President Kelly
Welcome
- Read out the menu options for next week’s Tacos N Tequila night prior to the sheet being circulated.
- Introduced Carol to read out the Apologies which were received from Tina, Ken, Hita, Susi, Ian Wakefield, the Shaws and the Ashes.
- Kerith was wished a happy birthday for 14th June, the date she happens to share with Donald Trump and Ian Ash.
Anniversaries – Joining Rotary
- John Shaw joined the Club on 10th June 1997 so today is his 28th year anniversary. What a pick up! and what a wonderful servant he continues to be.
Kelly welcomed
Chairperson PP PHF Presidential Nominee Gayle Barrot to the lectern to preside over the Club Assembly. Gayle welcomed our guest Kirsty Bates who also attended last week’s meeting.
Toast to the Elderly – PP PHF John Ritchie – Heather Cole
I grew up in Emerald. I am the oldest child with two sisters and one brother. I attended Emerald Primary School and later Upway High School until 4th form. I loved arithmetic at school. My grandparents lived in Brighton. My grandfather owned a shoe shop. He loved the garden space we had at Emerald so much that he would come up all the time and be working in my parents garden. By the time I was 17 I was married to Peter with my first child. We were living in Yarraville but my husband loved Emerald so much that we came back. I have 5 kids, 4 sons and a daughter. My daughter Sarah lives in Emerald. Sarah and my grandkids Tommy and Lucy lived with me until I moved into Emerald Glades. I rely on Sarah for most things. My sons names are Simon, Dean, Adam and Matthew. One son lives close by while the others are interstate. I have 8 grandkids and currently 4 great grand kids.
President-Elect Peter Brock’s “Behind the Badge” was deferred due to his ill-health but he addressed the meeting to give us information about what he has been going through.
Peter was doing a track patrol shift for Puffing Billy Railways when he felt unwell. Although he has not suffered a stroke, he was treated in the Stroke Unit at Box Hill Hospital for four days. He has been diagnosed with an inflamed nerve in his head and it’s like his brain has a wound, but the brain still has to heal. The doctors do not know what has caused this. Peter’s sight is affected and because he can’t see things properly, he can’t walk properly and is slow and unsteady. Peter‘s walking is being timed to see if it is improving. Peter says it’s like he’s perpetually drunk and not quite there but without the hangover. He can sit on the couch and have a chat but in the afternoon, he becomes more tired, as trying to focus makes his body tense and he’s also trying to not fall over. Peter can’t work and can’t spell correctly at the moment, which is a bit unfortunate as he admits to being a bit pedantic.
This year has been challenging as Peter underwent surgery in March, he and Tanya attended their son’s wedding which was wonderful, but then his dad died a week later. Peter is trying not to feel sorry for himself.
Peter thanked everyone for the wishes, phone calls and the gift, and really appreciates the club members and his work. Changeover is proceeding on 21st June at this stage with over 60 people attending.
Gayle said Peter was having, in the words of Queen Elizabeth II, an Annus Horribilis.
Committee Reports:
PP MPHF Catherine Elfick International Committee Chair
Today is the last day to donate reading glasses for the collection as Catherine is going to the Nunawading Rotary Club next week; the glasses are being sent to Fiji.
It was decided at last week’s Board meeting to sponsor another Tenderfoot child so we will have a total of four children whom we are supporting. Greg Adams’ parents established the school in Kenya for children who otherwise would not have gone to school. They are from the slums and they are fed and receive uniforms, and the school has been provided with furniture and a bus.
The Committee has also donated a ShelterBox, which enables a family left homeless after a disaster overseas to be dry, warm and safe. We will be notified where the ShelterBox is sent.
PHF Lyn Beckwith Deb Ball Committee Chair
The Deb Ball is this coming Saturday, 14th June with the last dance practice this Thursday. There will be 397 guests including 32 couples, Debs and their partners. Thank you to the Deb Ball team of Rowan, Linda, Shalini, Toni-Anne and John Henderson. Gayle has observed the team and the amount of work done is incredible in particular in Lyn’s case, and she was given a round of applause.
PP MPHF Gloria Hargreaves Primary Schools’ Speech Contest Chair
The schools are keen to participate again and the host school this year is Menzies Creek Primary School.
PHF Greg Adams Tenderfoot School
Rather than give the money to the government, if you have a tax problem you can donate $295, which is tax-deductible from Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) to sponsor a child to attend the Tenderfoot school.
PP PHF PN Gayle Barrot Vocational Committee Chair
The McLeod-Murphy scholarships will be awarded on Tuesday, 24th June at the “Rotary Revealed” night. Please register to attend the evening.
Trivia Quiz and Photo-Guessing Competition
Andrew McAllister AKA “Handsome Pants” compered this segment of the meeting most capably. Carol was the champion of the photo-guessing competition as she guessed 10 out of 20 correctly. The trivia questions were more challenging with DGN Emma unsurprisingly top scoring with 6 out of 26 correct.
Sergeant Rowan conducted a lively Fines session; two fines were:
Guest Kirsty was fined for over-enthusiasm.
Andrew was fined for asserting that TV game show, “It’s a Kockout” (which appeared in Qu. 23 of the Trivia Quiz) was a legitimate show, prompting Gayle to ask, “What channel does he watch?” Much laughter ensued.
President Kelly’s Closing Remarks:
- Thank you to Peter for telling us about what he is going through, it must be terrifying, and we are behind you 100%.
- Reminder about Tacos N Tequila costing $25 plus drinks – wear something Mexicana.
- A big Rotary weekend is coming up with Paint n Sip on Friday night, Deb Ball Saturday night and the Belgrave and Monbulk Clubs’ Changeover on Sunday.
- Thanks for turning up for Club Assembly
- Thank you, Kirsty, for coming along.
