Heirisson Happenings
Alas, your correspondents has been falling down on the job of providing regular Heirisson Happenings over the last few months, and so this mammoth issue covers July to December 2024. And a pretty active time it has been too! So read on ….and apologies for anything left out by our fallible memories ☹
Youth activities
Francesco Boquet – Rotary Exchange Student from Argentina
Francesco arrived from Argentina to commence his 12 months with us in late July. He moved in with Bronwyn, and has been attending Mount Lawley Senior High School. Francesco is developing his English well and he is an enthusiastic member of a basketball team – that sport being his passion. As well as staying with Bronwyn, he has stayed with Jacqueline and Mark, Don and Bev and after Christmas he will be going to Broome for two weeks, before moving to Justin and Bianca’s. As well as settling in, playing basketball and complaining about the heat, he is steadily ploughing through Perth’s supply of peanut butter.
Fran has been earning money in a variety of ways towards paying for the North West Safari, and at least one member has also donated to his fund.
Grady Kneebone – Rotary Exchange Student to Finland
For the first time since the pandemic, we will be supporting a RYE student to spend a year overseas – in this case Grady Kneebone who will making the transition from tropical Broome to near arctic Finland, leaving here in late January. Club members were able to meet Grady and his parents at a social gathering hosted by Bronwyn. As noted above he will be Francesco will be spending a couple of weeks with Grady and his family in Broome, to give them an idea of what RYE is like. We wish Grady well.
Jacqueline with Francesco and Grady
Scholarships
- We again supported the Science Scholarship at Mount Lawley Senior High School via a donation of $350. This is a long-standing annual commitment.
- A new one has been support for a Year 12 Citizenship Award at Penrhos College, which was previously supported by Burswood-South Perth Club. The winner received $100 from Heirisson.
Girrawheen Senior High School
GSHS continues to punch above its weight and Heirisson is very pleased to be able to help in several ways.
- We support the Clontarf Academy at GSHS, and it was great to learn that 12 of the students will be graduating from Year 12.
- The Maths Club at the School has had a good year, with Heirisson providing food for the after-school coaching sessions, at a cost of $2,200.
- The GSHS Solar team who came 1st And 3rd in the national events, received $1,000 towards their travel costs.
- A student from GSHS is attending NYSF in Canberra in January 2025, with Heirisson contributing $1,990 towards travel costs
Fund-raising and donations
- Classic cars and Coffee. Thanks to Justin, Heirisson members supported the selling of food and drink at the monthly event. Our share of the takings to date is $1,500.
- Thanks to Sergeant Greg’s fines, we have collected $508 by that means.
- Perth Rotary Club has contributed $1,170 towards the cost of storing the Eye Contact Exhibition.
- 94.5 Masters milk carton regatta at Hillarys. Thanks to Rick, Greg and Jim we received $1,000 for using our floating barrier.
The old Duck Derby barrier which makes $1,000 per year (Russell's idea)
Community support
Although we not flush with funds, since the start of the 2024-2025 Rotary Year in July, we have made the following donations.
- 12 Buckets - $1,200. This is enough to mentor an ‘at risk’ primary school student, and help prevent them from going of the rails. A very worth organisation dealing with prevention.
- Socks in the City – $500. As well as members collecting socks, Heirisson donated $500 to ‘Socks in the City’ which will be used to provide items required by agencies supporting homeless people in need.
- The Rotary Foundation - $1,500. An obligation for all Rotary Clubs, with funds raised used in providing District and Global Grants. Heirisson is a regular recipient of the former.
- Give a Feed - $500. Our annual donation, which this year enables the delivery of 10 hampers to needy families at Christmas time
International support
- Clean water in Timor Leste. We have provided $6,000 to pay for a water filtration device at a school in Timor Leste and we are hoping it will be installed early in 2016.
- Bicycles for Humanity - $500. Francesco’s heroic bike-riding on the Bike Ride to Esperance earned $500 which has been donated to B4H.
Addressing homelessness
Housing initiatives
Ken Mullin is working on a ‘Tiny Home’ Project, which will provide such residences for young people (over 18 years) to be located in the back yard of people’s homes – who are interested in hosting. The Project is well advanced, following a model developed in Victoria.
Eye Contact showings
We had a flurry of Eye Contact showings in August-September, with outings at the Street Chaplains Annual Conference, Iona College, Santa Maria College, John Septimus Roe Anglican School, City of Canning, and the Homeless Summit. Thanks to Jim, Warwick, Debbie and Don for organising the logistics. We hope to visit those venues again next year.
Survival kits from Iona July 24
Loading EC at Santa Maria College
EC at John Septimus Roe Anglican College
Provision of goods and services to homeless agencies
Donations to ‘Socks in the City’ and funds coming from the Hyde Park Fair were used to support the Street Doctor ($5,000) and provide clothing and other needs to Homeless Healthcare, Perth Homeless Support Group and Street Chaplains ($1,900) and medical equipment for Homeless Healthcare ($3,600).
Volunteering at Perth Homeless Support Group’s Sunday Morning Outreach
Simon Blane, Chair of PHSG invited Heirisson members to assist at the Sunday Outreach. Rick, Debbie, Sheridan, Justin, Ken and Don attended and were very impressed with the smooth operation providing food and clothes to about 250 people.
PHSG outreach event
Shopping for homeless people Sept 24
Club matters
We have had two very enjoyable social events – the housewarming at Ken’s and the Burnsides’ new digs in Mt Lawley, and the Christmas lunch at Presidents Debbie and Rick’s home in Hillarys.
And finally, best wishes to all members and families for a safe and enjoyable Christmas and a fulfilling new year.
