It always gratifying to be able to start with a good news and I'm really happy to report that while still in hospital, Greg Delfs has rallied and is keen to have visitors. He's in the Thomas Furlong ward on the ground floor at St John of God Hospital Murdoch. Please do get along to see Greg if you can,  

Then hearty congratulations are due to Mihan De Silva who won the Four Way Speech Contest final run by the Rotary Club of Applecross at the Royal Perth Golf Club, besting the other six contestants. Winners are grinners! There's a full report below. 

Then we had many to welcome and a lot to do. Amongst our visitors were Rotarians Graeme Thygesen and Stephen Hagues from respectively, the Rotary Clubs of  Rossmoyne and Romney Marsh, UK (Stephen is their President and exchanged banners and their Club calendar); Josephine Santosa and Rachael McColgan, our successful nominees for the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), accompanied by Rachael's mother, Karen; three prospective members in Jaya Varma, Edwin (Eddy) Thong and Steve Gernoni; and last but by no means least, Dave Henderson, to give us an insight into his latest overseas appointment with Hummingbird Resources in the land locked African state of Mall, which we report on below. 

On the other hand, Cole was not with us. He'd accompanied Ric Davies to a combined Melbourne Cup meet of the Rotary Clubs of Armadale and Gosnells. Ric was there discharging his duties as Assistant Governor (and presumably having a punt. ED), but Cole was the star performer. Not only did he officiate to choose the best dressed Lady and Gentleman, but managed to draw Ric's raffle ticket for the second prize of two bottles of wine. Rumour has it that Ric will be taking Cole along more often!     

As reported in more detail below, Simon Cubitt proposed the international toast to the Rotary Club of Guernsey, chosen because the island is one of the tax havens mentioned in the Paradise papers leaked to the press. (Once an auditor, always an auditor. ED).

Simon's other reports on Youth Service appear below together with reports from the Director of Club Service, Mary Henderson with a great programme leading the New Year; Club Director of Community Service, Ashley West on wine, Read Write Now, Microscopes for schools and Christmas donations; and Chair of the Club's Rotary Foundation committee, Stuart Diggins who also stood in for me at the cluster Club meeting last Sunday. (The cluster comprises the Rotary Clubs of  Cockburn, Fremantle, Rossmoyne and Willetton). The cluster's Assistant Governor is David Porter from the Rotary Club of Melville.  

To help us get to know our NYSF students, Simon followed up with a Q&A session in which Josephine and Rachael provided us with some valuable insights into their hopes and aspirations. 

The Rotary Club of Rossmoyne has decided to postpone their Fair until Spring 2018. This will give them more time to plan and avoids crowding our Fair on 8 April 2018. Simon and I will be meeting with them to explore how we might help each other. The next Community Fair committee meeting is this coming  Thursday 9 November.  

Please don't forget that our Annual General Meeting is on Monday 13 November 2017. Amongst other things, we will elect the Club office bearers for 2018-2019. If you are able to serve, please do nominate with Secretary John. In particular, we need a President Elect.