Bulletin #27 - 23 January 2026

 Presidential Ponderings

Co- President Gerry McGann (P1) opened the meeting and reflected on the third line of The Four Way Test – “Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?”

Gerry was at the airport to farewell our outbound Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student Makylni Fitzgerald on her journey to France. Our inbound RYE student will be coming in July, although we don’t know from which country.

Gerry also reflected on Thursday’s National Day of Mourning, to honour the victims of the Bondi massacre.

Today in history:

1556  The biggest earthquake in Chinese history

1975  Darwin was undergoing a massive clean up after Cyclone Tracy

Guest Speaker :  Dr Ane Burlinson - What is Artificial Intelligence(AI)?

Anne founded mPW3R (“empower”) because she kept seeing the same pattern everywhere she looked: brilliant, capable people breaking themselves against systems that were never designed for humans to thrive in.

Anne’s journey took her from biology and pre-med in the US (where she thought of becoming a doctor), to community nutrition in Indonesia (studying how culture shapes behavior), to a doctorate in Germany working with the Max Planck Institute on human evolutionary behaviour. She pursued graduate studies in psychology at the University of Western Australia —until life had other plans when she gave birth ten weeks early during her final semester.

Anne is a founding member of the Western Australian AI Hub and Human Evolution Lab, and spoke to the club about demystifying Artificial Intelligence (AI).

AI is described as a set of instructions that allows computers to recognize patterns and predict what might come next, without intrinsic understanding or consciousness.

When processing an input (e.g., “the lady went to …”), AI assigns probabilities to possible outputs (cafe, hospital, park, office) and selects the highest probability as the answer. While a crude illustration, it captures the probabilistic prediction nature of AI.

AI underpins widely used services:

• ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini
• Navigation tools like Google Maps and Siri
• Streaming platforms (Netflix, Prime, Stan)
• e-commerce (Amazon Prime, Temu, Shein)
• Social media (Facebook, TikTok, YouTube). 

Even users who believe they aren’t using AI are typically interacting with AI-driven systems unless they use basic non-smart devices (e.g., landlines, big-button phones) and have no computers.

Enablers of Modern AI:

Big Data

The internet’s continuous flow of information provides vast datasets that power AI. Human behavior contributes data through searches and interactions (e.g., “consulting Dr. Google”), which AI systems learn from.

Powerful Processors

Both CPUs and GPUs enable near-real-time interaction, such as smooth gameplay and rapid processing in AI applications.

Advanced Machine Learning Models

Compared to the 1950s’ rule-based programming (“if A moves to B then do …”), contemporary machines learn autonomously. 

These three ingredients—data, compute, models—must all be fulfilled for AI to advance. Increased compute power also raises environmental impact concerns.

 AI is a sophisticated prediction engine, not independent thought. While its processes may mimic aspects of human thinking, AI does not think like humans and lacks consciousness.

Applications of AI Across Domains:

Healthcare Diagnostics

AI assists disease diagnosis by rapidly analyzing medical images (e.g., x-rays), producing possible outcomes (A, B, C) for doctors to review and decide upon.

Automotive Safety and Self-Driving

Self-driving cars use AI for navigation and danger scanning.

Gaming

AI makes in-game opponents smarter and interactions more engaging.

Finance

AI models enhance task efficiency, particularly in fraud detection. Algorithmic trading is reported by some as feasible.

Customer Service

AI-powered phone agents and web chatbots handle billing and support inquiries. Users often face frustration with limited, preordained responses, especially for slightly complex questions. Despite this, chatbots are widely deployed for quick assistance.

Reliance on AI for Companionship:

Observations include trends in Japan where individuals interact primarily with AI (Siri, chatbots), even attempting civil marriage to AI bots via representations.

Today’s larger, less intimate social structures create gaps our brains struggle to bridge, making predictable AI interactions attractive.

Environmental Impact:

The more powerful our computers, the greater the environmental footprint. AI advancement should be considered alongside sustainability.

