Master of Ceremonies - PP David Rowell
Incoming President David Rowell welcomed everyone and acknowledged Country on this auspicious occasion where we celebrated the past year's achievements and look ahead to the year ahead.
David also welcomed Veronica Lawrance WA District Governor, Geoff BAker MLA for South Perth, Greg Milner, Mayor of South Perth; Honorary members Peter and Gosha Kraj Krajewski and Mary Neely; and special guests Vuaghan and Julie Emery. Visiting Rotarians Bill and Pam Boekman, Rotarians, partners and guests.
Toast to RI - DG Veronica Lawrance
Distinguished guests, fellow Rotarians, partners and friends of Rotary. It gives me great pleasure to be a part of Rotary International, an organization that exemplifies the spirit of service and global citizenship.
We are part of a worldwide fellowship of over 1.2 million Rotarians in 33,000 clubs, across 210 countries.
Through initiatives like the eradication of polio, clean water projects, basic education, economic development and healthy mothers and babies, Rotary has made a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals, families and communities .
I am proud to be a member of such an organisation and witness first-hand the positive impact it has on every-day people, living every-day lives - locally, nationally and globally.
Whilst Rotary International is worldwide and has a large number of people administering the organisation, it is you, the members of Rotary who make up Rotary International and that includes all of you here, your partners, friends, families and volunteers, those who can’t be with us tonight, just about everyone in our Rotary lives who help us to do what we do.
We are all part of the continuing success of Rotary International’s mission in creating lasting change in the world.
The future holds many exciting opportunities and new beginnings for us as Rotarians and so I encourage all of you here today to pursue your dreams, find and follow your passions, embrace every challenge, and as we strive to realise Rotary’s goals.
Today is just the beginning of something amazing – so let’s be amazing!
Toast to Partners - PP Tricia Smith
I’ve been given the great honour—and let’s be honest, the slightly intimidating task—of recognizing our incredible Rotary Partners. These are the remarkable people who are not only part of the Rotary family, but often the ones who keep the whole thing from falling apart during sausage sizzles and service trips!
Our Club has always felt like a big family to me—and like any family, we rely heavily on the ones who quietly get things done, occasionally roll their eyes at us, and still show up smiling. Our Rotary partners are exactly that: the glue, the heart, and occasionally, the voice whispering, “That BBQ gas bottle is definitely empty.”
To our partners: thank you for your unwavering help at events, your magical behind-the-scenes skills, and your steady supply of good humour. Whether you're donning Santa or Elf costumes for our vital Dial-a-Santa (with varying degrees of dignity), braving the red dust at Bulldust n Back, preparing home-cooked meals for the Picy’s street kids, or cooking for families at Ronald McDonald House, you do it all—often without complaint, and always with love.
You’re the ones flipping snags at fundraisers, cheering us on at our monthly men's and ladies dinners, and nodding patiently when we say, “and this is what happened today at Rotary"
And let’s not forget the truly heroic efforts during the eye care mission in Sri Lanka—3,000 pairs of glasses handed out! That’s 3000 people examined in tropical heat, with barely a coffee break in sight.
So, to all our Rotary partners: thank you for your quiet strength, your generous spirit, and for being such an essential part of what we do. You help us live the Rotary motto—Service Above Self—even if that sometimes means putting up with us, too.
Please join me now—raise your glasses high—
To our amazing, patient, good-humoured Rotary Partners: the real MVPs of Club life!
The Response to Partners was given by Tricia's partner Rob Hubbard
President Kelly - Report on 2024-2025
Good afternoon everyone. In keeping with today’s theme I’m wearing my recycled hat from last years Changeover and I’m identifying as a “yellow bin”. My wife put it rather more pointedly and suggested “has bin” might be more apt.
I recall saying at Changeover last year that the thought of having to step into Veronica’s moon boot sized shoes following the Lawrance Era of two years of sustained energy and enthusiasm for everything rotary was daunting. I was right. However I would like to take this opportunity to thank Veronica for the significant support she has given me over this year. For someone who is as busy as a body can be, Veronica always finds the time to provide support and give advice. I think this is a feature of rotary as an organisation. I would also like to acknowledge Brian and Rick who have also provided support and advice and I want you all to know just how much your assistance has been appreciated.
It has been an interesting, exciting and at times challenging year on many fronts. Being in this role does provide a perspective you don’t necessarily get around the table in a Directors role. There are two things that have struck me most of all – they aren’t new or world shattering observations but they are ;
Firstly, that there are 86 other clubs out there, all doing their thing, many doing really innovative and positive things in the community and often without a lot of resources. The big difference is the life force. I have seen and experienced some quite different “forces” this year and it has brought home to me just how lucky we are with the easy going, fun loving interaction that defines this club. It’s about attitude and critical mass and it’s easy to take for granted. We have to make sure that we foster what has been our hallmark. I commend you all for what you contribute to that vibe. I’ll return to this in a minute.
