Rotary Newsletter -September 3rd - The RCGG Breeze (Sep 08, 2025)

Weekly Meeting Highlights September 3rd 2025

Rotary Greater Geraldton Meeting 03/09/2025

Geraldton Golf Club, 30 Pass Street, Geraldton 7am

President Hugh Lavery

Sgt Bob Urquhart

Invocation and Toast - Don Rolston

Prayer and a minute’s silence for Geoff Watson, a founder/charter member of the old Geraldton-Greenough Club, who passed away last weekend.

Attendance:

Rotarians: Barry Dring, Kevin Green, Hugh Lavery, Russell McKinnon, Peter Moore, Robert Mosel, Don Rolston, Robert Symington, Robert Urquhart, Grant Woodhams, Ian Taylor, Jim Dillon, Terry Stewart, Clark Scarff (visiting from Batavia Coast)

Guests: Esther Barbosa Rosa- (IBEX); Donna Hope (Head of English at Geraldton Grammar School), Aaysha King (Yr 10 student Geraldton Grammar School), Hayley Sullivan (Aaysha's mother).

President Hugh Lavery-

"Unite for Good" is our new Rotary message.

Announcements:

President Hugh Lavery:

Rotary Four-Way Test Public Speaking Competition, WA originator PDG Fred Marsh will be coming to Geraldton for the State Final on 20 Sept at Batavia Hall, Geraldton Grammar School. Russell McKinnon has offered to home-host Fred.

Hugh Lavery - Outlines this morning's Club Heat and Regional Semi-Final of Four Way Speaking Competition. Aaysha King is the competitor. Clark Scarff will provide a critique of Aaysha's presentation. Grant Woodhams and Hugh Lavery will adjudicate. See Guest Speaker below.

The State Final of the competition will be held at Geraldton Grammar School on Saturday September 20th starting at 5.30. All welcome. See attached Poster with booking details.

Peter Moore - Bicycles for Humanity is struggling financially with B4H members spending their own money to keep the operation working. Can Rotary help out? Peter has contributions (a Scooter and & a pair of roller skates) for our Radio Auction.

Peter Sukiennik says Landor races are still looking for volunteers. Contact Peter if you want to be involved. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14KAKTtoute/

Rotary Youth Exchange - Still seeking Host Families for Autumn and Winter placements in 2026. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please contact President Hugh. Rotary International has found that Families who have hosted previously are often the most successful for finding new Host Families. Please discuss with your friends and families.

Shirley McKinnon's leadership course starts on Tuesday September 9th and runs every Tuesday Evening for four weeks. You can register via Trybooking. Register for Leadership Course

Course Dates have changed to TUESDAY Evenings 9, 16, 23, 30 September at 5:30-7:00 PM. It will still be at the Geraldton Golf Club )

Di Gilleland

Radio Auction update. Waiting for more pledges to be registered. Current tally is $57 k. Tks again to Barry Dring for his work. Tony Ambrose suggests we should get a stall at the Sunday markets. Tony to follow up on this.

Bob Symington -We need to make public aware that the RA is on. We have some excellent donations eg. $5,000 Broome package.

Barry Dring - Has a big list of businesses that haven't been approached eg. Chemist Warehouse, Gage Roads Brewing, Prouds Jewellers, Sports First. Contact Barry for list.

"If you don't ask you don't get!"

Esther (Brazil)

Esther (Brazil) - Looking resplendent !

IBEx report with Esther Rosa-Barbosa from Brazil:

Esther has been surfing but needs more practice!

For the last week she has been staying with the Knight family who have four girls.

It is very different as Esther is an only child. It is all part of the experience she says.

"Guest Speaker" - Aaysha King -Year 10

Geraldton Grammar School

Aaysha presented her topic, "Social Contagion: How Social Media Affects Adolescent Behaviour."

(No notes on her talk as Grant W was busy observing/adjudicating )

Regional Semi-Final & Club Heat - Rotary Four-Way Test Public Speaking Competition 2025

Aaysha King presenting her Speech

Aaysha receiving her Certificate as Winner of the Regional Semi-Final

Esther Rosa (Brazil) with Aaysha King

Donna King (Head of English), Aaysha and Clark Scarff

Aaysha with Mum Hayley

Clark Scarff, Donna Hope, Hayley Sullivan, Aaysha, Hugh Lavery

Clark Scarff's critique describes Aaysha as an excellent presenter and gives her some advice on preparing for the State Final. Hugh Lavery summarises the adjudication and his information complements Clark's. Aaysha’s presentation easily qualifies her as the Winner of the Regional Semi-Final and as Geraldton's representative in the upcoming State Final.

Fines Session with Sgt Bob Urquhart:

Raffle: Rob Mosel wins the Rotary Cake with his number 57! BTW Rotary Cakes are for sale at $20 ea. Ironically one needs to see Treasurer Mosel to purchase one!

Fines Session conducted by Sgt Urquhart:

Barry Dring stole someone's coffee on arrival.

Bob Urquhart went to Dirk Hartog Island made sure his wife Julie fell and injured herself.

Peter Moore asking for B4H funds

Terry Stewart arrived at our meeting on time.

Russ McKinnon first to breakfast.

Anyone not wearing name badges.

Anyone without other Rotary paraphernalia.

Anniversaries - Barry Dring, Grant Woodhams, Russ McKinnon and Ian Taylor confess to one sort of anniversary or another.

Floor Fines

Russ McKinnon on Jim Dillon's parking.

Kevin Green on Russ McKinnon's lack of vision.

Kevin Green on Barry Dring asking a police officer for demerit points for the Radio Auction

Jim Dillon on Doc Taylor for Hugh Lavery's 5.21 am text message. (Obscurous Jimus! Brilliant!!)

Hugh Lavery thanks Di Gilleland for updating and maintaining our Facebook page. Thanks Di!

Also see our Facebook page for more excellent photos and information https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofGreaterGeraldton/

The Magic of Rotary - President Hugh

President's Report - Hugh Lavery:

Apologies for not presenting in person. Thanks for getting zoom working to enable the sharing of the incoming World President Stephanie Urchick's address:

It can be found on the internet here: “The Magic of Rotary”

Short version

Long Version and well worth the 15 minutes.

It is also very rewarding to watch Stephanie Urchick's presentation on making a Rotary Club irresistible.

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.

HMAS Sydney II Memorial

“OUR GIFT TO THE COMMUNITY”

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”