President Kelly
President Kelly reminded us that yesterday wa International Volunteer Day and had received this message from Rotary International which he read out.
"Rotarians in our region and across the globe are united in purpose, and on this International Volunteer Day, we celebrate every act of service, kindness and generosity.
From addressing global challenges to supporting individuals and communities in need, volunteers breathe life into the spirit of human solidarity, driven by compassion adn commitment.
You are at the heart of change for good and better, and our communities can always count on you! Thank you."
“Town Hall” Charter Members – Vic, Rick and Owen
Mill Point Rotary Club was chartered on 11th March 1987.
Host and Interviewer Brian Johnson (far left) introduced our three remaining active Charter Members (L to R) Vic Stoyanoff, Rick Sneeuwjagt and Owen Ferguson. Brian also acknowledged Honorary Member Sid Jessup (Charter President).
Vic Stoyanoff Rotary 47 years/Mill Point 37 years
Rick Sneeuwjagt Rotary 43 years/Mill Point 37 years
Owen Ferguson Mill Point 37 years
Vic is our most senior, so let's start with you…You were born 1937, migrant parents from Bulgaria. What was it like growing up in Perth in the war years? For you, your parents?
- I was only two when the war started, so don’t have much memory of that.
- Because my parents were Bulgarian, that was part of the “Axis” group. They were offered the option of internment camp or going to Manjimup to grow tobacco for the war effort. So, they chose Manjimup.
Rick was born
Melbourne 1946, one of the first baby boomers! Your father was Dutch-Indonesian, you have fantastic story about the Sneeuwjagt
name…tell us!
- Actually pronounced “snare-yuct”. “Sneeuw” means “snow” and “jagt” means to “hunt” or “the driven snow”. It was the name given to my Great Grandfather who was left on the doorstep of an orphanage in Amsterdam. When they opened the door, it looked like a snow drift and hence the name.
- He served in the army and served in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), where my Grandfather, Father and all my siblings were born.
- Knew how to ask for food…I grew up speaking Dutch and didn’t learn English until moving to Melbourne at age 10.
Owen you were born in Perth 1953, so you're the youngster…the name Ferguson is from Scots-Gaelic “Macfhearghus”, patranomic form of Fergus which translates as “son of the angry one”…surely not…? What are your childhood memories?
- Probably correct…no English blood, basically Scottish, Celtic, Scandinavian, bit of Spanish and one-sixteenth Jewish from Balkan Jews (you’re not related to Gorby…?!)
- Second of five growing up, fortunate that Gough Whitlam came along when I needed tertiary education.
You graduated at UWA as a dentist, married engineer Bev, worked 3 years in Port Hedland, then backpacked Europe for 18 months…any good stories (you’ll admit to?)
- Backpacked in days of Eurail Pass, booked cheap hotels at railway stations. I did work for a while in London because we ran out of money. Good time, had a lot of good food and good wine.
- Forced on me earlier than planned. I had lost fine function in my right hand and nobody wants a dentist with the shakes!
- Fortunately, Reg Willis was an insurance broker and he had set me up with some insurance until I was 65.
RRick you moved to Melbourne. Studied to be Forester at Melbourne Uni and at ANU, did your Masters in Fire Research at U of Seattle Washington. It brought you to WA where you met “love of my life” Mandy and you stayed to write the manual on fire behaviour. What were the highlights of that time?
- As a kid driving through the Dandenongs with my mother I would ask who looked after the trees? That was when I decided I wanted to be a Forester. After graduating and coming to WA, there was a big fire (“Boorara fire”) caused by a lack of scrub burning.
- After the review it was decided I would take over the research, despite being a “lowly” Forester. That was the start of my love for fire management/forest management, which has been my life for the last forty years.
- In Pemberton I met a twelve year old lady, my future wife…
VVic you qualified as a Pharmacist in 1959 and went on a working holiday in UK & Europe in ‘60s. You and Owen did similar travel, but you did it single…"wink"
- Don’t know about the wink, wink, nudge, nudge…We had an arrangement where our registration would be honoured in the UK, so I worked there in several pharmacies.
- In between jobs I would take time off and would tour Europe with some friends in a Mini. Basically the grand tour of Europe.
You then married Helen, raised three daughters and ran several Pharmacies, retiring in 2008.
- Helen happened to be a Pharmacist as well, so we met professionally. We got married and started our business in Merredin, 17 or 18 years. With the girls boarding in Perth for High School, we bought a business in Perth for many years. Unfortunately Helen developed early onset Alzheimers and I sold the businesses, spending the next few years looking after her.
Vic when you joined Rotary in 1977, it was ten years before women were admitted. What was Rotary of 1977 like?
