Presidential Ponderings...

President Kelly was warmly welcomed and in turn welcomed visiting Rotarian Bill Boekman (Wongan Hills), soon-to-be-member Bassem Hellou and past member Jaclyn Harrington who invited everyone to Levy's first birthday on Sunday 13th 2-4pm at Maylands Water Park! Happy Birthday Levy!

Guest Speaker - Charlene Bishop, CEO  Pankind (the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation)

Charlene has a diverse professional background in the commercial and community sectors having held roles in legal education, events management, executive search, community engagement, sales and marketing.

 

Charlene’s academic background is in International Relations having graduated from Keele University (UK) with a Bachelor of Arts in 2002. In 2004, Charlene graduated from the University of London with a Master of Arts in Understanding & Securing Human Rights.

 

Charlene has served on the Board of Lionheart Camp for Kids, a WA children’s charity, for 5 years and was appointed Board Chair in May 2024. Having experienced the death of her father from pancreatic cancer when she was 5 years old, Charlene is passionate about making sure all children have access to bereavement education and are supported after the loss of a loved one.

 

Charlene’s community work also extends to advocating for better outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients having lost both her father and mother to the disease. She has been a volunteer and WA ambassador for PanKind since 2017.

 

Charlene thanked RCMP for the invitation and wonderful breakfast. She noted never having been to a Rotary Club meeting before, however sees that she is surrounded by a community that has a lot of fun and understands the power of taking action.

 

As a disease, pancreatic cancer has been too long left behind. However change and progress are happening. A special thank you for the support with the PanKind annual walk and BBQ last year that Ian Kremmer ran. This year Rick Sneeuwjagt is leading the BBQ team. It means a lot to have the support of a local community partner.

 

Charlene was five years old when she lost her father to pancreatic cancer and thirty when her mother lost her battle. As an adult she nursed her mother through her end of life.

 

She recalls the utter disbelief that this disease could plague their family for a second time. Surely, the prognosis and options could be better than back then? Sadly, it wasn’t. Nothing had changed in 25 years!

 

The time was spent enjoying that precious last 13 months they got to spend together. In the “scheme” of pancreatic cancer, they were lucky to get that long. They were lucky to also have a community palliative care program that allowed her mother to be granted her wish of dying at home. Now, having two energetic boys, the time has never been more right for her to tackle those poor statistics.

 

Pancreatic cancer is Australia’s deadliest common cancer and yet, it continues to be overlooked and underfunded. Unlike other cancers, pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until it is too late. Early detection and better treatment are urgently needed, it’s the only way to change those survival rates.

 

Who is Pankind?

It is an organisation that are on a mission to change those odds.

 

They believe pancreatic cancer should no longer be a death sentence. Research is the absolute key to unlocking better treatments and early detection.

 

PanKind has invested over $14 million across 66 high-calibre research projects. The Grants program is attracting the best brains in Australia to work on the issue.

Relentless advocacy is also part of how this is done. Ensuring that pancreatic cancer is no longer ignored when decisions are made about cancer research and funding. 

 

PanKind was one of the leading organisations that headed to Canberra five years ago to lobby the Health Minister of the time, to put pancreatic cancer on the agenda for Cancer Australia. They were successful…

 

Thirdly, and importantly to Charlene, is the compassionate support. Recently they have released an online Patient & Carers Hub and there are resource booklets.

How can you help?

• 4^th May walk (happening nationally)
• Donate
• Share the message

Charlene penned this famous proverb on a card to her mother in her final days –

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”

 

On behalf of Pankind, Charlene invited us to join in taking steps towards a future where pancreatic cancer no longer steals lives too soon. Be part of this movement to drive change. The disease is tough, but together we can be tougher.

 

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

Michelle L : 

• Candidates being sought for National Science Youth Forum (NYSF) and Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN). See events page for details. 

Brian J : 

• Club Service committee meeting after breakfast.

Rick S: Volunteers needed to 

• Help sort the mass of linen we have acquired, please see Rick and 
  
• Annual Pankind Walk BBQ on Sunday 4 May.

