Presidential Ponderings
P1 (Gerry McGann) opened the meeting to not one but TWO thunderous welcomes!
On this day...
1886 Coca Cola was sold publicly for the first time at Jacob's pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia - cocaine and all!
1945 World War II ended in Europe after Nazi Germany formally surrendered
1927 Sir David Attenborough was born - Happy 100th Birthday from all your fans!
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
Ian K : Angelo St market on Sunday was a great success. Thanks to all who participated and especially to John Tidman for supplying the mega screen.
Joy B: Your Coles Fly-By point can be surrendered for cookware to donate to SOS.They will expire on 19 May so put to good use please.
Wayne M: Reminder "Epic Day of Service" is on 16 May where we will join with other Rotary Clubs cleaning up the South Perth Foreshore. Be at the Old Mill car park by 9.30 (scroll down to events for further details)
Gorby: The Endeavour Awards at the Pines is full, all 43 tickets are sold. Please be there for 6pm for 6.30pm start.
Guest Speakers: Kath Mc Quaide and Alistair "Ollie" McAlpine - "On My Feet"
Kath presented On My Feet (OMF), an organization that uses exercise, community, and skill-building workshops to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness transform their lives. Alistair, a former participant and current employee, shared his personal story of recovery and rebuilding his life with the program’s support, highlighting its profound impact on individuals.
OMF programs include weekly walking groups, eight-week niche boot camps, and marathon training, presenting data that shows significant improvements in participants’ psychological and physical well-being.
“Ollie” McAlpine is a former participant
He shared his powerful personal story of being homeless for 20 of the last 30 years.
Through the program, he discovered running, reconnected with his daughter, secured his own housing, and found a community that helped him learn to handle life’s challenges.
He serves as a living testament to the program’s success and now helps mentor others.
Homelessness is a significant issue in Australia, affecting one in 200 people, with domestic violence and high rental costs being major causes. The program demonstrates remarkable, measurable success, with data showing significant decreases in participants’ depression, anxiety, and stress, alongside substantial improvements in physical fitness.
Personal transformation is a core outcome, as individuals not only improve their health but also gain confidence, achieve goals like running marathons, find employment, and rebuild family relationships.
The organization relies heavily on fundraising, grants, and community partnerships to operate, as it receives no direct government funding. The cost to the government for a person living on the streets is approximately $30,000 annually, making programs that break the cycle a cost-effective solution.
The OMF program’s operations are run primarily in Perth and Fremantle. They partner with crisis accommodation centers to offer weekly walking groups with coffee and chat sessions to build trust. As participants progress, they can join more intensive training, participate in Parkrun events, and enter official races like 5Ks or marathons. The program also includes educational workshops on topics from nutrition to addiction recovery, presented by experts and community partners like John Worsfold and Narcotics Anonymous.
A niche eight-week program includes pre- and post-assessments of psychological and physical health. A recent women’s program showed a 64% decrease in depression, a 48% improvement in personal well-being, and a 24% fitness increase. A men’s program saw depression halved, a 20% decline in loneliness, and a 36% fitness improvement. Attendance was high, and 90% of participants continued with the general program.
Kath explained that the organization receives no government funding and relies on fundraising initiatives, grants, and corporate support. She gave an example of the Dalkeith Rotary Club funding a men’s program. She appealed for support through networking, business connections, fundraising ideas, or purchasing merchandise, emphasizing that any contribution, no matter how small, is valuable.
Ollie’s Story
Ollie shared his journey from being homeless in a Fremantle hostel 18 months ago to now having his own place and a relationship with his 10-year-old daughter.He was drawn into the program by a sausage sizzle and an invitation for a walk. Running and support from the “On My Feet” community gave him the strength to face difficult conversations and challenges. Ollie highlighted how the program taught him to ask for help and put “one foot in front of the other.”
A PDF version of Kath’s presentation can be viewed at:
millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>Mc QUAIDE Kath – On My Feet
The Fine(s) Maestro Makes his Mark
Owen pulled no punches (as usual) and first of the rank was...- Gorby - Tragic Dockers supporter
- David Attenborough fans
- Coca Cola drinkers
- Lapsed/Current drivers licence holders
- Anyone who has ever had Penicillin (?)
- 1945-ers who were around on D-Day
- Rick - an amazing Buzz-cut!
- Trish - forgetting the treats and coffees...
- David R - mega arousal and for 'loving' P1(?)
- Joy's temper tantrum...
- Tiddles for bringing along his 'funerary mate' - a case of spotters fees?
Winner of Heads and Tails
Attendance
36 attendees in all, including guest speakers Katch Mc Quade and Alistair McAlpine, visiting Rotarians Greg Plath (Walkerston, QLD) and Jill Mathwin (Kojonup), and guest of John Tidman, Vince Calleja (Albany).
