Bulletin #003 - 17 July 2026

 Howdy Pardners...

President 'Duke' Wayne welcome everyone and announced that this day in history...

1955 Walt Disney opened the original Disneyland in Anneheim, California

17 July is World Emoji Day 👀 
 
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Angus : Fundraising committee meeting after breakfast
• President Wayne : On behalf of the District Governor Veronica Lawrance. "Although this person could not be with us tonight, they jump in with both feet, every time they are asked, no matter what they are doing, wherever they are, whoever they are with -  and take on the responsibility no matter what you throw at them. In their Club they are known as ‘Maverick’ – not because they are a loose cannon, but in light of their previous occupation as a pilot, their ability to think logically, their dexterity, flexibility and their organisation skills and as a bonus - they are better looking than Tom Cruise! What they do at club level is phenomenal, what they volunteer for is unbelievable and what they did at the District Conference ensuring timeliness, looking out for presenters – like herding cats and jumping in at the last minute with excellent follow up and organisational skills was unimaginable. It gives me great pleasure to celebrate a 3 sapphire PHF to Brian ‘Maverick’ Johnson".
• Brian J: Still recovering from surprise... Kelly ill oday so club Service Committee meeting deferred until next week. More speaker suggestions needed.
•  Rick S: requesting more meals for Perth Inner City Youth Services (PICYS) please.

 

Guest Speaker :  Mike Dixon - Big Brother, Big Sister.

Mike is a Youth Work and Community Development leader with more than 25 years’ broad sectoral experience working alongside vulnerable children, young people and families.

A man of many hats, Mike is a devoted partner and father, a disability mentor and the CEO of Sudbury Community House in Mirrabooka.

Today he is speaking as the passionate WA State Manager of Big Brothers Big Sisters, a much-needed mentoring service, helping change the lives of less fortunate children and young people.

Mike introduced Tom Oosterhof (Perth WA Chair). 

Tom brought BBBS to Perth. Mike acknowledged NAIDOC Week and paid respects to Aboriginal elders, noting the significance of the Yerrigan.

The Big Brothers movement founded in 1904 in New York City to help boys stay out of trouble.  The BBBS presence in Australia began 1996, with programs in Victoria and New South Wales. It expanded to Western Australia in 2026, focusing on one-to-one mentoring for youth.

The Mission aligns with forming lifelong, meaningful adult-youth connections, similar in spirit to Rotary’s fellowship. It targets youth aged 7–17, emphasizing prevention before

crisis. The program aims to build sustained, supportive relationships that prevent youth from entering the justice, health or child protection systems.

The WA Program Model and Operations involves volunteer-based mentoring: weekly, face-to-face, after school or weekends to avoid disrupting education. The initial commitment is one year, often extending longer. There is comprehensive support from staff to sustain matches and navigate hurdles.

Phase 1: preventive mentoring

Phase 2 (future): services for justice-involved or disengaged youth with strong support or paid professionals.

 

Mentors are screened by a Mentor Coordinator with oversight from Mike. It includes police checks, Working with Children checks, three interview stages and a home visit. Typical screening timeline is about six weeks. Referrals from local Mirrabooka organizations: care schools, Headspace, Department of Education’s home schooling services, and Youth Care (school chaplaincy).

Weekly mentoring for 12 months is highly impactful; even single significant adult contact can be life-changing.

Comparative costs:

• Youth justice involvement exceeds $350,000 per year; hospital costs are higher.
•  Big Brothers Big Sisters annual match cost: $4,800 per young person due to non-institutional model and volunteer base.

 
A Fine(s) Act To Follow...

• Disneyland visitors or watched a Disney movie.
• Tennis Tragics who followed the Wimbledon Ladies and Gentlemans final.
• Golfers who can now watch some golf.
• Travellers who have been away in the last week or planning a getaway.
• President Wayne 3 meetings down and only another 46 to go…
• Cold blooded Rotarians who have put a heater on and only halfway through Winter!
• Toyota or Lexus drivers (Joy just traded hers…) or EV/Hybrid owners.
• Lorrie for leaving her car lights on.
• Theatre-goers attending “Sister Act JR” and had a great night.

