Bill Scanlon opened this week’s meeting with an Acknowledgement of Country & A toast to Australia, and her people.

👋 Welcome 👋

• Welcome to Members, good to see those who have been away travelling again.
• Welcome to Visitors –
  • PDG Pat Schraven, ARH WA Director
  • Nathaniel Harrison
• Apologies – David U, Eddie, John and Kathy

The rotary focus for March is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

📄 Secretary’s Report – Maureen 📄

• Nothing to report.

💰 Treasurer’s Report – Betty 💰

• Nothing to report.

📅 Club Updates 📅

Changeover Night – 12 June

• Enquiries sent to the Rose & Crown and The Bassendean Hotel; 7th Avenue also being considered with a special menu option.

David & Liz Hayes

• Safely returned to the UK.

Clayton View PS – Sip N Crunch Guest Speaker-

• Dates provided to Maureen to confirm a speaker.

Monthly Zoom Chats

• 12 April – Marketing
• 3 May – Membership retention & engagement
• 7 June – Welcoming and supporting new members

• Fred

📘 Planning for the 2026–2027 Rotary Year 📘

• We are beginning to plan for the next Rotary year, including budgets, priorities, and gathering member feedback.

• All members are encouraged to share new ideas and suggestions and speak with incoming directors.
• Swan Rotary has many strong community projects, but community needs are changing — and the club must continue to adapt and evolve.
• Our success relies on active involvement, open communication, and collaboration from all members.

👥 2026–2027 Swan Rotary Board 👥

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Fred – Youth Report 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

RYLA applications are now open. Available for participants aged 14 – 17 years old, it is a weekender style Leadership Camp. If you know anyone in this age bracket please encourage them to apply.

📝 Sue Lloyd - PETS Highlights & 2026–27 Rotary Year Overview 📝

• •      As we approach the start of the new Rotary Year, it’s important for us to set our direction for the next 12–24 months.
• A member survey will be sent out in the coming weeks to gather input and priorities from all members.
• This year’s PETS theme was “The MupPETs”, led by District Governor Veronica, with strong organisation by Jodie Sparks, District Trainer and DGN, and support from PDG Ineke Oliver.
• The 2026–27 Rotary International theme is Create Lasting Impact.
• RI President Inka emphasised that meaningful change begins with individuals and expands to districts, communities, and ultimately the world.
• A personal reflection: meaningful gifts and symbols — even imperfect ones — can carry deep significance and lasting impact.
• Rotary in Western Australia celebrates 100 years next April.
• WA clubs are now part of Zone 9 under Rotary’s regionalisation, connecting us with additional countries.
• David and Sue will be setting Swan Rotary’s goals for 2026–27, with some flowing into 2027–28, David’s presidential year.
• Work has begun on aligning goals and preparing the club budget.
• A key reminder from PETS: Rotary is meant to be fun — fellowship is at the heart of everything we do.
• The next 24 months will focus on building momentum and creating lasting impact together. 

🩵 Pat Shraven Australian Rotary Health – Overview & Impact 🩵

🌱 How Australian Rotary Health Began

• Founded 43 years ago after a Mornington Rotary member raised concerns about rising cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Rotary clubs and districts rallied together, raising $3 million — an extraordinary amount at the time.
• This funding contributed to research that helped reduce cot deaths by 80% worldwide within 10 years.
• The success of this project inspired Rotary to continue supporting major medical research initiatives.

🔬 Key Research Projects (1989–Present)

Earlier Research Projects (1989–2000)

• Environmental Health of the Aged (1989–1995)
  Research explored depression and environmental factors in older adults, Alzheimer’s disease, living at home versus retirement villages, and hospital readmission factors.
• Adolescent Health (1993–1996)
  Research examined adolescent lifestyle behaviours, farm injury prevention, and the impact of low birth weight on school performance and behaviour.
• Family Health (1996–1999)
  Research focused on rheumatic fever in Aboriginal families, children of mothers with severe mental illness, family therapy for cancer patients, and the quality of life of children with asthma.

