Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Ocean Grove Inc.
Joint winner of the Lange trophy for best membership growth.
Sole solver of the mystery of the white glove.
www.rotaryoceangrove.blogspot.com
Volume 26 No 36
March 18th 2008
Notice for the meeting at the Ocean Grove Hotel, Tuesday 25th March, 6.00 for 6.30
Speaker Luba Grigorovitch Subject ‘Joining Rotary as a 20 something.’
Chairman Phil. Edwards
Assistant Cashier & Thanker Dick Clay Greeter & Assistant Sergeant Tim Kemp
Birthdays & Anniversaries
26th March – MaryLou Gilbert [also, Henry 11 of England, the first Plantagenet King 1133, Arturo Toscanini 1867, and Elton John 1947]
30th March – Coral Barker [ also Vincent van Gogh 1853, Warren Beatty 1937, and Celine Dion 1968]
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I have always wanted to go to Paraparap
It has a lovely, ‘rolls-off-the-tongue’ ring to it, like Timbuktu or Aberystwyth. I drive regularly to Colac, and it appears on a side road direction board on the way to Moriac from Barwon Heads. Frankly, going there, like I did with Jan and our two dogs at 7.30 AM for the ‘Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride’, last Saturday morning, was not quite as exciting as the contemplation of the name.
I liken it to a stranger driving East along the Bellarine Highway and coming to a sign indicating that ‘Marcus Hill’ is ahead. “Perhaps”, he or she reflects, “I can stop for a wee coffee, or a wee wee. I wonder if there are traffic lights or a KFC? Somebody told me there are four Rotarians residing at Marcus Hill – JEEZ, it must be BIG!” Paraparap is a bit like Marcus Hill. It’s a grand name, but just about all it has, [apart from four Rotarians] is a classy roadsign.
Anyway, I actually went to Paraparap last Saturday morning,[along with 5 other foxes, -a total of 16 legs- work that out if you can!]. 3,600 cyclists rode through the main street, including two on one bike, and another lying flat on his back, this, mainly because he didn’t have any legs, and propelled himself with hand operated gadgetry.. INCREDIBLE!. About 5% of them looked buggered after riding 20 kms to get to our check point. I wonder how many completed the full 145 kms through the Otways and along the Great Ocean Road from Lorne and back to the starting point at Torquay? The legless guy did! Wurdiboluc was another ‘ride-through’ locality on this tortuous cycling extravaganza, but it doesn’t seem to roll off the tongue like Paraparap!
A report from my roving reporter includes advice that our mob at the Deans Marsh refreshment stop ran out of water. SHAME!
Report from Algie about Monday evening’s meeting with RC Queenscliffe
It was voted a very pleasant evening, opening with the ‘nearest the edge without toppling over’ competition, which Helen Trigg won. [ I have to assure you all that Helen wasn’t in danger of toppling over, but her bowl was]. That’s her bowl, not her bowel!] One has to be very careful with the English language.
Vic Harnath also won something, but Algie wasn’t sure what. She thought there were about 30 Grovers and perhaps 15 Cliffies in attendance.
Sign in a Rome Laundry– ‘Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time’
Notice for the meeting at the Ocean Grove Hotel, Tuesday 1st April, 6.00 for 6.30
Subject Motovate [Mind over Motor] Speaker Geoff Fickling, a racing driver. Chairman Colin Brown
Assistant Cashier & Thanker Coral Barker Greeter & Assistant Sergeant Rod Birrell
Birthdays & Anniversaries Absolutely none!
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“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” Mark Twain
Our Easter Monday market is the big one!
A lot of you fellow Grover Rotarians go away at Easter, but this Market next Monday is BIG, and as of right now, [2130 on18/3], Judy Greer, 5255 4041, needs three more helpers. Please help if you can.
Manager & assistants Judy Greer, Rod Greer and Phil Edwards.
Main Gate, 8.30 Helen Trigg
Car Parking 7.30 Colin Brown. 8.30 Bill Steains, Leigh Holloway. 10.00 David Tyrrell, Fred Andrews & ?????????? [One needed]
Site preparation Leigh Holloway Signs Rod Birrell
Raffle 9.00 to 10.30 Alison George, Anne Brown 9.30 to 11.30 ?????????????[one needed]
10.30 to 12.30 Margaret Campbell, John Dodgshun.
Cray spins Charles Dawborn, Alex Magee & ??????????????[one needed]
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Building peace through economic growth in Kyrgyzstan [central Asia]
Colin Spurway of Scotland had taught and managed international development in Central and South Asia for four years when he realized something was missing.
“I had limitations in my knowledge of the theories of development in conflict resolution,” Spurway says. “I was concerned that maybe the theories underlying the practical work were naïve and simplistic.”
A 2003-05 Rotary World Peace Fellowship to study at the University of Queensland helped him to step up to a whole new level of work in the field.
“It was an investment in me that I genuinely appreciate. I’m now running a very complicated, multiheaded project in southern Kyrgyzstan for an organization called Mercy Corps,” says Spurway, who manages a staff of 40
The project is building peace through economic development in 47 communities and is funded by USAID, Mercy Corps, and regional organizations. A major focus is placing young apprentices with master trades and crafts people for intensive on-the-job training.
“One of the elements that is most likely to fuel conflict is unemployment and the limited decision-making role young people have in their communities,” Spurway says, “which is why the project is funded by USAID’s conflict mitigation office, rather than its economic development office.”
Ed. Comment: What a very complicated and far-reaching organization is our Rotary Foundation!
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A clever bit of repartee
“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend….….if you have one.” George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill.
“Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second…….if there is one.” Winston Churchill, in response.
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