First Annual Report and Club History of the Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay, District 9450, Western Australia

1. Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay
District 9450
Early History &
First Annual Report
September 2008 ­ June 2010
Page 1 of 34

2. Table of Contents
1. Formation of the Club...................................................................................4
2. Club Board ...................................................................................................9
3. Club Administration...................................................................................10
3.1 Meetings.........................................................................................................................10
3.1.1 Weekly Program.................................................................................................................11
3.1.2 Special Dinner Meetings...................................................................................................11
3.1.3 Committee Meetings.........................................................................................................12
3.1.4 Board Meetings.................................................................................................................12
3.1.5 Strategic Planning & Club Assemblies..............................................................................12
3.2 Social Events..................................................................................................................12
3.3 District Events and Appointments................................................................................12
3.4 Weekly Bulletin..............................................................................................................13
3.5 Membership...................................................................................................................13
3.6 Public Relations & Marketing.......................................................................................14
3.6.1 Newspaper and magazine articles....................................................................................14
3.7 Finance...........................................................................................................................15
3.7.1 Fundraising activities........................................................................................................15
3.8 Club Equipment.............................................................................................................16
4. Projects.......................................................................................................17
4.1 Community.....................................................................................................................17
4.1.1 Manna Industries .............................................................................................................17
4.1.2 Sensory Garden ................................................................................................................18
4.1.3 Victorian Bushfires...........................................................................................................18
4.1.4 Knitted items....................................................................................................................18
4.1.5 Climb for a Smile..............................................................................................................18
4.1.6 'Waist' Disposal Challenge................................................................................................18
4.1.7 Anawim Refuge.................................................................................................................19
4.1.8 Christmas Gifts for Wiluna...............................................................................................19
4.1.9 Burundi Peace Choir.........................................................................................................19
4.2 Youth.............................................................................................................................20
4.2.1 RYPEN.............................................................................................................................. 20
4.2.2 National Youth Science Forum........................................................................................20
4.2.3 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards....................................................................................20
4.2.4 Rotaract and Interact.......................................................................................................20
4.2.5 Magnifying Microscopes..................................................................................................20
4.2.6 Rotary Youth Driver Awareness......................................................................................20
4.3 Vocational......................................................................................................................22
4.3.1 Vocational Excellence Award...........................................................................................22
4.3.2 Vocational Visits..............................................................................................................22
4.4 Related Speakers ..........................................................................................................22
5. Rotary Foundation / International Projects...............................................23
5.1 Involvement with The Rotary Foundation...................................................................23
5.1.1 Scholarships......................................................................................................................23
5.1.2 Group Study Exchange (GSE)..........................................................................................23
5.1.3 Matching Grants...............................................................................................................23
5.1.4 PolioPlus........................................................................................................................... 24
5.1.5 Unrestricted Giving to the Rotary Foundation................................................................24
5.2 Rotary Australia World Community Service Projects (RAWCS)................................24
5.3 Other International Projects.........................................................................................25
5.4 Guest Speakers..............................................................................................................25
5.4 Events beyond the Club Level.......................................................................................25
Appendix I: Glossary......................................................................................26
Appendix II: Articles.......................................................................................27
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3. 1. Formation of the Club
Having listened to ideas from past Rotaractors Simone and Marcos Carot Collins about
what they would do differently if they formed a new Rotary club to make it more attractive
to younger members, Past Rotary International Director (PRID) Ken and Di Collins set the
wheels in motion in late September 2008 to organise a new club that took some of those
ideas on board, to be attractive to a wide range of ages and diversity of people.
Ken and Di's concept was to have a progressive club which concentrated on “participation”
through any combination of one’s “Time, Talent or Treasure” rather than just
“attendance” at the weekly meeting, which had been a major emphasis with Rotary.
Indeed, for many years there had been the saying “Miss four and there are no more”,
meaning that membership was automatically terminated if a member missed four
meetings in a row. The responsibility for membership was transferred to clubs at a Council
on Legislation along with easing up the rules on what constituted a “make-up”.
Other considerations were to reduce time and cost and be child friendly so that people with
young families could attend Rotary without the burden of babysitters.
With PRID Ken Collins appointed as the District Governor’s Special Representative
(DGSR) to form the club, an Interest meeting was held at the Community Centre in Mt
Claremont on 23rd October 2008 with 23 potential Rotarians in attendance, along with the
District Governor, Sue Rowell, Past District Governor (PDG) Bill Benbow and PDG Terry
Grant.
Having checked out numerous options and costs of venues in which to hold a meeting, the
first was held at the Boat Shed in Crawley, with sandwiches organised by Roh Siriwardena,
who offered the use of the Cafe at Bethesda Hospital. Those at that meeting agreed we
should try Bethesda and we have met there ever since, constantly reinvigorated by the
magnificent view of Freshwater Bay which greets us every week.
The view of Freshwater Bay from our meeting venue
It was decided that the club would meet on a Thursday as a Cocktail Club, with meetings at
5.30pm for a 5.45pm start. Speakers on various aspects of Rotary were arranged on a
weekly basis from the very beginning and much discussion took place over the weeks as to
a name for the club. As Rotary International insisted the name had to be identifiable on a
map, it was finally agreed that the name “Freshwater Bay” be used. There had been a
previous Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay, however it had handed in its Charter several years
before.
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4. Members agreed to dispense with many of the old Rotary traditions of singing, the fines
master, toasts, grace (agreeing to an Invocation for the occasions when a meal was a part of
the meeting), picture of the Queen, and so on.
On 12th December 2008 those in attendance at the meeting agreed to proceed with the
application for the Charter of the club and voted for all offices. It had been agreed to adopt
the Club Constitution and Bylaws and operate under the Club Leadership Plan of
administration, with a single “Projects” Director responsible for Community, Youth and
Vocational projects. The initial board selected was:
President Di Collins
Vice President & Membership Director Ken Collins
Secretary Daniel Forsdyke
Treasurer Rajah Senathirajah
President Elect / Club Admin Director Simone Carot Collins
Projects Director Bryant Stokes
Rotary Foundation / International Director Claire Forsdyke
Public Relations and Fundraising Director Glenn Darlington
Daniel Forsdyke also volunteered to become our bulletin editor.
Completed paperwork was sent to the RI Office in Parramatta the following day.
After a Christmas dinner in the Cafe at Bethesda Hospital on 18 th December 2008, the
provisional club took a break over the Christmas / New Year period and set 15 th January
2009 as the next meeting.
On 19th December 2008, the Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay was granted its Charter with
30 members.
The first official meeting of the Club was held on 15 th January 2009, and the Induction
Night was held at the meeting of 5th February 2009.
The Induction Night Dinner
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5. Our Charter Night was held at Burswood on Swan on 5 th March, 2009, with 113 guests in
attendance, including His Excellency the Governor, Dr Ken and Mrs Julie Michael. Rik
Symons provided entertainment, performing three items for us.
The speech given by Charter President Di Collins on acceptance of the Charter explained
the formation of the club and included a message from a member of the previous Rotary
Club of Freshwater Bay:
Good Evening All,
Thank you DG Sue for presenting the Charter to the new RC
of Freshwater Bay. It is wonderful to be able to celebrate
the Chartering of a new Rotary Club in Western Australia as
it is quite some time since this has happened. Thank you
to John and the Rotary Club of Matilda Bay for kindly
gifting the Club the Presidential collar. It will be put to
good use for many decades. Thank you too to every one of
you for coming here this evening to help us celebrate.
Later in the programme PDG Bill Benbow will present the
Club with other Charter gifts from the District and I’d like
to thank Bill in advance for these, and also say how
grateful we are to Bill for personally making the gavel,
base of the gong and the lectern. He does a great job and
we feel very privileged to be beneficiaries of his skills.
Almost 10 years ago, His Excellency Chaired a District
Committee to look at progressing Rotary called ‘Dreaming
for the Future Committee, of which I was honoured to be a
member.
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6. We looked at what we’d do if we were starting Rotary again in the new century and how we’d
structure it as it was obvious the organisation needed a revamp. Rotary does amazing work
around the world to advance World understanding and Peace, however, it was suffering basically
from being in a time warp, not readily attracting younger members plus membership was ageing
and reducing.
In applying for its Charter, each Club is bound by the Standard Club Constitution of Rotary, so we
are unable to deviate from this as this is not negotiable.
There are many areas which came under discussion which could be changed, for example the style
and contents of the meeting, elimination of fine sessions, singing old songs (usually very badly),
relaxing the strict attendance rules to more reflect the membership Rotary wishes to attract to be
able to carry out its wonderful projects both locally and internationally. We considered less of a
concentration on attendance with more of a move towards participation through contributing by
any combination of ones Time, Talent or Treasure the way to go.
Now I know most of you are very happy with your own Rotary Club, but Ken and I have for a very
long time felt there was a need to try a new style Club and with the membership in the District
reaching a critical level it was obviously time to venture in this direction.
We set out with this concept of a Cocktail Club which would be attractive to busy people of all
ages, no singing or fines master, but be an active Club, as we also know that busy people join a
Service Club to give Service.
We started out with no preconceived idea of a name, venue or members to serve in any positions.
Over the weeks before applying for Charter we came upon a venue, and after many names being
tossed about we gave RI several including Freshwater Bay as we looked over this beautiful bay
from the Café at Bethesda Hospital where we meet. RI decreed the name of the Club had to be
identifiable on a map hence informed us that Freshwater Bay it would be. I came home from a
District Scholarship meeting on 12th December to find I’d been ‘volunteered’ as President due to a
lack of willing candidates. It certainly had not been my intention to hold this position, however, I
am privileged to do so and I’ll do my best to help the club start out on a sound footing. All
members of our Board were similarly co-opted and I’m grateful to each of them for taking on the
various positions.
Interestingly, the original RC of Freshwater Bay was also a Cocktail Club and obviously very
progressive, as this the new RC of Freshwater Bay is setting out to be.
I received an email last Monday from an old friend to many of us and that is Pamela Smart. I’d
like to read it to you as I think it is very relevant this evening.
“My apologies for not being able to get a table of former FWB Rotarians to attend your
charter night.
I forwarded your email to John Lyon, Secretary for the Rotary Club of Mosman Park and
ex FWB member. Quite a number of ex FWB Rotarians are members of that Club.
The older, Charter members have been saddened by the loss of the wife of one of their
members in the last fortnight. Norma was ill for a year and many members and partners
supported her and Ken throughout this period so it has not been a good time to get a
table together of those members. Additionally, as the club was chartered in 1982, most
of them are getting on in age now.
The Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay was the first Rotary Club in Western Australia to
admit women. It can also boast the first woman President of a Rotary Club in WA
