Bulletin #21 - SPECIAL EDITION - "Breakfast With The Rivals"

"Breakfast With The Rivals" - Jodie Lee Foundation

Our usual Friday morning breakfast venue was relocated on Friday 21^st November, as the majority of members attended the “Breakfast with Rivals” event at The Camfield. 

This was a breakfast held in support of the Jodi Lee Foundation and introduced by Nick Lee. 

Nick had previously spoken at Mill Point in September,  about the Foundation to raise awareness of Bowel Cancer, in honour of his late wife Jodi. 

The breakfast was on Day 1 of the Australia v England Ashes cricket test, with guest speakers Damian Fleming (former Australian cricketer) and Lord Ian Botham (former English cricketer). 

Of the 170 attendees, 70 were Mill Point Rotarians, partners and guests resplendent in our Rotary polo shirts. 

A veritable sea of blue…

Special thanks to Ian and Rhonda Kremmer, along with their daughter Alison, for organising our participation.

 

 

Bulletin #20 - 14 November 2025

Presidential news

 Vale John Hardwick - President David eulogised our lately passed member John Hardwick, and asked for a moment's contemplative silence. David then read out the following from Kerry Hardwick:

"John's Funeral Requiem Mass will be held at the Holy Family Catholic Church on  Thelma St, Como at 4pm on  Thursday 20th November.  All are welcome.

My family are busy around me assisting with arrangements, with much laughter selecting photos and relating family stories.

I cannot adequately express how grateful I am for the kindness and support that members of Rotary have given to us. Not just at John recent passing but in the last few years when his declining health was obvious.

I think of all the times one of you gave him a ride home, assisted him to play golf at Collier Park and then more recently to play croquet at Como.

The encouragement at a difficult time of our life was appreciated by us both.

Thank you also for the lovely flower arrangement.

Love to you all

Kerry Hardwick"

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

P2:

• 1981 at the WACA - Pakistan were all out for 62, with Dennis Lillee 5-18. 

Angus: 

• Fundraising committee meeting after breakfast

Ian: 

• 70 members/friends attending next week's special breakfast at the Camfield. Please note that parking is a problem so either Taxi or car-pool.
• Mens' dinner was attended by ex-member Ross Stewart who donated $200 to the club and a bottle of Whisky for us to auction at a later date.
• Membership committee meeting after breakfast. 

Gorby:

• Re Camfield next week, the local streets surrounding the Camfield are closed off for roadworks, Taxis are allowed through to drop off and pick up but not private cars.
• Reminder - Vocational visit to Bicycles for Humanity then lunch at the Rose and Crown on 28 November. RSVP to Gorby at mjgwaconsulting@gmail.com

Lew:

• Offtraq raised 418,868 for Global Hands Sri Lanka eye camp. $42K overall. You are still able to donate until 30 November.

 Gerry:

•  International dinner was a success and to be repeated. Thanks to all who participated.

Mike C:

•  Bill Boekman progressing well, still in Osborne Park hospital but now walking unaided and getting some serious 'bowling pactice' in with the nurses. 

 One Fine(s) Day...

• Latest celebrity in the news Ken Pittman for crashing a plane and marrying his prosecutor - another good story bites the dust!
• Birthday guys and gals - Dianna, Michelle and Angus! 
• It's Diabetes Day - so please make a donation if you can
• It's also Pickles Day - if you're a pickle lover, then cough up $1
• All Royalists who are King Charles portrait holders
• Readers of Moby Dick (1941)
• Lovers of the BBC (1922)
• Those who remember this day 50 years ago (the Whitlam sacking)  

Guest Speaker - Andrew Hall, Peth Inner City Youth Service (PICYS)

Andrew is the CEO of Perth Inner City Youth Services (PICYS).

He has a 42-year career in community and youth services across community organizations and local/state governments, in roles from sole employee to CEO.

His voluntary work includes community legal centres, founding a community care school for homeless young people and leadership in independent K–12 schools.

In 2024, Andrew received a Paul Harris Fellow and is an honorary life member of the Western Australian Youth Affairs Council.

He has served as a Justice of the Peace for nearly 20 years and was a Commissioner of Declarations for five years prior.

Andrew’s life motto is “justice, peace, and joy for all.”

