The planned evening Dinner meeting with District Governor, Pat Schraven, is on Monday June 22 at 6:15 for 6:30PM. The meeting is the DG's Official Visit, and it is a Joint Meeting with Rotary Club of Batavia Coast. Partners and Guests are very welcome to hear from our District Governor and learn more about Rotary and the initiatives in the world.
Board Meeting – was at Viki Fennell's Nexus Advisernet last Thursday night at 11 Askew St.
PP Geoff Wood with Paul Harris Fellowship presentation to Grant Woodhams who was not at changeover. Geoff noted that Grant was a great help to him and the Club during his year. This was a small but appropriate way to thank Grant for his commitment and Service. Grant, graciously and humbly, accepted the PHF and noted that he enjoyed working with Geoff who was very hardworking and worked tirelessly for Rotary.
Hugh also gave some info on the new ClubRunner app. Members are (strongly) encouraged to use the app - it has access to member's phone numbers and our Club Stories, amongst other things. ClubRunner Mobile App
PP Geoff Wood announced that 6yo Ollie has his electric tricycle! Ollie has limited mobility due to congenital heart disease and his face lit up as he “hooned” around on it! Ollie Carlyon bike presentation was news in the Guardian. A great example of Geoff Wood's leadership and work with Rotary.
We were (again) reminded of the joint evening meeting with the Batavia Club on July 22 with our District Governor, Pat Schraven travelling up from Perth. This will be a Dinner Meeting and Members are encouraged to bring their Partners and Friends along.
Sofia Underland, our new exchange student from Norway, arrives at the end of the month, with host families locked in except for Christmas and New Year.
Bob Symington promoted the importance of the Radio Auction (November 3, 2024). This is our primary fundraiser, and we all need to pitch in to get those pledges. [Pres Note] We are going well so far, more work to be done and we will be looking for some assistance.
Radio Auction update. Contact Jo Clarke, Russell McKinnon or Bob Symington for specific information. Bob has the pledge forms. We need another $30,000 to reach our target. Di Gilleland continues to work tirelessly for the Radio Auction even in absentia! Go Di! :-)
Our next Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student, Sofia Underland from Norway, has three host parents in place: (Kiera) Foster Family, (Raelene) Mariani Family and Zane (Chris Kerr) D'Mello Family. We need one, or two, more host family (mid December - mid- April) - contact Hugh sec.rcgg@iinet.net.au , if you can help.
Sofia is due to arrive in late July and will initially be hosted by the Foster Family (Kiera and Josh). Jo Clarke will be the Student Counsellor/Mentor. Please contact Hugh if you, or someone you know, is interested in Hosting for a 2–3-month period.
Hello, I am Sofia, and I am thrilled to be an exchange student in your community. In my free time I usually like to spend time with my friends and family, but I also think it's important to have some time alone with myself, whether I’m relaxing, doing personal care, or working out.
I like to use time on having a clean and organized room/workspace and getting things from a to-do list done, although this can quickly leave to having less time on other things, so I am currently trying to prioritize more of my time to other people as well.
I live in Ski, which I would describe as the perfect mix of town and city as itνs not too big and busy but still has a lot of things to offer. Ski is just a 30-minute drive or 20-minute trip with train from the capital city, Oslo.
Guest Speaker: Russell McKinnon (forgot to put his presentation on USB!) LOL
Has been a journalist for 55 years, mainly in the 'field of water polo.
He covered his first water polo game on July 27 1974, he recently covered his 5000th
He has coached, played and refereed (Over 10,000 matches including a World Final last year).
He has visited 67 cities covering water polo.
Russell is on the FINA press commission the world body of swimming and has written stories, taken photos and done interviews for the Olympics and World Swimming Championships.
He covers around four hundred games a year and regularly travels overseas in his role.
In the modern era, the majority of the games he covers are online, so he is able to work from Geraldton but often this means getting up in the middle of the night to watch the game and then write a story about it.
Getting accreditation to cover the Olympics is the most difficult task of all and this year he won't be going so he will have to do all his stories watching the coverage on his computer. (He's blown up five!)
Part of his swimming and water polo commitments include being on the International Hall of Fame for Swimming as well as the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.
His preference, obviously, is being poolside, although as he gets older it is a harder assignment going up and down stairs in the pool bleachers to grab over eighty quotes a tournament!
After so long in the business virtually everyone in the water polo world knows him.
In addition to Water Polo he also writes on and covers Rugby Union, Sailing, the Asian Games, the University Games. He edits and produces an Australian caravan magazine.
Questions:
Jo Clarke _ How many languages do you speak? Answer- two English and French.
Ian Taylor – Do you get time off? Answer- Not really.
Laurie Dines – What is a flash quote? Answer a poolside response from a player or coach to a game just held.
Geoff Wood – What is your communication like with your family? Answer refer to blowing up five computers!!
Barry Dring – Have you made any stuff ups? Answer – Yes, for example getting scores and winning teams wrong.
President Hugh Lavery, Sergeant at Arms Bob Urquhart.
