Weekly meeting highlights 10th and 17th September

Rotary Meeting – 10 September 2025

Meeting Details

The Rotary meeting took place at the Geraldton Golf Club, Place Road, Geraldton, commencing at 7am. The meeting was presided over by President Hugh Lavery, with Sergeant Bob Urquhart fulfilling the role of Sergeant-at-Arms. Bob Urquhart also delivered the invocation and proposed the toast.

Attendance

Members present included Anthony Ambrose, Barry Dring, Dave Freeman, Hugh Lavery, Russell McKinnon, Rob Mosel, Don Rolston, Peter Sukiennik, Bob Urquhart, Grant Woodhams, Kim Wann, Terry Stewart, and Jim Dillon.

Guests and Apologies

Guests for the morning were Andrew Dare from the Rotary Club of Deloraine (Tasmania), Kelly Bennett (Ibex host mother), and Esther Rosa-Barbosa (Ibex exchange student from Brazil). Apologies were received from Kevin Green, Bob Symington, Ian Taylor, Bob Hall, and Di Gilleland.

Announcements

From President Hugh Lavery

  • Eight members attended the Shirley McKinnon leadership course last night, with hopes for even greater attendance next week. Participation remains open to those interested.
  • The Four Way Speaking Competition for Year 10 students will have its final at Geraldton Grammar School on Saturday, 20th September. Notably, one Perth club has declined to attend due to travel distance, despite regional clubs travelling to Perth for over 30 years. Discounted airfares are available through Nexus. The District Governor and Fred Marsh, the originator of the competition in WA, will be present. Batavia Coast Rotarian Clark Scarff is coaching Geraldton entrant Aaysha King, who will address the club next Wednesday. Volunteers from the club are needed to assist with timing and tallying adjudication sheets. Hugh will circulate a proposal for the RCGG Board to endorse a $1,000 contribution to help manage competition costs. The District’s response to funding support has been disappointing, as they have indicated no available budget. Hugh will attend a GGS assembly on Monday, 22nd September to make a presentation.

From Peter Sukiennik

  • The Landor race meeting is scheduled for 3rd October. All arrangements are in place, though additional helpers would be appreciated. Emails will be sent to those on Peter's list regarding road conditions and other relevant details. The event is a full TAB meeting and is expected to draw around 1,400 attendees. The club will operate the bar and will receive $20,000 for its involvement.

Further Announcements

  • President Hugh Lavery informed members that Rotarian Geoff Watson’s funeral will be held this morning at 10am at the crematorium.
  • Grant Woodhams has volunteered to assist with counting e-bikes, e-scooters, and bikes in Geraldton. His contribution will result in a cash donation to the club.

Thought for the Day

Barry Dring spoke on the global issue of gambling, noting that $1 million is gambled every hour. He recounted an anecdote from his time with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), describing an occasion when they landed at a remote cattle station and amusingly found four cows playing poker and smoking marijuana—the "steaks" were high.

Inbound Exchange Student Report

Esther Rosa Barbosa shared that she has been so busy with activities there has been no time for homesickness. She attended her first party with school friends, which she described as "cool", and is heading to Mullewa this week.

Guest Speaker: Andrew Dare (Rotary Club of Deloraine, Tasmania)

Andrew Dare, a former President of his club for the past two years, spoke about the personal growth that comes from holding such a position. He recommended taking on the role to other Rotarians. Andrew migrated to Tasmania from Victoria in 1990. Originally an electrical contractor, he transitioned into the hospitality industry, running a guest house. He admitted to initial fears, particularly around preparing "hamburgers the lot" without meat or bacon, which he described as a trial by fire. He also mentioned his early paranoia about theft at the guest house, but found that giving lollies to children fostered goodwill and reduced incidents of stealing. Eventually, due to the financial strain of running the guest house, he returned to his trade as an electrician.
 
Currently, Andrew manages a company with seventeen employees and is involved with seventy dairies in Northern Tasmania, some of which are robotic dairies. He has recently obtained accreditation for solar battery installation. Andrew intends to keep working for a few more years before transitioning into retirement, acknowledging the challenge of making that transition.
 
His Rotary club’s major fundraiser is participation in the Northern Tasmanian Craft Fair, which spans eight venues and requires the hiring of volunteers. The club has also engaged an external manager for the Fair, which is held on the first weekend in November. The club currently has thirty-six members, twenty of whom are active, with some members in their eighties.
 