Practical Use and Limitations:

AI cannot read minds; users must specify exact requirements.

Employers may become more discerning regarding AI-generated reports. Current outputs can miss nuances despite covering discussed outcomes, necessitating human review.

Guardrails in education: In-class handwritten essays can establish baseline capability. Tools exist to detect whether a paper is AI-written, aiding employers and educators.

Workplace pressure (deadlines “due yesterday”) drives reliance on AI to “get things done,” sometimes at the expense of deeper thinking. Training is being organized to address recognition of AI-written content and appropriate use.

Cyber Security and AI:

Cyber attackers increasingly use AI to craft sophisticated phishing and spam (e.g., subtle character substitutions like zero vs. O). To counter, organizations employ AI in cyber security to intercept, analyze, and reduce workloads traditionally done by manual programming.

A “cat-and-mouse” dynamic exists: since attacks have evolved with AI, defense also leverages AI. Ongoing “cyber wars” between countries are reportedly empowered by AI, happening continuously and largely unseen by the public.

Anne concluded with answering a number of questions from the floor.

 

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

Angus F : Australia Day parking roster: 7:00-9:30am Mike C, Wayne D, Scott D, Brian J, John O:  9:30-12:00pm Raelene G, Lorrie G, Ken P, David R, Alison T.

Ian K : Membership committee meeting after breakfast

Wayne M : Sundowner Sat 31 Jan to celebrate the late Reg Willis’s 95^th birthday. From 5PM at Reg Willis Seat on the South Perth Foreshore (opposite 49 South Perth Esplanade). Join them if you wish, bring a bottle of wine and a pizza….?

David R : Board meeting Wed 28 Jan at 6PM, John McGrath Hall

Agenda items to Alison please.

Rick S : Request for Perth Inner City Youth Service (PICYS) meals please. Pankind walk/BBQ Sun 8 Mar (we will man BBQ).

Alison T : Global Hand Charity (GHC) looking for someone to do Admin role for a couple of months while Alison is away.

Mike C : Bill Boekeman is recovering well, still has some issues with left arm. Bill turned 89 last Tuesday. Gerry M asked to pass on best wishes from members

Gerry M : Community committee meeting after breakfast. 

Conference is coming up, with some excellent speakers and great MC.

Please book now, accommodation still available in Northam and surrounds.

A Plethora of Fine(s) Winners and Losers!

• All - Spicy food lovers – improves circulation, appetite, heart health, cholesterol, antioxidant, improves aging.
• Losers - Grapefruit, or the alternatives of broccoli and brussell sprouts.
• W&L - Chia seed eaters – beneficial, but you need to eat 2-4 tablespoons.
• Winners - Tomato fans, there is a new purple variety with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.

Winner of Heads and Tails

This week's winner - visitor Josh Tedjasaputra (after he and Eunice realized they could double their chances by not picking the same option…)

Attendance

43 attendees in all, including guest speaker Dr Anne Burlinson and visitors Rory Murray (Town Team movement), Josh Tedjasdaputra, Katrina Duke, Jess Murray, Erin Pawle, and Deborah Dyson.

  

Bulletin #26 - 16 January 2026

Presidential Ponderings...

Co-President Gerry McGann opened the meeting with the observation that, with Como RC, we identified a couple of containers going for free. Through the Rotary network, these will be given to Wheelchairs for Kids to send their wonderful wheelchairs overseas.

Lew Thomas has had a fall in Brisbane and broken some bones in his ankle. He will be in rehab for some time.

“Today in History”

1788    The First Fleet arrived

1911    Ernest Shackleton reached the South Pole

1920    Prohibition was introduced in the USA

1979    The Shah of Iran was ousted

 

Guest Speaker : Matt Breuillac - Breakfast and Breaches

Matt Breuillac is the Founder and Director of Cyber Node, a Perth-based cyber security consultancy helping Australian businesses protect themselves in an increasingly digital world.

Before launching Cyber Node, Matt built an international career working across the nuclear, oil & gas industries, supporting major projects in China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Canada and South Korea. 

