How wonderful to join with Dorothy Tecklenburg and our friends in Washington Pa Rotary last week. Their projects are inspiring and so many ideas regarding flexibility in meetings and membership structure could well translate effectively to our own situation.
Several of our members joined the district Zoom information meetings last week regarding the funds available through the District Club Incentive Initiative. In summary, we could apply for funds to run a project or activity that would promote Applecross Rotary through increasing awareness of the extent of Rotary’s the role both locally and internationally. In so doing, the aim would be to attract new, active members looking for ways to develop relationships and foster the ideal of service.
As the time frame for applying for these funds is very short, I encourage all members to think creatively about what shape this could take. Please share your thoughts, particularly with Board members. in the next two weeks as the deadline for applications is December 3rd with decisions on allocation to be made by December 10th.
The draft roster is out, the signs are in place around the city and information sessions scheduled so we are clearly on the final countdown to the 25th Anniversary Applecross Rotary Jacaranda Festival! I urge members, friends and families to pay clear attention to all notices distributed and promptly take any action required. Chris Whelan and his hardy band of workers are to be congratulated on reaching this stage which will surely guarantee a wonderful, successful day for all on 23rd.
The Rotary Club of Washington in Pennsylvania has partnered with Applecross Rotary on Global Grant projects in Kenya and our new project in Moora WA.
The connection is PP Chris Whelan and when he was searching for an international partner for our Mama Respond projects in Kenya (a requirement for the awarding of a Global Grant), he contacted a friend from his Alcoa days, whose wife Dorothy happened to be the president of a Rotary Club in Pennsylvania. And the rest, as they say, in history.
We recently connected our two Clubs via Zoom at 8am our time (8pm Penn. time) and Dorothy introduced her Club’s new President Kathy Sabol, to our members. And it was a good turn out by Applecross Rotary members too: 25 members and a potential new one.
Kathy’s Club has been going through a growth phase, with a lots more members, many of them being relatively young. They still meet weekly, but one of these meetings is a Happy Hour, much like our monthly Fellowship gatherings, and another is devoted to undertaking a community project.
Kathy emphasised a number of international activities, which cost her Club around US$5000 each. They are not contingent on being awarded a District or Global Grant as that takes too long (in her opinion)
One is an International Leadership Program which has a focus on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building. Unsurprisingly, as there is a nearby town with lots of families who originally migrated to the US from the Ukraine, modern Ukraine is a focus for attention.
Dorothy explained that another international activity was sourcing an automated potato planting machine to be used in the Ukraine, which had been great success. A third program was based around funding the creation of social clubs that help Russian speaking people displaced from Eastern Ukraine by the Russian war, to learn Ukrainian and thus integrate better with the locals. The social clubs reduce the high levels of tension that occur when the displaced people decide to stay!
Seems there is always something to learn when you exchange ideas with another Rotary Club!
STOP PRESS! Happy to report the board met after the presentation and confirmed our club will support $5000US for the legal Aid project that was still to be funded.
Yes, it’s now less than two weeks until our 25th Anniversary JacFest takes centre stage in Applecross Village! There’s plenty happening behind the scenes as we continue to do everything possible to make this a standout Rotary Street Festival once again.
A huge thanks to Chris W, our master tactician, who continues to put in the long hours to dot every i and cross every t in managing this major project. The core team has followed that script brilliantly — well done, Chris and team.
Thanks also to John K, Suresh P, and Mike S for helping with the sign repairs and re-dating on Friday, and to John K and Cran for assisting with the on-site setup on Sunday.
We’ll have another working bee at the storage unit this Saturday at 9:30 am to prep and bundle all our on-site signage and gear, followed by the final collection and site delivery on Saturday, 22nd.
While we’re fortunate to have some new members joining the JacFest team, we need to seriously consider how to ease the load on the core team — those who have carried the long-term commitment year after year. Please lend a hand wherever you can.
Chris, in particular, deserves a well-earned break — and truth be told, my own days are numbered too! After this 25th Anniversary JacFest, we must have an honest discussion about the future.
As Applecross Rotary, we simply must find a way to bring through successors to our “aging warhorses” who shoulder so much of the heavy lifting for our fundraising and community events. If we don’t, we risk losing our major profile activities — and, with them, our ability to give back to the community at the same level.
District Membership Incentive
Two Zoom meetings were held last week to outline the new District Membership Initiative to almost 90 Clubs across WA. This is a well-designed program encouraging all Clubs to develop fresh ideas for growing membership, supported by matching District cash grants.
Disappointingly, only around 20% of Clubs participated in the sessions. Attracting new members is everyone’s responsibility, but it’s hard to see this initiative succeed without greater engagement.
Adele has proposed a very thoughtful new member project focusing on encouraging business owners to join — highlighting the community and networking benefits of volunteering. It’s a great concept that aligns perfectly with our local Chamber of Commerce involvement and is definitely worth pursuing.
We’ll need to refine the proposal, but with JacFest behind us soon, this will be a key discussion for AxR to take forward. Applications close in early December, so let’s be ready to act.
Our Jacaranda Festival promotions dynamo, Kenn Williams, is absolutely on fire!