Gorby : 

• Endeavour Awards at the Pines on 2 June - book now as tickets selling fast,
• Pride of Workmanship nominees wanted - have three with possible fourth

Veronica :

• The "Eye, Eye Sri Lanka" truck decorated for the District Conference raised $300 dollars donated to the Rotary Foundation in the Clubs name.
• John McGrath has resigned due to ill health but would love to keep in touch with members
• Metro District Assembly is on Saturday 5 April - valuable for all new members and those who haven't been to one in a while - lots of information to be had on changes in Rotary. If you can't make the Metro one there are others you may wish to attend. Need to book for catering purposes, so see Events page.
  

Chance Would Be a Fine(s) Thing... 

Wayne the Elder took to the podium and welcomed 'Liberation Day' - and proceeded to 'liberate' EVERYONE of a dollar! 

• Everyone who remembered Bob Geldoff and BandAid.
• All those who remembers what 'rain' was.
• Owners of bicycles with a chain guard.
• Eagles supporters - keep cheerful ...one day... but pay up now!
• Everyone who did NOT watch an AFL match last weekend.
• Bill Boekman whose number plate reads "Only a Picnic Away".
• Raelene's new money making tickets.
• Howard for having an alarm to 'alarm' him to set his alarm!

Winner of Heads and Tails

 Wayne stayed on as Tosser of the Week and threw 2 Tails, 2 Heads, a Head and a Tail, 2 Heads but then Scotty took out the grog with his tail (end).

Attendance

38 attendees in all, including guest speaker Charlene Bishop, Visiting Rotarian Bill Boekman, Jaclyn Harrington and Bassem Hellou.

Upcoming Events

23 May : Unsung Heroes - Not All Heroes Wear Capes!

Nominate someone you know who goes above and beyond their volunteering service.

Successful candidates will be presented with a certificate and $200 towards their charity of choice.

 

*****

5 April : District Assemblies 2025

President elect training was well attended, now it's time to get ready for District Assemblies, open to all and any members of the club.

Book now via the QR code or the trybooking link to secure your place.

Especially valuable for new members and succession planning - but more experienced members will get a lot out of it too with all the changes afoot!

 

 

******

2 May : Pride of Workmanship Awards

Who do you know who goes above and beyond their duty? A nurse, a barista, a waiter, shopkeeper, carer,  - you name them for a pride of Workmanship Award at our club on May 2.

Please send your nominations to Gorby at mjgwaconsulting@gmail.com before 20 April.

 

 

 *****

The Endeavour Awards Night

6 June

The Pines.

 

Book now so you don't miss out - always an exceptional night!

 ******

27 June : SAVE THE DATE...

 *****

 

13-15 September : Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN)

Wanted - 14-17 year olds for the RYPEN camp. Please consider nominating someone you know. Applications close 1st September
 

 

National Science Youth Forum (NYSF)

 STEM students who will be in Year 12 in 2026 will benefit from this fabulous program.

 

 

 

 

Future Guest Speakers

Mill Point Guest Speakers 2025

April

4                  Pankind (Pancreatic Cancer) - Charlene Bishop

11                Contribution of Women in the ADF - Miquela Riley (RSL WA)

18                No meeting - Good Friday

25                No Meeting - ANZAC Day Public Holiday

 

May

2                 Pride of Workmanship - Various

9                 CY O'Connor Beyond the Pipeline (Part II) - Bill Cutler

16               History of Silver Chain - Jean Butler

23               TBA

30                Unsung Heroes - Rick Sneeuwjagt

 

June

6                

13

20                AFL "Out of the frying pan to the fire" - Bob Beecroft

27                No Meeting - Changeover

Club Duties

Club Duties - 2025

28 March

Sargeant       Angus Florence  

Attendance   Astrid Mitchell, Margaret Hyatt

Welcome       Lorrie Gray

Host              David Rowell

Club Dress   Angus Florence, Mike Collett

 

Birthdays

Owen Ferguson (29th)

Colin Paine (30th)

Angus Florence (31st)

Anniversaries

Nil

*****

4 April

Sargeant         Angus Florence

Attendance     Kim Paine, Dietmar Mazanetz

Welcome         Howard Nelson

Host                 Ian Kremmer

Club Dress      Angus Florence, Mike Collett

 

Birthdays

Regina Lau (4th)

Charlie Burnett (10th)

Anniversaries

Gorby and Sana (8th)

Dietmar and Anne-Marie (9th) 

 

11 April

Sargeant          

Attendance     

Welcome        

Host              

Club Dress    

 

Birthdays

 

Anniversaries

 

Bulletin #36

Presidential Ponderings

Today is the start of the District Conference in Margaret River - safe travels to everyone going.