Additional Targeted Projects

• Ross River Virus (1998–2000)
• First Aid & Emergency Care (1999–2001)
• Bowelscan Program Evaluation (1998)
• Malaria Research (2000)

🧠 Shift to Mental Health (2000–Present)

• National Community Mental Health Forums – awareness programs across schools, corporates, Probus, Emergency Services and Police.
• Mental Health First Aid Workshops (2010–2012) – supported by the Commonwealth Department of Health.
• Prevention of Mental Health Disorders Forums (2013–2015) – Rotary‑led community forums nationwide.
• Youth Mental Health Research (2012–2021) – long‑term focus on improving outcomes for young Australians.
• 0–12 Year Old Mental Health Research (from 2023) – current national priority shaped by the 2022 ARH Symposium.

💙 Swan Rotary’s Contribution

• $52,000 contributed to Australian Rotary Health to date.
• Recent donations include:
  • $4,500 from a Lift the Lid Walk
  • $8,800 from another Lift the Lid Walk
• This total does not include contributions to the Indigenous Health Scholarship Program.

💡 What Makes Australian Rotary Health Different?

• ARH is unique not only in what it funds, but how it is funded — through Rotary clubs, donors, sponsors, volunteers, community events, and supporters nationwide.
• Community initiatives like Lift the Lid Walks bring people together and raise awareness.
• In 2026, ARH is sharpening its focus under a new CEO with the message: “It is us who make the difference.”
• The organisation is strengthening its commitment to research with real impact, especially in children’s mental health.
• ARH continues to build community capacity through awareness, education, and research partnerships.
• The future remains collaborative — ARH succeeds because we do it together.

🌍 Early Belief, Global Impact – A Success Story

• In 2006, Professor Tim Silk received an Ian Scott Scholarship to study brain function in ADHD using fMRI.
• Now a leading cognitive neuroscientist at Deakin University, his work spans neuro‑imaging, developmental neuro‑economics, and puberty‑related brain development.
• His research is shaping global understanding of ADHD, brain maturation, and child mental health trajectories.

👟 The Importance of Lift the Lid Walks

• Created to help Rotary connect directly with the community.
• Walks encourage participation from local organisations, health providers, and support services.
• They create opportunities for meaningful conversations and social connection — especially important for people who may be isolated.
• Walks help promote local mental health services and build stronger community networks.
• Clubs are encouraged to invite a wide range of organisations to maximise impact.

🗣️Nathaniel Harrison – Key Points 🗣️

• Nathaniel is the current chairperson of works with Crucible Project Australia, running transformational weekends focused on personal growth and men’s wellbeing.
• He is part of a men’s focus group addressing the lack of services for men experiencing mental health challenges or family‑related displacement.
• Noted that many local free mental health services are overwhelmed, making community connections even more important.
• Encouraged Rotary to partner with churches and community groups to expand support networks.
• Shared insights from developing youth leadership programs and the new Quest initiative for young boys.
• Spoke about how children often absorb unintended emotional messages, highlighting the importance of communication and awareness.
• Expressed enthusiasm for working more closely with Rotary, noting his family’s long Rotary history.

🎴 Chase the Joker – Bill 🎴

Patricia found Aubrey – Aubrey unfortunately found the 2 of Diamonds. – Next week will Jackpot – there are around 10 cards left!

🪙 – Sergeant’s Session. Bill –  🪙

General Fines

Graham – Bumped into Rachel’s Gazebo when parking the trailer 

Linda – No Badge 

Maureen – AFL is back 

Manny – Name badge was upside down

Rachel –  Came with a $50 to buy her ticket.

Jack - No Badge 

Cheriley – No Badge

Anniversary Fines

Fred – 24 years in Rotary

Naru – 1 year in Swan Rotary

Linda – 8 Years in Rotary

Cross fines

Cheriley on Jack – Sitting next to each other two meetings in a row. Jack eating prawns two meetings in a row.

Sue and Mauren on Fred and Bill – No help to put up lights at the markets in the Rotary Community stall.

David accidentally gave Graham a scratch when he was pushing graham out the door. 

Manny on Ian – for ordering the Monday Parmi even though he is a Beef Breeder. 

Thank you fine

Rachel – Thanks to everyone for NOT having a sausage sizzle at the Bassendean Markets, it allowed her and Shane time to celebrate with friends.

📅 Upcoming Meetings 📅

• Monday 16 March – Guest speaker Dee Cooke from Midvale Primary School.
• Monday 23 March – No meeting as many members will be away in Margaret River.

The meeting was closed with the Rotary Charge by Rachel