Promoting the 25th Applecross Rotary Jacaranda Festival to a broad audience across so many media platforms is no small task — but Kenn is rising to the challenge, creating fresh and engaging content that connects with different audiences and demographics.
Now he needs your help to keep the momentum going! Please take a few minutes to share our promotional content with your family, friends, and community networks. Every share helps spread the word and build excitement for this milestone event.
Here’s how you can help:
Have a Go News – Click here to open the link and, under the article heading, you’ll find easy options to share via social media, email, or even print a copy.
Weekend Notes – Click here to view the article. Weekend Notes reaches over 104,000 email subscribers and 71,000 Facebook followers – a great audience for JacFest!
JacFest Newsletter – Register here for the Rotary Jacaranda Festival Mailing List to receive updates compiled by MarketLife.
Let’s lift our subscriber numbers — register yourself and share the link with your network!
Posters & Flyers – A3, A4, and A5 versions are printed and ready for distribution. Please help by displaying or distributing them wherever you can. Copies will be available at this week’s breakfast meeting or directly from Kenn Williams or Ray Philp.
Signage – Large promotional signs will soon appear at Applecross Village, Canning Highway, and Riseley Street. Volunteers will be needed to help with installation — keep an eye out for Kenn’s call for helpers.
Rotary & City Promotions – The event will also feature in the RotaryWA Round Up (emailed to all WA Rotarians) and the City of Melville newsletter.
✅ First step: Register for the JacFest Newsletter, catch up on past editions, and then share the subscription link far and wide!
Together, let’s make sure everyone in Perth knows about the 25th Applecross Rotary Jacaranda Festival! 💜🌳
The 2025 Jacaranda Festival briefing session for all Club volunteers will be held during our breakfast meeting on Tuesday, 18 November, in the Dome meeting room.
Attached below is the current draft roster. Please check for your name and note the tasks assigned to you.
While some of you are already familiar with the process, many new members have taken on important roles this year. It’s essential that we go through the briefing together to ensure everything runs smoothly.
You may join via Zoom if necessary, but your in-person attendance is strongly encouraged.
For those unable to attend on Tuesday, there will be a second briefing session on Wednesday, 19 November, for other volunteers. Please make sure to attend that session instead.
Thank you all for your continued support and commitment — your efforts make this event a success every year!
Our annual Christmas event.will be held on Sunday 7th December 2025 at 4:30pm at Bad Apples Kearns Crescent Applecross.
Cost is $65pp and payment can be made either at the breakfast meetings cash/ eftpos or via Direct Debit to the following Bank Account -
AxR Administration
BSB: 066-173
Account: 1002 3750
Please accept or decline this invitation to assist with planning the event either with Liz Palmer at the breakfast meetings or via ClubRunner app (need help ask Aaron or Ray).
Please see below a message from President David Rowell, Rotary Club of Mill Point.
Please purchase your tickets prior to Friday 7th November 2025 in order for us to finalise numbers for catering.
Special $40 Offer to Rotary Members and Friends
The Rotary Club of Mill Point is pleased to invite Rotarians and Friends to attend the Ashes - Breakfast With The Rivals on Friday 21st November 2025 starting 7am at the Camfield in Burswood.
We have been able to obtain a special Rotary discounted ticket price of $40 per person for this event which is a discount of $70.
Jodie Lee Bower Cancer Foundation
The purpose of this special event is to help the Jodie Lee Bowel Cancer Foundation to expand its charity throughout WA and to increase awareness of bowel cancer. Learn more about this charity at: https://jodileefoundation.org.au/about-us-our-story/
Alternatively, you can link to the QI code shown in the image below.
To obtain the special discounted tickets of $40 per person you must enter the PROMO CODE "RotaryVIP" within the payment section prior to finalising payment.
At our Rotary breakfast meeting on 11th November, four of our members will be sharing their experiences and memories of war.
Kenn Williams will talk about his father serving in the Middle East in WWII, and his family’s visits to Anzac Cove in Turkey.
Clive Purt recently paid a visit to the Salerno Valley War Cemetery to pay his respects to his uncle.
Chris Whelan will speak about his father’s experiences in Burma in World War II. Chris has three other World War II stories which involves his mother, his uncle who was killed at sea and another uncle who was a submariner.
Ian Fairnie will share his family memories of the two World Wars.
Our Remembrance Day breakfast meeting. Six of our members will be sharing their experiences and memories of war.
Kenn Williams will talk about his father serving in the Middle East in WWII, and his family’s visits to Anzac Cove in Turkey.
Clive Purt recently paid a visit to CWGC Santerno Valley War Cemetery to pay his respects to his uncle.
Chris Whelan will speak about his father’s experiences in Burma in World War II. Chris has three other World War II stories which involves his mother, his uncle who was killed at sea and another uncle who was a submariner.
Peter McEwan will tell us of his family which has a proud Australian military history commencing with his great, grandfather Sgt Major Alexander McEwen who arrived in Sydney mid 19th century. Peter has his ceremonial sword and a military manual he wrote dated 1867. Peter’s grandfather, Jack Briggs fought in WWII and he has his war medals, and Peter’s uncle Jack Hepple was part of Z Force.
Tony Haeusler has a copy of a letter which one of his three great uncles wrote from the Western Front in WWI.
