Tony Devitt is the Rotary District 9465 Conference Chair. In this interview, Tony explains his role and outlines what Albany Conference 2015 will offer Rotarians, Rotaractors and partners. The conference is also being pitched as a public event, with content designed for a broad audience, including local residents.
Find out more about the Rotary District 9465 Conference in Albany here. #9465con15
District 9465 Governor Nominee (2016-17) Linda McLerie was our guest presenter on Wednesday 10 September 2014.
Linda, who is also Handicamp Chair 2014-15, spoke on the history of Handicamp and the benefits that accrue to the 40 or so young people who participate in the annual Handicamp event.
Handicamp is an annual six-day event that provides 20 young people with disabilities the opportunity to take part in a range of stimulating and fun activities. Support is provided by the organising committee and 20 young carers or “buddies”, who get a lot out of their participation in the event.
More than 1200 awardees have taken part in Handicamp since then District Governor Ron Sloan inaugurated the first event 32 years ago.
Want to know more? Listen to Linda as she describes the amazing success story that is Handicamp.
https://www.facebook.com/ewarotary/photos/a.1442970712603208.1073741828.1440280042872275/1511808542386091/?type=1
Family & Community Service Award to Margaret Mendelawitz.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
The District 9465 recipients of this prestigious award for 2013-14 are:
This award recognizes individuals or organizations for outstanding
service to families and communities, as well as Rotarian family
members who make positive contributions to a Rotary club.
Awardee: Betty White – Kwinana Rotary Club
Mrs Betty White has provided extensive support to Rotary since
her husband, Matthew White, joined the Rotary Club of Kwinana in December 1992.
Outstanding areas of service given by Betty throughout the years include the following:
Over the years Betty has also frequently made her home available for club social functions. On occasion Betty has also looked after the young children of a female club member so that the latter could attend various Rotary functions.
Awardee: Margaret Mansfield – Mill Point Rotary Club
Since moving to the South Perth Community in 2010 Margaret has volunteered at the South Perth Senior Citizen’s Centre, sitting on it’s social committee and is active in seeking donations for the Annual Gopher Muster, the Christmas Concert and the regular tea dances. The South Perth Senior Citizens Centre Manager describes Margaret as someone who is “always willing” and can be relied upon when asked at the last minute to help out.
As a Rotarian Partner Margaret is involved in everything that happens, and is never shy to help out and volunteer extra time. This year in particular Margaret has gone above and beyond, supporting husband John with the volunteer training prior to Ramble, and ensuring bellies were never hungry. She followed this up with a full day of volunteering on the day of the Ramble, roping in friends to help too.
Margaret was also the BBQ queen feeding the hungry hoards of tree planting volunteers as part of the Men of the Trees Tree planting project in Beverley.
Margaret and John also attended the Perenjori wildflower weekend 360 km North of Perth assisting to ensure catering was well provided.
Margaret embraced the theme of changeover dinner, actively
participated in the Club Visioning day, and volunteered her time
as a car park attendant with the Waterford Weekend.
Margaret participates in the Mill Point ladies dinners, has attended
our Hotham Valley train trip, and the annual ‘Guess who is coming
to Dinner’.
With a warm smile and sparkling eyes, Margaret Mansfield is an
asset to the Mill Point Rotary club.
Awardee: Margaret Mendelawitz – Applecross Rotary Club
Margaret was brought up in South Perth and attended Applecross Senior High school beginning in their inaugural year. She trained to become a Nurse at Fremantle Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital where she met her future husband Barry.
She established the “Meet a Mum” Association in Perth which was created to try and help thousands of mothers who feel out of their depth, depressed or a little isolated when their babies are born. With a neighbour she produced a directory of parent support services for 10 years.
Margaret is also Involved in parent education classes and is Involved with P&C Applecross Primary school while all sons attended.
Margaret Mendelawitz is a graduate in history and anthropology from the University of Western Australia. She has had a lifelong interest in Australian social history stimulated largely through her being a descendant of pioneering families who settled in Western Australia in 1829-30, and Victoria in the 1850s.
Margaret is the editor of a five book series Charles Dickens’ Australia. Selected Essays from Household Words 1850-1859 comprising volumes titled:
Margaret has been a volunteer mediator for the Citizens Advice Bureau Perth and Gosnells Legal Service since 2003. She is a Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.
Margaret was actively involved in establishing the Bakhita Community Centre in Eraulo East Timor. She is a founding Mother of the City of Melville Friends of Hatolia and has been a management committee member since inception in 2005.