He has a long-term partner, five children, and many grandchildren (and a matte grey chopper motorbike…)

 

In his opening remarks, Andrew observed there is a fabulous feeling of acceptance in this room – the little jokes, the jibes, the caring for each other. He loves the feeling of coming to a place like that.

 

He also acknowledged the support of RCMP in donating the freezer and the many people who have cooked meals for PICYS over the years and asked them to stand.

PICYS provides fellowship, trust, friendship, and a sense of value to young people who lack support. The environment is like a family home where young people can freely access resources (e.g., food from the fridge), feeling cared for and accepted.

 

The club has partnered with PICYS for about eight years. Members cook and supply frozen meals—an initiative begun during COVID to provide variety beyond the “year nines’ Bolognese”. The club donated a freezer essential for storing meals (on which a photo of the club’s cooks is displayed).

 

Andrew’s retirement goal: 50 beds for young people nightly, with growth from 12 to 48 supported accommodation beds (pledged and funded).

Partnerships exist with community housing providers including Vinnies, Rise, Foundation Housing and the Salvation Army.

PICYS has challenged the government: for every two-bedroom unit PICYS buys, the government must match it. PICYS has invested $1.7 million to purchase four two-bedroom houses, housing eight young people and Government is expected to provide six matching properties.

Owning properties allows PICYS to bypass restrictive program rules (e.g., 12-month stay limits) and tailor support to individual needs.

 

The support services are called “Base Camp,” replacing “emergency relief". It provides a resting point to re-acclimatize, plan, and get information—a safe place with social groups “To Be” and “To Become.”

 

Primary causes of youth homelessness - family breakdown, family abuse, and non-supportive families. There is significant focus on transgender and LGBQTI young people where the suicide risk among gender-diverse youth is 12× higher than general youth.

Approximately 65% of clients are from this cohort.

There is collaboration with mental health wards and observation areas such as RPH’s 2K ward and D20.

Success includes former clients on the board, four of nine directors are young people who used PICCIS services.

 

Andrew has posted his resignation for four months from now. He has worked with about 1,000 young people in ten years and has done a fantastic job in that time.

 
Winner of Heads and Tails :

The beaming smile says it all - and 'our' Astrid looks as pleased as punch (alcoholic punch of course) to be the winner of this week's Heads and Tails!
 

Attendance : 42 attendees in all, including guest speaker Andrew Hall, and special partners Margaret Metcalf and Mandy Sneeuwjagt - lovely to see you ladies this morning!

 

STOP PRESS: Dinner at Home volunteers

Ken P, Chris P,  Lydia's friend, Dianna A, Lorrie G, Lydia W, Ross S, Marg W, Marg H, Kim P.

 

Bulletin #19 : 7 November 2025

Presidential Ponderings

Joint President David Rowell (P2) returned to the Chair for November.  “Remember, remember the 5^th of November”- did anyone light any fire-crackers? P2 reminded us that on this day in history:

•  1800 It became illegal for women in Paris to wear trousers without a permit

• 1872 The Mary Celeste sailed for Genoa, to be found abandoned four weeks later
• 1987 The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system opened.

Guest Speaker : Richard Offen - Heroes, Villains and Vagabonds.

Richard is a historian, lecturer, broadcaster and overall champion for Perth.

He started out as an Engineer, having developed a love of History from listening to his father’s stories, growing in Kent UK.

After working in education for several years, Richard joined the staff of the UK National Trust (1989-2003)

After first visiting Perth in 2001, it was “love at first site” (weather, open space, greenery…). In 2005 he emigrated to WA and became Executive Director of newly-formed Heritage Perth. He retired in 2017, after 13 years with Heritage Perth. In retirement he writes, still takes walking tours of the city’s historic sites and is a popular lecturer on the  subject. Richard also remains a regular broadcaster on both radio and television.

In his opening remarks, Richard noted he had set three alarms for this morning’s meeting ( reference to having slept in last time)… He also queried what Wayne M was doing so close to a Kangaroo? His talk explored some of the colourful figures from Western Australia’s past and was inspired by the late broadcaster Russell “Rusty” Wolfe. 

• Through detailed anecdotes and primary diary excerpts he narrated the emigrant hardships of Eliza (Elizabeth) Shaw and her family from 1829 onward. 
• He outlined the origins and practices of Bushrangers in Western Australia with examples like James Lilley and the famed escape artist Moondyne Joe (Joseph Belytho Johns).
• He recounted the swindling, bigamy, piracy, and death of the notorious sea rogue Billy Hayes.

