We understand the wider community often has very little knowledge of what Rotary means, its values of service, fellowship, integrity, diversity and leadership. Consequently, we often consider opportunities to demonstrate Rotary in action to the local community.
One such great opportunity lies ahead. In under two weeks, on Saturday 16th May, we will be participating in the worldwide Epic Day of Service where Rotarians work on a community project.
We will be joining with other Rotary groups within our RCG to clean the river foreshore. Applecross Rotary will be responsible for the area from Ardross Street (Jeff Joseph Reserve) around to Canning Bridge.
It will be a perfect opportunity to set up our information tent on the Jeff Joseph Reserve and be a very visible demonstration of ‘Rotarians at Work’. We will be provided with materials by the Keep Australia Beautiful group.
I encourage everyone to sign up, turn up and volunteer a couple of hours on the morning of 16th and be a part of a very visible demonstration of Rotary in action.
Our guest speaker last Tuesday was Sandra Patullo, Ride Captain for the Over55Cycling Club.
Sandra shared with us a raft of information which left members with a better understanding of cycling for the mature aged and/ or returning cyclists post-retirement.
Sandra summed up the goals of the club to be a warm and safe environment; to assist with a meaningful pursuit of health and fellowship alongside a passion for cycling into your golden years. It was encouraging to discover the age of some of their members leaving us with no doubt or excuse that we all have a possible future as a “senior cyclist” which is not always present in our very competitive modern world.
We learnt that the variety of activities ranged from not only three times a week metro rides, but also well organised country-style cycling all around our wonderful state of Western Australia. It could be suggested that this sporting club indirectly offers cycling tourism to meet the pace of an active person post-retirement. Sanda also shared her own insight of her four-person cycling trip in England which further displayed the opportunities open to a classic over 55 cyclists.
The Club has a monthly newsletter, “Chattin’ Chains”, which gives members a perfect update on current and future cycling possibilities. We learnt there are two Facebook forums to share members’ cycling tips and adventures.
Sandra touched on safety requirements of this mature aged cycling club, which include:
· All riders must wear an approved cycling helmet that is in good condition, fits the rider’s head and is secured when riding.
· Riders are to wear high visibility clothing.
· Sufficient drinking water and small first aid items to be carried.
· Enclosed shoes, boots or cycling specific sandals must be worn. Bare feet, thongs or strapless sandals are dangerous.
· Radios, earphones, mobile phones or any device that interferes with hearing, sight, or control of the bicycle, must not be operated while riding.
· Riders are requested to carry an operational spare tube to suit the bike, tyre levers and a pump.
· Rear View Mirror, which is an absolute must for a safe ride.
Membership fees for active and social membership are very reasonable. Social membership allows past members to stay connected after their cycling days are over.
Sandra provided us with a well informed and enjoyable speaking event.
A quick update on our developments with the Melville Cockburn Chamber of Commerce.
MCCC Business Awards Presentation Night, Thurs 21st of May.
This event will be held at the South of Perth Yacht Club, and Applecross, Melville and Attadale are combining to present a Rotary Award to a business nominated by the MCCC under the Sustainable and Environmental Impact category. This is quite a prestigious evening overall, with up to 10 Awards covering many aspects of business/community engagement and culminating in a Business of the Year with a significant Award.
This will also be the launch of the Rotary working relationship with the MCCC, and closer engagement for mutual benefit following on from our successful joint Membership Grant from Rotary District.
We should aim to get a table together in support of our presentation and new relationship with each of our 3 Clubs represented. It is a dinner event.
Partnership with the MCCC.
Last Friday afternoon, the 3 Rotary clubs met with the MCCC key Executive and held a brain storming session on developing a mutually beneficial longer term partnership.
The MCCC, under its new leadership, has been working on how to introduce their business members to 'giving back/volunteering/ working closer' with their communities. The meeting agreed to develop this concept further and in the near future we should be able to present how this partnership would benefit both Rotary and the Chamber, and the work we do in the community. Certainly, going forward, it will be Rotary, and not individual Club's represented at the Chamber. Sufficient to say both organisations are on the same page and keen to make this a longer term relationship build opportunity.
Happy to take any questions or help to get this off the ground.
The Jacaranda Festival team met up last Wednesday 29th April for the second time this year. It was a bit daunting running the meeting for the first time as I had BIG shoes to fill. However, I put on my "big girl pants" on and went with the flow.
There was absolutely nothing to worry about - the wealth of experience, knowledge and support the Jacaranda Festival team had made my role easier.
The highlight for me - being told we will have Starlink!! No more internet issues 🤞🤞🤞 #NoPressureBrad 😬
With a few action plans to follow up on and setting up a list of Agenda items to discuss at the next Jacaranda Festival meeting - we're looking good! 👍
Our next meeting is tentatively booked in for the end of May.
Do you have any historical assets for the Jacaranda Festival - photos, video, maps? …
Two Monkeys Agency is producing an innovative reminisce storytelling media project, designed to capture the rich social history of our community, around iconic City of Melville locations called “Places Unsaid". This project will capture and preserve these memories and insights about the past through video as well as photographs, serving as a way of connecting the City of Melville residents based on shared values, place and experiences with the younger generation.
The project will culminate in a public exhibition launch.
The project will culminate in a public exhibition launch.
They are seeking participants who are interested in sharing their memories and stories through video, that will be shared with the broader community through a dynamic storytelling map. We are looking for individuals who have personal stories and memories to share about any location or place within the City of Melville - whether it is about love, friendship, family or feelings, significant career achievements or contributions to community. If you have a momentous event, relationship or memory tied to a special Melville location - whether you were proposed to at the local park, you found your best friend at the swings at the playground, or when you watched your son take his first steps at the foreshore, we want to collate and share these amazing stories of our local community.
What to Expect:
●A recorded interview sharing your story and memory
●Have your story shown at a public launch at a later date
●A chance to contribute to a meaningful project that celebrates the local community at the City of Melville
●Your story will be available on a virtual map
Some information found in the Club archives for the early years of the Jacaranda Festival -
A Museum you should not miss when visiting Carnarvon!
Essi getting a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the moon
Today, the museum occupies the former OTC site, about 6 km from town. It celebrates both the Tracking Station and the Earth Station, each with distinct but complementary roles in early space exploration. The museum has grown in stages, with Buzz Aldrin opening Phase One in 2012, Andy Thomas opening Phase Two in 2014, and Gene Cernan opening Phase Three in 2016—a testament to its authenticity and global recognition.
A standout feature is the full‑size 25‑metre Mercury Redstone rocket, honouring Alan Shepard, the first American in space. Visitors can also step inside a full‑size Apollo command module simulator, complete with shaking and rattling to mimic a Saturn V launch—an experience that consistently delights visitors.
And woudn't believe who Essi met on her moon visit !!
STILL PLENTY OF GAPS IN ROSTER, PLEASE COMMIT TO A TIME TO ASSIST.
Topics of interest to members will include the current real estate market in our local area and its future; the best method of presenting a home for sale and the different types of land ownership. Eric is an active philanthropist, who is involved in community events and supports local schools, churches, and non-profit organisations.
Our guest speaker last Tuesday was Sandra Patullo, Ride Captain for the Over55Cycling Club.
