Bulletin #020 - 13 November 2026

Howdy Pardners...

...President Wayne (aka The Duke) reminded us of the Four Way Test #1- Is it the TRUTH?

Today in history :

Friday 13^th is often referred to as Black Friday

1939 - remembering the Black Friday bushfires in Victoria where 71 people died.

 
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Angus F : Fundraising Committee meeting after breakfast
• 
  Lorrie G Heading for Sri Lanka Eye Camp, leaving Tuesday 1^st December. Call for more used spectacles please (although not taking for this trip).
• Carole O : Cleanup Day with Como Rotary Club 29^th November 

Guest Speaker : Ry Beaver - Wildlife Photorapher, Blogger and Citizen Scientist

Ry trained in Zoology and Marine Biology at UWA, but he’s never worked in the field. These days he’s a public servant with the state government and wildlife is his passion rather than his profession.

Through his website, Wildlife Watching Australia, Ry shares where to find the mammals, reptiles and frogs of south-western Australia, usually after dark with a camera in hand. He records bat calls with acoustic detectors and has logged more than 3,600 observations on iNaturalist, which feed into real scientific databases. 

 

It’s very much a family affair - his wife Mel and their kids, Liam and Sienna, are often out there with him and the kids helped with some of the images he showed this morning.

Ry showed a collection of his wildlife photos and described how any of us can help record it. Wildlife can be found surprisingly close to urban areas, including possums, quenda, frogs, and bats, though some species require patience and nighttime visits.

 

Ry uses a Canon R5 Mark II with a Tamron 150-600mm lens (and would like a longer prime lens) but emphasized making good use of the equipment he already owns. Night photography also requires a suitable flash and flash extender. The Echidna photo (above) was taken by his son Liam.

 

Habitat loss, introduced predators, and fire regimes can threaten native wildlife. Sustained conservation work can help populations recover and enable reintroductions. Citizen-science platforms let the public submit photographs, recordings, and identifications that contribute to research and biodiversity databases.

 

Online platforms iNaturalist, FrogID, and Zooniverse offer different ways to participate, from recording local species to identifying wildlife in camera-trap images and transcribing historical records. Wildlife observation rewards persistence: repeated outings, research, and learning improve the chances of seeing elusive species.

Ry’s presentation and photos can be viewed at:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1t6Teu6f4lg1u2rmOhZigpqfofwm0mswq?rtpof=true&usp=drive_fs

 
Fines - the McGann

• Who “stole” someone’s tickets?...Own up Geoff L…
• Today’s cricket news on “Sandpapergate…everyone who’s ever used sandpaper
• All present - for today’s World Goodness Day!

Winner of Heads and Tails

Guest Rowena Smith, (Tricia's daughter) all the way from Dubai took home an exceedingly good bottle of wine (thanks to Owen F).

Attendance

37 attendees in all, including guest speaker Ry Beaver, and visitors Rowena Smith and Nimanshi Rasaharani.

Club Duties

20 November  

Sargeant        Mike Collett

Attendance    Margaret Walton, Dianna Goh

Welcome        Michelle Lovkis

Host               Reggie Lau

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Angus Florence

Birthdays

Jane Florence (21st)

Michelle Lovkis (23rd) 

Anniversaries

 

27 November  

Sargeant        Angus Florence

Attendance    Lorrie Gray, Margaret Hyatt

Welcome       Lydia Wong

Host               Michael Gottschalk

Club Dress    Mike Collett, Howard Nelson

Birthdays

Margaret Hyatt (28th)

Dietmar Mazanetz (28th) 

Anniversaries

Raelene and Andy George (29th)

Alison and Colin Philp (29th) 

 

4 December  

Sargeant        Mike Collett

Attendance    Jenny McLean, Peggy Leung

Welcome       Eunice Sari

Host               Brian Johnson

Club Dress    Angus Florence, Ken Pittman

Birthdays

Anniversaries

John and Lois Tidman (5th) 

 

11 December  

Sargeant        

Attendance    

Welcome       

Host               

Club Dress    

Birthdays

Rhonda Kremmer (12th)

Anniversaries

 

18 December  

Sargeant        

Attendance    

Welcome       

Host               

Club Dress    

Birthdays

Corrine O'Sullivan (17th)

Margaret Walton (17th)

Andrew King (20th)

Wendy Longshaw (30th) 

 

Anniversaries

Ken and Chris Pittman (23rd)

Wane and Fran Muller (29th) 

 

 25 December - No Meeting, it's Christmas!

 

Future Guest Speakers

Mill Point Guest Speakers 2026 - 2027   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                    Stephen Blake - Harry Perkins Institute 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

 

Clean Up, Clean Up, Clean Up!

Come and help RC of Como Keep Australia Beautiful! Everyone is welcome, so bring your friends, families, colleagues - anyone who is willing to give a few hours.

Be sure to bring appropriate footwear and don't forget your sunhat, sunscreen and water!

See you there! 

 

Annual January Picnic - 8 January (venue TBA)

Our annual January picnic is being held again - venue and time to be advised BUT please diarise the date now so you don't miss out on some fellowship and fun!