Eliza (Elizabeth) Shaw 

Eliza was born 1791 in Newmarket, Suffolk. She married Captain William (Will) Shaw in 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars.  After 1815, Will was pensioned off on full pay. Enticed by exaggerated newspaper promotions of the Swan River Colony (Mediterranean climate, ample water, fertile land), they emigrated as free settlers, aiming for land grants valued roughly at £40 per acre. By their calculations, they expected almost 18,500 acres.

They departed Gravesend in 1829 with six children, two servants (a farm laborer and a 16-year-old nanny from a poorhouse) and livestock on a five-month voyage with doldrums and storms. Eliza noted, “the farm laborer took to drink and was impertinent, the young nanny was distracted by sailors…”

Eliza’s diary paints a picture of despair after their arrival. They were awarded just under 4,000 acres in the Upper Swan Valley, far less than expected. They built their homestead (still standing today), pronounced “Belvoir”. Two sons drowned, weakening Will’s resolve but Eliza persevered.

Will died of diptheria in 1875 and Eliza was forced to reluctantly sell Belvoir. She moved to Geraldton to live with a daughter, dying in 1877 at the age of 84.

Bushrangers : Initially referred to runaway convicts adept at surviving in the bush it later came to mean those renouncing social rights to commit “robbery under arms” while hiding in bushland. Common targets included travelers on the York Road and isolated homesteads for guns, food, and horses.

James Lilley (1860s) was an Irish convict known for selecting only the best horses and demanded provisions from isolated houses.

Moondyne Joe (Joseph Belytho Johns): WA’s Iconic Escapee. Born in Barry, Wales, near Cardiff (also birthplace of Julia Gillard), Joe was convicted of theft and transported to WA in 1853 for a 10-year sentence, being conditionally pardoned after two years.

Arrested for suspected horse theft and other charges, he was jailed in Toodyay but escaped. He repeatedly escaped from multiple WA jails, retreating to the Moondyne Hills near Toodyay as his hideout—earning a Houdini-like reputation. Authorities built an “escape-proof” cell in Fremantle Prison, but Joe did not escape from this cell, dying in 1901. His gravestone in Fremantle Cemetary  bears the Welsh word “Rhyddid” meaning “freedom,” an ironic tribute given his life’s theme.

Billy Hayes : Hayes, owner-captain of the brigC. W Bradley, arrived from Singapore where he had procured goods via a deceitful ploy: inviting creditors to be repaid aboard at a set time, then sailing before they arrived.

He converted the C.W. Bradley to carry passengers transporting about 100 people to Adelaide.  Upon return, news of Singapore fraud reached WA, however he talked his way out and undertook another passenger voyage to Adelaide.

The C.W. Bradley was seized and sold in Adelaide. Hayes evaded serious consequences, acquired another ship, and continued piratical activities for roughly 20 years. Near the Marshall Islands, he quarreled with the ship’s cook “Dutch Pete,” who shot or struck him with an iron railing and threw him overboard.

Reaction was celebratory; “Dutch Pete” was carried shoulder-high along the street, reflecting Hayes’s widespread unpopularity among seafarers.

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Ian K No breakfast meeting on 21^st November. “Breakfast with Rivals” at Camfield Hotel in support of Jodi Lee Foundation. Tickets ($40pp) can be purchased through Terminal after breakfast. Can bring unlimited guests.
• Gerry M International Dinner 8^th November about 48 signed up. Mix of international foods, learn more about our international members. Names on clipboard for any more, please. OffTraq sourced about 80-100 surplus first aid kits from Hertz. Will find homes for similar to linen project.
• Raelene G Raised $4,750 for OffTraq, thanks to everyone for their support. As Medic, she was exhausted. There were more mechanical than human problems.
• Lorrie G Also survived OffTraq, her car is in the carpark, still needing cleaning…Unsure how much she raised, but thanks to everyone. At least $1,000 raised from bottles and cans.
• Wayne M 15 cars in OffTraq, four from Mill Point. John Mansfield & son-in-law, Wayne M & David R, Raelene, Lorrie. Good fun, approximately $40,000+ raised for the event.
• Rick S Speaker next week Andrew Hall CEO of Perth Inner City Youth Service. Please overwhelm him with food… If you are not cooking for the International Dinner, please share some Aussie fare.
• Gorby Finding out from Ian’s daughter about parking at Camfield. Upcoming Vocational visit at end of month to Bicycles for Humanity. Followed by lunch at Rose & Crown. Email coming, please reply to me directly - scroll down to Events.
• Mike C Bill Boekeman now in Osbourne Park Rehab Hospital. Having ups and downs, Specialists meeting this Thursday.

