Meeting Notes 19th February 2018 - Rebecca Tolstoy (Mar 14, 2018)

President Craig James welcomed Rotarians and guests to the Rotary Club of Dalkeith, “the home of Rotary District 9455”.

He welcomed Rebecca Tolstoy from the Rotary Club of Perth who will speak to us again tonight on Path of Hope a Rotary Project she has been personally leading since 2014.

Path of Hope is a partnership between the Salvation Army and Rotary directed to breaking the cycle of domestic violence;

Empowering women and children to take control of their lives
Raising community awareness to reduce the prevalence of domestic violence.

A special welcome to Natalie Everett freshly returned from the 2018 National Youth Science Forum and to Aaron Duncombe here tonight representing the Rotaract Club of Perth.

President Craig issued a warm welcome to Nedlands President Peter Jeanes and the other members of the Rotary Club of Nedlands. For those not aware the Rotary Club of Nedlands is Dalkeith’s sponsoring or mother Club, so tonight is akin to having our parents around for dinner.

I invite President Peter to regale us with stories of when this Club was a youngster.

President Craig asked members and guests to sing the anthem. John Thornton announced the members will begin learning the second verse of the national anthem.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross

We'll toil with hearts and hands;

To make this Commonwealth of ours

Renowned of all the lands;

For those who've come across the seas

We've boundless plains to share;

With courage let us all combine

To Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,

Advance Australia Fair.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Members of Rotary Club of Nedlands present briefly introduced themselves. They were: Irene Tan, Chris Richardson, Charlotte Solomon, Melissa Roosendaal, Barry Ryall, Neville Blessing, PDG Don Hopkins, Amanda McKnight, Sergeant Andrew Baird, President Peter Jeanes.

President Craig introduced Aaron Duncombe from Rotary Club of Elizabeth Quay and here tonight as an emissary ot Rotaract Perth.

President Craig introduced Rotarian John Garland and Path of Hope Event Organiser Steve Smith.

Leon Lorenzen introduced his guest Dr Marc Saupin

Kim Smith introduced Natalie Everett, our 2018 NYSF attendee, and also her parents Paula and Ken Everett.

David Ellis introduced soon to be member Paul Napper.

Apologies and LOA: There were 15 apologies; There should be 39 members present.

Question of the Week:

The question for this week was read by President Craig:

Question: Q. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in modern China, and one of the Lunar New Years in Asia, is an important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

The date of Chinese New Year in 2018 is on Friday, February 16th. What animal is associated with the 2018 Chinese Year?

Answer: The Dog – specifically the Earth Dog

Answered by: Tom Kendall.

Family and Friends Announcements:

Chris Cole announced that his wife’s cousin’s son, Steve Plain, who is undertaking a world record attempt to climb the 7 major mountains in the world in 4 months ( project7in4.com) was proceeding well and he had now climbed 3 mountains namely Mt Vinson in Antartica, Mt Aconcagua in Argentina and just recently Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He was now on his way to do the remaining 4, culminating in Mt Everest. He is also raising money for charity with proceeds going to Spinal Cure and the Cottesloe SLC, as he had previously broken his neck in a surfing accident and through their care they helped him fully recover and enabling him to do undertake this amazing challenge.

Special Announcements:

NYSF attendee Natalie gave a short speech Natalie Everett delivered a lovely speech reflecting her joy and gratitude for attending the NYSF and your scribe cannot put it better than she did herself, so it is below:

“Good Evening, I am very happy to be back here to report back on my time at National Youth Science Forum. I spent two weeks in Canberra early in January, and I can safely say that it was among the best two weeks of my life.

We had the amazing opportunity to sit in on a video conference with a scientist from CERN in Switzerland. We also visited the Deep Space Communications Complex, which is the Australian equivalent of NASA, and is where the world received the first communications from the moon when Neil Armstrong landed on the 20th July 1969.

We were introduced to some of the amazing maths and science facilities at the ANU campus. We had a lecture in applying one of Euler’s Principles to geometric calculus, saw nano-bubbles being created. My favourite was seeing how scientists, using between 5,000 and 50, 000 X-rays of an object, can construct super high definition computer models of the object, and later 3D print an identical replica. This technology can be used to study arthritic joints, how they degenerate, and what can be done to treat them, as well as scanning historically and culturally significant artefacts, preserving them perfectly forever, and giving scientists the ability to make multiple copies to distribute and share around the globe.

We also attended a Rotary and NYSF Alumni Event, where we listened to a number of inspirational people talk about their lives, and how NYSF had benefited them, as well as talks by partners of NYSF, and some universities. These talks were very eye-opening in regards to the multitude of careers available across all STEM fields, and all the exciting developments you can be involved in. STEM is such a rapidly growing field that the potentials are limitless.

We later had a speed dating session with a number of professionals where we had 7 minutes with each person to bombard them with questions. These were extremely beneficial as us students directed the conversations, and so got information that was relevant to us as individuals. We had a particularly interesting conversation with a gentleman from the Department of Defence, who we were pretty certain is a spy.