Big welcome back to Geoff Longshaw and Vic Stoyanoff - great to see you back!

Guest Speaker Larissa Muir, CEO 12 Buckets

Larissa Muir has worked in the community services sector for the last 10 years with experience working in disability, mental health, youth, and homelessness. Larissa uses her curiosity to understand how we connect in community to break down barriers and make the world around us more accessible for all. Larissa is excited to connect, share her knowledge and experiences with everyone.

 As CEO of 12 Buckets, she is working to ensure that all children are able to engage in their education and connect to their local community. When she isn’t working at 12 Buckets, she is renovating with her husband David and showing her three children how amazing their unique brains are.

12 Buckets started out in 2010 at Balga Primary School, offering mentoring to primary school students. The program aims to invest in the social and emotional well-being of students who lack stable relationships with adults and role models.

 

THE 12 BUCKETS: The Guiding Buckets “Circle of Courage” framework focuses on Belonging, Mastery, Generosity and Independence.

Each of these are supported by three principles:

• Belonging – Cooperation, Inclusion, Friendship
• Mastery – Learning, Creativity, Organisation
• Generosity – Kindness, Forgiveness, Support
• Independence – Decision making, Self discipline, Leadership

 

In her opening remarks, Larissa alluded to her own lived experiences. April signifies the start of Autism Awareness Month. We often have pre-conceived ideas about what Autism looks like and it normally occurs in boys. Two years ago, Larissa was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD along with her kids. She recalls the challenges she faced growing up and those her kids are facing now. She considers, in her position as CEO, it is a privilege to be able to talk openly about her diagnosis because many can’t.

 

Many young people out there are facing these big challenges such as homelessness, food insecurity, not having the resources that they need to engage in their education. Often these things are out of their control and they are reliant on adults in their life to support them and find a way through. There might be a lot happening to them that they just don’t know where to start or how to ask for help. This gives context as to why 12 Buckets is so important personally to Larissa.

 

12 Buckets started with four schools in 2010 and now is up to six Primary and one High School. The focus is about making the kids who come to them feel very safe. It is about creating impact beyond just mentoring and being able to create pathways.

They start working with their kids from age six and working on a 1-to-1 model and to build a community around them.

 

This leads to a Peer Mentoring Program in a group approach where their 1-to-1 learned skills are transferred. Many young people can’t often get to school and need that support outside, which has led to a community-based program as well.

 

School holidays also present a challenge. As of last year, 12 Buckets started to offer school holiday opportunities. Those holiday periods could be socially isolating for them and be the highest time for mental health challenges.

 

The journey map is to build a relationship to then extend on. Th focus is to develop a “pathway to purpose” where employment is an outcome of that. The longer the kids stay in education, when they find that purpose, they have a real opportunity to become active contributing community members.

Our impact in 2024:

 

 

 12 Buckets receives zero government funding. They are reliant on the generosity of their mentors and philanthropists, the generosity of people connected to 12 Buckets. The new member for Mindarie, Mark Folkard MLA, wants to bring 12 Buckets to his area.

 

Larissa related the story of Daniel, a young boy from Sudan. When his older two siblings went off to High School, he found his shoes no longer fitted. The only thing his mother could do was to send Daniel to school in his sister’s shoes. For several days Daniel couldn’t concentrate or play sport as “everyone was looking at his feet”. He waited until his mentoring session on Wednesday, in the safety of his Mentor, to mention what was troubling him. 12 Buckets were able to supply him with shoes from their support partners. It is not so much the issue of supplying the shoes as of Daniel having that safe space to say anything.

 

For a small organisation, 12 Bucket’s impact is massive. The only way to have such a big impact is due to the community they build around themselves and as such around their young people. Larissa, on behalf of their young people gave a big thank you to the Mill Point Rotary Club for the continued conversation and fundraising support.

