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Hello members,
Last week:
Hugo Throssell VC
President Don gave a talk about the life of Hugo Throssell, who privileged young man from the ‘landed gentry’ at Northam, who after enlisting in the 10th Light Horse, won a VC in horrendous conditions in Gallipoli in October 1915. Hugo was repatriated to London and then to Australia, but insisted on returning to the war, fighting against the Turks in Palestine. Upon his return to Australia, he married Katherine Susannah Pritchard, who became a famous author and a lifelong communist.
Hugo was feted across Australia for his heroic deeds, but over time he became more troubled about having to talk about his wartime heroics to admiring people, especially children. Suffering from ill-health and what we would now recognise as PTSD, and influenced by Katharine’s views about war, a major turning point occurred when after leading a parade in Northam on the day the peace treaty was signed in July 1919, he shocked a large crowd by talking about the horrors and futility of war, and promoting socialism. From this point on, he and Katharine were outcasts from society.
On-going illness, depression, failed business ventures, high debts and harassment by government event eventually led to him taking his own life on 19 November 1933.
He is remembered for his bravery within the ranks of the 10th Light Horse, and finally, after 80 years, a memorial to him was erected in his home town of Northam in 1999.
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New member - Jacqueline Baril
We are very pleased to welcome Jacqueline Baril as a new member of Heirisson Rotary Club. She is from Alberta Canada, and she is a past RYLA recipient there and she was also a Youth Exchange Student from Alberta to Central Thailand. She works in marketing, and her interests are in youth exchange and general community program support. We will be inducting her at our next normal evening meeting on Tuesday evening, 7 June at Gloucester Park. In the meantime, welcome Jacqueline!
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Social evening at Bronwyn’s home – 6.00 pm Tuesday 31 May at 31b Trafalgar Street, East Perth
As an alternative to an normal evening meeting at Gloucester Park, President Elect Bronwyn is kindly hosting a social gathering for members and partners at her home on Tuesday 31 May – 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm. Bronwyn is providing some finger food, and so all you need to bring are drinks for yourselves. Parking in the streets close to her house is free after 6.00 pm. If you are planning to attend, can you please RSVP to Bronwyn on 0407 655 836 or by email at bronwyn@denman.co
She is looking forward having you there!
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‘Socks in the City’ is underway for 2022
At Tuesday’s meeting, Ken Mullin announced that collections of socks for homeless – through the ‘Socks in the City’ campaign - is commencing for 2022. Members can either donate socks (wool or cotton) or money donations can be made via https://socksinthecity.org.au/. With winter looming, the homeless support organisations we partner with – such as Homeless Healthcare, Perth Homeless Support Group and Street Chaplains – and their clients will be grateful for our donations. As was the case last year, if we have more socks than we need, we can provide underwear to these organisations.
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And from Warwick:
Heirisson Environmental Service Opportunity
Perth City Council’s Parks team are planning an event for National Tree Day at Matagarup (Heirisson Island) to increase tree species and provide habitat for local wildlife. The event will run from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Sunday 31 July 2022. There will be an opportunity to find out more about the importance of the Island to the Whadjuk Nyoongar community, with a Welcome to Country by an Elder. The event is suitable for children. People will be able to register interest in attending through Planet Ark, who coordinated these previously.
That is also the Quairading Tree Planting weekend (see the latest District Info Update), for those who’d prefer a weekend away. However many Rotarians and Rotaractors may also be interested in something local in Perth that combines environmental and indigenous aspects, and also helps promote Rotary’s interests in this space.
Please contact Warwick or Board members ASAP with your views whether we get involved in this practical service opportunity on our namesake island.
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Thanks to Sheridan, Warwick and Jim who joined Don for Sunday's 'thankyou to volunteers' picnic in Victoria Gardens. It was a good thing to do, and I think we did it well, with good food and good humour. Thanks also to the ever reliable John Patton (IGA Royal Street) who provided the food and drink for $400. Given that we have received $500 from EPCG, we will pocket a small profit of $100!
The event further builds our relationship with the East Perth Community Group, which is one our objectives. The EPCG also value the relationship. Finally, one of their members is interested in Rotary and I will invite her to our next meeting.
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And finally – our most recent shift at Foodbank! And a big thanks to Sheridan, Bob, Warwick, Richard, Ken and Don who managed to bag 650 bags of food donations.
