Bulletin

A team of Karrinyp Rotary members has been volunteering at Tranby Hub for eighteen months now. The group has recently taken on the task of organising the warehouse, where all donations are stored. They are also restocking Tranby itself with clothing and toiletries as well as organising the storeroom, to make sure clients always have access to what is needed. There is always a shortage of both men's and ladies underwear. Contributions of travel toiletries saved from hotels are always most apprected.

It was great to welcome Mike Murphy and Geoff Inman back to the meeting this week. Mike has been snowed under with work commitments for some time now, while Geoff has sustained a few health issues, that have kept him away for several months so it was very pleasing to see them again. Senior member Stuart Stone was rewarded for his attendance this week by being the lucky raffle winner! We also welcomed regular Stirling Farmers Market patron Brian Simpson. Brian is the partner of this week's guest speaker.

The next Rotary Means Business WA event will be held on Tuesday, 1 April, 2025. You are cordially invited to combine the best of social and professional networking. This event celebrates the launch of RMB's Socratic Lounge Meeting - Leadership & Energy Solutions:Inside Antony Smithson's World. Antony is CEO of Australian Flow Batteries. Cost $45. All Rotarians and their guests are welcome. 5:30 - 8.30 pm at Anzac House, 28 St Georges Tce, Perth, WA 6000. Bookings at humantix.

On 23 February we celebrated 120 years of Rotary. That's 120 years of doing good in the world, but how did Rotary start? Rotary International began in 1905, when Chicago attorney Paul Harris organised the Rotary Club of Chicago. Harris wanted to create a place for professionals from different backgrounds to meet, exchange ideas and form friendships. Paul Harris envisaged Rotary as a force for civic service, ethical leadership and peace. Rotary’s motto is 'Service Above Self.' From small beginnings, we are now part of an organisation that is 1.4 billion strong, with a global reach of over 200 countries. Rotary has a significant effect on world peace, world health and helping people in trouble.

Carolyn Prunster introduced Fran Wilson, a volunteer speaker from the Stroke Foundation, a national charity that works to prevent stroke, save lives and enhance the recovery of stroke survivors in Australia. Fran shared her own personal experience, describing what happened, when at just 49, she suffered a stroke in Nepal. She explained what a stroke is, how to recognise the signs and what to do if a stroke occurs. Fran then outlined some risk factors and how each of us can reduce our own stroke risk. She promoted the FAST acronym, to help recognise and detect the signs and symptoms of stroke, as the key takeaway message.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday 12 March! Designed to create cooler, happier and healthier communities, City of Stirling residents can request up to four free trees and 10 native plants. Registrations open at 10.00am on Wednesday 12 March. The tree species list will be released on Wednesday 26 February. Two plant packs will also be available this year, containing 10 native, waterwise plants. One pack has been specifically designed for verge planting, while the other can be used anywhere in the garden. Watch the eight-minute video on preparing your verge for planting.

2.2 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation facilities. 6,000 children die each day from diarrheal diseases caused by lack of sanitation and unsafe water. In some parts of Africa, women spend six hours per day collecting water from a remote source. RC Karrinyup has completed Phase 1 of the Zambia Water Project, which now provides clean drinking water for the school of some eighty orphaned and vulnerable children in Ndola, Zambia.

During the last weeks of the summer holidays Viki spent a lot of time enjoying her great love of sailing. Coming from a landlocked country, the open sea has been a fabulous experience for her. It is clear that she is also becoming quite proficient. She also enjoyed a trip to Rottnest Island for the first time, swimming at the fabulous beaches and getting up close and personal with a quokka. Another significant new event for her was attending a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.

Karrinyup Rotary contributes to the Borderless Friendship Foundation WA (BFF WA), a Perth based not-for-profit organisation, which supports children in hostels in the Hilltribe region of Thailand. Recently Karrinyup Rotarians Sandra, Jane and Jenni, seen here with Lorel from BFF WA, made a ‘hands on’ visit to this International Service project. They reported back to the club on their amazing experience. There are 380 hill tribe children in BFF’s care. In addition to club support, several club members have chosen to sponsor an individual child. Read how you could too.

It was such a busy meeting this week as our newest members Merveen and Sue brought their friend Lisa along. Lisa is a former work colleague and the ladies were keen to introduce her to our Rotary club in the hope that she will want to join us. Also visiting this week were Scarborough Rotarians PDG Jerry Pilcher and Ben Furler to tell us about a planned community Lift the Lid Walk on 18 May as well as Lorel Mayberry and Tony Cuzens from Borderless Friendship WA.

Scarborough Rotary is organising a community 'Lift the Lid Walk' to raise awareness of mental health challenges. Scarborough Rotarians Jerry Pilcher and Ben Furler related the details and invited Karrinyup Rotary to be part of this great community initiative. The walk will be from the Scarborough Clocktower to Trigg Island SLSC and back (4.2 kms) on Sunday, 22 June. Walkers are encouraged to seek sponsorship. All funds raised go to Australian Rotary Health (ARH).

23 February marks 120 years since the foundation of our great organisation. Known as International Rotary Day it is also World Understanding and Peace Day. On Rotary's 120th Birthday wear your Rotary shirt to work or play and show the world who the real heroes are! Not all superheroes wear capes! When someone asks the questions, be ready to answer them. What is Rotary? What does Rotary do?

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.