 

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

Astrid (Youth): 

• The Board unanimously agreed to proceed with the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Outbound students will leave January 2026and inbound students will arrive June 2026. We will ask parents of outbound students to host the inbound students but will still need 2-3 host families from the club.
• Rotary Youth Program of ENrichment (RYPEN) 2nd - 4th May, applications close 21st  April. The program is for 14-17 year olds, please consider your grandchildren, nieces, nephews or friend children.
  

Gorby (Vocational): 

• The Endeavour Awards night at the Pines in Bentley is 3 June. Book now using the link in the flier on Events page. 
• Pride of Workmanship Awards - we are seeking nominations for people who go above and beyond their duties in the workplace. Awards will be held 2 May.

 Ross Smith (Community):

• 
  Ronald McDonald House 'Home for Dinner' was held last Sunday with 10 Rotarians/friends/partners cooking 125 meals. Thank you to everyone for your support and a Certificate of Appreciation was given to the Club.  

Kelly (President):

• A brainstorming session will be held on Sunday April 6th, 2-4pm to identify new ideas for major fundraising event and maintain our major beneficiaries. All welcome, see Events Page for details.

Wayne D (Vocational):

• A new Peace Pole has been erected at Curtin Primary school, making this our 4th Peace Pole in our Community.

Peter D ((Membership):

• Those going to Bali, NZ or Interstate  will be delighted to learn that the Entertainment book is now interstate and also covers amenities in overseas. Plus a $30 Visa card practically covers the cost of the book! See Events page for more details.

A Fine Art...

Pocket Rocket Jenny McLean (AKA Madame Lash) doled out the fines in fine form!

• All those not going to the District Conference
• Taxpayers are budget winner so anyone with a taxable income, Medicare Guzzlers, Prescription Junkies - pay up.
•  The navy is in Port for a heavy recruitment program and looking for skilled workers so $1 from everyone in anticipation of going AWOL who may have the prerequisite skills - Hello Sailor!
•  Tesla owners who may need spare parts/paint now that the value of the company is rapidly diminishing due to political unrest, give us a dollar whilst you still have one due to the Brand Crisis Tornado.
• Egg eaters this morning - a rare commodity and it may have been your last! $1 from each of you.
•  Lager Lovers have got a reprieve as indexation on draught excise has been panned.
• Visitor of the Week - Vic Stoyanof - great to see you but cough up a dollar!
  

Heads and Tails

David Tyler was our Tosser of the
week and threw 2 heads, 1 of each, then 2 tails - but Howard Nelson nailed it (or should that be tailed it) and won the coveted bottle of grog! Thanks to Lyn and Margaret Metcalf for supplying the weekly prize.

Attendance

38 attendees in all, including guest speaker Larissa Muir and visitors Huyen Pham and Bassem Hellou.

Bulletin #35, 21 March 2025

 Presidential Ponderings

Today is harmony day - the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

It’s also World Poetry Day so go home and sing  a sonnet to your loved one.

For tree lovers,  we celebrate International Forrest Day too! Did you know that more than five billion people around the world use forest and non-timber forest products for food, medicine and livelihoods, with over 2 billion people still relying on wood and other traditional fuels for cooking.

And of course the 21 March is the equinox where the sun shines directly on the equator and consequently day and night have an approximate length all over the Earth. 

Guest Speaker - Jill Hannah, Chair of Rotary Youth Exchange

Jill Hanna has been a member of the Rotary Club of Matilda Bay for nearly 14 years and has been on the Rotary Youth Exchange Committee for over 10 years, the last 2.5 years as Chair of the RYE Committee. Jill is passionate about the program and has seen first-hand the impact it has on students, host families and many others.

On a personal level Jill is retired management professional with the last 20 years of her career spent as a senior executive in Aged Care and consulting in that industry, primarily in strategic property matters. She is a Board member of a retirement and aged care organisation.

Jill explained “What is Rotary Youth Exchange?”

