President Jill Elias opened the meeting at 6.30 pm. Welcome to our guests, Dianne Franklyn and Cheryl McMillan from Grandparents Raising Grandchildren WA
The meeting started by singing the National Anthem.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Where is the only operational G-type diaphone in the world?
Answer:
Low Head, Tasmania.
Correctly answered by Susan Watson.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
- John Thornton is still in Ward D4 at Fremantle Hospital and his health is improving. Visitors are welcome between 8 am and 8 pm. Afternoons are better to visit as medical appointments are scheduled in the morning.
- President Jill announced that she and Michael’s youngest son, 21-year-old Edward, departed for Canberra on Sunday to live, he has a graduate position in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: Susan Watson announced this week’s birthdays and anniversaries:
Members’ Birthdays:
John Martin 84 years on 15 January 2024.
Michael Snell 76 years on 27 January 2024.
Hugh Stowell 60 years on 28 January 2024. Many thanks to Hugh for supplying a bottle of wine to each table to celebrate his milestone birthday, a generous gesture. Hugh is indeed aged to perfection!
Partners’ Birthdays:
Janice Jackson on 19 January 2024.
Diane Wilcox (Edner) on 26 January 2024.
Anniversaries:
Leon and Ilse Lorenzen 15 years on 17 January 2024.
Terry and Joan Rogers 65 years on 17 January 2024.
John and Magdaline Mortimer 38 years on 24 January 2024.
John and Carolyn Murdoch 40 years on 28 January 2024.
CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
- Leon asked that anyone who has a set of licence plates who has not paid yet do so as soon as possible. Jason has some sets still available for sale.
- Hugh spoke of the International Fellowship dinner which will take place on Monday 19 February 2024 at Jonas’ Moose Café in Claremont, featuring Swedish food, it will be BYO. Flyers will be sent out shortly with relevant details.
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ROTARY MOMENTS:
The welcome barbecue was very well attended last week, with many family and friends enjoying the evening. It was a jovial event with perfect weather and many new friends made.
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Posted on Facebook and referencing the Rotary Club of Dalkeith Charitable Trust:
A fresh start for the pupils at St. Leonard Kyamulibwa Parents Primary School. We are thrilled to have completed this project!
Congratulations to the parents, pupils, and teachers. The school leadership team led by Ms. Gertrude Nambiro was amazing! We are grateful for your incredible cooperation TEAM St. Leonard. We look forward to handing over the facility to the community next month as the school officially opens for the first academic term. Special thanks to Rotarian Michael Bisset and Rotary Club of Dalkeith Charitable Trust plus everyone involved. This work would not have been possible without you. We are proud to have successfully completed our third WASH project at St. Leonard Kyamulibwa Parents Primary School.
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GUEST SPEAKER: Dianne Franklyn, Vice President of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren WA Introduced by Richard Gorham:
- Most grandchildren are taken in by their grandparents due to their parent’s mental health issues, drug or alcohol abuse and consequently, many times the children are traumatised, mentally and/or physically.
- The grandparents set out to give their grandchildren a positive and good life and to mould them into becoming contributing community citizens. They provide a safe and loving environment for these children with trauma.
- Poverty is the real scourge for grandparents raising their grandchildren, of whom 66% live below the poverty line. In the past twelve months, membership of GRG has doubled.
- Grandparents receive $1,000 per annum from the WA government to raise their grandchildren. In comparison, foster parents receive payments and all dental, educational, and medical expenses, amongst other things, are covered. Dianne was at pains to say that foster parents should receive that funding, but grandparents should too.
- GRG provides many facilities for grandparents; all the officials are volunteers, and no one is paid any money for their substantial work. There is a shared empathy for each other. Legal services are provided pro bono. Mental health workshops are conducted. Each Friday hampers of food are given out and a barbecue is held each month. Donations are requested for education and food.
- Recently GRGWA and CWAWA have signed a MOU for the organisations to support each other.
- GRGWA has branches in Warwick, Gosnells and Kwinana and has recently opened its first country branch in York.
- Thank you, Dianne, and Cheryl, for speaking to us about your hard work in helping to bring hope to grandparents and their grandchildren.
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REMINDER OF NEXT ROSTER:
Monday 29 January 2024
Michael Snell Welcoming members and guests.
Graeme Sansom Table duty.
Richard Ranshaw Registrar 1.
Peter Panek Registrar 2.
John Murdoch Introduction of guest speaker.
Jock Laurie Pass the microphone.
REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS:
- Monday 29 January 2024 Jodie Sparks, Rotary International Foundation.
- Monday 5 February 2024 Geoff Hick The Catalpa Rescue.
- Monday 12 February 2024 Stuart Diggins, Polio Plus.
- Monday 19 February 2024 International Fellowship Dinner, Moose Café, Claremont.
THANKS:
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Thank you to the Staff of the Nedlands Golf Club, Annieke and Joel, for their service tonight and Chef Zamry for dinner.
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RECOGNISE OUR VERY GENEROUS SPONSORS:
- Lizzi Bee - supplier of flowers
- Dry Kirkness Chartered Accountants (Butler Settineri) – Hon Club Auditors
- Accura Accounting & Advisory Services for providing Xero Accounting software and
Sharesight Portfolio reporting software to the Charitable Trust.
- Dirk van der Struyf from Euroz Hartleys.
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