Bulletin #015 - 9 October 2026

 

Howdy Pardners and yee-ha!

Amidst a sea of top-hats, toques, stetsons, mortarboards, pork-pies, flatcaps, bobcaps, curly wigs, glitteratti, beanies, bowlers and boaters a rousing welcome was given to our esteemed President Wayne!

The Duke reminded us that in everything we do and say we must always be mindful of the 4 Way Test tenet 'is it fair to all concerned' and what occured on this day in history... 

1992  a space rock the size of a bowling ball fell out of space and crash landed on a woman's Chevy Malibu in Peekskill, New York.

Today is Mouldy Cheese Day and Curious Events Day (the mind boggles!) 
 
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Angus: Bricktober volunteers needed for bump in tonight, Saturday and Sunday shifts and bump out Sunday. List circulating.
• Ian: Mentor program expression of interest list circulating.
• Veronica: 24 October is International Polio Day, if you can't ride the train then please wear your red T-shirt to create awareness and/or contribute to the Mill Point MyCause page https://www.mycause.com.au/page/406459/mill-point-rotary; Nepal Disaster appeal has raised in excess of $75,000 to date - thank you to the club and individuals who contributed; DG for 2028-2029 applications are still open, please consider nominating for this terrific position.
• Rick: Will be collecting frozen meals for PICYS not next week but the week after. All contributions welcome. 

   

Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Update

 

Felipé visited The Royal Show with Wayne & Katrina Duke. 

 

He had an enjoyable day, including getting to meet the “Long Arm of the Law”….

 

 Guest Speaker - Rob Storey's 'Long Walk Home'

Rob is a 65 year-old retired Financial Adviser. He is married and the father of 3 adult children. Rob was a former Board Member and Chair of Muscular Dystrophy WA, now Neuromuscular WA. He is still an active volunteer with Neuromuscular WA as well as a Volunteer Firefighter.

At 40 Rob, although not a runner, signed up for the City to Surf as motivation to “get off his butt and exercise/train”. Entering events and targeting goals as motivation to maintain some level of fitness he continued with completion of a marathon, Ironman, hiking the Kokoda track and an end-to-end Bibbulmun Track.

 

This culminated in a fundraising walk from Melbourne to Perth, raising awareness and funds for Neuromuscular WA.

Muscular dystrophy is a group of more than 30 inherited genetic conditions that cause progressive weakness, breakdown, and wasting of skeletal muscles over time. Rob related the storey of his neighbour’s three children with the condition, progressing to wheelchairs and with none reaching their thirties. 

Neuromuscular WA is the only specialist organisation in Western Australia dedicated to supporting people living with neuromuscular conditions. Unlike many health charities, it receives no ongoing operational funding from the State or Federal Government, meaning vital services are only possible thanks to the generosity of the community. The Perth-based charity provides personalised support, advocacy, equipment assistance, education, peer connection and community programs, helping hundreds of individuals and families across Western Australia live with greater independence, confidence and connection. 

Rob’s 4,000 kilometre walk from Melbourne to Perth raised over $67,000 for Neuromuscular WA. Despite a hip replacement before the walk, severe weather, injuries, and close calls with traffic, he persevered through physical and mental challenges. His motivation was driven by a cause he and his family have supported for over 20 years.

The walk required meticulous planning, managed by Rob’s wife Louise, including route mapping, food and water access, coordinating rest days around family commitments, and adapting to unforeseen circumstances such as injuries and a last-minute change of the starting city. He completed the walk in 81 days, averaging 46 km per day. Walking 46 km a day reduced dietary worries. He started with protein shakes and simple meals but eventually needed five meals a day plus snacks as his body burned through fat reserves. He consumed protein bars, hydrolytes, rice, and pasta. At one point, a large apple turnover provided the sugar boost needed to finish a day’s walk, experiencing the normal aches and pains expected at his age but has no significant long-term injuries from the walk. Whilst not a natural athlete, once he sets his mind on an endurance goal, Rob has never failed, and his commitment to finishing helped him push through the toughest days.