During the Q&A, Bob Urquhart inquired whether Andrew had walked the ninety-kilometre Cradle Mountain track—an experience Bob had when he was thirty. Andrew replied that his knees are now in poor condition and will need replacement. He also noted that walkers must now register for the track due to significant safety concerns related to weather in that region.

Further Club Announcements

President Hugh Lavery announced that the RCGG will soon hold a recruitment and membership meeting for potential new members. Members were encouraged to watch for further updates.

Raffle

Dave Freeman drew the Two of Diamonds and took home the Rotary Cake. Members were reminded that Rotary Cakes are available for purchase at every meeting for $20 each, making them both a delicious treat and a great gift.

Fines Session

Sergeant Bob Urquhart led the fines session, calling upon anyone with an anniversary of any kind. Russell McKinnon read from a long list of members with anniversaries. Additionally, fines were levied on Grant Woodhams, Hugh Lavery, Barry Dring, Bob Urquhart, Terry Stewart, Peter Sukiennik, and "Magic" Wann, who admitted to celebrating his birthday the previous Saturday. Guest Andrew Dare contributed some foreign cash, while Anthony Ambrose bought the box as he needed to leave for school.
 

Rotary Club Meeting – 17 September 2025

Meeting Details: The Rotary Club convened at the Geraldton Golf Club, Place Rd, Geraldton, with proceedings commencing at 7:00 AM.
Presiding Officers:
  • President: Hugh Lavery
  • Sergeant: Bob Urquhart
Invocation and Toast: Delivered by Grant Woodhams.
Attendance: Members present included Hugh Lavery, Russell McKinnon, Robert Mosel, Don Rolston, Peter Sukiennik, Robert Urquhart, Grant Woodhams, Terry Stewart, and David Freeman.
Guests: Clark Scarff (Rotary Club Batavia Coast), Donna Hope (Head of English, Geraldton Grammar School), and Aaysha King (4WSC competitor, Geraldton Grammar School).
Apologies: Ian Taylor, Bob Hall, Kevin Green, Robert Symington, and Di Gilleland.
President’s Announcements:
  • Thanks extended to Russell McKinnon for providing club photos for Club Runner.
  • Newsletter delayed this week due to focus on the 4WSC event.
  • Call for volunteers for the 4WSC event on Saturday night. Roles include: Grant Woodhams as MC/Chair, Bob Urquhart as timekeeper, plus additional tally keepers needed.
  • RYE student Esther is unwell and unable to attend; she will be guest speaker next week.
  • Second module of Shirley McKinnon’s leadership course was held the previous night.
  • Participation in Landor is organised for this year. Members are reminded to bring wood for campfires.
Thought for the Day: Clark Scarff shared, “Sometimes not getting what you want is a marvellous gift.”
 
Guest Speaker: Aaysha King presented a rehearsal of her 4WSC presentation on “Social Contagion.” Clark Scarff offered brief feedback following the presentation.  The rehearsal showed delightful improvement and it seems Aaysha will do well at the State Final.  Clarke complimented Aaysha as a quick learner and hard worker.
 
Leadership Exercise: An Example used at Rotary's Shirley McKinnon Practical Leadership course.  Led by President Hugh Lavery, members described the Rotary club as an animal:
  • Bob Urquhart – Cat
  • Peter Sukiennik – Rescue dog
  • Russell McKinnon – Elephant
  • Robert Mosel – Chrysalis
  • Terry Stewart – Warthog
  • Grant Woodhams – Old labrador dog
 
Caption: Participants at the Leadership Course.
 
Raffle: Won by Hugh Lavery, drawing the Queen of Hearts. Rotary cakes remain available for purchase at $20 each.
Fines Session: Sergeant Bob Urquhart oversaw fines for the following:
  • Peter Sukiennik – On the renaming of Docklands Stadium to Wurundjeri.
  • Hugh Lavery – Missing his name badge.
  • Dave Freeman – Wearing someone else's name badge.
  • Russell McKinnon – Always first to breakfast.
  • Recognition of weddings, parties, and anniversaries.
  • Hugh Lavery – Has not amended members' details in Club Runner.
  • Peter Sukiennik – Purchases the box, referencing “dear old Collingwood for ever.”
  • Grant Woodhams – Purchases the box and will be absent until the end of October.