President Sangeeta’s Opening Remarks:
- Welcomed Shalini's guest,Paula whose children were recipients of the McCleod Murphy Award
- Welcome Melinda Moulday – 3rd time attending
- Welcome to our guest speaker Tim Lindsay and his family
- Chairperson PP PHF Catherine Elfick
Guest Speaker - Prof. Tim Lindsay
Prof. Lindsay provided an amazing story about Muriel Pearson aka as K’tut Tantri, The White Rose of Java. Originally from the Isle of Man for many reasons she moved to Bali and stayed. She established a hotel in Bali when there was not much there and in honour of her the town of Kuta now stands.
At the outset of WW2 she was one of the few westerners to stay in Bali during the Japanese invasion and was active in the underground movement. Captured and imprisoned for 9 months she made make-shift cards and played solitaire to keep sane. It took her a while to recover on the liberation of Bali.
After the war in 1950 the Dutch and Indonesians began fighting over the area and she joined the Indonesian side. Her activities earnt her the name of the White Rose of Java. She was prolific in broadcasting propaganda, moving from house to house with the radio equipment on a bike to avoid capture.
One of her exploits at this time was to take Opium to Singapore in an old Dakota plane, sold the opium and bought weapons that were loaded on the plane for the perilous return trip. Another was her trip to Brisbane to garner support for the Indonesian cause from Australia, which she succeeded in doing.
She wrote a book based on her story (with some elaboration) called ‘Revolt in Paradise’ that was an international best-seller. Despite many approaches to film companies, it was never made into a film.
Passing away in a nursing home in Redfern, at her funeral the Indonesian Ambassador placed a medal on her coffin. Her ashes were scattered on the beach near her hotel in Kuta and whilst clearing her belongings, Tim found the cards she had made and used during her time of capture by the Japanese.
A wonderful story, a wonderful life.
We toasted ‘Courage and K’tut
Emma Clark – Responded to the speech saying how unexpected and fascinating it was.
Committe Reports:
Youth – Speech Competition – PP PHF Gloria Hargreaves
- Speech contest – 6 schools locked into the date – Oct 24th 2023
- Vicki has done the risk assessment and insurance pro-forma
- Emerald School is the venue (thank you Emma)
- Trophies has been bought
- Invitations have gone to special guests
KFWPB – Rotary Stall – Gloria Hargreaves
- This store will sell 2nd hand children’s books in good condition – please bring them to Gloria appropriate for ages 12 and under
- Flyers are going to be posted around town requesting books
Membership Marketing and PR (MMPR) – PP PHF Ian Ash
The Membership and Marketing team are here to support the Club and to that end are keen to ensure that our external messaging is done in a clear and consistent manner.
We can help other committees and Club members with all sorts of marketing and promotional materials and we want to ensure that this is done in accordance with our own rules and regulations so please reach out and let us know before you send out that flyer or social media item, thank you.
Community – Susi Wilson
- The club gave $800 to Pharmacy for those in need
- This week a man’s credit card declined for his medication and she gave him a voucher for $50.He was a large man but was in tears and very grateful.
PHF John Henderson led another hilarious and lucrative Fines Session.
Closing Remarks: President Sangeeta
Thanked our guests
- Thank you Tim – surprised Bollywood didn’t ask her to take the Movie
- Hoped Paula enjoyed the meeting
- Melinda thank you for coming a 3rd time
- Thank you to Tim and family
- TY Catherine and John
Remember - if you are not coming to the Tuesday night meeting,
please let Lorna know by noon on Monday.