(Pamela herself). It has had many wonderful members, many wonderful projects.
One of the things not spoken of enough is ‘the family of Rotary’ and this has been very
much in my mind as so many Rotarians and partners supported Norma and Ken Ledger
throughout their difficult year.
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7. Your new members will not yet be aware of this aspect of Rotary, but without a doubt
they will benefit from it at some stage of their life.
My best wishes to your new club; thank you for your choice of name.
Pamela Smart”
Sir Clem Renouf from Queensland, was President of Rotary International 30 years ago and one of
the greatest President’s Rotary has ever had, as he single handedly changed the face of Rotary
from clubs looking inwardly at small projects to doing large projects, globally through his concept
of the Health, Hunger and Humanity Pogramme. He was also responsible for Rotary’s flagship Polio
Plus. Clem made a statement which is often quoted when he said “Rotary gives ordinary men the
opportunity to do extraordinary things”. Of course, if making the statement today he would have
said men and women’.
I wish each Rotarian here present much satisfaction and joy as you serve mankind to Make Dreams
Real.
The speech given by His Excellency Dr Ken Michael was as follows:
Julie and I are delighted to join you this evening
for your charter presentation dinner this
evening. This is a new beginning for a new Rotary
Club and an exciting initiative for Rotary
International.
It is also a new beginning with a difference.
When the District Governor's Special
Representative, Ken Collins, asked Julie and me
to attend this dinner, I was very pleased to learn
of the new Club's vision and, indeed, why it had
been formed.
In the current climate where we have seen
Rotary membership shrinking in some areas, it is
wonderful that here we have a new generation
forming a new Club that will reflect its younger
members' vision and commitment to Rotary and
its principles.
I am aware that behind the Club's formation was
the desire to encourage younger people to join.
This impetus came about because Simone Carot
Collins and her husband, Marcos, were obliged to
leave Rotaract – where they both had been long time members – because they had turned 30
years of age.
Marcos had served as a Rotaractor in both his country of birth, Argentina, and in Western
Australia for approximately 10 years and had served as Club President, District Rotaract
Representative and a member of the International Rotaract Committee. Simone also had
served for 10 years in Western Australia, serving as Club President three times, District
Rotaract Representative three times and as a member of the International Rotaract
Committee.
Both were keen to form a new style Rotary Club that would be attractive to young people. In
early October, 2008, Ken Collins – who is a past Rotary International Director as well as being
Simone’s father – decided to assist them and began contacting potential members. Just a few
weeks later, 23 potential members met and agreed to form a new style Rotary Club along the
lines of that preferred by young people.
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8. I am aware that from then the provisional club began to meet regularly on a Thursday evening
with fellowship from 5.30pm and the meeting proper from 5.45pm to 6.30pm. The numbers
gradually increased and by the time the Club was officially chartered on the 19th December,
2008, it had 30 members with a younger representative age group and with equal
participation of both men and women.
The first official meeting, Board meeting and the first Committee meetings were all held in
January this year, with Di Collins as Club President.
This evening we are here to celebrate this achievement and the new Club – the Rotary Club of
Freshwater Bay – with its charter presentation.
From my perspective, as a Rotarian of some 22 years, I am very pleased to see this
development and very pleased to see that there is a new format that will appeal to the
younger generation.
This can only benefit Rotary in general as there is a need to address membership issues –
something that is a worldwide concern for Rotary International – and here we have a good
example of how this can be done by looking at fresh ways to attract people to become
involved in the fine work that Rotary does.
And in this regard, I am aware that this Club already has some very meaningful and
worthwhile community projects under consideration including:
• Equipment for a kitchen at the Maddington Primary School through Manna Industries;
• Provision of a “sensory” garden and water feature for the secure area of Graylands
Hospital; and
• Supporting health surveys in Wiluna.
As well, there are a series of international projects being considered for support that include:
• Four humidity cribs for the children’s' hospital in Lagos, Nigeria;
• Equipment for a centre for disabled children in South Africa;
• One of your members and some of her friends are looking at providing a number of
Shelter Boxes;
• A Friendship Exchange with a Rotary Club in Sacramento in the US is being
investigated; and
• All Rotary Clubs throughout the world have been asked to contribute at least US$2000
per year for a three year period to the PolioPlus Gates Challenge. Bill and Melinda
Gates have contributed US$355 million and have challenged Rotary International to
match US$200 million over a three year period.
Your support of these projects is an important contribution to their success and the positive
impact on the lives of others both here at home and in other places in the world.
I commend your commitment to forming your new club and I wish you the very best of success
in your future club projects and endeavours.
This is an exciting development for Rotary and one that I hope will encourage the formation
of other new clubs and more young people to join Rotary's ranks.
This event caused me to reflect on a Rotary District Committee that both President Di and I
served on 9 years ago. Di will recall that we reflected on the comments made by RI Past
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9. President Cliff Dochtermann at the time this Committee was established, including such
suggestions as:
• Moving Rotary into a new level of telecommunications and technology;
• Making Rotary much more attractive to younger members;
• Simplifying policies; and
• Accepting that Rotary is truly a dual gender organisation.
This “Dreaming for the Future Committee” – as it was then called – explored the avenue
towards a “new” Rotary, which would be more relevant in today’s world – a “new” Rotary,
which is:
• relevant
• united
• inspirational
• international
and supported by five fundamental elements:
• Service to the community
• Forum for meetings
• Personal satisfaction
• Flexible membership criteria
• Simple structure and format.
It is important that we continue to revisit the machinery of Rotary, so that it continues to be
relevant and attractive to members of all ages.
Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, once said:
“The Rotary of today is different from the Rotary of yesterday and the Rotary of
tomorrow cannot, must not, be the same as the Rotary of today. Rotary will continue
to evolve.”
Tonight we are witnessing this very point in action.
Well done to everybody here this evening for this very fine initiative for Rotary and
congratulations to all the new members. Also a special welcome to the Rotary Club of
freshwater Bay to the family of Rotary International and may it have ongoing success
and future growth.
Source: http://www.govhouse.wa.gov.au/cgi-bin/speeches.pl?id=261
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10. 2. Club Board
During our first 18 months, most members elected to a position on the board remained on
the board for the whole term, though some changes did occur throughout that time.
* Members in italics handed over their role to a successor prior to the first changeover.
Initially, Simone Carot Collins was elected to succeed Charter President Di Collins as
President on 1st July 2009, with Glenn Darlington elected as the President Nominee.
However, it was agreed in early 2009 that it would be easier for the initial board to remain
in place for 18 months rather than changing after just 6 months. Simone stepped down as
President Elect, and Glenn Darlington became the new President Elect on 1 st July 2009,
with Peter Symons assuming the role of Club Admininistration Director since Glenn was
also the PR and Fundraising director. Glenn resigned from the club not long after, so
Simone returned to her previous positions as President Elect and Club Administration
Director, and Toni James took on the role of PR and Fundraising Director.
Bryant Stokes stepped down from the Projects directorship, and was later replaced by Rob
Rohrlach, an experienced Rotarian who had transferred to our club from a Rotary Club in
Victoria in 2009.
President Di Collins
Vice President & Membership Director Ken Collins
Secretary & Bulletin Editor Daniel Forsdyke
Treasurer Rajah Senathirajah
President Elect Simone Carot Collins / Glenn Darlington
Club Administation Director Simone Carot Collins / Peter Symons
Projects Director Bryant Stokes / Rob Rohrlach
Rotary Foundation / International Claire Forsdyke
Director
Public Relations & Fundraising Director Glenn Darlington / Toni James
Di Collins Ken Collins Daniel Forsdyke Simone Carot Collins Claire Forsdyke
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11. 3. Club Administration
The primary focus for the Club Administration committee over its first 18 months has been
to get the necessary frameworks established to enable the smooth running of our club. In
that time, our club has gone from being a group of relative strangers to one where
camaraderie is very evident at meetings.
Six members of our club participate in 4 Rotary Global Networking Groups:
• Environment Fellowship of Rotarians – Simone Carot Collins (webmaster), Di
Collins
• Rotarians on the Internet – Marcos Carot Collins
• Rotarians on Social Networks Fellowship - Simone Carot Collins (charter Chair),
Marcos Carot Collins, Claire Forsdyke, Daniel Forsdyke
• Disaster Relief Rotary Action Group – Ken Collins
It is of special note that the Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay achieved Presidential Citations
for both 2008-09 and 2009-10, a tremendous effort to all concerned. The certificates
awarded by RI President DK Lee in 2008-09 were presented by PRID Ken Collins at a
special luncheon at the Rotary Club of Perth on 22nd May 2009.
3.1 Meetings
Meeting times and days have been altered a few times since our inception to try to
accommodate as many members as possible. With feedback that many were finding it
difficult to arrive for a 5:45 pm start, we changed from 5:30 pm for a 5:45 pm start on a
Thursday to 5.45 pm for a 6.00 pm start. It was later requested that we change the day as a
Thursday was problematic for some regardless of the start time, and in February 2010
members voted to change meetings to a Wednesday, with the first Wednesday meeting
being held on 17th March 2010.
Despite the changes in time and day, attendance has been extremely poor throughout the
past 18 months. The more experienced members of the club – the Forsdykes, Collinses,
Carot Collinses, Senathirajahs and Rohrlachs – have enjoyed making up meetings in other
countries while travelling, and it is
hoped that over time newer members
will discover how rewarding it is to visit
another club and gain new ideas and
new friends if unable to attend the
weekly club meeting.
Weekly club meetings are conducted
reasonably informally, with the
President not wearing the traditional
President’s Collar, though we have
reverted to having a head table for the
President, guest speaker, and members
introducing and thanking the speaker.
After taking some refreshments,
meetings start punctually at 6 pm. The
meeting format starts with reports from
members and directors, followed by a speaker, a raffle draw. Meetings conclude at 7.00 pm
at the latest.
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12. Roh has looked after us with catering, keeping it very affordable, and allowing us to run a
few fundraising dinners. The only disadvantage of the venue yet to be resolved is that
there is not a room available to set up a crèche for young children.
3.1.1 Weekly Program
A range of high quality speakers on Rotary programs
and projects, potential projects, general interest and
ones pertaining to the Rotary Calendar (e.g. Rotaract
for World Rotaract Week) have been organised since
the inception of the club.
Many Club members have presented their “Life and
Times” plus various members have given presentations
on personal projects or vocations with which they are
involved.
Speakers relating to Club Administration or of general
interest have included:
• Corporate Fundraising by Toni James and Judith Dowson
• UWA Extension by Susan Marie
• From East Germany to Australia – the personal story of Rohland Hahnel
• Corporate Psychopaths by Clive Boddy
• Alzheimer's Disease by Prof Ralph Martins
3.1.2 Special Dinner Meetings
Dinner meetings were arranged for special occasions:
• Christmas in July on 23rd July 2009, a fundraiser with the Deputy Commissioner
of Police, Chris Dawson as speaker.
• DG Geoff Simpson’s Official
Visit on 1st October 2009.
• Christmas / First Birthday
celebration at the Nedlands Golf
Course on 17th December 2009, with
WA Chief Scientist Lyn Beazley as
our speaker and Rik Symons
performing for us with Helen
Edmonds accompanying him.
• Inbound GSE Team from
District 1640 on 28th April 2010 –
we hosted a joint meeting while the
team from Normandy gave their
presentation. Pizzas and drinks
were organised as a casual meal
after the meeting.
• Group meeting with the Rotary Clubs of Cambridge, Mosman Park and Hillarys
was hosted by us on 12th May 2010 with Past RI President Glen Kinross as speaker.
The first Changeover Dinner for the Club will take place at the Nedlands Golf Club on
Thursday 1st July 2010.
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13. 3.1.3 Committee Meetings
Every third meeting of the month incorporates Committee meetings rather than a speaker.
With the small attendance at meetings, only the International and Projects committees
meet at this time – the Club Administration committee business is dealt with at the
monthly board meeting instead.
3.1.4 Board Meetings
For the first 12 months, Board Meetings were held on the second Wednesday of the month.
With the change of weekly club meeting to a Wednesday evening, board meetings were re-
scheduled to be held immediately after the club meeting.
Minutes of each Board Meeting have been produced by the Secretary. President Di has
assisted with many of the Secretarial duties.
3.1.5 Strategic Planning & Club Assemblies
A Strategic Planning Workshop, facilitated by Liz Patterson, was organised by Judith
Darlington at Lotterywest shortly after our charter. This was followed by a couple of Club
Assemblies on a Saturday morning at Lotterywest every two months until attendance
became too low to continue.
A Fundraising “Brainstorming” meeting was held during one of the regular meetings in
March 2010. Club members were also given an opportunity to voice their opinions on club
matters during a regular meeting in May 2010.
3.2 Social Events
Few purely social events have been held so far
as in the early days many members indicated
they weren't too interested in them. President
Di hosted dinner parties in groups of 6 – 10
throughout the year, and an informal
casserole night was again held at the Collinses
in April 2010.
A couple of lunches have been held at
members' homes, which have also doubled as
small fundraising events.
3.3 District Events and Appointments
A number of club members have served on District committees this year:
• Ken Collins chaired the District Rotary Foundation committee
• Bill Hassell chaired the Foundation Alumni of WA committee
• Di Collins was Secretary of the District GSE and Scholarships committees
• Claire Forsdyke served on the District GSE committee
• Daniel Forsdyke served on the Foundation Alumni of WA committee
Simone Carot Collins was appointed to the 2010-11 District Membership committee, which
held its first meetings in the latter part of 2009-10.
At the international level, Ken Collins is the (Polio Plus) Gates Challenge Zone 8
Page 13 of 34

