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
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. 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.
Rotary Clubs of Batavia Coast and Greater Geraldton
Combined Dinner with the District Governor July 22, 2024
Past President of RC of Batavia Coast, Brendon Davies, welcomed members and guests, and in particular our District Governor, Pat Schraven, as well as President Hugh Lavery and members of the RC of Greater Geraldton to the meeting!
After Peter Sukiennik had thanked the “Batavia Boys” for their help in the Mullewa Muster, Pres Hugh was invited to outline what the RC of GG has been up to! These have included Driver Education, Bicycles for Humanity, youth projects and of course Youth Exchange. Our major fund raiser coming up is the Radio Auction.
Hugh expressed appreciation to our large group of “Rotary Friends” who have assisted us with projects such as the Landor Races, as well as all our partners who put up with and support us crazy Rotarians! Our plan is to work towards “Irresistible meetings”. (Not sure about the Mind Map, Hugh!-ed)
Next up was PP Clark Scarff who expressed some degree of relief that the Yellow Submarine project is coming to a close! The Sub’s restoration has taken over $40K and been an immense amount of work, but the club is rightly proud of its achievement. It is due to go on display at the Eastern Breakwater. Other projects include Youth Exchange and minding the gate at the Speedway! Clark also spoke about the Teach Learn Grow” project where Perth Uni students come to the country to teach country children.
Our Guest Speaker was DG Patricia Schraven District 9423!
Pat is a member of the Rotary Club of Rockingham. She has two adult children and six grandchildren! Pat is a retired Human Resources Manager having worked most of her career in the mining industry. She currently holds board position on Australian Rotary Health and Midway Community Services.
During her presentation Pat outlined her vision on “Making Magic Happen” and how we can work to increase our impact in the community. She outlined the value of Global Grants using an example of Rotary Club of Applecross supporting the construction of a special needs school in Kenya in collaboration with the then two districts in WA, a district in Kenya and a district in Pennsylvania US, and on a local level a District Grant to run cooking classes for women impacted and transitioning out of domestic violence, situations.
District Conference will be held in Kalgoorlie in 21-23 March 2025, and we are being encouraged to join in a competition to decorate the “Pimp my Truck” table centrepieces! $200 to enter, the winning club will be recognised with a $2K donation to Foundation on their behalf!
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 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. 
Past President of RC of Batavia Coast, Brendon Davies, welcomed members and guests, and in particular our District Governor, Pat Schraven, as well as President Hugh Lavery and members of the RC of Greater Geraldton to the meeting!
Our Guest Speaker was DG Patricia Schraven District 9423!
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.
