Guest Speaker Julian Pace, founder and CEO, Happiness Co.

It was an emotional presentation by Julian.  After the death of his father to suicide, Julian used that pain as motivation to build his business called “Happiness Co” and dedicated his life to helping people find inner joy.

On Sunday, 18 October, a few members attended a Breast Cancer Foundation Fundraising event, hosted by Trish Sharp.   

I, for one, had never heard of Circus W.A. although I had noticed the big top by Clancy’s Fish Bar along Adelaide Street in Fremantle and thought no more about it.  Well, that changed as from Monday night when Jo Smith the Artistic Director of Circus W.A. opened our eyes and our hearts.  After the meeting, I had to find out more as I couldn’t quite understand how Jo’s presentation, especially the video of differently-abled people participating fitted into “circus”.  The website certainly promotes what I imagine a circus to be like — trapeze, tight wire walking, juggling, etc., and involvement with differently abled people appears to be an adjunct to this.  The take away messages for me were that everyone is welcome, fees are somewhat incidental and needs appear to be accommodated.  Almost like a large extended family.  If you visit their website, for a very modest amount you can become a Friend of the Freo Big Top.

Of course, we had our annual Lift the Lid Hat Day but time got away from us and not celebrated to the fullest.  However, thank you to everyone who took the time and the effort to participate and thank you for your donations.  I particularly liked Keith’s head gear as it reminded me of the novelty grass potato heads on sale in Fremantle Markets.

It was a pleasure to have Elise Powell, one of our RYPEN candidates join us on Monday night to give us her thumbnail sketch of the RYPEN weekend.  Listening to Elise, it makes the programme come to life and re-enforces the benefits that participants gain.  Well done Rotary and we should take a pat on the back.

Next Monday our guest speaker will be Julian Pace, Founder of Happiness Co. and a national and international key note speaker.  See you all then.

05 October 2020

What a night!!  I don’t think we could have asked for anything better than to be riveted to our seats listening to Yuot not so much simply retell the epic trek of The Lost Boys of Sudan, that would have been too easy.  He set the scene, laid out the background and projected it into current times.  In short he took his blank canvas and coloured it with words and all with a sense of humour.  His father, Mr. Mecak Alaak, was icing on the cake, we got two guest speakers for the price of one and both were superb.   Mr. Alaak Snr. honed his spoken Amharic with Giovanna; he was thrilled to be able to converse with someone in the Ethiopian language and took great delight in telling his son just that.  For those of you who were unable to attend last night, I highly recommend buying a copy of the book “Father of the Lost Boys – A Memoir”, I think Ian may still have a few copies left.  Giovanna is busily reading it and says that she feels as if she is transported back to Ethiopia as Yuot recounts his life as a boy there.

Next Monday is “Lift the Lid Hat Day” night and no expense has been spared, as in none whatsoever, to award the winner judged to be wearing the most appropriate headdress.  Heather does not, if you pardon the pun, have a head start by turning up with her creation on Monday night.

It was great to see Betty, not quite doing the 100-metre after her knee replacement, but obviously her faculties are still 110% as at one stage she was quick to point out the amount of groats it had cost her. (Groat:  traditional name of a long-defunct Scottish coin).  Although I am not quite sure if this saved her from the Happy $ session.

Christmas is fast approaching; frightening isn’t it, and a plan is formulating to do something different this year.  As Ian says the best part of this year has been turned on its head with Covid-19 so why not continue the trend for Christmas.  I’ll put some ideas to the Board next Tuesday and let you know the outcome.

Don’t forget that next week we are back at The Kardinya Tavern, 6.00 for 6.30 when our guest speaker will be Jo Smith, Artistic Director of Circus WA.  Do not forget your hat.

All the best and see you next week