Thanks to PP Dr Ian Fairnie's Presidential Year goal to get Applecross Rotary back into the Youth Exchange Program,  Connor Ovens in early 2020 embarked on his Rotary Youth Exchange to Germany hosted by the Rotary Club of Willich in District 1870.  

 

Connor took the opportunity at our special event celebrating the Club's 50 Anniversary and Changeover 2021 to present the RC of Willich's banner.

 

It was indeed a pleasure to present our Executive Secretary Past President Chris Whelan with the recognition as Rotarian of the Year, for his outstanding work that he does for the Club especially my year as President.

 

Chris, like many Rotarians, brings his Corporate life skills to professionally manage the Club as well as the local and global projects that the club gets involved with.

 

Chris is now fully retired and the VOLUNTEER hours he puts into Rotary if costed out would be substantial.

 

On behalf of all the Applecross Rotary Members, thank you Chris.

Would you believe, as I certainly don’t, that I can count my Membership for over half of the 50 Years that our great Club has been part of the Rotary world!
How time flys... and I am but one of many who can make a similar claim ... we tend to overlook the individual effort in favour of the Club contribution over the years.
 
What a fantastic evening for our 50th Celebration and Annual Changeover.. one of the best ever from my perspective.
 
Well organised, great value and setting, a bit different, exceptional comradeship, well supported by present and many returning past Members, a fabulous meal inspired and presented by Brendan Pang of  Dumplings fame, ... It all came together to make  a night to remember.
 

Before COVID and lockdowns, we took the opportunity to provide new sleeping bags for homeless youth in Perth who were being supported by Anglicare WA Street Connect, during winter 2019.  While we have been in occasional lockdown since then, so have the women in Cambodia who make the sleeping bags as part of a project called Stitches of Hope.
 
Sadly that situation continues in Cambodia, but fortunately we can still access sleeping bags to donate to Street Connect and at the same time, financially support the Cambodian women who are integral to Stitches of Hope.  The cost stays at $50.
 
Two Rotarians from Swan Districts Kay and John Eva, are the drivers for Stitches of Hope.

 

Off and running in a new role as AG to DG Patricia Schraven.
 
This role involves supporting the DG at the local level, with Applecross, Booragoon, Melville and Attadale Rotary Club’s as my area of responsibility.
 
Basically the role is one of helping to ensure that each Club commits to, and actions, key District and Rotary International objectives for the 12 month period, and to provide support and encouragement to Clubs if needed along the way.
 
I look forward to updating Applecross Rotary on these objectives, and of course, being fully aware that Pres Peter and his Board will be right across these requirements anyway.
 
We at Applecross are truly fortunate to have such a strong Club: listening on Sunday at our initial DG’s meeting to some of the problems being faced by others is indeed concerning, especially in terms of Club Member numbers and Club challenges.
 
Rotary has, as always, challenges, for sure.  Positioning for change to meet our ever changing world is one of the keys!

 

AG Kenn