Hilda O'Callaghan with Dr Barry Mendelawitz

Our guest speaker, Hilda O’Callaghan, is a long time colleague of Barry and Margaret Mendalawitz through the Citizens Advice Bureau. Barry described Hilda as a shining light for her advocacy for children here in WA and in South Africa.

Hilda was passionate in her talk about everyone’s need to feel safe, particularly children. One of the principle aims of Protective Behaviours is to teach children on a level that they understand, when they do not feel safe or comfortable in their dealings with adults.

Hilda used the analogy of the way our brain works, and how we recognise danger. Our body responds to threats through early warning signs through our five senses. 

Children often do not know that they have a choice where they can feel safe all of the time and that they can talk with someone any time. 

The program was established and promoted by WA Police in 1990 and through free information sessions, parent workshops and practitioner training for children in early education, primary and high schools in South Africa in 2010.

Children are asked how they feel when they are nervous or afraid and they are given the vocabulary which includes correct terminology for body parts and tools to describe a variety of sensations – headache, butterflies, their heart pounds fast, sweaty palms, shaky knees, an urge for the toilet, pain in their stomach and goosebumps. 

They are taught if they are feeling any of these sensations around adults that they can talk to someone any time. The best network is five trusted adults who are available, will listen, will believe and will take action. 

They must keep telling these trusted adults until they get help. The power of abuse lies in the secret – children learn that no-one is to touch, see or take pictures of their body without consent.

Hilda has produced story and colouring books which appeal to children of all ages through her fundraising work in WA. Her most recent edition was funded by money raised sponsoring her to climb Table Mountain!

Members were extremely moved by her passion and empathy for children who simply need to be taught early warning signs of when they feel unsafe and they can make the choice to tell someone and make it stop.

The 2026 event wrapped up yesterday after a full week of collaboration between members and friends of the Applecross and Melville Rotary Clubs, providing a valuable platform for local artists to showcase their talents to a wide audience at Westfield Booragoon.

While both the number of artworks displayed and the number sold were lower this year — a reflection of the current economic climate — the Art Show remains an important way to raise public awareness of Rotary’s work in the community.

Sunday’s rain meant the display boards had to be stored temporarily, and another busy bee will be needed in the coming weeks to return them to the Fremantle Men’s Shed.

Project leader Hamish extends “a big thanks to all participating members of both Applecross and Melville Rotary Clubs for their assistance in organising and managing the 51st Rotary Art Show.”

Join Rotary members and friends for a productive morning/afternoon in the fresh air helping bring back some biodiversity to our precious Banksia Woodlands through planting native seedlings.

This volunteer opportunity is made possible with SERCUL (South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare) and funding from Bupa and Landcare Australia.

Location: Piney Lakes 555 Leach Hwy, Winthrop WA

Parking: There is a carpark to the left when you enter from Leach Highway (marked yellow on map picture) 

Planting: The planting will occur in a degraded Banksia Woodland to the north east of Piney Lakes along a sandy track (marked blue on map picture). We will be planting a mixture of banksia and tree species along with understory plants suitable for a changing climate. SERCUL will ensure all plants, and planting equipment are at site beforehand. SERCUL is also planning to auger holes prior to the event. The goal is to plant 3000 plants per day.

What To Bring: Participants will need to bring enclosed shoes, gardening gloves (although SERCUL will bring some spares), sunsmart clothes that can get dirty, water bottle, hat, sunscreen and wet weather gear. 

Prior to the planting a SERCUL staff member will give a quick safety brief, run through a site JSA (Job Safety Analysis)and a planting demonstration.

Saturday 1pm start, finish approx 5pm, with sausage sizzle/snacks at end

Sunday 8:30am start, finish approx 12:30pm, with morning tea break around 10:30am

All Rotary clubs, Rotaract clubs and members of the general community are welcome to participate. Registration is essential for safety, insurance and catering.

Hi Ian,

Today John and I delivered 30 sleeping bags to Anglicare in Rockingham. 

They were extremely grateful and Nicole will be thanking your club. We will contact Passages and Anglicare Street Connect for suitable delivery time.

Many thanks to your wonderful club for the support for the homeless each year. 

It is truly appreciated. 

Yours in Rotary service,

John and Kay Eva

For Stitches of Hope Inc