Rob is planning his next challenge – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with his children.

A transcript of Rob’s talk can be viewed at:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oxsiYfhTnJ_AMYo8POSkV1SPEw4pECKw&usp=drive_fs

A Fine(s) Picker of Pockets, Wayne the Elder.

• Hats missing in action - if you're not wearing one pay up!
• President Wayne for denigrating mouldy cheese!
• Geoff L the birthday boy
• Property owners who have one of the 10m houses in Australia unoccupied, or is one of the 10% holders (of 15m) empty bedrooms.
• If the earth moved for you when the Port Hedland earth tremors struck

Winner of Heads and Tails

Bob the Builder (aka Angus Florence)  grabbed the grog after a heady win! Thanks to Owen Ferguson for supplying a very nice bottle of wine!

Attendance

31attendees in all, including guest speaker Rob Storey, visiting Rotarian (and host father) Geoff Anderson,  and visitors Sue Rowell, John Palmer and Felipé Alves Mizobuchi (RYE student).

Bulletin #014 - 2 October 2026

Howdy Pardners...

The Duke was most warmly welcomed by all and reminded us of today's 4 Way Test tenet - Is It Fair To All Concerned - and one by which we should all observe, every day.  In history today...

1869 Mahatma Ghandi was born, Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule.

1950 Charles M Schultz created the first Peanuts comic strip featuring Charlie Brown and  'Snoopy' made his first appearance in the strip on October 4, just two days after the strip's debut. You can find Peanut characters on Uniqlo t-shirts.
 
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Angus: Volunteers wanted for Bricktober 10 & 11 October at Curtin Stadium to help on the Merchandise stall. The Club will receive some of the proceeds, contact Angus on 0450 498 098.
• Ian K: Mentor It Forward needs mentors, sign up sheet is circulating, contact Ian on 0419 896 305.
• Astrid: Offtraq needs 'bag packing' assistance on Tuesday 20 October 1pm for 2 hours, please call Astrid on 0402 900 088 if you can help.
• Gorby: Vocational tour to the Perkins Institute today, meet at Zamia café at 9.15am to car pool to site. Trip to Government House planned for 5 November but need 20 people to confirm. Will need names, addresses, emails and phone numbers for security reasons, to book contact Gorby 0417 935 504.
• Kelly: Hat Day next Friday, wear fun, creative, or eye-catching hats to "lift the lid" on mental illness, sparking conversations about mental health and reducing stigma without forcing individuals to share personal struggles - all proceeds to Cancer.
• Garrick (aka Karen): Disappointed that members are not assisting with activities for our Rotary Youth Exchange student Felipé who has now been with us for 8 weeks. Felipé will be hosted by Gorby and Sana in 2 weeks time so even more assistance is needed. Please contact Garrick on 0418 112 994
• Eunice: Reminder AI events are free (scroll down to events page) please book via the link. Invitation from Anne Curran (Vinnies) to visit site on 24 November. More details to follow.

Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Update

Felipé has spent a few days in Rottnest

with his current Host Family, Jeff & Heather and their extended family. He enjoyed riding around the whole island on an electric bike and a spot of fishing where he caught a big squid. In a couple of weeks, Felipe will move in with Gorby & Zana.

Makynli is enjoying her new Host Family and school whilst also taking in the sights of Poitier and Les Journees Du Partrimione.

Guest Speaker : Patrick Morrison - Shipwrecks in the Swan River

Patrick is a Maritime Archaeologist and is the Assistant Curator Maritime Heritage at the Western Australia Museum.

He is an expert in underwater photogrammetry for archaeology and has recorded significant shipwrecks with the WA Museum including Trial 1622, Batavia 1629 and Zeewijk 1727. He is a qualified Commercial and Technical Diver.

