April is designated as environment month for Rotary, focussing on sustainability and ecological initiatives worldwide. In April, rotary clubs around the globe renew their commitment to environmental sustainability, conservation and climate resilience. This month serves as a time to highlight the urgent challenges facing our planet and to engage in various projects aimed at protecting the environment. During Environment Month, Rotary clubs participate in a variety of activities, including:
During April, we have continued to zoom at our lunchtime meetings, in order to include those who are unable to be physically in the room. If you are able to come to the meeting in person, you also gain the social aspect, and also it is good to have a reasonable audience for the guest speaker, to make it worth their while. My thanks to the Membership Director for providing the equipment and organising this facility.
Our Sergeant, Janice Pounder, was the guest speaker at the Rotary meeting on Wednesday 8th April, and gave us a look at the history and ecology of the Abrolhos Islands.
On Wed 22nd April, Jill Dawson, who is the president of the Rotary Club of Perth, gave us an update in the preparations for the centenary of Rotary in WA. We also heard from our newest member, Anne Anderson.
On Sunday several of our members volunteered at the Cruising Butterflies event at the South of Perth Yacht club. This event gives an opportunity for three hundred children and their families to have a boat trip into Perth water, and then return to the Yacht Club for lunch and children’s activities, such as face painting, card making etc.
Four Couple’s Dinners
The Four Couple Dinners are now underway, and we have already had a report back from one group that recently met and had a great time getting to know each other better in a smaller environment. The groups were formed by names being drawn out of a hat, so hopefully each and every member will have the same experience as the first group who reported back.
Epic Day of Service Saturday
The Epic Day of Service 2026 is a Global Day of Community service organized by Rotary, taking place on May 16, 2026. It is an annual event that unities Rotary clubs, Rotaractors and community members worldwide to engage in meaningful service projects that address local needs, strengthen community bonds, and inspire hope.
This 2026 event aims to build on the success of previous years, where thousands of volunteers participated in hundreds of projects across multiple continents. It provides an opportunity for individuals and clubs to showcase their efforts, amplify Rotary’s visibility and create lasting impact in communities globally.
Its vision is to bring together 1.2 million Rotarian members and countless community members worldwide for an extraordinary day of transformative service projects--an unmissable opportunity to be part of a global movement showcasing the very best of humanity in action. The Rotary Club of Melville is planning an event on this day.
A reminder that we are still looking for a President Elect, and so, if you feel you would like to assist the club in that role, please let myself, or the current President Elect/Secretary, Dale Cole know.
Regards
PDG Marilyn Barton
President: Rotary Club of Melville 2024-2026
Guest Speaker:
Jill Dawson Rotary in WA Centennials April 2027
Jill Dawson is currently the President of the Rotary Club of Perth, and they have taken the lead in organising the celebrations for the Centennial of rotary in WA which will occur on the 27th April, 2027. It was on that day one hundred years ago, that the rotary club of Perth first met at 4.00pm in the afternoon, marking the beginning of rotary in WA.
One of the initial big projects for Rotary in the past was the development of, and building the medical school in WA, as, up until that time, medical students had to do their training in the Eastern States. It is interesting however, that the history of the medical School does not mention the involvement of Rotary.
Therefore, one of the projects for the Centennial will be the establishment of a World class Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, and this time, the acknowledgement of the involvement of Rotary will be front and centre.
Other celebrations will include the Vienna Pops Concert on New Year’s Eve being held at His Majesty’s, and RI Director Jennifer Scott will most likely be attending. From Thursday 15th until Sunday 18th, April 2027, it will be a celebration weekend, with many varied activities including a Ball at government house, a Peace Pole erected in the Supreme Court Gardens, being just two of them.
National Science and engineering Challenge
Trevor Ridgwell and the Youth Committee are looking for volunteers who may be able assist in the upcoming National Science and Engineering Challenge which will be held at Murdoch University from Monday 11th May until Friday 15th May 2026. The programme is looking for volunteers who may be able to assist at one or more sessions.
If you are interested and available, please send your name and the dates and times (e.g. morning or afternoon or all day) to Trevor Ridgwell. He will collate the names and when people are available and forward them to the programme organisers.
it sounds like a really interesting programme to participate in, so if you are free, and would like to get involved, please let Trevor know.
Ian and I travelled to the Abrolhos by catamaran from Geraldton approx. 45 klm. The trip was very rough and almost half the passengers were seasick including Ian. As soon as we entered the islands the sea was calm. The islands were originally attached to the mainland. Some 60 billion years ago they separated from where Geraldton now is.
All the islands have very different terrain. They vary from small trees on West Island to mangroves, sand and just coral with shells and seaweed on others.
East Wallaby Island is the one of two islands with fresh water. There is a wallaby population here because of the water. The Wallaby’s can last for days without water.
Wooded Island has mangroves growing on it. There is a sealion colony were the baby seals all rest and developed until they were strong enough to swim in the sea. There are also many different bird species on the islands.
Other islands consist of rocks, shells and broken coral. This makes it very difficult to walk on so good shoes are a must.
The history of the islands starts in the late 1500 when Houtman discovered them sailing to the Spice Islands. The next ship to pass was the Batavia with its gruesome tale.
Most ships travelling to Java near the spice islands travelled via Africa and India making the voyage months longer. Houtman drew a new map after discovering the Abrolhos as he named it which was shared with the VOC Company. It would save them months of sea time using this new direction. The VOC Company who owned the fleet sent them on this pathway.
The Batavia Left Amsterdam in 1629 heading for the Spice Islands. She was the flagship of the fleet and Commandeur Pelsarert was in charge of the fleet. She carried over 300 passengers and 12 casks of silver to purchase the spices. Travelling at full speed with all sails flying in a south westerly wind she smashed into a reef in the middle of the night.
The Commander and some of his crew ferried as many passengers as possible to the nearest land. The small island was just above sea level with no shelter. The survivors made small shelters from the sails and bits of wood broken from the ship. Some water and food were also ferried to the island.
The Commander and a few of the main crew decided to sail to Java for help in one of the lifeboats. There was a mutineer plot on the ship before she hit the reef and those same crew took control of the remaining survivors. To save food and water the mutineers started to murder the loyal crew and other traveller's including babies and children.
Eventually after months of violence and starvation a rescue boat arrived to discover what had taken place. The main instigator was given a trial. His sentence was to have his hands cut off with a chisel and was then hanged on the island which is now called "The Island of Angry Ghosts"
These days the Abrolhos is known for its cray fishing and wonderful snorkeling. The islands are inhabited by Cray fishermen and their families. We went out with a crayboat and watched them pull in the pots. It is very physical work with high rewards.
