Community News

Nominations are called for the RC Karrinyup 2025 Michael Chin Humanitarian Award. Individuals living or undertaking volunteer humanitarian activities within the City of Stirling area may be nominated with the intent that the recipient be local to the Rotary Club of Karrinyup. Do you know an amazing person, who inspires others, makes an impact in the community and deserves to be recognised? If so we would love to hear from you. Nominations close 28 March.

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program offers young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 years an opportunity to attend a residential seminar designed to develop their leadership skills. RC Karrinyup sponsored two worthy participants to the 2025 RYLA program held recently. Shaun Giacomel and Mambwe Nsanje seen here with club members Eddy and Nchima. Shaun and Mambwe will present an account of their experience to members at the club meeting on 11 March.

Karrinyup Rotary commenced planning a 50th anniversary project in 2021. The Golden Project was to be one of significance to celebrate the Club's 50 years of Rotary service. The designated club team worked with architect Alex Godfrey and the City of Stirling. Over the years, it was decided it would be the 'Lake Gwelup Story Trail', an interactive experience, celebrating Nyoongar culture, environmental and historical stories of Lake Gwelup, where the club has a long history of service to the community. The project has now been completed and will be launched on 23 November. Peter Polain and Peter Durrent are seen here toasting the successful completion of the project.

Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of First World War hostilities and honour all who have died in the line of duty. Our club supported the Rotary Club of Osborne Park, who were joined by the 10th Light Horse Association and the military section of the Veteran & Classic Car Club of WA, for a Memorial Service conducted by the RSLWA Osborne Park Sub Branch in the Rotunda, which was originaly built by our club, at Lake Gwelup Reserve. Karrinyup Rotary supplied morning tea for community members, who stayed to socialise and view the horses and veteran cars. See more photos.

Karrinyup Rotary has shared a wonderful relationship with the Trigg Island SLSC for many years. Recently our Club was invited to help celebrate their Silver Salties program having been awarded Community Education Program of the Year. Silver Salties Trigg Island, has become more then just a program, it is an internal family, that enriches the lives of all who are involved. Paul, Murray and Geoff reported on their visit to the Trigg Island Surf Club to attend the celebrations.

Karrinyup Rotary members recently attended a celebration of the life of Past President and Honorary Member Frits Van Irsen. Inducted into the Rotary Club of Karrinyup in 1986, Frits served as President in 1996-1997 and later as Secretary and Treasurer. He was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1993 - 1994 and in 2011 was honoured with a sapphire pin. In 2010 he received the Graham Fosbery Presidential Award for his excellent support as Club Secretary. He will be sadly missed.

Forty-four years on, a new access ramp has been completed at Mettams Pool. It replaces the old ramp, which was removed in 2021, as it had seriously deteriorated since it was built in 1980. The original ramp, in the early days of the club, was a joint project between the City of Stirling and the Rotary Club of Karrinyup. Some of the Rotarians, who were part of building the original ramp (some of it hands on in those days!) are sill with us today. Building the ramp provided its own challenge with work being conducted at all hours of the night, when the tide was at its lowest. See more photos on Facebook.

At the recent 2024 Changeover event, President Kay inducted Past District Governor and President Elect Phil Ledger, as the fifty first President of Rotary Club of Karrinyup, handing over the responsibility of leadership of the Club. President Phil congratulated Kay on her splendid year of service, saying she ran the club with great aplomb. He mentioned that Kay's service was not only to our club, but also to the wider Rotary community and listed a few of her many activites. He then announced the Board of the Rotary Club of Karrinyup for 2024-2025.

Men's Talk has announced the launch of Katitjin Blue Mind Places, dedicated to Men’s Mental Health and Wellbeing. Hubs are located in Scarborough and Busselton. This community hub is for everyone, particularly men, to access mental health support and resources, mentoring programs, workshops and events. Karrinyup Rotary supports mental health through our community service. Past President Peter Durrant and Incoming Community Service Director Jane Wake represented the club at the launch of the Scarborough hub. See photos.

Each year, the Karrinyup Rotary Community Homeless Working Group collects and donates socks and backpacks to the homeless in the city. These items are distributed on our behalf by the Perth Homeless Support Group, as they have developed an innovative “Community Model” over time, which focuses on assisting individuals experiencing homelessness, displacement, and those in transitional housing. Sandra, Jane and Carol are seen here dropping off the goods collected for distribution this winter.

RC Karrinyup is pleased to announce the 2024 recipient of the Dr Michael Chin Humanitarian Award is Janine Wood, Chairperson & Co-Founder, No Limits Perth. Janine is the inspiration and driving force behind the organisation, which is run entirely by volunteers out of a warehouse in Wangara with the motto “Helping Families in crisis, one act of kindness at a time”. The Award, created in 2000 in honour of RC Karrinyup charter member Michael Chin, honours outstanding individuals, who serve the community for their humanitarian and volunteer activities.

The RC Karrinyup Nurse of the Year Award was created in 1990 to honour outstanding nurses and midwives working at the Osborne Park Hospital (OPH). This annual Award recognises a nurse, selected by the hospital, whose daily dedication and care epitomises the highest standard of quality and personal commitment. The selection process now includes finalists in three categories. The overall winner of the 2024 RC Karrinyup Osborne Park Hospital Nurse of the Year Award, selected from the finalists, is Leo Wu. Congratulations Leo!