Winner of Heads and Tails

Wine of the Week was Won by Warren McCamey - a tasty drop which will go down well!

Attendance : 31 attendees in all, including guest speaker Mike Dixon and Tom Oosterhof, guest Eno Budo and visiting Rotarians Mitch Whalen (Scarborough) and Soovi Sungur (Southern Districts).

Club Duties

Club Duties : 2026 - 2027     

24 July    

Sargeant        Mike Collett

Attendance    Joy Burnett, Margaret Hyatt

Welcome        Jessica Murray

Host               Ian Kremmer

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Angus Florence

Birthdays

Astrid Mitchell (25)

Tricia Smith (25) 

Anniversaries

 

31 July    

Sargeant        Angus Florence

Attendance    Ian Kremmer, Carole O'Brien

Welcome        Shaun O'Brien

Host               Brian Johnson

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Ken Pittman

Birthdays

Anniversaries

7 August    

Sargeant        Mike Collett

Attendance    Geoff Longshaw, Warren McCamey

Welcome        Diana Goh

Host               David Rowell

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Angus Florence

Birthdays

Anniversaries

14 August    

Sargeant        Angus Florence

Attendance    Jenny McLean, Howard Nelson

Welcome       Eunice Sari

Host               Brian Johnson

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Angus Florence

Birthdays

Anniversaries

 

21 August    

Sargeant        

Attendance    

Welcome       

Host               

Club Dress    

Birthdays

Anniversaries

 

28 August    

Sargeant        

Attendance    

Welcome       

Host               

Club Dress    

Birthdays

Anniversaries

 

4 September   

Sargeant        

Attendance    

Welcome       

Host               

Club Dress    

Birthdays

Anniversaries

 

 

 

Future Guest Speakers

Mill Point Guest Speakers 2026 - 2027   July  3                    Loreta Murphy - A Nurse's Journey 10                   Greg Browne - MV Perth Ferry Restoration 17                   Mike Dixon - Big Brother, Big Sister 24                   Tiffany Kwong - Interact Club Rossmoyne SHS 31                    Jessica M/Sriyani dS - "WAI Town Hall" August 7                      Cameron Wrathall - Shark Attack Survivor 14                    Dave Taylor - Club Runner 21                    Rob Parker - America's Great Loop 28                     September 4                      Celina Chen - The Silk Road (China) 11                     18 25                     Jim Walker - The Freemasons October 2 9 16 23 30 November 6 13 20 27

Bulletin #002 10 July 2026

Howdy Pardners...

President Wayne 'the Duke' welcomed everyone to his second meeting as President and informed us that today in history...

1940 was the start of the Battle of Britain air campaign

1985 the Greenpeace Warrior was sunk in Auckland harbour.

Wayne reminded attendees of the Four Way Test #2 "Is it fair to all concerned"

New member induction

Alison Thair inducted Sriyani De Souza as a new member of Mill Point. 

Sriyani had been a member of Nedlands Rotary for five years before transferring to Mill Point. 

President Wayne and Membership Director Ian Kremmer also formally welcomed Sriyani, advising her classification is Artist, and she will join the International Committee.

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Astrid: Volunteers needed to assist with the Gobal Hand Charity Offtrack event, to run Fun Stops; organise the Silent Auction; and pick up subway lunches to bring to Williams. GHC to cover costs.
• Lorrie: Containers for Change now accepts wine bottles as of 1 July. Happy to collect as main fundraising event. Lorrie's brother from Tanzania will participate this year. using John Tidman's car. The Sewing Sisters produced 900 feminine hygiene pack last year and hope to top that figure this year. 
• Michelle: Will be handling attendance whilst Raelene is away. Fran Muller recently hospitalised is recovering well. Flowers have been sent and Fran sent a thank you card in appreciation.
• Carole: One remaining ticket for "Sister Act" on 15 July.
• Garrick:  Incoming student Felipe is 16 and
  
  from Brazil, enjoys soccer, fishing, tennis and footvolley. Will be arriving 30 July at 6.35pm, be great to have some members meet him. First host family is Jeff and Heather Anderson, then Gorby and Sana. Felipe will attend Kent Street SHS, and mentor will be David Rowell. Plans include inbound camp in October, surfing lessons, a trip in November and NorthWest Safari in 2027. Host families still needed for next year but commitment is reduced due to travel and camps.

