I can say that joining Rotary has been the best thing that I've done in my life without question.
Many messages of gratitude were received in the feedback, paying thanks to members who show leadership, help boost our reach through social media, and generally help to get stuff done. One message spoke of the value in a particular Leadership & Personal Development opportunity that was discovered through REQ.
Whilst on a break ‘in between jobs’, I decided to catch up with David Reed who has been part of the Rotary family for 47 years and counting. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Perth and a Past President for both the Rotary Clubs of Perth and Kalgoorlie. He has won every Rotary accolade and award under the sun, including the Service Above Self Award that has only been awarded to 150 people.
Volunteer Service Organisations like Rotary, Lions, Apex, and Rotaract provide a noble service to the community. In smaller communities, these services are often quite critical to maintain and sustain the environment, health, safety and wellbeing of people in our communities.
A major challenge we face as volunteer organisations is how do we attract and retain volunteers to sustain our good works?
On a beautiful Saturday morning, REQ member Madeleine (Maddie) and I attended the Urban Foraging class at Perth City Farm where we learnt a whole new world about the weeds growing wild all around us. The 1-off class was led by Annie Raser-Rowland, co-author of the bestselling Weed Forager’s Handbook who was teaching us which of the wild weeds around Perth can be eaten and what recipes they can be used in.
On 10 April 2022, the REQ crew (with some help from Swan Rotaract Club and E-WA Rotary) rolled into the Banksia Woodland area of Mt Pleasant's Blue Gum Lake to root out some invasive weeds. Here, Jason from Wirambi Landcare walked us through the importance of preserving these vital parts of the WA landscape.
On 27 March 2022, four member of RotaryEQ joined the Rotary Impact Network and over 40 other volunteers to help remove 94 kilograms of rubbish from South Trigg beach, at an event organised by Saltwater Cleanups WA.
On Saturday the 6th of November, ten people ventured into the Murdoch bushland to combat the invasive weeds that have been encroaching the area. Murdoch University’s Sustainability Manager, Leah Knapp, guided this volunteering experience, with the help of Melissa Dor, Rotary Elizabeth Quay’s Vice President, and Ashleigh Vaughan, Rotary Elizabeth Quay’s Intern from Murdoch University.
