- PICYS
- Sewing Sisters
- Linen project
- Inaugural International dinner
- Ashes breakfast
- Offtraq (raising $9K for the Sri Lanka eye camp)
- Dial-A-Santa (raising $30K for youth programs)
Guest Speaker - Rowena Leslie Aboriginal Economic Participation and Business Ownership
She serves as Chair of the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber and contributes to several regional committees, championing Aboriginal economic participation, strong community partnerships and sustainable local development across the region.
In her opening remarks, Rowena confessed her initial understanding of Rotary was fairly limited. The International Rotary website describes a Rotary member as a problem solver, who see a world where people take action to create lasting change globally, locally and within themselves. “When I read this, I had one of those moments where I thought, these are my people….”
In Aboriginal culture, stating one’s origin situates a person within a network of relationships, responsibilities, and connections; it shapes how individuals relate to each other and can create mutual obligations of care. Rowena focuses her energy on problems within her sphere of influence rather than trying to solve every issue. This aligns with the Rotary principle that sustained change occurs when capable people concentrate their efforts where they can make a real difference.
Her grandparents, Les and Kathy Tucker, served communities across the Goldfields for decades. In the 1960s, they helped establish the first Aboriginal church in Kalgoorlie, which grew into a national Aboriginal evangelical network and led to a bible college and a schooling institute with three campuses. Her grandfather was CEO of a regional resource centre supporting remote Indigenous communities and started a glass company in the 1990s, fostering Aboriginal-owned mining and contracting businesses.
Rowena became a lawyer in the early 2000s, focusing on commercial law to help her community make sound decisions about livelihood, assets, and long-term security.
Her experience includes work at a major law firm, a legal centre for Indigenous clients in the US, and serving as an associate to a judge in Perth, offering insight into diverse communities.
In the 2010s, she and her sister started with a single water cart lease. They grew it into a civil and mining services operation with 20 permanent staff and 12 pieces of plant equipment.
Business ownership established her recognition as an economic participant in the eyes of the community, industry, and institutions. In 2020, she co-founded the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber with other Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Its core aim is to support the growth and sustainability of Aboriginal-owned businesses in the region.
Much of what is called “disadvantage” is actually a lack of economic literacy and opportunity, not capability. People don’t intend to undermine their own well-being, but without tools, information, or pathways, they may make choices that limit their future options.
Running a business teaches budgeting, cash flow, debt management, value creation, and the interdependence of producers and the community.
It fosters agency, structure, routine, and accountability.
It enables investment in housing, nutrition, healthcare, and education.
Rowena shared stories to normalize Aboriginal participation in enterprise, not to romanticise the past.
- Great-grandfather Jack Tucker had a sandalwood-pulling contract.
- Great-grandfather Snowy Barnes was a successful prospector who bought his first home with gold he found.
- Great-great-grandfather William Hamlet was caretaker of Wilgie Mia, Australia’s oldest continuously operating mine supplying red ochre.
- A cousin is a shearing contractor who manages logistics and labour to support multiple families despite leaving school early and facing literacy challenges.
While acknowledging serious challenges (health, substance abuse, education, employment), Rowena focused on economic participation as the highest-leverage point for change. Economic engagement produces measurable flow-on effects that build community capacity.
Practical support for Aboriginal community-led initiatives, especially those focused on business and economic participation, can include partnerships, mentoring, sponsorship, procurement, advocacy, and relationship-building to understand how Aboriginal businesses operate. Rowena herself benefited from a mentor through Many Rivers, which supports small Aboriginal businesses nationwide. A mentor offers an external perspective beyond one’s usual “bubble.” Programs like Women in Mining also facilitate mentorship.
A common challenge is limited legal savvy among new Aboriginal business owners, exposing them to predatory behaviour. Many agreements are verbal. Rowena stressed getting everything in writing, as parties may change. Joint Ventures often appear 50/50 but can be inequitable in practice. Legal professionals are needed to explain contracts and protect businesses.
In summary, economic participation and business ownership is pivotal in building agency, stability, and prosperity within Aboriginal communities.
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
- Kelly G: reminder District conference 13-15 March 2026. Register now at https://www.trybooking.com/DDQKM. Scroll down to the Events page for accommodation.
- Angus F: Attended lunch at SOS and received Certificate of Appreciation for the Club.
"What's fine today my Fine fellow!" said Scrooge...
- Anyone with a golfer's knee, a tennis elbow or a proctologists tunnel vision.
- $1 for every White Christmas experienced.
- Members who brought partners.
Winner of Heads and Tails
Attendance - 73 attendees in all, including guest speaker Rowena Leslie, former Rotarians and ex-Members Mark Jones, Margaret Evans and Jaclyn Stapelton, plus visitors Vaughan and Julie Emery, Charlie Burnett, Robyn Conway, Denny Craig, Katrina Duke, Robynne Dwyer, Sana Dimovich, Kerry Hardwick, Estelle Hayler, Zoe Howard, Rob Hubbard, Hannah Lawrance (photographer), Wendy Longshaw, Matthew Lovkis, Lynne McCamey, Margaret Metcalf, Charlotte, Craig & Mayor Greg Milner, Siew Ng, Graham Nixon, Grant Notely, Corrine O'Sullivan, Chris Pittman, Sue Rowell, Catherine Roussett, Gordon Smith, and Mandy Sneeuwjagt.
