President Jonas Edner opened the meeting at 6.30 pm.
Welcome to our guest speakers, Gretta Leyland and Lara Cross and guests Joanne Cross, Gemma Chatterton and Alex Leyland.
The meeting was opened by singing the National Anthem.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
What was the name of the original children's hospital before it became Princess Margaret Hospital in 1949 and when was it originally opened?
Answer: Perth Children’s Hospital, opened in 1909
Successfully answered by Geoff Cahif
GUEST SPEAKERS: Gretta Leyland and Lara Cross, introduced by Neil Wilkie
Gretta attended the RYPEN camp in September. She gained so much from attending the camp such as no designated leader needs to be appointed for a project to come together as a collaboration but team work is key. If something fails, try again. She made many new friends from all walks of life which broadened her views.
Lara attended the National Youth Science Forum held in Brisbane through the University of Queensland in January. She attended specialist lectures on topics of interest to her and was grateful for the opportunities to see the breadth of courses available to her in STEM after school.
Both Lara and Gretta thanked the Club for its support of them to enable them to attend the camp and forum.
CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
• Grandcarers – Lindsay Dry spoke of the initiative to collect clothing for children aged one to 17 to give to Grandcarers. Thank you to those who have donated already, please bring in good quality clothing next week as well. President Jonas has kindly offered Moose Café as a drop-off point for the clothes too.
• MetSO concert – The next MetSO concert will be held on Sunday 29 March at 3pm at the Taryn Fiebig Concert Hall at Churchlands Senior High School. Over 400 of the 500 tickets have already been sold.Dalkeith members are offered a discount of 20%, please use the code RCD2026.
• Quiz night – The quiz night will be held on Monday 30 March 2026. The cost is $35 per head for a shared platter on each table, drinks available at the bar, no BYO. There will be a live auction and a raffle. Please book by cutting and pasting at https://www.trybooking.com/DJSDK Tickets can be booked singly, couples or up to eight on a table. This year proceeds from the quiz night will go to the John Fawcett Foundation in memory of Win Jones OAM. Please support this evening, it is great fun for fundraising! Please buy your tickets as soon as possible, the event is in nearly sold out!
• ECU Joondalup tour – Craig James reminded the meeting that Kevin Jackson had arranged for Club members to have the opportunity to visit and have a tour of the ECU campus at Joondalup, at 10am on Friday 10 April 2026. Please indicate your interest to Craig or Kevin.
• Lift the Lid walk – Anita Bourke spoke of the Lift the Lid walk to take place on Saturday 18 April at 9am. More information and how to register can be found at https://australian-rotary-health.mygiveeasy.com/university-of-wa/register Please support this very important event of which our Club is the major organiser. If you are unable to walk it please sponsor other members of the Club.
• Anniversary dinner – The 42nd Anniversary dinner to commemorate the founding of the Club will be held at the Weld Club on Monday 20 April, please mark the date in your calendar now.
• Footy tipping – John Bolto reported that unless your name was Bruce, then you performed dismally this week. Well done to Bruce Fiegert for tipping the best in proper round 1 and for coming third overall. Mike Snell, though not called Bruce, is still the ladder leader, tipping from overseas.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: The following birthdays were announced by Susan Watson:
Partner’s birthday
Annie Hawkins on 21 March 2026.
Anniversaries
Michael Bisset and Joy Crocker 36 years on 17 March 2026.
Geoffrey and Marion Cahif 59 years on 17 March 2026.
Bob and Susie Davis 56 years on 21 March 2026.
SPECIAL SERGEANT JILL SESSION: The following members were fined by Special Sergeant Jill:
Richard Ranshaw for giving the Special Sergeant gardening tips to improve the poor state of her kangaroo paws;
President Jonas for calling the rowing shells worth $100,000 each ‘canoes’;
Bruce Fiegert for not denying the rumour that he was joining a Capoeira troupe;
John Lindquist for being seen counting bicycles recently whilst relaxing on a banana lounge under a beach umbrella with a daiquiri;
Kevin Jackson and Susan Watson for smugly telling Special Sergeant Jill that they would dob her in to the Sergeant for her letter to The West before knowing she was Special Sergeant;
Paul Kestell for losing his Mercedes car keys;
All those Docker and Eagles fans who ditched their loyalty but gained a point in footy tipping by not picking their own team.
ROTARY MOMENTS:
• The Post – Well done to Jason for another article in The Post, on the Lift the Lid walk on Saturday 18 April.
• Kingo Secondary School – The Charitable Trust and the Club together with a District Grant have funded a school water project in Uganda. Michael Bisset is to be thanked for his hard work in steering this collaboration. He received a letter about the progress so far:
“We are pleased to share a brief update on the school water project at Kingo Secondary School. The excavation has reached a depth of 46 feet, targeting the water-bearing rock layers. The hardpan has now been hit. In the next few days, the workers will be focusing on accelerating the excavation using an electric drill. In addition, preparations are underway to enable oxygen to be pumped underground to ensure safe working conditions for the workers.
Thank you for making this project possible. We remain grateful for your continued assistance in enabling our interventions.
Your sincerely,
Grace Agnes”
REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS:
Monday 23 March 2026 – Paulina Hobbs, Kalbarri Kid ***Please note that the meeting will start at 6:15pm this evening***
Monday 30 March 2026 – Quiz night
Monday 6 April 2026 – Easter Monday, public holiday, no meeting.
ROSTER:
Monday 23 March 2026
Richard Gorham Welcoming members and guests
Bruce Fiegert Table duty
David Ellis Registrar 1
Lindsay Dry Registrar 2
Geoff Cahif Introduction of guest speaker
Susie Rich Pass the microphone
THANKS:
Thanks to the Staff of the Nedlands Golf Club, Claire and Anton, 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"