   

Guest Speaker : Greg Browne - MV Perth Restoration Project

Greg originally grew up in country Merridin.

After working for Westfarmers and some time in Africa, he now raises Black Angus Cattle in York.

Greg told us about the history and planned restoration project of the 112-year old Motor Vessel (MV) Perth. 

The ferry, originally the steamship SS Perth launched in 1914, serving the Perth to South Perth route for 80 years before being repurposed multiple times as a pleasure cruiser, party boat, and riverboat gambler. 

After sitting neglected at Henderson for 24 years, it was acquired by a not-for-profit organization established by Greg. The restoration project aims to return the vessel to operation as a floating heritage museum, funded by a potential half-million dollar Lotterywest grant and future commercial activities like corporate events and weddings. 

 

The first major refit was in 1946, involving the complete replacement of all wooden planks and addition of some sheltered rooms.

In the 1970s it was converted by the MTT from steam to diesel power, changing its designation to MV Perth (Motor Vessel).

During the America’s Cup (approx. 1980s) it was saved from scrapping by a federal government grant for the America’s Cup, funding a significant restoration.

In 1998 (Markey Shipyards) a revolutionary hull treatment saved the rotting wooden structure by adding a 12mm to 25mm thick structural fibreglass shell with vinyl resin, a method adopted from the Smithsonian Institute. This fibreglass hull keeps the vessel afloat today as the original timbers deteriorate. 

The goal is to have the vessel restored and operational in a 1920s style for the WA bicentenary in 2029, preserving what is described as one of the state’s most significant heritage items.

 

A PDF version of Greg’s presentation can be viewed at:

millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>BROWNE Greg – MV Perth Restoration Project

Fine(ally) it's happened to me...

• Dockers supports for recent losses (Gorby that's you for one!)
• Those watching the 'international political, sporting pantomime' 
• Wimbledon watchers or Soccer fans suffering from lack of sleep.
• Tay-Tay fans, after her five costume changes becoming Mrs Kelce. 
• Residents of the City of South Perth after multiple Councillor resignations.
• Wannabee boat builders, cabinet makers or those working with wood.

Winner of Heads and Tails

Past President David Rowell looks awfully pleased with grabbing the grog this week! 

Attendance

35 attendees in all, including guest speaker Greg Browne and visiting Rotarian Barbara Heddle.

Bulletin #001 - 3 July 2026

We give you the 'Big Duke'... Howdy Pardner!

"The Duke" as he is now affectionally known for the length of his term as President, was welcomed to thunderous applause and pleaded for kindness on his 'first rodeo'!

After switching himself on (?) he educated us on two known historical events which happened on this day in...

1912 - July 3, the Australian government ordered its very first military aircraft, which consisted of two British-made Royal Aircraft Factory B.E. 2 biplanes and two French-made Deperdussin monoplanes. These four planes formed the foundation of the newly established Australian Flying Corps.

Guest Speaker - Dr Loreta Murphy: The Unintetional Exper:t 40 years of service and science 

Loreta is Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital's Acting Clinical Nurse Consultant for Neurosurgery. She first started her career at the hospital 40 years ago as a neurosurgery nurse after previously working as a nurse in Victoria, and completed a PhD part-time at Notre Dame University, while working during the pandemic.

Loreta has developed a Mini Neurosurgical Assessment (MNA Tool) that has the potential to revolutionise neurological assessment for neurosurgical nurses.

Loreta traced her 40-year nursing and leadership journey from early training in Melbourne (starting in 1986) through a transformative neurosurgery career beginning in 1990 and relocation to Western Australia in 1997 (for a planned three-year “sea change” that became permanent). 

 She described evolving from a traditional, top-down view of leadership to an empathetic, advocacy-driven model focused on protecting patient dignity, empowering colleagues and taking principled risks.

Loreta highlighted formative experiences: 

• early union leadership during hospital industrial campaigns.
• overcoming neurophobia after a dramatic bedside burr hole procedure. 
• completing a PhD during COVID while working extreme shifts.
• developing a Mini Neurosurgical Assessment (MNA) tool and leading clinical and research initiatives, including LIT (laser interstitial thermal therapy) coordination and international collaborations with Canada and Pangaea Global/WHO. 

