Simon Hunn talked about his great-grandfather, Sir JJ Talbot Hobbs, an architect, and an exceptional soldier. Joseph John Talbot Hobbs was born in London in 1864. He was 'articled' to John Hurst who was a carpenter, builder, and wheelwright. Hobbs emigrated with the Hurst family to Western Australia in 1886 on board the SS Australind. He joined the volunteer military corps at the Pensioners' Barracks soon after he arrived and set himself up as an architect. He married Edith Hurst in 1890 at St George's Cathedral. His success in the competition for the design of the Weld Club in 1891 began a series of commissions for important buildings, both public and private, in Perth and Fremantle. Other buildings designed by Hobbs still standing in Perth include the Windsor Hotel, St George's College Chapel, Christ Church in Claremont, and Manners Hill Park Pavilion, to name just a few. He designed over 700 buildings throughout Perth and Western Australia.
On the outbreak of war in 1914, Hobbs was given command of the artillery of the 1st Division, Australian Imperial Force. He landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. His son, Mervyn, also landed that day and both survived this fateful day and the months ahead. Hobbs was evacuated from Gallipoli in November 1915 and sent in 1916 to France. In April 1918 Hobbs was instrumental in the battle of Villers-Bretonneux in France where the Germans were defeated and Amiens, the last bastion before Paris, was held. Talbot Hobbs chose the site at Villers-Bretonneux for the national memorial to Australian soldiers fighting in France and chose other memorial sites throughout Europe. In April 1938 Hobbs left for France with his wife and daughter to attend the unveiling of the Australian war memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, the competition for which he had adjudicated. He suffered a heart attack at sea and died on 21 April, aged 73. Thank you to Simon for introducing us to this fascinating man.
This a reminder that nominations for election to membership of the 2023/2024 RCD Board close on Monday 12 December 2022.
President;
President Nominee/Elect (to take office as President on 1 July 2024);
Secretary;
Treasurer;
Director Club Services;
Director Vocational Services;
Director Community Services;
Director International Services;
Director Youth (New Generations) Services;
Director Public Image:
Director Membership:
Director Environment.
Please do not hesitate. Consistent with the Rotary motto, it has been customary (and rewarding) for RCD members to participate as a member of the Club's Board during their term of Active Membership.
Club’s AGM on 19 December 2022 at 1830.
RECOGNISE OUR VERY GENEROUS SPONSORS:
Lizzi Bee-supplier of flowers
Dry Kirkness Chartered Accountants (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.
MEETING CLOSE:
Recognise RI President Jennifer Jones’ Presidential theme for the year. "Imagine Rotary "
“We all have dreams but acting on them is a choice. Imagine a world that deserves our best,
where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference.”
