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Vol.26 No 17
Notice for the meeting at the Ocean Grove Hotel, Tuesday 28th October, 6.00 for 6.30
Speaker Simon Angliss [Professional Golfer] Chairman Norm Elliott
Attend. Officer Bob Smith Ass. Cashier & Thanker Wal Kelly Greeter & Ass. Sgt. John Eyles
Birthdays & Anniversaries 1st Nov. Elaine Sanders 2nd John & Jan Fox
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Bacon and eggs………….A days work for a chook, a lifetime commitment for a pig!
Notable World Events in the week ahead [that was]
The Rhine turns red
In the 1880’s, salmon and no less than 50 other species of fish could be found in the Rhine river, flowing across four countries in Europe. As pollution from agriculture, industry and sewage grew, the fish disappeared and the river became too toxic to swim in. In the 1970’s, huge efforts went into cleaning the river, but in one night, its road to recovery was undone.
During the early hours of November 1, 1986 a fire broke out in a chemical factory in Basl, Switzerland, near the river’s head. Firemen poured water on the blaze and captured the run-off behind a containment wall. The wall gave way and 30 tons of agricultural chemicals and heavy metals poured out. A deadly red soup swept downstream, killing aquatic life and land animals that drank the water. In 10 days it had traveled the length of the Rhine and entered the North Sea.
It took until 1996 for salmon to return to the river to breed, but it is estimated it will be 2020 before the river will be clean enough for people to swim in.
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THE MEETING DUE TO BE HELD ON 4th NOVEMBER HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Ten years of drought is taking its toll
I flew to Mildura and back last weekend, [Friday to Monday] By the time I drove a hire car to Mildura airport from Robinvale on Monday morning departing 0800, then waiting at luggage carousel no.3 for almost 30 minutes in vain for my luggage, which Qantas then announced had gone to no. 2, I got home at 1400. Could easily have driven the whole way in that time.
From the air, the country is dry to Bendigo, but absolutely arid from there north. I flew regularly over that country for 48 years, and it has never looked so terrible. The Murray is visible for about 200 river miles, and there are many sand-bars so obviously long out of the water, that there are trees now growing on them. At Mt. Dispursion Station, about halfway between Robinvale and Mildura, the river appears so shallow as to make it possible to wade across! Some grape properties have died, the water licence sold or the property abandoned. I didn’t enjoy my visit. The Murray is no longer mighty!
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Club News
Those Melbourne Cup Sweep tickets were designed and printed by Rod Bush, but they are of no value to anyone until the butts are returned, duly completed, with $10 attached, to Peter Hawthorne or Charles Dawborn by the 28th October.
The next market is 2 Nov. If you are rostered and can’t keep your appointment, please contact Alison or Phil urgently. A detailed list of rostered members will be printed next week.
Ian Bent & Geoffrey Cummins have volunteered to assist Dick Clay & Ken Fleay with market signs and equipment distribution and recovery. Our club members are bloody good like that.
You know you’re Australian if…..
You know the meaning of the word ‘girt’.
You believe that stubbies can be either drunk or worn.
You think it’s normal to have a leader called Kevin.
You’ve made a bong out of your garden hose rather than use it for something illegal such as watering your garden.
When you hear that an American ‘roots for his team’, you wonder how often and with whom?.
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The Ibis part 4 of 6
The reason why flood conditions must prevail is because the birds require moving water around their nests to reduce the build up of droppings which could cause botulism. It is claimed that in large rookeries any time during mating, breeding or feeding, should the water recede or cease to flow, the birds will instantly abandon their nests and/or their young. They can migrate 3000 kilometres after breeding in Southern Australia, and birds tagged in local rookeries have been found in Dutch New Guinea.
Ed. Note; The local Ibis on Mud Island must have adapted to the rise and fall of tides as an exception to the above rule of abandonment. In any case, do not be disturbed at the note about abandoning their young on the receding or cessation of water flow. That, would be just too anthropomorphic! How I love that word!
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This Day Tonight
We extend best wishes for a speedy recovery from ill-health to Wilma Andrews, Leone Clay & Tony Haines.
Vic Harnath wants to sell Rotary Xmas cards; Judy Greer, applications for the April RYLA camp.
Phil Edwards will grant early Rotarian applicants a car boot sale site at either the Nov. or Dec. market.
Marg. Campbell recently represented the club at the district drought relief forum. Times are tough!
We were presented with three new banners – Southampton, Ca. via the Greers, and New Delhi and Jodpur via Alison George.
Geoff Ford led a team of handymen to the Surfside Primary School to build a prefabricated hot-house.
Judy Greer chaired a meeting of 6 OG Primary School teachers led by Jenny Landers, 13 year 6 students and a multitude of proud parents at the Graham Bath Memorial Junior Community Awards.
Travis Anderson, Shae Collins, Alice Digby, Sarah Edmonds, Jane Fendyk, Zoe Gerusel, Amy Gibbs, Maddy Montano-Beazly, Matisse Patterson, Nathan Peatling, Latiesha Perry, Luke Smythe and Khelsey Whyte were all a great credit to their parents and their school.
They all spoke of the four basic elements of the scheme – Community Service, Skills development, physical recreation, and social experiences in the fields of social engagement, religion and the arts. They were all self-assured, confident, lucid and enthusiastic, [but not immaculate as I attributed to Geoff Chandler last week].
Actually, my proof reader thought that word was, perhaps, inappropriate,[or, over the top] but it was the best I could do having regard to the weather under which I was. I bet she won’t like the grammar in that either!
But those kids did very well indeed, and so did chairman Judy.
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You all have jobs to do next Saturday for celebrate 58 Day: Don’t let the side down!
The Board resolved
Our AGM will be held 18th Nov, our Accounts will be reviewed, not audited, we gave Jenny Lock $500 towards the Mombasa project, the Senior Cits. Dinner will be held 2/12, and our Xmas party 16/12.
November is Rotary Foundation month, and we will have a promotional speaker on 25/11. Rod Greer is heading a team to examine prospective club projects put forward at Phil Edwards forum earlier this year.
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