Her personal stories included mentorships, mass nursing rallies, patient-centered acts like arranging a hospital wedding, and community service analogies such as the Rottnest Channel Swim—illustrating resilience, compassion, and service. 

Loreta experienced devaluation (“just a nurse”) and inappropriate personal remarks in business settings. She used this criticism to reflect, adapt and later pursue further qualifications and initiatives.

At 23 she directly approached her Medical Director to highlight nurses’ distress, prompting immediate ward walk-arounds. This led to her becoming the youngest of 23 ANF Peps at St Vincent’s Hospital. In a short time, due to structural changes, Loreta became the senior and only Rep during a major industrial campaign. 

Her early neurosurgery led to a lifelong passion for neurosciences. She models emotional engagement: crying with terminal brain tumor patients and during debriefs; emphasizing that empathy strengthens leadership and care.

It also led Loreta to choosing university training over hospital-based programs. University-trained nurses were taught to avoid public rebuke and maintain professional assertiveness, contrasting with hospital-trained expectations (hands behind backs, eyes down to seniors). She managed identity tensions (e.g., vest to hide lack of Nurse’s silver buckle) while advocating for underdogs and pushing for cultural change.

Sir Charles Gairdner (“Charlie’s”) is WA’s primary neurosurgery centre. 450-600 brain tumour operations are conducted each year. Total neurosurgery operations are approximately 2,000 per year and could reach about 3,000 (but limited by theatre space and bed availability).

An active committee is working to raise $30 million to improve and expand neurological service due to this severe capacity strain. 

Loreta’s current responsibilities include:

• Clinical Nurse Consultant for brain tumor patients.conducting international clinical research (projects with Canada).
• establishing new clinics (often working 12–13 hours/day while paid for 7.5).
• LIT coordinator (laser interstitial thermal therapy) for epilepsy in Western Australia, guiding patients through novel laser therapy. 

 

Her roles and awards include:

• Rotary Nursing Sister of the Year guest speaker.
• Being awarded Excellence in Leadership – Emerging Leader Award.) In her own words embracing a “late bloomer” identity, despite age-related comments!

In his thanks to Loreta, Host Brian Johnson observed how much she has added Compassion to Service Above Self.

Directors' reports and members' announcements

• Veronica : Congratulated everyone on a highly successful changeover on Saturday and the recipients of the awards. Encouraged members to support District at the District Changeover on Saturday 11 July at the Mercure Hotel, Irwin Street, Perth with special rates for those wanting to have a 'sleepover'. Scroll down to Events.
• Carole : Last call for the  musical 'Sister Act Jr" at the Old Mill Theatere on 15 July. $37 pp. More details if you scroll down to Events.
• Gerry : Thanked secretary Alison Thair for her organisation during the previous year, and Treasurer Lyn Metccalf (the million dollar man) for his fastidious care of our funds!
• Margaret W : For those who attended Gorby's Walk around Perth, the book is now available from Margaret's book shop $40.
• Wayne M : Read a lovely message from our past RYE student Valentina  assuring us of her safety and well being.
• Kelly : The weekend planting went well though several seedlings still require planting. Let Kelly know if you would like to assist, half a day for about 5-6 people in about 3-4 weeks.
• Gorby : The Hotham Valley Train expedition garnered no interest so has been cancelled. Watch out for more news on intended visit to  Governor's residence and tour of the Quarantine House.

Fine Tuning by the Master

• Wayne D for here-on-in to be known as "The Duke" and also for bringing along his 'Duchess' Katrina! Then again for justifying...
• Rotarian of the year Mike Collett
• Gorby a PHF awardee for his fandom of the West Coast Eagles (not)
• Angus the ultimate weekly organiser of birthdays and anniversaries
• Astrid for NOT having a birthday this week
• Lorrie for the cleanest care (n)ever.
• Alison - too organised
• Margaret W, for (not) always being early 
• Absentees from the Changeover lunch
• Ian K for his weird headwear
• Those who didn't wear RUBY on Saturday. 

