Well finally made it to the top table and now can legitimately control the ringing of the bell!
What a journey it has been, with my first interaction with West Perth being back in 1988. Hard to imagine what my life would have been like had West Perth not selected me as an outbound exchange student to Japan in 1990 – Certainly you wouldn’t be having to put up with me as President for the next 12 months! The truth is however, Rotary offered me an experience for which I was largely undeserving yet in spite of my shortcomings, I was supported, encouraged, chastised, directed, educated and exposed to a world far beyond that I could have known from my upbringing in Perth. Rotarians cared when they didn’t need to, gave of their time and money, their homes, trusting that ultimately at sometime I will be a better person.
Whilst I had little concept of this at the time, I have to say, this intent remains with me every day. I am who I am and where I am in large part because Rotarians believed in Service Above Self, or as I like to think, Service Beyond Self. Being a member of a Rotary club is a privilege, the opportunity to share talents and friendship with others in a common belief that every contribution – small or large – can (and does) make a difference.
Many things have changed in our society over the last 30 years, but the opportunity we have as Rotarians to contribute positively to our communities remains. I look forward to sharing your counsel, vision, talents and enthusiasm over this next year – after all, who knows where it may all lead…?!?!?!
Yours in Rotary Service,
Stephen
Overview breakfast meeting 16 July 2020
Attendees present: 18 Members
Zoom Attendees: 4 - Steve Wilton, Tina Arthur, Sandy Gray, Ralph Martins, Angus Buchanan
Guests: 3 - Jeremy and Jeannette Wood (Assistant District Governor); Solomon Mbunsa
Tony Delich provided members with an overview of the plans for SwapMeet. It was great for Tony to remind us that it is what we make it - and we are all hoping it is not only an avenue for raising funds for the Club, but also fun for all involved.
We know we must become a destination point for locals on the weekend, and we can only hope that someday, there are so many stall holders and such a hive of activity that it's a destination for many around Perth.
But Tony can't do it alone. Everyone needs to chip in and support this cause if we want it to succeed.
Some tips from Tony while you're on duty at SwapMeet:
Join us tomorrow morning to hear from Angus Buchanan about our Club plans to support the progression of the sensory garden at the All Abilities Play Space in Nedlands.
This multi-million dollar project is close to our hearts and offers play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities.
This is our next opportunity to be part of phase two to make improvements and offer greater capacity for play for those with sensory disabilities.
If you cant attend in person, remember you can join with Zoom.
Samar Aoun, a Perron Institute Research Fellow is promoting a survey asking for people to share their experiences about palliative care in WA. All the details are below. I’m helping her find ways to get this out to as many people as possible.
Samar's research focus is palliative care in ALS/MND. Professor Aoun currently holds the position of Professor of Palliative Care at La Trobe University, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Notre Dame and Monash University. Having published over 110 papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented over 100 conference presentations, she has gained an academic reputation at both the national and international levels.
Consumer Perspectives on Palliative Care in WA – Patients and Carers – have your say now!
This is an independent review, funded by the health department in WA, seeking patients and family carers perspectives of palliative care in WA.
The survey is open to those who used and did not use palliative care services, so we can improve these services in WA.
People are invited if they are:
Patients with a life-limiting illness
Family/friend carer of a person with a life-limiting illness
Family/friend carer of a person with a life-limiting illness who has died in the last five years (2015-2020)
The survey closes on 26 July. A hard copy is also available and can be obtained by emailing leanne.jiang@Perron.uwa.edu.au
Nathan and his mates' donations keep increasing and currently sits at $2,856 so be sure if you can to drop him some dollars via his Facebook donation portal.
If you don't have Facebook, feel free to make a donation directly to the Club and we will pass it on, on your behalf.
Victor Morgan Hall was born in Perth, Western Australia on 15th January, 1922, the son of Morgan Hall (storeman) and Gertrude Hall (nee Wise) who were married in Katanning, WA. Victor’s secondary schooling was at Junior Technical College in Newcastle Street, Perth where he completed his Junior Certificate.
In December 1938 at the age of 16 he entered the workforce at Saunders and Stewart as an apprentice boilermaker, working in their structural Steel Division. During this time Victor attended night school at Perth Technical College and completed his Leaving Certificate. In August 1943 Victor received his Trade Certificate for Boilermaking, Steel Construction and First Class Welding. He then continued with further part-time studies at Perth Technical College and attained an Associateship in Civil Engineering and a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
On completion of his part time studies he became a lecturer at Perth Technical College. In 1949 he was appointed Principal of Wembley Technical College. The Department of Education appointed him Superintendent of Apprenticeship Training in W.A. and in 1960 he became Director of Operations in Technical Education in W.A. Victor subsequently held the position of Acting Director General of Technical and Further Education for W.A. until his retirement in 1982 at age 60.
Victor joined the Institution of Engineers in 1950 and subsequently was admitted as a full member, MIE (Aust) following extensive participation in Institution affairs, including that of Treasurer. He became Western Australian Chairman in 1967. In 1965 he was Convenor of the National Institution of Engineers Conference held in Perth. Other Australia wide committee memberships were those on the Metric Conversion Board, and various aspects of Industry and Local Government.
Highlights of his career included working during the war years with Saunders and Stewart on the armouring and equipping of ships for war service; being responsible for apprenticeship training in all trades in W.A. and being appointed by the Commonwealth Government to report on the establishment of apprentice training facilities on Christmas Island which was subsequently put into operation. In August 1968 Victor was awarded a scholarship from the Australian-American Fulbright Commission to attend training at North-Western University, Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A. in Engineering for six months. In 1999 Victor was awarded an Institution of Engineers, Australia Emeritus College Membership by the College of Mechanical Engineers,
Victor interacted with many of the Senior Lecturers at Perth Technical College including Erich Shilbury, Bill Patterson and Harry Nash on Testing of Mechanical and Electrical equipment.
Victor Married Joan Davies in 1944. They had one daughter and three sons, and Vic now has a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Vic, has been a member with the Rotary Club of West Perth since June 1954 and we all very much look forward to seeing him join us again for breakfast sometime soon.