 

This experience shaped his practical, risk-aware mindset and his deep understanding of how critical operations, safety, and business continuity really work.

Now based in Perth, Matt works closely with business owners and leadership teams to help them understand their cyber risks in clear, simple terms — focusing on what matters most to their people, reputation and operations.

Matt has been in Australia for eight years. Luckily for us, he has swapped Champagne & frogs legs for beer & meat pies, having become an Australian citizen

With an innovative, interactive presentation Matt took us through an explanation and examples of the many types of cyber fraud and scamming we face. This included polls on past phishing clicks, confidence in spotting fraud, identification of phishing types and an email legitimacy exercise.

He detailed an example where Enotec was defrauded by altered bank details in a thread. Call-back verification was reportedly performed, but not heeded. This resulted in the loss of $200,000 and a further obligation to pay Mobius, an Electrical and Instrumentation contractor, the owed $200,000 after a protracted legal battle.

Matt made some final recommendations and operational habits:

Do’s

• Double-check sender domains and email addresses, especially for financial or personal data requests.
• Use out-of-band verification for payment/bank detail changes.
• Navigate directly to official sites to review notifications instead of clicking email/SMS links.
• Apply segregation: separate devices or browsers for sensitive activities; isolate banking from daily browsing.

Don’ts

• Don’t rely solely on appearance (logos, formatting), as AI has reduced traditional error signals.
• Don’t click links in unsolicited messages, particularly in SMS.
• Don’t ignore verification steps before high-value transfers.

A PDF of Matt’s presentations, along with the Q&A responses, can be viewed at:

millpointrotaryclub.org.au>members only (password)> this link>Guest Speaker Presentations>BREUILLAC Matt – Breakfast and Breaches.

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements
Angus F : Fundraising Committee meeting after breakfast meeting.Australia Day parking more volunteers needed. $2,000 to club. 

Brian J : Conference 2026, more registrations needed. Please sign up. Copy and paste below link to your browser: https://www.trybooking.com/DDQKM

Joy B : Will be drawing up new SOS roster based on volunteers from last year. Any new starters?  Joy also attended D9423 Camp Opportunity and RYLA dinners. They were great evenings and “we are in good hands”.

Lyn M : Quarterly Reports – Fines $2,065, Copper Kettle $1,503

Gorby : Club Walk 20^th February, Camfield Hotel to East Perth and return. Historical Perth Walk with historian Richard Offen early April.

Garrick M : Farewell to RYE student Makynli, leaving tomorrow for France, via Madrid. Best wishes for a safe trip on behalf of the club. A WhatsApp channel has been set up, we hope for regular updates.

Alan R (RC of Como) : Ian Ball has been awarded his second PHF for longstanding stewardship of RYLA. A Dental Bus for the Homeless vehicle identified through a Mining Company. A husband and wife team, with 17 years working in Kimberley Dental, have come onboard to all the logistics of how it’s going to operate. Mill Pint Board have offered “in principle” support. 

 
A Fine(s) Day

Gerry M          Prohibition was 1919, not 1920.

All                    Who’ve been to France or drunk French wine.

All                    Who put on weight over Xmas/New Year.

Tiddles            Almost a “new member”.

All                    Who’ve been hacked on a computer.

Winner of Heads and Tails

..and the winner was Kim Paine who looked 'lovely in lavender' on this beautiful sunny day. Well done Kim!
 

Attendance

45 attendees in all, including guest speaker Matt Breuillac, visiting Rotarian Alan Ramsay (Como) and visitors Makynli, Paul and Michelle Fitzgerald and Jessica Murray.

President David Rowell (P2)

Welcomed everyone with much bonhomie and Christmas spirit. P2 led us into a moment's silence in respect of the victims and families affected by the Sydney massacre earlier this week.

