President Hugh welcomed all and sundry to our meeting today, after providing much needed assistance to our technical team sorting out the audiovisual equipment!
Welcome to David Lavery, a distant relative of Hugh (Son from Northam), together with Brenton Wellington and Wayne Hosking
Important information and upcoming events to note -
<--- President Hugh
Announcements
Pres Hugh appreciated the feedback from last week's meeting in the anticipation that our meetings will become “irresistible”!
Hugh was delighted that we had 100% attendance of available members today!!
He reminded Board members that there is a board meeting on Thursday July 18 at Nexus Advisernet (thank you Viki), 11 Askew Road.
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.
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! Russell has arranged photos and an article - hopefully some local paper publicity! (full article further down)
Our next meeting is Wednesday, July 17th (6:45AM for 7:00AM at the Geraldton Golf Club) and features Russell McKinnon speaking on "A Day in the life of an International Sportswriter (Water Polio)".
If you haven't done so already, you can pay for Breakfast here ---> Pay forBreakfast. We are trialling the trybooking system and all indications are positive. You encouraged to use this method.
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.
The Rotary 4 Way Test Speaking Competiton (Hugh Lavery) - Our Club has registered for this event and will be sponsoring studentsa from Geraldton High Schools. Currently Nagle Catholic College has indicated they have two students preparing for the competition. Expression of interest have been sought from other High Schools. I am looking for credentialed adjusticators from Rostrum or Toastmasters. Let Hugh know if you can help. The Club Heats will be held at a Club meeting in late July.
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.
Presentation on Hub Cap, Literacy and Art for men.
This is a safe space where men can learn literacy skills and express themselves in art. It does not look like a school room!! The model is unique in Australia and has changed many lives in Geraldton.
Illiteracy is a preventable and hidden “disease” in our community and assisting people to read and express themselves in art in a non-threatening environment is clearly working!
The “magic pen” is a clever device that assists with reading. There are no classrooms or tests, personalise informal one on one teaching open to all men, including rough sleepers and ex-prisoners.
The famous Geraldton Barber “Cut Throat Joe” with his Barber Shop psychology and “Cut Throat Confessions” is another hugely popular sideline!
Wayne showed images of some of the outstanding artwork that has been done. Hub Cap presently occupies an old house but needs more room! Now for those extensions….!
Brenten shared some aspects and images from the recent "Blokehood" Leadership Development Camp. The aim is to separate the boys from their usual environment and challenge them physically and emotionally. The aim is to teach emotional regulation and what it means to be a man. Brenten will be back to speak to Rotary in more detail in late August.
President Hugh is very impressed by the initiative and attended the Acknowledgement and Closing Ceremony at Point Blank Fitness. Below is a copy of the letter Hugh wrote to Brenten after the ceremony:
"The Blokehood Transformative Leadership Camp
Hi Brenten,
Thank you for inviting me to the Blokehood ceremony yesterday. I think it was the best presentation event I have enjoyed, and I was very impressed. Personally, I think the Camp marks a significant milestone for the community.
In my 60+ plus years in communities all over Western Australia, when I was working for the Water Supply, I was involved in many great initiatives aimed at young people – your program is the best I have seen. What you have started is ground-breaking and will have long term impact. Well done you!
Your presentation was heartfelt and acknowledged something personal and unique for each of the young men. Your sincerity shone through and even though you too, were emotional at times this enhanced your message to the young men and the visitors to the ceremony.
Clearly the camp was not without its challenges, and you were all very tired. However, I think you can be very satisfied with the work you have done and the potential for excellent future outcomes for the young men.
Your point about re-orientation of the young men back to their “normal” lives is well made. Rotary faces similar challenges for exchange students returning home after 12 months n another culture. The concept of Hubs is something I would like to explore further with you – I think Rotary can play a role here, not sure what it is but I think worth exploring.
As discussed previously our RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment 14-17 years) and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award – 18-28) would be good programs for some of your graduates to consider.
