Presidential Ponderings
Co-President David Rowell (P2) opened the meeting, commenting on how nice the morning was after the “bang and crash” thunderstorms of the other morning….
Today in History, involving International Rule changes:
- 1920 the Czech Republic and Slovakia became Czechoslovakia
- 1922 Egypt became independent
- 1951 The USA passed the 22nd Amendment, limiting a President to two terms in office.
He reminded those present of the Four Way Test #3 – “will it build goodwill and better friendships?”
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
Ian K : Croquet Night 27 March at Como Croquet Club.
Gerry M : Read an update message from our RYE student Makynli in France. She has enjoyed her birthday celebrations with her host family and seen snow for the first time (being from Karratha!). We are expecting an inbound RYE student, the club has asked for a male. Host families needed.
Rick S : Pankind BBQ Sunday 08 March at the Boatshed foreshore, South Perth, from 8:00AM, more volunteers needed.
Ross S : Ronald McDonald House dinner 29 March, more volunteers needed.
Brian J : Club Birthday BYO Sundowner 06 March at Sir James Mitchell Park “StREAts food trucks.”
Guest Speaker : Brett Pollock OAM (assisted by Rohin Kehal) "Perkolilli Red Dust Revival
He has had 50 years of volunteering in Outback tourism, local government and establishing the Shark Bay heritage region.
The Red Dust Revival is a motorsport event that takes place at Lake Perkolilli, a clay pan located 60km east of Kalgoorlie. Racing has occurred at this location since 1906, but it is now a revival event held every three years.
It is the largest amateur motor vehicle event in Australia. On the final day, it attracts about 2,500 spectators who either come from Kalgoorlie or camp on-site.
The event is open to cars, motorbikes, and aeroplanes manufactured before 1940.
It typically attracts about 100 car nominations, 100 motorbike nominations, and 4–5 Tiger Moth–type aeroplanes. Some participants build cars specifically for the event, ensuring they resemble vehicles from the pre-1940 era. Model A Fords are particularly popular.
The event format is time-trialing, where participants drive as fast as possible. Cars are matched up after initial trials. The track is 2.4 miles long, and each run consists of two laps, for a total of five miles.
The most recent event was run by the Variety Club, with the participants taking passengers for rides (after the days racing), with the $50 fee per passenger going to Variety as a fundraiser. Brett also uses his long-distance drives in his Model A to fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), raising $68,000 on one trip through an online blog.
Brett retired to Perth 20 years ago and owns a 1930 Model A Ford named “Glad.”
He later purchased a 1935 Rolls-Royce named “Clementine,” which is in original, untouched condition.
After being persuaded by the event’s historian, he brought “Clementine” to Perkolilli, making it the first Rolls-Royce to ever race there, much to the chagrin of Bentley owners.
Brett views the entire activity at Perkolilli as beneficial for men’s health, even if the men don’t explicitly recognize it. It functions similarly to Men’s Sheds by getting men together to talk in a comfortable group setting about health issues like prostate problems.
It also provides a welcoming environment for people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Brett has been heavily involved in volunteering and setting up Men’s Sheds across Western Australia for many years, establishing about 100 of the 250 sheds in the state.
He sees Men’s Sheds as great for men’s health and also for women’s health, as it gets retired men out of the house!
Rohin Kehal met Brett at a Men’s Shed, when he was recruited to
He has now been elevated to co-driver in the Rolls Royce “Clementine”.
He is pictured here with a rather excited passenger…
Brett’s presentation can be viewed at:
millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>POLLOCK Brett – Red Dust Revival
It's a Fine(s) art...
- 2026 Winter Olympics – anyone who has seen or played in snow.
- Anyone who has been to Italy.
- Gorby and Peggy’s walkers
- National Pokemon Day – ever played Pokemon or given to kids
- “No Brainer” Day – everyone with a brain
- The check shirt brigade
- “Import tax” – David T (from New Zealand) and Astrid (Scandinavia)
- Kelly and Tricia for being incognito (no name badges)
Winner of Heads and Tails
Attendance
41 attendees in all, including guest speaker Brett Pollock, visiting Rotarians John Dodman OAM (Como), Jill Mathwin (Kojonup), visitors Rohin Kehal and Dvid Pollock.
John Dodman thanked the Club for his welcome and on the club's kind congratulations on being awarded the OAM in the 2026 Australia Day Honors list.