We were reminded of the great achievements this year:

• PICYS 
• Sewing Sisters
• Linen project
• Inaugural International dinner 
• Ashes breakfast
• Offtraq (raising $9K for the Sri Lanka eye camp)
• Dial-A-Santa (raising $30K for youth programs) 

P2 also took time to reflect on the passing of our valued members this year - Peter Craig and John Hardwick - who are sadly missed.

In welcoming all the visitors and guest P2 also read out Christmas wishes from the Tidman family currently in the UK and Gerry and Rona McGann who are in Melbourne.

Reminder that the annual Club photograph will be taken after the meeting. 

Let the festivities begin! 

Guest Speaker - Rowena Leslie Aboriginal Economic Participation and Business Ownership

Rowena Leslie is a Mirning, Wongutha, Wajarri Yamatji and Esperance Nyungar woman. She is Director of Kai Rho Contracting, a Civil Construction & Mining Services company belonging to traditional owners across the Goldfields and Murchison regions.

She serves as Chair of the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber and contributes to several regional committees, championing Aboriginal economic participation, strong community partnerships and sustainable local development across the region.

In her opening remarks, Rowena confessed her initial understanding of Rotary was fairly limited. The International Rotary website describes a Rotary member as a problem solver, who see a world where people take action to create lasting change globally, locally and within themselves. “When I read this, I had one of those moments where I thought, these are my people….”

In Aboriginal culture, stating one’s origin situates a person within a network of relationships, responsibilities, and connections; it shapes how individuals relate to each other and can create mutual obligations of care. Rowena focuses her energy on problems within her sphere of influence rather than trying to solve every issue. This aligns with the Rotary principle that sustained change occurs when capable people concentrate their efforts where they can make a real difference.

Her grandparents, Les and Kathy Tucker, served communities across the Goldfields for decades. In the 1960s, they helped establish the first Aboriginal church in Kalgoorlie, which grew into a national Aboriginal evangelical network and led to a bible college and a schooling institute with three campuses. Her grandfather was CEO of a regional resource centre supporting remote Indigenous communities and started a glass company in the 1990s, fostering Aboriginal-owned mining and contracting businesses.

Rowena became a lawyer in the early 2000s, focusing on commercial law to help her community make sound decisions about livelihood, assets, and long-term security.

Her experience includes work at a major law firm, a legal centre for Indigenous clients in the US, and serving as an associate to a judge in Perth, offering insight into diverse communities.

In the 2010s, she and her sister started with a single water cart lease. They grew it into a civil and mining services operation with 20 permanent staff and 12 pieces of plant equipment.

Business ownership established her recognition as an economic participant in the eyes of the community, industry, and institutions. In 2020, she co-founded the Goldfields Aboriginal Business Chamber with other Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Its core aim is to support the growth and sustainability of Aboriginal-owned businesses in the region.

Much of what is called “disadvantage” is actually a lack of economic literacy and opportunity, not capability. People don’t intend to undermine their own well-being, but without tools, information, or pathways, they may make choices that limit their future options.

Running a business teaches budgeting, cash flow, debt management, value creation, and the interdependence of producers and the community.

It fosters agency, structure, routine, and accountability.

It enables investment in housing, nutrition, healthcare, and education.

Rowena shared stories to normalize Aboriginal participation in enterprise, not to romanticise the past.

• Great-grandfather Jack Tucker had a sandalwood-pulling contract. 
• Great-grandfather Snowy Barnes was a successful prospector who bought his first home with gold he found.
• Great-great-grandfather William Hamlet was caretaker of Wilgie Mia, Australia’s oldest continuously operating mine supplying red ochre.
• A cousin is a shearing contractor who manages logistics and labour to support multiple families despite leaving school early and facing literacy challenges.

 

While acknowledging serious challenges (health, substance abuse, education, employment), Rowena focused on economic participation as the highest-leverage point for change. Economic engagement produces measurable flow-on effects that build community capacity.