In amongst all the science and learning that was occurring, I met so many like-minded people and made some amazing friends. It was a great opportunity to practice striking up conversations and chatting to the strangers around you until there were no strangers left, and everyone was a friendly face. The whole experience has made me so excited for University, and while I’m still not sure what I want to study, or even where I want to study, I know that when I decide, it will be in the maths/science field and that NYSF will have played a substantial role in shaping my decision.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all again for making this trip possible for me. I am honoured that you deemed me worthy of this amazing experience, and I tried to make the most of every opportunity that presented itself. I enjoyed the experience so much I to return next year as a student staff member. I will definitely be encouraging many girls at my school to apply for the next forum, as I believe that National Youth Science Forum is an invaluable experience that will change their lives for the better, and so you might see some more applications from PLC next year. Thank you, and goodnight.”

Aaron Duncombe an emissary from the Rotaract Club of Perth provided an update on Rotaract activities in relation to the Perth Homeless Support Group. He encouraged members to support this activity if their businesses or homes have materials that may be of value to the group. He encouraged members to support the Masquerade Charity Ball for Perth Homeless Support Group on March 11th. Tickets can be purchased online for $150:

Tickets include canapés on arrival, dinner and dessert, a four-hour drinks package (beer, wine and soft drink) and some quality entertainment!

Peter Jeanes gave some history of the birth of Dalkeith club. He observed that Rotary Club of Dalkeith is the “daughter club” of Rotary Club of Nedlands, but he was unsure why. He also noted a number of distinguished former members of Nedlands currently rejoice in Dalkeith membership.

Birthdays and Anniversaries: Bob Davis announced the birthdays and anniversaries as follows:

Mon, 19 Feb - Brian English's Birthday

Fri, 23 Feb - Tom Kendall's Birthday

Fri, 23 Feb – Paul Nappers Birthday

Sat, 24 Feb - Margaret Dienhoff's Birthday

Sat, 24 Feb - John Murdoch will have served our Rotary club for 4 years

Wed, 28 Feb - Tom and Penny Langley will be celebrating 50 years of Marriage.

Club Announcements:

Members Attendance: 66% attendance – 39 members present.

Charitable Trust: (Russell Hawkins): no report

Club Secretary’s Report (Trevor Gorey): no report

Club Treasurer’s Report (Anthony McGrath):

No report.

District Conference 2018 Report:

The website to book is … http://www.rotaryconference9455.org.au/ticketing

Club Service: (John Bolto/John Murdoch): John noted UWA was still chasing mentors if any members were interested.

Community Service: (David Miller/Steve Halbert): Golf Day reminder.

Vocational Service: (Peter Marfleet/Kevin Jackson):

There are still opportunities for the Carrolup Collection.

Sunday 15th April 2pm … John Curtin Art Gallery A guided viewing of the Carrolup Collection and a sumptuous afternoon tea (complimentary) with Curator Chris Malcolm. There will also be a visit to the Aboriginal Studies building to look at the spectacular mosaic floor.

Foundation and International Service: (Ken Ilett/Gary Dienhoff): International dinner on 26th Feb.

Public Relations: (Peter Robertson/Albert Deda): No report.

Membership: (David Ellis/David Smith): No report.

Youth: (Kim Smith/Leon Lorenzen): No report.

Sergeant: Sergeant Peter Panek, Sergeant Andrew Baird and corporals Bruce Jeanes and Steve Halbert.

There was celebration of birthdays, anniversaries, the universal wine table, departure tax, arrivals tax, club service celebration.

Guest Speaker:

Bob Davis introduced Rebecca Tolstoy, a proud Rotarian, who attained a double degree in Accounting and Human Resources from Murdoch University in 2006. She runs a boutique Accounting Practice and has more than 24years of business experience.

Rebecca is Chair, Co-Founder and Director of the Path of Hope Foundation; a joint venture between Rotary and The Salvation Army.

As Chair and Director of the Foundation, she provides strategic vision and facilitates the formal collaboration between Rotary and The Salvation Army worldwide.

Rebecca stressed the impact YOU Rotarians in District 9455 are having GLOBALLY is ENORMOUS, by empowering women, children and families and bringing HOPE. This hope will ripple through many generations to come.

Path of hope started with one club and one Salvation Army refuge center for women and children escaping family domestic violence. It is now going global. It is based on the donation of services not money and will be replicated around the world.

President Craig thanked Rebecca for her enthusiastic and enlightening address to members and congratulated her upon her success in promoting Rotary around the world. He gave her a Rotary fruitcake as a token of our appreciation.

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

25th Feb and 11th March Rotary Learning

International Dinner next Monday: 26th February 2018.

Super Tuesday bike count. 6th March 2018

Golf Day … Friday 23rd March 2018

District Conference … 6-8 April 2018.

Anniversary Dinner … Nedlands Rugby club on Monday 23rd April 2018;

Wine tasting … CYC Friday 11th May 2018

Greening Australia … 1,000 trees in Mosman Park on Saturday 26th May 2018.

Business Lunch … 17th October 2018

Close: President Craig thanked Rebecca again for her address.

He thanked the NGC staff Denise, Emma, and Jordan, 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 the guests, Rebecca, President Peter and members of Nedlands, Rotarian John Garland, Paul, Natalie, Paula, Ken, Marc Saupin, and Aaron.

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