Our Guest Speaker Kaitlin Leischke with Michael Crowley
President's Message
A big thank you to Kaitlin Leischke, our guest speaker at last week's meeting. Her presentation 'NYFS to Air Quality Science' was certainly impressive and once again reinforced the value and positive impact Rotary Youth Programs can have on the participants we sponsor to attend them. Kaitlin's attachment to and fondness for Rotary, through her Grandfather John Chaplin and from her participation in NYSF some 14 years ago, was obvious. The NYSF program inspired her to pursue her passion, and we were all certainly inspired by her presentation.
I would like to extend our club's best wishes, love and support to Barry Stevens as he undergoes immunotherapy treatment for Liver Cancer. We are all thinking of Barry and Nikki at this challenging time.
Another big thank you to Jim Christensen who has once again volunteered to organise our club's Pride of Workmanship Awards Night to be held Wednesday 5 November 2025. Please send your nominations directly to Jim for his consideration.
A reminder that this week's meeting commences early at 5:30PM for pre-dinner drinks followed by a short meeting after which the year's first Board Meeting will take place. Should any member have any item they wish the board to consider, please advise Kerrie Hayes-Williams prior to Wednesday.
John opened the meeting and called on President Phil to welcome everyone to the meeting.
Kate reflected on Erin Patterson, the poison mushroom dinner creator, and on the good, the bad and the ugly in our society.
Dennis toasted the Rotary Club of London, the first chartered Rotary club outside of North America. He also noted that Wimbledon (The All English Lawn Tennis Club) is the oldest in the world, formed on 9 July 1877. Spencer Love was the first champion who won the final in just 48 minutes. 9 July is also International Sugar Cookie Day and on 9 July 1900 the Commonwealth of Australia Act was passed allowing the 6 States of Australia to govern themselves from 1 January 1901.
Phil announced the following items.
Rotary District Grants are now. Please pass any ideas for grants directly to Helen Hasan who will submit the grant to District.
Our Club Roster will now show the full year for PCYC - Fit for Life volunteers.
Please advise Rose Pope directly if you wish to volunteer for the Science & Engineering Challenge.
Rotary Club of Corrimal will be holding their Annual Trivia Night on Saturday 30 August. Our club will aim to put a table together to attend. (See attached flyer below).
The Combined Illawarra Rotary Clubs Charity Race Day will be held on Saturday 13 September @ Kembla Grange Racecourse. Phil asked as many members, their family & friends as possible to attend and support one of our major fund-raising initiatives for the year. He will ask for preliminary numbers at this week's meeting. Link to Race Day Web Page
Dennis announced the Thursday Night ‘Jag the Joker’ and Friday night Meat Raffle results, which were outstanding from a fund-raising perspective.
Anne announced that Barry Stevens was currently combating liver cancer. His liver is functioning well and the Immunotherapy treatment started last Monday. All present passed on their wishes to Barry and Nikki for a successful outcome. Our love goes out to both Barry & Nikki.
Jim announced Pride of Workmanship will take place on Wednesday 5 November and asked for members to refer possible candidates directly to himself as soon as possible.
Our wine raffle winners were Bod Armessen and Kaitlin Leischke (our guest speaker), together with our Sergeant John Erickson, are all pictured below.
John closed the meeting at 7:35PM in good time for State of Origin
Peace Movement Talk with Alexander Brown at Wollongong Library
Monday 28 July 5 -6 pm
Wollongong has a proud history of struggles for peace and a nuclear-free future.
Traces of this commitment are visible in the city's public artworks and peace parks. Wollongong City Council has declared the city a nuclear-free zone, been an active member of Mayors for Peace globally, and endorsed the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Cities Appeal.
80 years after the bombing of Hiroshima, this talk will explore Wollongong's place in the history of peace, from early struggles against fascism and war, to the anti-nuclear weapons movement, movements against the Iraq war, and the ongoing quest for peace with justice.
Bookings are free but essential. For more information, click below.
To mark Homelessness Week, Wollongong Library will be screening Frances – an award winning, locally produced short film showing that in a housing and rental crisis, homelessness can happen to anyone.
Q+A panel discussion to follow with the filmmaker and local homelessness experts.
This is a free screening but a gold coin donation will be accepted on the day for Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services.
Bookings are free but essential - for more information, click below