Practical support for Aboriginal community-led initiatives, especially those focused on business and economic participation, can include partnerships, mentoring, sponsorship, procurement, advocacy, and relationship-building to understand how Aboriginal businesses operate. Rowena herself benefited from a mentor through Many Rivers, which supports small Aboriginal businesses nationwide. A mentor offers an external perspective beyond one’s usual “bubble.” Programs like Women in Mining also facilitate mentorship.

A common challenge is limited legal savvy among new Aboriginal business owners, exposing them to predatory behaviour. Many agreements are verbal. Rowena  stressed getting everything in writing, as parties may change. Joint Ventures often appear 50/50 but can be inequitable in practice. Legal professionals are needed to explain contracts and protect businesses.

In summary, economic participation and business ownership is pivotal in building agency, stability, and prosperity within Aboriginal communities.

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Kelly G: reminder District conference 13-15 March 2026. Register now at https://www.trybooking.com/DDQKM. Scroll down to the Events page for accommodation.
• Angus F: Attended lunch at SOS and received Certificate of Appreciation for the Club.

"What's fine today my Fine fellow!" said Scrooge...

• Anyone with a golfer's knee, a tennis elbow or a proctologists tunnel vision.
• $1 for every White Christmas experienced.
• Members who brought partners. 

Winner of Heads and Tails

Delightful visitor Julie Emery grabbed the grog after  2 tails, 2 heads, 2 heads and then beat Ian Kremmer by a head!

Attendance - 73 attendees in all, including guest speaker Rowena Leslie, former Rotarians and ex-Members Mark Jones,  Margaret Evans and Jaclyn Stapelton, plus visitors Vaughan and Julie Emery,  Charlie Burnett, Robyn Conway, Denny Craig, Katrina Duke, Robynne Dwyer, Sana Dimovich, Kerry Hardwick, Estelle Hayler, Zoe Howard, Rob Hubbard, Hannah Lawrance (photographer), Wendy Longshaw, Matthew Lovkis,  Lynne McCamey, Margaret Metcalf, Charlotte, Craig & Mayor Greg Milner, Siew Ng, Graham Nixon, Grant Notely, Corrine O'Sullivan, Chris Pittman, Sue Rowell, Catherine Roussett, Gordon Smith, and Mandy Sneeuwjagt.

Bulletin #24 : 12 December 2025

Presidential Ponderings...

After a rousing welcome P1 conducted the AGM with flair and set a record of 4 minutes!

On this day in 1901 (year added as an after-thought) the First Trans-Atlantic Signal: The Morse code letter 'S' (three dots) sent from Cornwall, UK, to Newfoundland, Canada, proving signals could bend around the Earth.

1913: the Mona Lisa was snatched from the Louvre but fortunately recovered only to be nearly snatched again ... 

Shaun and Carole O’Brien – “Who Am I?”

 

New members Shaun and Carole O’Brien joined Mill Point Rotary Club in September 2025. Shaun’s Classification is Assistive Technology and Carole’s Business Improvement.

In his opening remarks interviewer Brian Johnson joked, “as a married couple, feel free to interrupt or finish each other’s answers……”

 

Carole identifies as a "Perth girl," born in Subiaco and raised in a war service home in Doubleview. Her father was a RAAF navigator and teacher, and her mother was also a teacher.

 

Shaun was born in Cardiff, Wales as the third of nine children. His family moved to England two years later and then migrated to Australia in 1966, settling in Sydney. In hearing Shaun was of Welsh heritage, Brian challenged him to pronounce the longest Welsh town name. Shaun obliged (with some printed assistance…)

“Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch"

 

Carole believes her personal growth was most significantly shaped by learning from her mistakes. Initially aspiring to be an engineer, she was discouraged by a career counsellor. She then considered journalism but switched to teaching, which she disliked. A brief, unfulfilling stint at a patriarchal bank led her to discover a passion for IT, inspired by science fiction. She pursued a degree in Information Processing and has loved her career in IT for over 40 years.

 

Shaun's upbringing in a large Catholic family instilled values of hard work and caring for others. His parents ran their own business after migrating to Australia, employing other migrants. This environment influenced him. He studied Information Systems at Macquarie University and joined IBM Australia.