14. Coordinator and the Rotary International Membership and Retention Committee Vice
Chair.
The 2010 District 9450 Conference was
attended by Ken & Di Collins, Claire and
Daniel Forsdyke, Bill & Sue Hassell,
Elizabeth Bain, Simone Carot Collins, Rajah
Senathirajah and Rob Rohrlach. We were
delighted to win two of the small handful of
awards at our first conference for the best
bulletin and best article by a club in the
district in the Rotary Down Under magazine!
Five members attended the District
Assembly in 2009, and in 2010 President
Elect Simone Carot Collins and President
Nominee Bill Hassell were in attendance.
3.4 Weekly Bulletin
Our award winning club newsletter “New Horizons”, selected as the Best Bulletin in the
District at our first District Conference in April 2010, has been produced every week since
our inception by bulletin editor Daniel Forsdyke with assistance from President Di. It
records our club history and educates and informs club members and friends of the club
about club matters and Rotary beyond the club level.
As well as being emailed to our bulletin mailing list, each bulletin is published on
SlideShare (www.slideshare.net/rcfwb) with a link to the latest edition being added to our
Facebook page (www.facebook.com/freshwaterbayrotary).
3.5 Membership
The club chartered with 30 members. Of those, 2 never functioned as members and 5
joined thinking that we would change more than local traditions (in other words, change
the club to something other than Rotary) and subsequently resigned when the rest of the
club agreed to continue operating under its Constitution as a Rotary club.
In the past 18 months we have inducted a
number of new members and have lost others,
remaining steady with a membership of
around 30. We have attracted members in
their late 20s through to their 80s.
Although many of our members have not had
previous experience with Rotary, a small core
have been members of other Rotary clubs,
four members are children of Rotarians, and a
number are Rotary alumni:
• 2 former Rotaractors
• 1 former Youth Exchange student
• 3 former GSE team members
• 1 former Rotary Foundation scholar
The club has one Honorary member, Premier Colin Barnett.
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15. Three past members have kept in touch as “Friends of the Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay”,
receiving both our newsletter and Rotary Down Under magazine.
All members have been provided with forms to nominate potential members. Membership
Director Ken Collins has been the main person responsible for attracting members to the
club.
3.6 Public Relations & Marketing
A pull-up banner and bannerettes were designed by Marcos Carot Collins, who has also
designed posters, invitations, programmes and fliers for club events.
Club T-shirts and caps have been organised by Claire Forsdyke through Elizabeth Bain's
business, EmbroidMe Claremont.
A club web site at www.rotaryfreshwaterbay.org.au is under construction; for now, our
club Facebook page serves as our primary online presence. As at 21 st June 2010, we have
200 people following our news on Facebook.
3.6.1 Newspaper and magazine articles
Five articles about our club have been published in local community newspapers (see
Appendix II for the full articles):
• “Program will teach kids to cook breakfast”, The Examiner (Page 2), 8 th May 2009:
Roger Marston's donation of 70 boxes of crockery to the Kids in the Kitchen facility.
• “Danielle's job well done”, The Post (Page 54), 17 th October 2009: the presentation
of the Vocational Excellence Award to Danielle Dyson from Bethesda Hospital.
• “Dream time for boffins, science students told”, The Post (Page 25), 27 th March
2010: the Magnifying Microscope launch by WA Chief Scientist Lyn Beazley at Mt
Claremont Primary School.
• “Kids in India need your books”, The Post, 8th April 2010 &
• “Boxes of books bound for India”,
Western Suburbs Weekly (Page 12),
4th May 2010: the books we are
collecting to send to India.
Two articles have so far been published in
our regional Rotary magazie, Rotary Down
Under, and several others have been
submitted:
• “Rotary image shaken, not stirred”,
May 2009 (Page 55): about the
charter of our club
• “Over 55s take to Facebook in
numbers”, November 2009 (Page
10): about the Rotarians on Social
Networks Fellowship PE Simone
helped set up; she now serves as the
inaugural chair. This article won us
the district award for best article.
Page 15 of 34