Melville Friends have been involved in helping build a Senior Secondary high school with dormitory in Hatolia and paying teachers’ salaries as well as providing resources and school furniture and in providing funding and building toilets in primary schools.
Pushpa – Our Rotarian of the Year!
Awardee: Pushpa Pushpalingam – Cannington Rotary Club
PDG Pushpa Pushpalingam was appointed with the approval of
the Board to the role of District Foundation Chair (DFC) for a three year appointment from 2013-14 to 2015-16.
As incoming DFC, Pushpa was instrumental in the roll-out of the
new foundation grants model formerly called “Future Vision”.
It fell to the District to design organize and run a qualification and
training session in November 2012 in preparation for the launch
of Future Vision. In addition sessions were organized for PETS and Assemblies to further train incoming Presidents and directors on how the new system will work.
Pushpa also attended training in San Diego in January 2013 incidentally after he ran the District Training for Future Vision.
Pushpa has worked closely with our Grants Chair Hugh Langridge in implementing the District Grants process and in calling for and reviewing submissions for grants. He has also worked closely with Clubs on Global Grant applications making countless phone calls at all hours to RI in Evanston to seek clarifications and sort out issues on applications for Grants.
The Global Grants system being in its first year of a full Global roll-out has presented many challenges as we have become
more familiar with the rules and requirements of this new system.
Pushpa was also tasked by the DG with the implementation of a $210,000 USD Global Grant to establish a Friends Cafe in Ethiopia . This project is a first of its kind in Africa with the aim of training orphans and disadvantaged youth in hospitality and to place them in employment in the rapidly expanding tourist industry.
The project is modelled upon the Friends International Restaurant model which is run very successfully in Cambodia and Asia currently. Friends International will provide the training module design and overview of the program . Hope for Children which runs two schools for disadvantaged youth in Ethiopia will run the new Cafe in that country. To make this Global Grant a reality PDG Pushpa pulled out all stops to gain the cooperation of 28 clubs and districts worldwide to raise the funds required . The project is currently expected to receive final approval from RI prior to changeover.
This year the District has received more matched funds in dollar amounts that funds contributed due entirely to the efforts of PDG Pushpa and the clubs of this district.
PDG Pushpa is a tireless worker for Rotary and a deserving recipient of this award.
PP Rob Webster receives the Club Builder Award from DG Erwin
CLUB BUILDER AWARD
DG Erwin Biemel presented the prestigious Club Builder Award to PP Robert Webster of Willetton Rotary at district changeover on 5 July 2014.
The Club Builder Award recognizes Rotarians who have made a
significant impact in supporting and strengthening their Rotary
clubs.
The nominee must be an active Rotarian in good standing, with at
least five years of membership.
Candidates must have done the following:
• Recruited at least five members who are active Rotarians at
the time of nomination
• Participated in Rotary training in their club
• Participated in at least one meaningful club-level vocational
service project
• Attended at least two district meetings in the three years
immediately preceding nomination.
Eligible candidates must be recommended by three past presidents of their own club.
Awardee: Robert Webster – Willetton Rotary Club
Past President Rob Webster is a Rotarian who has given long and
distinguished service This began when he joined the Rotary Club
of Scarborough in 1983. In the following 24 years he served with
distinction in many Club & District roles including Secretary and
President, Chair of the District 9450 Youth Exchange Committee
and Chair of the District 9450 Conference Committee. As a
consequence of these activities he was not only awarded a Paul
Harris Fellow but also two sapphires.
In 2007 Rob transferred to the Rotary Club of Willetton and continued his Club building ways by being actively involved in numerous Club activities including the Club’s Annual Community Fair plus the roles of Director International Service, President, Assistant Governor and in 2012/2013 Membership Director. In this
last role Rob was instrumental in recruiting, inducting and training nine new members, five of whom were females. All but one (who left due to employment pressures) are still members. In addition while President in 2010/2011, Rob was the instigator in the Willetton region of the very successful Vocational Service Project, Microscopes in Schools. He also represented the Club at the District Conference in 2011 and also attended the Busselton conference in 2013.
Not content with his many achievements, in 2013/2014 Rob willingly stepped up to Chair the District Conference Committee. He led the committee with distinction and brought his considerable managerial and psychological skills to bear to mould Club members into a very effective effective team who in turn produced an outstanding event.
