Presidential Ponderings
Co-President Gerry McGann (P2) opened the meeting, commenting the numbers are down. “Not surprising with the Conference, however lots of enthusiasm with 26 members attending to support our DG"
Time to remember about Service above Self and today in history:
1781 Planet Uranus discovered
1930 Pluto discovered
Special guests today were Jill Mathwin fromKojonup RC, and Conference MC, Magician and Comedian Jonathan Usher (from
He lived in Dunedin most of his life and moved to Cromwell two years ago.
Jonathan has been a Rotarian since 1997 as a Past President, District Governor and now President-Elect (again).
He has been a Magician for 25 years (as well as running fuel stations).
It is Jonathan first time in Perth and he observed it is a lovely city!
Last Wednesday, he gave a free show at Ronald McDonald House for the children and families. Ross Smith described it as a really great night and Jonathan had the children “eating out of his hand right from the start…”
Directors' Reports and Member AnnouncementsAstrid M: Flyer on table, seeking to raise $12,000 to send her 3 x grandsons to Sydney. They have been selected to represent WA in the Special Olympcs Basketball competition. Fundraiser with great prizes, Astrid can sell tickets via credit card.
Pankind BBQ - leetter sent to Rick from Ally Rayel, Pankind
"Dear Rick (and gorgeous Mandy),
I just wanted to reach out and say an enormous thank you to you and your incredible team yesterday. Despite the heat it was an incredible event - we are already over $157,000 raised towards Pancreatic Cancer Research which is incredible.Please feel free to view the event day photosHere is a fun video reel of the day https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17J5Jkhm65/Please let me know what we need to do on the financial side.Thank you again - your support of our event is an integral part of it being such a success".
Guest Speaker : Bernie Foley - Life Education WA (Life Ed)
Bernie’s business career includes:
- 15 years managing own Mortgage Broker’s Business
- 3 Years Small Business Owner in Geraldton 1989-1993 during “the recession we had to have”
- 20 years as Bank Accountant –ANZ 1969 – 1989
He accepted the position of CEO Life Education WA in January 2010 after serving on Board/Committee of Life Ed WA for 5 years.
The late President of Mt Lawley Rotary Club Dick Williamson and Harold Taylor a fellow Past President of North Perth Rotary set up Life Education WA in 1984 after visiting the Wayside Crisis Centre in Kings Cross where the program was developed.
The Reverend Ted Noffs, the founder of Life Education, was convinced of the need for a drug education program aimed at preventing children from becoming victims of drug and alcohol abuse after a young women collapsed from a drug overdose.
The purpose of Life Ed is to empower children and young people to make safer and healthier choices through education.
Prior to Covid, life Ed used “mobile classrooms”. There were four in the metropolitan area, one in Geraldton and one in the Northwest. Today the programs are held in the classrooms, reaching from Kalgoorlie, Northam, Pinjarra and Pingelly down to Esperance.
The mental and physical well-being of children is threatened today in the
- Digital world by misinformation, toxic influences, harmful role models, social media bullying and predators
- Real world by economic & social crises, environmental issues and global conflicts
The consequences are children with no boundaries, no control, no escape, no mistakes, no direction and no friends. Today, more children than ever before are anxious, lonely, depressed and disconnected.
Through “Healthy Harold”, the Program addresses Physical Health, Social & Emotional Wellbeing and Safety. When Healthy Harold comes out, the kids love it and he helps reinforce the message being delivered to children. The program is tailored through;
- Early Years Learning Program
- Pre Primary
- Junior (Year 1 & 2), Middle (Year 3 & 4) and Upper (Year 5 & 6) Primary
The issues addressed include smoking & vaping, social media & screen time. Children are given detailed information on the harmful effects of nicotine and vaping ,as well as how to recognise e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
Harold’s Safe Screen Time addresses early warning signs, safe use of devices, autonomy and making safe choices.
Resources are also provided for Parents and Carers via Podcasts with Doctors and Specialists.
A PDF version of Bernie’s presentation can be viewed at:
millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>FOLEY Bernie – Life Ed
The Master of the Fines - Owen Ferguson!- Mike C - St Patrick's day is actually 17 March!
- Jonathan U - Smart Kiwi, so not going to fine you...
- Wayne M - Lost phone at committee meeting!
- Vic S - 1c for every birthday - so $1 will do.
- All - Black Friday
- Sunday - International Women's Day - all women
- Monday - Commonwealth Day - all members of the Commonwealth
- Tuesday - Bagpipe Day - anyone who has played the bagpipes
- Wednesday - Plumber's Day - anyone who has used a plumber
- Thursday - Kidney Day - if you have two kidneys...
- Friday - Spread Goodness Day - everyone
- Saturday - Day of Action for rivers - all those who have a river
- 1989 - World Wide Web Day - anyone who has used the internet
Winner of Heads and Tails
Our very own Brian "Maverick" Johnson grabbed the grog this week.
Attendance
29 attendees in all, including guest speaker Jonathan Usher and visiting Rotarian Jill Mathwin. P2 asked guest Jonathan Usher to read the Rotary Charge.