What a Fine(s) Mess You Got Into...

• Place-getters in the Melbourne cup -  1, 2 or 3, as a bet or in a sweep, cough up half your winnings
• All the losers who had unsuccessful bets or joined a sweep, only a $1 for you. 
• Admirers of the fantastic ride of the jockey, another $. 
• Those of you with Eastern States relatives necessitating the $1M advertising of our State’s GST 75% grant by our Premier and Treasurer.
• Picking up a kangaroo tick then finding two more, Wayne M is adding to the bucket!

...and someone's a winner!

Why does Brian Adams look so happy? Well who wouldn't when they are the winner of the wine (after maybe losing big in the Melbourne Cup?)

Thanks to Lyn and Margaret Metcalf for their supply of grog.

Attendance : 38 attendees in all, including guest speaker Richard Offen.

 

 STOP PRESS: International Dinner – Saturday 8^th November

 Organised and “emceed” by Gerry McGann, this dinner was a resounding success. Held at the John McGrath Hall in South Perth, the dinner was enjoyed by about sixty members, partners and friends.

It featured dishes cooked by our international members and a good number of their partners and friends. Each “guest chef” gave a short explanation of their particular dish and its cultural aspects. What initially looked like a mountain of food was demolished with gusto….

Thanks to everyone who assisted with the set up and clean up, but especially Gerry and Rona for their enthusiasm and organisation of the night.

It could safely be said, this will be added as an annual Fellowship event in our club calendar.

 

Bulletin #18 - 30 October

Presidential Ponderings

Not a very interesting or exciting today in history, apart from the 1974  "Rumble in Jungle" boxing match between Mohammed Ali and George Foreman - the biggest deal for 30 October!

Guest Speaker : Andrew Sim - Global Drone Solutions

Andrew is a Senior Remote Pilot at Global Drone Solutions, one of the largest drone training organisations in Australia. They specialise in Remote Pilot Licence training across a wide range of industries.

 

Andrew attended John Forrest Secondary College and attended RYLA in 2024. He has been involved in RYPEN and will be facilitating at the next RYLA early 2026.

In his opening remarks, Andrew said he absolutely loved RYLA and it was probably one of the best experiences he has had across his whole life. 

Development of the Drone Industry

About 30 years ago, drones were exclusively military technology, with millions of dollars invested in developing technologies like thermal and high-resolution cameras.

The smartphone's arrival in the early 2000s was a game-changer, miniaturizing essential components such as inertial measurement units, cameras, and chipsets.

This miniaturization allowed drones to become smaller, lighter, cheaper, and easier to use, opening up the concept to the commercial world.

It took about 10 years for the commercial potential to be fully realized, leading to the mass manufacturing of cheap components.

DJI, a Chinese company, emerged as the world's largest drone manufacturer, starting about 15 years ago and continuously improving the technology to make drones more stable and user-friendly.

Commercial Applications and Benefits of Drones

Drones are used in a variety of industries, including mining, agriculture (spraying), inspections (wind turbines, solar panels, buildings, pipelines), and the energy sector (oil and gas).

They enhance safety by eliminating the need to put humans in high-risk situations, such as working at heights on ropes.

Drones offer significant cost savings. A task that might cost a team of 10+ people tens of thousands of dollars can be done by one drone pilot with a reusable drone that costs about $10,000.

The adoption of drone technology is becoming a necessity for companies to remain competitive, as those who don't are being 'left in the dust'.

 

Regulation and Training

In Australia, the drone industry is regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the same body that regulates crewed aircraft.

There are specific laws that must be followed when flying drones for commercial purposes.

Organizations like Global Drone Solutions are certified by CASA to provide training for remote pilot's licenses.