Rob’s dedication to Rotary and his unassuming but very effective style and presence have contributed in a most significant way to the Rotary cause and through that to building two Clubs the most recent being the Rotary Club of Willetton. He is therefore a very deserving winner of the Club Builder Award.
His nomination for this award is supported by
• Past President David Honeychurch
• Past President Peter Cullen
• Past President Wayne Hand
• Past President Stuart Diggins
The Ride team with RI President Ron
DISTRICT SERVICE AWARD
The District Service Award was created to recognize Rotarians’
efforts to serve humanity and work towards world understanding
and peace through Foundation programs. Ten club projects were recognized by way of these awards for the 2013-14 Rotary year.
FUNDRAISER – RIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE
Awardee: Craig Alford – Armadale Rotary Club
Craig Alford is driving a Hustler Super Z ride-on lawn mower around Australia to benefit charity. In 2012, he drove from Perth to
Kalgoorlie. In February 2013 he drove from Kalgoorlie to Adelaide
arriving at the Clipsal 500 motor race! In May 2014 the Ride left
Adelaide for Sydney and the Rotary International Convention, via
Melbourne, Hobart and Canberra! Craig is assisted by a group of
supporters. In 2014, the Ride benefits Australian Rotary Health’s
Mental Illness Research Program , Rotary Foundation’s End Polio
Now Program and the EJ Whitten Foundation for prostate cancer
awareness and research.
Cross-Continent Lawnmower Ride for Polio Eradication from Rotary International on Vimeo.
FUNDRAISER – CLIMB FOR A SMILE
Awardee: Ron Mildenhall – Kenwick Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of Kenwick Climb For A Smile fundraiser at Brookfields tower at 108 St Georges Terrace, Perth was a huge success surpassing all expectations and raising over $70,000 for Rotary causes. The fundraiser supports End Polio Now, Interplast, Romac,and the The Smith Family West Australia.
FUNDRAISER – SWIMARATHON
Awardee: Genevieve Carr – Kwinana Rotary Club
Genevieve organized a district wide Swimathon to raise money for Polio Plus .The event is a sponsored swim
organised by Rotarians to raise money and awareness for End Polio Now, organised by the Kwinana Rotary
Club together with other clubs worldwide in February each year.
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FUNDRAISER – FILM NIGHT
Awardee: Brian Guest – Kenwick Rotary Club
Brian organized a district wide fund-raiser for Polio Plus which raised $2250.00. Rotarians and partners from many clubs attended the film MONUMENTS MEN at the Carousel Hoyts Cinema.
The film was fantastic and we had a sell-out crowd in attendance.
FUNDRAISER – HIGH TEA
Awardee: Jodie Sparks – Ascot Rotary Club
Jodie organized a high tea held at the Rotary Hall Sandgate Street South Perth to raise funds for foundation. This was a great sell-out event which raised $1297.00 for Polio Plus.
PROJECT – WATER SUPPLY SIBOLONG HAMLET INDONESIA
Awardee: Raymond Heather – Armadale Rotary Club
The objective of the grant is to provide a clean, reliable year, year round water supply to residents of the Sibolong hamlet. Currently during the dry season the water supply is unreliable resulting in residents having to walk to a small spring to bathe and wash clothes. The project will deliver potable water to the homes of the villagers and eliminate the need to walk and take turns at the water source for bathing and washing of clothes. All members of the hamlet, approximately 750 men, women and children will directly benefit from the project. This Global Grant project has a District DDF contribution of $11330 USD and a total budget of $36805USD.
PROJECT – WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM SCHOOLS IN LEBANON
Awardee: John Gray – South Bunbury Rotary Club
The project objective is to install water filtration systems in 17
schools in Lebanon that lack clean water, and whose current water
installations are old and rusted, which constitutes a health hazard
for the school children. The main beneficiaries are the school
children at the schools as well as faculty members and staff. Clean
water is essential to protect the children from many diseases
such as diarrhea, eye and skin problems, affecting children’s
growth and education. We believe that every children, rich or
poor, should have access to clean water. This will be beneficial to
the community at large, since this will reduce absenteeism and
sicknesses, as well as improve the learning ability of the students,
and reduce the medical bill on the community. This Global grant project has a District DDF contribution of $10000USD and a total budget of $44220 USD.