• It is a program for 15-18 year olds to “live like a local” in another country for a year and attend secondary school (compulsory)
• RYE started in 1927 in Denmark and 1958 in Australia
• Each student has a Sponsor Club in their home District and a Host Club in their exchange country
• The WA program is organised by the District RYE Committee (most have kid/s who went on exchange

The D9423 RYE Committee comprises twelve hard-working Rotarians from different clubs. Member David Cleary from RC City East has five children and they have all been on a Rotary Exchange! Graeme Fardon (RC Applecross) will be taking over from Jill as RYE Chair on 1^st July.

 

There are about 9,000 RYE students per annum around the world.

 

Inbound students (“Inbounds”) arrive in July each year and a local students (“Outbounds”) will go on exchange the following January. 

In July last year, 23 Inbounds arrived from 14 counties and in January 22 West Australians left for 11 different countries.

 

The typical involvement for Clubs with inbound students involve:

• Providing host families (typically for three months at a time) and a mentor
• Enrolling the student into school and setting up bank accounts and phone
• Welcoming and involving them in their Club
• Paying the student a monthly allowance of $150
• Covering the cost of the student’s attendance at club meetings & events, school costs and uniforms
• Advising district Placement Officer when student is going to change family and ensure travel approvals are gained

 

Two optional trips are organised by District RYE Committee and paid for by student’s families:

• NW Safari in April-May (3 weeks)
• Sydney in November (1 week)

 

The Clubs must adhere to the District Child Protection policies. All members of a host family who are 18+ must have a Working With Children Card (WWC) and have a Rotary Volunteer Declaration clearance.

 

Typical hosts for Exchange students are:

 

• Families not connected to Rotary (statistically 61%) – you may get a new member
• Rotarians (and their adult children)
• Family with small children
• Family with high school aged children
• Retired couples/grandparents
• A single host parent with or without a child a home (no sibling rivalry...)
  

 

There are other ways a Club can be involved:

• Host an activity for Exchange Students
• Contribute financially to a small club that is willing to host
• Help other clubs find host families
• Potentially provide a student mentor for another club
• Consider volunteering to be a chaperone/helper on the NW Safari
• Offer any specific skills you have which may be useful to the Committee
• Promote the program

 

The RYE is a wonderful way to contribute to international goodwill and understanding. Jill related a story of a man from the USA who returned to visit after being an Exchange Student sixty years ago. A family from Jill’s Rotary Club is about to host their 13^th student. Another member and his (late) wife had hosted 20 different students. They have had many overseas visits and attended 8-9 weddings.

The cycle goes around – Jill’s son went on exchange to Arkansas USA, married a local he met in his time there and his son is now enrolled at Murdoch University.

 

Jill thanked the Club for inviting her to speak on RYE.

 

Her presentation can be viewed at:

millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>HANNA Jill – Rotary Youth Exchange

 

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• David: There is a Rotary Charity Trust meeting following breakfast.
• Rick: Has been asked by the WA Arts Society Annual Exhibition to sit for his portrait on Saturday 11.00am - 2.00pm - go along and support him. 
• Scott: The Centurion program is coming to an end with close to 50% take up. We only need 5 more members to reach our goal for this year so please consider signing up.
• Gerry: ISS still has many items of linen to be distributed to worthy causes. 4,500 items have already been spoken for so if you know of any organisation, charity etc, who would benefit please give Gerry a call.

Fines - The Procurator of Pennies (Joy)

• Footy season - Pay up all Dockers and Eagles fans 
• Brian J and Warren McC who are moving up in the habitual world, namely the 12 and 19 floors respectively.
• St Patrick Day revellers - Guiness Gobblers and those of Irish descent.
• Petrol heads - Ross S and any other Melbourne Grand Prix fans.
• Alison - For mixing up her months and having MIA President Kelly return to Perth before he left!
• Striped shirts AND checked shirts - always worth a bob or two.
• Lorrie - Back in purple T-Shirt uniform.
• Veronica - Proud mother of the bride.
• Kim P - Give us a twirl and pay up for being so stylish.
• Gorby - Migrated to the top table (Brown-nosing?)
  

 

Winner of Heads and Tails

A Head and a Tail; 2 Tails, another Head and Tail but guest speaker Jill Hanna took the bottle of grog with 2 Heads!

Attendance

39 attendees in all, including guest speaker Jill Hannah (Chair RYE), and visitors Loveness Matemera, Bassem Hellou and Sherrylin Shaw.