Howdy Pardners...
The Duke signed in with his thought for the day based on the 4 Way Test "Is it beneficial to all concerned?" and reminded us that August is Membership and Extension month. With two prospective members in our audience it was most appropriate. However, today in ...
1974 - French Philippe Petit walked a tightrope strung between the Twin Towers
of the World Trade Center in New York City at a height of 1,350 feet
(411.5 meters)
1789 - National Lighthouse Day observed annually to honor the history and heritage of lighthouses and their keepers. The date marks the anniversary of the 1789 signing of the congressional act that established federal oversight of U.S. lighthouses and aids to navigation.
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
- Ian K: Offtraq is looking for volunteers to assist with lunches, silent auction, etc. 22-24 October. A vocational trip is also planned for the club (scroll down to events for more details)
- Lorrie: Will be raising FUNds again at Offtraq, hosting a BBQ and with 24 cars to date roaming around the South (including Wagin and Narrogin) encourages everyone to join in the FUN!
- The Duke: Will be away for three weeks and so the Chair will be covered by Gorby, Carole and Garrick. The club Board meeting is deferred to 3 September.
Guest Speaker : Cameron Wrathall - Shark Attack Survivor
Cameron recounted his
2021 bull shark attack in the Swan River near Bicton Jetty and the extensive
aftermath, including emergency response, hospital treatment, rehabilitation,
long-term disability, pain management, and community advocacy.
He
emphasized resilience through acceptance, mindfulness for chronic pain, and
positive perspectives gained from a near-death experience.
The
Shark Attack Incident
On
14th January 2021, a “beautiful summer’s morning”, Cameron
was swimming in the Swan River near Bicton Jetty. He regularly swam there and
played water polo for Melville Water Polo Club. He and a friend were halfway
through the swim when a three-meter bull shark struck from under and behind on
Cameron’s left side with an “almighty whack,” likened to being hit by a freight
train. The impact was forceful, quick, and did not take him under.
The
shark bit from just above the knee up around the buttock and the inside of the
leg. The bite penetrated to the bone, severing tissue, tendons, muscles, blood
vessels, and snapped the femur in half. Massive blood loss created a “huge
cloud of blood.”
He
struck the shark’s head with both palms, thrusting down hard, likely shocking
it. The shark released and disappeared. Being a strong swimmer Cameron swam
diagonally to the beach, experiencing only a brief moment of fear midway when
wondering where the shark was.
His
mate dragged him up the beach and called for help. Two kayakers and a paddle
boarder assisted. One made a tourniquet with a shirt and towels were used to
apply pressure. Cameron was placed on a paddleboard and carried to the
roadside.
Cameron’s
heart stopped just as the ambulance arrived. Initial resuscitation failed due
to insufficient blood volume. The Paramedics infused manual saline (ambulances
do not carry blood) to restore volume and a second resuscitation attempt
succeeded.
He
was transported to Royal Perth Hospital (major trauma center). Cameron was in
ICU for three days, unconscious and underwent multiple surgeries. This was
followed by five weeks supine immobilization due to the broken bone and
repaired soft tissues, then he was transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital for
five weeks of rehab.
There
he progressed through a wheelchair, walking frame, two big crutches, two small
crutches, and then relearning to walk.
Bull
Shark characteristics
Bull
sharks grow to a bit over three meters and frequent rivers and estuaries, with
increasing human encounters compared to strictly marine sharks. They are unique
among sharks in tolerating freshwater, others require saltwater.
Shark
attacks are rare relative to population and water usage. The risk is lower than
everyday hazards (e.g. crossing roads).
Personal
Perspective
It
took approximately three weeks post-incident before Cameron could conduct a
media interview (Channel Seven). He is still struggling due to ICU recovery,
surgeries, heavy painkillers, and immobility. Recorded pieces are often edited
to sensationalize fear and demonize sharks, which conflicts with his view of
the event as a positive learning experience.
Cameron
cannot walk far or well, still using a wheelchair. Nerve damage has affected
his leg muscle engagement.
He
is unable to return to prior work requiring mobility and annual qualifications
and has been on a disability pension since the incident.
He
has benefited from support from his long-term sporting community (Melville
Water Polo Club) and learned to access relevant services.
Advocacy
Cameron
has leveraged his incident to advocate in state parliament for changes to
fishing laws to reduce shark–human encounters. He argues that fishing attracts
large fish (bait, berley), so separating fishing from recreational swimming
areas improves safety.
His
initial efforts stalled. After a subsequent fatality (a young girl taken about
a year later near his incident site), the state government offered funding for
councils to implement protective measures, with councils covering maintenance.
The result was a safe enclosure for swimming installed at Bicton Jetty, an
outcome Cameron expressed happiness at contributing to.
The
Bite Club was started by a surfer in New South Wales after a bull shark
encounter to create a space for sharing experiences and medical treatments. It
expanded from NSW to Australia-wide online and then globally, including
survivors of various animal attacks (lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles,
bears). It functions as a non-judgmental support group for people coping with
severe injuries, limb loss, bereavement, and other consequences.
The
two first responders are now friends. They meet annually on the incident day to
catch up. One was an ex-SAS serviceman, the other a geologist with mine-site
medical training—both had useful medical knowledge that aided Cameron’s
survival.
Resilience
Philosophy
Cameron
defines resilience as acceptance and reality: accept changes and circumstances,
determine what can be done, and move forward simply and pragmatically.
He regards the experience as ultimately
positive, providing profound insights that he would not have otherwise gained.
Cutting it Fine(s)...Madam Lash aka Joy Burnett left no dollar un-turned...
- The Duke - 3 weeks leave = departure tax, one 💵 for each week
- Owen - lunching like a lord at Voyager 🍷
- The Duke (again) - Stealing Joy's thunder ⛈ by mentioning the historical facts for today
- Sporting Aussies - because we led the tally in the Commonwealth Games. Croquet players are NOT exempt!
- Beer Guzzlers - it's International Beer 🍺 Day - of great cultural significance to ALL Aussies.
- Aged Care employees - yes it's your day today also so pay up!
- Purple Hearts Day 💜- yes for veterans but Dockers supporters give it a new meaning.
Winner of Heads and Tails
Visiting Friend of Rotary, Denny Craig won the wine and was full of smiles as she took possession of a nice bottle of Scuttlebutt Shiraz. Thanks to Owen F for his contribution.Attendance
37 attendees in all, including guest speaker Cameron Wrathall, visiting Rotarians Jill Matthwin (Kojonup), Geoff Anderson (E-WA club and first host family to Felipé), Lucas Roosendaal (Nedlands), visitors Denny Craig, Eno Budo and Rotary Youth Exchange student Felipé Alves Mizobuchi.
