Vale Brian Bracanin

This week a large contingent of past and current Rotary Club of Karrinyup members joined family and friends to celebrate the life of Brian Bracanin, who sadly passed away recently after a courageous battle with cancer.

Brian's Rotary journey began in 1976 with the Rotary Club of Busselton Geographe Bay, where he served for ten years. He was instrumental in changing the culture of that club by introducing many younger members. He served as President and also started the Rotofest, which was a great fundraiser for several years. 

Upon relocating to Perth, he joined the Rotary Club of Karrinyup in 1986, where he exemplified the qualities, which the founders of Rotary strived for all those years ago - a selfless contribution to one’s vocation and the community at large.

Brian's passion for life was evident in the way he bubbled with enthusiasm for all of our projects. These included tireless efforts with the Karrinyup Rotary Community Fair and the Food Van at the Karrinyup Swap Meet, two of our main fundraisers and the public face of our club for many years. Most recently he was an inaugural member of the Stirling Farmers Market Management Committee and compiled the Market's volunteer rosters. Brian was also a committed Membership Director, attracting many members with his overwhelming enthusiasm, sunny smile and positive nature. He worked tirelessly for our club, always with eagerness and goodwill. Everyone warmed to him.

Brian was recognised with a Paul Harris Fellow in 2003 in acknowledgement of a special event he organised to benefit the schools Chaplaincy program. In 2019 he received a Sapphire Pin to his Paul Harris Fellow for his ongoing dedicated service, while in 2016, he was awarded our Club's highest honour - the coveted Graham Fosbery Presidential Award for Outstanding Service in Club Membership. 

Brian embraced the ideals of Rotary by making a difference, both in the local community and the wider world and was passionate in the growth of our club by constantly seeking new members and, once gaining these members, ensured they felt included at our weekly meeting.

He especially enjoyed his involvement with Farmers’ Market, not only because he loved the food he could taste and buy, but he also had the opportunity to chat to anyone interested about the appeal of Rotary. Many members of our club today first learnt of Rotary from Brian with his easy going, friendly approach.

We salute Brian for this magnificent 44 years of service to Rotary. We all loved him for his passion, which spilled over into all his Rotary involvement and into every aspect of his fruitful life. No one will ever forget him.