The Rotary Foundation is dedicated to assisting Rotary members to 'Do Good in the World'. In cricket, Australia recently won the Border/Gavaskar trophy. President Phil related a story told by former champion cricket player Sunil Gavaskar, a worldwide living legend. Gavaskar, as a Trustee of the Sri Sathya Hospitals, which provide free operations for poor children with congenital heart disease, recently signed a memorandum of understanding between the Hospitals and Rotary India committing $600,000 for conducting over 2000 paediatric heart surgeries through 2025 because seeing a child being given a second chance is extraordinary.

February is Rotary's "Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month”. Now, more than ever, there is a need for this in our world. Let us take time to pause, plan and promote the Fourth Avenue of Service - The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. Conflict and violence displace millions of people each year. Rotary refuses to accept conflict as a way of life. Through service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships, our members take action to address the causes of conflict.

Stirling Farmers' Market Manager Heather Leaney gave an update explaining some of the recent changes. The market had to be temporarily re-located to the back car park, while the City of Stirling installed chargers for electric cars in the main carpark. The market is scheduled to return to its original location against the building from this week, however we are expanding to use all the hot food row, as we no longer fit in the usual space. We also look forward to celebrating Chinese New Year on 9 February.

The Rotary International calendar names January as Vocational Service Month. This week's meeting was dedicated to acknowledging apprenticeships and the outstanding apprentices and trainees, who were recognised by Karrinyup Rotary at the 2024 Apprenticeship Employment Network WA Awards of Excellence. Vanessa Hayes from Electrical Training Group (ETG) is seen here with Karrinyup members Klaus Nehyba and Jenni Wilke. We also welcomed Lucia Cutri, a recipient of Karrinyup Rotary Special Recognition and returning visitor Peter De Silva.

The 2025 Rotary WA Conference will be held at Margaret River Heart, 47 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River. It will be a weekend of fun and fellowship along with some inspiring speakers. The Rotary Showcase opens late Friday afternoon, followed by the Conference opening on Friday night, with finger food and a drink included. There will be some great speakers on Saturday followed by a concert and picnic in the park on Saturday night. The Rotary Showcase will continue on Sunday along with some more inspiring speakers. The program will finish at lunchtime on Sunday. For further information and bookings check out the event on trybooking.

Vocational Service Director Kay Durrant introduced trainee Lucia Curti, a recipient of 2024 Karrinyup Rotary Special Recognition, and Vanessa Hayes from Electrical Group Training Perth. Kay described the club's partnership with the Apprentice Employment Network WA (AEN WA), a Registered Not for Profit Charity. Our Vocational Service team provides practical support for outstanding apprentices/trainees with Special Recognition. Lucia spoke about her career, explaining how the club's support had assisted her in purchasing a laptop computer, an essential item for her work. Group Training Organisation (GTO) representative Vanessa explained the work of GTOs.

The Zambia Water Project has now provided clean drinking water for a school of some eighty orphaned and vulnerable children under the support of Arising Life Ministries in Ndola, Zambia. Read the latest newsletter from A Future 4 Our Kids where Karrinyup Rotary's support is featured. Much of what is being achieved in Zambia is because of the water Karrinyup Rotary is providing. The social dividend from our support over the years is immense. The work is ongoing and will be assisted by a Rotary Global Grant.

In Vocational Service Month, it was most pertinent to hear from our members Merveen Cross and Sue Eccles, both of whom enjoyed long and brilliant careers with what is now known as the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). Merveen told us a little of the history of the emergency service, career pathways and opportunities, as well as emergency management. Sue, as a HR Recruitment Coordinator, spoke about peer support and the State Operations Centre. Both Merveen and Sue stated how much they enjoyed their rewarding careers in emergency services.

The next Rotary Means Business WA event held on Tuesday, 4 February, 2025. This is another hypothetical event hosted by Richard Dewar of HHG Legal Group and supported by a diverse group of expert panellists. Join RMBWA for an enjoyable evening of networking, fellowship, and knowledge sharing on Does "Give before you Get" - Work for Business. Cost $45. All Rotarians and their guests are welcome. 5:30 - 8.30 pm at Anzac House, 28 St Georges Tce, Perth, WA 6000. Bookings at humantix.

Viki presented a comprehensive and informative report on her fabulous summer break. Highlights of her summer included - a trip to Sydney, which comprised a bridge climb, Manly Beach, an opera house tour and an excursion to the Blue Mountains. She also told us of her achievements at school with three academic awards, sailing, which was quite exciting, Christmas and New Year parties and traditions, relaxing with her host family in Guilderton, backyard cricket and a three day bushwalking trip with Churchlands students.

It is not often that we manage to have all our Rotary Youth Exchange students at the same meeting. Our 2024-2025 Inbound student from Austria - Viki was onhand to welcome home 2024 Outbound student to Germany - Ewan back to Australia and farewell our 2025 Outbound student Ellen to Poland. Contact Eddy if you would like to be part of the team to wish her well at the airport, as she leaves on Saturday evening 18 January. There will be a zoom meeting to learn all about managing Rotary Youth Exchange from 6.30 - 7.30 on Thursday 30 January. Again contact Eddy for more information.

During January, clubs highlight the importance of the business and professional life of each Rotarian. Rotarians are encouraged to focus on the very important second avenue of Rotary service. But just what is vocational service? If you are an active, engaged Rotarian, you probably view vocational service as a way of life, even if you find it difficult to articulate a clear definition.