President Leon Lorenzen opened the meeting at 6.30 pm.
Welcome to our guest PDG Dr Pushpa Pushpalingam.
The meeting was opened by singing the National Anthem.
(The rendition only just got a pass so no need for extra rehearsals THIS WEEK but be aware that it was marginal. As one wag put it, we’ve sung worse.)
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
In the Rotary Down Under July - August magazine, an article reports that the E Club of Australian Rotary Nomads raises funds annually for Rotary's fight to eradicate polio. What are the two drawcards of this Easter event?
Answer: The largest collection of rhododendrons in one garden in the world and the Great Australian Gnome Convention.
Correctly answered by Richard Gorham.
CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
• Business lunch – The Business Lunch will be held on Friday, 4 September 2026, at the Royal Perth Golf Club. This year’s speaker is Professor Jacques Eksteen, talking about critical minerals and metals. A flyer has been sent out about it to all members, please get your tables together and let John Bolto or John MacKinnon know names and numbers, thank you.
• Football tipping – John Bolto reported on the pointy end of the competition, two Bruces (McKracken and Fiegert) continue to lead the Club competition, with MJ Lindquist jumping into third place by her nine out of nine tipping last weekend, which also accomplished by John Mackinnon and John Hopkins too.
• Subistrand – John Bolto advised that there will be another opportunity to help with this pollinator garden project in early August. Please let John know if you are able to assist on rjbolto@gmail.com
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: The following birthdays were announced by Stephanie Fryer-Smith:
Members’ birthdays
Jock Laurie 84 years old on 18 July 2026
David Miller 74 years old on 18 July 2026
Pek Goh 82 years old on 19 July 2026
Anniversaries
David and Tanya Ellis 43 years on 14 July 2026
Anita and John Bourke 45 years on 16 July 2026
ROTARY MOMENTS:
• Resignation – Ann Bray has resigned from the Club as she has too many orchestra commitments and no one who can support her with the administration of MetSO, which rehearses at this time on Monday evenings. We are grateful for Ann’s contributions to the Club, especially organising the volunteers for the Science and Engineering Challenge this year, and we hope she will be able to attend a meeting in the future as a guest.
ACTING SERGEANT JILL SESSION:
The following members were fined:
· Birthday boys Pek Goh and Jock Laurie;
· Anita Bourke and David Ellis for their wedding anniversaries, congratulations (not to each other, in case you were wondering, but to John and Tanya respectively);
· Leighton Chadwick for becoming a member of the best Rotary Club;
· President Leon for stepping up to become President and turning up this week to the meeting;
· Ross Mackellar and Paul Kestell for their fashion sense in complimenting the Acting Sergeant’s coat;
· Peter Panek, Bob Davis, Lindsay Dry and Neil Wilkie for their colourful jumpers.
CLUB FORUM:
· President Leon raised three main issues:
Ø the first was to advise members that the golf club needs a minimum of 30 paying guests each week, any time that number drops below 30, then the Club has to pay for the extra dinners;
Ø the need to increase membership in the Club;
Ø whether a change of format for the Club meetings would assist with the first two issues.
· A discussion was held about the six different formats that a Club can have. Ours is a traditional-style Club that may not appeal to younger people.
· As our membership ages, we have an urgent need to increase our membership base. This is critical for the survival of the Club.
· A member advised that the Rotary Club of Crawley meets twice a month, once at a breakfast event and once as a dinner at St Catherine’s College.
· It was suggested that the meetings be reduced to once a fortnight. Maybe one meeting could be drinks and dinner every second week. Perhaps the evening may be changed from a Monday or to a different time of the day.
· Would all members who would like to make a comment please email President Leon at leon.lorenzen@iinet.net.au at your earliest convenience, especially with suggestions of how to increase membership and what format of meeting you prefer.
REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS:
Monday 20 July 2026 – David Miller, Golf Day raising funds for Angelman Syndrome Foundation.
Monday 27 July 2026 - Paul Parizel, WA National Imaging Facility.
Monday 3 August 2026 - Julia Spark, ROMAC.
ROSTER:
Monday 20 July 2026
Susie Rich Welcoming members and guests
Peter Panek Table duty
David Miller Registrar 1
Anthony McGrath Registrar 2
John Linquist Introduction of guest speaker
Kent Warburton Pass the microphone
THANKS:
Thanks to the Staff of the Nedlands Golf Club, Shino and Joel, for their service tonight, and to 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 Leon closed the meeting by recognising the Rotary International presidential theme for 2026-27 "CREATE LASTING IMPACT"