PROJECT – WATER PROJECT TIMOR LESTE 4 VILLAGES OF LAGA NUNIRO SALARI AND RUBILA
Awardee: Max Bird – Kwinana Rotary Club
The project will provide potable water supply to four Timor-Leste communities. The project will involve four villages of approximately 400 families per village (minimum of four persons per family) gives an estimated direct benefit to six thousand five hundred persons. The villages are Laga;Nuniro; Salari; Rubila. The inhabitants will be responsible for the maintenance of the project once it is completed
This Global Grant Project has a District DDF contribution of $10000 USD and a total budget of $39048 USD.
PROJECT – BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY
Awardee: Bob Phipps – Kenwick Rotary Club
To purchase reading books for years 1 , 2 and 3 primary students in Indonesia. Bob and his wife Kay have visited at their own expense the schools for which the books were purchased .Research by the Rotary Club of Bali Lovina indicated the need for appropriate books to assist students to learn to read Indonesian. After a trial three years ago the club is now committed to supplying these age appropriate resources to schools in the northern Bali area.
This District Grant project has a District DDF contribution of $4000 USD.
PROJECT – MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
Awardee: Barry Mendaliwitz – Applecross Rotary Club
To create and fit out a new birthing room at the Clinic Cafe in Letefoho, Timore Leste. This District Grant project has a District DDF contribution of $4200 USD
RECOGNITION OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
Each year, Rotary International recognizes up to three clubs from
each district for implementing proactive and creative initiatives in
three areas:
• Attracting new members
• Retaining existing members
• Sponsoring a new Rotary club or clubs
DG 2013-14 Erwin Biemel congratulates the following clubs who have received these awards for their membership successes during 2013-14:
ATTRACTING NEW MEMBERS
Awardee: Rotary Club of Esperance
The Rotary Club of Esperance targeted prospective Rotarians from the business community within Esperance and the local district.
The Club sent invitations to prospective members inviting them to come to a Rotary information night, followed up by personal
approach from a nominated member.
All positive responses were allocated a member to pick up the possible new member and host them for that meeting and other following meetings.
These efforts resulted in an increase of 5 younger members in a 9 month period that joined the Club.
RETAINING EXISTING MEMBERS
Awardee: Rotary Club of Mill Point
The Membership Committee of the Mill Point Rotary Club have instituted a Special Training for Action in Rotary (STAR) Program.
New members and their ‘mentors meet on a bi monthly basis. Each meeting focuses on a Avenue of Service and allows participants to learn Rotary detail and how it relates at club level. The Membership Committee develop series of questions and these are distributed before the meeting. Committee take turns to host the evening and invite guests, as well as the current Director of the nominated Avenue of Service.
The President has also invited ‘observers’ from other clubs to encourage them to also adopt the STAR program.
Whilst the questions focus on the Avenue of Service, they include the activities that Club facilitates and coordinates.
Participants learn about the history of Rotary, of their Club and are able to question in an informal way. This encourages Mentors to take responsibility of the newest nominee, and gives the Committee the opportunity to gauge them.
Engaging new members from the start and ‘checking in’ on how connected they are to the club is vital. It spread a wider understanding of Rotary and the club, enables members to be aware of club activities and how and where they can contribute and take ownership.
SPONSORING A NEW ROTARY CLUB
Awardee: Rotary Club of Southern Districts
The Rotary Club of Southern Districts accepted the invitation from
DG Erwin Biemel to sponsor the new E-WA Rotary eClub.
In supporting the formation of a new satellite eClub, the Rotary
Club of Southern Districts has supported the formation of the first
satellite club in D9465.
The E-WA, Rotary Club of Southern Districts is helping to open a
whole new frontier of Rotary experiences in WA.
Once numbers increase it is anticipated that the E-WA will become
a provisional Rotary Club, the final step to chartering as a new club.
DG Erwin presents Club Builder Award to Scott Dwyer at D9465 Changeover on 5 July 2014
CLUB BUILDER AWARD
DG Erwin Biemel presented the prestigious Club Builder Award to PP Scott Dwyer of Mill Point Rotary at district changeover on 5 July 2014.
The Club Builder Award recognizes Rotarians who have made a
significant impact in supporting and strengthening their Rotary
clubs.
The nominee must be an active Rotarian in good standing, with at
least five years of membership.
Candidates must have done the following:
• Recruited at least five members who are active Rotarians at
the time of nomination
• Participated in Rotary training in their club
• Participated in at least one meaningful club-level vocational
service project
• Attended at least two district meetings in the three years
immediately preceding nomination.
