Presidential Ponderings
In the penultimate meeting for the 2025-2026 Rotary year, P2 (AKA David Rowell) opened the meeting after thunderous applause and proceeded to tell us that in...
1790 during the French Revolution, the National Assembly decreed that hereditary nobility was permanently abolished. (Off with his head! - no that was Alice in Wonderland...)
1865 - American slaves were set free when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce emancipation, proclaiming freedom for the state's remaining enslaved population.
David referred to the 2nd tenet of the Four Way Test "Is it fair to all concerned" after pondering on people losing their heads!
During the week David bumped into Bassem who was hoping to attend this morning as Bassem has recently been transferred from Karratha to Port Hedland.
Having spent a very cold night at the zoo, Eunice joined fellow business leaders stepping outside their comfort zone and sleeping rough for one night to raise critical funds for the St Vincent.
Right now, over 122,000 Australians are sleeping without a safe place to call home. In Perth Inner alone, 82% of people accessing specialist homelessness services were already homeless when they first sought help. This is not a distant crisis. It is happening in our streets, our city, tonight.
Here is what your donation can do right now:
- $75 feeds a family for a day
- $120 keeps the power on for a family at risk
- $300 moves someone sleeping rough into safe accommodation
Every dollar is tax-deductible and goes directly to people in crisis.
If you would like to support Eunice’s fantastic effort follow this link
https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/eunicesari
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
- Joy B - The ABBA night scheduled for 18 July has been cancelled. HOWEVER support is being sought for attendance at the 'Starry Starry Night' District Celebration on 11 July at the Mercure Hotel, Perth. Special discount on accommodation if you want to make a REAL night of it, we had a great turnout last year, let's see if we can do it again this year!
- Raelene - will be absent for five (5) months! Attendance will be organised by Margaret Hyatt and Michelle Lovkis when both back on deck, meanwhile Tricia Smith will be supervising the process. Raelene will still organise catering.
- Kelly - More volunteers needed for the Tree Planting on 28 June from 8.30am - 12.30pm. Only 5 people have responded, please help if you can.
- Lyn M - Fees are due and would appreciate payment before the end of next week please.
- Carole - Tickets for the 'Sister Act' musical on 15 July are available this morning. Cost $37 pp. Please support.
- David R - 75 people booked for the Club's 'Ruby Changeover Celebration' - please let David know of any dietary requirements/allergies asap and come dressed in your Rubiest gear!
Club Forum - Chaired by Co-Presidents Gerry McGann and David Rowell
The Forum focused on our Weekly Meeting Format and gave members an opportunity to give feedback on a number of questions posed about options/preferences going forward.
Gerry noted we have been a very “meeting centric” club and asked whether we stick with every Friday meeting at the Golf Club or have occasional meetings elsewhere?
Fines Session
Gerry stated many clubs have dispensed with Fines sessions as it’s considered a bit of an anachronism.
General discussion from the members was in favour of retaining the Fines session. It presents us as having a sense of humour that presents well for visitors. It is a bit of light relief and, along with “Heads and Tails” brings in about $3,500 per year for the Club Operating Account.
Speakers
Members were happy with the quality of guest speakers throughout the year. Gerry noted it is always a challenge to keep a robust group of speakers. If you come across someone who sounds interesting, grab their names and contact numbers, Brian Johnson will do the rest.
Rotary charge
Gerry asked whether the Rotary Charge should stay?
Again, the response was positive, with a number of members commenting it represents who we are and, to take it out, is taking away Rotary from being Rotary.
Meeting Times
It was queried whether we could start meetings earlier to give speakers more time? Another opinion was that there might be dedicated meetings for speakers as the main event. Club business could be picked up at other meetings?
National Anthem
Opinion was mixed. Veronica Lawrance pointed out a lot of other clubs use the anthem to open the meeting or don’t sing it at all. Another suggestion was to save the anthem for particular occasions.
International Versus Local Projects
International projects are becoming more difficult to do and get outcomes. It was generally agreed, from a success and outcome point of view, local projects are a lot easier to achieve.
Membership Directory
Scott Dwyer observed that a recent show of hands indicated only a small number of members were keeping the PDF Directory on their phone. He asked if it could be published in both electronic and paper form, with members choosing which format they wished to use.
Visitors
Veronica stressed that the words “meeting” and “club” should be deleted from our vocabulary when inviting prospective members. Rather invite them to “a breakfast", “hear a speaker”, "an event", "an activity" etc.
Membership
Ian Kremmer spoke of Tuesday and Sunday “catchups” in local coffee shops as a good way of being visible and potentially attracting new members.
He also mentioned that Lydia Wong is developing an App for younger members and others to know what’s going on and to get the message of Rotary out there.
Eunice Sari also asked about more talks/”Who am I?” from members and stressed the importance of mentoring.
David and Gerry thanked the members for their contributions and that we would be looking at what we can do going forward following the “Swansong from the two Re-treads….”
More specific detail can be found in the Club Forum Minutes in the Club Google Drive:
millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Forum Minutes>
RCMP Club Forum Minutes 2026-06-19
Or on request from Club Secretary Alison Thair.
Rise and Fine(s) - Joy B
Sleep was the topic for Friday’s session…over-rated but necessary...the scientific term for sleep is somnolence - now we know where Insomnia comes from. Sleep is essential for physical restoration, cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall health.
Not that there will be any hypnotising of anyone to “sleep” thru our forum…Mike Collet and Ken Pitman can do that anyway, so dob in a $, you two, and anyone else who would like to 'fess up to studying the insides of their eyelids during our meetings…
Rotary 4 Way Test – Is it the Truth??….Who amongst us snores? That does not include partners…(includes me so Lyn will dob in)..and then there are those who TALK in their sleep (that could be dangerous) so a $ from you.
Who can tell me what a SCAN is, in relation to “sleep”…..it means Senior Citizens Afternoon Nap, so anyone who can relate to this you can pay up.Do any of you wear those fancy gadgets that tell you about your quality of sleep or lack of? A dollar from you.
Today - June 19 is most famously recognized as Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the United States…They are having a Public holiday and of course there is a “round ball” game being played as well…USA vs Socceroos…so anyone who support the round ball of Soccer - and for that matter the Oval shape as well!
Eunice did the Vinnies CEO Sleepout (which we have already heard about) and didn’t get any sleep last night. Vinnies still collecting Donations till end of June. Support her dedication, she came straight to Rotary.
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All those NOT wearing a NAME badge - they shall remain nameless and shameless but a dollar poorer!
Winner of Heads and Tails
Attendance
35 attendees in all today, no guests, no visitors but a jolly good show for the Club Forum - the best attendance ever!