Training is provided to people from various industries, including mining, agriculture, inspections, and the energy sector.

 

Drone Cost Reduction and Market Accessibility

The cost of drones has dramatically decreased, making them accessible to a wider range of users, including smaller companies, not just the military. This shift was largely driven by Chinese companies like DJI, which can manufacture drones much more cheaply than their American or Australian counterparts. This price drop has democratized drone technology, moving it from expensive military-grade equipment to commercially available consumer products.

 

Regulatory Hurdles and Future Drone Technologies

A major restriction is the 'visual line of sight' rule, limiting flight distance to what the operator can see (e.g., 500 metres), which hinders long-range applications like pipeline or power line inspections.

The industry is in a constant battle with the regulator to have rules removed or to get approvals for more complex operations.

Regulators are now starting to open up more approvals and cut red tape, allowing the industry to move forward.

 

Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM): A system to manage unmanned traffic, crucial for the advancement of air taxis. It requires drones to see each other and be visible to crewed aircraft.

Air Taxis: Large unmanned aircraft for personal transportation. The technology exists, but regulations are the main barrier. CASA's goal is to have them operational for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Fuel Systems: Hydrogen is a promising alternative to electric batteries, offering four times the endurance at about the same weight.Heavy Lift Drones: Drones capable of carrying heavy payloads are being developed. An agricultural drone with a 100 kg payload capacity is already on the market (though restricted to 70 kg by regulations), and another is expected next year.

Data Security: An entire industry is developing to counter signal jamming and hacking of the radio links between drones and controllers.

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Alison T: OffTraq has raised $38k so far. This should result in $13-14k for Global Hand (Sri Lanka Eye Camp 2026).
• Mike C: Update on Bill Boekeman, who had a medical episode at last Friday’s meeting. Bill is in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and will soon be transferred to Osborne Park Rehabilitation Hospital. Bill is requesting no visitors at this stage.
• Kelly G: Our District Conference is at Northam next year 13-15 March. It’s Veronica’s “Flagship”, so want to give it as much support as we can. The key thing is to register so we can confirm our numbers, as it will be on us before we know it. You can find the registration on our own website, the Rotary WA Roundup website and Facebook. It will be a great conference, with good speakers, lots to do and accommodation in Northam. Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/DDQKM
• Ian K: Friday 21^st November is Day 1 of the Cricket “Ashes”. The Board has made a decision to cancel the normal Club meeting here that day. Instead there will be a get-together to support the Jodi Lee Foundation. We have secured a deal to attend a breakfast event at the Camfield Hotel for $40 pp (normally $110 pp). Speakers will be Lord Ian Botham and Damian Fleming. A Flyer will be sent out to members.
• Gerry M: Saturday 8^th November is the International Dinner to engage our newer international members, many of whom love cooking. This will be held at the John McGrath Hall. The 7-8 internationals will kindly bring “keynote” dishes and others bringing accompanying dishes. If you don’t want to bring food, just come along with $10 and we’ll put that into the Charity Bucket...Please indicate on circulating sheets your attendance.

She's so Fine(s)...

• Visitor of the week Wayne Duke, welcome back stranger but pop in a dollar.
• Gorby – first timer winning the wine…..last week.
• Anyone who didn’t wear their red 'End Polio Now T-shirt' last Friday on the day. Even our own Brian and Siew wore theirs in China -way to go!
• Speaking of China, all those who have been to China, Russia or South Korea…those heads of state being together…Oh and all us Aussies can dob in a $ as well….Pay up!
• Global Champagne day was last Friday and I noticed it wasn’t acknowledged in fines or by the Pres….so guzzlers of bubbles pay up!
• It's Halloween…non-trick-or-treaters pay up (it's actual origin is Celtic not American at all)
• Fawlty Towers followers… in memory of dear Prunella Scales who shuffled off her mortal coils - Basiiiiiil…
• Haircuts and beards must be flavour of month…Kelly chopped his beard off, Ken P has had a haircut and Ross Smith needs one!
• Lew Thomas – must have Irish blood in him, he’s wearing 2 name badges today (both his)…to be sure to be sure.

Heads and Tails

Guest Tosser of the week – David Tyler. And she did again…Carole O’Brien, new member and 2^nd time she has won it.

Attendance

38 attendees in all, including guest speaker Andrew Sim.