- Being a country town, it was relatively small. Initially I was in Apex and at 40 you had to leave. They immediately said ”come to Rotary” and I was inducted that day as a visitor! Being small, we had a couple of portfolios all the way through. We did a lot of physical work, fundraising, collecting newspapers for recycling, baling hay even collecting disused railway sleepers for a Perth garden centre.
You were also a charter member of Mill Point in 1987. Tell us about it.
- I was approached by a couple of clubs – a lunch club and an evening club. I couldn’t do that with my business. The DG approached me, along with Sid Jessup, to set up a breakfast club. We recruited around and ended up with about 25-26 potential members, so went ahead with forming a club.
(It was appropriate at this stage to acknowledge the late Frank Rousset, who was also a charter member)
Rick you joined Manjimup in 1981, then Mill Point in 1987. How would you characterise Country v City Rotary then?
- A lot of similarities to what Vic was saying. I was in Apex as well. Getting “too old”, I was approached to join Rotary and really enjoyed the evening sessions. We would often go until about 10 at night playing carpet bowls…
- Most of us worked those days, there were very few retirees. We were the “make up” club.
Would you describe a particular “golden” period for Rotary?
- Rotary has been a fantastic family for me and allowed me to meet different people other than work. This club is very loyal, we look after each other and are genuinely interested in what your life is.
Owen you started with Mill Point in 1987. You didn’t have any prior time in Rotary or Service clubs?What drew you to Mill Point and what do you see as the highlights?
- I was initially approached to join Como. With one kid, and one on the way, I couldn’t do evenings or lunch time. I was approached by Ray Backhouse, who said I’m joining and you can be at work by 9 o’clock… I’d run out of excuses by that stage…it was the best thing I have ever done.
- You meet interesting people and, as Rick said, you always want to do something.
- As Sid Jessup said, you meet like-minded people you implicitly trust and become friends.
- (Owen then acknowledged many past members, too many anecdotes to relate here….)
Folks, these three esteemed gentlemen have a combined total of 127 years as Rotarians. That is a fantastic contribution to the community and Rotary and exemplifies “Service above Self”, although Owen you definitely suit “Fellowship with Purpose”…
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
Brian
- Club Service meeting after breakfast
Rick
- Have received agreement from City of South Perth for Australia Day Parking.
- Community/Fundraising meeting next week after breakfast.
Veronica:
- Thank you letter received from 12 Buckets for donation from BNB. Also requesting help for their Telethon Community Cinema evenings - see events page for details
- Club photo will be taken after breakfast on 20 December - put your best Chrissie togs on!
- Global Hand Charity are seeking helpers to sort out spectacles on Wednesday 5.30pm at Captivate in Kitchener Avenue, Burswood.
Gorby
- Wongan Hills vocational visit 4/5 February. RSVP mjgwaconsulting@gmail.com if interested.
Michelle
- Anne-Marie has hurt her back; John Hardwick unable to attend meetings; Jeff Longshaw receiving treatment; David Rowell has torn two tendons - our best wishes to you all for a speedy recovery.
- Phil Doyle roster completed - thank you to everyone who volunteered.
A Fine(s) Day to discover your discrepancies
Veronica - bought enough tickets so must be psychic - pay up!
Grandparents - who are responsible for transporting grandkids to and from events
Lew Thomas - something in common by owning a horse
Ian K - 2 weeks ago was acting sargent and did a s**t job -forgot notes, was ill-prepared and was absent the week after (guilt?) AND we do not accept you did it on purpose so you wouldn't be asked again.
Michelle Lovkis = embodies well for a beautiful name followed by love and our giver of TLC when we need it. Everyone pay up - you might need her one day!
Brian (x 2) = High and Noble - well it does fit one of them!
Peter = Rock or stone - very apt for Mr Dowling.
Brian J lack of quality assurance adding Peter Doyle instead of Phil Doyle in directory.
Wayne (x2) = derived from occupation as a wagon maker - one has a wagon to pull the other needs a wagon for his pearls of wisdom!
Scott = whilst it is from Scotland, it's pretty certain that they only have 30 June not 31?
Raelene = Hebrew origin from a 'ewe'?
Kelly = Irish origin of 'WAR' - not our Kelly!
Michael = Masculine hebrew name (yes) meaning GOD (noo!)
Kim = Vietnamese origin meaning Golden, Beauty, Grace and Strength (got this one right!
Winner of Heads and Tails
Guest tosser this week no other than Rick who tossed two heads, two tails, two more tails then one of each - Lucky Lew Thomas won the wine two weeks in a row!
Attendance
32 attendees in all, including visiting Rotarian Bill Boekman.