2027 District Events!

Not just for office bearers, but for new and experienced members alike. 

Rotary is changing and so be up-to-date on all things Rotary. 

 

 

 

Bulletin #019 - 6 November 2026

Howdy Pardners...

President Wayne (The Duke) welcomed all and reminded us of the Four Way Test #2 “Is it FAIR to all concerned?” However, today in history...

1917  Vladimir Lenin seized power in the Russian Revolution

1991  Boris Yeltsin passed a decree outlawing communism that broke up the USSR.

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Raelene G : Back from her travels. Thanks to Michelle (Attendance) and Lorrie (International Committee) for standing in for her whilst she was away.
• Gorby : A very interesting tour of Government House was attended by 21 members and friends.
  
  Our Club Royalty, President Wayne & First Lady Katrina, were accorded the appropriate protocols! This was followed by an enjoyable lunch at the “Lucky Shag”. Possible future visit to “Vinnies” in Highgate early next year
• Carole O : Thanks to Gorby for organising the excellent Vocational tour. There have been some cancellations for the play night 18^th November. Some tickets still available

   

Guest Speakers : 1. Felipe Mizobuchi Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Student

Felipe Mizobuchi is our inbound RYE student. He is a 16-year-old from Brazil and presented about his family, interests, hometown and its Japanese-Brazilian culture, school, community projects, and experience in Australia. He described his growing confidence in English, enthusiasm for sports and technology and the value he places on making connections and learning another language.

He described himself as half Brazilian and half Japanese: his father is Japanese and his mother is Brazilian. Felipe lives in a small city named as “Alves Machado” in São Paulo state. Brazil has 26 states and one federal district, and the São Paulo state has 645 cities. His city has a significant Japanese-Brazilian heritage, connected to Japanese people moving to Brazil in search of a new life. He described the city as having a rich cultural history and mentioned a Japanese cemetery that he said is the only one in Latin America.

Felipe enjoys playing soccer, especially at school and likes trying different sports. He also enjoys robotics, Lego, technology, and jigsaw puzzles. His father taught him practical repair skills, including fixing doors and other things (as noted and appreciated by his first “Host Father” Jeff Anderson”…).

Felipe described his Host Club as having about 20 members and belonging to District 4510. He said it was founded on April 24th 1959 and meets on Monday nights at 8 PM. Members share dinner and discuss projects and events they can support.

He said his experience in Australia was going very well and that he loves his school (Kent Street SHS), which is larger than his school in Brazil. Felipe described his stay as a dream and an important opportunity to connect with people and learn English. He called English a world language and said learning another language is important. His parents encouraged him to enjoy his time and build connections and he believes the experience could change his life.

Felipe’s PowerPoint can be viewed at:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_HRoC16hVeT5CUfHUNzffwsg6nh0d0bc?rtpof=true&usp=drive_fs

Youth Service Director Garrick McCamey,

on behalf of the club, presented a Thank You gift to his first “Host Parents” Jeff and Heather Anderson.

Felipe is now with his second Host Family, Gorby and Sana.

 

2. Don Gray - Tanzania Update

Don is Lorrie’s brother, and presented an overview of Tanzania’s economy, politics, and demographics.

He also described his project to design affordable, appropriately scaled agricultural machinery for emerging smallholder commercial farmers.

A transcript of Don’s update can be viewed at:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1YwsGO9JsBoUCS7_ZvnQp8hg_ezdFLtQO&usp=drive_fs

3. Jodie Sparks – “Bricktober”

Jodie a well-known member of the Ascot Rotary Club and District Governor-elect who will take over from current DG Veronica Lawrance in July 2027 - 2028.

Jodie passed her thanks and “kudos” to the Mill Point team who assisted with manning the merchandise stall at this year’s Bricktober. It was a huge success, attracting over 9,000 visitors. In recognition of our assistance, Jodie made a $5,000 contribution to Mill Point.

 

Club Forum : 

Due to the very limited time remaining Brian Johnson, on behalf of Club Service Director Kelly Gillen, gave a quick update on the progress from last September’s Forum. Minutes of the Forum will be circulated to members by Secretary Alison.

 
Fines - All about the cost of living today!

• All in attendance – here for the forum or to listen and support our Exchange Student.
•  City of South Perth Ratepayers – pay rates for living in City run by a dysfunctional Council…
•  Water Babies – swimmers, yachties’ anyone who loves our water, after last weeks guests.
•  Missed International Teachers Day last Friday so all of us should give thanks to an educator who helps us become who we are today.
•  Can anyone tell me the significance of Sunday 8^th November? It’s the beginning of Seniors Week and before the Govt, Banks or Hospital Benefits grabs your dough, if you have a Seniors Card, Rotary will have a $ before it disappears!

Attendance

43 attendees in all, including guest speakers Felipé, Don Gray, Jodie Sparks (Ascot RC), visiting Rotarians Jeff Anderson (EWA RC), Jill Matthwin (Kojonup RC) and guests Sana Dimovich, Felipe Mizobuchi, David Thomas, Bailley Thomas, Nimanshi Rasasharani, Katrina Duke, and Heather Anderson.

