A huge thank you and congratulations to the team responsible for the planning, set up and organisation of the parking for Sunday’s first Perth Makers Market for the season. The challenges set by the closure of the majority of the lower parkland required some very creative thinking for that area and the new area at Jack Howson Reserve. From my perspective, this all went very smoothly thanks to the thorough planning involved.
Furthermore, the decision by the Board last week to donate the net proceeds from the parking to the RAWCS initiated fund for the Nepal Disaster Appeal prompted a very generous response from the community. Given the changes in parking arrangements, I look forward to hearing the total amount collected as my anecdotal observation was that without exception market-goers donated freely and more generously than I have observed previously.
Our final Applecross Rotary event before we take a brief pause to catch our breath is this Sunday’s Lift the Lid walk at Wireless Hill to raise awareness of mental health issues and the support available within our community. This Australian Rotary Health initiative has been taking place since 2020. The walk and talk format is deliberately not a race, but an opportunity to get together to raise awareness of the serious mental health issues we face in all areas of our communities, schools, homes and workplaces. The Applecross, Attadale and Melville Rotary Clubs are hoping for strong support from residents, families, support groups, practitioners and community groups with any funds raised going directly to supporting vital ground-breaking research into preteen mental health through Australian Rotary Health.
Together we can create lasting impact
Margaret Brede
At last week’s meeting, we paused to honour Ian’s passing. Thanks to our youngest member, Aaron Hoffman, who thoughtfully placed a beautiful photo and candle at Ian’s usual seat, we began our breakfast gathering with a quiet moment of reflection — acknowledging our sadness and paying our respects.
In his short time with the club, Aaron formed a close friendship with Ian, a connection that mirrors countless relationships Ian built throughout his working life and community service. His passion for mentoring, supporting, and guiding young people at the beginning of their careers has left a lasting legacy. We have seen this time and again through guest speakers who now lead companies or run their own businesses, as well as through his unwavering drive to strengthen our club’s involvement in Rotary Youth Exchange.
Ian's son Michael Fairnie has advised President Margaret that the family will be holding a celebration of Ian's life at the Swan Yacht Club, East Fremantle from 12md on Friday 2nd October.
Mervyn was our guest speaker on behalf of the Department of Communities, WA Seniors Card Centre.
Western Australia was the first State to introduce the Seniors Card. That was back in 1988 under the leadership of Labor Government Premier Dowding. The Minister for the Aged at that time was Kay Hallahan. She had an idea to validate seniors and presented it to Parliament, which approved the scheme. It was launched at the Maylands Community Centre.
It took a few years to develop but in its first year, 50,000 seniors signed up.
From 2000 under the State Government Seniors Strategy, more concessions have been added to encourage active ageing and maintaining social connections.
At the moment, there are 430,000 Seniors Card members, which is 93 per cent of the eligible population of over 65s.
It is projected that in 2029-30, 500,000 seniors will be signed up to the Seniors Card.
To be eligible, you must be 65-years-old or older, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, reside in WA, and retired or not exceeding 25 hours a week in paid employment.
WA receives the most benefits of any State, which include free off peak public transport, spectacles subsidy, driver’s licence and fishing licence rebate, a Department of Transport photo card (if you don’t need a driver’s licence), subsidised entry to WA museums and national parks, water service and local government rebates and emergency services levy.
A Seniors Card without a Commonwealth Pension Card is estimated to be worth $900, with a pension around $2500 to $3000.
Another important rebate which is offered is the one-off Safety and Security rebate of $400, which includes home alarm and/or CCTV systems, deadlocks, Wifi or wired video doorbell, mains powered smoke alarms, security doors and windows screens and security sensor lights, residual current devices, fire extinguishers or fire blankets.
To date there have been 35,000 security claims. Almost every senior Mervyn has spoken to about these added safety features is very happy. The security rebate is also available to seniors who rent, with their landlord’s permission.
The cost of living rebate is automatically applied to Seniors Card holders bank accounts each year.
The Discount Directory, which was first launched in 1996, is due to be released very soon and aims to encourage more engagement and active lifestyles in the seniors’ community.
Mervyn gave us a comprehensive breakdown of all the features the Seniors Card has to offer. Members agreed that it is a great asset to being a senior and living in this State but also that they didn’t fully utilise the Seniors Card across the many concessions that it offers.
