Geraldton Golf Club 7am President: Hugh Lavery, Sergeant: Bob Urquhart. Invocation and Toast – Dynamic Don Rolston! Attendance: Rotarians Hugh Lavery, Bob Urquhart, Don Rolston, Grant Woodhams, Jo Clarke, Laurie Dines, Bob Symington, Ian Taylor, Rob Mosel, Terry Stewart, Geoff Wood, Barry Dring. Guests: Sofia Underland (Inbound Exchange Student) and the Fosters who are Sofia's first host parents. Anne Karczub and Debbie Fry guest speakers from Geraldton Tree Canopy Advocates. Rebecca Forbes-Richie teacher and Macy Hadley and Thomas Wellstead students from Nagle CC who are involved in Rotary Four Way Speaking competition. Jess Hadley, Macy's mother was also in attendance. Chris Fleming and Wendy Ashley from Tasmania, friends of PP Bob Urquhart. Chris is a former Geraldton Rotary Club member. They need a lift back to Perth at the end of August. :-) Julie Dines wife of Laurie Karen Lavery wife of Hugh Eugenie Burkett partner of Barry Dring Clark Scarff from the RC of Batavia Coast. Breakfast was self-served and included scrambled eggs, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms and bacon. 
Announcements Next Club Meeting – Wednesday, August 7th at the Geraldton Golf Club. with Guest Speaker Grant Woodhams on his recent visit to Japan: Hugh announced some changes to the Breakfast routine. Self-serve, place empty plates on bar and coffee is available in the Dining area. Coffee/Tea is available after the meeting for those who wish to stay and have a conversation, connect and talk to friends. The aim is to make our meetings more irresistible. Since the meeting Hugh has submitted an application on behalf of our club to participate in the Fit for Purpose program, an initiative developed by the Regional Council Membership Team. Our club's application has been received and will now be reviewed. We will know the outcome in 2-3 weeks. Hugh will send a copy of the submission to Members.
Radio Auction update. A small group headed to the Golf Club last Tuesday morning for our second Pre-Call Session. A great effort over a couple of hours raing another $9000-11000. Well done team- we did well. Most likely have another Pre-Call session in late August. Contact Jo Clarke, Russell McKinnon or Bob Symington for specific information. Bob has the pledge forms. We need another $25,000 to reach our target. Di Gilleland continues to work tirelessly for the Radio Auction even in absentia! Go Di! :-)
 Our  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 has ARRIVED and is being hosted by the Foster Family (Kiera and Josh). Jo Clarke will be the Student Counsellor/Mentor. Sofia Underland – Our new Inbound Exchange Student is a Norwegian. She gave us a brief greeting before being hurried off by Jo Clarke to prepare for school tomorrow!
Special shout-out to Grant Woodhams-san who not only took the notes for the meeting but also, adjuducated the Speaking Competition. Well done, Grant |
Guest Speakers Anne Karczub and Debbie Fry introduced by Bob Symington -31st July
t the leafy greens in the Western suburbs of Perth).
They are in the process of planting four trees at the RSL in Forrest St to provide shade for the adjacent footpath. They are also planting eight trees in Stella Maris Drive.
Rotary Four Way Speaking Contest:
Macy and Thomas, both Yr 10 from Nagle Catholic College were given six minutes each to speak on their chosen topic.
Our Guest Speaker was DG Patricia Schraven District 9423!
President'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.