 

Shaun and Carole met while both working in similar technical areas at IBM. Shaun was based in Sydney and Carole in Perth. After their relationship began, they orchestrated a complex “three-way job swap” to be closer. Carole took a 12-month assignment in Canberra. Afterward, she moved to Sydney and took Shaun’s job. Shaun moved to a new role in North Sydney, and the person whose job he took then moved into Carole's former role in Canberra.

 

While Carole was a stay-at-home mother to their young daughter “Lexie”, Shaun, then in an IT management role, decided he wanted to leave the corporate world and own a small business. Despite the financial risks (mortgage, toddler, single income), they decided to pursue this dream to avoid future regrets.

 

After a year-long search, they bought Mandurah Mobility Products, a small business selling mobility aids. Over the years, they grew the business from three employees (including Shaun) to 50 people, expanding to four retail branches, a large warehouse, and a head office. They developed significant business through government funding programs like NDIS and DVA before selling the business 12 months ago.

 

Both Shaun and Carole have recently rejoined the Como Croquet Club after a 20-year hiatus, which was due to family and business commitments. Shaun plays both golf and association croquet, while Carole is starting with golf croquet. They are also keen gardeners, though Shaun mentions their garden is currently a “bit of a jungle”.

Originally living in Salter Point, they moved to be closer to their daughter's school in Bull Creek. Now that their daughter is an adult, they have downsized to a new home in South Perth, which they found serendipitously while viewing another property in the area.

 

Having always felt fortunate, Carole and Shaun wanted to find a new way to give back to the community, make friends, and have fun in the next phase of their lives. They were already looking for such an organization when they saw the Mill Point Rotary Club stall at a local Angelo Street market.

 

They have found the club to be incredibly welcoming and appreciate its collaborative spirit. Carole believes the biggest challenge for organizations like Rotary is visibility. She suggests that the club needs to be more proactive in promoting its identity and achievements through signage and public credit for its work, as younger generations are often unaware such organizations exist.

 

In Question time, Rick Sneeuwjagt complimented Shaun and Carole on how well they have fitted into the club and contributed so much already. They have joined many activities, Shaun is now a Santa and Carole has put her hand up to become International Director 2026-2027.

Directors' Reports and Member Announcements

• Ian K : Membership Committee Meeting after breakfast. 
• Angus F: Fundraising Committee Meeting after breakfast.
• Wayne M: Great activity on Sunday teaming up with Como RC to clean up the foreshore between Preston St and South Terrace. Thanks to Kim, Ella, Dianne and Lorrie for their help.
• Kelly G: Presented the District Conference promotional video and reminded everyone that the Early Bird booking closes on 15 December; accommodation is going fast and please support our District Governor and our club. See Events page for details.
• Brian J: Next Friday is our last meeting for the year and our Christmas Event. Please book with raelene.george@rapallo.com.au before Wednesday 12 noon, bring partners, family, friends, etc. Hannah Lawrance will take members' photo afterwards. Next meeting after that will be the Annual New Year Picnic on Matilda Bay foreshore 9 January (see events page) and then16 January back to normal.

She's a Fine(s) One...
Madam lash struck again and collected coins from...

• P1 - missing out the year of Marconi's triumph
• All those who didn't spot the Bulletin Editor's deliberate mistake in reporting on the Camfield event date
• Geoff L - not turning up at SOS - forgetful or slept in?
• Lorrie G - begging not to be fined because "I'm a good girl, I am" at the Ladies dinner
• Alison T - MIA from Ladies dinner preferring Drasko's Hot Chicken
• Gold diggers - or lovers who know the price of gold
• All those who preferred to come to listen to the low down on the O'Briens and not the AGM

Winner of Heads and Tails

Tosser of the week Rick S tossed two heads and then one of each which saw young Peggy grab the grog! 

Thanks to Lyn and Margaret Metcalf for supplying the wine each week.  

Attendance : 37 attendees in all