Bulletin #33 : 6 March 2026

Presidential Ponderings

P1 - Co-President Gerry McGann - opened the meeting and commented there would be no “Today in History” as we would be learning that today about other things, and instead welcomed Renae Poot, former member and President 2013-2014. 

Renae now lives in Esperance town after moving from the farm, and is officially retired but still busy. 

Renae said it was good to see so many new faces as well as the 'old family'.

 

The Kopper Kettle was passed around with donations going to the Global Hands Eye Camps.

Gerry also welcomed back Lew Thomas after many months in Queensland who is seen here comparing 'moon boots' with Garrick McCamey.

What a pair!

  

 

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

Ian K : Croquet night 27 March, still open for new starters.

Ross S : Ronald McDonald House dinner 29 March, room for more volunteers.

Gorby : Successful club walk, thanks to all who attended. 12 May Pines Restaurant (Endeavour Awards) booking. 10 April guided historic tour through Perth with Richard Offen. Nominations sought for Pride of Workmanship awards. Thanks to Angus for taking over bread collection whilst Gorby was doing a U-turn on the India-Pacific! 

Astrid M : Seeking a ride to the District Conference next weekend

Jenny M: Sewing sisters  consignment of five boxes reached PNG. More projects coming up after Easter for Magic Coat Foundation. Also potential project for Ronald McDonald House.

Rick S: Pankind BB this Sunday, 7.30am start, enough volunteers, thank you. Nominations sought for Unsung Heroes.

Brian J : Cub Birthday BYO Sundowner this evening at Sir James Mitchell Park.

Gerry M : District Conference next weekend, 28 attendees from Mill Point. 

Club Birthday - Happy Birthday Memories

The roving MC expertly held by Brian Johnson did us proud with many memories/historical anecdotes supplied by the rogues gallery below!

To celebrate Mill Point Rotary Club’s 39^th birthday, roving Host/MC Brian Johnson invited members to share brief stories on the history of the club and some anecdotes.

Vic Stoynaff (Charter member) spoke of the club forming approximately 39 years ago as a breakfast club to suit members’ work schedules. Early organizers included Sid Jessup and Walt Hunter, with initial recruitment focusing on South Perth.

The club started with about 21–22 members and met at the Freeway Hotel on Mill Point Road.

Owen Ferguson spoke about some of the Exchange Students we have had over the years. Our first exchange student was Carrie Munson from Minnesota who arrived during extreme heat straight from extreme cold. 

Notable alumna was Zenobia Jacobs from South Africa. She pursued archaeology and gained her PhD in Wales. Zenobia is now now a professor at University of Wollongong with multiple commendations and awards. 

The club hosted and sent about 15 students in the first 15 years. Another notable Alum is Paul Daly. He later joined the club and became Policeman of the Year twice.

Joy Burnett spoke of leading a GSE team of four young professionals to Denmark for a five-week vocational exchange.

Activities included weekly rotations among about five host clubs and presentations at club meetings and district conference.

Rick Sneeuwagt spoke of the club transitioning from all-male to inclusive membership. Whilst some members left, female leadership strengthened the club.

Australia Day ceremonies on the foreshore became a signature event: organizing dignitaries, barbecues, hot dog sales, flag presentations (creative deliveries), and flyovers.

The flagpole mast originated from a vessel via renown yachtsman Rolly Tasker. There were early technical glitches and humorous mishaps occurred.

Tricia Smith remembered some of our dear departed members:

• Gertie Ewen,  a vibrant elder member, WWII-era interpreter, social linchpin with multiple community groups and one who loved humour.
• Roger Groom, violin maker/restorer. A certain member in the room left Roger’s Stradivarius left in a London taxi during an appraisal trip! 
• Irene Mallal, former head of a business college in Malaysia/Pakistan and beloved club stalwart.

Gerry McGann spoke of the “Linen Project” which originated in August 2016 after past member Chris Hermann observed bulk hotel/industrial linen going to landfill near Dampier. A partnership with BHP enabled sourcing, logistics,  warehouse and forklift support.