Attendance: Hugh Lavery, Bob Urquhart, Laurie Dines, Ian Taylor, Russell McKinnon, Jim Dillon, Peter Sukiennik, Viki Fennell, Jo Clarke, Rob Mosel, Bob Symington, Terry Stewart, Geoff Wood, Grant Woodhams, Barry Dring.
Apologies: Don Rolston, Karen Godfrey, Kevin Green
Raffle with Bob Urquhart – winner Barry Dring, little ole wine drinker he.
Fines Session with Viki Fennell
Viki asks everyone to describe themselves in one word, for which the cost is a dollar... more words more dollars
Woodie thin – handsome
Doc T – large
Lozza D – Australian
Bob U – delegator
Huge – enthusiastic
Bob Symy – old
Rob Mos – different
Tezza Stew – older
Woodie XL- NAGA (or something like that!)
Dringie – lucky
Rusty – driven
James D – realistic
Suki – problem
Jo – short
Viki – international
Floor Fines (inc weddings, parties, anniversaries et al.)
Laurie Dines on Peter Sukiennik's driving skills with his Silverado.
Bob Urquhart's son's birthday
Jo Clarke's baby in now thirty three
Jim Dillon's parents are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary
Geoff Wood on Russell McKinnon's tech skills re USB
Hugh Lavery re Geoff Wood's photo in the newspaper re the Ollie Carlyon bike presentation.
Final reminders:
1) President Hugh has a roster of our commitments until the end of the year. Please look at it and make appropriate arrangements.
2) The District Governor is keen to promote regional areas. Be good to see as many people as possible next Monday night.
Apologies for not presenting in person. Thanks for getting zoom working to enable the sharing of the incoming World President Stephanie Urchick's address:
Hugh's message echoes Stephanie's in making our meetings irresistible and engaging. Have conversation, connect, learn and get involved in the Community. It is important that we become a more diverse membership.
Rotary International has recently developed an Action Plan for the future and it includes the following
EXPAND OUR REACH
As Rotarians, we’re committed to embracing and exemplifying diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in everything we do at Rotary. We have revised our DEI statement, which now reflects our stronger-than-ever commitment to being an organization that values, respects, and welcomes everyone who interacts with us. Now we’re developing a comprehensive plan of action with achievable, measurable, and meaningful DEI outcomes for Rotary. I strongly encourage you to read and follow Rotary’s new DEI Code of Conduct, which points the way to creating more just, open, and welcoming communities for all people.
In 1998 the Rotary Club of Geraldton (now Greater Geraldton) embarked on an ambitious journey to build a memorial on Mt Scott in Geraldton, dedicated to the 645 sailors lost at sea when the HMAS Sydney II was sunk off the Mid-West coast during World War II. The HMAS Sydney II Memorial is by far the largest and proudest project the RCG has undertaken.
Australia’s worst naval disaster occurred on 19 November 1941 when HMAS Sydney II was lost following a battle with the German raider HSK KORMORAN, in the Indian Ocean off the Western Australian coast. Geraldton was the last port visited prior to her demise. The loss of the SYDNEY with its full war complement of 645 sailors remains etched in the nations psyche. The KORMORAN was also sunk, but 317 of its crew of 397 survived. The fate of the Sydney remained one of Australia’s greatest wartime mysteries until the location of the wreck in 2008. “LEST WE FORGET”
PP Geoff Wood with Paul Harris Fellowship presentation to Grant Woodhams who was not at changeover. Geoff noted that Grant was a great help to him and the Club during his year. This was a small but appropriate way to thank Grant for his commitment and Service. Grant, graciously and humbly, accepted the PHF and noted that he enjoyed working with Geoff who was very hardworking and worked tirelessly for Rotary.
PP Geoff Wood announced that 6yo Ollie has his electric tricycle! Ollie has limited mobility due to congenital heart disease and his face lit up as he “hooned” around on it! Ollie Carlyon bike presentation was news in the Guardian. A great example of Geoff Wood's leadership and work with Rotary.
next Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student, Sofia Underland from Norway, has three host parents in place: (Kiera) Foster Family, (Raelene) Mariani Family and Zane (Chris Kerr) D'Mello Family. We need one, or two, more host family (mid December - mid- April) - contact Hugh 
Hello, I am Sofia, and I am thrilled to be an exchange student in your community. In my free time I usually like to spend time with my friends and family, but I also think it's important to have some time alone with myself, whether I’m relaxing, doing personal care, or working out. 
Guest Speaker: Russell McKinnon (forgot to put his presentation on USB!) LOL
His preference, obviously, is being poolside, although as he gets older it is a harder assignment going up and down stairs in the pool bleachers to grab over eighty quotes a tournament!
Fines Session with Viki Fennell
President Elect's Report - Hugh Lavery:
Australia’s worst naval disaster occurred on 19 November 1941 when HMAS Sydney II was lost following a battle with the German raider HSK KORMORAN, in the Indian Ocean off the Western Australian coast. Geraldton was the last port visited prior to her demise. The loss of the SYDNEY with its full war complement of 645 sailors remains etched in the nations psyche. The KORMORAN was also sunk, but 317 of its crew of 397 survived. The fate of the Sydney remained one of Australia’s greatest wartime mysteries until the location of the wreck in 2008.