16. 3.7 Finance
Financial statements have been prepared every month for our Club Operating and Charity
Accounts by Treasurer Rajah Senathirajah.
Adrian Rose has been appointed as our honorary auditor.
An early priority for the Club was to become incorporated, obtain an ABN, and apply for a
Charitable Licence. This was granted for a year, with a further application submitted in
February 2010 for the licence to be renewed for a further three years.
Formation of a Club Foundation to enable tax-deductability for local projects is underway.
With valuable assistance from the President Elect of the Rotary Club of Perth, Kerry
McAuliffe, a suitable Trust was formulated. Solicitors Talbot and Olivier were sourced to
do the work pro bono and after a period of over twelve months, the process is proceeding
towards completion. It will be known as the “Rotary Club of Freshwater Bay Charity Fund
Incorporated”. Bryant Stokes has kindly made a personal contribution to cover the costs
involved with registering the Foundation.
3.7.1 Fundraising activities
In the very early days of the club a small, regular fundraising raffle was introduced by
Marija Jelavic. Tickets are sold at each meeting for $5 each or 3 for $10. The winner of the
raffle provides the prize for the following meeting.
Social brunch / lunch functions at members' homes (so far at homes of the Hassells and
the Forsdykes) also raise money with attendees paying a nominal amount to attend.
A few dinner meetings at Bethesda have been used as fundraisers: the initial Christmas
dinner in 2008, Induction night and Christmas in July in 2009. A number of raffle prizes
and silent auctions at the Charter Night brought in almost $3,000.
Every summer when the outdoor Somerville Theatre season is on, we sell tickets donated
by Lotterywest. On 1st March 2009 we raised $640 for the Victorian Bushfires. The 2010
season of Sommerville ticket sales brought in a further $600.
Our largest fundraiser to date has
been a Quiz Night held on 21st
October 2010 at Burswood on
Swan. Organised by Simone Carot
Collins, the majority of prizes were
sourced by Simone and Ken & Di
Collins, the majority of attendees
brought by Jane Armstrong, and
Graeme Bain did an excellent job as
our Quizmaster. We raised in
excess of $3,200.
Specific projects have also been
funded by specific fundraisers and
personal contributions:
Page 16 of 34