Your support at the Camp, John from Headspace, Ren the photographer, Point Blank, and your family was great. Well done in gathering these people to assist you – great Leadership.
Long term, my thinking is to, initially, form a Community Steering Group to assist you with embedding the program in the community. Such a group could assist with establishing the program in the Community and assist with gaining support on a broader scale, including funding. I would like to discuss this further with you.
Interestingly, you mentioned Derek from the Newspaper – it is where I first heard about your Project. I also mentioned to Ren that I would like to get a few photos and, later on, a video which I can share with Rotary. Perhaps you can pass on his details so I can contact him.
With respect to the Rotary scholarship awardees, I would like you to bring them (and any others) along to a Club meeting sometime in the future, when I can arrange a speaking spot for you. It would be great to hear from some of your young men in a month or so, after they have re-oriented.
You are, of course welcome to come along to our meetings whenever you are able.
Your efforts and dedication have created something special for these young men and the Community. I look forward to working with you in the future.
Raffle and Rotary Corner and an interesting Fines Session
Raffle and Rotary Corner was won by “Two Heads” Terry! It was pointed out that asking a friend to join Rotary can be stressful if rejection is feared, so ask a fellow Rotarian to do the job instead!
PP Viki led the fines session, that asked each person present to confess where they come from! Great stories from as far back at the 18th century, and from far afield as the UK and Prussia! Unfortunately, this editor was too busy enjoying the session and taking pictures to record them!
Caption: PP Barry Dring extolling the longevity of his Ancestry
Pres Hugh did something a little different, breaking the meeting into table discussion groups, to discuss membership, Friends of Rotary and roadblocks to membership. Each table gave a Summary of their discussions
Kevin Green on membership: Open to our “Friends”! If each member brought one new one, we would double in size!
Barry Dring: Membership; Consider “associate” type membership for people who want to help but can’t commit to meetings.
Viki Fennell: Obstructions and roadblocks: Red tape can be off putting to prospective members. Time and finances can be an issue. Young people tied up with family and establishing careers.
Guest Speaker No 2 was Brenton Wellington who has established the Transformative Growth Institute. This holds camps in a farm setting (ie large shed!) for 14–17-year-old boys.
Brenton described how he grew up in Broome and lost his way with high school pressures and with little direction, not understanding what it was to be a man. He had no role models and fell into fun. Alcohol and partying. He was studying to be an Engineer and emotional difficulties with a breakup from his partner. He realised he had not been shown how to regulate emotion, and his life changed with the help of a life coach.
Brenton has now gone on to helping young men himself through his program, The Blokehood Project, to teach Mature Masculinity and runs three-day camps to teach buys what it means to be a man.
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”
Rotary Meeting July 10
<--- President Hugh
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! Russell has arranged photos and an article - hopefully some local paper publicity! (full article further down)
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. 
Our Guest Speaker was Wayne Hosking
Illiteracy is a preventable and hidden “disease” in our community and assisting people to read and express themselves in art in a non-threatening environment is clearly working!
Wayne showed images of some of the outstanding artwork that has been done. Hub Cap presently occupies an old house but needs more room! Now for those extensions….!
President Hugh is very impressed by the initiative and attended the Acknowledgement and Closing Ceremony at Point Blank Fitness. Below is a copy of the letter Hugh wrote to Brenten after the ceremony:
Raffle and Rotary Corner and an interesting Fines Session
PP Viki led the fines session, that asked each person present to confess where they come from! Great stories from as far back at the 18th century, and from far afield as the UK and Prussia! Unfortunately, this editor was too busy enjoying the session and taking pictures to record them!
Kevin Green on membership: Open to our “Friends”! If each member brought one new one, we would double in size!
Guest Speaker No 2 was Brenton Wellington who has established the Transformative Growth Institute. This holds camps in a farm setting (ie large shed!) for 14–17-year-old boys.
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.