Bulletin #18 - 30 October 2026

Howdy Pardners...

President Wayne opened proceedings to the usual noisy welcome, noting it was great to see we had 11 guests today.

As he also observed, the 4WT “Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS” will be particularly applicable to four rowers on a 4,000Km+ journey – they will have no other choice!!

Today is UN International Translation Day.
 
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Michelle L : Message from Jean – the buffet next week will be in the room next door. We must finish by 8:45 due to set up for following event
• Lorrie G : Thanks to every one for their support of Don and herself in OffTraq. They got away with no damage to their car 200+ bottles were collected during the event for their CFC fundraising. New member Eno was a Star during the event.
• Wayne M  : 60 rounds of sandwiches were made up for OffTraq. Thanks to members who made and delivered the sandwiches $500 raised for our Charity Account.
• Carole O : Ronald MacDonald Dinner cooking this Sunday, emaildetails sent. Still a couple of tickets left for the Old Mill Theatre play 18^th November.
• Gorby : Government house tour next Thursday 5^th November, see email for details. Be there no later than 10:15 or risk being left behind. RYE student Felipe now with him & Sana, see email re help for activities. Suggested tour of Vinnies Highgate in February 2027.
• Wayne D  : From DG Veronica, Mill Point got honourable mention for ARH donation. District has raised $4.7million for Australian Rotary Health since inception.
•  Jenny McL : The Sewing Sisters (TSS)
  
  have been busy making small backpacks for inclusion into shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child gifts to be sent to recipients overseas. They made and donated 177 backpacks which were packed up and added to the shoebox contents. Samaritan's Purse will be delivering these worldwide. 
• 

  Felipe has moved host families and is now living with our very own Gorby & Sana. We ask that you offer as much support as possible to assist them with Felipe. He recently attended a camp in Byford with his fellow exchange students and had an absolute ball!

  He is now training and playing futsal with games on Friday night or Saturday afternoon. Before he left Jeff and Heather he treated them to a home made meal of Sashimi. We will hear more from Felipe on 6^th November at our meeting.

  
  

Guest Speaker - Blades of Oary - The World's Toughest Row  

Our guest speakers this week were Laura Lilley (L) and Micah Manger (R). 

Along will fellow crew members Cassis Gaff and Chelsea Tanner, they make up the rowing team “Blades of Oary”. 

 

They outlined their upcoming unsupported 4,800 km Atlantic Ocean crossing in the World’s Toughest Row, to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA and RUAH Community Services.

Their presentation detailed their intensive physical training, logistics, team dynamics, emergency protocols and fundraising milestones ahead of their 12^th December race star.

None of the four ladies had ever rowed before. The friendship began eight years between Laura (Primary School teacher) and Micah (Helicopter crewperson), with Chelsea (Occupational Therapist) and Cassie (Retrieval Nurse) joining along the way. Their intense campaign preparation commenced three years ago, with logistical management, fundraising and physical/psychological training. After surpassing their initial fundraising milestone of $250,000 (currently at $256,000), they have raised their target to $500,000.

They have acquired a second-hand boat (nicknamed “Salty) from a previous UK team. Team members depart for the UK and will arrive in La Gomera on November 29, 2026, allowing two weeks for mandatory briefings and practice rows before the official race start on December 12, 2026.

The team will row in strict two-hours-on, two-hours-off shifts, consuming roughly 5,000 calories per person daily. Living quarters are minimalist, sleeping occurs in tight shifts inside the cabin and bathroom needs are managed using a bucket on deck—practiced during offshore trials at Rottnest Island.

In unsupported ocean rowing, emergency assistance relies on the nearest commercial shipping vessel, which rescues only the crew and leaves the boat behind.

By fortuitous coincidence, Rick & Mandy Sneeuwjagt’s guests, Kevin & Judy Robinson were able to relate the experiences of their daughter Grace’s experiences in the 2023-24 race. These included their boat being holed by a very determined marlin and being nearly run down by an unlit tanker at night!!

Supporters can track the crossing

Blades of Oary in real time using the Yellowbrick tracking app, to be installed on the boat in La Gomera, with live tracking links shared across the team’s social media channels. Donations can also be made via the QR code on the slide.

A PDF version of their presentation can be viewed at:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1dTCy0S6-qwAMFRE2RCUdgDIZm8C3Ajcb&usp=drive_fs

Fines - Wayne Muller

• Any Members not involved in OffTraq
• Brian A Took e-bike for repairs, to find shop moved from Freo to Malaga
• Everyone who didn’t wear a red T-shirt on World Polio Day
• David T $1 for every meeting missed

Winner of Heads and Tails

Every winner's a grinner and Kelly Gillen certainly showed his pleasure at grabbing the grog today! 

Attendance

46 attendees in all, including guest speakers Micah and Laura from the Blades of Oary Team, and visitors Victoria Kong, Nimanshi Rasaharani, Bob Campbell, Penny Anderson, Don Gray, Katrina Duke, Kevin Robinson, Judy Robinson, Mandy Sneeuwagt, Rona McGann