teenagers, gift cards for teenagers would be very welcome. Richard Ranshaw has organised again for Toyworld Claremont to give Club members a discount of 20% on toys bought at Toyworld Claremont (except on Lego and Connectix), please mention that you are a Club member to receive the discount. Alternatively you can donate an amount and Toyworld will pick out suitable gifts. The gifts bought at Toyworld will be kept there until they are taken to Grandcarers in Warwick in early December.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
The following birthdays were announced by Susan Watson: Members’ Birthdays
Terry Rogers 89 years old on 3 November 2025
Lindsay Dry 81 years old on 9 November 2025
ROTARY MOMENTS:
• Rotary Club of Heirisson – The Rotary Club of Heirisson has generously donated ten hospital packs to the Club project for the Magic Coat Foundation. This is especially kind of the Club given it has a membership of 13.
• ShelterBox Champions – Last week the national ShelterBox awards were announced and the Rotary Club of Dalkeith was named as only one of two Rotary Clubs in Western Australia to receive the Gold Champions Award for its donations to its cause.
• John Fawcett Foundation – Thanks to everyone who donated to JFF, a total of $1,500 was sent to the Foundation in Win’s name.
SERGEANT JASON SESSION: The following members were fined by Sergeant Jason:
The wine table;
Stringent arrival and departure taxes were imposed if even thinking of travelling;
Jill and Susan for not having letters published this week;
Bruce Fiegert for nearly buying a $6.25 million house at auction whilst swatting at flies.
GUEST SPEAKER:Matthew Meszaros - introduced by John Lindquist
Project Ohm is a two-year-old start-up company. It is building a decentralised, energy-aware high-performance computing platform designed to transform surplus renewable energy into sustainable AI and machine learning services.
Its aim is to pioneer a new class of ultra-sustainable AI computing that transforms how the world powers the future of intelligence.
Project Ohm addresses a critical global need by aligning AI infrastructure growth with the renewable energy transition. By leveraging stranded renewable energy, it reduces carbon emissions, increases grid stability and provides a highly cost-effective alternative to fossil-fuel-tied centralised data centres.
Project Ohm has set up virtual power plants and community batteries in Perth. Western Australia is the largest isolated energy site in the world and Project Ohm has been able to curtail surplus electricity successfully.
Thanks to Matthew for explaining his business and its aims to us.
REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS:
Monday 10 November 2025 - Rob Laurie, Strategies for Cyber Security
Monday 17 November 2025 – No meeting, business lunch this week
Monday 24 November 2025 – Geoffrey Thomas, Aviation writer
ROSTER:
Monday 10 November 2025
Peter Panek Welcoming members and guests
David Miller Table duty
John Murdoch Registrar 1
TBA Registrar 2
Ross Mackellar Introduction of guest speaker
Bruce Fiegert Pass the microphone
THANKS:
Thanks to the Staff of the Nedlands Golf Club, Sofia and Claire, for their service tonight and Chef Alvin for dinner.
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.
MEETING CLOSE:
President Jonas closed the meeting by recognising the Rotary International presidential theme for 2025-26, "Unite for Good"
