Elaine Almond was a visitor at our meeting today, and was introduced by President James, to speak to us with information from DG John Glassford.

Last Sunday, there was a meeting of Club Presidents from group 7 of our district. This clashed with our Christmas party, and President James understood where his loyalties lay, so today was an opportunity to brief members on district hierarchy concerns and priorities.

 

Now is the time to mark your diary with District Conference dates. It will be held in Griffith on 29th to 31st March, 2019. One idea being floated involves clubs in the district setting up a marquee at the conference to feature their activities, projects and membership aspirations.

 

John Glassford is keen to cooperate with Legacy and on a project involving a time capsule. Not much detail on this, but I love the idea. April was proposed as the date / time for this.

New District Rotarians in the July to Sept Quarter for the whole district were just seven, and this figure did not impress the DG. We were urged to redouble our recruitment efforts. John also asked that information and a photo of new Rotarians be forwarded to him for his newsletter.

 

A report to the DG from club presidents is required quarterly. Elaine let us know that the Wollundry report from President James in October was considered adequate - more information than all the other district clubs combined.  We love you James.

 

Shelter Box support continues, and clubs can earn levels of achievement. Elaine was not aware of our ranking - gold, silver or bronze, but she acknowledged past donations.

RYLA is coming up in January, and will be held in Canberra. Two districts preparing to merge will combine to run the project. Wollundry will not be represented at the camp.

There will be a Polioplus fundraiser in March, organised by Deidre Tome, a member of Sunrise Rotary. This is a film Preview evening. Need a Christmas present? Deidre can arrange tickets for this function if you give her a call.

 

 

 

The guest speaker today was Elliot Lee, but Paul Milde didn't know that - he thought it was Rachael Whiting and Elliot Lee. We should keep Paul more in the loop - perhaps let him sit at the head table so that he knows what is going on!!!!!

 

Elliot is a research officer with Regional Development Australia, and that group took on a research project to assess the Economic Impact of the Gears and Beers festival, and to collect data for Destinations NSW.

 

Peter Green coordinated a group of TRAC student volunteers, and they conducted almost 500 interviews with visitors to the festival. This data was analysed to provide benefits under direct effect, Supply Chain effect, Consumption Effect, Total Effect, Type 1 Multiplier and Type 2 multiplier. Further extraction of results provided figures for long term employment growth, Wages and Salaries, and Value Added benefits. Are you still reading?????

 

There was a disclaimer at the bottom of the page:

Around sixty of our Members, Partners and Family gathered in Springvale on Sunday to socialise and catch up in different environment - away from procedure, agendas and deadlines fitting in guest speakers. The emphasis was to enjoy each others company, meet the families and dispense with the pressure of being the successful Wollundry Rotarians.

 

The only activity organised for the guys was the "nearest the pin" competition, and after a rethink, the tee was moved around 30 metres closer to the flag, which was still too long for many of the hackers. The benefit to the lawn though, was immeasurable.

The competition over the shorter distance resulted in a win for Peter Clucas (or Peter Crozier????) with a ball between 2 and 3 metres from the Pole - there was no hole.

The Longest shot that was able to be recovered was marked "NL" Congratulations Nick Leywood.

 

Organised as an afterthought, we had a Ham Carving demonstration. I hope that the crowd watching get lasting value out of this lesson, and that the Packer family do not take too seriously any guilt for deteriorating standards of Christmas carving during the second half of the twentieth century.

 

 

Bianca Lubke is off to Germany in January, as a Rotary Exchange Student to Herzogenaurach, near Nurenburg in Bavaria. Mark Hillis reminded us today that Bianca is just 15 years old, and challenged us to relate to our youth and maturity as we navigated that era of our lives.

Her father, Jason was at todays meeting to see jacket with no more than an embroided badge presented to his daughter. No doubt it will return after the exchange loaded with memories of fantastic experiences provided by the host club.

The person responsible for discipline in the club was invited to exercise his authority. He nominated Stuart Heriot to carry the collection box.

 

There was lost property from the Christmas Party, hats and wine glasses, but no claimants could be found. There are perks for Michael and Sandra.

Christmas Party acceptances that failed to show were asked to contribute - they missed the Ham Carving.

Paul Milde provided chocolates to a select group at the Christmas Party - the girls. Croz pressed the case for "Me Too"

Rick Priest appeared with a visor and significant hair growth. The two could not be separated.

 

Frank Fuller, back at the meeting had 6 books on rehabilitation, only to be corrected - they were on palliative care. Thanks to Mark Hillis.

Recent publicity for new RAAF fighter aircraft, the F35's each at a cost of $125 million drew fines from our Luftwagga. Malcolm Robertson will wait till they have been pensioned off, and make an offer.

 

Croz related a story about a mature married couple, each granted a wish by a fairy. For the punchline, ask the sergeant.

Stuart Heriot's family were Soldier Settlers around Holbrook. After schooling in Holbrook and Albury, Stuart headed for Scotch College in Melbourne, where he was involved in Cadets and in sport, including Rowing and Rugby. Back to the farm, and after a few years, he partnered with one of his brothers and purchased an adjacent farm.

 

Restless to succeed, he travelled to the USA and to UK on a study tour, and remained at the cutting edge of agricultural progress for the rest of his career.

Stuart was heavily involved in Industry Associations during his working life, with positions on NSW Farmers General Council, National Farmers Federation, The Cattle Council, Pastures Protection Board and he has a long association with the Masons. Hereford and then Angus cattle were his focus, but Hybrid vigour also got a mention.

 

He remains very proud of a forty six year marriage to Barbara, and they had two children. Rachael died in an accident at a waterfall near Tumut, and James has carried on the family farm tradition, until he recently sold the property.

 

Stuart has moved into the Grange - That enclave of Wollundry Rotary south of the lake!!!!!

Gerry Gerlach was not on the Saturday Market team for December 8th, but presented the results - no doubt delegated by his boss, Ken Taylor. The fully scripted report was handed on to the bulletin editor, and we love a bit of "cut and paste" journalism.

 

It was a very hot day, and trade seemed a bit slow, though most stallholders, and the market was full of them, were happy with their sales. Cold drinks sold better than the hot food from the BBQ.

 

John Smith had arranged for each of the stallholders to get a small gift from Wollundry Rotary, and this proved to be really popular. John's rapport with the traders is building nicely, and we can see enthusiasm growing for our Saturday Market.

 

Those in Attendance: 

OIC Ken Taylor David Benn Craig Bromley Bob Willis Ken Cook Rick Priest Doug Sutton John Ferguson John Gray David Byfield Ward Gaiter Kerry Pascoe Geoff Breust - guest appearance John Smith - Ex officio Tim Barter - ex officio Irene Chung - Cameo Role