Rotary West Perth History
The Rotary Club of West Perth had its first positive step towards formation on March 19,
1954 under the auspices of the Mt. Lawley Rotary Club’s Extension Committee.
After a survey of classifications and the formalities for formation the Club had its inaugural
meeting on Monday June 14, 1954. Representatives of 30 classifications were present, none
of whom were or had been Rotarians.
As the geographic the area in which the proposed Rotary Club of West Perth was to carry
out its future activities was already allocated to other Clubs in the immediate vicinity, it was
necessary for the Rotary Clubs of Perth, Mt. Lawley and Subiaco to cede some of their
territory to enable its establishment. The allocated area was to become one of the smallest
areas of territory in the then district of 34.
Initially this area was highly industrialised. This enabled the Club to be established on a
sound basis with excellent prospects for development in membership, and the opportunity
to promote the principles of Rotary through a wide range of classifications.
Today the nature of the classifications within the Club has changed considerably in keeping
with the development of the City of Perth which has extended business and professions into
the Club’s territory. Also the construction of a major roadway and interchange has intruded
on much of the area formerly occupied by industry.
The Club’s banner symbolises West Perth, picturing gracious colonial buildings, leafy garden
settings and showing the nearby skyline of the City of Perth.
The initial meeting of the Club was conducted on Thursday June 24, 1954. The Charter
Night was held on Monday September 27, 1954. Importantly, the Club Charter was granted
during the golden anniversary year for Rotary International.
In March 1957, the Club was the host for the 6th Annual Conference for the 34th District.
Records show a successful and memorable achievement for a Club which at that time had
only three years of service within the district. The club has provided five Governors to lead
our clubs in WA. The first was Jim Murray, a former Lord Mayor of the City of Perth, for
D245 from 1958-59; the second was Jim Downie for D245 from 1972-73; John Hollingshead
was Governor for D945 from 1989-90, and our club organised a most successful conference
at the Observation City Resort. Geoffrey Simpson was Governor of D9450 from 2009-10 and
the club organised a second conference at St Mary’s Anglican School for Girls. The following
year club member Ian Hutton, the inaugural Governor for D9455, held his conference
combined with D9465 at the Burswood Function Centre. Angus Buchanan was Governor
during 2014-15It should be noted that very few clubs have provided six District Governors,
organised four conferences and had District Governors in consecutive years.
Since its Charter, the Rotary Club of West Perth has been responsible for promoting and
completing many successful and rewarding projects in all avenues of service of Rotary, not
only within its own territory but also throughout the District. The Club has maintained an
excellent percentage in status for The Rotary Foundation and in International projects.
In the spirit of promoting the ideals of Rotary, the Club made history when its Extension
Committee arranged the Charter Night of the Rotary Club of Kings Park which took place on
April 22, 1977. To establish this new club the Rotary Clubs of Perth, Nedlands, Floreat Park
and West Perth adjusted and ceded some of their territories.
Awards
Service above self award
John Hollingshead
District Governor
Jim Murray1958/59
Jim Downie 1972/73
John Hollingshead 1989/90
Geoff Simpson 2009/10
Ian Hutton 2010/2011
Angus Buchanan 2014/15
Honorary member (highest club award)
John Fawcett
David Fry
Vic Hall
Byron Kakulas
Alan Raphael (dec)
Eric Silbert (dec)
Merv Lamb (dec)
Wayan Sukajaya
Gordon Allen
Paul Harris Fellow
Bert Dods*
Brian Baldock*
Jim Murray*
Gordon Anderson*
Bill Bolton*
Ken Arnold*
Graham Hart*
Stephen de Szoeke*
Judah Sadique*
Vic Hall