Patrick also co-discovered the oldest shipwreck in the Swan River.

 

Australia's maritime history extends back at least 65,000 years with deliberate, boat-based ocean crossings. Patrick highlighted a significant gap in current shipwreck legislation: while a federal law protects anything over 75 years old in the ocean, Western Australia's state law only protects wrecks dating before 1900, leaving World War I and II sites in state waters unprotected.

Due to the severe lack of visibility in the tannin-stained Swan River, archaeologists rely heavily on new technologies. They repurpose public Department of Transport seabed mapping data to spot anomalies, and use underwater photogrammetry to stitch thousands of images into highly detailed 3D "digital twins" of wreck sites for office-based study.

Excavation is considered a last resort due to the high cost and effort of

perpetual conservation.

The WA Museum's database records roughly 1,800 wrecks, but only 391 have been physically located. Recent analysis of open-source data revealed over 40 potential new wreck sites in the Swan River.

Notable discoveries include Alfred Dearden’s 1882 limestone barge—the oldest known wreck in the river—and the suspected 1897 brick-carrying barge Jane.

Patrick outlined several upcoming tasks, including investigating the 40+ potential Swan River sites, using sub-bottom profiling to confirm the Jane barge, planning a targeted excavation of the 1882 barge ahead of the Swan River Colony's 200th anniversary, and advancing efforts to update protective legislation for 20th-century wrecks.

Patrick’s full PowerPoint is a very large file. A PDF version can be downloaded/viewed at:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tOaBJW0lCie8eClC11RjEn7vuh5IHft5&usp=drive_fs

One Fine(s) Lady...

• Groucho Marx and Sting fans - seen a film, sang a song - pay up!
• 'Peanuts' comic strip readers, fans of Snoopy or Charles M Schultz $1 please.
• Winners and losers, Dockers for the obvious, to the victor the spoiles so any Brisbane fans, and whilst we're at it any other Docker tragics. 
• Rugby followers - especially those who have connections with ACT. 
• Yesterday was International Coffee Day so caffeine addicts put $1 in the pot! 
• Gerry McG - for boosting the Greek economy instead of the Australian one.
• The late Eunice Sari, for being late and departure tax as you wing your way overseas
• David R - too many tickets in front of you so we'll relieve you of some.
• Eno - our newest member, because...well because I can! 

Winner of Heads and Tails

Visitor Jill Matthwin all the way from Kojonup won the wine and mighty pleased she was too!

Attendance

41 attendees in all, including excellent guest speaker Patrick Morrison, visiting Rotarian Jill Matthwin (Kojonup) and late visitor Alina Racu.

 

 

Important dates coming up - mark your diaries!

Club Duties

16 October   

Sargeant        Angus Florence

Attendance    Ken Pittman, John O'Sullivan

Welcome       Mike Collett

Host               Tricia Smith

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Angus Florence

Birthdays

Lynne McCamey (20th)

Angela Doyle (22nd)

 

Anniversaries

Ross & Lisa La Rosa (16th)

 

23 October   

Sargeant        Mike Collett

Attendance    Shaun O'Brien, Carole O'Brien

Welcome         Jessica Murray

Host               Alison Thair

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Angus Florence

Birthdays

Anniversaries

 

30 October   

Sargeant        Angus Florence

Attendance    Kim Paine, Sriyani De Souza

Welcome        Brian Adams

Host               Brian Johnson

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Angus Florence

Birthdays

Anniversaries

 

6 November  

Sargeant        Mike Collett

Attendance    Ross Smith, Warren McCamey

Welcome       Howard Nelson

Host               Kelly Gillen

Club Dress    Angus Florence, Ken PIttman

Birthdays

Anniversaries

 

