Howdy Pardners...
The Duke signed in with his thought for the day based on the 4 Way Test "Is it beneficial to all concerned?" and reminded us that August is Membership and Extension month. With two prospective members in our audience it was most appropriate. However, today in ...
1974 - French Philippe Petit walked a tightrope strung between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City at a height of 1,350 feet (411.5 meters)
1789 - National Lighthouse Day observed annually to honor the history and heritage of lighthouses and their keepers. The date marks the anniversary of the 1789 signing of the congressional act that established federal oversight of U.S. lighthouses and aids to navigation.
Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
- Ian K: Offtraq is looking for volunteers to assist with lunches, silent auction, etc. 22-24 October. A vocational trip is also planned for the club (scroll down to events for more details)
- Lorrie: Will be raising FUNds again at Offtraq, hosting a BBQ and with 24 cars to date roaming around the South (including Wagin and Narrogin) encourages everyone to join in the FUN!
- The Duke: Will be away for three weeks and so the Chair will be covered by Gorby, Carole and Garrick. The club Board meeting is deferred to 3 September.
Guest Speaker : Cameron Wrathall - Shark Attack Survivor
He emphasized resilience through acceptance, mindfulness for chronic pain, and positive perspectives gained from a near-death experience.
The Shark Attack Incident
On 14th January 2021, a “beautiful summer’s morning”, Cameron was swimming in the Swan River near Bicton Jetty. He regularly swam there and played water polo for Melville Water Polo Club. He and a friend were halfway through the swim when a three-meter bull shark struck from under and behind on Cameron’s left side with an “almighty whack,” likened to being hit by a freight train. The impact was forceful, quick, and did not take him under.
The shark bit from just above the knee up around the buttock and the inside of the leg. The bite penetrated to the bone, severing tissue, tendons, muscles, blood vessels, and snapped the femur in half. Massive blood loss created a “huge cloud of blood.”
He struck the shark’s head with both palms, thrusting down hard, likely shocking it. The shark released and disappeared. Being a strong swimmer Cameron swam diagonally to the beach, experiencing only a brief moment of fear midway when wondering where the shark was.
His mate dragged him up the beach and called for help. Two kayakers and a paddle boarder assisted. One made a tourniquet with a shirt and towels were used to apply pressure. Cameron was placed on a paddleboard and carried to the roadside.
Cameron’s heart stopped just as the ambulance arrived. Initial resuscitation failed due to insufficient blood volume. The Paramedics infused manual saline (ambulances do not carry blood) to restore volume and a second resuscitation attempt succeeded.
He was transported to Royal Perth Hospital (major trauma center). Cameron was in ICU for three days, unconscious and underwent multiple surgeries. This was followed by five weeks supine immobilization due to the broken bone and repaired soft tissues, then he was transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital for five weeks of rehab.
There he progressed through a wheelchair, walking frame, two big crutches, two small crutches, and then relearning to walk.
Bull Shark characteristics
Bull sharks grow to a bit over three meters and frequent rivers and estuaries, with increasing human encounters compared to strictly marine sharks. They are unique among sharks in tolerating freshwater, others require saltwater.
Shark attacks are rare relative to population and water usage. The risk is lower than everyday hazards (e.g. crossing roads).
Personal Perspective
It took approximately three weeks post-incident before Cameron could conduct a media interview (Channel Seven). He is still struggling due to ICU recovery, surgeries, heavy painkillers, and immobility. Recorded pieces are often edited to sensationalize fear and demonize sharks, which conflicts with his view of the event as a positive learning experience.
Cameron cannot walk far or well, still using a wheelchair. Nerve damage has affected his leg muscle engagement.
He is unable to return to prior work requiring mobility and annual qualifications and has been on a disability pension since the incident.
He has benefited from support from his long-term sporting community (Melville Water Polo Club) and learned to access relevant services.
Advocacy
Cameron has leveraged his incident to advocate in state parliament for changes to fishing laws to reduce shark–human encounters. He argues that fishing attracts large fish (bait, berley), so separating fishing from recreational swimming areas improves safety.
His initial efforts stalled. After a subsequent fatality (a young girl taken about a year later near his incident site), the state government offered funding for councils to implement protective measures, with councils covering maintenance. The result was a safe enclosure for swimming installed at Bicton Jetty, an outcome Cameron expressed happiness at contributing to.
The Bite Club was started by a surfer in New South Wales after a bull shark encounter to create a space for sharing experiences and medical treatments. It expanded from NSW to Australia-wide online and then globally, including survivors of various animal attacks (lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, bears). It functions as a non-judgmental support group for people coping with severe injuries, limb loss, bereavement, and other consequences.
The two first responders are now friends. They meet annually on the incident day to catch up. One was an ex-SAS serviceman, the other a geologist with mine-site medical training—both had useful medical knowledge that aided Cameron’s survival.
Resilience Philosophy
Cameron defines resilience as acceptance and reality: accept changes and circumstances, determine what can be done, and move forward simply and pragmatically.
He regards the experience as ultimately positive, providing profound insights that he would not have otherwise gained.
Cutting it Fine(s)...
Madam Lash aka Joy Burnett left no dollar un-turned...
- The Duke - 3 weeks leave = departure tax, one 💵 for each week
- Owen - lunching like a lord at Voyager 🍷
- The Duke (again) - Stealing Joy's thunder ⛈ by mentioning the historical facts for today
- Sporting Aussies - because we led the tally in the Commonwealth Games. Croquet players are NOT exempt!
- Beer Guzzlers - it's International Beer 🍺 Day - of great cultural significance to ALL Aussies.
- Aged Care employees - yes it's your day today also so pay up!
- Purple Hearts Day 💜- yes for veterans but Dockers supporters give it a new meaning.
Winner of Heads and Tails
Attendance
37 attendees in all, including guest speaker Cameron Wrathall, visiting Rotarians Jill Matthwin (Kojonup), Geoff Anderson (E-WA club and first host family to Felipé), Lucas Roosendaal (Nedlands), visitors Denny Craig, Eno Budo and Rotary Youth Exchange student Felipé Alves Mizobuchi.