Approximately five major sessions with at least four containers shipped to Rotary Donations in Kind (Adelaide, and later Victoria), and distributed through 37 charities across WA and internationally (e.g., Northern Thailand, parts of Africa), estimating a  “couple of hundred tons” rescued.

Wayne Muller told us about the origin of the Rotary Ramble and BulldustNBack.

Lew Thomas spoke of some of our past events, including “A Sparkling Affair", golf days and visits to Lyn and Margaret’s vineyard in Bridgetown.

One Fine(less) session...Wayne Muller

In lieu of a Fines session, Wayne held an interactive session on the Mobius Strip. This involved a strip of paper being twisted through to 180° with the ends joined together.

Members were invited to draw a pencil line along the strip and then cut with scissors.

Unfortunately the time keeper had to sound the gong...and so no Heads& Tails this week.

Attendance

41attendees in all, including visiting Rotarian and ex-member Renae Poot (Esperance).

Bulletin #32 : 27 February

Presidential Ponderings

Co-President David Rowell (P2) opened the meeting, commenting on how nice the morning was after the “bang and crash” thunderstorms of the other morning….

Today in History, involving International Rule changes: 

• 1920 the Czech Republic and Slovakia became Czechoslovakia 
• 1922 Egypt became independent 
• 1951 The USA passed the 22^nd Amendment, limiting a President to two terms in office.

He reminded those present of the Four Way Test #3 – “will it build goodwill and better friendships?”

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

Ian K : Croquet Night 27 March at Como Croquet Club.

Gerry M : Read an update message from our RYE student Makynli in France. She has enjoyed her birthday celebrations with her host family and seen snow for the first time (being from Karratha!). We are expecting an inbound RYE student, the club has asked for a male. Host families needed.

Rick S : Pankind BBQ Sunday 08 March at the Boatshed foreshore, South Perth, from 8:00AM, more volunteers needed.

Ross S : Ronald McDonald House dinner 29 March, more volunteers needed.

Brian J : Club Birthday BYO Sundowner 06 March at Sir James Mitchell Park “StREAts food trucks.”

Guest Speaker : Brett Pollock OAM (assisted by Rohin Kehal) "Perkolilli Red Dust Revival

Brett is a retired pastoralist and former Mayor of Mosman Park. He was also awarded an OAM in the 2026 Australia Day Honours list. This was awarded for services to Mosman Park and Men’s Health (Men’s Sheds), as well as working with the Wandjari people in the Murchison where he was owner of Wooleen Station.

He has had 50 years of volunteering in Outback tourism, local government and establishing the Shark Bay heritage region.

 

The Red Dust Revival is a motorsport event that  takes place at Lake Perkolilli, a clay pan located 60km east of Kalgoorlie. Racing has occurred at this location since 1906, but it is now a revival event held every three years.

It is the largest amateur motor vehicle event in Australia. On the final day, it attracts about 2,500 spectators who either come from Kalgoorlie or camp on-site.

The event is open to cars, motorbikes, and aeroplanes manufactured before 1940.

 

It typically attracts about 100 car nominations, 100 motorbike nominations, and 4–5 Tiger Moth–type aeroplanes. Some participants build cars specifically for the event, ensuring they resemble vehicles from the pre-1940 era. Model A Fords are particularly popular.

The event format is time-trialing, where participants drive as fast as possible. Cars are matched up after initial trials. The track is 2.4 miles long, and each run consists of two laps, for a total of five miles.

The most recent event was run by the Variety Club, with the participants taking passengers for rides (after the days racing), with the $50 fee per passenger going to Variety as a fundraiser. Brett also uses his long-distance drives in his Model A to fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), raising $68,000 on one trip through an online blog. 

Brett retired to Perth 20 years ago and owns a 1930 Model A Ford named “Glad.”

He later purchased a 1935 Rolls-Royce named “Clementine,” which is in original, untouched condition.

After being persuaded by the event’s historian, he brought “Clementine” to Perkolilli, making it the first Rolls-Royce to ever race there, much to the chagrin of Bentley owners.

 

Brett views the entire activity at Perkolilli as beneficial for men’s health, even if the men don’t explicitly recognize it. It functions similarly to Men’s Sheds by getting men together to talk in a comfortable group setting about health issues like prostate problems.