It is definitely worth visiting the WA Seniors Card website and finding out more ways that it can benefit us. All except for Aaron of course, who we all laughingly agreed was far too young to concern himself with it just yet.
Well, it wasn't just the 1 day for a few of the usual select oldies, but also the multiple site inspections, planning and set ups to cover all of the issues surrounding this past weekend's PMM.
Lower Heathcote is certainly midway into a monumental site redevelopment, and one that has changed our traditional market day set up for ever! When finished, it should be a major attraction for the CoM, but certainly, for arranging public parking on the open lands, it will be a challenge and not the least impacted by the exposed reticulation layout across the site.
Hopefully by the next market in 6 weeks we will have a better site to work with, but the reduced car spaces available will certainly mean that the new Howson Reserve zone, formally for stall holders, will become an ongoing feature for allocation of our limited resources.
Considering everything, and particularly our reduced volunteer workforce for the expanded duties, we did a great job, especially considering the cause of Nepal that we collected for and the generous donations from our parking public.
When we finally got everything restacked into storage at 5.15 pm, and for many of us, on all day from 6.30 am, it had been a really long and tiring 10-11 hour day!
Well done to Ray (as always), Chris D, John K, Peter McE, amongst others, for seeing out the challenge for another sterling effort.
I have said this before, and say it again ... if we can't get some commitment for the heavy lifting from either within our own AxR, or outside support, I see the sun setting on this $25-30k fundraiser per year. It is simply unfair for the same olds to keep this fundraiser going.
Anyone, and with thanks, can turn up and help on the day, but the thinking, planning and the physical effort of set up and return, and to make sure it runs professionally and seamlessly is another thing.
We can have our well earned 'bask in glory' moments, but the work load just has to be shared around.
Time for some really hard discussions whilst we plan for the future of our fund raising at AxR.
On a lighter front....
Some fantastic interactions when seeking donations, and high lighting Nepal :
I had one possibly young Indian chap donate $50, finally, after 3 credit card try's, go on line, transfer money and successfully complete. He just wanted to give to the cause.
2 young Pakistani guys explained that where they lived, theses floods were an ongoing disaster for their people, and each gave $10.
many who were deliberating yes/no, upped their contribution when the cause was named.
And, the foto, at the end of the day, when Brad and Ray were in the process of unloading the Ute, Ray's determination to overload the carrier causing a limited disaster, to the mirth of those few present to help!
The Rotary Club of Attadale is presenting the Spring Concert on September 20 to raise money to help the homeless and others in need.
Much of the funds raised will be reserved for the “My Home” project to support the homeless, that is a major priority of the Cluster One clubs.
For those who did not attend the 2026 Conference this Link to 2 itemswill take you to Michelle Blakeley’s presentation on “My Home”. This is a life-changing project that deserves our support.
Could you please advertise the Spring Concert widely and invite all Cluster One Rotarians to come along and enjoy an afternoon of fine music and by doing so, help raise much needed funds for this very worthy project.
If you would like to check out the superb quality of the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra visit their website and scroll down to listen to a variety their works.
We look forward to enjoying the pleasure of your company for what promises to be will be an absolutely superb concert.
We invite all Rotarians (and others you know who may be interested) to HEALTHY MINDS, BRAINS & BODIES. Our 2026 ARH WA - Perron Institute forum on WA neuroscience and mental health features some of WA's brightest new researchers in these fields.
Wednesday 23 September 2026 John McGrath Pavilion 97 Hensman Street South Perth 6.00 - 8.30pm (Registration from 5.30pm)
RSVP: Humanitix (The event is free but donations are welcomed)
Perron Institute students will showcase their research, and a panel forum will be part of this event.
Light hospitality will be provided: coffee, tea, juice, soft drink, or a glass of wine or beer, with nibbles.
Hope to see you there!
Warwick L Smith Australian Rotary Health - WA Team
Rahul Seth is the Founder of Activate Mental Health, Perth’s largest mental well‑being group. Activate Mental Health is Perth’s largest community‑led mental health well‑being group. Founded in 2016. The organisation is entirely volunteer‑run, with volunteers, known as Activators. Activate Mental Health believes “It’s more fun together” and strives to make a meaningful impact on its members’ mental well‑being.