Future Guest Speakers

Mill Point Guest Speakers 2026 - 2027   October 2                      Patrick Morrison - Wrecks of the Swan River 9                      Rob Storey - Rob's Long Walk Home 16                    Jen Merigan - Have A Go News 23                    Natasha Atkinson - CEO Fremantle Markets 30                    Laura Lilly - Blades of Oary November 6                      Felipé Alves Mizobuchi RYE; Club Forum 13                    Ry Beaver - Wildlife Photos & Citizen Science 20                    Mark Horwood/Gordon Smith - GHC Timor Leste 27                    Tim McDonald - The "Y "(YMCA) WA December 4                     Mill Point In-House/AGM 11                    Tracey Hicks - Spina Bifida - JOurney & Books 18                    Christmas Meeting 25                    It's Christmas! - No Meeting  January 2027 1                      No Meeting 8                      Club Picnic 15                    Samgiita Hope - Dementia with Dignity 22 29 February 5                    Mill Point In-House/AGM 12 19 26 March 5                    Mill Point In-House/AGM 12 19 26 April 2                    Mill Point In-House/AGM 9 16 23                ANZAC 30 May 7                    Mill Point In-House/AGM 14 21                    Unsung Heroes 28 June 4                    Mill Point In-House/AGM 11

Upcoming Events

FREE AI seminars - Book now!

 

*****

22- 24 October - Offtraq is ON!

*****

1 November - 80 Years of Northam Rotary

Come visit the home of blue skies, white swans and hot air balloons and celebrate Northam turning 80 years old at a special lunch at the Rec Centre, Northam!

 5 November - Government House Visit

 

 

 

 

Bulletin #013 - 25 September 2026

Howdy Pardners...

President Wayne Duke welcomed members and guests, reminding all of the Four Way Test #3 Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? This is certainly the core of Freemasonary and Rotary. Wayne then reminded us that today is National Comic Book Day but in 1875 Billy the Kid made his first jailbreak, becoming a fugitive and notorious outlaw.

 
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Ian K - More volunteers requested for OffTraq 22-25 October. If you would like nice weekend away, accommodation is available in Narrogin. Volunteers will assist with games and entertainment. Membership committee meeting after breakfast.
• Tricia S - Thanks to Owen Ferguson for organising Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
• Carole O -“Pick Your Poison” at Old Mill Theatre on Wednesday 18 November. Clipboard circulation, payment via Square will be available over next weeks. Community committee meeting after breakfast.
• Garrick M - Felipe enjoying his soccer, has been accepted for Futsal. They will be going to Rotto this weekend. Anyone going to Royal Show can perhaps also take him? He will be going to stay with Hosts Gorby and Sana after the school holidays. Makynli has sent photos from France, weekend in Pontoise (Cathederal city). She will be home in four months.
• Brian J - Reminder from Gorby, Perkins Institute visit Friday 2^nd November 10:00AM. About a dozen so far, any more please contact him directly.
• Wayne D - Volunteers requested to held Ascot RC with Bricktober 10-11 October. Held at Curtin Stadium, need help on their merchandising stand. Sheet for next Friday. Ocean to Outback fundraiser for Royal Flying Doctor Service. Can go on website and help out by donating.

Guest Speaker : Jim Walker AM - Freemsonry

The Most Worshipful Bro James “Jim” Walker AM is the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia.

Originally from Queensland, Jim has been the Past CEO of Westrac, Chair of MacMahon Holdings and Chair of Wesley College Council. He is still currently on many Boards, including Chair of RAC and of “Diggers and Dealers”.

Jim is a past member of Mill Point Rotary Club and served as President 2010-11.

Jim gave a comprehensive overview of Freemasonry’s history, structure, and values. He traced its evolution from an ancient, secretive guild of stonemasons to a modern, more transparent fraternal organization centered on moral teachings, charity and personal development. He detailed efforts to reverse declining membership through active recruitment—especially among immigrants—using modern channels like Facebook.

His personal journey was to follow his father and grandfather as a Freemason. He outlined Freemasonry’s historical roots linked to the stonemasons who built King Solomon’s Temple. Its rituals and symbols (such as handshakes and words) began as practical tools for identification and payment. Freemasonary has shifted from being exclusively Christian to welcoming all religions.

