Guest Speaker, Ross McKim, CEO City of Greater Geraldton - 16 July 2025
Ross wanted to be a Shire Engineer and studied to achieve this ambition. He joined local government and spent time in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Redlands, Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands, all in Queensland, before migrating to Geraldton.
He thanked Rotary indicating our community is a better place because of the work we do with other volunteer groups. There are roughly six hundred active volunteers in Geraldton. Three hundred of them involved in bush fire groups. Volunteer numbers are declining and younger people are not becoming involved.
Technically he is CGG's only employee having been appointed by the Mayor. He is in charge of appointing the rest!
The city faces the challenge in the coming months of electing a smaller council. Only eight councillors are permitted by the State Government. Ross encourages all to vote and be actively involved.
He described the challenge of our modern society that requires barriers on the counters at our public library to mitigate against unsocial behaviour. While drug and alcohol issues are part of the problem, the role of social media and its associated commentary can inflame situations.
Ross indicated while there are downsides to his role, the upsides are meeting a wide range of marvellous people from all walks of life. Running the CGG is a complicated business!
In their recent strategic plan the CGG received eight hundred written responses, which is a great outcome. Those eight hundred rated the three major issues for the CGG as safety, housing and health.
On the health front the Mullewa Doctor is now fully funded by the CGG. The Mullewa Hospital is soon to receive a $20m upgrade.
Some other projects that CGG is involved in include a new Youth Centre, now opened in the old Rocky's Gym building opposite the Aquarena. CGG is also operating a Youth Centre in Mullewa.
CGG is also engaged in Project Zero. Several agencies and NFP's in Geraldton are working on reducing the city's homeless number to zero. Along these lines CGG is building seven homes on the Willcock Drive/Olive St site to alleviate the lack of housing for government employees.
Questions and comments from Jim Dillon, Ian Taylor and Barry Dring.
Hugh Lavery concludes by thanking Ross and updates us as to the City's involvement in resurrecting the Wishing Well on Brede St.
President Hugh Lavery-
"Unite for Good" is our new Rotary message.
Poor President Hugh is the only occupant of his round table so provided a solo performance of introducing himself and opening the meeting! A joint invocation followed with fine later for the Doc on the “Republic” and Tony for insubordination! (“How rude of him to interrupt our good conversation!”)
Pres Elect Bob elected himself as the guest speaker today!
ht in it. The complex rescue of a person washed off the rocks was a triumph of resilience and interservice co-operation when communication was basic compared to today.
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.