17. • PolioPlus:
◦ auction of a water filter - Peter Symons
◦ a portion of ticket sales from concerts with Rik Symons performing (Music of the
Spheres, Giovanni Concert Series and West Side Story, Midnite Theatre) – Peter
Symons
◦ a portion of ticket sales from a preview of the movie ‘ Amelia’
◦ sponsorship of Elizabeth Bain climbing the BankWest Tower in “Climb for a
Smile”
◦ personal contributions from the Collinses
• ShelterBoxes:
◦ Mary Ann Wright and Margaret Stuart each organised funds for a Shelter Box,
Margaret through sales of a recipe book at Phoenix College
◦ Bryant Stokes made a personal contribution for another ShelterBox
• Manna Industries “Kids in the Kitchen”:
◦ Alistair Tulloch gave a personal contribution of $1,000
• Hospital Flooring in Sri Lanka:
◦ Personal contributions were made by Bryant Stokes, the Forsdykes and the
Collinses
• Resuscitators in Nigeria:
◦ Funds were provided by Ken and Di Collins
• Magnifying Microscopes:
◦ A past Rotarian, Julia Hayes, donated $100 to the project.
3.8 Club Equipment
A cupboard in the storeroom at Bethesda
hospital was sourced in May 2010 to store our
club equipment:
• the lectern, gavel and gong gifted at our
Charter night
• a projector kindly donate by Lyn
Packer
• table flags
• pull-up banner
Clive Boddy has submitted a grant application
to the Australian Government for just under
$5,000 worth of equipment: a laptop, screen,
sound equipment, barbecue and multi
function centre.
Page 17 of 34