It also provides a welcoming environment for people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Brett has been heavily involved in volunteering and setting up Men’s Sheds across Western Australia for many years, establishing about 100 of the 250 sheds in the state.

He sees Men’s Sheds as great for men’s health and also for women’s health, as it gets retired men out of the house!

 

Rohin Kehal met Brett at a Men’s Shed, when he was recruited to  

change the gearbox on his Model A Ford “Glad”. 

He has now been elevated to co-driver in the Rolls Royce “Clementine”.

He is pictured here with a rather excited passenger…

Brett’s presentation can be viewed at:

millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>POLLOCK Brett – Red Dust Revival

 
It's a Fine(s) art...

• 2026 Winter Olympics – anyone who has seen or played in snow.
• Anyone who has been to Italy.
• Gorby and Peggy’s walkers 
• National Pokemon Day – ever played Pokemon or given to kids
• “No Brainer” Day – everyone with a brain
• The check shirt brigade
• “Import tax” – David T (from New Zealand) and Astrid (Scandinavia)
• Kelly and Tricia for being incognito (no name badges)

Winner of Heads and Tails

Well doesn't Scott Dwyer look pleased with himself? Well done Scott, another one to add to the collection! 

Attendance

41 attendees in all, including guest speaker Brett Pollock, visiting Rotarians John Dodman OAM (Como), Jill Mathwin (Kojonup), visitors Rohin Kehal and Dvid Pollock.

John Dodman thanked the Club for his welcome and on the club's kind  congratulations on being awarded the OAM in the 2026 Australia Day Honors list.

Club Duties

Club Duties : 2025 - 2026   

13 March

Sargeant        Mike Collett

Attendance    Margaret Hyatt, Dietmar Mazanetz

Welcome        Geoff Longshaw

Host               Michael Gottschalk

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Ken Pittman

Birthdays 

 Nil

Anniversaries

 Nil

 

20 March

Sargeant        Angus Florence

Attendance    Ian Kremmer, Shaun O'Brien

Welcome        Carole O'Brien

Host               Raelene George

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Angus Florence

Birthdays 

 Nil

Anniversaries

 Nil

 

27 March

Sargeant        Mike Collett

Attendance    Lorrie Gray, Michelle Lovkis

Welcome        Warren McCamey

Host               Garrick McCamey

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Angus Florence

Birthdays 

 Nil

Anniversaries

 Nil

 

3 April - NO meeting - Good Friday 

 

Future Guest Speakers

Mill Point Guest Speakers 2025 

March 6                    Tales from the Club/ Club birthday PM 13                   Bernard Foley - Life Ed  20                   Dr James Savundra - Interplast Plastic Surgeon 27                   Elizabeth Kerry - RYLA April 3                      No Meeting - Good Friday 10                    Darren Meakins - Membership/Networking Initiative 17                    Ross Smith - South Perth Hospital 24                    Brent Kemp -CEO Harcourt & Veteran Advocate May 1                      Pride of Workmanship Awards 8                       15                     22                     29                    Jessica Murray - Telehealth  June 5                       12                     19                     26                    No breakfast meeting 27                    David Rowell/Gerry McGann - Changeover Lunch

Upcoming Events

Grants Seminar 8 March 

If you intend to apply for a Grant your club must be represented at the Grants Seminar. This is an amazing opportunity for you to receive much needed funds for your project. It's also a good way for new members to understand the Grant Process.

Book today and don't miss out! 

*****

 

LAST CHANCE - REGISTRATIONS CLOSE ON 4 MARCH.

District Conference 13-15 March 2026 - Up, Up and Away...

Still time to register for the 2026 Up, Up and Away District Conference - great speakers, great fun and great fellowship!

 

****** 

District Assemblies 2026

New members will benefit greatly from attending one of these assemblies, learning about the wonderful world of Rotary and all that it entails. Encourage them to broaden their knowledge for when they take a more active role in the Leadership Team.