Core Principles and Structure: Freemasonry is grounded in belief in a Supreme Being and organized around three degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow of the Craft, Master Mason), guiding members from “darkness to light” with moral teachings that prepare them for life and death.

Inclusivity and Global Reach: Modern Freemasonry is universal and open to men of all religions, requiring only belief in a “Supreme Being.” Membership growth is notable among immigrant communities, particularly Filipinos, seeking community and support.

Charity and Community Focus: The fraternity is heavily engaged in charity, raising millions annually. It provides mentorship and a strong support network, stressing that family and work obligations take precedence over Lodge commitments.

Membership in WA declined from 22,000 post-WWII to just over 2,000, prompting openness and active recruitment via channels like Facebook—now accounting for 70% of new members.

There is a separate organization for women called the Order of the Eastern Star, which is very active. In the UK, there is a direct mirror-image ladies’ Freemasonry, but it remains separate from the men’s organization. The separation exists because Freemasonry provides a “men’s shed” environment with mentorship and a father-figure role for many young men and immigrants.

The prolonged secrecy stemmed from the organization’s mystique and the historical need for tradespeople to protect intellectual property. Today, the approach is more open—they are willing to show the public Lodge rooms and explain tools and their symbolic meanings, which would once have been forbidden.

Jim’s presentation can be viewed via the following link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1MO1FEcfrpe2DMO2kZmJJZcIcvXPo_C7A&usp=drive_fs

 
The Fine(s) Line...

• Jim W - Mr “Ghost Who Walks” or “Jaywalker”.
• Ross O - “Sold” Jim Walker to Joy Burnett, that’s how Mill Point “got him”.
• Jim W - “Mr RM Williams” only has the boots on today.
• Everybody who relates to - Fourth Friday in September is Hug a Vegetarian/Love Note/Save a Koala/ 168 years of National Geographic.
• All Dockers supporters.
• Any GWCTD excuses – Garrick “dog sitting?”

Winner of Heads and Tails

Our lovely 'always smiling' Michelle won the wine of the week! Thanks to Owen for supplying the grog. 

Attendance : 37 attendees in all, including guest speaker Jim Walker, visiting Rotarian  Ross O’Neil (Como RC) and guests Peter Kraj-Krajewski (ex-Mill Point & Honorary Member), Mandy Sneeuwjagt, Felipé Mizobuchi (RYE Student), Jeff Anderson (RYE Host and E-WA Rotary) and Alina Racu.

Bulletin #012 - 18 September

Howdy Pardners...

A riotous welcome to President Wayne who reminded us of the 4 Way Test and that in this day in...

• 1977 the 'US Voyager' took the first photograph of the moon and the earth together and
• Today is International Equal Pay Day 

 
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Rick - food for PICYS (and not just spag bol please) still needed
• Angus - Fundraising committee meeting after breakfast
• Veronica - Shelterbox is seeking volunteers to join the Shelterbox team; Attadale RC's Fremantle Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert on Sunday (see events page)
• Brian J - Speaker program is now full up to end of December except for our Christmas meeting so seeking a Christmas theme speaker
• Owen - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is on tomorrow night. You will receive a phone call between 3.30 and 4.30 to tell you 'where to go'. Remember to pay your host $25 each and take wine, chocolates, flowers whatever you would take if you were invited to dinner.
• Gorby - Vocational visit to the Perkins Institute is on next Friday.
• Eunice - Free workshops on AI and Scammers 19-25 October. See events for more details.
• Ian - Offtraq list is still circulating and whilst we have 9 people from the Club helping out we need more. Info session on Sunday 2pm at the Empire Bar. 