18. 4. Projects
Our Club has always shown a strong priority for projects. We look for projects from all
branches of Rotary service in which we can make a real difference to people’s lives. Our
financial resources are small but our enthusiasm and networks are huge. Projects that can
be leveraged from those strengths deliver a wonderful result.
Recently were affirmed a policy to only support projects that carry the Rotary International
logo, well after the project is completed.
The following highlight such projects. (In most cases Rotary titles have been omitted to
reduce repetition.)
4.1 Community
4.1.1 Manna Industries
A donation of some seventy boxes of melamine dinnerware (cups, sauces, plates, bowls,
salt and pepper shakers, sugar bowls, milk jugs and tea pots) by Roger Marston was
handed to Bev Lowe, co-founder of Manna Industries, in early May 2009.
Other items donated to Manna Industries,
at no cost to the Club were from Bethesda
Hospital, through Roh Siriwardena. They
were crockery (cups, sauces, plates), an
urn and other kitchen items and linen.
Roh also arranged for the Hospital to cook
meats and other foods for the needy for
the Manna Industries Christmas Dinner
2009.
This project led to a much larger project
with Manna Industries, handled by the
International Projects Committee.
Page 18 of 34

19. 4.1.2 Sensory Garden
From the inception of the Club the challenge of a “Sensory Garden” in the Murchison Ward
area of Graylands Hospital was taken up. The initial costing and plan for this was in excess
of $200,000. It was investigated by Director Bryant Stokes, Mara Basanovic, Marija
Jelavic and Judith Dowson. As this was totally beyond the capabilities of a new club it has
been modified in scope and design and down sized to a cost of $20,000. The funding for
this is considered the responsibility of the State Government and is slowly being pursued
via funding through the Mental Health Ministry budget by Prof Bryant Stokes and Jane
Armstrong. As an alternative, Jen Martins is investigating other ways of implementing the
project e.g. via landscaping student volunteers.
4.1.3 Victorian Bushfires
On 1st March 2009 a fundraising event was held at Somerville Theatre, with tickets donated
by Jan Stewart (Lotterywest) with wines and the event organised by Mara Basanovic and
Marija Jelavic. The sum of $640 was raised with the proceeds going to the Victoria
Bushfire Appeal through the Red Cross.
4.1.4 Knitted items
Knitted toys and jumpers donated to the club from Margaret Brawley and other knitting
groups have gone to Wiluna with Alan Stewart. Enid Wall organised for residents in St
Louis Estate to knit lap rugs (blankets) for the aboriginal community in Wiluna.
4.1.5 Climb for a Smile
Our Club worked the exits
for the Rotary “Climb for a
Smile”.
Elizabeth Bain ran the stairs
to raise over $900 for the
End Polio project and the
club sold $800 worth of
raffle tickets.
4.1.6 'Waist' Disposal
Challenge
Simone Carot Collins and
Daniel Forsdyke agreed to
be the club ‘Champions’. They both attended the required training workshop weekend in
October 2009, made the three required educational presentations to the club and monitor
members progress and weights on a monthly basis.
Each month our weight loss and subsequent ranking on the overall leaderboard has
improved, having the 2nd best overall weight loss in the state at the end of the Rotary year.
Simone and Marcos have also designed the 'Waist' Disposal Website.
Page 19 of 34

20. 4.1.7 Anawim Refuge
A request came from the Anawim Aboriginal Refuge via Jan Stewart for gifts of warm
clothes and toiletries. Club members enlisted the help of family and friends to pull
together two large van-fulls of the requested goods. They were well received by the staff of
Anawim.
4.1.8 Christmas Gifts for Wiluna
A request came to the Club via Alan Stewart who
asked if we could shop for, wrap and label
Christmas gifts for 164 indigenous youths in
Wiluna aged 2 months to 17 years. This was
carried out with the funds for the gifts provided by
Wiluna Shire. Gifts were packed into cartons for
transportation to Wiluna.
4.1.9 Burundi Peace Choir
An Ambassadorial Scholar, Melpo Economou,
approached our club as well as several other Rotary Clubs to help her in a project at
ASeTTs (see www.asetts.org.au). She was assisting a group of Twa refugees from Burundi
who have formed themselves into “The Burundi Peace Choir and Band”. She needed help
to rally the resources to produce their first CD, their tool for raising awareness of the
torture and welfare of the Twa people.
This project required raising the $3,500 “seed capital”, building their performance skills
and raising the awareness of their endeavours. Ken Collins engaged the help of Max Kaye
and other Rotary Clubs. The money was raised, Max helped with their performance skills
and arranged auditions for high profile events.
The Peace Choir has since performed on Telethon, at the Oz Concert, at the Dr Ken Collins
Rotary Foundation Dinner and at numerous Rotary events in Perth.
Our incoming Club President, Simone Carot Collins, who is a web architect has created a
website pro bono for them (see www.burundipeacechoir.com).
The CD was launched with much music, happiness and grateful recognition on Saturday, 1 st
May 2010.
Page 20 of 34

