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At the recent Changeover evening club members were surprised and delighted, when 2021-2022 District Governor Dee Buckland announced the Rotary Club of Karrinyup as the recipient of the District Governor's Award for the Best Club of the Year. DG Dee described our forty-eight year old club as a traditional club, which has transformed into a modern, dynamic club that is going places.

DG Dee outlined some of the criteria considered when making the Award as: membership - 12% increase in membership in 2021-2022, Stirling Farmers Market, close engagement with the City of Stirling, international projects, environmental projects, liaison with the Wadjak Northside Aboriginal Community Group, support for Ukrainian displaced persons, public relations and public image, as well as engagement with other Rotary clubs.

At the Rotary Club of Karrinyup's recent birthday dinner, Rotary District 9455 Governor Angus expressed delight in introducing the Rotary International Avenues of Service Citation, which commends ongoing service by an individual Rotarian in all five areas of service. The citation, signed by RI President Gary C K Huang, was awarded to our immediate Past President Peter.

Karrinyup Rotary congratulates our esteemed member and Past President Peter Polain, who has been named in the Australia Day honours with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to the Community in a variety of roles. Peter led the Community Service Committee through numerous major projects including the Karrinyup Community Men's Shed. He took on a pivotal role in founding the Stirling Farmers Market, acted as manager for nine years and is still involved in the Management Committee.

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.

Jeff Crookes from the Karrinyup Community Men’s Shed (KCMS), seen here with Ross and Peter, gave us an update on the Shed. This RC Karrinyup's major Community Service project was planned some seven years ago. It has now become a reality and has been flourishing for two years. The RC Karrinyup has provided considerable funding for the establishment of the Shed, which is now self-sufficient on an operational basis and no longer in need of support from RC Karrinyup. This project has been achieved because of Rotary and is an excellent example of Rotary making a difference to people’s lives.

At the recent Gala Awards Evening, longstanding Rotary Club of Karrinyup supporter Bec was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellow. RC Karrinyup contributes significant amounts from fund raising activities to The Rotary Foundation. For each US$1000 contributed the club earns credits. The club may decide to use these credits to honour an individual, whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives and mission of The Rotary Foundation to build world understanding and peace. This honour is not given lightly. 

As part of National Stroke Week 2021 and our service to the local community, RC Karrinyup hosted an information stall and free health checks at the Stirling Farmers Market providing a valuable service to the local community. City of Stirling Councillor Karlo Perkov braved the elements to lead the way with a BP check. Many thanks to RN Peta for volunteering her time on the day.

Retiring member Tony Bayliss joined the Rotary Club of Karrinyup forty three years ago in February 1977, making him our second longest serving member after Charter Member Ian McDonagh. During his many long years with us, Tony has served the club in many different capacities. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1991-1992 and received a Sapphire Pin in 2015-2016 for his huge contribution to the Earbus project. President Richard Prunster was delighted to present Tony with Honorary Membership of the Rotary Club of Karrinyup. 

President Richard stated that this evening marked the end of a chapter for the Club, as it is traditionally the time for a changeover dinner. The Board had previously agreed that due to the impact of COVID19, a formal changeover would not occur at this time. Instead a formal Gala Evening is being planned, where members and guests are invited to celebrate the 2019-2020 Rotary Year and where Club awards will be presented. More information and invitations on this will be sent in the very near future.

At the annual Changeover Board Meeting, which was held recently at the home of Past President Peter, Peter's wife and longstanding Rotary Club of Karrinyup (District 9455) supporter, Kay, was presented with a long-overdue Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of her huge commitment to Rotary Youth Exchange.

RC Karrinyup has recently funded a new Oxy Viva unit for the Trigg Island Surf Lifesaving Club, building on previous donations for rescue vehicles and equipment over the years and furthering the relationship between the two clubs.

Immediate Past President Peter is making some great progress with his fact finding mission for a proposed International Project for our club in Ndola, Zambia.

Congratulations to our club's 2012 Outbound RYE student, Megan, who has just been named Kimberley Group Training's Trainee of the Year. 

Vienna is RC Karrinyup's 2014 Outbound Exchange Student to Finland. She has recently sent an update of her adventures so far.