Eligible candidates must be recommended by three past presidents of their own club.
Awardee: Scott Dwyer Mill Point Rotary Club
Scott Dwyer joined the Rotary club of Mill Point in November 1991.
His nomination for this award is supported by
• Past President Jon Lawrence
• Past President David Rowell
• Past President Wayne Muller
• Past President Jim Walker
He served as President in 2011/12 and is a Paul Harris Fellow. Scott has roles on all of the clubs committees, including Director of the Rotary Ramble and is currently assistant Treasurer.
Scott has nominated 11 new members in total. Scott continues to work with members on leave of absence to encourage them to attend social events and hopefully encourage him back into the club.
Scott attended the Club Visioning Workshop held by our club 1 December 2013. As a past president of Mill Point, he attended the necessary training to ensure he was prepared for his year of presidency.
Vocational Service Project – In Scott’s Presidential year a new award was introduced to the club. This is the ‘Unsung Hero’ Award. All service clubs, and not for profit groups in the City of South Perth are contacted and asked to nominate a volunteer who goes above and beyond. Every year the successful recipient receives a plaque to honour their volunteering commitments, and is given $500 towards a charity of their choice. In 2013 Scott and his wife Robynne attended a half day visit to a working farm in Perenjori to learn about biodiversity and the challenges of farming practices in extreme environments.
District meetings – Scott has attended the last three conferences
in Mandurah, Busselton and also Kalgoorlie, and was influential
in encouraging a strong contingent to represent the club at these
events. Scott has also attended the last three District Changeovers.
DG Erwin Biemel presents PDG Hugh Langridge with the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service at district changeover on 5 July 2014
Rotary District 9465 Governor Erwin Biemel presented the Rotary Foundation Citation of Meritorious Service Award to District 9465 Nominee PDG Hugh Langridge of the Rotary Club of Ascot at district changeover on 5 July 2014.
The award citation reads as follows:
The Citation for Meritorious Service recognizes individual
Rotarians who have demonstrated outstanding active service to
The Rotary Foundation for more than one year.
Examples of eligible service include, but are not limited to:
• Service on Foundation committees at the club, district, or
international level
• Participation in Foundation grants or programs
• Support of Ambassadorial Scholars, Rotary Peace Fellows, GSE
teams, or Vocational Training Teams
Financial contributions to the Foundation, however notable, are
not relevant considerations for this award.
An individual may receive this award only once.
Awardee: Hugh Langridge Ascot Rotary Club
Hugh has formed a vital part of the District Foundation committee for 2013-14 as Grants Chair.
This role has required a focus on completing the reporting on outstanding grants from the old system and assisting in the implementation of the future vision grants model introduced on the 1st July 2013.
For the district to remain eligible for grants during 2013-14 it fell to Hugh to work with clubs and ensure
reporting of matching grants was completed to the satisfaction of Rotary International.
Hugh spent countless hours working with Rotary International Staff and Clubs to ensure reports were
appropriate and on time. The District remained eligible for grants at all times due to his efforts.
He brought his considerable experience to the fore to achieve the required deadlines on both the new and
old grants models.
He is called Mr Grants for good reason.
Hugh is a most worthy recipient of The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and the first
recipient of this citation in D9465.
He will join a distinguished list of previous recipients on the Rotary International register of awardees.
Hugh has served on the foundation committee over several years in the following roles:
• D9470 Foundation Committee Annual Fund Chair 2005-2006, 2007-2008 , 2008-2009 .
• D9470 permanent Fund Chair 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2008-2009,
• D9470 Foundation Chair 2008-2009, 2009-2010.
• D9470 Peace Fellows Chair 2008-2009.
• D9465 Grants subcommittee Chair 2010-2011
• D9465 Foundation Grants subcommittee Chair 2010-2011,
2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014.
Hugh has also been very active at district level over several years
in roles other than foundation including:
• District Extension Chair 2002-2003 , 2003-2004
• DG D9470 2004-2005
• DGE 2003-2004
• DGN 2002-2003
• RI Membership Zone Co-ordinator 2005-2006 , 2006-2007
• Committee member Rotary Blood Core Bank largest Rotary
project in Western Australia 2002- current
• D9470 District amalgamation committee.
• D9465 District Trainer 2011-2012, 2012-2013.
Hugh served as in several roles at club level including:
• Club President in 1996-1997
• Club Foundation Chair for several years
• Club Secretary for 2013-2014