21. 4.2 Youth
4.2.1 RYPEN
Two students from MLC funded to attend the district Rotary Youth Program of
Enrichment (RYPEN) in 2009. They were Emma Court and Jessica Blades.
Stephen Kikiros, a student from Christ Church Grammar School, as well as Sally
Thompson and Hannah McDonald from MLC were funded to RYPEN in 2010.
4.2.2 National Youth Science Forum
Benjamin McAllister from Christ Church Grammar was successfully nominated for NYSF
however, as he was also successful in his nomination for the Maths Olympiad, he withdrew
from the NYSF due to the clash with participation in the Olympiad.
Ken & Di Collins and Simone & Marcos Carot Collins hosted four students who attended
the first NYSF in Perth in January 2010.
4.2.3 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Funding was obtained to send four aboriginal youths to Perth from Wiluna for the Rotary
Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp, however, due to a number of deaths in the
community, this never came to fruition.
4.2.4 Rotaract and Interact
The setting up of both a Rotaract Club (in one of the UWA Halls of Residence) and a
community based Interact Club have been discussed, however, due to a lack of available
members to run / oversee these two clubs they have been put on hold.
4.2.5 Magnifying Microscopes
Prof Lyn Beazley had a dream that every school child in WA
has access to a magnifying microscope. President Di Collins
heard her passion at a talk and encouraged our Club to make it
happen. With support from the Science Teachers Association
of WA and Water Corp, we did just that.
The first 30 microscopes were donated to the Mt Claremont
primary School at the project launch on Monday 22 nd March
2010. The launch was conducted by Prof Beazley with a
message of congratulations from HE Dr Ken Michael, Governor
of Western Australia (see next page).
Further presentations of 30 microscopes each were made to
North Cottesloe, Claremont and Lesmurdie primary schools.
The project is waiting for evaluation of the trials at these four schools before being rolled
out state wide and, hopefully, Australia wide with the cooperation of Rotary Clubs wanting
an involvement in schools.
4.2.6 Rotary Youth Driver Awareness
Clive Boddy is managing our involvement in Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA). The
first event was held on 23rd June 2010.
Page 21 of 34

22. Page 22 of 34

23. 4.3 Vocational
4.3.1 Vocational Excellence Award
On the occasion of the first Official Visit by the District Governor on 1 st October 2009
(Vocational Service Month) a Vocational Excellence Award and voucher were presented to
Danielle Dyson from Bethesda Hospital.
4.3.2 Vocational Visits
We made a Vocational Visit to Manna Industries project at Maddington Primary School on
Wednesday 19th May 2010 to understand the work of Manna Industries in providing
healthy food for students and teaching students and parents how to cook healthy food.
4.4 Related Speakers
4.4.1 Community projects
We had presentations on:
• Homeless Connect by Mara Basanovic and Marija Jelavic
• Dreamfit by Darren Lohman
• Climb for a Smile by Steve Weychan
• Health Issues in remote Aboriginal
Communities by Ken Wyatt
• Burundi Peace Choir by Melpo
Economou.
• Treemission by Colin Arthur from the
RC West Perth
• Drug Prevention by Jade Lewis
Simone Carot Collins and Daniel Forsdyke
made three presentations on the ‘Waist'
Disposal Challenge and Lyn Beazley spoke to
many audiences on our work in bringing the
Magnifying Microscopes project to WA primary
schools.
4.4.2 Youth projects
• We had two presentations on Rotaract, in 2009 from Simone Carot Collins (former
Rotaractor), Lauren Basanovic (Rotaract Club of Subiaco) and Ian Ball (Rotaract
Club of South Perth) and in 2010 from Viviana Boyle (Rotaract Club of Perth)
• Liz Westoby brought along Christ Church Grammar student Kaladas Flintoff who
had attended the National Youth Science Forum
• Emma Court and Jessica Blades from Methodist Ladies College told us of the
benefits they had received from RYPEN
• Ann de Souza addressed us on Indigenous Aviation at Swan View High School
• Rod Style presented on RYDA.
Page 23 of 34

24. 5. Rotary Foundation / International Projects
Our club has been extremely active in supporting international projects and programs and
the Rotary Foundation in our first 18 months.
5.1 Involvement with The Rotary Foundation
5.1.1 Scholarships
• Peace Fellowship: An application was submitted by Rohallah Haidari for a Peace
Fellowship, and Bill Hassell was appointed as his Counsellor. Unfortunately, he was
unsuccessful.
• Cultural Scholarhip: Our club was appointed to host inbound Cultural Scholar
Yumiko Kushibiki from Japan, with Bill Hassell agreeing to act as her Counsellor.
Yumiko did not end up coming to District 9450, as she decided to change her
country of study.
5.1.2 Group Study Exchange (GSE)
• 2010 Exchange with District 1640
◦ We put forward two applicants: Andrea Williams and Kylie West. Kylie was
successful.
◦ We hosted a Group Meeting on 28th April 2010 for the Inbound Team from
District 1640
◦ Three Scholarships to the Milner International College of English have been
provided by Warren Milner for youths to the age of 30 from District 1640 to
further relationships between Australia and Normandy.
• Uni-focus GSE between Wiluna and Fiji (District 9920): This modified
exchange has been organised from District 9450 District Designated Funds (DDF).
5.1.3 Matching Grants
We completed 3 Matching Grant projects:
1. MG No 69202: Incubators for
Children's Hospital in Lagos (part
funding) - with the Rotary Club of
Lagos Central, District 9110,
Nigeria
2. MG No 71807: Equipment for
the Kids in the Kitchen Facility at
Maddington Primary School run
by Manna Industries – with the
Rotary Club of Arden Arcade,
District 5180, USA
3. MG No 71847: Resuscitators
from Children's Hospital in Lagos
– with the Rotary Club of Lagos
Central, District 9110, Nigeria.
Page 24 of 34