Book now at https://rotarywa9423.org.au/events/rotary-district-assemblies/

 

 

 

Keep Australia Beautiful Opportunities

  *****

Friday 27 March 5.30pm start

*****

 Historical Walk - 10 April

 

 

 

 

Bulletin #31 - 20 February 2026

Presidential Ponderings

P2 was all about Change and informed us that on this day in...

• 1472 the Orkney and Shetland Islands were ceded by Norway to Scotland as part of a dowry payment
• 1913 King O'Malley drives the first survey peg to commence work on the new Ausralian Cpital - Canberra! and in 
• 1921 Reza Khan Pahlevi seized control of Iran - interesting to reflect on these and other major Global changes and consider the 2nd of Rotary's 4 Way Test Challenge - Is It Fair To All Concerned? 

 
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Angus F : Fundraising committee meeting after breakfast
• Joy B : Hyde park Festival volunteers wanted to showcase Mill Point on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 March. Roster going round.
• Ian K : Membership committee meeting after breakfast and reminder of the Croquet night - scroll down to Events for details.
• Gorby : Reminder of the club walk tonight - scroll down to Events for details.
• Lorrie : Global Hands will have a stall at the Hyde Park Festival showcasing the Sri Lanka Eye Camp and Offtraq (October)

 Wayne Duke - Peace Poles

The aim of Rotary Australia was to 'plant' 100 Peace Poles in Primary Schools  by the year 2021. We now have 505 in total!

Mill Point planted its 6th Peace Pole last week at Victoria Park Primary School and is looking forward to planting its 7th at Manning Primary School in the near future. 

Thanks to a great team  of David R, Brian J, Lyn M and Wayne M led by Wayne D.

Dial A Santa - Margaret Walton

Mill Point RC took over the running of Dial-a-Santa from Rotaract in 2015.   

2025 was the 11th year and we had 18 Santas visiting clients, including 9 from Mill Point and 9 external.  These additional Santas were: Phil Cordery from Southern Districts RC, Steve Lennox from Mt Lawley RC, Jeff Anderson from E-Rotary, Les and Tim from Como RC, Mark Horwood, Russell Lanyon, David Smith and Geoff Day. 

Santas were assisted at their events by 7 Elves or Mrs Claus.

Many new events were booked via the website as well as repeat bookings.  44 events were booked for the Perth Convention Centre where pavilions were transformed into a Christmas Wonderland.  The range of suburbs covered were from Rockingham to Ellenbrook and Wooroloo.

There were 3 free Community visits including Hannah’s House, Kids Cancer Support Group and 1 private video call on Christmas Eve.  Thanks to Mark, Russell and Peter for these events.

Our Santa visits covered a wide variety, starting with Christmas in July, then through November and December to early January.  We also have confirmation of an Easter Bunny repeat visit this Easter at a Shopping Centre.   

Types of events were :

Private families and multiple family groups, Child Care and Early Learning Centres, Kindergartens, Playgroups, Schools, Corporate Christmas Parties, Bars & Restaurants, Sports Clubs, Community and Rotary Markets, Shopping Centres, Perth Convention Centre . 

Total for 2025 : 113 visits raising $29,530

These funds are donated to our various children’s charities and youth programs.

Grand Total since 2015 : $213,325

Many thanks once again to all our very willing Santas and helpers and especially to our external Santas for their invaluable assistance in ensuring our most successful year ever for Dial-a-Santa.

 

Guest Speaker - Elliott Panos, "Smart Freeway System"

 

Elliott is the Operational Readiness Manager at Main Roads WA with ten years’ experience in traffic design, operation, and management.

Located within the Main Roads Network Operations Directorate, Elliott provides operational strategy and planning for Perth’s Smart

Freeways, which includes the configuration and optimisation of the

algorithms which operate across freeway systems.

Elliott has explored many different aspects of congestion management throughout his career within Perth’s metropolitan area.

Over the last 40–50 years, Perth has seen a large increase in population, leading to significant traffic and congestion on its freeways. The traditional solution of building more lanes is becoming unfeasible, as further widening of some freeways, like the Kwinana, would encroach on the river.

A Smart Freeway is a collection of visible and non-visible technologies designed to manage the efficiency and safety of freeway traffic, providing a way to handle demand without widening the road.