The second thing is actually seeing the difference that new members make to the club, the varied interactions within the group when we get together, different perspectives and the experiences they share. Like most other clubs we have been experiencing declining membership as our demographic in particular catches up with us. Through some dedicated and targeted work we have recruited 6 or more new members over the last few years. This is the future. This is how we are going to keep our vibe alive, our capacity with a full tank and our minds open.
Veronica has delivered this message loud and strong and we are starting to see the results with some great work being contributed by our new members.
It has been a year when we’ve had to farewell some wonderful people. Saying goodbye to our dear friend Peter Stevens was both a moving and uplifting event as only Peter could do it. We have also lost two long term significant contributors to this club and the community in Eric Atkins and more recently Alan Eggleston.
The Rotary theme for this year has been The Magic of Rotary - our programs have continued to deliver important services to the community:
- Ronald Mc Donald dinners
- Support for Haven Well in Vic Pk with bread and other delectables donated from identified bakeries and the provision of a large fridge.
- The regular provision to PICYS of 50-60 frozen meals per month from club members has continued.
- Continued assisting Camp opportunity to support disabled youth.
- The great work of the Sewing Sisters (supporting young women in PNG and the islands.
- The Sri Lankan Eye camp conducted in association with Global Hand Charity was another great success this year supported by a strong contingent of volunteers from this club. Over 2,500 people assessed during the week long visit.
- Tree planting with Treemission - rehab along sections of the Canning River.
- Peace poles - two new poles have been erected this year in a program that is delivering important messages to our young people.
- Distribution of tons of recycled linen from Roy Hill Mining to organisations and charities in WA, eastern States and Overseas.
Our recognition of positive action in the community through:
- Unsung Heroes Awards.
- Pride of workmanship awards.
- TAFE Endeavour Awards.
- Support for Pankind - manning bbq on Sth Perth foreshore
Our Fundraising activities have included:
- Dial a Santa- $15,300 raised this year contributing to $183,800 over 10 years. Funds raised have been distributed to children’s charities and youth programs
- Australia day parking for CoSP
- 23 members committing to the Centurions program this year
- BulldustNBack – a very successful event that raised >$78,000 this year and more than $500,000 over the 6 years the event has been run. Funds raised have been distributed to beneficiaries of the event and also to local communities in the SW that we have engaged with in these events.
Vocational activities
- A number of excellent vocational activities as well as our monthly Mens and Ladies dinners,verysuccessful speakers program and of course Guess who’s coming to dinner?
- Successful involvement in the Angelo St Party an excellent opportunity to showcase Rotary
That brings us to the question of “where are we going”. With the realisation that we are unlikely to run another highly resource hungry event like BNB, we have conducted a brainstorming session that is a kick start on the pathway to looking for new ideas and opportunities. Our future lies in attracting new people and energy to the club. Our priority must be on membership and doing those things and providing those opportunities that attract and keep people engaged and associated with the club.
I want to acknowledge all members of this club, those here today and those unable to join us for their individual contribution to this club’s vitality and good work and thank you all for your support this year.
Rewards and Awards
After consultation I decided on four nominations for Paul Harris Fellow awards this year.
Our first PHF award recognizes someone who epitomises service above self. They have been a past president, served on most committees, and been a significant support to the BNB committee over the years, at times maintaining regular and consistent support from half way around the world! In that context they have been the go to person for organisation, admin, records and liaison with participants -so pretty much the glue holding things together.
This person has held the role of secretary this last year and is always there with a helping hand for anything that’s going on in the club. Alison can you please come forward to receive your PHF/with two stones.
We really can’t talk about this person without acknowledging the aplomb and professionalism that she brings to our process of induction into this club.
I am sure everyone here will have heard of Wayne the Elder, Vlad the Impaler, Catherine the Great, and Eathelred the Unready. Alison, it is my pleasure to present you with this t-shirt that immortalises your contribution in our induction process. Behold - Alison the Inductor.
Our next PHF goes to someone who has been a strong supporter of this club through our premium fundraising event BNB. We noted their considerable contribution following last year’s event but now that we have stepped back from this venture I think it is important to recognise the extent of their commitment and effort. This person has been an active member of the BNB committee for a number of years. They have been a key contributor in route selection and survey which is one of the key elements in the planning for each event and requires many hours in the saddle investigation options, trying alternatives, debating the pros and and cons. It’s a good test for endurance, vehicles and patience. Those who know this individual would recognize that they don’t shy away from giving a well-reasoned opinion and that they are always ready to jump in and assist. As well as being a BNB Committee member over the years this person regularly stepped up and took on other tasks including the role of Sweep, delivering safety briefings during the events and also sought out donations and organised the successful silent auctions conducted during the BNB events.