Ron Palmer*
Alan Raphael
George Samios*
Peg Raphael*
1975
1978
1979
1979
1980
1981
1981
1983
1983
1984
1984
1985
1985
1986
Peter Livings
Geoff Hick
Helen Smith
Margaret Jones
Ross Johns
Dr Geoffrey Crawford
David Fry
Jody Bennett
Tony Delich
Theo Newhouse
Neville Clare
Margaret Lockhart
John Olsen
Tony Ruse
1999
1999
1999
1999
1999
1999
2000
2001
2001
2002
2002
2002
2002
2002
Geoffrey Tilley*
Doris Dods*
Graeme Cooper
Mal Saw*
Charles Galluccio
Garry Leighton
John Hollingshead
Helen Hollingshead
Margaret Feilman
Professor Byron Kakulas
Allan Lockhart*
Alex Rorrison
Maree Rorrison
Geoff Solomon*
Gordon Allan
Dr Peter Graham
John Fawcett
Peter Brazier *
Gordon White*
Stephen Lee
Dr Nigel Laing
Pat Thorpe
Dennis McLeod
Lach Christie*
Dr Ian Anderson
John Tick
Dr Geoffrey Cohn
Merv Lamb*
Pat Emery
1986
1986
1987
1987
1988
1989
1989
1989
1989
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1992
1992
1993
1993
1994
1994
1995
1995
1995
1996
1997
1998
1998
1999
1999
Geoff Simpson
Geoff Woods
Peter Dowling
Christine Gray
Max Bailey
Jill Angel
Peter Snow
Eric Silbert *
Phil Angel
Steve Wilton
Jill Smith
Margaret Simpson
Bill Young
Ian Hutton
Jan Hutton
Angus Buchanan
Grace Buchanan
Tim Dawe
Arthur Blaquiere
John Holman
Ralph Martins
Guy Mattioli
Tina Arthur
John Van Vliet
Prof. Susan Fletcher
Calum Foulner
Des Maclean
Vern Wheatley
June Wheatley
Siri Siriwardene
*Deceased
Past Presidents and Secretaries
YEAR
1954 - 55
1955 - 56
1956 - 57
1957 - 58
1958 - 59
1959 - 60
1960 - 61
1961 - 62
1962 - 63
1963 - 64
PRESIDENT
Horace Marr*
Jim Murray++*
Gordon Anderson*
Bill Jennings*
Ed Negus*
Graham Hart*
Clyde Sumner*
Ian Wilkinson*
Maurie Barry*
Bert Dods*
SECRETARY
Gordon Anderson*
Brian Baldock*
Brian Baldock*
Brian Baldock*
Brian Baldock*
Maurie Barry*
Maurie Barry*
Brian Baldock*
Brian Baldock*
Dave Robertson
2004
2004
2005
2005
2006
2006
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
2009
2010
2010
2010
2010
2010
2011
2011
2011
2011
2012
2013
2013
2013
2013
2014
2014
2015
1964 - 65
1965 - 66
1966 - 67
1967 - 68
1968 - 69
1969 - 70
1970 - 71
1971 - 72
1972 - 73
1973 - 74
1974 - 75
1975 - 76
1976 - 77
1977 - 78
1978 - 79
1979 - 80
1980 - 81
1981 - 82
1982 - 83
1983 - 84
1984 - 85
1985 - 86
1986 - 87
1987 - 88
1988 - 89
1989 - 90
1990 - 91
1991 - 92
1992 - 93
1993 - 94
1994 - 95
1995 - 96
1996 - 97
1997 - 98
1998 - 99
1999 - 00
2000 - 01
2001 - 02
2002 - 03
2003 - 04
2004 - 05
2005 - 06
2006 - 07
2007 - 08
2008 - 09
2009 - 10
2010 - 11
Bill Bolton*
Brian Baldock*
Harold Crofts*
Vern Hood*
Bob Hawkins*
Jim Downie++*
Alex Hartz
Ron Palmer*
Vic Hall
Brian O’Donoghue*
Alan Raphael
Stephen de Szoeke*
Vern Wheatley
Ken Arnold*
Graeme Cooper
Charles Galluccio
Gary Leighton
Allan Lockhart*
John Hollingshead++
Ralf Lindroos
Alex Rorrison
Frank McKenzie*
Gordon Allan
Peter Brazier*
Philip Matthews
Denis McLeod
Gordon White*
Hartley Thorpe*
Peter Blockley
John Tick
Geoffrey Hick
Peter Livings
Tony Delich
Theo Newhouse
Tony Ruse
Geoff Woods
Geoff Simpson++
Peter Dowling
Max Bailey
Phil Angel
Phil Angel
Bill Young
Tim Dawe
Angus Buchanan++
Guy Mattioli
Tina Arthur
John Van Vliet
Bill Jennings*
Maurie Barry*
Jim Downie
Jim Downie
John Billings
Peter Lawson
Bob Ford
Rod Carter* and John Lazberger
Ray Dods*
Ray Dods*
Paul Wilcock
Paul Wilcock and Charles Galluccio
Charles Galluccio
Kevin Pownall
Gordon White *
Garth Mackie
Ric Meehan
Ernest Freeth*
Hartley Thorpe*
Russell Waugh
Peter Brazier*
Max Hardman
Peter Clarkson
John Hollingshead
Peter Clarkson
John Tick and Warren Davidson
Ernest Freeth*
Peter Brazier*
Geoffrey Hick
Pat Emery
Theo Newhouse
Theo Newhouse
Pat Emery
Pat Emery
Neville Clare
Neville Clare
Neville Clare
Neville Clare
Neville Clare & Bernie Foley
Bernie Foley
Bernie Foley
Bernie Foley
Max Bailey
Tony Pepper & Tina Arthur
Steve Thomas
John Holman
John Holman
2011 - 12
2012 – 13
2013 – 14
2014 – 15
2015 – 16
Neville Clare
Alan Briggs
Steve Thomas
Bernie Foley
Colin Arthur
* Deceased, ++ District Governor
John Holman
John Holman
Michael Wright
Michael Wright
Michael Wright & Tony Pepper