President Jason van Straalen opened the meeting at 6.30 pm on 16 August 2021.
John Thornton may be able to assist us tonight in singing a chorus of Advance Australia Fair. Pretty good job!
WELCOME to our SPEAKER and GUESTS:
Our guest speaker tonight is Graeme Marshall, AFP who will address us on the very important subject of Child Exploitation in the Philippines.
Our other guests tonight.
- Walter Ong
- Marion Cahif
- Carmen Tutor
Welcome, all!
APOLOGIES & LOA:
We have 14 Apologies & Honorary, 11 LOA plus 4 guests hence around 38 people are in attendance tonight.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Q: Perth once had a number of well-‐known family department stores.
What store now stands on the site of the former Aherns store?
A: David Jones
Correctly answered first time by Peter Webb.
FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
Any Rotarian who has news they would like to share regarding Family or Friends?
No news was forthcoming.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES: (Richard Ranshaw)
Member’s Birthday
- John Thornton OAM - 22 Aug
Partner’s Birthday
- Sue Jeanes - 19 Aug
- June Wilkie - 22 Aug
Anniversaries
CLUB AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Charitable Trust: (Russell Hawkins)
Nil.
Secretary: (Craig James)
Board Meeting tonight at John Bolto’s place.
Treasurer: (Leon Lorenzen)
Nil.
Club Service: (John Murdoch)
Nil.
Community Service: (Anthony McGrath)
The Raffle is being drawn tonight! Thank you to all involved it has been a very good event in which just about all members have been involved. We will have raised around $12,000 which is a wonderful outcome. A big thank you!
International Service: (Michael Bissett)
Nil.
Public Image: (Peter Robertson)
Nil.
Membership and New Members: ( John Bolto)
Nil.
Environment: (John Bolto)
Nil.
Youth: (Kim Smith)
Nil.
Other Announcements:
- Footy Tipping Round 21 - Laurence Bartell 6 wins & margin of 3.
Round 22 - Mary Warburton 8 wins & margin 24.
- Leaders – Damon Brash (126 / 580), Andrew Hogan (126 / 631), Craig James (125 / 631), & Kent Warburton (125 / 634), Mathew Bolto (124 / 524) & David Ellis (124 / 616).
THE ROTARY CLUB OF DALKEITH RAFFLE DRAW: (Anthony McGrath)
Pres Jason invited Anthony McGrath to preside over our RAFFLE Draw.
Thank you especially to those of you that have provided such great prizes. Your generosity is very much appreciated. Thank you to all of you for selling tickets, buying tickets and promoting the Raffle. It has been a great success in these difficult fund-raising times. THANK YOU.
The Prizes;
All prizes are one-week accommodation in a brilliant Down South holiday home,
in Sept, Oct or Nov 2021 (as agreed with the owner).
The Tickets were drawn by Mr Graeme Marshall, AFP Superintendent and our Guest Speaker tonight.
- 1st Prize: 4 Ella Gladstone Drive, Eagle Bay.
Winner: Tix No 0044 Cherry Martin, Dalkeith
- 2nd Prize: 7 Mercator Way, Eagle Bay.
Winner: Tix No. 0748 Veronica D’Souza, (Sold by Tony Chien)
- 3rd Prize: Bayshore Beachside Resort Quindalup.
Winner: Tix No. 0669 Kevin Jackson, Dalkeith.
Congratulations to our winners!
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: (Jason van Straalen)
- Rotary Club of Heirisson - Charity Auction Dinner
21st August 2021 at Beaumonde on the Point supporting a number of Charities.
- Rotary Club of Crawley - Year 10 Final 4-way speaking contest
25 August 2021 5:30 pm at UWA Club.
- Over the past couple of weeks, we have had a number of Members either not making an apology or doing this late. As such, we have been charged for meals. In the future, “no-shows” without a timely apology will be invoiced for dinner fees. Sorry, but we cannot keep making a loss.
SERGEANT’S SESSION: (Jon Steward )
Fines meted out by our Sergeant included.
- Wine table, Anthony McGrath, Peter Webb & Kent W.
- John Thornton - Birthday.
- Bruce Jeanes for his wife’s birthday.
- Eagle supporters.
- Richard Ranshaw - Making Bob Davis do his job!
- Pres Jason - Parking in the Lady President’s Bay & thus denying Russell from doing this.
- Russell Hawkins - something?
- John Hopkin -?
- David Ellis - No show.
- Kim Smith - No-show.
- Kevin Jackson - Raffle Winner.
GUEST SPEAKER: (Graeme Marshal - Aust Federal Police)
John Hopkins introduced our Guest Speaker Mr Graeme Marshal AFP who will talk about Child Exploitation in the Philippines and how we are assisting to stop these crimes.
CV attached. Graeme has been with the AFP for 26 years. Currently, he is the Superintendent of Western Command.
Graeme started by admitting that it is a very challenging topic, but we need to know about this.
He has recently returned from the Philippines having served there for over 3.5 years in child protection. In Australia, we have enacted some federal laws that have significantly changed and strengthened our fight against child exploitation. The AFP have very good relationships with 44 countries throughout the World. The AFP has been in working with the Philippines for over 35 years.
From a law enforcement perspective, the Philippines has many challenges. Their laws inadvertently protect perpetrators, and their legal system is compromised by a lack of Police powers. For example, it is very difficult to get a search warrant and Judges are unfamiliar with Child protection matters and are over-stretched. Trials may run for 6 years - one day a month!
However, the Philippines recognises that they have a problem. They have increased resources and have reformed some laws, but they are still a global epicentre for child exploitation.
Graeme was in the Philippines from 2018 and created a hub - Raheli. Co-operation gets results and protects more children. They have had some significant successes. In Feb 2019 they established the Philippines child protection group with close collaboration. Over 400 children were saved. 18 convictions but more importantly it disrupts the global distribution network.
It is significantly better than before Graeme arrived. Other things that they do;
- Supports victims
- Child-friendly interview room (provided by Aust)
- A delegation from the Philippines has visited Australia and this has been hugely beneficial
- Australia has funded some prosecutions in the Philippines.
The impact of Covid 19 has made things worse. Child exploitation images have increased.
Graeme showed an educational video which was very confronting stuff. In 2018 at least 600,000 images came from the Philippines.
Some people/children never get over the abuse. From his 3.5 years, Graeme knows his work saved/rescued at least 400 children. This is why he got up in the morning!
Thank you.
Pres Jason thanked Graeme for his informative, thought-provoking although confronting talk. He was presented with a lovely Rotary fruit!
REMINDER OF COMING EVENTS : (Pres Jason van Straalen)
- 23rd August 2021 - Club Forum
- 30th August 2021 - Susan Watson - Life Talk
- 6th September 2021 - Mark Hatfield CEO Chevron - Visitors / Partners night.
THANKS TO:
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Thank you to the Staff of the Nedlands Golf Club. Thanks to on-Par Catering for a fine meal.
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RECOGNISE OUR VERY GENEROUS SPONSORS:
- Lizzy Bee-supplier of flowers
- Butler Settineri – Hon Club Auditors
- Paragon Consultants -Our Foundation’s Auditors
- Accura Accounting & Advisory Services for providing Xero Accounting software and
Sharesight Portfolio reporting software to the Charitable Trust.
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MEETING CLOSE:
Recognise RI President’s Shekar Mehta’s Presidential theme for the year "Serve to Change Lives " and acknowledge The Flag.
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Minutes: Anthony McGrath
Q of W: Tom Langley
Editor: Tom Langley
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