I refer of course to Charlie Burnett,
I must add that Charlie also contributed knowledgeably to the rating of coffee shops/bakeries throughout the route survey process which was obviously quite critical for any follow up surveys that may be required.
Charlie, I have just briefly touched on what has been a tremendous contribution to the outcomes of BNB. In addition to that effort we want to acknowledge the camaraderie we enjoyed as part of your involvement and thank you most sincerely for your contribution. Wear your PHF with priced.
This person is recognized as someone who has contributed significantly to the outcomes of BNB. We all enjoyed the participation and great partnership of Graham Nixon and the late Peter Stevens, firstly in the infamous (possibly life threatening) green Jag and finally the Prado. Often following their own interpretation of the route, this pair kept the Sweep team on their toes, but it was particularly their fundraising that I want to focus on today. Over the five years of their involvement this team raised around $90,000 for the event - much of which was down to Graham’s efforts calling on all his contacts.
Whilst Graham is not a member of this club he is clearly a very strong supporter not only of the event but the work that Rotary does. As well as his participation he also generously made a vehicle available for our use during the events.
Graham Nixon we would like to acknowledge your outstanding contribution through a PHF award. You can be very proud of the assistance that you have given to the charities you supported during BNB and the event overall and we thank you for your friendship, generosity and support.
I said I had four nominations this year. However, one of my nominations was not supported by RI. I was advised that this person had already received the highest level of PHF awards that you can get. Despite flitting around the world on a regular basis this person manages to contribute in so many ways. With a wide and influential network they are able to get things done, quickly, efficiently with the minimum of fuss. Their sage advice is widely sought across all our activities and outside this club They have been Club President, Rotarian of the year and held many Directorship roles and recently has dealt with the huge load of recycled linen that came our way.
So I would like to commend Gerry McGann for his thoughtful, effective and greatly appreciated contribution to this club and to Rotary more broadly.
I would like to be very clear that this presentation in no way diminishes our respect for a nomination for a PHF.
This is an accolade that reflects the recognition of the breadth of service that an individual has delivered to Rotary.
Rotarian of the year
Identifying the Rotarian of the year is never an easy task. We have a core of people who are always in the running because they are so active, pressing buttons and making things happen.
This year I have looked a little differently at this award and I return to my earlier comments about the invigoration that comes with new members to our number. The person chosen has been with us a relatively short while but has valuable experience in the corporate/business world, captured us with their Who am I? and has thrown themself into reaching out about Rotary.
In doing so they have involved themself in club activities and has introduced a number of people to our club. They are always looking at what we can do to make us relevant and appealing to our community. This person embodies the spirit of reaching out that we need to build on to grow our club. Please acknowledge our Rotarian of the year-Diana Goh.
HANDOVER - Recognition of 24-25 Board
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Board for their hard work this last year. Their support, ideas, advice and enthusiasm have been much appreciated. I can assure you that your Directors have worked hard to maintain the viability and drive of this club.
We have a number of Directors stepping down this year and I particularly want to thank them for their efforts;
Veronica Lawrance for taking on the Membership portfolio when we had a gap to fill – not as if she was laying around the pool drinking G and Ts with nothing to do.
Astrid Mitchell for taking on the Youth portfolio
Rick Sneeuwjagt for taking on the combined Community and Fundraising role which we have separated again for this coming year.
Can our 24-25 Board members please come forward and accept a token of appreciation for all your hard work over the last 12 months or more.
Now, it is time to get to the nub of our celebration today to hand over the chain of office to David Rowell and Gerry McGann.
The RI President’s message for 2025-26 is Unite for Good and we have the benefit of David and Gerry working together to lead this club to even greater heights than ever this coming year. (We know that Geoffrey bought the magic of rotary last Saturday for $200 at the District Changeover so I think we have everything covered?) It is therefore my great pleasure to handover the chain of office and new Badges to David and Gerry. Between them they have 40 years of experience in Rotary and this club. We can be very confident that we are in the very best of hands. Congratulations and best wishes for the coming year.
Introduction of Incoming Presidents and their Board - PP Gerry McGann and PP David Rowell
Incoming President Gerry accepted the chain of office from outgoing President Kelly, on behalf of himself and David.
Gerry spoke briefly on the challenges and opportunities which lay ahead for the Club, and their strategies for moving forward in these times of change.
Gerry introduced his new Board members:
A great time was had by all and the meeting concluded with the Charge to Australia.
(More photos can be found on the website)