 

Guest Speaker : Anne Curran, CEO St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies)

Ann Curran is the CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society WA, known as Vinnies WA. She has spent more than 20 years working with and in communities across the health and community services sectors, including the past eight years with Vinnies WA, first as the CFO and more recently as the CEO.

Ann was raised in an Irish family outside a small village in County Kildare and emigrated to Australia in the late 1980s.

Ann believes deeply that how we respond to the most marginalised and vulnerable people in our communities is a true measure of our collective health and wellbeing. She believes we are interconnected, and that we have far more in common with one another than we have differences.

Ann delivered a comprehensive presentation on homelessness in Western Australia and the organisation’s multifaceted response. She challenged common stereotypes, highlighting data that show homelessness predominantly affects women, families, and even employed individuals. Key drivers include family and domestic violence, financial hardship, and housing affordability stress.

The St Vincent de Paul Society in WA has served the community for 160 years and celebrated its 160th birthday in November 2025. The organisation is known lovingly as "Vinnies", a community-given nickname reflecting trust and care.

Homelessness doesn’t always look homeless:

• 50% of clients were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• On any given day in WA 5,070 adults are homeless
• 2,856 unaccompanied children/young people presented to a specialist service in WA
• 75% experienced homelessness before the age of 25
• Almost 3x as many females as males (12-24 years old)
•  Life expectancy of person experiencing homelessness 46 years (versus 83 years)

Her presentation outlined Vinnies’ specialist services:

• Tom Fisher House for the chronically homeless (a specialist low-barrier service on Beaufort Street for adults chronically homeless for over six months. It provides dignified accommodation with 12 private bedrooms for seven-night stays).

• Wanjoo Bidi for transitional housing (meaning “the welcome place", serving a large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Located in the former Murray Hotel. Transitional housing with 33 large rooms for people who have been street-present or need social/affordable housing).

• Youth-focused Passages and Compass programmes:

• Passages Youth Engagement Hubs. A collaboration between Vinnies and Rotary, with hubs in Perth and Peel. Drop-in centres for young people aged 12 to 25.

• Compass Program. Intensive case management for Passages youth ready to move forward. It supports reconnection with family and finding work, assisting a smaller cohort (20–30 young people) but achieves transformative outcomes.

Community support, philanthropy, fundraising (including the CEO Sleepout) and volunteering are essential to sustain these services. The core message: homelessness is a community issue requiring a collective, community-led response.

CEO Sleepout

• Annual fundraising event at Perth Zoo; open to more than CEOs.
• Participants sleep outside with minimal comforts (e.g., cardboard, basic soup) to gain insight into the physical and emotional impact of a night unsheltered without attempting to replicate homelessness.
• In 2026, about 140 people participated in 1.3-degree weather.

How you can help:

SHOW UP – Take part in the CEO Sleepout

• Or encourage a CEO you know to participate

GIVE – Donate. Fundraise. Dollar-match

• Donate to Vinnies Homelessness Services
• Philanthropic or corporate donation
• Nominate Vinnies as a beneficiary

Ann’s presentation can be viewed at:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1E-7qHQb_PkkpF5fFFeJsoJkJ1UlsO_PB?rtpof=true&usp=drive_fs

 

One Fine(s) Day...

Pocket Rocket Jenny McLean hot on the topic of immigration today, reminding us what a melting pot of multiculturalism we are...

• All migrants to Oz
• Anyone who is/have been involved with Health, Agriculture, Education and/or Construction
• Those who have contributed to boosting the population (e.g. parents, grandparents, etc)
• Electric vehicle drives because us petrol-heads are fed up of sponsoring your quiet service life 
• New research being conducted on rats that can be trained to detect contaminated soil - so all those with rats in their rafters, pantry, garage etc., 

Winner of Heads and Tails

Admiral Adams won the toss and doesn't he look admirable!

Attendance

39 attendees in all, including guest speaker Anne Curran, visiting Rotarian Bill Boekmann and visitor (and fellow CEO sleepout mate of Eunice) Emily Choo.