Building on twenty years of Black Swan Health's Freo Street Doctor Service Success, Black Swan is now providing very much needed services to the Northern Corridor at a new location in Mirrabooka. The operation is jointly funded by the Rotary Clubs of Karrinyup, Osborne Park and Scarborough, The weekly three hour clinic commenced operation on 13 March. Rotary collaborating to contribute to the well-being of the homeless community and 'Create Hope in the World'.

Homeless people struggle to find clean dry socks, which can result in their developing trench foot and other problems. This is best prevented by wearing clean dry socks. RC Karrinyup's Sandra McGuire is calling for your help to supply warm socks to homeless people. These need to be in natural fibres for both men and women. You may wish to purchase them yourself or simply donate money to buy the socks. Just $5 will buy two pairs of socks. The team will collect both socks and money at the admin stall at the Stirling Farmers Market over the next couple of weeks. Please give this project your support.

Black Swan Health has delivered fully accredited General Practice medical services and attended to a broad range of health issues for the homeless and those on low incomes via Street Doctor for many years. The Rotary Clubs of Karrinyup, Osborne Park and Scarborough have collaborated to provide the necessary funding for a Street Doctor clinic to commence within the City of Stirling. The service launched in Mirrabooka on 13 March. Rotary collaborating to contribute to the well-being of the homeless community and 'Create Hope in the World'.

Nominations are called for the RC Karrinyup 2024 Michael Chin Humanitarian Award. Individuals living or undertaking volunteer humanitarian activities within the City of Stirling area may be nominated with the intent that the recipient be local to the Rotary Club of Karrinyup. Do you know an amazing person, who inspires others and deserves to be recognised? We would love to hear from you. The date for nominations has been extended. These now close 2 April.

Karrinyup Rotary's winter support for the homeless commecnced several years ago with collecting warm socks. Later this was expanded to gathering other warm items of clothing and preparing backpacks for the homeless. This year the club also donated sleeping bags. Following a recent busy bee preparing these for distribution, they were delivered to the Perth City Homeless Support Group. Karrinyup Rotary club members Beth, Tess and Jane are seen here working away on packing day. Karrinyup Rotary's donations were set for distribution on Tuesday, 9th May.

Karrinyup Rotary Youth Services has set aside funds for financial assistance for young people from families in need to attend Girl Guides, Scouts or similar pursuits (other than sports). The scholarship will cover the annual fees to be a member and participate in a youth development activity. Western Australia resident children aged 5 to 18 years participating, or wishing to participate in approved activities, whose parents/guardian have a Health Care/Pension Concession Card or members of Ukrainian refugee families are eligible.

The RC Karrinyup Nurse of the Year Award was created in 1990 to honour outstanding nurses and midwives working at the Osborne Park Hospital (OPH). This annual Award recognises a nurse (or midwife), selected by the hospital, whose daily dedication and care epitomises the highest standard of quality and personal commitment. This year the hospital reviewed the selection process to include finalists in three categories. The overall winner of the 2023 RC Karrinyup Osborne Park Hospital Nurse of the Year Award, selected from the finalists, is Donna Wheeldon. Congratulations Donna!

The City of Stirling in partnership with Karrinyup Rotary will construct its first Story Trail to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary. This will be the Club's Golden Project. To gain a deeper understanding of how the community engages with Lake Gwelup in developing the Story Trail, to support the project and bring the local community together, a barbeque and Walkshop event was held recently at Lake Gwelup Regional Open Space. The community is invited get involved and help shape the next chapter in the Lake Gwelup story.

Currently the Rotary Club of Karrinyup Youth Services group has a small budget to provide funding for local youth organisation volunteers, who reside or volunteer in 'our patch'. The purpose is for them to complete initial or refresher training to gain or maintain such qualifications as Senior First Aid, Mental Health First Aid or Bronze Medallion, that they may require to perform their volunteer role.

Back in July, the Karrinyup Rotary Community Service team donated a a Fennix LS – Surf Life Saving Ski for use by the Trigg Island SLSC. This week we learned that Trigg Island SLSC Youth Members Annika and Eleanor have taken a keen interest in paddling. They have been awarded use of the surf ski in recognition of their ongoing commitment to their training, competition, sportsmanship and upholding the Trigg Island SLSC values. Trigg Island SLSC President Cas Ryan joined the girls to present them with the new ski, which we're sure will get a lot of use. See more photos.

Since the inception of Foodbank WA over twenty-five years ago, RC Karrinyup has been a strong supporter. This week, Ian de Nazareth, Senior Fundraising and Partnerships Manager at Foodbank WA, visited our club to bring us up to date. Foodbank WA redistributes oversupplied and donated food to those in need but this year the need has been huge. Former Community Service Director Peter advised that the club had recently made our substantial annual donation, just in time for Christmas.

Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of First World War hostilities and honour all who have died in the line of duty. This year, our club supported the Rotary Club of Osborne Park, who were joined by the military section of the Veteran & Classic Car Club of WA, for a Memorial Service conducted by the RSLWS Osborne Park Sub Branch in the Rotunda at Lake Gwelup Reserve. DG Ineke Oliver laid a wreath on behalf of Rotary. The event drew a good crowd for the first of what it is hoped will become an annual event.

What a fabulous time we had celebrating the eleventh Birthday of the Stirling Farmers Market! The Market was bustling, there were so many happy little faces and a great crowd. There were pony rides, face painting and eco fairies as well as a yummy cake thanks to Tammy's. We hope all our wonderful stallholders and customers enjoyed it as much as we did. Many thanks to everyone, who worked so hard to ensure the success of the day and to our entire Market Community for the ongoing support. Check out some of the highlights of the party.