 

Key Visible Technologies

• Overhead Electronic Speed Signs: to remotely change speed limits and close lanes to respond to incidents. 
• Variable Message Signs (VMS): Large electronic signs that provide drivers with information on travel times, congestion, or incidents. 
• Ramp Signals: Traffic lights on on-ramps that meter vehicles entering the freeway.

Key Behind-the-Scenes Technologies

• Road Surface Detectors: Embedded every 500 metres to monitor traffic speed. 
• Remote Speed Reduction: Speeds are automatically lowered as drivers approach congestion. 
• Control Room Systems: Software, algorithms, and interfaces used by the control room to monitor and manage traffic. 
• Data Sources: Traffic and travel time data are monitored via multiple sources, including anonymised GPS information from mobile phones, which is valuable because it does not rely on physical roadside technology.

Smart Freeway Project Results and Benefits

Kwinana Freeway (Online since 2020) 

• The system manages about 12 incidents per day on the Smart Freeway section.
• 65% of these incidents are resolved in less than five minutes. Without the system, Main Roads would be blind to many minor incidents.
• The system employs a high degree of automation to reduce reliance on human decision-making.

Mitchell Freeway Southbound (Online since late 2024) 

• Installed 16 ramp signals and 23 overhead electronic signs
• Significant capacity increases of 10–15% in throughput outside peak periods.
• Average reduction of 8 minutes in peak-hour travel time.

 

Upgrades to Principal Shared Paths (PSPs)—high-standard cycleways and footpaths alongside the freeway—allow uninterrupted cycling without traffic lights. This has resulted in a 75% increase in cycling along the length of the freeway.

 

Future of Perth’s Freeways 

Kwinana Freeway Extension: A $700 million investment to extend the Smart Freeway system (specifically ramp signals) from the current northern end south to Safety Bay Road near Mandurah, including lane widening and other improvements.

Mitchell Freeway / Reid Highway Interchange: In development to address the most congested intersection in the state at Reid Highway and Erindale Road, with plans to better connect this traffic into the freeway system. Construction is expected in the next three to four years.

The City “Pinch Point”: A major challenge is the limited space where the freeway passes through the city, constrained between Parliament House and skyscrapers. Widening this “trench” is not feasible as it would undermine building foundations or require removing landmarks like Parliament House. The focus is on maximising efficiency of this critical section.

Planning Horizon: Main Roads is planning for Perth’s population to reach 3.5 million by 2051, using land-use forecasts to model future traffic demand.

Shift in Strategy (Speaker’s Personal Opinion): The speaker anticipates a move away from trying to improve peak-hour journeys by adding lanes. Instead, focus will be on managing demand by promoting travel outside peak hours, making public transport more attractive, and providing pre-trip information so drivers make smarter choices. Continuing to widen freeways to seven or eight lanes to meet future demand is seen as futile and socially unacceptable.

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

 

millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>PANOS Elliott – Smart Freeway System

A Fine(s) Faux Pas 

Our pocket rocket Jenny McLean crimped the coins from those...

• Dishonoring Chinese New year by not wearing red
• Anyone born in the Year of the Horse - 1906, 1932, 1944, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2022 (if any?) 
•  Cricket lovers who should be sitting by the phone for a call from Cricket Australia selectors...
• Golfers still arguing about which competition is best - PGA Tour, Players Championship, TPC Sawgrass, LIV Golf etc etc (yawn) 
• Olympic Obsessors greeted by a blank screen mid week as Livigno closed due to lack of snow where there should be snow, snow and more snow!
• All people opposed to FM - your days are numbered as AM recedes in the background due to FM offering more to serious listeners. 

Winner of Heads and Tails

So wonderful to have Bill Boekman (Wongan Hills) back in our midst and observing his win of the highly coveted bottle of booze in Heads and Tails.

Attendance

42 attendees in all, including guest speaker Elliot Panos, visiting Rotarians Bill Boekman (Wongan Hills), Steve Lomax (Mt Lawley), Les Ozdolay (Como), Phil Cordery (Southern Districts), ex-Rotarian Mark Horwood (Global Hands) and Honorary member of Mill Point Peter KK.