25. On Wednesday 21st April 2010, MG Project
No 71807 was officially opened at 2:30 pm at
the Maddington Primary School, Albany Hwy,
Maddington. It was attended by President Di,
PRID Ken, and Rotarians Elizabeth Bain and
Bill Hassell from the Rotary Club of
Freshwater Bay. The Principal, Craig
Anderson, said a few words, which were
responded to by Ken Collins and Bev Lowe
from Manna Industries. Mrs Margaret
Collins, Director of Schools in the Canning
Education District officially opened the “Kids
in the Kitchen” facility.
Club members visited the facility at Maddington Primary School as a vocational visit on
Wednesday 19th May 2010 in place of the regular meeting of the club.
Plans are in hand for a Friendship Visit in November 2010 from Rotarians from District
5180 (particularly the Rotary Clubs of Arden Arcade and Sacramento) who assisted with
the Matching Grant for Manna Industries.
This project was the first to generate publicity about our club in a local newspaper – see
the first article in Appendix II.
5.1.4 PolioPlus
Our Club contribued:
• A$700 for the 6 months from January to June 2009
• US$2,113 for the 2009-10 Rotary year
5.1.5 Unrestricted Giving to the Rotary Foundation
A contribution was made both in 2009 and again in 2009-10.
5.2 Rotary Australia World Community Service Projects (RAWCS)
Three projects were listed with RAWCS, all of which have
been personally visited by the Rotarians requested the
support.
1. RAWCS No 512-2009: Flooring and shelving in a
hospital in Sri Lanka (requested by Roh Siriwardena)
2. RAWCS No 514-2010: Books for schools project
with the Rotary Club of Madurai, District 3000, India
(requested by Rajah & Jes Senathirajah) – this has so
far seen two articles published in community
newspapers promoting the project
3. RAWCS No 516-2010: Angel Academy in
Kathmandu, Nepal (listed for Brother James to
obtain support for the school and sponsor students
through Christ Church Grammar School)
Page 25 of 34

26. 5.3 Other International Projects
• Three Shelter Boxes were purchased
• Knitted toys, jumpers and baby blankets, all
made locally by Margaret Brawley, have been taken
to Nigeria (by Ken & Di Collins), Vietnam (by Lyn
Packer), Cambodia (by Gary & Kim Hewett), India
and Nepal (by Brother James & Debbie Cash).
5.4 Guest Speakers
Several areas of the Rotary Foundation have been
addressed by both internal club members and outside
speakers as part of our weekly meeting program:
• An overview of the Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus (Ken Collins)
• Scholarships (Jaap Poll, Rohallah Haidari, Bill Hassell, Aaron Chinyimba)
• Group Study Exchange (Claire Forsdyke, Renee Wirth and Nina Morrow, Kylie
West, Andrea Williams, and the Outbound and Inbound teams for the 2010
exchange with District 1640, Normandy, France)
Other speakers who discussed international-related topics were:
• Brother James: the Pilgrimage of Hope (twice)
• Lyn Packer: her work in vietnam
• Michael Reeves: Shelter Box
• Jeffrey Williams: 2006 Tsunami
• Chris Winger: the Rotary Club of Sacramento, USA
• John Masili: Health issues in remote areas of Papua New Guinea
5.4 Events beyond the Club Level
• Shelter Box Dinner: A dinner and presentation on the Shelter Box project was
attended on 1st April 2009 by PRID Ken & Di Collins, Margaret Stuart, and Mary
Ann & Michael Wright
• Tri-District Rotary Foundation Seminar: The seminar held on 23rd August
2009 was attended by PRID Ken & Di Collins, Daniel & Claire Forsdyke, Marcos
Carot Collins and Bill Hassell.
• World Polio Day: A small reception was arranged by the Hon German Consul Bill
Hassell to welcome Guido Kunze and his party from Germany on 23 rd October 2009.
Guido rode his bicycle across Australia, arriving in Perth in time to promote World
Polio Day on 24th October via the News in Germany. Gates Challenge Zone
Coordinator Ken & Di Collins were in attendance.
• Ken Collins Address: On 16th November 2010, a number of members attended
the annual address on the Rotary Foundation – the 12 th Annual Dr Ken Collins
Address – at the Golden Nugget Room, Gloucester Park. The Address was presented
by Rotary International Past Vice President and Vice Chair of the Rotary
Foundation John Germ, with Bob Nicholson as the Alumni speaker. Bill Hassell was
the Master of Ceremonies on the night.
Page 26 of 34

27. Appendix I: Glossary
DDF District Designated Funds
Funds allocated to districts from the Rotary Foundation for use in
Foundation programs the district participates in.
DG District Governor
The Rotarian who provides guidance and leadership to all clubs in that
district for one Rotary year.
DGSR District Governor's Special Representative
A Rotarian appointed by the District Governor to assist a new club in its
formation.
GSE Group Study Exchange
A district-level vocational exchange program where a team of 4 young
professionals aged 25 – 40 with a Rotarian team leader spend a month
learning how their profession is carried out in another country as well as
acting as cultural ambassadors.
MG Matching Grant
A grant whereby funds raised by clubs in two districts in two different
countries are matched by funds from the Rotary Foundation.
NYSF National Youth Science Forum
Formerly known as the National Science Summer School (NSSS), this two
week camp offers students going into year 12 the opportunity to
experience a wider range of sciences than they are exposed to at school.
PDG Past District Governor
A Rotarian who has completed his/her term as District Governor.
PE President Elect
Elected a year and a half prior to taking office. In the year prior to
assuming the role of President, the President Elect serves in the capacity
of Club Service Director.
PRID Past Rotary International Director
A Rotarian who has completed a 2 year term on the (world) board of
Rotary International.
RC Rotary Club
RI Rotary International
The association of Rotary Clubs worldwide.
RYDA Rotary Youth Driver Awareness
An Australia-wide project to provide awareness to high school students
about the dangers and responsibilities of driving before they start learning
to drive. See www.ryda.org.au
RYLA Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
An official program started in Australia which in Western Australia is run
as a week-long leadership camp for 18 – 25 year olds
RYPEN Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment
An Australia-wide project which provides motivation and leadership
training to 14 – 17 year olds at a weekend camp (in the USA, this is how
they run RYLA).
Page 27 of 34

28. Appendix II: Articles
Page 28 of 34

29. Page 29 of 34

30. Page 30 of 34

31. Page 31 of 34

32. Page 32 of 34

33. Page 33 of 34

34. District 5180 Monthly Newsletter “The Bee-Line” - 4 June 2010
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