 Heads and Tails 

Visitor Elisabeth grabbed the grog -just shows you it pays to visit our breakfast!

Attendance

41 attendees in all including Guest Speaker Dr Loreta Murphy, visitors Katrina Duke, Rhonda Kremmer, and Elisabeth Adamson. 

 

SPECIAL EDITION - CHANGEOVER BULLETIN #48

Mill Point Rotary Ruby Club Changeover Lunch

 

Our Luncheon on Saturday 27^th June 2026 was held with a Ruby Theme “Celebrating 40 years and Changeover”.

President-Elect Wayne Duke welcomed members, partners, family and guests.

A short video from DG and Mill Point member Veronica Lawrance for the “Toast to Rotary International” was shown. Unfortunately Veronica could not be with us due to a prior commitment, but passed on her best wishes via the video. This was followed by a “Toast to Partners and Friends” by Lew Thomas.

After the main course, Co-President David Rowell gave a review of the events and accomplishments of Mill Point Rotary over the past year.

He noted, that as we approach our 40^th Year Anniversary (in 2027), we might reflect on an iconic club event from that time.

In 1989, Mill Point initiated the Australia Day Ceremony on South Perth foreshore. He detailed the evolution of the event, including erecting a flagpole fashioned from the mast of one of Roly Tasker’s yachts!

Over the year, we have given ongoing and sometimes weekly community support to: 

• PICYS Youth Services: Around 8 home cooked meals per week for a total of 450 annually. 
• Haven Well: Bread and pastries from Bakers Delight North Perth, valued about $18,000 
• Starting Over Support: Members helping with furniture and household preparation. 
• Sewing Sisters: Providing feminine hygiene products for girls in PNG. 
• Ronald McDonald House Dinners: Prepared by Mill Point teams of cooks.
• Community Recognition: Unsung Heroes, Pride of Workmanship and TAFE awards. 
• International Dinner: A successful Fellowship event showcasing our new members’ cultural and culinary skills.
• Dial a Santa: Our major fundraiser for Youth. $29,500 this year, total $213,000. 
• Rotary Youth Exchange: Felipe inbound from Brazil and Makynli currently in France. 
• District Conference: Very successful event organised mostly by Mill Point members with 32 attendees from club. 
• Fellowship: Ongoing Men’s and Ladies dinners, coffee catch ups, and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner event.

Co-President (2025-26) Gerry McGann presented Paul Harris Fellow awards (PHF's) to five very deserving club members: 

• Angus Florence. A club stalwart for many years, setting up the Club each Friday and bringing the (unruly) mob to order for the meetings. He is a lynchpin of the Starting Over Support initiative and coordinator of the Monday Golf Group. 
• Lorrie Gray. Someone who doesn’t know how to say “no” to volunteering. She is our trusty club photographer and has been a regular participant in “Bulldust N Back”, raising thousands for charity. 
• Margaret Walton (PHF+3). Margaret has been the organiser of Dial a Santa over many years raising a total of $213,000. It has been a huge responsibility that she has handled admirably.  
• Alison Thair (PHF+3). Alison has handled the substantial secretarial work for the club, including the many reports and red tape as well as outstanding support to DG Veronica in the running of the District Conference. 
• Michael Gottschalk (PHF+2). “Gorby” has embraced the role of Vocational Director with gusto. He also collects a huge amount of unused bread each week for the Haven.

 (L to R: David Rowell, Gerry McGann, Michael Gottschalk, Margaret Walton, Angus Florence, Lorrie Gray, Alison Thair)

Gerry and David then presented the Club Rotarian of the Year award to Mike Collett.

A club needs someone to schedule people to be in the right place at the right time. As Sergeant-at-Arms over thirty years of Club membership, Mike has performed that role diligently.

They also thanked and presented gifts to the Committee Chairs of the past year. It was noted Brian Johnson was stepping down and Carole O’Brien was joining the Board as Community Director. 

 

Following dessert, David and Gerry inducted Wayne Duke as Club President for 2026-27 and passed the ceremonial “Presidential Chain”.

The 2026-27 Rotary Banner and motto Create Lasting Impact was unfurled.

In his closing remarks, Wayne again thanked everybody and looks forward to their support during the year.

 

 

 A good time was had by all!