Membership: (David Ellis/David Smith): David asked members who wished to achieve particular Rotary goals to please discuss it with him or Craig so that they may be accommodated.

Youth: (Kim Smith/Leon Lorenzen):  Kim reminded members about the accommodation and school requirements for the Brazilian exchange student who arrives on 21st July.  He is booked into Shenton college and is billeted for the first three months.

Meanwhile, Holly, our outward bound student, has written a note which will be loaded onto the website for members to read.

Science and Engineering Challenge: (Richard Gorham) Richard advised members that the event had been a great success with a good student turnout, lots of enthusiasm, lots of volunteers, and an all-around good time for all.  Inspiring for both students and those who organised and helped.  Next year Dalkeith will lead the project with help from sister clubs in the district.

Sergeant: Sergeant Peter Panek, and Corporals Michael Bisset and Jock Laurie.

There was celebration and taxing of birthdays, anniversaries, the universal wine table, footy tipper winner, Eagles celebration tax, future anniversaries, lapel badge tax, Science and Engineering missing‑in‑action tax, and grandchild celebration.

President’s Report:

Notice of the AGM (to be held in conjunction with the next club forum on 30th April) has been served. Business to include approving amendments to the Constitution, electing Officers.

Guest Speaker Helen Keane

Guest Speakers: President Craig called on Tony Chien to introduce the speakers.

Tony introduced Vin Keane and Helen Keane. Dr Vincent Keane is a graduate of UWA with specialist qualifications in public health and tropical medicine.

He has worked in international health and development for more than 25 years in more than 40 countries.  He was based in Cambodia from 2002 to 2007 as Chief of Mission of the International Organisation of Migration. One of the projects he supervised was the precursor to CFS. Since retiring from international work 11 years ago Vincent has worked in Australian remote indigenous communities.

Helen Keane was raised in Bali as the child of American missionaries.  She attended University in Chicago, then trained as a nurse in New Orleans.  In 1980 she returned to Asia and started work with Vietnamese boat people in Galag Island in Indonesia where she met Vincent. In 1986 she earned a master of Public Health in New Orleans after which she and Vincent continued their work in Africa and Asia.  She studied law at Notre Dame University in Fremantle in the early noughties and subsequently worked in Cambodia with the human rights program.

Both Vincent and Helen are members of the Rotary Club of Perth and serve on the boards of CFS, CFS Australia, and CFS USA.  They provide technical support to the CFS program and assist with fundraising.

CFS is a small non-profit organisation in the northwest of Cambodia. The CFS program takes an approach that is low-tech, low-cost and 'sustainable'. The role of CFSA in Australia (and CFS USA in the United States) is to raise funds and provide some technical assistance and financial oversight. CFS in Cambodia implements the program.

The CFS Cambodia director, Dr Eng Samnang, comes from Battambang province, a part of Cambodia where the Khmer Rouge was active until the late 1990's. His father and siblings were murdered by the Khmer Rouge. Dr Samnang is a medical doctor, mental health, and public health specialist.

Rotarian Vincent Keane has worked with Dr Samnang for many years and knows him to be a truly remarkable man committed to helping the very poor in his home province.

CFS has been affiliated with Rotary Club of Perth since 2008. From time to time other Rotary Clubs have also assisted CFS. It is a Rotary Australia World Community Service project. All donated money goes towards supporting program activities in Cambodia (with the exception of a small service fee deducted by RAWCS)

CFS focusses on the rural poor, disabled parents and children without an adult caretaker. The services provided include seeding enterprises at the local level, clean water and sanitation projects, education and assisting the disabled.

CFS has played a key role in encouraging people to work together as a community and learning how the group can achieve more together than as individuals.

David Smith who has supported and visited the CFS projects in Cambodia described the joy of working with CFS and spoke glowingly of the ability of Dr Eng Samnang to stretch a dollar to obtain community value.

President Craig thanked Vin and Helen for generously giving of their time to entertain the members with such a worthwhile story.  He presented them with a Rotary cake as thanks on behalf of the members.

Future Events: President Craig reminded members of the future club events.

Carrolup Collection … Sunday 22nd April at 2 pm NOTE DATE

Anniversary Dinner … Nedlands Golf Club on Monday 23rd April 2018; 

Sea Rescue … Monday 23rd April at 4 pm. 

Club Forum and Special General Meeting ... Monday 30th April 2018.

Wine tasting … CYC Friday 11th May 2018.

Greening Australia … 400 trees in Mosman Park on Friday 25th May 2018.

Dalkeith change-over dinner …  26th June 2018.

Business Lunch … 17th October 2018.

Close: He thanked the NGC staff Emma and Marco, and Cupid Caterers Mandy and Sandy. He acknowledged Sponsors Lizzie Bee Florists, Butler Settineri (Club Auditors), Paragon Consultants (Charitable Trust Auditors) and PSZ Accounting (Charitable Trust software).

President Craig thanked our guest Anita for attending the meeting and expressed the hope she will return.

He called on members to recognise RI President Ian Riseley’s Presidential theme for the year, Rotary Making a Difference.

Members were asked to acknowledge the Flag.

Author: Tom Kendall